Outdoor Kitchens - A Great Addition to Your Home! 

One of the best things about living in Florida is being able to cook outdoors year round. It may get a little warm in the Summer, but better to cook outside than heat up the kitchen and rev up the air conditioning bills! We've come a long way from the stand alone BBQ's of the past. Today, one of the hottest features (no pun intended) is the outdoor kitchen. Our covered Florida lanai's are the perfect location to set up a full service cook station and the outdoor kitchen is an excellent place to entertain while enjoying your pool.

The question that most homeowners face when they've decided to add their new outdoor kitchen is, "What do I want to include?" It can be as simple as just the BBQ unit (a portable gas or charcoal unit) and some counter space with a storage unit below or a full-fledged kitchen with custom cabinetry, 36" grill with burners, fridge, sink and all the whistles and bells! You really need to take a look at your space and also how your family lives and entertains. And, then of course, there's the budget! Be realistic as to what you really need and what you can afford.

If you've decided to go for your dream outdoor kitchen, plan it as though it was your interior kitchen. Walk the space as though you were cooking. What is the most effective layout? How many electrical outlets do you need for additional appliances...blender, radio or TV, extra lighting? And, don't forget the gas line and plumbing! If you keep the outdoor kitchen close to the main kitchen, not only will it save steps, but will also cost less to run the electric and plumbing the shorter distance from the house.

To cut down on trips inside, include storage for cooking accessories along with basic storage. Extra counter top space near the sink is great for prep work and a landing space next to the grill is the perfect spot for those hot platters of grilled food. If this is a custom unit, your builder or cabinet company can help you plan the layout. They will probably suggest using new composite products that assure long life for the cabinets and if the budget allows...granite or stone counter tops that are impervious to weather.

In general, good planning beforehand is always worth the extra effort. With so much information on the internet, it's easy to price and plan before you take the first step.

Happy Grilling!