How to make a Concrete Counter Top in 1 hour!

So incredibly sorry about volume of the music! Im still learning the ins and outs of iMovies and I promise you it’ll get better in the next videos.

I did this for the top on my outdoor kitchen I build for my patio today, and it could not have worked better. I got quoted $2,400 for a company to do them, I did them myself and it ended up only costing me $180 and a few hours of my time. Can’t thank you enough, keep the videos coming!

Great vid. A couple of pointers for those who are not as used to working with fast setting mortar as Michael is. Rapid Set Mortar sets (sets = maintains shape, but without a lot of strength) in 15 minutes at 70 deg F (20 C). That means at 70 you've got about 10-12 minutes to work with it. At 80 that becomes about 7 minutes and at 90 you're fighting to get it out of the bucket right after you mix it. So mix and get it out of the bucket as fast as you can. It's not like a regular mortar that gives you a lot of time to play. M's method of putting in the Flow Control after mixing the mortar works well, but a way to gain a little bit of speed is to add the Flow Control to the water first and then add the Mortar. That gives you quicker and easier mixing with less stress on your drill.

I decided to try this for four countertops in my house. They turned out pretty good, but I have some tips as I ended up with some cracks. 1. Don't try anything fancy. I tried molding a sink opening and some cutouts, but the mortar broke. Which leads me to... 2. If you add reinforcement, i would try smaller steel than rebar. I added rebar, but the mortar cracked around it. 3. I found 4 qts of water made a better mixture than 5. 4. If you add designs, careful on the amount of mortar, I ended up with some big voids. 5. Be careful on the type of silicone and make sure it gets a good layer of wd40. The stuff I used bonded to the concrete in many places, and I spent a lot of time trying to get it off. 6. Let them dry longer than an hour, the ones I let dry for 24 hours worked better. Make sure to keep them wet as long as possible. The 1 hour strength is good, but why not let it get stronger? 7. Make sure to have a really good 1/2 inch drive drill with a paddle mixer, or a backup. I burned through (literally burned through) a cheap drill and had to borrow one, so I lost a batch of concrete and a bucket. I mixed 10 bags total. 8. Unscrew one side of the mold to make taking the mold off easier. Good job on the video, and keep 'em coming. I am happy with the project, just had some tips for any first timers.

Hey everyone. I just wanted to drop a thank you to Michael. This guy has been super helpful. I watched all his videos and he gives great advice. He has given me the confidence to take on remodeling my floors and doing concrete slabs for a pergola. Mike had been kind enough to answer my emails even when he has been super busy. I have very much appreciated it. Thank you Michael.

First of all great video man! So I just recently built on outdoor bar top using all the steps in your video. Here are some things I learned after building mine (since i now know what to do i will rebuild this in the fall) My measurements were 96in long, 30in wide and 2.25in deep. #1 do not attempt to mix this rapid set mortar mix in hot weather (above 85 degrees) because it will harden almost instantly. I went through 3 bags of mortar/flow control/ home depot buckets before I got so mad I almost gave up. Waited until later in the day (about 65 degrees) and then it mixed just like the video. And yes I used 55lb bags and 5 qts of water just like in the video. #2 get more bags of mortar mix and flow control than you think you need (you can always take them back) I used 4 bags for my measurements and it wasn't quite even with the sides. So I smoothed it out, let it sit and ran back to home depot for more mortar. It was already hardened when I returned so I just mixed the other bag and poured it on top to level it out all the way to the top. BIG MISTAKE! The second layer never bonded properly to the first layer and it just flakes off very easily (probably because it's so thin) #3 when you are making the live edge USE A BOARD UNDERNEATH WHERE YOU ARE HITTING! Some big pieces broke off and I had to glue them back with construction adhesive. #4 the sanded tile grout works great for the stencil but it will leave the mortar porous in those places so definitely seal the counter top. (Which he has another great video on how to do!) Sorry for the super long comment but I wanted to share what I experienced so it might help others. All in all this video is awesome and yes the cast really does just come right off of the mortar if you do it just like the video shows (I was really worried about that lol)

I have been wanting to do this for quite sometime, and as you stated, I've seen about a thousand of these videos. This, by far, is the best DIY video series on YouTube. You were made for this, and I wish you all the best in your continued support of helping train all of us DIYers out here on the interwebs. I look forward to your next videos.

Well made and edited video. A few suggestions for those following these tips: - Make sure your mould is level in all directions before pouring and on strongly supported. - Add steel mesh or even glass fibres after you have the mix already poured on the mould surface. You may not need the added strength but it should not add much to the cost and you avoid the risk of the slab breaking while being moved. - Bring concrete/mortar mixture to the top of the form before screening it smooth. This way you have a smooth straight finish which will be easier to fit. - I would use less water as the finished product will be much stronger. Vibrate form for longer to reduce the number of air bubbles on the surface. - I made a sample mould and poured a 400mm square concrete slab so as to learn how this process works before pouring for a large Kitchen worktop. Enjoy

OMG!! I'm doing it !  This was THE BEST ever! I'm a 66 y/o grandmother and I AM going to be making my countertops now.. You rock!

Dude, I'm a contractor and laugh at a lot of DIY projects... Your project, your video, your commentary, on point. Nice job man!

Hi Michael- I saw your videos and got hooked on the idea of concrete countertop for my new house. Had my contactor made the forms ( I don't have a tablesaw) and poured the most beautiful counter tops myself ... I love looking at them! Also made a bench & used rebar for the legs . Thank you for showing me how to be a concrete superstar!!

Thank you so much. You literally added every single element to this table top that I want for the surprise outdoor kitchen I’m planning on building my husband. The countertop has been the piece that has scared me as I thought I would have to perfectly pour a smooth top directly on top of the grilling station. I feel so much more confident and I get the live edge I want without feeling like I need to buy expensive silicone molds.

Dude, you need your own tv show. Great humor and edit, including info presented in a non boring way. Your first video? Great job.

Excellent does not cover your video-producing skills. I've not seen a flare for this before in my YouTube viewing experience. Also, I was the guy at Buckeye Steel Castings in Columbus, Ohio who made the molds from two-part epoxy plastics. I would like to have had you as my Master for the jobs I did. Your incite and your tips and advice are worth untold savings in hours and frustration. When we were all laid off, the Super came and told me face-to-face that I had saved the company a lot of money and, believe me, he did not say that to the other journeymen who had fought him every step of the way! Well done, man! I've given you all the support I can....and you deserve it! John J Webb.

Created a bathroom concrete countertop and backsplash following your instructions. After many learning lessons i.e. never mix quick set mortar in the hot sun, I finished. I love it. I layered sea glass and poured mortar on top for the backsplash. It looks like a mosaic. Thanks

Thank you! After lots of debating back-and-forth my wife and I decided to go with concrete countertops. So like all good home DIY people, I go to YouTube and I find this entertaining, funny, very knowledgeable guy who tells me I Will not have to watch another video. He was right! I just did my first countertop of 7 foot long and it turned out amazing! Thank you again!!!

DUDE!!! DUDE!!! awesome!! you have so much talent, and to share it with the world is cool.your way of being is appealing and genuine. i hope you become a you tube monster!!! great job! now on my way to depot run!!!

For your first video, you NAILED IT! Good editing, no "yammering on" and was actually entertaining. Keep up the good work.

I watched/saved this video about a year ago and I had wanted to have a project to create a concrete countertop. The opportunity finally came up and the results were perfect. The steps you provided were very simple to follow and my new countertop turned out excellent. I have already received several compliments and people can’t believe I made it. Thanks for your video!

Just built my first concrete table top because of this video! Thanks for the easy to follow methods.