How to Build a BBQ Island: Design and Build your own BBQ Island

The following manual describes how an average DIY guy can build a BBQ Island in a few days, and save 100’s even 1000’s of $$ in the process.
A typical BBQ Island is constructed of steel studding and Hardibacker cement board. The average cost of materials ranges from around $250 - $300 excluding the grill unit and accessories and the cost of tiles (these can vary so much, depending upon ersonal choice). A typical “Parts-List” and costing are detailed at the end of this manual.

The units I describe in this manual are built around a normal “stand-alone” BBQ unit as purchased in any typical gardening center like Lowes, etc. These units are far cheaper than the professional slide-in units and I guess the reason you’re reading this is because you want to save money.

I have painstakingly described every step of the process from what materials you need, the tools required and where to get them, plus numerous detailed methods of each process, plus tricks to help you. Please, read the full manual before you commence your project, familiarize yourself with, the considerations, decisions and methods of construction so as to prepare yourself for the “next-stage” while working on the current stage.

If you can find the grill unit I’ve used in my examples, my measurements are pretty accurate, and if followed will allow you to build a beautiful island. If you use an alternative grill, read the manual fully to understand the theory and follow the instructions on how to make the measurements, how to make allowances for clearance and note the numerous tricks and considerations.

Remember this manual describes Techniques, Methods and Construction Pointers. You will be able to exactly copy my measurements and produce the islands described herein if you can find the grills I use, but BBQ manufacturers are continually changing their product line and new units appear all the time.
Just follow the guidelines and you’ll be able to construct a BBQ Island around any chosen grill and it will give you years of enjoyment and significantly increase the value of your home.

Stuccoing and Tiling of the finished unit is not detailed in this manual although detailed considerations regarding allowing for tiling or Stuccoing are described.

One final word…. Safety…. Stand alone units are not meant to be “boxed-in”, unless there is adequate ventilation to allow for the exit of leaky gas joints of gas bottles. The islands MUST have a lower venting area to allow for any gas to be vented away and not build up inside the island. As gas is heavier than air, the vent must be as low down as possible. I can’t tell you where to put this vent for every island, but look at my island examples and you’ll see it is an easy task to work out. (See Safety Vent Installation – at the end of this chapter (Island One), for more detail.) For more information and examples of various islands that can be built go to my website: www.symphonybbq.com where you can also look at a YouTube Video showing basic construction.
NOTE: Many readers who want to build their island will want to have a larger than Kindle Screen version to work from. While I'm preparing a Paperback Version I have made available a download link where purchasers of this Kindle version can go to my website "Members Area" and download a PDF version of the book for later printing out. This is much easier to use when in a DIY workshop. In the Kindle Version is a URL Link to enable readers to download this PDF version. This is only available to purchasers of the KINDLE version.