Is this table safe?

Savilac

I bought this table from Home Depot but then realized it was pressure treated: https://www.homedepot.com/p/YellaWood-Grill-Table-Kit-IR52X28AGT/205619748?cm_sp=BazVoice-_-QA_PQRDR-_-205619748-_-x

Pressure treated wood is not good around food so I was wondering why they would make a BBQ table out of it. I posted the question to Home Depot and this is the answer I received:

"They are probably referring to Methyl Bromide treatment, which has chemicals. These show to be kiln dried and not chemical treated."

Can you, The Forum, look at this table and offer your thoughts?
Thank you.
Matt

nolaegghead

There should be no food safety problem with the table as long as you follow a few simple rules:

1.  Don't eat the table
2.  Use food-safe equipment between the table and food.  For example - plates, cutting boards, pans, etc.

danv23

Check your local Craigs list. Lots of local craftsman that will do you right using cypress or something else to make you comfortable. Stain it and poly it yourself, or go metal/aluminum. All depends on your budget. I would not go pressure treated stuff. Just MHO. 

nolaegghead

Never thought "The Dude" would be skeerd of treated wood.   Don't put yer food on the table, Dude!  Simple rule, we don't do it on "safe" tables, at least I don't and I don't notice anyone else in the course of normal BBQ or cooking putting their raw or cooked food directly on any table or counter.  However, if you tend to do that, yeah, get an untreated table.

danv23

nolaegghead said:

Never thought "The Dude" would be skeerd of treated wood.   Don't put yer food on the table, Dude!  Simple rule, we don't do it on "safe" tables, at least I don't and I don't notice anyone else in the course of normal BBQ or cooking putting their raw or cooked food directly on any table or counter.  However, if you tend to do that, yeah, get an untreated table.

Hey, man, is a complicated case Maude. A lotta ins, a lotta outs. Lotta strands in the old duder's head.

Kent8621

where are you located?  you could build a solid cedar table for that cost.  if your near Alabama, I can give you a hand.

The_Stache

Wow!  I was waiting for someone to repost all of those burned table pictures!!

PS... my table is wood

Kent8621

I have two all cedar ones, the table nest provides enough air gap to keep it safe.  the danger with wood tables is without the nest and just on a stone. 

YukonRon

The_Stache said:

Wow!  I was waiting for someone to repost all of those burned table pictures!!

PS... my table is wood

Depends on the process of wood treatment, I suppose, and of course the type of wood. I have seen treated wood take a while to catch, and I have seen a near instant inferno with the landing of a hot coal.

As far as food safety, use another surface between the wood, should you question the safety of the food, and you should be fine.

I am thinking the only food (well it really isn't food) I store in wood, long term, is some wine, but they, too, also are in bottles inside the case.

I prep and serve food on wood cutting boards, however, they get a thorough cleaning, prior to use, and after.

And who does not make a Caesar dressing without the use of a large wooden bowl? Same precautions are made there as well.

Use good sense, if you need to question its use, why risk it. Not worth the health of you or your family and friends.

Woodchunk

HD also sells sheet metal. If you are worried you can by a 2X3' piece for around 15.00$ and cover the large open space, screw in each corner. Will make it easy to clean also. 2 pieces would cover the whole top, cut the opening.

rusticwoodworx

METAL is a conductor, POLY varnish is a fuel source and FIRE BRICK is designed to retain heat.  Rustic WoodWorx recommends using grill feet instead of a brick or paver and tile, granite under the feet (if anything).  Using a water soluble finish is much better than an oil-based product for safety. 

This is a customer's table that burned up because of improper material use. 
Safe grilling!!

nolaegghead

rusticwoodworx said:

METAL is a conductor, POLY varnish is a fuel source and FIRE BRICK is designed to retain heat.  Rustic WoodWorx recommends using grill feet instead of a brick or paver and tile, granite under the feet (if anything).  Using a water soluble finish is much better than an oil-based product for safety. 

This is a customer's table that burned up because of improper material use. 
Safe grilling!!

So you are saying water-based polyurethanes are less flammable or toxic than oil-based?  When they are cured?  Never heard that before.

Kent8621

given my profession I couldn't help but research this.  According to Fourier's law of heat transfer, air is substantially better at dissipating heat than concrete.  there is an equation, if your interested I can share it, but when you do the math I would take about a 12" block of concrete to provide the same heat transfer rate that air gives you.  So, like golf we want to see a low number in heat transfer rate.  I guess I should say I assumed a 2" air gap which is about what the table nest gives us, a 12x12 paver (larger would be worse), a 70 degree day, and the bottom of the egg at 350 degrees.  with all of that, heat transfers through concrete about 70 times faster than air. I know people on here love stainless steel, so for fun I ran it and heat transfers though that about 385 times faster.  So to sum it up, using the table nest is the safest way to rest your egg in your table.

Jupiter Jim

nolaegghead said:

Never thought "The Dude" would be skeerd of treated wood.   Don't put yer food on the table, Dude!  Simple rule, we don't do it on "safe" tables, at least I don't and I don't notice anyone else in the course of normal BBQ or cooking putting their raw or cooked food directly on any table or counter.  However, if you tend to do that, yeah, get an untreated table.

Well my sister was making hamburgers at my house one evening, she took the ground beef out of the package and slapped it right on the counter made the patties put them on the counter and when she was done making the patties then she put them on a plate! I was so shocked I just stood there and watched. The most shocking part for me was she had a food safety certificate. I kept her away from the kitchen from then on. 

fishlessman

thats not like the old pressure treated that actually worked. no problems for me using that table but, just to note, ive been using the same old board for near 20 years to fillet fish on, i toss it in the lake for an hour or two or next day, its never actually been washed, sanitized etc.

mEGG_My_Day

Kent8621 said:

given my profession I couldn't help but research this.  According to Fourier's law of heat transfer, air is substantially better at dissipating heat than concrete.  there is an equation, if your interested I can share it, but when you do the math I would take about a 12" block of concrete to provide the same heat transfer rate that air gives you.  So, like golf we want to see a low number in heat transfer rate.  I guess I should say I assumed a 2" air gap which is about what the table nest gives us, a 12x12 paver (larger would be worse), a 70 degree day, and the bottom of the egg at 350 degrees.  with all of that, heat transfers through concrete about 70 times faster than air. I know people on here love stainless steel, so for fun I ran it and heat transfers though that about 385 times faster.  So to sum it up, using the table nest is the safest way to rest your egg in your table.

Question - does anyone know how much the base of a large bge weighs with all inwards removed?

I think I need to add a table nest and was wondering if I can do it by myself. 

Kent8621

by the numbers you do .  if you pull it apart you can do it pretty easily.  you lift and have your wife or kids put it under, and back down gently.

mEGG_My_Day

Kent8621 said:

by the numbers you do .  if you pull it apart you can do it pretty easily.  you lift and have your wife or kids put it under, and back down gently.

If some kids show up claiming I'm there dad, I have a lawsuit against a certain doctor  .

I do have a wife though.  Thanks!!

flexfusion

Looks like a Home Depot rip off.  Probably too flimsy.