fire proofing a table top

[bigsallysmom]

After struggling to keep a portable grill on a GCI aluminum camp table in a primitive area without picnic tables, I realize I need to get a bigger table.  Big enough for a small grill, a propane stove, a water cooler and cooking utensils.  That I can do hobbies on as well.  I'd like to get at least a 2' x 4'. I really like the white tables with folding legs.

But the surface is plastic which means it can melt.  What can I use to make the surface fireproof?  Saw in a photo that someone uses a large cookie sheet underneath their grill and stove.  How well does that reflect heat?  

Any other ideas that won't break the bank or be too hard to transport?

 

[Moxadox]

I have a table with an aluminum top that rolls up. Very light, easy to transport, and fireproof!

The Dire Wolfess

 

[DannyB1954]

The grill would be the tough one of the bunch. You could also raise the cookie sheet up off of the table with blocks of wood, or just do the grill on the ground.

 

[highdesertranger]

do you need it fireproof or just fire resistant? a piece of plywood would work for me. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Big old fashioned cookie sheet or two.

 

[JohnHarrelson]

I suggest going to a restaurant supply  store or maybe a local hardware store and get a large size "Hot Mat".. 
They come in various sizes and shapes. 

A Hot Mat, also known by other names, has a metal top surface with an asbestos or similar material on the bottom.
in restaurants hot mats are used to sit hot pots and pans on so as not leave a scorch ring on the table/counter.

The largest one I've seen was about 16" x 20" .. they may make them larger but don't know.
The hot mat can be attached to the white table top with a small screw in each corner of the mat 
or you can even use double sided tape under each corner.

Here is one I use on my desk to set hot things on, like dinner plate or hot coffee cup..

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[font=Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif]Here is a link to Amazon.com showing several sizes and the price is very reasonable.[/font]

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[bigsallysmom]

Thanks. Some stuff I hadn't thought of. I expect a considerable amount of heat coming out of the bottom of the grill. Maybe a cookie sheet with small holes drilled on the sides so air can circulate, laid upside down. Screw it to the table.

 

[WanderingBiker]

if you have the room, you could get a sheet of 1/4" tile backer board... pretty much fire proof...

 

[tx2sturgis]

A sheet or two of heavy duty aluminum foil under the grill would work also.

 

[highdesertranger]

remember heat rises. the metal legs will conduct heat down but I doubt the radiant heat will be much of a problem especially if there is any type of air movement(breeze). highdesertranger

 

[DannyB1954]

You can also buy pretty large floor tiles, like ceramic, rock etc

 

[Beeps and eats]

I've seen folding plastic tables that people have epoxied tiles on to. They look nice and can take the heat also a hot pan can be placed right on it without any burns!
I'm going to cut a 1/4" recess in my counter for tile just because of the many uses and it's easier to clean.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[Almost There]

I've cooked for decades on both propane stoves and propane barbecues. I now also use a butane stove.

None of them  have ever put out a heat so intense on the BOTTOM that they have scorched a table/counter surface.

Heat rises!

That said I usually protect my nice white folding plastic table with something aluminum to protect it from grease drippings when using a barbecue.

My butane stove sits on my hand painted kitchen counter. At first I was concerned about damaging the great paint job (faux marble) that a friend did for me but repeated checks of the painted surface after using the stove showed that the stove doesn't get hot enough on the bottom to do anything.

I did scorch a picnic table one time but that was with my Trangia alcohol stove the first time I used it. I didn't assemble it properly (cause I didn't read the directions) and had a alcohol fire on the table..sigh!!

 

[Weight]

I have a heavy duty aluminum sheet pan from a restaurant supply. It is called a full sheet pan. Im not near to check, but it is like 24" x 30 something.

 

[bigsallysmom]

Tiling the top of the table sounds wonderful but I'm concerned about the added weight. Not the spring chicken I once was.
I think I'm now going to go with getting a table and laying aluminum foil underneath to catch juices and just see what kind of heat it generates.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

 . . . Big enough for a small grill, a propane stove, a water cooler and cooking utensils.  That I can do hobbies on as well.  I'd like to get at least a 2' x 4'. I really like the white tables with folding legs . . .

I have used a small Coleman propane grill on a Lifetime folding 2X4 table (from Walmart) for 3 years without problems.  Table is white, grill has 1" plastic feet holding it off the surface of the table.  Tabletop is barely warm to the touch.

 

[SheepDog]

A commercial full sized cookie sheet as mentioned would likely work! I’ve always flipped them upside down so as to have an airspace above the table, but setting it on some blocks should work well too!

SD

 

[crofter]

After struggling to keep a portable grill on a GCI aluminum camp table in a primitive area without picnic tables, I realize I need to get a bigger table.  Big enough for a small grill, a propane stove, a water cooler and cooking utensils.  That I can do hobbies on as well.  I'd like to get at least a 2' x 4'. I really like the white tables with folding legs.

After reviewing the table choices on here, sounds like the folding white plastic tables are the preferred ones. It would be a fun project to glue tiles to your table to fireproof it, decorative and functional. But the weight -it would be pretty heavy to load. I will be using my two burner coleman, plus prep area, water, etc.

I also plan to experiment with a stage stand (X bracket portable stand, used for pianos) I am aftaid that the stage stand is too light and would blow away. Anyone have experience with using a lighter table? Do they blow away? I would chain my propane tank to it, but that might not keep it from blowing over.   ~crofter

 

[Qxxx]

Well crofter, you sure pulled this thread out of the archive. For general use, there are a couple of tables one could use, both 20" by 40-48", and standard height so can be used for cooking and also general crafts or computer work. Add a metal cookie sheet or two when cooking. Plenty of space for a 2-burner stove and misc.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-20-x-48-Vinyl-Top-Folding-Table-Black/43266546

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstay...ld-in-Half-Folding-Table-Rich-Black/332542372

I used the former one for a while, but then put a regular computer desk inside the van for computer use, and now use a small folding wooden table outside for cooking, using just a 1-burner stove which is fine for me.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Espresso-Folding-Tray-Table/48173491

 

[maki2]

If the need is just a localized area to set a camp stove onto then there is a very simple and relatively inexpensive solution. You can buy a silicone mat that is used in an oven on a baking sheet pan. They make them in an XL size for commercial bakery sized ovens and pans. 24.5" x 16.5" It can be rolled up and stored in a drawer or cabinet when not in use. They are heat resistant for temperatures up to 480 degrees. That will protect a plastic table top. Of course you could also put a layer or two of towels under the cooking mat for extra protection if you are not a trusting kind of person.
The mats are also handy for rolling out things like biscuit dough or just for protecting the counter when making a messy project. They are not suitable for use as a cutting board.

People who spend time in kitchens as well as having a need for a non stick surface to use for assembling stuff that gets glued or painted know about such things. I would be one of those persons, I own one of these mats as well as some silicone place mats. I use the smaller and thinner silicone place mat under my single burner dual fuel stove on my laminate covered countertop or out on a wood picnic table. My cooking outside table is aluminum so I don't need it for that surface. I don't carry the larger sized baking mats around as I don't need it for on the road life.

I also use the mats when I am working on a project where I use a hot glue gun or soldering iron or a small butane torch. Better than a burn mark on the counter if the tool falls over and/or off it's rest. They stick to the counter, they don't slip around so I also use them under my cutting board to keep it from moving when I am slicing stuff up. Or they will keep a mixing bowl from sliding while you stir stuff up. Oh also nice to put down on a wet picnic bench to prevent getting a soggy bottom or to put on your car seat if your clothes are wet or dity. You can even use one to set your dirty, wet shoes on when you take them off as you come in the door. Use it under the pet's food and water bowls. Also a good surface for setting down food when working on a picnic table that is not all that clean. They don't blow away, they grip to the surface, because they are non-stick they are easy to clean. So all in all they are very handy little, multi-purpose mats that are a nice convenience to have along in a nomadic rig. Buy a couple of the silicone place mats, you won't ever regret having them. Maybe not an essential item, but most definitely a good investment of only a few dollars.

To help find them for sale online use the following:
Keywords: silicone baking mat commercial size
Keywords: silicone place mat