Building a kitchen

anoncoward2022

We recently tore out our deck and replaced it with a patio.  I plan to build an outdoor kitchen to hold, among other things, my egg.  I've seen two methods that look appealing, and I was curious the costs and benefits of each.  The first method was to build the kitchen out of paver stones.  The second was to build a wood frame and put a stone facade around it.  Thanks in advance.

Tspud1

My vote is the frame and stone

Canugghead

I would have picked Dislikowart2022

anoncoward2022

@Tspud1 that looks amazing.  What made you decide to go in that direction?

TheBreeze

One thing you may want to take into account is weight, and whether or not that matters in the area you are building it in.  If you build it out of just stacked pavers, it is going to weigh a lot.  

Here is my little table that I built in the fall using just stacked pavers.  Even though the center is hollow for storage and there is a bit of hollow space under each egg, it still used 150 pavers and weighs 3500 pounds with the eggs. 

 

Ozzie_Isaac

Wood frame with stone veneer is awesome from the flexibility standpoint. The wood is much easier to build the frame, more flexibility to place components, less wasted space than paver or cement block.

Pavers or cement block is good from durability, heat resistance, sturdiness, etc.  It is harder for sizing/spacing and I suspect a good bit more expensive. As @TheBreeze said ground prep may be a consideration too.  My kitchen has pretty decent footers required for the cement block.

 If possible I would recommend a metal frame with cement board.  You get flexibility and space efficiency of wood frame, but heat resistance of cement block or pavers.  If I had to do it again, this is the route I would go.

Tspud1

anoncoward2022 said:

@Tspud1 that looks amazing.  What made you decide to go in that direction?

easier to make the openings for the stainless components. Most of those are standard parts from the egg tables we do. Counter top is stained concrete with one of our commercial broiler griddle added along with 2 burner hot plate

anoncoward2022

@Ozzie_Isaac How do you go about building the metal frame?  Is it something you can source all from Home Depot, or do you need to be able to weld?

alaskanassasin

@anoncoward2022 here is a good diy thread 

https://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2516043#Comment_2516043

JohnfromKentucky

Tspud1 said:

anoncoward2022 said:

@Tspud1 that looks amazing.  What made you decide to go in that direction?

easier to make the openings for the stainless components. Most of those are standard parts from the egg tables we do. Counter top is stained concrete with one of our commercial broiler griddle added along with 2 burner hot plate

THat looks awesome! Do you have the plans for this to share? was it all 2x4?

jdMyers

Having done this project recently I have lots of my .02 cents opinions.  I hope this helps you. I did paver stones.  Info to think outside the box 

#1 paver stones. 
-Is the kitchen going on top the cement or beside it.
-Pavers are extremely heavy.   If you didn't prepare cement for this type of weight then consider ON the patio will be a potential problem with weight.
-I poured cement pillars into the ground to support the cement, and the cement is also 10 to 12 in thick on kitchen side.
-nearly most every stone needs cut or shaved or trimmed.
-remember to consider slope and factor water drainage thru and out the other side of the pavers.  Pavers stuck down with Mortor mix 
-think of dunage racks or up off the cement shelves that keep everything out of the water draining under it.
-factor storage for your eggsessories, racks, and charcoal. 
-Remember prep space between appliances.  Looks great but no room to work.  I made that mistake between egg and grill.  No room for trays of meat.  
- leave enuff room for growth.  Aka you have a large egg but leave room for xl egg.
- paver will need angle iron cross beams to support weight spaned over any open area.  Drawer under egg requires support above drawer to hold egg example. 
-ventilation and access to clean out and cleanup
-under lip lighting, electric, speakers, speaker wire, water lines, access doors
-Outlet placement for Rotisserie needs to be on left side of egg to prevent crossing infront of egg.  Using other accessories like blender plug.  Running or wires, path to connections.

I attached photos just to show examples.  Exterior lighting, dunnage racks, angle iron above drawer, space between appliances for prep. 
-Don't forget to consider the top.  Granite, cement, the weight, wood, etc.

Hope this helps.  Welcome any questions that may make your project smoother.  I fought it with help from the folks here.

JohnfromKentucky

@jdMyers
"Pavers are extremely heavy.   If you didn't prepare cement for this type of weight then ON the patio will be a potential problem to consider breaking cement or cracking."

How could I tell if my pad is thick/strong enough for this? I bought my house from someone so I don't know if it is or not.

Ozzie_Isaac

@jdMyers kitchen is absolutely gorgeous, all of his questions he poses are ones to take serious.  Layout and access is key to getting the most out of your kitchen.  Landing space for food and utensils is very important.

Put in as much storage as you possibly can, and as much counter space as feasible.

On the question of the metal framing, (metal studs) I have a local BBQ store that you can buy it at.  I assume it is available from a building supply store or online.  Not as readily available as wood, but still carried.

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Metal-studs-Drywall-framing-Drywall-Building-supplies/4294715714?cm_mmc=src-_-c-_-prd-_-bdm-_-ggl-_-DSA_BDM_248_Drywall-and-Ceiling-_--_-0-_-0-_-0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmD0n3Pno7e3CX0BibW203AqtHEFElvV2i_E1xJLzndgCkaKsTMs99iBoCr5EQAvD_BwE

jdMyers

Thank you for the kind words. Took 3 years in stages.

You bring up a great point.  Metal studs are cheaper and easier to fit than wood.  Ref cement.  I would call a local cement patio company.  Not a diy weekend warrior.  Have then come out for an estimate to extend your patio.  i KNOW ITS A LIE, but while there there they can guide you on what you have vs what weight it will hold.  Is. 4 inch thick on a gravel bed on dirt vs 8 inch on gravel etc.  If it's not there.  What space do you have to off set the kitchen off to the edge and build it in the ground over lapping the cement.  Less weight.  More access under ground for stuff.  I purposely made mine wider than the house.  So flames smoke etc are outside the house edge.  Left more patio.

I also failed in that everything I learned or added required me to dig up the trench 3 times, arrrgg.  So if your running gas lines propane, electric, water etc.  Also water lines make sure you have access to cleanout, shut off, and winterize.

Jd

jdMyers

Post photos of your space.  We all can help you struggle with oooh I need that too ideas

Tspud1

JohnfromKentucky said:

Tspud1 said:

anoncoward2022 said:

@Tspud1 that looks amazing.  What made you decide to go in that direction?

easier to make the openings for the stainless components. Most of those are standard parts from the egg tables we do. Counter top is stained concrete with one of our commercial broiler griddle added along with 2 burner hot plate

THat looks awesome! Do you have the plans for this to share? was it all 2x4?

No plans, spot built to patio size. Framed up then Hardyboard put on for the rock veneer to be applied. I gave them dimensions of the stainless pieces so the openings
would match.

anoncoward2022

Based on the above, I'm going to make an L-shape kitchen with metal studs.  I'll put the egg in the back corner at a lower level than the counters.

I plan on making one leg 100x30 inches while the other is 120x30, with 30 inches of both the overlap where the egg will sit. 

From what I've seen online, I'll use 20 gauge track connected by 20 gauge studs.  On the 100 inch leg, I might do a bar off the back side.

Mr_D

I have been doing a lot of research on outdoor kitchens and came across this business. Not sure of cost but the simplicity for a DIY'er seems good.

https://grillnetics.com/