designing an outdoor kitchen, any tips?

[richardycc]

I am currently having a deck built, due to setback from the property line and relocation of the stairs, the original area I had in mind went from 12x12 to now 6x8 or 7x9 max, as some of the area are now a wasted space and path for walking, so I can’t really place anything there. So this makes it harder to design a functional cooking area with the limited space. Anyone has an out kitchen that can provide any tips? I guess I can move the cooking area off the deck to the lawn area, but it might be too far away and non-cohesive with the new deck.

 

[Scarpozzi]

There are a lot of outdoor kitchen design books. If you don't have a cover overhead, it's going to dictate the core design of what you'll likely want to throw to the elements.

I prefer an outdoor kitchen that's not on a wooden deck because it allows you to make a proper counterspace using concrete block as a base for the grill and counter (which can be wrapped in brick, stucco, or whatever). The cost of that is relatively low if you DIY. If the kitchen is close to the house, you have to consider distance of the grill space from the exterior of the home and the general wind direction. If the grill is permanently mounted to the counter, you won't be able to roll it if the wind changes...those are things to consider (unless you put in an exhaust fan system to draw the smoke off the grill enclosure).

 

[DrPizza]

6x8? I'd say that's inadequate for an outdoor cook area. I say this while looking at the 6x8 throw rug in my living room. Or a couch that, including the arms, is nearly 8 feet long, and pretty darn close to 3 feet wide.

Here's a different avenue to explore: Patio. That way, the setback may not apply, and you can do the whole 12x12 which is three times the size of the 6x8.

 

[Moonbeam]

I saw a Wolf Wok burner stove I want, but for a small area a wok burner would do. 100,000 BTU means lots of Wok He.

 

[MongGrel]

where I'd go myself.

Performer® Series

http://www.weber.com/grills/series/performer
Gourmet Bbq System

http://store.weber.com/accessories/category/gourmet-bbq-system/

But you could get a Propane or something too of course.

Gas Grills

http://www.weber.com/grills/category/gas


Not a lot of room to work with there.

 

[mizzou]

I am currently having a deck built, due to setback from the property line and relocation of the stairs, the original area I had in mind went from 12x12 to now 6x8 or 7x9 max , as some of the area are now a wasted space and path for walking, so I can’t really place anything there. So this makes it impossible to design a functional cooking area with the limited space. Anyone has an out kitchen that can provide any tips? I guess I can move the cooking area off the deck to the lawn area, but it might be too far away and non-cohesive with the new deck.

FTFY

That is way too tiny for an entertaining deck. Look at this photo I found through google. This rug is bigger then your max deck area.

Time to visualize an alternative. 12x12 would have been OK..

For personal point of reference, I built a 20x10ft deck and found it to be a "cozy" size for a barbecue grill and patio furniture set.

What does the rest of your yard look like? Can you draw it up on MSPAINT or something? It's hard to give you advice because you are definitely going to have to think outside the box.

 

[richardycc]

oops, maybe I didn't make myself clear, the whole deck will be 24x24 with another 6x10 connector connecting the house and the deck. originally both set of stairs would be on the 6x10 landing deck. The layout and flow were perfect, but with the setback from the neighbor and the septic tank, one set of the stairs will be on the 24x24 deck now. So now I have to leave some of the area in the 24x24 deck for walking. 3/4 of the whole deck will be covered, 12x24 of that will be screened in. the 12x12 area will have an outdoor sectional. So this leaves me the rest of the 12x12 area without the roof as the cooking area, but I have to leave some room for walking now, so realistically I only have about 7x9 for an outdoor kitchen. I think I can fit in a 6x5 L-shaped island that will sit 4 and still leave me some room for my Weber grill and I think I am getting this http://www.campchef.com/stoves/somerset-stoves/somerset-iv-four-burner-stove.html
4-burner stove for a wok and their pizza oven accessory, and I also have a blackstone blacktop grill. not sure how I can fit all that into that tiny space.

 

[DrPizza]

Okay, so we just went from a 48 square foot deck to over 600 square feet of deck space, with a 6x8 area specifically for cooking.

What kind of cooking do you like to do? Are you a sit around and smoke a brisket for 12 hours kind of guy? Or is cooking a 30 minute task at the most?

 

[richardycc]

Okay, so we just went from a 48 square foot deck to over 600 square feet of deck space, with a 6x8 area specifically for cooking.

What kind of cooking do you like to do? Are you a sit around and smoke a brisket for 12 hours kind of guy? Or is cooking a 30 minute task at the most?

I like to cook things that are quick and easy. I did some ribs for a ribs contest last yr. it took 3hrs, that's probably the longest time I spent for one dish. I think I have all the cooking equipment I need to get an outdoor kitchen going. Is sink a must?

 

[DrPizza]

I like to cook things that are quick and easy. I did some ribs for a ribs contest last yr. it took 3hrs, that's probably the longest time I spent for one dish. I think I have all the cooking equipment I need to get an outdoor kitchen going. Is sink a must?

What climate are you in? An outdoor sink would be nice, but in many climates, it's just inviting trouble. E.g., the trap on the sink is to prevent sewer gases from escaping - but if you don't drain the trap before winter, it will freeze and break. (A common occurrence on RVs and campers when people don't winterize correctly.) Though, you could put the trap inside the house. Also, water lines to drain, etc.

 

[richardycc]

I am in the New England area, so water in P-trap will freeze, but I don’t think I will even install a P-trap, I will attach a drinking water grade hose from the outdoor water spigot to the faucet and just let the water drain to the ground or a 5gal bucket with holes. I don’t see how that is diff than washing my hands under the water spigot and let the water fall to the ground. The sink will mostly use as an ice chest to keep the beer or soda cans cold anyway. Are there any cheap RTA outdoor kitchen cabinets out that? I googled plastic/polymer/bamboo, teak kitchen cabinets that I can try to use outdoor, can’t find any that I can just order off of a website, all of them want me to call them or over $1000+ for a few cabinets. Those Stainless steel doors are expensive, $200 and up for just a door. This outdoor kitchen is gonna be costly if I want it somewhat decent looking.