Watch the Build: DIY Unity G Grill Island | Cornerstone System

Solid Masonry Grill Island Construction in a Single Afternoon

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The Unity G is the ultimate ‘gateway’ to a professional outdoor kitchen. In this build, Terry proves that you don’t need a masonry crew to install a high-end Summerset grill—just a few hours and the Cornerstone System. It’s compact enough for a small patio but engineered with the same solid-block integrity as our massive fireplace kits.

The Unity G is our most streamlined grill module, engineered to house a 25-inch Summerset Sizzler while maintaining a compact footprint. Built using the Cornerstone System, this island eliminates the need for professional masonry crews, allowing for a high-end, solid-block assembly in just a few hours. Whether used as a standalone grill or the starting point for a modular Unity Series kitchen, it represents the fastest path from a pile of blocks to a lifetime of outdoor cooking.

Project Duration: Half Day

Project Difficulty: Beginner

You Will Need:

  • Summerset Sizzler 25: 8-year durability proof.
  • The Cornerstone System: No-cut, no-mortar assembly.
  • Leaf Blower or Brush: Essential for dust-free adhesive bonding.
  • 4ft Level: Required for the initial square and plum checks.
  • Limestone Slabs: Finish the look and protect the structure.

Video Timeline

Timestamp

Step

Description

0:42

Squaring the Base

Use a 4ft level as a straight edge against your back wall to ensure your first course is perfectly square before stacking.

3:32

The Dust Warning

Before applying adhesive, use a leaf blower to clean the blocks. Dust is the enemy of a permanent bond.

5:31

Vertical Alignment

Once you hit 3-4 blocks high, start checking for 'Plum.' Verify every corner to keep the build from leaning.

6:00

The Shelf Trick

Pro Tip: Prep the course above the shelf as a counterweight to hold the wedges in place while you slide them in.

8:57

Slab Installation

Get a partner to help move the masonry slabs. If a slab has a minor chip, flip it or rotate it toward the grill—the overhang will hide it.

10:06

Grill Integration

Terry reveals his personal 8-year-old Summerset Sizzler to demonstrate the long-term durability of the components.

11:23

Maintenance & Cleaning

A walkthrough of the removable drip tray and refractory bricks that prevent flare-ups and make cleanup easy.

Pro Tip:

The Counterweight Slide: When building the cantilever shelf for the grill, don’t struggle with the blocks falling. Set your next course slightly back to act as a counterweight, then slide the wedges in. It’s a 30-second trick that saves you 30 minutes of frustration.

The Foundation of Your Modular Outdoor Kitchen

Building an outdoor kitchen often feels like a massive undertaking involving contractors, gas lines, and weeks of mess. The Unity G Grill Island changes that narrative. In this guide, Terry demonstrates how the Cornerstone System allows you to build a solid-masonry, professional-grade grill island in a single afternoon without a single bag of mortar.

At the heart of this module is the Summerset Sizzler 25″—a powerhouse grill that Terry has personally used for over 8 years. By combining high-end American engineering with our precision-cut masonry blocks, the Unity G offers a “buy-it-for-life” alternative to the thin-walled metal carts found at big-box stores.

Engineering Simplified: The No-Cut Approach

The beauty of the Unity G lies in its modularity. Because every block is pre-sized, the build becomes a game of precision stacking rather than masonry labor.

Key Technical Milestones:

  • Dry-Stack Logic: You’ll see exactly how to square your base using a simple level and a straight edge. If your first course is square and level, the rest of the “System” follows suit.

  • The Dust Factor: One of the most common DIY mistakes is applying adhesive to dusty blocks. Terry shows why a leaf blower (or brush) is the most important tool in your arsenal for ensuring a lifetime bond.

  • Cantilevered Strength: We tackle the “trickiest” part of the build—the cantilevered grill shelf—using a counterweight technique that makes gravity work for you instead of against you.

Standalone or Modular?

While the Unity G is a perfectly capable standalone grill island, its true power is realized when paired with the rest of the Unity Series. Whether you want to add a pizza oven, a side burner, or extra counter space for prep, the heights and depths are perfectly indexed to match, allowing you to grow your kitchen as your backyard lifestyle evolves.

Further Reading:

Complete Your Modular Kitchen

The Unity G is designed to grow with your backyard. Use these resources to plan your full layout:

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