DIY CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS | OUTDOOR KITCHEN UPDATE | MODERN BUILDS

[@jaxn54]

My dad and I built a concrete bar countertop and we were going to put it on our lake dock. We had like five people carry another crossed and the countertop was like 300 pounds it bent the bridge and snapped it and we all fell in the lake with the countertop. We were able to attach a rope to the concrete countertop and slide it up the bridge that was broken. Now we have a new $5000 bridge and A concrete bar countertop that has a good story

[@shaundizzle15]

Did you put any styrofoam in the molds to make it lighter? Either way they can definitely get hefty quick

[@Rofamily6]

Good to here! Good thing no one was heart.

[@jaxn54]

@@shaundizzle15 No we definitely should have. The only thing we put in it was rebars to make it stronger.

[@jaxn54]

@@Rofamily6 Thanks:) Yeah, a bunch of bruises and scrapes but no serious injuries. But after that, your adrenalin is so high you cant stop shaking lol.

[@novocaine009]

🤣 thats definately a good one to remember 🍻

[@AZ---2024-w7p]

I like the imperfections in the project. It really adds character and reminds us viewers to not worry too much about extreme perfection 👍

[@georgefrank7468]

Quick tip from a concreter, to eliminate air bubble go around the edges and thoroughly lightly tap the form work with a hammer or piece of timber. Alternatively if there is still air bubble once deboxed, you can fill these with parge. Great job for a first go though 👍

[@SGDrummer7]

I’ve also seen people use a sawzall with no blade in it.

[@rbutter9200]

@@SGDrummer7 yes, and vibrating sanders

[@monabale8263]

or take the blade off your reciprocating saw & give it a tickle... not that i did that... : )

[@Sauros73-000]

8:50 I saw a trick to avoid bubbles on the edges : on the melamine edges used a orbital sander with a polish pad. This will make vibrations in the wet concrete and help to remove the air bubbles.

[@Fotozones]

You have to vibrate cast concrete much more to get rid of the bubbles and make sure it all settles properly into your mould. That's why you have so many voids.

[@JSAsher]

There is an added ingredient called flow control you can put in quikrete that really seems to help in pouring countertops. It a small bag of powder. It helps to mix in smaller batches but, takes about a 3 person team to get it right. We did a very large area and had maybe 1 or 2 air bubbles all said and done. One person mixing and pouring, one screeding, and one person vibrating the bottoms and edges. Good luck on the indoor!

[@TrentKilberg]

Some tips for others attempting this. That rebar is likely too thick for this project, some 4 inch mesh would be a better option. Invert and cast method is better for the outside the plywood will struggle to breathe. You can add a little extra concrete powder to the mix to increase tensile strength for the overhangs. Knock the edges of the form with something to help settle the concrete and get the voids out. Cover the concrete with a tarp and even water it a little to slow the curing time. This will improve strength.

[@ModernBuilds]

Classic Modern Builds?? 😜

[@teddtheyoung]

this was wholesome

[@abdulhamidalfani]

when you wake up you can be anything, but this guy chooses to be an inspiration

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Nice build, or rather renovation. You and your dad make a good team.

[@Rowblob1441]

Looks great! I've done a few of these outdoor concrete countertops. A few tips: tap your forms with a rubber mallet as you go to fill in those air gaps, also a concrete edging tool (rounding tool) leaves a less violent edge for the final product. Whenever you can, always have a continuation of your rebar/mesh between sections of continuous concrete. Either way, looks really good man keep up the great work! 👍

[@johnathandietz615]

I have also seen other people fill the voids with a slurry mixture, but I think with the sealer, its too late for that

[@PushProMI]

Happy you're back Mike!

[@bigbankhank1337]

Pro tip…tap the edges to get rid of the pockets of air and that will help fill those voids. Then once you strip forms take the cement mix you used and mix a slurry in a cup and use a 1” paint brush to cover up any holes etc. looks great though cheers dude

[@natebolton9385]

this turned up at just the right time. Looking into building something at my house like this. Who knows when I'll get to it though.

[@TheLexusgs400]

The original vid was one of my personal favorites...digging the new version as well!

[@TheCraftyBrick]

This is SOOOO helpful. You make me feel like I can really do this to my outdoor counter. Thanks!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job Mike. Hopefully ur parents got great use out of it for many years to come. Can't wait to see more videos. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Keep making. God bless.

[@novocaine009]

I remember when you built these. It's still on my to do list.....i like the outdoor kitchen idea

[@paulphan1402]

I actually built my outdoor bar table base on your video back then. Only thing i did different was adding a layer of housewrap before the picket fence board, and my bar was is granite that s.o throw away during their kitchen remodel. Ps: you could have use something to vibrate the concrete to minimize the air pocket and make it stronger.

[@shaun65375]

I've made indoor concrete tops for my last kitchen. Used a snowcrete with yellow building sand for a cream finished. But I found I got the best finish making a reverse form out of melamine on the floor and making them upside down so the finish side is on the bottom of the form. Just level the form first and secure it to the floor. But be aware of the weight and sink cutaways when lifting into place. I suffered a crack.

[@keith_hudson]

Turned out nice. Finishing trowel is for finishing. You really need a magnesium trowel.

[@adamjones9600]

3:00 i used loctite adhesive spray recently and was surprised when I sprayed some LVP tiles that came with a foam pad, i wanted to make sure the tiles didn't slide around on a small 4x4' plywood subfloor... the loctite adhesive actually melted all of the foam. Good thing I did a test piece!

[@izychick7275]

before pouring the concrete mixture, you can brush or spray a thin layer first to avoid missing parts on the outside

[@dakotacarrington6836]

I feel like this is bringing it back to OG MB. I like this.

[@MultiKlompen]

Its beautiful !! And not too big, not too small. Great!!

[@ModernRemade]

Killer upgrade man! Nice that you showed the progression 🤙🏻

[@SoCal_rnr]

There's a snap away plastic edge form for concrete countertops you can buy

[@Youurwaaycool97]

I love it!! Always excited when a video is up from you 🤩

[@MirandaDetailing]

Yeah....Unlike the skim coat tops that failed....these are way better!!

[@c.a.g.1977]

11:00 Best stamp of approval to receive!

[@Skalamusa]

You didn’t vibrated it. That’s why the voids. A sander without sandpaper would have worked ok.

[@notgavincrenshaw]

You should get a float before you do you next concrete project. You'd be surprised how much nicer of a finish you can get with one vs a trowel. Also you could use a 2 inch edger to round your corners. Might be a little more round than what you were going for but all in all in turned out pretty nice.

[@schroederb2007]

steel rebar is fine but i used fiberglass rebar in my driveway, SO light, easy to cut, and as strong as rebar. also it wont rust if the concrete cracks and water seeps in

[@Tmassey011]

Awesome build Mike. Much better than the original tops.

[@mclarkin0906]

This looks awesome. I am looking to do something similar with a Blackstone. And my griddle also has a rear grease trap....how did you handle that?

[@cojofoplays1837]

perfectly imperfect looks awesome

[@adamsanchez1319]

Dude your Dad was a Jar Head "Marine" awesome.

[@attrzz]

every time you say "CAU-LK", a little bit of my soul dies.

[@drefyt]

Add some vibration to avoid the problems on the edge (with an hammer for example)

[@jim1442]

That was really cool I like the layout

[@1958indyfan]

Every dry mix product has instuctions on the packaging. Get a bucket (white is preferred) and measure the water needed for whatever you are mixing into the bucket and mark and label a line with a black paint pen on the outside (white bucket makes it easier to read). Save the bucket and DO NOT mix in it. Repeat for your next project so eventually you have a bucket with lines and labels all the way around that you can grab, fill to the proper line and have consistent product batch after batch. It is really handy if you have a helper because pretty much any idiot can fill a bucket to a line. PS Concrete comes in different size bags so measure for each.

[@JustAGuy781]

You basically did the same process twice by using wood again. You need to use concrete board as the base for pouring a concrete countertop.

[@hyoga8340]

I enjoyed your video and learned Thank you bro

[@RumMonkeyable]

Great upgrade! 👍👏💪😎❤️️

[@jerome2362]

Nice project (as always)! Next time use some plastic spacers to raise the rebars from the bottom of the slab. Ideally you need a cover of 3/4’’ to 1’’ on the top and the bottom of the slab.

[@JuliaBeth8]

Looks amazing!! If you are interested in doing something inventive to cover up the very bubbly edge on the left side of the grill - I thought of a really cool idea!! You could screw in a grill set holder!! For spatulas, sauce brushes, etc!! I think if it was made out of metal or was black it would really compliment everything AND be super useful!! 😊 hope you like this idea! Love your fun videos! Always like them! Happy Memorial Day!!🇺🇸

[@lscales6131]

Also I would have vibrated the boards before finishing that way you don’t get so many air bubbles.

[@jeffashby6162]

With a griddle included how did you factor the grease trap when the griddle is in the countertop? I have a black stone that I just purchased and not sure how I will keep access to the grease trap which is in the back.

[@LincolnLagers]

Wish I could find someone to renovate my outdoor bbq island. Weather has taken its toll.

[@Yusufmasron]

cool dad, yummy burger, nice built

[@TimelessTunesRewind]

Hi I am looking for plans on the cat post you built. I was on your site and don't see the post listed under projects. Is it posted someplace else?

[@thelostone6981]

Haha! Nothing is forever. But I hope this last longer!

[@tshadley]

How did you handle the grease trap on the backside of the griddle? I am looking to do the same, but trying to plan ahead for the trap. Thanks for sharing this!

[@susancollado5290]

💕I’M WONDERING if something like this method would work for making concrete slabs for garden fencing to slot in between concrete posts💕

[@georgefrank7468]

Just buy concrete sleepers

[@mrchedda]

How is the wood base fastened to the concrete slab? Is there a video of how you did that when you built it?

[@CoachAntonioStarr]

How is the. Lacks tone holding up in such close tolerance to the wood?

[@roughryder5]

Could you not have just went back to the edges and applied a thin layer of concrete to fill up the holes?

[@bdizzle123001]

is there no fire risk with putting the grill directly on wood?

[@srand07]

What kind of wood is that you are using for the cabinets? It it alot of maintenance? Does it do well in cold, rain, direct sunlight heat? Thank you!

[@flamabl1]

My god! There is so much easily accessible , great info on KZbin. Do some research already.

[@ronniestanley75]

You should have watched some Michaelbuilds videos before doing this. He does these with Rapidset mortar mix and plasticizer with no reinforcement............... And it sets and hardens in one hour. I used his technique to do my entire kitchen three years ago. I wouldn't do it any other way again.

[@victorlicht6765]

We would love some more videos, maybe soon something not concrete? It has been a while since the last "real" modern builds.

[@JoakimGulbrandsen]

How has it held up?

[@omarrivera0108]

Thanks for sharing! 👏🏽

[@PastaLuke]

Looks dang good!

[@lindacsmith13]

Yummy. I mean, looks great!

[@sesameskeet03]

Is that Mandark? lol Nice build.

[@TacosElBarbon]

What did you do with the grease trap? I love this and I am game planning for my future black stone outdoor grilling station, was going with concrete counter tops also!

[@mrsmurphy1836]

Wow, great job!

[@puwazatza]

looking solid!

[@grindordie3336]

Well done.

[@lynnburke4403]

How many hobbyist woodworkers are there?

[@lukehunter9296]

Awesome dude

[@lindarosenthal6835]

Beautiful

[@markmagner8000]

built that countertop like he supported that wall lmao

[@wyzzz03]

I will never Uwe my naked hands to work with concrete!

[@missjasmin7979]

I love it tres Bien

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Way more work to do on those counters but its your life👍!

[@danielnigra1922]

who else saw that onion fall when dad spoke at the end? situational awareness...

[@boopyournose5698]

I was wondering if self-leveling concrete could be used to even out the surface. It worked well on my flooring prior to installing vinyl, but I'm not sure if it would work on this project since the countertops would stay with no extra covering.

[@BCGarage]

Nice job 🍻

[@masorcas1000]

Concrete counter tops sure look nice but will stain with cooking oil

[@dereknorth9296]

Did you do the voice of Mandark in Dexter's Laboratory?

[@layneinchains4047]

Nice bro! 🤘🏼

[@jaydouglas1090]

So the last ones you did failed because you have wood under the concrete so you do the same thing again? I guess it gives you content in two years when you redo them again.

[@Rohroh59]

Luv it!

[@Pwn3dbyth3n00b]

Bare hands on wet concrete...

[@MrBdelp]

what grill is this? the link did not work

[@FerdiTekin]

It will be easier if you use granite rock, tile, marble, rock tile.

[@IJm3]

Metal legs? As you proceed to screw in a bit of wood lol.

[@joegibbs1742]

Nice upgrade!

[@Gus-cs9dj]

You have to vibrate the concrete

[@c3po-352]

I like it

[@novsaitv9023]

Awesome

[@chakireladraoui9331]

Good

[@danielnigra1922]

UH OH. haha i decided to do the same to my countertops after i saw the other video. Thats too funny. So what do i do? abandon the idea of skimcoting hardwood doors. just like you, or press on and regret it?

[@gregmize01]

Anyone else think he should be using pressure treated plywood?😏

[@TheLeeks24]

Nice👍🏼

[@vinnychen6674]

when is the school bus coming back?