People often enjoy dining al fresco — so much so, that cooking outdoors has become more popular. In fact, some homeowners design entire outdoor kitchens. Perhaps you're not quite ready to invest that much time and money into outdoor food preparation. Instead, consider a grill station, which is more compact in design than a full kitchen.
Below are some key components for the design and outdoor grill installation.
Location
Location will play a big role in how much you enjoy your grill station. If you locate it near enough the kitchen, you don't need to add extra components such as a refrigerator or sink. That said, make sure the location won't block the best views from the house. Likewise, keep in mind how the wind blows — you don't want a sudden gust to send smoke into your house.
Station Construction
The contractors will install the barbecue grill into the station. The cooking surface of the grill will sit above whatever material you choose for the station. The station itself must be of solid construction not only to accommodate the grill but also to withstand the weather. Many builders recommend the use of concrete block, brick, or steel frame kits.
Storage
For the design itself, try to incorporate some storage for the utensils and supplies that go with the grill. For example, a stainless steel drawer will work well for the utensils. That said, you likely don't want many more closed storage spaces because they will just provide nests for creatures. Instead, keep shelving open for other grill necessities.
Task Zones
Since you don't want your grill station to be too large, designate specific areas for the main tasks. You need a food prep space in addition to the actual grill zone. Make sure your grill space features enough room to set down the large grill utensils you'll use. Grill stations function efficiently when they're zoned for logical use.
Layout
In the same vein, the layout of your grill station will impact how effectively it functions. The most basic layout is a standalone counter with the grill installed slightly off center. The next level up from that would be an L-shaped layout with the grill in the short leg.
Utilities
The majority of grills run on gas. Standalone grills typically operate on propane tanks. However, for a grill station, you could also hook the barbecue up to a natural gas line, if you have one. Likewise, remember to include electricity. Certain grill features, such as a rotisserie, run on electricity. Additionally, you'll probably want some electric lights to cook in the evening.
Call an outdoor grill installation service today for more information.