Outdoor Kitchen, Part 2: Concrete countertop forming, pouring, and finishing

In this installment, we build the forms for our BBQ island's concrete countertop, including its bar area, and fill them up with very rocky concrete. There is some discussion about the pros and cons of Sakrete Extra Strength 5000 vs the Quikrete pre-mixed countertop concrete, some hiccups, headaches, and snafus we had, and how we resolved them. Finally, the fixing, scraping, sanding, and sealing.

In the end, we are very happy with the result. We did not want a perfectly smooth and angular slab. If that were the case, we would have just gotten granite. Instead, we ended up with the beefy, industrial hunk of art that we had invisioned.

Clearly, we are first-timers, and recommendations and warning are based on this one experience only.

NOTE: It was pointed out that Flow Control is meant to be used with Rapid Set concrete (the kind with polymers in it). So us thinking it made managing Extra Strength concrete easier could be total flimflam! Expert Googlers and concrete masters feel free to clear it up in the comments :)

Accessories we used (affiliate links included):

Mophorn Outdoor Kitchen 14W x 20H Inch Wall Construction Stainless Steel Flush Mount for BBQ Island, 14inch x 20inch, Single Door with Vents -- HEADS UP! The opening was too narrow for a standard propane tank. It was too late to return it, so we ended up just buying a smaller tank. Bonehead move, but we made it work.
https://amzn.to/34NZT2x

Mophorn BBQ Access Door 20W x 14H Inch, Horizontal Single BBQ Door Stainless Steel, Outdoor Kitchen Doors for BBQ Island, Grilling Station, Outside Cabinet
https://amzn.to/3pnpyZj

Mophorn 18x20.5 Inch Outdoor Kitchen Drawers Stainless Steel with Handle for BBQ Island, 18 x 20.6 x 12.7 Inch
https://amzn.to/2RqQpal

Also, one should note that the handles are different on each item. Just a heads up, in case that's a deal breaker for you.

The drink trough is an Ariel 42" zero radius undermount bar sink, and we got it from Overstock. We top-mounted it, in case we ever have to replace it.
https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden...

I've even seen people use a length of gutter, but we wanted something sturdier and wider, with straight sides.