Make al fresco din easier with an outside kitchen . This tutorial shows you two ways to build a canonic out-of-door cooking area .
Edward Gohlich
Like any landscaping undertaking , the scope of anoutdoor cooking areais best determined by correct the question : How do you desire to use it ? For full - scale leaf outdoor dining ? For intimate gatherings with category or a few guests ? Or merely for occasional weekend get - togethers ?
Credit:Edward Gohlich
At a minimum , an outdoor kitchen requires a social structure tohouse a grillroom . The unit illustrate here do just that , incurring slight price and effort . you may add aprep sink , an under tabulator fridge , rotisserie , and any number of storage area . These design accommodate through the installation of extra bays .
You ’ll need 24 - 30 hour for this projection . Before you begin , design the layout , excavate the site , and if needed , stream a concrete slab .
How to Build a Mortared Cooking Area
What You Need
Step 1: Lay out and Pour Slab
Lay out and swarm the slab and footing to meet local codes . Snap meth logical argument to tag the locating of the block wall . Using your dimensional plan , build the rampart . verify the grill bay meets the manufacturer ’s specifications .
Step 2: Install Plywood and Backerboard
Cut 3/4 - column inch exterior - grade plywood , metallic element lath , and backerboard to check each incision of the countertop . Fasten the plyboard to the block web with concrete screws ( not mainstay ) . Mortar the plywood , place the first piece of backerboard in the mortar , then instal metal lath and the 2nd backerboard .
Step 3: Set and Level Veneer
embark on at the bottom , spread and comb thinset on a section of the block wall . coif each piece of brick veneer in the howitzer with a slight twist . pull down the veneer and keep it straight using a straightedge .
Step 4: Apply Mortar
When the thinset has cure , fill a howitzer bag with the mortar commend by the manufacturer and squeeze the mortar into the joints . Let the trench mortar sic up slightly , then tool it with a joint prick .
Step 5: Lay Tile
Lay out the countertop roofing tile to verify everything fits . Then set the roofing tile aside and diffuse and comb out a level pelage of thinset on the backerboard . Now set the countertop field tile . Make certain all the joint line up , then rig the edge roofing tile . When the mortar cures , grout and clean the tile and set up the grill .
How to Build a Wood Cooking Area on a Deck
Step 1: Cut and Assemble
Cut all the framing members to length and lay out the slice for the remaining rampart on your deck . Put them in their close together positions so you ’ll have them handy when you need them . Assemble the corner post for this wall first , inserting 6 - inch lengths of 2x4 between the corner spot rivet and driving 3 - 1/2 - inch screw from both side of meat . Line up the bottom plate and expression - peg it to the he-man , space them correctly . look - nail the top plate to the studs , keep the studs in good order spaced and straight in the frame . forgather all the wall in this way .
Step 2: Check and Secure
snatch chalk lines on the deck to place the position of the walls . check that the footmark of the chassis is straight to the deck . Square the corners with a framing square toes . Set the left wall on its chalk line and fasten one close of the bottom home to the decking by driving 3 - column inch screws into the bottom shell . trace the bottom plate up on the ice line and fasten the other end . Then go back and secure the heart of the bottom plate .
Step 3: Fasten and Finish
secure the remaining walls to the deck of cards using the same technique , pulling the walls together with screws through the rear macho-man into the corner Emily Price Post . Cut the front figure members and toe them in position . measuring rod and snub the plywood countertop base and fasten it to the frame . Cut and fasten plywood for the remain top plates and the shelves . draw the grill bay with cement backerboard . add the turnout , tile the countertop and top plate , and instal the grill .
Tips for Customizing Your Outdoor Kitchen
Installing a Concrete Countertop
Nothing beats concrete as a substrate for tile . It ’s flat , stable , and wo n’t bend under compressive onus . Concrete countertop are also ideal for outside kitchen installation , but for large cooking footing you may witness their disbursement prohibitive . For small kitchens , however , there ’s a ready - made option : precast concrete stepping stones .
pour in a 3 - inch thickness and in 3x3 - base squares , these units are usable at most dwelling centre and sure net retailers ( be careful of shipping cost , however ) . Beside providing an first-class base for tile , they put up an additional benefit — their 3 - inch height makes it easy to typeset your countertop at exactly 36 inches .
To install this unit , use acircular sawwith a Freemasonry blade to rationalise it to 24 inch ( the common front - to - back astuteness of a rejoinder control surface ) . employ mortar to the webs of the block walls and set the slab in piazza . For additional constancy , occupy the block cores with concrete and drill the slab to accommodate 1/2 - inch rebar .
Installing Under-Counter Storage
Installing an under - comeback computer memory true laurel or recess for a refrigerator , or other supplement , means support the block above the bay . Lintels are made for this use . Using a metal saw , reduce the brand header to a duration that extends over the opening by half a block on each side . Mortar the header in place , and cover it with lintel blocks , as shown .
