How to build steel stud outdoor kitchen framing?

JNR_1

I am looking to build an outdoor kitchen with a Beefeater 1600. Ideally with a concrete benchtop or if needed a faux concrete.

My preference is to work with timber, however the non-combustible 250mm exclusion make this very difficult.

Has anyone used steel stud and track framing and if so, will this product be strong enough? https://www.bunnings.com.au/siniat-64-x-6000mm-1-15bmt-steel-stud-wall_p1091226

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

JacobZ

Hi @JNR_1,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I've had a closer look at the installation requirements for the BeefEater 1600 Series barbecue, and unfortunately, I don't think a standard steel stud-and-track system is going to be the answer here.

While steel studs themselves are non-combustible, these systems are primarily designed for wall construction and aren't something I'd recommend for supporting the substantial weight of a concrete benchtop unless the framing manufacturer could provide a suitable engineered configuration. If you wanted to explore this, I'd suggest you get in touch with Siniat directly as you would need to provide the full scope of your design so they could evaluate whether it is possible given the weight it would need to bear.

Timber framing covered with fibre cement sheet isn't really an alternative either. The BeefEater installation instructions state that all materials used to construct the barbecue enclosure and gas-bottle compartment must be non-combustible. They also specifically state that their clearances to combustible materials still apply where a combustible material has a non-combustible material attached to its surface. In other words, covering timber with a non-combustible sheet doesn't make the timber framing itself non-combustible.

Considering you're also planning a concrete benchtop, I'd be looking at either masonry construction, such as concrete blocks, or potentially a purpose-built structural steel frame. Masonry would give you a genuinely non-combustible structure as well as something substantial to support the weight of the concrete benchtop. A structural steel frame could potentially achieve the same thing, but it would need to be appropriately designed for the weight rather than constructed from standard lightweight wall studs.

Alternatively, you could use a prefabricated cabinet to house the BBQ, then build your cabinets with your concrete benchtops alongside it. This https://www.bunnings.com.au/alfrescoplus-1060mm-arctic-white-bbq-module-and-air-frame_p0298396 , which also comes in Cadet Grey and Black Onyx colours, is specifically designed to suit the BeefEater 1600 series. If you'd like to explore this option, I'd encourage you to have a look at their website ( https://alfrescoplus.com.au/ ), which includes further information and planning materials.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob