DIY Outdoor Table With Fire Pit OR Cooler!

Spring is approaching, which means more creative ways to spend time with loved ones and celebrate fun events. So, to help keep things safe and fun, I created a DIY concrete coffee table that doubles as a drink cooler or fire pit for outdoor entertaining!

Want to see this build in action? Check out my my video on YouTube & please subscribe to my channel!

For the full cut list I used, please visit my website!

Tools

Miter Saw
Table Saw/Circular Saw
Drill/Driver
Brad Nailer
Concrete Mixing Tub
Shovel
Sander & Sandpaper
Paint & Staining Supplies
Wood Clamps
Carpenter’s Square
Tape Measure
Safety Goggles
Gloves

Materials

Bag of Concrete
(5) 1 x 4 x 8′ Cedar Boards
(6) 2 x 4 x 8′ Cedar Boards
(1) Sheet of ¾” Melamine
Remesh
1 ½” Wood Screws
2 ½” Decking Screws
1 ½” Stainless Steel Brad Nails
Wood Glue
Silicone Caulking
Outdoor Finish
Concrete Sealer
9 x 13″ High Heat Pan

First, I cut my melamine into the sizes I needed for my table top mold. I then assembled my melamine pieces into a 24 x 36" box for my table top with wood screws.

Once my mold was assembled, I nailed 1 ¼” tall melamine strips in the middle of the mold to frame out my opening for the pan to go later (it’s most helpful to have your pan on hand to measure this. You want to make sure it will fit perfectly before pouring.

I didn’t want the pan to fit inside of this box. I wanted the box to be the exact size of the pan because this will form the opening in the concrete to the drop the pan into later.

Next, I vacuumed my mold and sealed all of the edges with silicone caulking. I wiped away any excess before letting it dry.

Once the silicone was dry, I mixed my concrete until it was a peanut butter-like consistency and then shoveled the concrete into the mold with my hands. I also added wire remesh to strengthen the concrete table.

I made sure to bounce the mold up and down a few times and run a sander along the sides to vibrate some of the air bubbles out before covering the concrete with plastic and allowing it to dry for a few days.

While the concrete dried, I began to build the base. I started by assembling the legs. I used (2) 2 x 4 boards for each leg and attached them with wood glue and decking screws.

I then added two smaller stretchers (top & bottom) in between each full leg with wood screws and glue and then attached the two smaller sides together with the long stretchers the same way.

I then added leg supports and center supports.

Once the base was assembled, I added my decorative slat wood boards to the outside using wood glue and brad nails. I used scrap wood as spacers in between each board.

I then sealed the wood with an outdoor polyurethane.

As the table base dried, I de-molded the concrete slab and lightly sanded the edges by hand. I then sealed the concrete.

Last step was to assemble the table and insert the pan into the opening. You can also drill drainage holes into the pan for easier cleanup!

Want to use it as a cooler? Add some ice!

Want to use it as a fire pit? Add some lava rocks and wood!

Want to see this build in action? Check it out on my YouTube channel & please subscribe!