How to Make Concrete Countertops for an Outdoor Kitchen

Cut a piece of melamine board to fit the length and width of the countertop. This board will be the bottom of the concrete form. Melamine is plywood coated with a plastic surface that prevents the concrete from sticking.

Measure the edges of the melamine board and cut strips of melamine as long as the sides. These will be the sides of the form. Cut the strips long enough to be as thick as the melamine board and the countertop itself. Nail the side pieces of melamine to the side edges of the bottom board.

Run a bead of silicone caulk to the inside corners of the form, where the edge panels meet. Spray the caulk with caulk-shaping spray, and smooth the surface of the caulk with your fingers. The caulk creates rounded edges for the countertop.

Mix concrete for the countertop, following the manufacturer's instructions. If you want to change the color of the concrete, add pigment to the concrete as you are mixing it.

Fill the form about two-thirds of the way full with the concrete.

Hold an orbital sander against the bottom edge of the form to remove any air bubbles trapped inside the concrete.

Place rebar or wire mesh into the form on top of the concrete to reinforce it. Hold the orbital sander underneath the form again, running it until the rebar or mesh sinks into the concrete.

Finish filling the form with the concrete. Screed the surface of the concrete, dragging a 2-inch by 4-inch board across the surface to smooth the concrete. Allow the concrete to cure for a week, then remove the form.

Apply concrete sealer to the countertop to protect the surface.