concrete block table builds???

NorthPilot06

speed51133 said:

Did you cast your own counters? What climate are you in?

I missed this...I answered the counter Q above - I’m in DFW

speed51133

So this awesome outdoor kitchen sketch in MS paint is what I am proposing. I decided to give up on blocks and make it with steel studs panels from diybbq.com. I am THINKING of adding in a Joe Jr into the 4 foot long island leg or maybe just omitting the 4ft part, or just having having ti bare for work space.

It is NOT to scale. The XL egg will be centered, regardless if the 4ft leg is there or not. This is all at bar height and the counter will span across the egg opening with a circle cutout.  Asis there is JUST enough room for the two doors, but according to the egg specs, you only need a hole of 26.5. I was thinking of 1in of room on both sides would be good. 

Any tips or suggestions?

nolaegghead

speed51133 said:

So this awesome outdoor kitchen sketch in MS paint is what I am proposing. I decided to give up on blocks and make it with steel studs panels from diybbq.com. I am THINKING of adding in a Joe Jr into the 4 foot long island leg or maybe just omitting the 4ft part, or just having having ti bare for work space.

It is NOT to scale. The XL egg will be centered, regardless if the 4ft leg is there or not. This is all at bar height and the counter will span across the egg opening with a circle cutout.  Asis there is JUST enough room for the two doors, but according to the egg specs, you only need a hole of 26.5. I was thinking of 1in of room on both sides would be good. 

Any tips or suggestions?

Looks like some solid plans there.

speed51133

Do you guys think adding the joe jr to the table is silly???? I am wondering if it is a waste of space/money.

jdMyers

After going thru all of this myself and at the couter top point but winter got me.

Any electrical outlet thoughts.  Rotiesserie, lighting, fridge.  

Whats the countertop material.  Will there be the same counter top material under the egg.  Will the counter top materiel  follow the same cut out as the egg cut out or solid all the way across with a hole cut out in it for the egg to drop in?  Countertop support across the span opening. 

What else is going around it that you have to plan ahead of whats going under it.  My case gas firepit  with gas lines under patio.  

If you make it will metal studs.  Factor in a heck of support system under the egg.  I used 4 pieces of angle iron.  I would also double up on the studs under the egg for sidewall strength.  

Is there another grill besides the egg thats needs a home as well built in or factored in

speed51133

I went through all this with the kit supplier. I specifically asked about the 450lb XL egg and the lack of support directly under the egg. They assured me it is all rated for this. 

I will have the counter span the egg cutout with a circle hole for the egg. The front of the cutout will be open. I will add supports for the counter as well. The countertop material will probably be concrete (with rebar/re-mesh), cast in place for a seamless install. The shelf for the egg will be the same material. This is what it looks like (see image below). https://diybbq.com/diy-bbq-egg-grill-cut-out-kit/. I also have the entire order posted below.

As to electric and other stuff, yes, I have it all factored in there. There will be an outlet in the egg cutout for my pit controller as well as an outlet on the front and back of the island for yard work use. I will not have any sink or fridge or stuff like that. This is Wisconsin, I don't think its practical outside. I have a full wet bar with beverage cooler, wine, and ice just 10 feet from this inside the home.

I admit I am skeptical if there is enough support for 450lbs WITHOUT accessories. But we will see. I am planning on adding storage doors under the egg if it really is sturdy enough. Perfect spot for charcoal. I will also be waterproofing the slab under the island and waterproofing all the cement board so it will stay dry. The kit is kind of expensive for steel studs, but I purchased them all pre-installed, at least the walls are. I just assemble them into the boxes. I was going to just buy studs and DIY, but forget this. This is too much easier. 

Mattman3969

What are you covering the outside with?

speed51133

A blue tarp

Ill be using Durock cement board, coated with Redgard, then thinset mortar and stacked stone. Haven't picked the stone yet....probably one of these. All natural stones....

Mattman3969

We’ve built a few using similar material 

speed51133

Did you use steel studs? The kit includes 20ga galvanized steel. Rated for outdoor use. 

Question, does your stone end at the trim of the cabinets, or does the trim rest ontop of the stone?

Mattman3969

Top pic are actual SS cabinets and the stone bumps them.  2nd pic the doors are insert door and frame only that lay over the stone opening.  

We used steel studs on the top one and wood studs on the 2nd one.  We made them moveable so we could take to home shows.  

jdMyers

What is the ground underneath it and what is your watsr drain around thru and under the unit.  I built mine out of paver wall stones on stamped patio.  I had to re factor the 3 degree slope on the patio and counter level the entire unit.  That was a pain.  I had to add drainage under and thru the unit.  So factor it now.  Should be a fun build.

speed51133

Concrete slab attached to the house is sloped .25in per foot. Deck overhangs the entire slab. The 8 foot section of the island will run along with the sloped slab. I will use composite shims along the entire length to make the island level. 

When I was planning on using concrete blocks I was going to cut the blocks for the first coarse so it would be level. 

jdMyers

Mine was approx 19ft from the house outward and dropped 3 inch over the span.  I used mortar mix and shaved the heck out of stones.  Just remember or consider your build shimmed will be level your patio/surface wont be.  Remember to add drains or run thrus.  Keeps the water puddles down.  If your doors cubbies will open and access the ground put dunnage racks or shelves inside on the ground sonthe water and dirt will wash under it.

thetrim

I love outdoor kitchen and table build posts. 

speed51133

Duly noted, thanks for the tip. The stud kit should ship this week. I'll post pics along the way.

speed51133

https://madison.craigslist.org/for/d/madison-big-green-egg-smoker-and-grill/7085970386.html

might snatch this up instead of the joe jr....

jdMyers

Sorry.  Also remember shimms that are wood on the ground will soak and dissolve and then you will experience drop.  Been there and done that.  Your winters will eat those alive.  

speed51133

which is why i said composite shims
Nelson composite shims snap clean on every 1/8" without scoring. They offer 35% better load support than traditional wood, are waterproof, impervious to insects and resists splitting splintering swelling and warping. Available 7-1/2" L x 1-3/8" W x 1/4" T. Also, the stud floor plates will all be set on PVC strips so they wont contact the concrete. The concrete, as mentioned above, will also be waterproofed with Redgard. 

jdMyers

Super nice   

speed51133

my kit arrived yesterday. No idea how complete the kit is. Nothing is marked what part it is, but it should be fairly self explanatory. There are some craptastic directions online.