I do the cooking in our household and I really like to cook outside. Nothing like whipping up a tasty meal outside on the patio grilling table while enjoying a chilled cocktail.
Custom Outdoor Kitchens Were Above My Budget
I would have liked a built-in outdoor kitchen on our patio. But since the average cost for a basic kitchen is around $13,000, that was out of my budget range. Nevertheless, I was not daunted by that estimate because I definitely will be cooking outdoors in some way shape or form. So how could I get a grilling space at a reasonable cost?
DIY Seemed the Best Route to Go
I started by looking online at a variety of DIY grilling stations. There are many cool ideas to see. Some offer plans and some are photos of what someone built for their own need. But some ideas require a bit more carpentry skills than I possess. I am a very elementary carpenter (read: hacker — “a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity”). I like 2x4s and maybe 2x12s. I like straight cuts and as few cuts as possible. I like screws versus glue because I make mistakes and sometimes I have to take apart what I’m building and reconfigure. All that being said, I do get great satisfaction when I create something functional with my own two hands. And I like saving money!
My DIY Grilling Table Criteria List
I was given a very nice, heavy-duty charcoal grill and I already had a cast iron propane two-burner stove. These were the grilling tools for which I needed to build my grilling table. And here is the criteria I developed that drove my design:
- I wanted both the grill and stove on one table top without being crowded.
- I wanted a second shelf for supplies such as charcoal, charcoal starting tools, a propane tank for the stove and so forth. All my grilling tools and accessories had to be on this one table.
- I wanted a drop down shelf to place my items to be cooked and my cocktail within easy reach while cooking outdoors.
- Despite the fact that I intended to coat the top surface with polyurethane sealer, I wanted to shield the top with a poly coated butcher paper to catch the grease and oil spatters when I pan fried burgers, sautéed onions, seared pork chops and so on.
- The table needed to be heavy enough to not blow over in a strong wind. And the wood needed to be weather tough — this is an outdoor grilling table!
Here’s How I Built My Grilling Table
I won’t bore you with all of the measurements because my charcoal grill and propane stove were what drove the configuration of my grilling table. Your needs will likely be different and that will change the design. But let me share with you some of the decisions I made and how I brought them to fruition.
- Forty eight inches seemed to be a dominant measurement. So I bought eight foot 2x4s and 2x12s and straight-cut them in half. Just my speed!
- All of the wood is pressure treated to withstand the elements.
- The height of the table is in relation to where the charcoal grill would be at the best height for me to stand and cook, but it is around standard counter-top height.
- I used pipe hanging hardware and electrical conduit to build a rack that my roll of 15 inch wide poly coated butcher paper could hang from for easy access before I start cooking. I found the materials at Lowes: Split Ring Hanger, Ceiling Flange, Steel Threaded Rod.
- I used clip board clamps from amazon.com installed at both ends of the table and underneath the drop down shelf to clamp the butcher paper securely in place on a windy day.
- I coated all of the upper surfaces with polyurethane sealer to get added protection from the weather and for easy clean-up.
- I used door hinges to connect the drop down shelf to the table.
- I used one-inch and 3/4 inch electrical conduit to devise a sturdy pull out arm on which to hold up the drop down shelf. The one inch conduit was secured to the bottom of the table top and a piece of 3/4 inch conduit the same length fit inside and easily pulls out to support the shelf.
- I wanted to get a cover for it but my table was a little bit bigger than a standard gas grill. I only found a size that would fit at National Covers.
Here’s a word of caution: I have a regular pedestrian door to walk out of my basement. I built the table to fit the existing grilling tools. And I built the table in my shop in the basement — without measuring the width of the basement door opening. When I was done, I had about half an inch on either side in the door opening when we went to move the table outside. Whew! So bear that in mind if you’re building your table inside your house. Will it fit through the door without you having to take it apart to move it outdoors? Or should you build it in parts and finish the construction outside? Just say’n . . .
Building My Grilling Table Was Easy and Fun
And there it is. It’s neither pretty nor ugly. But it is very functional and meets all of my needs. And it allows me to cook outside next to our patio almost year-round. Finally, it cost less than $200 in materials.
Please Leave a Comment
Let me know what you think in the comments section below. Or tell us about your experience building your own grilling table. Post a photo of your grilling table.
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