RTF Systems Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets were designed to be a quick and easy solution to
constructing an outdoor kitchen.
While the assembly process is fairly simple, there are a few procedures and tips you’ll
need to know before you get started.
The first thing you’ll want to do when you receive your cabinets is to verify that each
cabinet bundle has a matching hardware kit.
It’s also good idea to open and assemble one cabinet kit at a time to eliminate the
risk of mixing up the hardware.
After removing your first cabinet and hardware from the packaging, you can begin assembly
by screwing the back panel to the two end panels.
Insert a screw through the mounting tab on the first side panel and drive it into the
upper pre-drilled hole at the top of the corresponding side of the back panel.
Do the same for the bottom side, making sure that the panels are fitted tightly together.
Repeat the process for the opposite side.
Next, place the front panel on top of the 3-sided base with the frame side up.
Using a drill, remove the two inner bars.
These are the storage accessory bars that you will later use to mount accessories such
as access doors or drawer units.
Assuming that your cabinet will hold an appliance, like a grill, the next step is to make your
cut-outs.
Since grills are typically slide-in appliances, the front panel will need to have a section
removed to allow access to the burner controls.
You will also need to cut out a section for the access doors below the grill as well as
any drawers your design may call for.
Flip the front panel over so that the frame side is facing down.
Using the appliance and accessory manufacturer’s specifications, measure and mark the panel
using a speed square.
Now, this next part is extremely important.
To ensure that the slide-in appliance will fit properly once the cabinet has been finished,
you will need to deduct the thickness of your countertop from the bottom line of the front
panel cutout.
For example, if you plan to have a 2-inch thick countertop, your grill will rest two
inches higher than the top of the cabinet.
You will need to compensate for this when you mark your line.
Each job is different so keep this in mind before you make any of your cuts.
Once you’ve double-checked all of your measurements, make your cuts using a reciprocating saw.
Only cut the MGO board at this point.
Do not cut any of the steel tubing.
With the cutouts complete you’ll need to reinstall the storage accessory bars that
you removed earlier in the process.
Flip the front panel back over so the frame side is facing up.
Using the included self-tapping screws, fasten both accessory bars to the frame.
Position one above and the other below the cut out for the accessory you plan to mount.
If the lower accessory bar will be attached near the adjustable leg, be sure to drive
the screw in at an angle to prevent it from interfering with the legs ability to adjust.
These should be installed on the left and right side of the slide-in-appliance cut-out
that was made.
Fasten them to the top tube of the front panel with the supplied screws.
The next step is to install the Universal Appliance Frame.
In your hardware kit you should have two 10-inch vertical bars and one adjustable telescoping
bar.
Once in place, they will provide the added strength needed to support a slide-in appliance
like the grill in our demonstration.
Attach the two 10 inch bars to the upper frame on either side of the appliance cutout.
Complete the frame around the cutout by fastening each side of the telescoping bar to the 10-inch
bars.
Depending on the width of your appliance, you may need to trim the telescoping bar to
a smaller length.
Now you are ready to attach the front panel to rest of the cabinet.
Just as you did with the back panel, insert a screw through the mounting tab on the first
side panel and drive it into the upper pre-drilled hole at the top of the corresponding side
of the front panel.
Do the same for the opposite side.
Before you attach the bottom sides, tip the cabinet over so the front panel is facing
down.
This will make it easier to drive in the last two screws while pressing the panels tightly
together.
With the cabinet still on its side, this is a good time to make the initial adjustment
of the cabinet legs.
A gap of about a thumbs width is a good place to start.
Depending on the size of the cabinet, you may need to install one or more floor support
bars.
Simply screw each side of the double holed tab into the pre-drilled holes in the bottom
of the cabinet frame as shown here.
This will add more overall strength to the cabinet as well as give the cabinet floor
a base to rest on.
Next, stand the cabinet back on its feet so you can drop in the floor panel.
The panel is cut to size and should drop right into place.
It should also help to square the cabinet.
Your grill or appliance will need something to rest on.
This is where the Appliance Support Bars come in.
These will run from the front to back of the cabinet and need to be mounted flush with
the vertical bars that frame the appliance cutout.
It’s a good idea to measure and mark the frame before attaching the backside of the
appliance support bars.
You want to confirm that the distance from the frame to the support bar is the same in
the back as it is in the front.
This will keep the cabinet square and allow the appliance to seat properly.
Earlier in the assembly we compensated for the thickness of the countertop when measuring
for our cutouts.
We need to make similar considerations when measuring for the forward placement of the
grill.
Since you will eventually add a veneer to the cabinet, you will need to compensate for
its thickness when measuring for the final section of the universal appliance frame.
This telescoping bar will serve as the rear support for the appliance so it’s placement
is crucial.
Again, subtract the thickness of the veneer you plan to use from the manufacturers specs
so that the face of the appliance will sit flush with the front edge of the veneer.
Once you’ve made your marks, attached the last bar of the appliance frame.
With this step completed, you will next need to remove the section of the front panel frame
that runs between the appliance frame.
With your metal cutting blade in place, use your reciprocating saw to make a clean straight
cut where the vertical and horizontal sections of the appliance frame meet.
Do the same for the other side.
All of the framing is complete at this point but you still need a top for your cabinet.
Drop the top panel into place and trace the inside of the appliance frame with a pencil.
This will mark the area of the panel that will need to be cut out to make room for the
appliance.
If you are installing an optional backsplash, you will also need to trim off a section of
the rear of the panel.
Mark a line using the outer frame as your guide.
Once all of your lines are marked, flip the panel over and use your reciprocating saw
to make your cuts.
Be sure to change back to the plywood blade first.
For additional strength and to reduce the possibility of cracked veneer, use the included
ceramic-coated screws to stitch the MGO board to the frame.
Just a couple at the top and bottom of each panel is enough.
Do the same for the top panel including a screw at each corner.
After all of your cabinets have been assembled, move them into place so you can connect them
to each other.
Using a 9/16th wrench, adjust the legs of each cabinet until they are all plumb and
sitting level with each other across the top.
Connect adjoining cabinets together using a double holed mounting tab included in the
hardware kit.
At the v-notches in each cabinet, you will find pre-drilled holes in the frames for mounting
the tabs.
Start with the upper tabs making sure that the cabinet tops remain level with each other
as you go.
After the all the cabinets have been tabbed together, the final step is to level the entire
assembly using the adjustable legs.
Once level, make sure that each leg is resting firmly against the surface of the floor.
With your cabinets complete, you are ready to apply a veneer, set your countertop and
install your appliances and accessories.
For more information on RTF modular outdoor kitchen cabinets, stop into your local Ewing
branch or visit us online at ewingirrigation.com.