Skip to main content

Tips for Designing Your Outside Kitchen Area

No matter whereabouts you live, the chances are high that you have hosted or been to a barbecue, or several barbecues. By the end of barbecue season, you will be experts on what has worked, and what hasn’t – and that is not purely a food based assessment.
Creating an appropriate space for your outside cooking is not simply a matter of stoking the fire; with entertaining at home becoming a cheaper and healthier alternative to dining out, the extra thought you apply to its design will pay dividends. Here are five key areas to contemplate before you make any decisions:
1.Built in or portable
This decision is entirely based upon how long you think you will stay at your current home. While built in units and appliances can look the business, have a look at modern and stylish portable grills and ovens from Fontana Forni for a pizza oven for sale. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they're also incredibly functional and can be moved – want to take the party to a different part of the yard, no problem!
2. Built-in cabinets
How close to your house is your outdoor eating area? Do not underestimate how annoying it is to have to keep going inside for forgotten ingredients; build cabinets which can hold your produce while cooking – maybe even invest in a fridge! Make sure they’re weather resistant, though.
3. Counter-tops
How much prep work will you do outside? Have a think about the key dishes you like to serve, and whether it will be of benefit to have countertops. Again, you need to think about the materials used to suit your climate, budget and how long you think you will be at the property.
4. Lighting
Ensure that you have adequate lighting to complete the task in hand. Remember that you will need task lighting for your grill so that you can check that the meats are cooked properly. You may also need it for your food prep area to prevent accidents! You will also want to consider the ambient lighting around the general area – nobody wants floodlights, but equally, your guests will want to see what they are eating.
5. Flooring
You will want flooring that is practical for cleaning. Concrete is the ideal as it is relatively cheap, hard wearing and weather resistant. Avoid gravel like the plague – there is nothing worse than having to pick old food out of it – you want something that you can sweep.
With the basics covered above, you may want to think about some extras that can add a real sense of luxury and style to your area:
  • Add a sink with running water near the food preparation area.
  • Add a fridge to your space, it doesn’t have to be fully sized, an under or over counter fridge would be very useful.
  • Add a dimmer switch to your lighting to change the ambiance as the evening draws on. You could even add disco lights, depending on your style!
  • Have a built in under counter trash facility – you don’t go to people’s homes for dinner and see trash around the eating area, so why have it just because you are eating outside? You can hide your trash can under the counter, behind a cabinet door.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Top Tips for Moms Taking Online Degrees

  Online degrees can often be the best option for moms who want to get back into education due to their flexibility and the wide range of subjects that there are available for them to study. However, online degrees are not always plain sailing, and to make sure that you can get the grade that you deserve, read on for some top tips for moms interested in taking online degrees.  Choose the Right Degree Choosing the right online degree is vital to your success. Picking a subject that you are passionate about and that you have a natural talent for will ensure that you can breeze through your course and ensure that you have the motivation to continue even when you do struggle. If you are looking for an online degree that is perfect for moms, a Bank Street Early Childhood Leadership certificate can help you to advance your career in teaching, build upon your previous qualifications, and allow you to get a career that can be easily juggled with the commitments of parenting.  Balance Family a

Liquid Chalk spray! Chalk Idea #7

Last week we tried out the fizzing sidewalk chalk- click here to read that review. This week it is liquid chalk spray.  They are a bit similar but yet different.  Here is how to make it: Supplies: 1 tsp. washable tempura paint 1 cup of hot water 1/2 cup of cornstarch squirt of dishwashing liquid 1 squirt bottle- I found them at the dollar store 1.  Add cornstarch to one cup of hot water whisking to mix so that there are no clumps. 2.  Add one teaspoon of washable tempura paint and a quirt of dishwashing liquid.  Mix well. 3.  Pour it into your squirt bottles and shake well. 4.  Go have fun!!!   This kept my daughters attention much longer the the fizzy chalk last week.  I also think this was easier to work with and just more fun in general.  I love seeing the chalk wet but then to see it dry.  I think it dried darker so it was fun to see the changes.  :)  Ready, Set, Go!  Have some fun! She is my little model... she kept saying "take my picture mom." She is like her

Toddler Rainbow Craft for St. Patricks Day

St. Patrick's day is March 17th so its approaching quickly.  I have a few ideas on art and food projects that i want to do with the kiddos.  Hopefully I will have enough time to complete them and share them with you.   This was a super easy one for those little hands.  I cut the stripes of colored paper but if you are working with a preschooler or school aged child then they can practice cutting.  The two toddler boys here only had to glue the pieces on their piece of paper.  EASY, but they enjoyed it!  :)  It sure has brightened my kitchen with them hanging on the fridge!  :)   I also talked more about the Promise God gave us with the rainbow since I know that history a whole lot better then the history of the Irish Holiday!