Hi friends! Remember the DIY storage ottoman that I built with my besties at Simpson Strong-Tie? Well, I just made a DIY Kamado grill table to go with it! Can you believe that I won this awesome Kamado grill from The Home Depot last year? I know, I couldn’t believe my ridiculous good luck either – please don’t hate me. I love you. I will cook things on this grill for you.
I’ve been crushing hard on these black powder-coated Outdoor Accents™ that Strong-Tie just came out with and now I want to build ALL THE THINGS with them! They are truly beautiful and functional. Who knew hardware could look this good? Simpson Strong-Tie, that’s who. Can you tell who’s sponsoring this post? 😉
But seriously, I am super excited to be sharing my newest DIY Simpson Strong-Tie project with you. This build has been on my list for over a year now. Way to get things done, Jen. #winning
I chose to use rough cut cedar for this project. I ripped and planed all of my boards before building. Even though cedar fares well outdoors, I applied a couple coats of exterior finish to preserve that beautiful wood tone. If I left the wood untreated, it would weather to a gorgeous grey color. Okay, so are you ready to build your own DIY Kamado Grill Table for your outdoor space?
I wanted to make this DIY Kamado Grill Table design as simple as possible. There are a lot of DIY grill tables floating around the interwebs that have all the bells and whistles, but there’s something to be said about simple, classic design. I tend to overthink things, so when I was drawing up several different designs, some included drawers, cabinets, and even one with a sliding barn door, but I kept going back to basics and stripping the design down to the bare necessities.
My two main concerns with building a wood table for a grill that can get to upwards of 800º F was 1) would it be strong enough to support a 220-lb. ceramic grill? and 2) would it spontaneously combust and burn the whole house down? After extensively researching googling these concerns, I came to the conclusion that folks have already built these DIY Kamado grill tables and have lived to tell the tale. Wood Kamado grill tables are also commercially sold, so I figured my chances of spontaneous combustion or disintegrating tables were pretty slim.
Another factor that intimidated me was the fact that I was working with cedar which is more expensive than regular old pine. If you were to build this table out of pine, the cost would run about $100, but because I chose cedar, my cost doubled. Even still, $200 is hundreds less than what I would have paid had I bought my table from a store. Also, I was able to design it to fit my space. Just two of the many reasons why I DIY: cost and custom.
I’ve included all of the instructions in the building plans, but I wanted to share how I was able to draw an oversized circle using a makeshift compass. First, I measured the circumference of my grill, then decided to make the opening 24 inches in diameter – ample clearance for the grill. If you have a different size grill, you’ll want to measure the widest part of the grill and allow for a couple inches of clearance.
After constructing the table top, it was time to mark where the circle cut out would be. I found the center of the circle and drilled a screw into it. Then I tied a string to a marker and drew the circle. *Tip: keep the marker perfectly perpendicular to ensure the most precise circle.
All of the measurements are in the plans: the diameter of the circle is 24 inches, the radius is 12 inches. How ya like me now, seventh grade geometry?
Now let’s take a peek under this table and see what’s going on with this situation. Because this lower shelf would be supporting the full weight of the grill (all 220 pounds of it!), I wanted to make sure it was plenty strong. I added these 2×4 cross supports underneath for strength and stability.
I used these exterior Simpson Strong-Tie® Deck-Drive™ DSV Wood Screws to attach the lower shelf boards to the table. Alternately, you could use pocket hole joinery here, but I chose to simply drive the screws from the top of lower shelf into the 2×4 supports and aprons. Because cedar is super soft, I didn’t have to use a separate countersink drill bit to countersink the screws. I just up’d the torque on my drill and drove the screw slightly beneath the surface of the wood. I’ll fill it with wood putty to hide the screw head during the finishing process.
Now let’s conduct a very scientific strength test, shall we? Between my hubby and me, we’re putting about 300 pounds on this table. And confession time: I’m hiding behind him because I didn’t want to bother with putting on a bra because it is so stinkin’ hot here in Texas. Was that TMI? My apologies. But seriously, ain’t nobody got time for that. I’d build naked if I could, but I think that’s frowned upon. Howdy neighbors!
Okay, so Main Concern #1 has been put to rest. My grill didn’t come crashing through the table. Here’s another helpful tip – and this may seem like a no-brainer to you, but I honestly had to think this through. I wondered, how in the world am I going to lift this heavy-ass grill onto the table without busting a hernia?
Take the thing apart. Unscrew the hinge, take the top off, remove the inner basin and guess what. The grill gets so much lighter! Duh. I know.
Okay, so let’s address Main Concern #2: spontaneous combustion. From what I read all over the interwebs, do not – I repeat – DO NOT place the grill directly on a combustible surface (i.e. combustible surface = wood). I picked up a paver stone from Home Depot and set the grill on top of it to absorb some of the heat and protect the table. Just be sure whatever surface you use to absorb the heat, that it doesn’t prop up the grill too high so that you’re still able to access the pull-out ashtray below.
We haven’t grilled out yet (still too stinkin’ hot!), but as soon as I do, I will report back with my findings. My assumption is all will be well based on my research googling.
*UPDATE: We grilled out on this table and lived to tell the tale! Our grilling experience went off without incident. The ceramic grill retains heat so well, the table didn’t even feel hot. Huzzah! I shared the real time experience via Instagram Stories – are we friends on Instagram? Let’s be!
So there you have it: DIY Kamado Grill Table. Aren’t those Outdoor Accents gorgeous? They can be used structurally, but in this case, I’m using them decoratively because they’re that pretty. They’re like the jewelry for my table because let’s be honest, we can all use a little bling in our lives, amiright?
Don’t forget to download the building plans above so you can build your own Kamado Grill Table! Thanks for reading, friends! Happy grilling!
Be sure to PIN IT for later!
Thanks Jen, great design and while mine isn’t as pretty, it still looks super nice and professional.
Oh, and where can I post a pic?
Awesome, Clark! I’d love to see your grill table – feel free to post it to my Facebook page: http://facebook.com/jenwoodhouse Thanks so much for sharing!
I am not able to download any plans when I click the link. How can I obtain a copy of the plans for this amazing table? thx!
Hi. I’ve tried twice to access the free plans — no dice. Not sent to my email. Any way you could check on that ? Really really hoping to build this over the weekend !
Hi Dylan, thanks for your note! The plans were automatically emailed to you on July 4th and it’s showing that you viewed them at 9:55pm on July 7th. You should have been able to save or print that PDF file. I just emailed them to you again. Hope that helps!
Thank you for the plans! I as able to build this out in a day and really happy with the results!
Have a look here
http://imgur.com/gallery/rTIqP
Thanks for sharing Garrett! Your grill table looks beautiful!
Hi Jen,
I would really love to build this table for my boyfriend, but I am hesitant because I am somewhat of a newbie to this kind of project. Your instructions make it look very simple and I appreciate your detail. What would your advice be to someone who isn’t very experienced in this area? Do you think this is too difficult of a project to take on or would you say it is a fairly easy project? Any advice will be so appreciated! 🙂
Hi Brooke,
I think this table is the perfect beginner project as long as you have all of the necessary tools. For example, you’ll need a jigsaw to cut the circle out for the grill, and a pocket hole jig to put everything together. My advice would be to buy more lumber than you need so that if there are any mistakes, you don’t have to waste time going back to the store for more materials, to take your time, read the instructions thoroughly before you start, and ask questions if you need to. Good luck and happy building!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Where did you get the black wrought iron corner braces? I assume they are decorative only? They are great looking on the table. Thanks
Hi Jen,
I’m new to this, could you tell me if the final dimension of the wood is as written in the plan or less? For example when I go to buy wood, they are asking if I want to order actual or nominal? I dont have a way to plane the boards., and I am not sure if I need to order the wood as for example 4″ x 4 “x 8′ or if I should tell the shop that I want the board to be 3.5″ x 3.5” x 8′. Thanks very much
Thank you for the plans, I’m really enjoying this project! Quick question: have you found a grill cover big enough for these dimensions?
I’m proud to say that I’m all finished! I added casters at the bottom to make it mobile. Would it be possible to get plans for drawers at the bottom? I need to put accessories, charcoal and other things away. Please let me know, thank you!
Thanks for the awesome plans! I took them to a wood workers’ studio and they taught me how to make this! We made the frame from wood bought from a local lumber store but the table tops are made from used pallets! It looks wonderful I’m super proud of it and grateful you shares these plans!
Cheers!!
jen . thanks for the beautiful plans of the grill table. I just bought a large green egg do you think the height of the lower shelf will be right for it. Also I’m thinking of making the table a little taller to accomidate a second shelf. how tall do you think I should go?
I have not received the plans through my email still. Is there a faster way to get them?
Hi Jen,
Almost ready to start and collecting all the wood
Just a quick question about the pocket holes. Did you use the kreg hd jig for this?
Thanks for the info
Kind regards
Hi Tom,
It’s been awhile, so I can’t quite remember, but I don’t think I used the HD jig for this build – the regular pocket hole jig will drill into material as thick as 1 1/2 inches. Good luck and happy building!
Hello, I have an Akorn by CharGriller. It is in the egg shape. The Akorn came with it’s own plastic & metal table. I prefer a wooden one. Do you have any plans for the “egg shape” one?
Please & thank you. PATRICIA
Hi Patricia,
No, this is the only plan I have for a Kamado grill.
I have signed up for the free plans but I have not received an email. I even checked my junk mail. Is there a way to get them. I plan to build this for my hubby. I am also a military spouse. 🙂
Hi Lisa,
Thank you and your hubby for your service! I’m showing that the email with the plans was sent May 10th at 3:50pm and that the email was viewed May 11th at 3:10am. I can resend if you’d like.
I found it! Thanks.
I have tried to obtain the plans twice, but no email. Can you please send them to me?
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for writing. I’m showing that the plans were emailed on July 17 at 8:31pm. They might have ended up in your spam folder, so you may want to check there. Hope that helps!
Nothing in any folder must be lost in the ether
So strange! I re-sent them.
Are you all still sending plans with the signup? I added my email earlier today and still haven’t received anything
Hi Corey,
Yes, thanks for signing up! I’m showing that the plans were emailed on April 18th, at 12:12am. The emails can end up in a spam folder, so you may want to check there. Hope that helps…
Apr 18? I never received that. Maybe it went to spam and was already deleted. I most recently tried getting them July 27th prior to this message and checked all folders with no luck. Can youresend them?
Hi Corey,
Yes, I just re-sent them – hopefully you get them this time! Let me know if you don’t. Thanks!
And I just noticed you’re a military wife. Thanks to you and your family! I was in the Air Force until Oct 2004 so I know the sacrifices the military member and their spouses make
Could I have you email me the plans you used for this table? That would be amazing thank you!!
Sure thing, Nick! I just emailed the plans to you.
hi I just signed up can you please send me the plans? I love the look of the table
Hi Mike,
I’m showing that the email with the plans were sent to your email. Were you able to download them?
Jen, about to build this and just wondering how you joined the boards for the table top together in step 5? did you drill pocket holes through the sides of each board?
Jen
Great table. And I like the added structural support. Did you consider any fire protection for the circumference opening? There is not the heat that would be on bottom, but over time maybe the heat may have affect/dry out and wreck finish. I know if it
Thanks!
I have 2 Komodo grills (Big Joe & Baby Joe), will this table work for me if I extend it out in length because I want to add a wet sink as well as the 2 grills. And where did you get the hardware from, it looks great!