Skip to content
The Craft Behind This Outdoor Kitchen DIY
Built for the West of Scotland
This kitchen is designed for cooking with fire — and it’s been tested in wind, rain, and frost.
The materials were chosen to last, and key components like the sink and burner can be packed away when winter comes.
A covered space may come later — but the kitchen works now, just as it is.
Why I Built Baboon Rock
I’m not a builder. I’d never worked with concrete or timber before. But I had a clear picture in my head — a space for our family to cook, gather, and slow down.
I grew up with the braai culture in South Africa, where cooking with fire and spending time with family and friends is a way of life. I wanted our own outdoor kitchen — something that captured that spirit, but built for the West of Scotland.
Polished Concrete Countertops
Hand-mixed and poured on-site, this concrete countertop forms the backbone of the kitchen. It was shaped with basic tools, then ground and polished by hand to reveal the texture and tone beneath the surface — subtle aggregates, raw character, and a finish that feels honest and solid. It’s not just a worktop — it’s a working surface that reflects the project: tough, imperfect, made with care.
Timber Cladding
The kitchen is finished in cedar cladding, chosen for its warm tone, natural grain, and long-term resilience. Each board brings its own character — some knotty, some smooth — but together they create a timeless surface that softens the concrete and balances the fire.
Integrated Kamado
Built around the Kamado Joe — the heart of the kitchen. A ceramic fire cooker that lets me cook low and slow, or sear at high heat — all in one place. Sure, there are other options. But this was the one that sat best with what I wanted. Because braai is more than just cooking — it’s emotional, social, instinctive. It’s about interacting with the fire. It’s not just cooking over an open flame — although that’s part of it — it’s preparing the fire, cooking slowly, and spending time together around it.
Cooking With Fire
This kitchen was built around fire — not just for heat, but for how it changes the way we cook. Whether it’s a slow smoke, a hard sear, or just time spent tending the coals, everything here is made to work with flame. It’s not about convenience. It’s about the process, and the time you spend doing it.
Want to Build Your Own?
Whether you’re planning a build, curious about fire cooking, or just looking for ideas for your own outdoor space, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. No sponsors. No shortcuts. Just what I used, what worked, and what I’d do again.
The full Baboon Rock How-To Guide is in the works — from concrete to cladding to fire cooking.
It’ll be available soon, and it will be completely free.
Some links may be affiliate links. I only recommend what I’ve tested and trusted.
Register your interest to be notified when it’s live.
