An outdoor grill station offers many benefits, whether it is a DIY project or a pre-built unit. Here's why you need an outdoor grill station:
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Convenient Cooking: With an outdoor grill station, you can easily cook and prepare meals outdoors, with less clean up. It provides a dedicated space for grilling, allowing you to enjoy the process of cooking outdoors while keeping the heat and smoke outside your home.
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Versatility: Grill stations offer versatility in cooking options. You can use different types of grills such as gas, charcoal, or pellet grills, each offering unique flavors and cooking styles. This versatility allows you to experiment with various recipes and techniques to enhance your culinary skills.
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Socializing and Entertainment: An outdoor grill station creates a focal point for social gatherings and entertainment. It provides a gathering spot for family and friends to come together and enjoy meals, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. Grilling can become a social activity, allowing you to interact with your guests while preparing delicious food.
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Outdoor Living: A grill station extends your living space to the outdoors. It encourages you to spend more time outside, enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings. It can serve as an extension of your kitchen, allowing you to take advantage of outdoor dining during pleasant weather.
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Enhanced Flavor: Grilling imparts a distinct and delicious flavor to food that is often associated with outdoor cooking. The direct heat and smoke from the grill enhance the taste and texture of meats, vegetables, and other ingredients, providing a unique and enjoyable dining experience.
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Healthier Cooking: Grilling is generally considered a healthier cooking method compared to frying or using excessive oils. The fat drips off the food when grilled, resulting in leaner meals. Additionally, grilling allows for the retention of vitamins and minerals in vegetables, making it a nutritious cooking option.
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Easy Cleanup: Outdoor grill stations typically have features that make cleanup easier. For example, some stations include built-in grease traps or removable trays that collect drippings, making it convenient to clean up after grilling. This saves you time and effort compared to traditional stovetop cooking or indoor grilling.
A grill station can enrich your lifestyle. You can build your own grill station and get a custom solution for your space and appliances using a DIY project plan. We've compiled our picks - Build your own outdoor grill station, with these free plans!
1. Nesting Grill Station
Image Credit: Ana White
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x material, cedar fence pickets, casters, handles |
Build your own nesting grill station for a portable grill! Features grill table with storage for gas and grill, and a counter height dining/serving table.
2. Charcoal Grill Island
Image Credit: Lady Goats
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x material, cedar fence pickets, hinges |
Prep, grill and store the charcoal all in one spot! We love the tilt out design on this grill station.
3. Patio Cooler and Grill Cart Combo
Image Credit: Fix this Build that
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, router, nailer, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x boards, hooks and handles |
The project is made from cedar to withstand the elements and give it a nice classy look. At the heart of the wooden cooler box is a 48 qt cooler with plenty of capacity for your parties.
4. Simple Rolling Bar Cart
Image Credit: Ana White
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, nailer, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x and 1x material, casters and towel bar |
Create your own beautiful, customizeable and functional rolling bar cart.
5. Rolling Outdoor Grill Island
Image Credit: Pneumatic Addict
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, sander, grinder, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x material, steel framing studs, and Simpon strong ties, cement backer, concrete, casters |
Go all out with this one! Build a rolling outdoor island, built with steel studs and connectors + concrete top!
6. Rolling Cart with Cooler Storage
Image Credit: C.R.A.F.T.
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x material, angle iron, casters |
Need a place serve and keep drinks cool? This is a great design to keep the beverages down below and still have a prep space up top!
7. Big Green Egg Table
Image Credit: Dogwood Nation
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, jig saw, tape measure |
| Materials: | 4x, 2x and 1x material, casters, hooks |
This is a great plan if you want to build a table for your green egg!
8. Small Galvanized Top Grill Cart
Image Credit:In Between Chaos
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2x material, galvanized tray and casters |
Functional little cart that can withstand the elements! Just wheel it inside to use for extra prep in the kitchen too.
9. Rolling Grill Side Cart with Storage
Image Credit: Houseful of Handmade
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x material, cedar fence pickets, drawer slides, hooks, handles, casters |
This beautiful and functional grill cart includes a drawer, extra shelf, prep space and propane tank storage! The perfect addition to support your grilling experience!
10. Mobile Island Grill Cart
Image Credit: DIY Huntress
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 2x and 1x material, plywood, hooks and casters |
Awesome grill cart! With added hooks and paper towel storage keep all of your grill needs close by. We love the incorporated cubbies and wire baskets for extra storage. Perfect for outdoor grilling!
11. Rolling Bar Cart with Removeable Tray
Image Credit: Ana White
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, kreg jig, nailer, sander |
| Materials: | 1x material, wood wheels, bolts, washers, handles |
This bar cart, AKA beverage cart, party cart, or could be decorative plant cart, is made entirely of 1x3 boards (well, except for the wood wheels) The removeable tray is a fun addition!
12. Foldable Table
Image Credit: Ana White
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, nailer, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2x material, plywood, nuts, washers and bolts |
We're thinking outside the box with this one. This is our portable workbench plan, but we've seen it used as a mobile or tailgate grill table as well!
13. Grill Cart and BBQ Prep Table
Image Credit: Woodshop Diaries
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Circular saw, drill, sander, jig saw, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2x material, wooden dowel, and casters |
This sweet BBQ cart is larger in size and will accommodate different sized portable or charcoal tabletop grills, with plenty of prep space! We love the added casters and handle for easy mobility.
14. Outdoor Serving Center
Image Credit: Kreg Tool
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, nailer, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2 x material, handles |
This awesome serving center would be a great addition for outdoor entertaining! Keep drinks and condiments chilled and within easy reach. The design allows for added prep space on top. Made from cedar this outdoor serving station is sure to last!
15. Grill Island with Storage and Seating
Image Credit: Houseful of Handmade
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2x material, cedar fence pickets, casters and countertop |
Always wanted an outdoor kitchen? This grill island has all the prep surface, tons of storage and room to sit and eat. We love the added casters and stainless steel top. Added seating allows for family or guests to sit and give the cook company!
16. DIY Ooni Pizza Oven Stand or Grill Table
Image Credit: The Handyman's Daughter
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, nailer, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x and 2x material, pavers, casters |
Build this DIY grill station for your next backyard BBQ! Perfect for a prep space, tabletop grill or pizza oven, with durable concrete pavers on top.
17. Balcony Railing Table
Image Credit: The Handyman's Daughter
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Tools Needed: | Cicular saw, drill, kreg jig, sander, tape measure |
| Materials: | 1x material |
Need some extra space to set cooking utensils or condiments while grilling? This design is so versatile if you need an extra tabletop and have a railing! Also makes a great option if you're low on space.
