DIY outdoor BBQ kitchen

Congratulations to Dan Brown, runner-up in our Christmas DIY Project Competition.

It was a tough competition, and Dan really impressed us with his DIY outdoor BBQ kitchen and dining setting.

The last time Dan used his metalworking skills was in a high school metalwork class, so the project is quite an achievement.

“I’ve done little things, like making toolboxes, but nothing like this before,” Dan says.

The inspiration

When it came time to update the family outdoor dining area, Dan decided it was more cost-effective to take on the project himself.

“We needed a new outdoor dining set and were looking at $3,000 for a basic set or $10,000 plus for something decent,” Dan says.

“I thought it’s probably cheaper to make it myself.”

The outdoor BBQ kitchen is a modular style, with four pieces bolted together to make movement and cleaning easy.

“I had a look through catalogues to get some ideas and work out how to do it, from wood to steel.

Then I drew up plans in a book, after measuring our old outdoor set, and went from there.”

Sourcing materials

Dan used various sizes of SHS tubing, angle steel and flat bar for the structure, and brushed stainless steel sheet for the benchtops.

“We decided on stainless steel bench tops because they are sturdy and strong,” Dan says.

“And the doors on the BBQ setting are just plywood that’s been stained, which was a chippy mate’s idea!

The team at Edcon cut the stainless steel for me, because I didn’t have the right tools at home.”

But as he had some left over angle and flat bar, he decided to make a hand sheet metal bender himself.

“Yeah, I made a bend press and did all the bending and welding for the stainless benchtops on the BBQ setting,” he explains.

Not bad for a fourth year apprentice mechanic!

The project

When asked about the building process, Dan explained: “After buying all the steel and measuring it, the process became a bit like trial and error in some ways.

The table originally was too high, so I had to chop the legs down quite a bit.

The BBQ kitchen was particularly difficult to work out, with the dimensions and everything, but I’m really happy with how it turned out.

I started the whole lot in June this year and worked on it after work and on weekends.

It’s already been used three times, which is great. We’ve had a lot of BBQs and expect to have a lot more over summer!”

Coming back to Edcon Steel

After some time away from metalworking endeavours, Dan returned to Edcon Steel.

“When I was doing motor sports, I went to Edcon for supplies for the race car I was working on at the time.

They are easy to deal with and they really go out of their way to get your materials ready for you when you need them.”

Dan is now thinking about how he can make his outdoor kitchen even better.

“I’m thinking of making some storage drawers and I still have two single bench seats to finish, which will be similar to the bench seats on table setting,” Dan explains.

“But that will have to wait until after my 9 year old’s birthday party, so watch this space.”