5 Tips for a Fun and Functional Outdoor Kitchen and BBQ Area

A beautiful outdoor kitchen and barbecue area is the dream of many homeowners. It’s very practical to be able to cook outside to both take advantage of good weather and/or to entertain guests. There are, however, a few things that can add significantly to your enjoyment of that space. Here are our tips for making your outdoor kitchen and barbecue area fun and functional.

Location

The closer your outdoor kitchen is to the door outside, the happier you will be. No one wants to carry a stack of hamburger patties 100 yards away. Locating the kitchen close to the house will also make the area easier and cheaper to plumb and to wire for electricity and gas.

Sink

If at all possible include a sink. Life will be much easier if you can rinse off your barbecue tongs or prepare someone’s cocktail outside. A sink can also double as an ice bucket, and a sink will allow you clean vegetables or shuck corn in preparation for barbecuing. These are messy jobs that are much easier done outside if you have running water.

Fridge

If you can have a small fridge outside, you will love it. A few items can be kept in the outdoor fridge and will save you lots of steps in and out of the house.

Television

There are outdoor televisions available, and if you get one, they are great fun for parties. It also means that you can cook without missing your sports event.

Counter/Prep Space

When you design your outdoor kitchen area, don’t forget some counter space. This space will be useful both for food prep and serving—and even eating. You can never have too much counter space.

We could talk forever about outdoor kitchens, but these are the top five things we think you should consider when planning your outdoor kitchen and barbecue area for the most fun and the best function.

Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties and can build or fix any deck around.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.