Create the ultimate BBQ area in 5 steps

Family, friends and BBQ Dinner in the garden – nice! Photo Courtesy: Taz

A well designed, aesthetically attractive barbeque area is one that can transform the garden into an extra living space that can be frequented throughout the warmer parts of the year. A get together of family or friends in such an area is always an occasion to look forward to.

So, with that in mind, here are some tips on how to make it the best possible living space it can be.

Initial Considerations

One of the most important considerations when creating the barbeque area is to ensure that it is located within close proximity of the kitchen. It’s quite simple; nobody wants to have to trek around the house or garden to get to and from the fridge. Aside from the time element, food is more likely to spill, it’s less likely to stay warm and it’s just not practical.

Flooring

The flooring is also very important and this is especially the case in the area you are cooking in. Barbeques may be extremely tasty, but they can also be quite messy affairs and so you may need to have a material on the ground that can be easily cleaned or will absorb the oils and greases.

The Barbeque

So, what sort of barbeque do you want – the all-important question. If you’re using a cheaper, portable barbeque, you will have a number of advantages, simply because it’s more portable, lower in cost and there is no worry about permanence. However, these smaller barbeques don’t offer the cooking options larger ones do, are not nearly as impressive and don’t create a focal point. A larger, permanent barbeque does this and can work wonderfully with the overall landscape of the area. However, take time to consider what you want as it will be permanent and will need to work well with the rest of the outdoor area and barbeque.

If you are completely revamping the area and are choosing a gas barbeque, then you may want to place in a stub gas line and have it capped. This will mean no need to lift up the area in the future. . If the barbeque is too far from the house, you may need to use cylinders. Lighting can be mains generated or from a bought generator or a generator hire option – essentially it depends on where the area is located in relation to the mains.

Design

BBQ with a Sea View – Photo Courtesy: Andrew Karigan

Of course, general themes in design are extremely important and choosing the right colour, theme and views can make all the difference here. Textures are also very important with an outdoor area and can make all the difference to the look. You want the area to look attractive and also to be comfortable – you may even want to add a bar.

Extras

You should also take into account the extras you want in the area. Some people like to have a sink, roof and vents in the area, whereas others like a more simplistic approach. It comes down to you after all; however, try to make it as practical as possible – it will make for greater enjoyment and ease of use.

Cormac Reynolds is a lover of alfresco cooking and also cooking indoors. He would love to have a large open BBQ area. He is also a tech geek and lover of autos.