The Texas BBQ Forum

Here's a set of pictures showing the process of how we turned the raw space into an island. I need to take some better pics of the smoker that I don't seem to show anywhere.

Awesome pics! Thanks again. What is the material that surrounds the steel framing? Is it similar to green board used under bathroom tiles? Also, in retrospect, would you have left more of (deeper) a step in front or do you find that's adequate? One last .. How long did it take to build?

Thanks again.

It's just sheets of Hardibacker. Same thing used for tile. Once you build the frame, it's sturdy but you have serious doubts. Once you put the rock board on it, it's an outhouse!
The reason I didn't do a deeper step was that I was actually limited in room. What you don't see is I have a pool in front of the island. I needed to leave room for the patio furniture as well as room to have walking room for the kids and such to get by. It seems a little odd, but it actually works very well.
As for timing, I spent a few hours here and there and it took me about 8 weeks. Foundation took a day. Framing took 2 days. Rock board took 1 day. Concrete countertop took about 3 days to form out, pour and make sure I was happy. Metal lathe took 1 day. Rock took about 5 days. Welding the doors took a day and there you have it.

Very nice. I need ya to come up here to Ohio and put one of those in my backyard.

Big Mike wrote:Very nice. I need ya to come up here to Ohio and put one of those in my backyard.

And I'm right next door in New Yawk. Thanks again for sharing ~ It's beautiful !!

Even on a dialup, it was worth the wait to see your island. Never would have thought about using steel studs as the frame. Great set up. The Mrs gave me a look like "don't even think about it"

Sorry about the size of the pics. I've seen a TON of these in Texas that are rock, but most are rock and mortar with no other support. What tends to happen is the mortar cracks and smoke comes pouring out of the cracks. This would require too much maintenance for my taste. Our soil moves a TON here so that was never an option for me.

I had initially thought of using cinder blocks but the steel frame seemed so much more forgiving.

This is a commercial solution used daily in construction of walls, so I thought it would work fine here. I'm more than impressed with the results.
Seriously, go to the forum at BBQ Galore as they've got some pretty good ideas working that you can tailor to your needs.

We have clay soil and with the Winter weather up here, a steel frame would be the way to go. I'll take a look at BBQ Galore ~ Thanks

Dats, I didn't knwo dial-up still existed....

Now that is one sweet set up

Very cool set up

That is a work of beuty.

Awesome set up....thanks for sharing. Bet you're the envy of the neighborhood!

WOW THAT'S BEAUTIFUL!!! Excellent work!!

Nice looking setup!

Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!