Home =>
Home Decorating => Outdoor Decor => Steps to a Do it Yourself Outdoor Kitchen
Related Articles:
Budget Kitchen Makeover Ideas | Ready to Paint those Kitchen Cabinets?
8 Simple Steps to a Do it Yourself Outdoor Kitchen
by Jatin Dhillon
Description: Tips for planning and designing an outdoor kitchen.
Sponsored links:
An outdoor kitchen can be a great do-it-yourself project. It can be
bit challenging but once it sits there in your backyard, your heart
will swell with pride every time you barbecue on it! What’s more, you can
save a lot on contractor fees and at the same time put your creativity
to test.
A typical project will take about 50 hours of your time. Include
additional time to go the market and get supplies, plans and kits. You could
put the requisite number of hours in one go or put in chunks during
weekends for whenever you have free time.
For hassle free construction follow these 8 simple steps to get the
maximum from your outdoor kitchen.
Start Planning
Remember the famous Dwight Eisenhower quote “Plans are nothing;
planning is everything”. The more thought and research you put into the
planning stage, the better the end product will be. Make sure to write
everything down on paper. A vague concept in mind only leads to confusion
later on. Be specific. Get your family together and chalk out your
following requirements.
* What type of cooking you would be doing and how often. Are you a
high end griller living in California, Florida or Texas or a low end
griller who cooks out occasionally on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and maybe
Labor Day?
* Will you have the food outside or intend to bring it inside to eat.
* Whether you are designing the outdoor kitchen for a small family or
are planning to use it as a place to host party gatherings.
* The furniture that needs to be used with the design.
* The time of the year you will be using the outdoor kitchen most
often.
* Whether you want the outdoor kitchen to be a flexible, movable
arrangement or do you want it permanently installed.
Scouting for a Location
After diligent planning you would graduate to the next important
consideration: choosing a good location. If you have a large backyard make
sure to have the kitchen closer to the house as inevitably you will have
to go to and fro for supplies. Another important tip is to know which
way the wind blows. The smoke from the grill should not go towards the
eating table. Additionally if the grill is placed in a shaded area, make
sure the smoke can escape easily. Trapped smoke blackens walls and
surrounding structures over a long period of time.
Estimating Your Budget
What’s your budget limit? A good self made outdoor kitchen can easily
be built in under $7000. This includes a high quality grill, a kitchen
island ,countertops and flooring. If you plan to make a patio along with
roofing your budget could be considerably more as contractors will
take their fees.
Making a List of Equipment
Before designing or getting a plan for an outdoor kitchen it is a good
idea to make a list of equipment you might need. Rather than buying a
grill after you make a grill island go the other way round. Select the
grill you want and make the island around it. Also consider all the
accessories you may need including sinks, cabinets, outdoor refrigerators,
access doors and others.
Get a Workable Plan
Before rolling up your sleeves get a plan. There are many books and
step by step kits available in the market. To make things even simpler
DVD’s describing the entire process of making the kitchen are available.
Getting a Permit
Your local building officials may require a building permit for an
outdoor kitchen. Bring a copy of your property survey, a map that shows
where your property lines are. The building department will ask that
everything be thoroughly documented, from the wiring and plumbing to the
construction specifics of structures such as patios. You shouldn’t feel
disappointed if the permit is declined, it happens to the pros also.
Simply do the modifications as suggested by the department.
Get Set n Go
You might have some hard work in store. Take it as fun and slowly.
Rushing through the project will only tire you. Get your family involved
and work as a team. Avoid building the kitchen during rains. It makes a
lot of mess! To get some bargain deals on equipment try online
comparison shopping engines to get the best price. If you need help there are
many forums online whose members will be more than willing to help you.
Beautify and Refine
Your DIY outdoor kitchen would look a little unsophisticated in the
beginning. Now is the time to work on aesthetics. Lay flooring that
complements the overall surrounding. Choose umbrellas, Get a fire pit, and
install lights on grill, get a basket or two to keep on the countertops
and decorate with plants. You would be amazed with what you built!
Here's a final bit of design advice: Use materials that require little
maintenance. You want surfaces that are easy to clean, require little
or no paint, won't rust and are immune to weather damage. Suggested
materials are masonry, stainless steel, pressure-treated lumber and
outdoor-rated tile
Jatin Dhillon is a freelance writer, web publisher and a hopeless
barbecue addict. His website Outdoor Kitchen Design Guide gives numerous articles and valuable
insights on building outdoor
kitchen islands and choosing outdoor grills.
