Recently, you might have seen some content circulating online about Rob Gronkowski’s new outdoor kitchen… and you want to learn more about what outdoor kitchen system he ended up with.
In fact, you may have even seen the phrase “Gronk-proof” cropping up in association with this new outdoor kitchen of his. But, of course, it’s unclear what this means! What’s a Gronk-Proof outdoor kitchen, and is there even such a thing?
In this article, you will learn about exactly that. You’ll discover whether or not there’s such a thing as a Gronk-Proof outdoor kitchen, what that actually means, and learn about the tests that make an outdoor kitchen Gronk-Proof or not.
Is there an Outdoor Kitchen that’s Gronk-Proof?
Short answer? Yes, there is an outdoor kitchen that’s Gronk-Proof. But more importantly, you need to understand what Gronk-Proof actually means.
Anyone who is familiar with this football legend knows how much of a wrecking ball Gronk can be… and you’re surely aware of his famous spike. So with this in mind, we wanted to see if there’s any outdoor kitchen materials that can survive Gronk’s devastating spike, amongst other strength tests. Any outdoor kitchen materials that survived each test were labeled as “Gronk-Proof”.
The Gronk Outdoor Kitchen Panel Tests
Recently, RTA Outdoor Living released a video demonstrating Rob Gronkowski’s various strength tests to determine if different outdoor kitchen materials were “Gronk-Proof” or not. Below is a summary of the results of each test.
Durability Test
This is where Gronk’s famous spike comes into play. From the top of a ladder, Gronk spiked a cinder block into 3 common outdoor kitchen building materials: metal frame with cement board, metal frame with cement board and stone veneer, and an ultra high performance concrete panel.
Both the metal framed panel with cement board and the metal framed panel with cement board and stone veneer gave hardly any resistance to the cinder block. Gronk punched a hole through both materials with no problem at all.
However, the ultra high performance concrete was a different story. Gronk spiked the cinder block with the same amount of vigor as before… but the block didn’t punch through the concrete. Rather, it bounced back and sat on top! For the durability test, the ultra high performance concrete panels proved to be Gronk-Proof.
Weather Test
The next Gronk-Proof qualifier is to see how well different outdoor kitchen materials withstand extreme weather conditions. To simulate this, Gronk blasted a metal framed outdoor kitchen with cement board and ultra high performance concrete with a power washer.
In the case of the metal framed panel with cement board… the power washer began to chew into the cement board without much effort. But the ultra high performance concrete panel? The powerwasher couldn’t touch it, and as Gronk said, it’s impenetrable! So once again, ultra high performance concrete won the test in this category.
Combustibility Test
The third and final Gronk-Proof qualifier was combustibility. Because outdoor kitchens house grills that can reach temperatures in excess of 1,000°F and have open flames… they inherently pose a fire risk.
The materials tested in this category were a wood framed panel with cement board and an ultra high performance concrete panel. With a blowtorch running at full bore, Gronk torched both outdoor kitchen materials. The cement board held off, but the wood frame unsurprisingly caught fire in short order. The ultra high performance concrete panel? No reaction. Not even discoloration! Ultra high performance goes 3 for 3 in the Gronk-Proof test.
What does it Mean to Have a Gronk-Proof Outdoor Kitchen?
Gronk’s 3 outdoor kitchen tests were entertaining to watch, sure… but what does it actually mean? How does this ultimately factor into what outdoor kitchen solution you choose?
Well, let’s explain. The durability test reveals how well an outdoor kitchen can withstand impact. Say, you have a windstorm and a stray tree branch or debris slams into your outdoor kitchen. Is it going to get damaged or not?
The weather test reveals how well an outdoor kitchen can withstand relentless moisture. High humidity, rainstorms, flooding, etc. Materials that fail this test are likely to get moisture damage at some point, leading to a broader structure failure over time.
The combustibility test reveals the relative safety of different outdoor kitchen materials. If your outdoor kitchen materials are prone to catching flame… this is a much greater risk to install in your backyard.
In summary, a Gronk-Proof outdoor kitchen does much more than pass some entertaining tests. A Gronk-Proof outdoor kitchen is one that is designed to last for the long haul, and withstand whatever life throws at it. And as you’ve seen, RTA’s ultra high performance concrete panels passed each and every test with flying colors.
So if you’re thinking that an RTA outdoor kitchen might be in your future… get started by designing your own custom RTA island using our free online design tool. It takes mere minutes, and you’ll get to see how your dream outdoor kitchen can begin to take form. Enjoy, and we hope to hear from you soon!
