Amazing Recycled Metal Utensil Holder for Outdoor Kitchen

You may have realized that I have difficulty throwing old junk away. So wait until you see this recycled metal utensil holder we made for outdoor kitchen grilling accessories.

We have been holding on to this old metal folding cot bed since my mother passed away.

Whenever my husband said, “I’m taking it to recycle,” I’d say, “let’s wait until next time”!

I just knew there had to be a cool use for it, and thankfully, Brad came up with this brilliant idea.

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How To Recycle Metal Cot Bed?

When we first brought the bed home, we tossed around several ideas for using the cot beds’ recycled metal.

First, I wanted to make a porch bed with it. But because the bed is folding, it wasn’t very sturdy and a porch bed didn’t seem feasible.

Next, I thought maybe a garden bed? But again, I don’t know; it was hard to visalize.

Then we talked about disassembling it and recycling the old metal springs. We could use them for other DIY craft projects.

Finally, in the nick of time, my genius husband said, ” Let’s hang it over the grill in the outdoor kitchen.

So here’s what we did.

The Outdoor Kitchen

So now we have a plan is to add the recycled bed frame to the outdoor kitchen grilling and entertaining area.

First, the outdoor kitchen is one of our very first DIY projects and it’s a rustic area that we have filled with many vintage kitchen items.

It was initially a cinder block cabin that had fell into disrepair and the roof had fallen in.

Because the cost of refurbishing the cabin would have been extensive, we considered bulldozing what remained.

However, we had another last minute idea and we created an outdoor entertaining area instead.

We are so glad we saved this structure and have enjoyed many wonderful events here, including our daughter’s engagement party.

The outdoor kitchen is Brad’s favorite place, and he has filled it with smokers, grills, and other outdoor cooking tools and accessories.

Therefore having an area above the grill to hang a utensil holder would make perfect sense, and the old metal bed frame could finally be up-cycled.

How To Make A Recycled Metal Utensil Holder?

First, in order to make the bed frame usable for our new plan, some parts needed to be removed.

My husband gathered his handy SAW ALL – Reciprocating Saw and metal cutting blades: his safety eye goggles and noise-canceling ear muffs.

He can be a bit of a show-off threatening me with the saw.

He was able to quickly remove all the legs and braces from the bottom of the old cot bed with the reciprocating saw.

Once everything was removed, the bed springs and the frame could lay flat.

There was a metal handle at the top of the bed, which was not removed.

Recycling Project Resources

How To Install the Recycled Metal Cot

First, the frame would need to be secured to the rafters to hang the recycled metal cot above the outdoor grill.

Unfortunately, the frame didn’t align correctly with the rafters. Therefore, an extension is needed before installing the utensil holder.

So he gathered some scrap wood and wood screws to attach the cot bed to the rafters.

How To Attach Wood Extensions

We always have a few pieces of scrap lumber that saved from previous projects.

Fortunately, only three pieces were needed to make the extensions.

Using a metal drill bit and cordless drill, Brad attached the screws through the bed frame and into the wood.

The wood is cut long enough to reach the rafters on each end and attached to the underside of the bed frame.

Attach To Rafters

Finally, the recycled bed frame is ready to be attached to the rafters.

I had to help hold the frame in position and therefore, don’t have an image of the actual installation. However, it was a straightforward installation using wood screws to secure it.

Brad quickly filled it with his favorite utensils.

Hanging Utensil Holder

In addition to all the grilling accessories, a set of string lights was added to the utensil holder and helped to add light above the grill.

The recycled metal utensil holder adds a warm vintage feel to the outdoor kitchen.

The original green paint also works well with the vintage sink and other pieces we’ve collected to decorate the outdoor kitchen.

Now all of the grill accessories are within easy reach with the recycled metal project complete.

Brad’s Dirt Road Grill is coming together just in time for our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations.

Resources

More About The Outdoor Kitchen

• DIY Outdoor Kitchen Before and After
• 7 Outdoor Kitchen Vintage Decor Ideas
• Best Outdoor BBQ Setup

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