I'm going to build a table for a Primo ceramic grill. Trouble is, I'm not sure what type of wood is both economical and will last a good long time. I'm thinking cedar but definitely want suggestions.

My intent is to have two work surfaces to each side of the grill and on each work surface I'll inlay a chunk of granite.

The grill will be outside on a wooden deck. The deck does have a roof overhead about 12' up where the grill will be placed. It's open on 3 of four sides.

What kind of wood do you recommend? Criteria are long lasting, suitable for outdoor use, cheap, and available.

Thanks,

You've got a pretty tight set of requirements for your lumber. For outdoor wood, I always consider what is used on/for boats to really define the best of the weathering woods. So, that puts cedar as your likely best candidate though redwood might also be a possibility. Though, you may want to check your local hardwood source. Cyprus is a pretty decent outdoor wood with a blond color and its not ridiculously expensive. After that, you get into the rainforest/souh american stuff (Teak, Mahogany, Ipe) and that won't meet your cost requirement.

Of course, you may be able to get really lucky and talk to your local lumber mill and see if they may have processed any osage orange. Most don't like to mess with it since it dulls tool blades, but the stuff when dried is just about impervious to bugs and the elements. KS has lots of osage, thats why I mention it.

Ken

If you can keep it far enough away from the heat, starboard is pretty reasonably priced and a good surface.....or use the crappy grade of Marine plywood (A/C)and either coat it with epoxy on the A side, table top resin, or laminate a thin layer of granite/formica or whatever to it.

Cedar.

Don't use Cypress (common for Kamado tables).

Also could frame with pressure treated and trim/deck it with cedar

This message has been edited. Last edited by: heisrizn,

It's sounding more and more like cedar is the way to go. I will check if osage orange is available though.

Thanks guys. I won't be buying material for a bit but it's good to have a plan. More suggestions are always welcome.

 
What about Ipe? I have not personally worked with it, but I understand it is very durable and well-suited for an outside environment (used for decks). It is also said to be hard to work (cut).
 

Primo makes their grill tables out of Cypress or Teak wood.

Go to Primo's website and see what they use. It would probably be good to mirror what they use themselves.

I have a Primo Oval XL but I broke down and bought it with the Teak table. I bought the floor display from the dealer, so I got it for a great discount.

Best regards,

Mike

You might look into "African" mahogany. It is cheaper than other mahoganies. I bought some for an indoor table project but have not used it yet.

It looks nice though.

I think I paid about $9.00 a board foot for 8" wide and under. This was unplaned. It was a good excuse to get a planer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mikito,

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
What about Ipe? I have not personally worked with it, but I understand it is very durable and well-suited for an outside environment (used for decks). It is also said to be hard to work (cut).
 

It's VERY expensive, like $21 a board foot for 1"x6" .

Teak and African Mahogony are great choices but also pricey.

I used 2" cypress for my green egg table and have had very good service over 6 years.

I'd highly recommend having a look at the table section over at the Egghead forum. Plans and many photos there.
I live in Vegas where the sun destroys most any wood finish. I ended up doing mine in Trex. Left about 3/4 inch gap at the grill and it has been perfect for over a year now. I just take the power washer to it a couple times a year and it looks good.

have you looked at some of the "trex" type decking available from the big box stores?

plastic wood, more knife friendly, and doesn't weather like any natural wood.

john

 
Cypress is very much like Teak, being oily and resistant to moisture. It grows in a swamp, so it has to be resistant to moisture. Probably more available and cheaper than teak for your purposes. For the small amount you need, if your budget permits, I would still go with Ipe.
 

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
What about Ipe? I have not personally worked with it, but I understand it is very durable and well-suited for an outside environment (used for decks). It is also said to be hard to work (cut).
 

It's VERY expensive, like $21 a board foot for 1"x6" .

Teak and African Mahogony are great choices but also pricey.

$6.86/bd ft from Advantage lumber for 4/4 x 6" Ipe decking. 5/4 about $11/bf. Great people, I built a 1,900 sf Ipe deck from 5/4 X 6"from Advantage