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Which wood for an outdoor kitchen

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2K views 29 replies 11 participants last post by  EPJartisan 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
If you were to build a counter top for an outdoor kitchen, which wood would you choose and how would you finish it?
 
#3 ·
Teak. Ipe, though I've read conflicting reports about whether Ipe will glue or not. Neither is cheap, and teak can be quite costly. I saw a grill at a local shop with a Brazilian cherry surround. I forget what the actual species is called, but the grain resembled Ipe to me. Very dense, with interlocking grain.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
It certainly looked similar to what you have there, LiveEdge, but just a bit darker. It was also laminated with 2" rips, so it was tougher to distinguish. It was a brick reddish color, but looked as if it had been oiled.

Your deck is beautiful, and definitely looks similar to the Ipe I just installed for a client. I would not be able to distinguish them visually. Maybe by the sawdust?
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
More and more lately I'm seeing questions of what wood is best for an outdoor application that will have to withstand the weather elements. The answer is, no wood is best for this. There are so many good looking and more appropriate plastics and composites that would better serve the purpose ; wood is best for indoors.

As good as wood looks when it's finished, next year it won't look near as good after spending the winter outdoors, especially in Canada. ..And the regular maintenance (read : covering it up in the weather and occasional re-finishing) just makes it not worth it in my opinion, unless you just want it to age gray and get porous (not good for a countertop). How about granite ?
 
#10 ·
I'll say this: I have installed more than ten ipe decks, two of which were on direct oceanfront. Those were both in 2008. Still looking great, if only a little less color. Likewise I have installed composite decks, and no such good reports. In fact, I don't think they look great when new.

Of course some applications are well suited to composites and plastics, such as exterior trim on a house, but considering their cost, many people choose the natural beauty of wood.

Oceanfront exterior should always use Azek or similar plastic.

Caveat: I haven't installed Azek decking which looks pretty sweet in pictures, but don't they all?
 
#12 ·
A couple of emails back and forth with the client today. He's really bent on having a wood product, cutting board used but is fearful of any toxicity that Ipe may possess . Can anyone speak to that?
 
#14 ·
I've just sent an email to the client to try to get a few more details out of him. Turns out they are designers and builders of outdoor kitchens. The kitchen hasn't been built yet so details are few.
 
#17 ·
I just saw a seemingly well versed person comment on another WW site by googling. Brazilian Cherry was recommended, as it glues well, and takes finishes better.it looks just like Ipe, which also serves as confirmation regarding the grill I asked about in the hardware store. Clerk said Brazilian cherry when I asked if it was Ipe.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'd use Black Locust. I think it has a very nice weathered look without splintering. But maybe a thick marine spar might keep its cream color from turning silver.

From what I have found Ipe heartwood is mostly quinoids for scent and color, bnzenoids (Oxygen Heterocycle) which are aromatic hydrocarbons, and flavonoid (flavonols)... mostly ketones from the breakdown of cells from the sapwood.. which I think are non-binding in unrefined forms, even if we eat it. So, I can agree the oily dust can be a skin irritant and allergen.. but toxic I am not so convinced. It's not like Bloodwood which can interrupt your testosterone balance, or Cocobolo which is known to cause serious respiratory issues. I like Ipe. :)
 
#24 ·
It is diffidently a respiratory hazard. Anyone working with tropical hardwoods should protect their lungs, and exposed skin. You can develop occupational allergies to these woods even if you are not directly allergic. http://www.jiaci.org/issues/vol15issue01/14.pdf

It should also be noted that silicosis and fibrosis can be linked to wood dust, especially dusts that reach very small particle sizes. This is what generally what puts Ipe in some peoples' 'Toxic' and even 'carcinogenic' category, even though there is not a lot of research to support if it actually is. Better safe than sorry.

Here is a nice chart on toxicity, and what you can look forward to encountering with some woods.

IMO
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks for the follow up on toxicity. I'm no toxicologist.

My remark should have been qualified by saying that Ipe dust is reputed among "Get 'er Done's" as being toxic to some degree. I have wondered about the validity of the claim, but still try to avoid breathing any dust.

Having read a bit more, I really don't see why you wouldn't use it. Truthfully, no one is using a high end grill surround as a cutting board anyway. Blunting carving/chef's knives seems like the greatest threat.
 
#26 ·
Buckethead: My remarks basically say the same thing. Respiratory issues are backed up by some research, but even there they haven't specifically studied the 'mechanism' that causes the reactions. It is mostly just thought of as toxic during fabrication. I think EPJartisan's comments address how this doesn't really translate into a toxic counter top.

As far as that, Ipe and other trop hardwoods, in my direct experience, are difficult to glue up into a 'counter top' in any reliable way. That leaves a mechanical joint, such as a locking dado, or lap joint. IMO having connections like these make for a poor counter top that is hard to clean, and retains 'gunk' The toxic or annoying qualities are only issues effecting fabrication, not the counter top. It can also be quite expensive to get in anything but milled boards for planking or fencing. It also only takes a limited numbers of finishes, all essentially oils, and not food safe. Any tropical hard wood out side of teak, would we a giant PITA to fabricate IMHO. If wood was truly desired, I would take the recommendations for locust, mesquite, or such other workable exterior hard woods.

My
 
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