Add an outdoor cooking area to your home

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One of the nicest things about owning a home with a yard is the ability entertain guests outdoors. Even the smallest yard can be outfitted for entertaining. If you often dine outdoors, the addition of an outdoor cooking area will add to your enjoyment. It can be as simple as a barbeque or as elaborate as an outdoor kitchen. If you already have the barbeque and are looking to add more cooking functionality to your patio, consider these options.

• Appliances: What do you need to be able to cook outdoors? Besides a grill, do you need a smoker, a rotisserie or a burner? For added convenience, consider including a refrigerator.

• Sinks: If you are doing more than just grilling meat, a sink is essential for preparing food and drinks and cleaning up.

• Lighting: Good lighting is critical anywhere you cook. Also, be sure to provide pleasant, ambient lighting in the lounging areas if you will be entertaining at night.

• Seating: A bar area with stools would be a nice addition so that the cook can have company while preparing food.

• Weather protection: Consider building a roof over your outdoor cooking area to shelter it from the weather. You want to be able to cook away from the wind, sun and sudden rain showers. If you do add a roof, be sure that it is not combustible and the cooking area is well ventilated.

• Entertainment: Since you'll be tapping into your home's electrical system anyway, why not include music and video equipment in your plan?

• A fireplace or chiminea: This can provide a focal point to gather around and will extend entertaining hours into later evening and cooler seasons.

Once you have a list of the features you want to include in your outdoor cooking area, you are ready to decide on the design and the location. You should pay the same attention to the layout and materials of your outdoor cooking area as you would to your kitchen. This is a large investment, and you want it to look good and last a long time. An ideal material for outdoor cooking areas is stonework; it withstands the elements, doesn't burn and looks beautiful.

Locate your outdoor cooking area in the most convenient place, close enough to the kitchen to make transporting food and dishes easy and close to the other entertainment areas of the yard, such as the pool. You will need to run electricity, and possibly gas and water, to your outdoor kitchen, so try to choose a spot that needs the least amount of excavation for utility lines.

As you can see, there are many options to choose from. Reply! can provide you with information to help you decide which are best for you. The addition of an outdoor cooking area is a residential remodeling project that not only enhances your yard and the resale value of your house but also brings you and your family years of entertaining pleasure.