Outdoor kitchen

[Andrew1]

Hi
I am about to start on the build of an outside kitchen at home. I have a concrete pad, with armored cable available. Pad measure approx 13' square. around the perimeter at head height will be led strip lighting, affixed to under capping on wall and on rail on fence.
The kitchen is planned to be "L" shaped, containing Weber Q3200, taken off of it's stand and supported by a shelf. In addition will be a smoker unit, free standing in the run of cupboards, a sink with tap and waste, a direct heat grill (like a George foreman but bigger, cupboards for gas bottle, waste water, grilling, rotisserie accessories etc. Now to the real questions-
1. Should i build it in blockwork and cedar panel, with hand built Cedar doors. Shelving inside could be wire racks.
2. Built in brick, matching house, Cedar doors and framing
3. Build it all in wood, perhaps insulate with cement board in high heat area. Not sure what wood to build frame from as exposed site
4. Top surface, cement board and then tiled
5. Top surface, Cedar strip work

any thoughts or suggestions welcomed. Many images on web, but thought i would ask, has anyone built one themselves

 

[sunnybob]

I wouldnt use any wood on an all year outdoor area. Rain and snow will make that very old very quick.
I have the opposite problem here. I built an outdoor kitchen using wood and laminated worktop. It lasted less than 18 months before it fell apart from sun and rain damage. I now have all brick and tile, and a granite worksurface. 8) 8)

 

[doctor Bob]

I built one for the RHS Chelsea show in 2007, out of Massaranduba. Cost a lot.
The designer of the garden put the kitchen in her own garden after the show. Didn't really hold up well.
The UK weather is not suitable for outdoor wooden kitchens, certainally not to still look good in 5-10 years time. I'd make it from blockwork, Stone worktops and stainless steel doors if it was mine.

I got a silver medal by the way.

 

[MikeG.]

......I am about to start on the build of an outside kitchen at home.........

Are you expecting radical change to the climate in Spalding in the next year or two? :lol:

 

[Selwyn]

Google diy pete on youtube concrete kitchen

 

[Selwyn]

Google diy pete on youtube concrete kitchen

 

[Marineboy]

You mention cement board for insulation in the high heat areas. I would recommend instead Vitcas vermiculite board with which I lined my fireplace prior to installing the woodburner. It’s very easy to cut, light, and provides way more insulation than cement board.

 

[Andrew1]

Hi, thanks for coming back
Mike G, the sun shines on the righteous, but appreciate comment. I am BBQ whenever possible. The more I think about it, the desire to build it yourself as opposed to the practical solution is less attractive . Stainless units built into blockwork sounds promising. Noted re insulation, makes more sense. Congrats on Silver medal

 

[AJB Temple]

I built an outdoor kitchen last year. I use it constantly, summer and winter.

Slightly raised floor in block over type 1 stone and sand for drainage, about 3m by 5m. I built an oak framed pitch roof structure as a shelter, and I made cedar shingles for the roof. I installed a Weber Summit in stainless steel structure and an XL big green egg. Lighting, electrics, water and big water butt (galvanised horse trough actually). Old cast iron sink from a junk yard. My covered area is big enough to have a sheltered seating area, though my main seating area is on an adjacent terrace.

I make practically everything out of green oak and cupboard doors are stainless steel. I use it all the time. I really seriously recommend you have a mix of gas and charcoal. Whether you go green egg or Costco variant, my ceramic korodo grill gets more use than my big gas BBQ. This year I will be adding a brick domed pizza oven.

You are more than welcome to come and have a look. I made the oak frame, oak roof and shingles, so it cost me about £1200. All the blocks were surplus off a much bigger job and cost about £100, because they were 12cm thick industrial blocks.

 

[sunnybob]

My kitchen isnt on that scale, but I suggest aluminium louvre doors instead of stainless.
Zero maintenance and look good.