How to Build an Outdoor Bar & Grill

Have you always wanted an outdoor bar and grill or kitchen? Outdoor kitchens are extremely popular these days as more people are enjoying their own backyard for entertainment. You too can now have an outdoor bar and grill. Bar and grill designs can be very elaborate, but for most do-it-yourself people, the process is fairly simple. This project can be completed in about 3 to 4 days and you will not need to do any plumbing or electrical work. The cabinets are also on casters so it will be portable.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer Saw Drill Staple gun Tin snips Miter saw Grinder Prefabricated outdoor kitchen cabinets, with Shelves and doors 2 cabinets without shelves and doors 2 inch thick granite or butcher block counter top 2 insulated ice coolers Barbecue grill, Concrete mortar Wire mesh Builder's felt Mortar trough Trowel Scratch trowel Carpenter tacks Carpenter adhesive Caramel-colored cultured stone with corner stones Casters Pencil Safety glasses Wood nails

Instructions

1. Design the space you will be using. Measure this space and write the dimensions down so you know how many prefabricated cabinets to purchase. This project is totally adjustable to your preference in how large or small you want your outdoor bar and grill to be. You can always start out small and add more cabinets, features and other features as your time and budget allows.

2. Once you have assembled all of your tools and supplies, position the cabinets where you want them. Generally, two to three cabinets are attached together with one piece of counter top covering the two cabinets. For example, make one section with two cabinets and one section with three cabinets. Since you will be putting casters on the cabinets, you will be able to roll the cabinets around to find the most comfortable fit for you.

3. Place the cabinets side by side and attach them together with the nails in the top and bottom corners, on the inside. At this point, you will also need to drill the holes for the casters in the bottom four corners of each cabinet and attach the casters or wheels. Once you apply the stone to the cabinets, they will be too heavy to turn over and attach the casters at that point.

4. Roll the cabinets up against a wall or any sturdy place to keep the cabinets from rolling around and attach the builder's felt to the sides and back of the cabinets with staples. Trim the felt to size.

5. Attach the concrete mesh over the felt and staple in place. Trim this to size with the tin snips.

6. Since the stone will come in slight variations of size, you will need to think of a jigsaw puzzle and lay the stones on the floor in an approximate design that will fit the side of the cabinet where you will place the stone. You can lay out the stone for the other sides of the cabinets at this time as well. It will actually save time later.

7. You will need to possibly cut some stones to fit and for a better look you will need to cut corner stones to cover the corners of the cabinets. Be sure to mark the stones with a pencil for the cuts.

8. Use a grinder and miter box to cut the stone from the lines you marked.

9. Mix your mortar according to package directions and apply to the mesh with a trowel. Mortar the whole side at once.

10. Using the scratch trowel, scratch lines in the mortar from right to left.

11. Set the stones into the mortar and make sure the stones sit snugly inside. Trim off any excess mortar with the side of the trowel.

12. Repeat Step 10 for all other sides of the cabinets. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.

13. While the mortar is drying on the cabinets, now is a good time to apply the counter tops.

14. Measure the top surface of the counter tops and cut the counter top to size. You will not need an overhang on the counter top as you will be putting the cabinets flush against each other and the barbecue grill. Cut the counter top to size.

15. Once the mortar is dry on the cabinets, apply carpenter's adhesive to the top of the cabinets and lay the counter top in place. Allow to dry.

16. When everything is dry, roll the cabinets into place, next to the barbecue grill.

17. The cabinets you purchased that did not have doors or shelves will be where you put the 2 coolers you purchased. One will hold ice and the other will hold drinks.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider knee pads since you will be working on your knees quite a bit.

• Be sure to wear goggles when using a saw and grinder.

Resources

• More designs
• More How To Ideas