Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

[Breven]

Well, I took a couple months off, once you get to the point where you can actually start cooking- tough to get motivated to finish! But I'm at it again, hoping to wrap it all up before it gets too cold.

In my attempt to build this project with as little money as possible, I'm using brick splits for the facade and a really inexpensive slate stone tile from home depot. The brick splits are the same price as a full brick- but when placing them like you would a veneer, they take up twice as much area as a regular brick would. That means, instead of buying 1,400 bricks- I only need 700. Next weekend I should be able to set the rest of the tile, seal it, grout it and move on to the rest of the brick.

Oh, as those of you who have followed my build remember, originally I wanted to use stacked stone (or manufactured stone) on all of the walls- but I priced it at about $1,500. The brick is only about $500. With this and the fact that I built around my regular BBQ, rather than buying an expensive insert, I think the entire project is going to end up right around the $2,500.

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

That looks great! Very professional. I need to get to work on something similar to complement my oven. But here it actually does get cold, so I will put it off till next spring...

Looking good!
Drake

[Breven]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Thanks Drake. It's been a total learning experience for me.
Good news for you is that you have all winter to plan!

[asudavew]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

That looks sharp Breven.
Hat's off bro!

But one question........

Where the heck is the Kegerator?

[Breven]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Man...you know I wanted a kegorator so bad...but there was no room! That's one of the reasons I went for a double sink, so I can fill it with ice and keep a 12 pack cold. Besides, a keg in my house would probably be a bad idea- it's like a mountain crack in front of Amy Winehouse- overdose is inevitable!

[Les]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Extremely nice job!! I sometime envy people that live where the snow doesn?t fly. Outdoor sinks and the like, is just something else that needs to be winterized.

Les...

[Breven]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Well, if it makes you feel better- remember this summer it was 110 almost every day for a month. I would have given anything for one day of snow during that heatwave. Damn near suffocated myself trying to clean the inside of the oven- it was like a sauna.

Hey Les, you want to know the kicker? THis whole project is going to run me right around $2,500ish. Can you beleive that? I mean, I cut a lot of corners and did every bit of work myself (didn't even bring in a cement truck)- but it could have easily been $8,000 if I wasn't such a cheapskate.

[staestc]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Very nice Breven, and your price point is phenomenal given all you have accomplished! Just outstanding work, and you should be very proud!

Travis

[Modthyrth]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

It does add up, even doing it all yourself, but you've probably built at least $25,000 worth of equity there. Probably more like $40k or more, actually, based on the quotes I got for an outdoor kitchen. The oven alone was going to be $18k if I wanted it done with brick (bids ranged down to $12k just for the oven if I wanted a pre-fab), and that didn't include the stacked stone veneer or other fancy finishes. Gorgeously done!

[Frances]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

That looks really nice! Good price, too... considering the Primavera sells for around 2000 USD (doesn't it?), see how much more you got for your money!

I stopped counting after forking out 2000 for the stones I built the stand with. That was the songle most expensive bit of the whole oven... pretty stupid when you come to think about it, but it seemed to make sense at the time...

[Breven]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Thanks guys (and gals)...I'm starting to get a little summit fever- the end is near! Only 6 more weekends and I should have it licked.
I'm the guy who haggles with the car salesman over the last $500. I'll do it for 2 hours if I need to ($250 an hour, its worth it).

[Les]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Hey Les, you want to know the kicker? THis whole project is going to run me right around $2,500ish. Can you beleive that? I mean, I cut a lot of corners and did every bit of work myself (didn't even bring in a cement truck)- but it could have easily been $8,000 if I wasn't such a cheapskate.

Nothing wrong with saving a buck. As Modthyrth mentioned, you have added a lot of value even it was sweat equity (literally). My neighbor charges 10-15K for a simple little island. You have a serious kitchen going on. Again, extremely nice job.

[james]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Way to go Breven,

I just Googled Victorville. Are you officially considered high desert? Hey, braving the heat is every bit as brutal as working in the snow. Great job -- looking good!

I'm a big believer in sweat equity. It all comes back to you when it's time to move.

James

[Ken524]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Nice work Breven! I love the brick facing, tile counter top, built-ins... That's going to be a fantastic entertainment center.

[Breven]

Re: Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress

Thanks Ken, Les...both of you guys have helped me out a ton.

I've already been thinking about my official "it's finally done" party. James, if you're willing to drive up to the high desert- all the pizza and beer you can handle- I owe you that much! (or anyone else for that matter)
Anyone have any ideas on how to entertain a large group? I've had a few get togethers- 10 pizzas- and I felt like I was making pizza and cooking all night while everyone else was socializing. I'm thinking of grabbing a kid from the local restaurant and paying him to come cook pizzas that night (after some instruction) and maybe even a bar tender. Otherwise, with 20 or 30 people over, I'll be working my butt off instead of relaxing.