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For those of us who have to deal with it, as soon as the snow drops off the branches it’s officially barbecue season. Out come the long-handled forks, spatulas and the apron that says, “Pit Master.” Okay, my kids got it for me, so it actually says, “Pit Master?”
We love cooking outdoors, and once the grill is fired up, we’re ready to get cookin’. There’s nothing quite like grilled food for the aromas that prep your taste buds for the feast to come. Here at Patio Heat and Shade we’re all about spending as much time as possible on our patios, and grilling lets us spend even more time in our outdoor oasis.
If you’re an outdoor lover like us, one of the first things you’d like to do is to create an outdoor cooking space. The question is, outdoor kitchen or outdoor BBQ island?
Both will allow you to prep, cook and serve to your heart’s content. An outdoor kitchen is permanently affixed to your home, while an outdoor BBQ island could be moved to a different place (in fact, some outdoor islands are on lockable wheels just for this purpose).
Today we focus on the outdoor island, and more specifically, how to build a BBQ island. We asked our patio experts how they would build a BBQ island, and are happy to share with you their thoughts.
If you’re a DIY expert or even moderate DIY’er, these directions should provide you with all the info you need to build the BBQ island of your dreams. Let’s take a look…
Like just about everything else, in setting up your BBQ island you get what you pay for. Invest the money that you save by building your BBQ island yourself into the best quality grill that you can afford. An average big box store grill lasts 1-3 years then must be replaced… but if you bought a high quality, all stainless-steel grill you can expect 10-15 years of use from it before repairs or replacement is warranted.
Stand-alone grills are not meant to be incorporated into an island and should be avoided… select a high-quality drop-in grill for the best results. Don’t scrimp on the grill – it’s the focus of all your entertaining and should reflect the quality that you demand.
Next, block out how large an island you want to create. Don’t forget to include room for stools and people if you’re planning a counter eating area. Get a clear idea for the dimensions you’d prefer.
Generally speaking, the size of the grill you need should relate to how much food you plan to cook at any one time. A couple cooking together have significantly different space requirements than a family with five kids… and the grill size should reflect it.
Also be cognizant of where your BBQ island is going to live… if it’s on a deck, then making a brick island may be too much for your deck to handle. Obviously if you’re on concrete or just plain ole’ dirt you’re fine… but keep weight in mind in other cases.
Not everybody has the budget for a granite countertop on their outdoor kitchen – stay within your means and purchase less expensive alternatives… there’s no point in going all out for an outdoor kitchen and not have the money for the food to cook on it!
Any of the wood that will touch the ground/deck/floor needs to be pressure treated. Typically, this is the 4x4’s or 2x4’s that are in the corners. All other wood that doesn’t touch the ground can be standard (non-treated) wood.
For vertical spacing, make sure that the back of your frame has vertical studs every 16 inches.
When framing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions of your equipment to identify how much space is needed. For instance, an outdoor refrigerator with an opening of 21” should have a frame built that is 22” wide and a half-inch taller than the fridge is high.
When cutting your boards, a miter saw would be ideal… but for those of us who don’t have one, you can use a circular saw, jigsaw or even a hand saw if you’re careful.
Congratulations… You did it! Your BBQ Island is fully formed, stunning to look at and ready for a cooking workout (is that where the word “cookout” comes from?).
Here at Patio Heat and Shade we are so happy to be there behind you, helping you out when you need a hand. We’ve got an amazing inventory of high-quality BBQ appliances ready to be shipped to your home… and the smartest patio experts around in case you need us.
Give us a call and we’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.
Next, consider adding a high quality stainless-steel outdoor refrigerator to your BBQ island. Refrigerators will hold meats, sauces, vegetables, and cold drinks for use in your BBQ island. Again, you can’t just pick up any little fridge and hope it’ll do… outdoor refrigerators have extra weatherproofing and insulation as well as stronger electronics and components to handle the outdoor weather and high summer temperatures.
Lastly, consider purchasing a hatch or access door for your island. If you’re using propane, you’ll need to store your cannister under the grill, and a hatch or access door would also allow you to fix issues under your grill if necessary (to hoses and connections, for instance).
Let’s look at location first. Do you plan to install your BBQ island close to your home? That makes sense because it’s a lot easier to run power or water from your house to the island than if the island were out away from the buildings. If you choose to build your island away from your home, you may have significantly higher electrician and/or plumbing fees due to distance.
You’ll need to decide on the materials you plan to use for the cladding (sides) and countertop (top) of your island. Wood or metal are top choices for the cladding, though some prefer ceramic tile. For the top, the best materials are granite or concrete which will resist both staining and the elements.
The entire outside of the frame (except where you have holes for equipment like drawers, hatches etc.) has to be covered in a weatherproof board – we suggest Hardie Backer with Hydro Defense as it’s a waterproof cement backer board. Where the corners meet, use a silicone caulk to seal up any spaces.
Whether you choose to use stucco, tile, stone, brick veneer or tongue-and-groove boards, install your side cladding leaving space for your equipment in the holes you left in the framing. No matter what medium you select to use for your sides, apply two coats of sealant (wood sealant or grout and tile sealer) before moving on. These sides will be exposed to the elements and need as much protection as they can get.
Carefully apply your countertop using an adhesive like Liquid Nails. If you are not using a solid surface (like granite or concrete) you’ll need to have backer board on the top of your BBQ island as well as the base on which the tile will adhere. Make sure whatever countertop you choose has ample time to cure (dry) prior to moving on.
Let’s see… the top’s ready, the sides are ready, let’s get our appliance installed! Follow the manufacturer’s directions for each piece of equipment, and make sure everything is seated in place securely. Next, have a professional electrician or plumber run and connect the utilities (electric, water or natural gas as needed) to your BBQ island.
For years to come, your family and friends will be gathered around your BBQ island enjoying the food, wine and good cheer that comes with an outdoor BBQ. You’ve taken the time to plan it out, purchased high quality appliances, and built the thing from the ground up. There’s a pleasure to be taken from finishing a project of this magnitude yourself – and even more from a project that gives you mouth-watering burgers on request.