Throwing back to building a Granite Buffet for my Deck
I called this my grill station back in the day when I built it because I desperately needed a better place to put my little grill. I’ve upgraded to a full size grill since then and my “grill station” got to become the buffet on my deck I always planned for it to be. I set it right outside my kitchen door and use it constantly all summer long. It is SO convenient to be able to just reach outside and set everything out. Its not three steps from my refrigerator and kitchen counter.
You can see the granite has seen a lot of love in the ten years I’ve been using it because, unfortunately, I treated it like it was indestructible…
At some point my little propane grill sprung a leak and left a puddle of grease beneath it that I didn’t notice for a long long time and it stained the granite pretty badly.
I still love my little buffet though and its still serving me very well. I’m definitely going to look into granite cleaners. Considering how popular granite is in every day kitchens I can’t believe that there aren’t some products out there that could at least improve this situation.
In the meantime, she’s aged a bit over the years but serving me as well as ever!
Here is the original post from July, 2016:
First thing is first, I just have to show you the amazing grill station I had for my grill BEFORE I built this new grill station. Feast your eyes on this awesomeness! I know stop drooling over my chippy old fabulous little kitchen table with the rotted feet that I pulled out of a shed.
My brother had scored an enormous selection of granite remnants on K-bid for a song and he gave me one for a gift! Everyone encouraged me to consider picking from the selection for my kitchen counter tops but… no… I’m sorry…. granite in a 100 year old farm house?…. no… I just, COULD NOT DO IT.
I… just… just… no… no granite in my 100 year old farm house kitchen just NO. So then I got to considering where I would be able to handle granite in my house and immediately my mind turned to the outdoor grill station I needed SO badly. So, this weekend, I built it!
I started in the usual way: by going out to the barn and grabbing some old barn wood. Those lovely 4x4s are rough cut and OLD, they also fit right in with the 4×4 posts on my deck railing (yay) I expect to stain them along with the deck this fall. The rest of the base I built out of 2x6s I had on hand and that was as simple as a basic frame and 3″ outdoor torque screws.
I was going to cover the frame I build with plywood to offer even more support for the granite but it was obvious when I was done that it was plenty strong and flat enough! Granite is HEAVY and must be well supported or it WILL break. I built the whole thing so the granite hangs over the sides a couple of inches, then I stained the new 2x6s so they weren’t so glaring beside the old 4x4s.
Love how the wood grain stands out! I used Dark Walnut stain by minwax. I also sealed the 2x6s with two coats of an outdoor poly but I’m not going to touch the 4×4 legs until I stain the deck – I’ll do them then.
It may be awhile (probably when this little grill finally dies) but I will eventually purchase a larger grill and, when that day comes, this little grill station will become my outdoor buffet!
It is positioned not five steps from my kitchen door (six steps from my refrigerator, seven steps from my stove and nine steps from my sink) which is exactly what I had envisioned and planned all along! I grilled hot dogs last night and it was as though the deck had become an extension of my kitchen – it was SO cool!
Also, when I finally get my table done for the deck this grill station will be right beside it so it will be handy whether its being used then as a buffet or if I still have this little grill on it.
Like my galvanized pipe rack I built? I kinda love it 🙂 I think my favorite thing about it though is the fact that it only took me about five minutes to ensemble and install! Check it out by clicking here.
As always guys thank you so much for coming by and checking out my projects!
