How to Build a DIY Modular Outdoor Kitchen

1

Measure and Cut

2

Build the Cabinet Frames

3

Cut the Side Panels

4

Paint the Sides

5

Assemble the Sides

6

Build the Cabinet Shelves

• 6.1Measure out and cut five 25-½" H lengths from the 8’ pressure-treated 2x4s for the shelf tops.
• 6.2Measure the boards, then use a circular saw to cut one of the 25-½" H lengths in half widthwise. You’ll be left with two 2-¾" wide boards.
• 6.3Screw the A3 and B3 pieces in place in the shelving sections in frames A and B using 3" #8 treated-wood screws. Avoid forcing the frame to keep it square.
• 6.4Nail the 25 ½" H pieces to the brackets installed for this purpose.

7

Build the Cabinet Backing

• 7.1Measure out and cut eight 39" lengths G from the 1" x 6" x 10’ boards for the backing of the cabinet with shelves.
• 7.2Measure out and cut eight 26" lengths G from the 1" x 6" x 10’ boards for the backing of the simple cabinet.
• 7.3Starting from the bottom, screw the boards to the back of their respective cabinets using 3" #8 treated-wood screws. It’s a good idea to make sure each one is straight using a level.

8

Build the Cabinet Tops

• 8.1Measure out and use a circular saw to cut a 24" x 24" panel E from a 4" x 8’ sheet of ½" plywood for the simple cabinet top.
• 8.2Apply the same exterior paint you used for the sides. Remember to paint the edges.
• 8.3Nail the painted panels (E and E) to the tops of the cabinets. The pieces should be centred and flush with the back of the cabinet in order to leave space for the backsplash (F1a, F1b, and F2 as well as F1 and F2).

9

Make the Countertop

• 9.1Install your chosen porcelain tiles on the cabinet tops D.
• 9.2Measure out and cut two 24" lengths (F1a and F1b) and one 39" length F2 from the 8’ 1x2 treated-wood boards for the cabinet with shelves backsplash.
• 9.3Measure out and cut two 24" F1 lengths and one 26" F2 length from the 8’ 1x2 treated-wood boards for the simple cabinet backsplash.
• 9.4Nail pieces F1a, F1b, and F2 and F1 and F2 around the porcelain tiles on both cabinets to hold them in place.

10

Assemble the Drawers

11

Make the Rolling Drawer Bottoms

• 11.1Cut a 17" x 24" panel M1 and a 21" x 24" panel L from a 4’ x 8’ sheet of ½" plywood for the bottom of the rolling drawers.
• 11.2Apply the same exterior paint you used on other plywood panels that won’t be exposed to heat. Remember to paint the edges.
• 11.3Turn the drawers upside down so the bottom of the frame is facing up. Install the painted panels on the bottom of each door frame.
• 11.4Install the 3" casters on the 4 corners of the underside of the drawers, leaving a 1/2" gap between the edge of the plywood and the base of the wheel. Put the casters with brakes at the front and the ones without brakes at the back. The smaller sides (K3 and K) on the drawers indicate the front and back.
• 11.5Secure both the plywood and the casters to the drawer frames using #8 stainless steel flat washers and 3" #8 treated-wood screws.

12

Build the Rolling Drawer Front

• 12.1Measure out and cut a 22-¾" x 32-½" M3 panel from a 4’ x 8’ sheet of ½" plywood for the cabinet with shelves drawer front and a 27" x 32 ½" N panel for the simple cabinet drawer front.
• 12.2Apply the same exterior paint you used for the other plywood panels that won’t be exposed to heat. Don’t forget to paint the edges.
• 12.3Set the drawers on the floor with the front facing up.
• 12.4Apply exterior wood glue to the drawer fronts.
• 12.5Install the painted plywood panels (M3 and N) on the glued surfaces of their respective drawers. The panels should be flush with the bottom of the drawer frame and centred across the width.
• 12.6Attach panels (M3 and N) to the drawer frames with 1-½" #8 treated-wood screws.

13

Add Rolling Drawer Handles

• 13.1Measure out and cut a 22-¾" O length from a 2" x 2" x 8’ piece of treated-wood U-moulding for the drawer handle of the cabinet with shelves and a 27" O length for the simple cabinet drawer handle.
• 13.2Set the drawers upright.
• 13.3Attach handles (O and O) to the tops of the drawer fronts using 1-½" treated-wood screws. Make sure the handles are secure by screwing them in 3 or 4 different places.

14

Add the Finishing Touches

• 14.1Measure out and cut approximately thirteen 31-¾" N lengths of the 1" x 1" x 8’ treated-wood nailing strips to finish the cabinet with shelves drawer. Cut approximately fifteen 31-¾" P lengths for the simple cabinet drawer and approximately seventeen 36" Q lengths for the end of the simple cabinet.
• 14.2Nail the (N and P) slats to the front of their respective drawers, leaving a ½" gap in between. Use offcuts to maintain consistent spacing between the strips and avoid having to measure each time. Clamp the offcut guide and the slat and nail the slat immediately so it’s straight and looks great.
• 14.3Nail the end pieces for the simple cabinet Q to the side of the frame that will not be next to the BBQ in the same manner.