Grilling Area (Outdoor Kitchen) Build has Begun

[Bob's BBQ]

Looks great so far! Congrats!

[Huskee]

I'm jealous! One day I hope to do something similar, and actually have my cookers covered under a roof of some sort as well.

[Black99vette]

A roof would be nice.

[CaptainMike]

Looks fantastic, just keep at it

[JPGators17]

Awesome! Is the frame pre-fabricated, or did you cut to size?

[Black99vette]

Thanks! I framed it up myself with metal studs.

[JPGators17]

Even more impressive. I've never worked with metal studs, but I've been brainstorming for the same project myself, but I've never worked with metal studs before. Are they difficult to work with compared to wood?

[Black99vette]

JPGators17 - I have never used metal studs before either. Working with wood would be easier, but seeing the pictures of burnt up kitchens stopped me. The metal studs are just slower, I marked, scored, snipped the sides, and then snapped. Then you have to clamp the corners and screw both sides.


If I did it again:

I would consider buying a sear to cut the studs (Malco SRC24A Channel Shear). Yes it is pricey. I was dumb and did most of my work on the ground (Patio). At the very end I setup a table (Saw horses and melamine) in the garage for building the concrete counter tops molds. The table came in handy for snapping long thin pieces of ¼ backer board (Hardie board). Using a long level I’d clamp the board down on the edge of the table and then use another straight edge to bend and snap the board. Also I would screw down some scrap wood and form a 90 degree corner. Then you can hold / push the metal studs against them.

I was going to pour the counter tops in place but then seen a video about using mortar mix to make counter tops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7mYB6x68DY). I was afraid of not getting the counters smooth and spending half my life grinding them. It was a lot of work making the molds and pouring each top. The mortar mix sets up fast – I have a bucket concrete to prove it. If I did it again I would pour them in place with the help of a few friends.

[Dan Deter]

Wait, that counter top was poured by you? That's awesome! I'm going to have to watch that video...

[Black99vette]

Dan Deter thanks! And yes I poured my outdoor kitchen counter tops. The YouTube video does a good job, I would recommend taking good notes (I did). The water ratio is very important. On my last pour I was running out of mortar mix and added more water than before. It turned out to be the smoothest piece of concrete in the whole project.

[bten]

I am doing one right now, I used a diablo saw blade for metal studs in my circular saw and it has worked great. I still used aviator snips and scoring for the channels.

[Black99vette]

Getting closer!






I just picked up a 26" Weber kettle to go into that opening. While setting up the babies room I ran across some jars of coins. Long story short, $318, hello new grill! Now I just need a Blackstone griddle on the end.


Wide angle shot


I probably should have cleaned off the stone before taking the pics. At some point the fence on the right will come down and I'll have a paver patio there.

[HawkerXP]

Man that looks great!

[Black99vette]

Thanks! More work than I expected.

[ColonialDawg]

That looks awesome!

[Black99vette]

Thanks! I was going to use a different color stone but Home Depot had those on clearance last fall - score.

[ColonialDawg]

I dig it.

[RonB]

I'd be very happy with that.

[Black99vette]

Thanks! I'd be happier if it didn't take so long.

[Sweaty Paul]

Beautiful! Well done!

[Black99vette]

Thanks!