Another Newbie Question

Unknown

With my new Large BGE, I got the wood table to hold the egg. I think that it is pressure treated wood with no sealant. Does anyone recommend a wood sealer for this table? I live in near the beach South Florida. So, we have high heat, high humidity, and salt spray. Combined with the heat from the BGE, I figure that my table will be tested pretty good next summer.[p]On the Naked Whiz site, it looks like he used Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. Anyone else have suggestions?

bobbyb

Brad,
I used spar varnish and it is holding up well. One note of caution though: I varnished everything, including under the shelf where the egg sits on top of a concrete block. The block got hot enough to let the varnish melt, drip on the patio, and then the dog rolled around in it. That stuff doesn't come out of fur. It eventually quit dripping, so if you do varnish underneath the shelf, you may want to put some newspaper underneath while you are cooking for a while.
bobbyb

Clay Q

Brad,
That's a tricky question. All depends on the look your after and how much maintenance involved.[p]I work with wood and from my perspective I like low maintenance and practicality. Presure treated wood will last a long time without treatment but for applications associated with food, a protectant is used to facilitate cleanliness as well as protection from the elements ( such as spilled beer ).[p]I would recommend good old boiled lineseed oil. It's food safe, goes on easy, does not peel and blister. And it will darken the wood to give it a richer look. It's not water (beer) proof but it is water resistant and a non hazard product- Just dont use it as a turkey glaze.
Read the cans directions-apply when the wood is completely dry.[p]My two bits worth,
Clay Q

Adrian B.

I thought the tables from BGE were cypress. Does that NEED to be sealed? I'm not a wood guy, just asking since I'll be building one in a few months.

Clay Q

vr6Cop,
Cypress is a durable, decay resistant wood often used in outdoor applications where there is moisture present. It's resistance to decay can be greatly enhanced by a protectant.[p]As far as a BGE throne (table) goes, there are a number of suitable wood species to use for construction. Redwood and cedar have very good decay resistance and the wood is easy to cut. [p]Treated wood is made most often from southern pine and is easy to work and is low cost. Redwood, on the other hand, is more expensive. [p]Good luck on your throne.
Clay Q[p]

David

bobbyb,[p]Just a quick "no vote" for pressure treated wood anywhere near food or kids. The wood is treated with some god awful chemicals (arsnic for one) to make it last forever....nothing i would ever put near the aforementioned.[p]Try natural long lasting woods like mahogany or cedar.[p]here to good food and good health,[p]Cheers,[p]David

Clay Q

David,
Yea, if your going to build a throne might as well use good wood- not treated pine.[p]I belive in natural untreated wood has a nicer look and has the advantage of no chemical preservitives. (Arsinc is not used anymore in retail treated pine that I'm aware of.)[p]Boiled linseed oil, although it has a dryer, is basicly a natural wood protectant and when dry is non-toxic and is bonded within the wood, not on its surface. There is no blistering or peeling as with varnish. Water marks will show however, a light sanding followed with a light reapplication of oil will keep wood looking rich and clean. Wood will also age naturally from sunlight with linseed oil. Well, this is an option to compare with other protectants. [p]Clay Q