DIY Stacked Stone Outdoor Kitchen

Measure your appliance's length, width and height to ensure proper clearance in your outdoor kitchen design for each element to fit.

Measure the amount of space you have to build your outdoor kitchen setup. Sketch out your plans on a piece of graphing paper, taking in account both the amount of space you have and the measurements of your appliances and grill.

Divide your total desired length of kitchen space by 3. Build three boxes of this length out of pressure-treated 2-by-4's. Build two of the boxes to a height of 48 inches, and the third to 38 inches. Screw each of the three boxes together to create one long kitchen space. Make sure the 38-inch section is long enough to fit your grill on top.

Install cement backer board over the top of your boxes to supply the support for your counter top and to provide an extra barrier of protection against fires due to heat from the grill surface. You will need two lengths, one for the 48-inch section and one for the 38-inch section. Make sure that the cement board hangs over the edge on each side, equal to the width of the stack stones you have selected. Drill a hole in the center of the 38-inch section for your grill's propane hose to go through if using a propane grill.

Install tile or stone using grout for your countertop, or install a premade heat- and weather-resistant counter top, such as one made from concrete.

Sheathe the rest of your outer frame using screws and 3/4-inch pressure-treated plywood. Cut out spaces for your refrigerator, access door to your propane tank, and any cabinetry or shelving you want to install inside the kitchen once it's completed.

Use a staple gun to attach builder's felt to the surface of each side of the outer frame. Overlap each piece of felt so that no wood is showing to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Cover the builder's felt with wire lath using stainless steel roofing nails.

Coat the wire lath with mortar using a trowel. Create a grove to the surface of the mortar by scratching the mortar with a 1/2-inch notched trowel, moving from left to right, all the way around your kitchen frame. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours.

Back-butter your first piece of stack stone with approximately 1 inch of mortar. Trowel through the mortar to create a "V"-shaped air pocket. Place the stone in a bottom corner. Continue the process using varying sizes and shapes of stones, building one layer at a time.

Secure straight-cut stones for your top layer so that the stones fit closely to the bottom edge of the counter top.

Slide your appliances into place and install cabinetry or other optional items you have chosen.