Planning an outdoor kitchen

[Salmonsmoker]

That is going to be quite a well planned outdoor kitchen. I now see why you need the reinforcement.

Salmonsmoker;

When my brother had a huge slab; 28' x 60' poured, they used fiber glass reinforce concrete. A few days after it was poured, but before it cured, the contractor came back and used a power tool to score the concrete at specific intervals to about 1/2" depth. This provided for expansion/contraction and it helps prevents the cracking. After the building went on it, there hasn't been any noticeable cracks.

Habs,
That's proper procedure for pouring a slab. The tiny surface fissure cracks from curing that I mentioned in my earlier post are still there. Those are the problem with sanitation. Bacteria gets in those cracks and sanitizers can't reach it. We have the same type of problem in brewing. The most microscopic scratch in a plastic or other type container- invisible to the naked eye, is big enough to harbor bacteria that the sanitizer "misses" resulting in a contaminated batch of beer. Most beer bacteria aren't health harmful, but raw chicken juice in a concrete slab is something I'd steer away from.

[NePaSmoKer]

Well my area of expertise. My father was a concrete man for 40 years. Always use re bar or wire screen even with fiberglass imbedded concrete mix.

THATS HOW I DO IT

BTW

Nice setup Drac

[PapaC]

So Drac, Is that $3200 quote just for the pizza oven foundation, or the whole floor area as well? Seems pretty steep for just the pizza pad.

Are you going to buy a pre-maid pizza oven, have it made on site, or make it yourself? I've always thought they were cool, but I don't think I'd use it enough to justify the expense. I'm thinking outdoor fireplace instead for mine.

On the counter top, you might keep your eye out for restaurant equipment auctions. Like when they close down etc. I have a friend that got an 8' stainless with sink for $400 at one. Just a thought.

[Drac]

The cost is for the whole 17'x17' slab.  I might get by with the original 4" where the oven isn't but that is a might.  I am planning to use cinder blocks for building the kitchen.  With that and the facing it will be at the edge for weight.  When you add the two slabs could move separately due to the shifting soil it is better just to have it all done as one and all reenforced with the beams.

I will build it using the plans from here - http://www.traditionaloven.com/pizza_wood_oven/pizza_oven_3.html  I am planning to use it for more than just pizza though.  It is an oven so roasting, bread, ect are all possible in it.  The plus side is that the oven won't heat up the house during the 100+ days of summer.  Yeah, I could buy a lot of pizza for the price of this project but when you get down to it I could have bought a lot of bacon for the price of the Bradley plus all the supplies.  I doubt I save any money making it at home and there are several places to get smoked bacon that is as good, my butcher for one. 

I like to cook. 

Another plus is that if we do sell the house an outdoor kitchen renovation has the best return of any outdoor project, 100-200% if done right.

Jim

[Tenpoint5]

Jim when all is said and done. It doesn't matter which way you go or who's idea/information you followed. You still only have to impress (Get approval) from one person. Your WIFE!!

[BAM1]

I'm right there with you.  I'll be starting mine in the spring to include a pizza oven from the Chicago pizza oven company.

[Grouperman941]

True but with it being uncovered outdoors I can't use standard counter tops and my budget can't afford custom granite stainless over the entire surface.  Tiled leaves me with the same issue of sealing and cracks.  Is there another option?

Jim

www.solidsurface.com sells whole sheets or fragments of many kinds of countertop materials. I just made a small outdoor counter from Meganite fragments.

[Salmonsmoker]

True but with it being uncovered outdoors I can't use standard counter tops and my budget can't afford custom granite stainless over the entire surface.  Tiled leaves me with the same issue of sealing and cracks.  Is there another option?

Jim

www.solidsurface.com sells whole sheets or fragments of many kinds of countertop materials. I just made a small outdoor counter from Meganite fragments.

Good post Grouperman. The Meganite is the same material as Corian, one of several different brand names after Corian's patent expired.

Drac, if you have the skills, you can even work with this material yourself. Bonding is done with a catalytic resin that is tinted to match the color of the product and has a relatively short cure time. The one draw-back of this material is it can't handle something very hot(like a pot) on the surface. The heat causes very rapid expansion where the pot is and the material will crack. The good news is you can cut out the damaged area and snuggly fit a patch with tinted bonding agent, do a polish and you can't find the patch. Using potholders or trivets to place hot items on pretty much makes this draw-back go away. I have a Corian sink cutout that I've had since 1988 that I use for a fillet board and it's still in great shape. I'll have it 'till I can't clean a fish anymore.  :'(

[Habanero Smoker]

That is going to be one nice pizza oven, and overall outdoor kitchen.

Salmonsmoker;
Thanks! Your posts on concrete have been very informative. I'm now glad I didn't get the concrete counter top. I'll refocus on the granite counter top.