How to Build an Outdoor Kitchen Cooking Station
Whether your air conditioner is running full blast or you've turned it up to 85 degrees Farenheit to save energy, cooking dinner inside when the weather is 90 degrees Fahrenheit is uncomfortable at best. Baking is simply unbearable. However, many homeowners have found a way to make outdoor cooking nearly as convenient as working in the kitchen -- by installing an outdoor cooking station. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Unused cabinet
- Exterior-grade plywood
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Rollers
- Paintbrush
- Primer, exterior
- Paint, exterior
- 4 casters with locking wheels
- Butcher block countertop
- Deck screws, 1 1/2-inch
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the bottom and the back of an unused cabinet. Cut two pieces of plywood to size. Screw one to the bottom and the other to the back of the cabinet, completely enclosing it.
-
2
Sand and paint the entire cabinet with an exterior primer, using a roller and paintbrush. Allow to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
-
-
3
Apply two coats of exterior paint to the cabinet and allow to dry completely.
-
4
Turn the cabinet upside down. Screw casters to the bottom, one in each corner. Turn the cabinet right side up. Lock the casters so it does not roll while you work.
-
5
Run a bead of construction glue around the top of the cabinet. Center a butcher block countertop and press it down into place. Open the cabinet doors. Predrill through the top of the cabinet and into the bottom of the butcher block. Screw the butcher block and top of the cabinet together with deck screws.
-
6
Wipe the butcher block with food-grade mineral oil, using a rag. Allow the mineral oil to soak into the wood, and wipe off the excess. Repeat as needed until the butcher block will not absorb any more oil. Buff to a sheen with a soft rag. It takes up to 10 coats of oil to properly season a new butcher block.
-
7
Fill your cooking station with all the necessities for cooking outside, such as pot holders, dishes, pots and pans, utensils and knives. Roll it out to the grill when you are ready to cook.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A hardware store can cut the plywood to your measure.
Add a second cabinet with a cold-water sink. Attach to an outdoor faucet with an RV water hose and plumb the sink to drain into a flower bed.
Add an outdoor oven, griddle or stove top powered by a propane bottle.
Camping stores carry an assortment of outdoor cooking equipment and appliances.
Add a small apartment refrigerator to store meats and beverages until the cook is ready to grill.
Wear safety glasses and gloves when working with saws and power tools.
Store your outdoor cooking station in the garage or under a patio cover. Do not leave it out in the weather; it will be ruined after one or two seasons.
Seal all openings into the cabinet or you may find vermin nesting in your pot holders.
Clean the butcher block before and after each use, especially if used for cutting meats.
Plug any electric appliances into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet to avoid electrocution. Portable outlets are available at camping stores.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Kim Carson/Photodisc/Getty Images
