A BBQ station or outdoor kitchen can be a terrific way to enhance the appearance of your garden and create a space outside that you, your family, and your visitors will enjoy. They are excellent for outdoor gatherings like parties and barbecues and can also be very useful for birthday parties.
Also, when building an outdoor kitchen, keep your budget in mind. A kitchen can easily run over budget if you choose the wrong materials and furniture. Choosing cheap pieces can lead to frequent repair and replacement. You can also look for freebies online. Also, consider lighting options. The largest purchase will be the grill. However, there are many ways to save money on your grill.
How to Build an Outdoor Barbecue?
It will help if you plan to utilize your outdoor BBQ/kitchen before we get into building one. The typical components of an outdoor kitchen include grills and other cooking appliances, outdoor furniture, counter space, and occasionally even a bar area. You might or might not desire all of these items, but be assured that you can easily construct an outdoor kitchen on a budget by finding innovative alternatives.
Your choice is entirely up to you and will be based solely on your requirements and wants. You may save a lot of money by not being too particular about the furnishings you choose for your area, and you can always arrange it such that you can make improvements later. However, one expense for a fixed BBQ or kitchen you can’t avoid is prepping the land beneath it. One of the most expensive components of an outdoor kitchen might be the foundation.
Many people pick masonry materials like stone, concrete, or slate to provide their outdoor kitchen with a sturdy foundation, but there are other choices. If you want it to be more noticeable, you can also construct a ground-level or floating deck.
This can be extremely labor-intensive, so you might want to hire a skilled builder to handle it. If you choose to proceed in this manner, as with any building project, be sure to obtain many quotations from reputable and authorized contractors.
As long as they are experienced, even though this is an extra cost, you’ll know the task has been done properly. Decks are typically the most expensive option when you include in the price the materials, foundation, and levels that must be done to ensure that your outdoor kitchen has a sturdy base.
How is a BBQ Island Made Outside?
A grilling island outside is a fantastic way to create a unique cooking space without paying a lot for special-order gear. With credit to HGTV, we’ll offer you a quick rundown of the procedure here.
For developing larger outdoor kitchen/BBQ setups, you can use most, if not all, of these suggestions.
Cut Once, Measure Twice
The first step in building an outdoor barbecue is to measure the space where the grill will be located. Take measurements for width, depth, and other extra features, such as drawers and cabinets. Ensure the measurements are accurate and round up to the nearest 1/2 inch. These dimensions will serve as your gap size, which will help you build the piece accurately.
Measuring the real footprint or basis for the build is the first stage. Unless you already have one, it is usually a good idea to source the grill or BBQ you intend to use first to do this properly.
Measure the grill’s width and depth, taking into account any components that protrude from the back, such as gas lines, if necessary. Round decimals to the nearest half-inch and be as precise as possible (roughly 1.27-1.5 cm).
These dimensions will be used to determine the size of the opening required to accommodate your outdoor kitchen or BBQ station. Giving yourself more space than necessary will allow you some leeway while creating the item. Additionally, it will guarantee that the grill or BBQ fits.
After that, subtract 2 inches (approximately 5 cm) from the height measured from the bottom to the high of the lid. This will be the counter’s final height and provide you with a small lip above the grill or BBQ. Once that is done, calculate the island’s overall width and depth.
Although it’s not required, a decent rule of thumb is to create the island three times as wide as the grill. However, this will guarantee that the counter space on either side of the grill is equal.
It’s a good idea to increase the grill’s depth by approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm). Again, this is merely a guideline that gives you a general sense of the sizes you should aim for.
Create the Island’s Frame
Now that you have determined the island’s overall width, depth, and grill opening measurements, you can start constructing the island’s U-shaped top and base. Although you can use any construction material, pressure-treated 2×4 studs and wood screws are suitable options.
If you chose wood, join two pieces of pressure-treated wood together at the vertical corners using face-driven or pocket screws. You will then get the verticals’ length. To determine the height of the frame or legs to support the countertop, subtract 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) from the height of the countertop and add the thickness of the countertop, which is normally between 1 inch (2.54 cm) and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
An edge band around the top frame is a wonderful idea to give the countertop something to grip onto. If you wish to add doors and shelves to the island, you can lay plywood over the foundation frame. Make sure to insert wood screws into the corners of the base, verticals, and top frame.
Before turning the finished frame over, place leveling feet on each edge and every two feet across the back.
Countertop Time has Arrived
Ask a nearby countertop manufacturer for help if you’re unsure what material to select. You can read some helpful advice websites online to help you as well.
When selecting a material, factors to consider include how easy it is to clean and how long it will last in different weather conditions.
After selecting the material and learning how long it will take to prepare it, you can have an installer create a template for the island frame. When doing so, leave a 1-inch (2.54-cm) overhang around. Always consider the overhang and the thickness of any cladding you use.
Put the Island in Place
You can start the primary assembly now that all the essential components are prepared. Please make sure the island frame is level before placing it in its final location. If the difference in the ground is greater than what the feet can manage, adjust the feet and, if necessary, add a plastic shim, washer, or wedge.
Install the countertop after that is finished. Keep the grill handy while doing this in case you need to make any last-minute adjustments to the top.
Make it Appealing
Now that the main building is finished, we can decorate the island. Among many other materials, the island’s face can be formed of metal, stone, or wood. Wood cladding, such as pine strips, is a classic alternative.
It can be necessary to sheath the exterior first if you want to build with something different, like brickwork. During this time, consider whether you require base storage doors that can be opened and closed.
Install the BBQ Grill
The grill or BBQ’s final installation is the last phase. Avoid bending any outside lines, and slide the grill into position. Ensure the front is flush with the front of the island to allow airflow behind the grill.
Once that is finished, your beautifully made outdoor BBQ/outdoor kitchen island is ready for use. happy times
How can I Construct a BBQ Grill?
We’ve already touched on a few aspects. Still, several other building materials you might want to consider utilizing if you want to construct one that will endure a little longer than a lumbering one. The first is to construct the primary structure of your outdoor kitchen/BBQ grill out of cinder blocks.
An outdoor kitchen is frequently constructed using concrete or cinder blocks. Concrete block is affordable, resistant to weather and fire, and simple to use. A solid, level concrete slab is required to find any concrete block structure. Stone, tile, colorful concrete panels, and stucco can all be used on the exterior of a kitchen.
How can I Design a Budget-Friendly Outdoor Kitchen?
Now that you understand the procedure, are there any ways to construct one on a limited budget? The amount of available money will undoubtedly limit your options, but that doesn’t mean you can’t construct a respectable one by making a few sacrifices and using a little inventive thought.
For instance, using reused wood, recycled stone and brick, and other already-used materials is one of the finest methods to design an outdoor kitchen on a budget. They are less expensive, and this is a fantastic method to contribute to recycling.
Utilizing inexpensive furnishings wisely is another important consideration. Even though buying matching sets are popular, it is frequently the most expensive and not always the best choice.
Don’t be embarrassed to search the internet or newspapers for free items or used furniture. The room’s ambiance can be improved by purchasing inexpensive furniture sets, window boxes, and lights from flea markets, garage sales, etc.
Can Wood be Used to Assemble a Barbecue Outside?
Without a doubt, you can. When it comes to creating an outdoor kitchen, wood is a good option as well.
Use pressure-treated pine to construct a wood-framed base since it will endure longer and be less prone to rot when exposed to the intense heat from the grill. But keep in mind that wood can catch fire.
Therefore, a cement backer board must be installed on the interior and exterior of the building to shield the wood frame from heat and moisture. There is some concern regarding fire safety, even with the backer board.
Do I Need Special BBQ Bricks?
Make careful you specify hard, well-charred bricks. Never use wire-cut bricks; only clay bricks. Barbecues work best with bricks that have been fired (or burned) at a high temperature because they are more heat resistant than other types.
You will need at least 100 bricks to build a brick barbeque, but if you want to make it taller or with a prep table, you can need as many as 150. Of course, you’ll need a barbecue cooking set, which should include at least one grill and two if you also want a warming rack. It should also have a tray for coals.
What Height is Ideal for a Brick BBQ?
10–12 levels high. Most brick barbecues have 10 to 12 courses, each with roughly 10 mm mortar.
If you’re building your grill yourself, bricks are a great choice. Bricks are cheap, easy to work with, and can withstand fire and weather. When assembling a brick grill, measure the interior space and use a mason’s line to ensure the walls are straight.
Can a Brick BBQ be Constructed without Cement?
Stack and fit together fireproof bricks or cinder blocks without using cement to create a basic BBQ pit. All you want to do is plug in a grill to get started.
With the aid of a shovel or garden hoe, mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow. Blend the ingredients thoroughly before adding the water. By volume, one part Portland cement, two parts clear, dry sand, and two and a half parts gravel or crushed stone constitute a recommended mixture.
How Much does Building an Outside BBQ Cost?
The typical BBQ island price ranges from $12,000 and $13,000. In terms of price per linear foot, this comes to roughly $1,200–$2,000. According to a 2017 RSMeans and the Brick Industry Association study, wood is more economical than brick.
Still, the national overall construction cost of a clay brick-sided home is only 2% higher than wood and fiber cement. It is, therefore, less expensive, though not significantly.
Conclusion
Once you have your outdoor kitchen, ensure separate areas for cooking and cooling. Never put the cooling zone next to the cooking zone. Both elements will create heat, so keep the zones at least a foot apart. Once you have separated all your cooking and cooling areas, ensure they can be cooled down quickly.
This will allow you to have a more comfortable cooking environment. When planning your outdoor kitchen, consider the space you have for serving guests. Anyone with masonry knowledge can tackle building an outside grill, which is a terrific DIY project. Start with placing a concrete footer in a secure area before constructing a straightforward but efficient brick barbecue.
Place bricks one on top of the other to create brick courses. You can place some supports for the grill surface when you’ve reached a reasonable height for grilling. You’re ready to light it when you’ve added some sturdy bricks and laid down the grill surface.
