Any suggestions?

Now that the leaves are falling and snow is probably around the corner here in Michigan, I’m already looking toward next year and my honey-do-list. Rather then a long explanation, and staving off any questions as to why I want to undertake such a project, I have only one thing to say – SWMBO. Although probably more difficult then moving the player piano back to the living room AFTER I had moved it downstairs, I know it can be done (I hope).

Here is a project I completed several years ago – an outdoor cooking area.

As you can see, it was almost finished and the revelation came in the form of a question – “how hard would it be to raise the cooking pit to the level of the deck?” Thus , no doors. I’ve sat on this for several years now, contemplating my next move.

As you can see, I framed it with steel 2×4s, screwed down to the decking. The rest of the counter was built as I would have if it were indoor – two sheets of 3/4” ply with Hardiebacker on the counter top. The bricks are attached to meshing and 3/4” plywood. It was built in place – next time I’ll take EVERY possible situation into account prior to building it.

Anyway, I’ve thought of three possibilities:

1. Frame it with wood and lift it up with a forklift or tractor.

2. Dismantle into pieces that would be reassembled once the deck is raised.

3. Admit that I was stupid in the first place and trash everything. Build a bigger and better one.

What do you think? Is there something I missed, or am I limited to just three possibilities?

-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.