How to Build a Small Deck for Your Grill: Step-by-Step Backyard Guide

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Welcome! We’re Jena and Christina from Backyardscape, a DIY duo focused on practical and approachable backyard projects. We provide honest advice and inspiration to help you create a relaxing, budget-friendly outdoor space. If you enjoy simple backyard builds and thoughtful design, our channel is made for you.

Why Build a Small Deck for Your Grill?

Creating a dedicated deck for your grill or smoker makes outdoor cooking easier and safer. It provides a clean, stable surface where you can work comfortably without worrying about smoke drifting into your main outdoor area. In our case, setting up a grill deck off the side of the house helped us keep the smoke away from the main deck, creating a more enjoyable space all around.

Whether you have a grill or a smoker, this is a useful project for establishing a practical grilling station.

Tools and Materials: What You’ll Need

For this DIY grill deck project, here’s a list of materials and tools to gather:

• Decking wood suitable for the frame and surface boards

• A level to ensure everything is even

• A saw, such as a miter or circular saw

• Drill and driver bits

• Structural screws for framing

• Deck screws for securing the decking boards

• Concrete for setting posts, or pea gravel/crushed concrete for drainage

• Pressure washer for cleaning, especially if using reclaimed wood

Using quality screws and materials will help ensure your deck is durable and safe.

Picking the Location and Size

Choose a location that is convenient yet separate enough to keep smoke out of your main outdoor seating area. We built our deck on an unused corner off the main deck. Aim for about two to three feet of clearance around the grill or smoker to allow comfortable movement and working space.

Preparing and Building the Frame

Start by clearing the area of grass, weeds, or loose debris to create a level working base. Mark the dimensions of the deck, ideally a rectangular frame sized to your grill and workspace needs.

Cut your framing boards to length, then assemble the frame by attaching the boards to form a sturdy box. If you’re using reclaimed or warped wood, clamp and straighten boards as needed before fastening. Add joists evenly spaced across the frame for strength.

Foundations and Post Installation

Depending on your deck type:

• If attaching to an existing deck or house, secure a ledger board to the structure with structural screws.

• For a freestanding grill deck, dig four holes at least two feet deep for the corner posts.

If obstacles like house foundations exist, adjust post placement while keeping the frame square and level. Fill post holes with concrete for a stable base or use packed crushed concrete for good drainage.

Installing Deck Boards

Once the frame is secure and level, measure and cut decking boards to cover the surface. Lay boards evenly spaced and fasten with deck screws. Hidden fasteners can be used for a cleaner appearance, although screws through the top boards are perfectly fine for small decks.

If your last board is too wide, trim it to size to fit snugly.

Finishing Steps

After installation, thoroughly clean the deck surface with a pressure washer, especially if the wood is reclaimed. Allow the deck to dry fully before placing your grill or smoker. Consider staining or sealing the wood to increase durability and improve appearance.

Key Tips for Success

• Select a location that ensures good airflow and keeps smoke away from seating areas.

• Maintain at least two to three feet clearance around your grill for safe operation.

• Use a level frequently during framing and installation. A wobbly deck is dangerous.

• Invest in solid structural and deck screws for lasting strength.

• Be flexible if you need to adjust post placement for foundation or terrain issues.

• Pressure wash older wood to refresh appearance and clean debris.

• Hidden fasteners are great for aesthetics but optional on small builds.

Final Thoughts

Building a small deck for your grill or smoker is a practical way to enhance your backyard cooking space. With the right tools and steps, anyone can create a custom grilling station that’s functional and inviting.

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