Outdoor Kitchen

[Redneck in training]

When I lay tiles or stones I lay them in few inches of dry premix concrete, broom it in the cracks and when done just water it. The concrete will cure to less strength than when mixed with water but strong enough to withstand normal traffic and also prevents weeds in cracks. This method works well when the underlaying material is well settled or compacted.

 

[buggyman1]

Worked most of the day in light rain (sorry no pics, didn't want to get my camera wet), had to jump in the rhino a few times when the rain got heavy, finally got rained out all together. I felt like a drowned rat, but i got close to half of the rocks laid. I can't beleive how much time this is taking...its way worse than drilling all them holes in the bridge. More good news...i think i'm gonna be short on rocks...its going to be close, but the pile is shrinking, and it's getting scary pulling the next rock out...looks like the perfect snake-den. I did manage to fab-up a holder for my worst habit (don't judge me, i'd love to quit) pic attached. Funny thang...when all was said and done today...when i quit running back and forth to the kitchen to check on the run-off, and to see if the drains were doing their thang, to pick-up tools i'd left...etc...i had three dry dogs laying in the shop looking like "whata you cooking-up next dad" I had to laugh.

 

[buggyman1]

Todays progress, got maybe 3/4's of it laid. Its starting to look pretty good. Weather permitting, i hope to get done tomorrow with the rocks. I can see its going to be somewhat of a challenge to set a table and chairs on the surface, but we'll make it work.

 

[buggyman1]

A couple more pics.

 

[buggyman1]

My helper for the day...she's growing like a weed, and she's into everything.

 

[buggyman1]

Here's the rocks that are left...it's going to be close. Didn't see one snake.

 

[polo1665]

Just wanted to bump this to see how the prject was coming along.

 

[buggyman1]

Finished laying the rock tonight in the rain. Looks pretty good. I would'nt wish this job on my worst enemy, what a giant pain it has been. I poured another footer for a retaining wall, and to box everything in. I had a few small rocks left, and i'll prob. use them to fill in the gaps when i get the sand. I guess i'll go with polymeric sand to lock everything together, thats what most of the landscaping guys say to use??? I really can't beleive its took me this long on the rocks, king tut i'm not. I didn't get to take any pics (rain) but i'll post some tomorrow. I also set a post and hung "the dinner bell", for the wife.

 

[buggyman1]

Just wanted to bump this to see how the prject was coming along.

Is that a pizza oven in your avatar? Would love to see some pics of your kitchen.

 

[polo1665]

Is that a pizza oven in your avatar? Would love to see some pics of your kitchen.

Here's a link to the oven build, flagstone patio and the start of my outdoor kitchen build. Since then I have had the roof put over the oven and pad. I'm waiting on some special order hickory tongue and groove to finish the ceiling over the outdoor kitchen and then will start the cabinets around the perimeter.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/195199-patio-outdoor-kitchen-project.html

 

[polo1665]

Finished laying the rock tonight in the rain. Looks pretty good. I would'nt wish this job on my worst enemy, what a giant pain it has been. I poured another footer for a retaining wall, and to box everything in. I had a few small rocks left, and i'll prob. use them to fill in the gaps when i get the sand. I guess i'll go with polymeric sand to lock everything together, thats what most of the landscaping guys say to use??? I really can't beleive its took me this long on the rocks, king tut i'm not. I didn't get to take any pics (rain) but i'll post some tomorrow. I also set a post and hung "the dinner bell", for the wife.

I used the polymeric sand on my flagstone patio. You'll definitely have to fill in some of the gaps if you are going to use it. Make sure you get the stuff that is made for larger gaps. Mine is holding up well so far (couple years old) but you can tell it would do much better with smaller gaps between the stone.

Keep updating, I like to see what other people are doing:thumbsup:
Looks great so far. Lots of effort when you try to do this stuff by yourself.

Mark

 

[buggyman1]

Here's a link to the oven build, flagstone patio and the start of my outdoor kitchen build. Since then I have had the roof put over the oven and pad. I'm waiting on some special order hickory tongue and groove to finish the ceiling over the outdoor kitchen and then will start the cabinets around the perimeter.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/195199-patio-outdoor-kitchen-project.html

Great job on the oven, i like your patio also. Ya sure can't tell that you don't lay blocks for a living, again, great job.

 

[buggyman1]

Patio is done except for the sand. Here's a pic of the "bell" and Kayla, she's been down there with me every day (and nite), i let her out of the house and she runs straight to the outdoor kitchen and stays with me all day.

 

[buggyman1]

A couple more pics of all of the rocks laid, and of the new footers. I am burned-out on laying rocks. Glad i did it, wouldn't do it again. When you get close to the end, seems like nothing will fit right.

 

[buggyman1]

Small problem....as i was taking a "rare break" while laying rock, i noticed a bumble bee fly into a hole in the ground right in the spot where i'm planning on putting the waterfall, then more bee's coming, and going from the hole. I waited until 2am, then poured about 2 gallons of gas down the hole. The next day i thought i'd gotten rid of them...wrong.. they're still flying in, and out of the hole. I did notice 1 dead one laying beside the hole, but for the most part they're acting like nothing happened. How do i get rid of an underground nest? They don't bother anything, but i need to dig in the spot they're in. I would just let them be (no pun intended) if i didn't need to dig in that spot. I've always used gas with great results, but not this time. HELP!!!

 

[polo1665]

Great job on the oven, i like your patio also. Ya sure can't tell that you don't lay blocks for a living, again, great job.

Thanks

Your patio is going to be great, I love the look of the stone. About your insect problem........sorry, but I can't bee of much help there. Its hard to believe the gas didn't take care of them.

Looking forward to pics of more progress.

 

[ruralruss]

Small problem....as i was taking a "rare break" while laying rock, i noticed a bumble bee fly into a hole in the ground right in the spot where i'm planning on putting the waterfall, then more bee's coming, and going from the hole. I waited until 2am, then poured about 2 gallons of gas down the hole. The next day i thought i'd gotten rid of them...wrong.. they're still flying in, and out of the hole. I did notice 1 dead one laying beside the hole, but for the most part they're acting like nothing happened. How do i get rid of an underground nest? They don't bother anything, but i need to dig in the spot they're in. I would just let them be (no pun intended) if i didn't need to dig in that spot. I've always used gas with great results, but not this time. HELP!!!

If it is a place where you can put a push mower over it then find out when they start going in an out. Have the mower ready and about when they get active fire up the mower with it low to the ground. It will aggravate them and they will start coming out. Let it run until the gas runs out. May not get them all but will surely get a lot.

 

[BayouMan]

Another option to consider is to take a long length of 1/2" PVC pipe and then put some seven dust in the end. Be generous with the seven. Ease the end of the pipe with the seven into the hole. Get you an air tank and use a nozzle from your shop and spray the seven into the hole from the other end of the pipe. We did this years ago on a huge paper wasp nest under our hunting camp and it worked like a champ.

The wasps you have will have there nest hanging from the roof of their burrow and the gas may have just went into the ground.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I just finished a cobblestone patio at the front of my house. It was a lot of work but the end result will last a long, long time.....

Before and After....

 

[Western]

Another option to consider is to take a long length of 1/2" PVC pipe and then put some seven dust in the end. Be generous with the seven. Ease the end of the pipe with the seven into the hole. Get you an air tank and use a nozzle from your shop and spray the seven into the hole from the other end of the pipe. We did this years ago on a huge paper wasp nest under our hunting camp and it worked like a champ.

The wasps you have will have there nest hanging from the roof of their burrow and the gas may have just went into the ground.
Just my 2 cents.Mike

That's what I was thinking, may have to flood them out. If the 7 doesn't work maybe a little Diesel since it will have some residual properties.