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BBQ island construction////Advise//////Comments///////Poke holes in my ideas?? LOL!

Cdog

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So I have all the tools to do this but have never done it before. I promised the wife I'd make this BBQ island outside under the pavilion (even though she'll never cook on the damn thing) and I'm officially tired of hearing her complaints............I've researched different material types. From galvanized steel studs, wood frame, block frame, square 1X1 tubing or 1.5X1.5 angle in either steel or aluminum.

I'm leaning towards aluminum because I really want a spool mate for my Miller 210 mig machine and with aluminum I dont have to worry about rust.

Basics are frame, backer board & stone veneer. Am I missing anything?

I already have a new 36' propane BBQ and a side burner. I need to source some stainless cabinetry and a sink to go in the corner.

The pavilion is 20X16 feet. I plan to run the BBQ and XL green egg on the far side with a island length of about 10-12 feet to surround the left corner and the middle left. I have two 20A 110 circuits available for power with a sink in the left corner (closest in the picture) and 6-8 foot bar top on the Left side (closest in the picture). This it will drop down with a 6 foot island to complete the J portion.

Not looking to add a fridge out there. A couple of cabinets and 2 or 3 triple drawers. Maybe one of these counter top drop in ice chest.

Any sage advice from the RDP brain trust?

Thanks in advance!

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Sort of what I'm looking at building.
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mjc

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I built mine with the steel studs and corrugated steel outside and bent flat sheet steel inside, designed to rust. Got my drawers from Amazon. I have added a frame with light since this picture
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Jay Dub

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we had ours built a few years back. galvanized steel studs. add more outlets than you would expect. add pull out trash/recycle. we bought our stainless doors, drawers etc from BBQ guys. We love our island fridge but make sure to get outdoor rated.
 

81Sprint

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I built my own at my old house, not terribly hard to do. I did mine with steel studs, did my own stacked stone, electrical and had the granite done professionally. I originally was going to put an egg style charcoal bbq but ended up deleting it and just did the built in gas.

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NicPaus

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You planning on building it on top of the pavers?
 

Cdog

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How far out to the roof line/drip edge are you guys going with the bar tops? Even? Or in a couple of inches?
 

Cdog

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You planning on building it on top of the pavers?
Yes. Is that an issue? My dirt here is decomposed granite and packs down like concrete. Little to no movement. Typically to dig a hole I have to use the pressure washer to move the dirt its so hard to dig through.
 

Cdog

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Cole Trickle

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Lay out looks good. Looks like you are putting the long side over by the rock planter?

I would ditch the raised bar portion. keep everything at uniform bar stool height that way you could get 6 bar stools on both sides when its time to eat. Also when cooking people like to sit at the bar and hang out and anything high is weird.

Already drew mine out and will be getting after it once the house is built so looking forward to the progress.
 

NicPaus

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Yes. Is that an issue? My dirt here is decomposed granite and packs down like concrete. Little to no movement. Typically to dig a hole I have to use the pressure washer to move the dirt its so hard to dig through.
I wouldn't stack block on top of it. Galvanized steel studs like the portable islands would be the way to go. Or steel framed. My concern would be movement as it would be floating island on top of the pavers.
 

Cole Trickle

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I built mine with the steel studs and corrugated steel outside and bent flat sheet steel inside, designed to rust. Got my drawers from Amazon. I have added a frame with light since this picture View attachment 1070962
Did you just build around a standard NG webber?

I can't wrap my head around the pricing for the built ins and was thinking of just doing the same.
 

81Sprint

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This looks great!
Thanks, it is a learning process but if you can use a framing square you can do it. Lots of videos on youtube to learn stuff as well.
 

Cdog

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Lay out looks good. Looks like you are putting the long side over by the rock planter?

I would ditch the raised bar portion. keep everything at uniform bar stool height that way you could get 6 bar stools on both sides when its time to eat. Also when cooking people like to sit at the bar and hang out and anything high is weird.

Already drew mine out and will be getting after it once the house is built so looking forward to the progress.
The raised bar portion would only be on the left side facing in the picture. My thoughts are it looks nice from the inside of the house & makes for a wind block too. The lower island surface will be perfect for hanging out while cooking. I’ll add an overhang on that too so it’s comfortable.

Does that make sense? Haha!!
 

Riverhound

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After going back and forth between steel studs and block we ended up going block for no other reason than a negligible cost difference.

A couple of items we learned along the way
1. Storage - more the better, you'll use it all... we moved all of the BBQ-related tools, cutting boards, knives, spice, rubs, etc outside to make it more user-friendly.
2. Electrical - can't have too many outlets for chargers, crockpots, blenders, etc.
3. Sink - Put the biggest one you can support. I find myself doing dishes and cleaning up so I don't have to drag it all in the house.
4. Fridge - Went back and forth on this and am glad I ended up putting one in. It's so once to be able to grab a cold drink or have a place to put things during prep.
5. I added a quick disconnect gas stub out the side should I need it for another appliance. I currently use it for my Blackstone.

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Cole Trickle

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The raised bar portion would only be on the left side facing in the picture. My thoughts are it looks nice from the inside of the house & makes for a wind block too. The lower island surface will be perfect for hanging out while cooking. I’ll add an overhang on that too so it’s comfortable.

Does that make sense? Haha!!

If you are just taling about the back side of tthe L area and not the island i think it would look good. All i know is nobody ever sits at the higher bar areas. People like a table like area for eating and playing games.

The raised height will be a ton more work and material so i'm passing...lol
 

Cole Trickle

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After going back and forth between steel studs and block we ended up going block for no other reason than a negligible cost difference.

A couple of items we learned along the way
1. Storage - more the better, you'll use it all... we moved all of the BBQ-related tools, cutting boards, knives, spice, rubs, etc outside to make it more user-friendly.
2. Electrical - can't have too many outlets for chargers, crockpots, blenders, etc.
3. Sink - Put the biggest one you can support. I find myself doing dishes and cleaning up so I don't have to drag it all in the house.
4. Fridge - Went back and forth on this and am glad I ended up putting one in. It's so once to be able to grab a cold drink or have a place to put things during prep.
5. I added a quick disconnect gas stub out the side should I need it for another appliance. I currently use it for my Blackstone.

View attachment 1070995
On my last house i did two standard Danbury cheap fridges. One for booze and the other for mixers and kids drinks.

Those fridges are still going 16 years later i would never go big $$$ on a outdoor fridge buy a standard size so if it dies you can order a new one on amazon or wallmart.
 

paradise

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Put some thought into the prevailing wind direction to keep the bbq smoke from blowing in your face.

Trash chute in the countertop.

Sealed cabinets (has weatherstrip to provide air tight seal)

Look into options for grills first, spend more than you want (memphis wood fire grills are nice and dual duty)

Icemakers are nice to have if you will use it as a bar
 

Bpracing1127

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Man these threads get me every time. I wish I had a backyard like these
 
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BassLakeCruiser

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I did one about 10 years ago. Everything came from Lowe’s, Nothing wild. Took me and a couple buddies help here and there about 10 late evenings and a whole weekend, was building it for a gf birthday party. Poured the slab with water power and water runoff into the rain gutter. Don’t have any good pictures of it completely done, sold the house before I put the granite countertop in. I have no construction experience, just not afraid to try something. Prolly shoulda use hardi backer but I was being cheap I guess
 

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BassLakeCruiser

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Couple more
 

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Mandelon

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Aluminum may not rust, but it can still corrode. I have seen lots of aluminum to concrete joints corroded away like swiss cheese. Like an old slider door track as an example.

My Pro Tip: Use some fiber roll flashing or better something like Jiffy Seal under your bottom plate. Eliminate metal to concrete contact.
The one sticky sided Jiffy Seal would be good. Weld up your frame, then stick on the Jiffy Seal and fold it up around the bottom portion.
 

Cole Trickle

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Aluminum may not rust, but it can still corrode. I have seen lots of aluminum to concrete joints corroded away like swiss cheese. Like an old slider door track as an example.

My Pro Tip: Use some fiber roll flashing or better something like Jiffy Seal under your bottom plate. Eliminate metal to concrete contact.
The one sticky sided Jiffy Seal would be good. Weld up your frame, then stick on the Jiffy Seal and fold it up around the bottom portion.

good tip....alot of people float the frame on trex composite board.
 

Cdog

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Aluminum may not rust, but it can still corrode. I have seen lots of aluminum to concrete joints corroded away like swiss cheese. Like an old slider door track as an example.

My Pro Tip: Use some fiber roll flashing or better something like Jiffy Seal under your bottom plate. Eliminate metal to concrete contact.
The one sticky sided Jiffy Seal would be good. Weld up your frame, then stick on the Jiffy Seal and fold it up around the bottom portion.
So it's probably cheaper to use 1x1.5 angle or box steel to make the frames if I'm going to have to seal it anyway. I can give it a rust preventer paint job easily and still be cheaper than aluminum. + do what you recommended.
 

Cole Trickle

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So it's probably cheaper to use 1x1.5 angle or box steel to make the frames if I'm going to have to seal it anyway. I can give it a rust preventer paint job easily and still be cheaper than aluminum. + do what you recommended.

There are several companies that make pre done stuff thats priced fair....youtube has a ton of videos
 

Cdog

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Put some thought into the prevailing wind direction to keep the bbq smoke from blowing in your face.

Trash chute in the countertop.

Sealed cabinets (has weatherstrip to provide air tight seal)

Look into options for grills first, spend more than you want (memphis wood fire grills are nice and dual duty)

Icemakers are nice to have if you will use it as a bar
I'm going to run two big ceiling fans up top to push the air out, especially when using the big egg. If I add an offset smoker it will chimney out the side of the roof.

With the critters we have here in the desert I'm going to seal it all up well.
 

Cdog

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Here's my grill and a matching dual side burner.,LOL 😂 Wife sees it everyday and reminds me that I promised her a bbq island.
I'll probably never use the damn thing...


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Cole Trickle

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Here's my grill and a matching dual side burner.,LOL 😂 Wife sees it everyday and reminds me that I promised her a bbq island.
I'll probably never use the damn thing...


View attachment 1071025
I'm gonna send the wife a message on FB. I'm sure she is dying to get rid of that $300 pos grill :D
 

mjc

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Did you just build around a standard NG webber?

I can't wrap my head around the pricing for the built ins and was thinking of just doing the same.
Yes it is just a 4 burner webber I got for 600 on FB. Got rid of side tables.
 

Cdog

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Where's the best place to buy the cabinets, drawer's and accessories? I dont want to spent too much on this kind of stuff. I just want it to match and be stainless.

 

oldschool

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I built my palapa bar out of block 20 years ago and I’m glad I went with block vs. steel framing. The thing is built like a bomb shelter and has held up to quite a few topless dancers(even the hefty ones). Mine is raised all the way around.
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One2go

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Steel studs with stone or stucco will be just fine as long as it's covered,Things I would do if you plan on using at night ,are heaters and electric drop down shades. Makes it another living space.Mid size fridge instead of mini is nice as well. Look forward to see what you do 😉
 

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Mikes56

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When I had mine built my buddy recommended installing a dishwasher. I told him he was nuts. He said, where you gonna store your plates, silverware, and glasses? There’s no cabinets. Are you gonna shag all that shit back and forth from the house?

He was right, I installed a dishwasher. I store everything in it, and after a party it all goes back in the dishwasher and I press Start. The next time I have a get together, everything is there, clean and dust free.
 

Icky

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When I had mine built my buddy recommended installing a dishwasher. I told him he was nuts. He said, where you gonna store your plates, silverware, and glasses? There’s no cabinets. Are you gonna shag all that shit back and forth from the house?

He was right, I installed a dishwasher. I store everything in it, and after a party it all goes back in the dishwasher and I press Start. The next time I have a get together, everything is there, clean and dust free.
I didn't have room for a dishwasher in the island, plus she wouldn't sleep outside. We use paper plates
 

HOOTER SLED-

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Been thinking about doing mine too. Cool thread. Need to find someone that can extend for a cover over where I want the island. Shit....I need to find my gas first. I'm over this propane shit. 😂
 

Englewood

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I recommend buying a pre-fabbed frame. They aren’t expensive and save a ton of time and hassle.
 

Cdog

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I recommend buying a pre-fabbed frame. They aren’t expensive and save a ton of time and hassle.
I figured it’s about $2600 for the prefabs.

I have the welder & saw so all I need is steel. I budget about $600 in material.

From a racers perspective that’s two sets of Hoosier’s.

I price everything out by sets of tires for my race car.
 

HTTP404

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Make sure you get a regular size sink and not one of those little bar sinks. Put some power outlets on the outside of the bar.
 

Icky

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Fwiw, I built mine from1"×2" stainless tubing in the garage in 2 sections. I had some space restraints and it was the only size that would work. I set stainless anchors in the concrete and jack nutted them to level it out before final welding.
I had to predrill every hole for the hardy backer into the steel as the screws would break before I could get them tight.
 

Wmc

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I built mine at my last house. It's pretty simple to do.
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