I’m about to build a covered addition off the back of my house that will primarily serve as an outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. Right now it’s just a big covered rectangle so I can do pretty much anything I want to, which is a blessing and a curse. I’ll be relocating my Big Green Egg there and adding a gas grill and a power burner. A sink, plenty of outlets, TV, and some decent outdoor speakers round out the list so far. I’ll probably add a refrigerator, but they never seem to last so I’m on the fence about that.

Any other suggestions from folks who have built or lived with something similar? I don’t know what I don’t know, so fire away.

My first thought is, will I really use this space after I have dumped money in it?

We have a large deck, two enclosed outdoor spaces and one covered patio. It's too damned hot to use them outside of spring and fall here in GA

We had a pool at our last house, an outdoor kitchen there would have been great

Sorry, I don't have any advice on a setup though

My advice is to keep safety in mind with materials and clearances to combustibles . A friends Dad nearly lost his house to a poorly designed outdoor kitchen .

I’m doing the same thing. I have a 16X24 shelter already built sides and ends are open and has a metal roof. Plan on pouring a slab in it next spring. Debating what I all need to put in it. I have a large trailer smoker that has dual propane burners already mounted on it. This is parked on the back end of the kitchen. I mostly want the countertop and storage space. I will go with a built in flat top griddle and a fridge but that’s about it. Just make sure all appliances you put in are rated for outdoors.

Trying to decide on what material I want for countertops and the half ways. Going to wait until next spring and hope the prices settle out on materials.

When that day comes, I'd like to put together a set-up similar to what Sam the Cooking Guy has in his backyard area. I'm in a Mediterranean climate so, I can cook outside all year-round, eating/entertaining can be done 9-10 months out of the year and bugs aren't an issue like other parts of the country. If you're just looking to put together a fancy cook station for your BGE, just do that versus a more integrated space geared for entertaining and more in-depth cooking.

https://www.thecookingguy.com/my-backyard

If you are going to entertain out there, either have it under a lanai, or have a screened in area to eat, drink, etc. I used to live in Florida, and didn't realize how bad the bugs were until a hurricane took down our lanai.

We currently have a grill, side burner, bar seating and a two chair high top. We are planning on putting in a TV, 6 person patio table with a shade umbrella and a small outdoor rated refrigerator, just for drinks. Basically duplicating what a friend had in Florida that worked so well. Although lastmanstanding's idea of a flat top griddle sounds tempting as well.

I will echo using materials that will withstand whatever weather they will be exposed to. After the Midwest and Florida I thought I had it all scoped out here in AZ, but we have a steel table top that rusted through the paint here in the desert!

if you include cabinets in your build make sure they are enclosed and not just SS doors and draws to an open area,they attract all sorts of critters if not enclosed. Also look into StarBoard st type polymer, super strong and made out of recycled plastics for the cabinets etc. Made by King Plastic corporation

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
When that day comes, I'd like to put together a set-up similar to what Sam the Cooking Guy has in his backyard area.

I absolutely love his setup especially the round EVO flattop cooking surface which is to die for.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
When that day comes, I'd like to put together a set-up similar to what Sam the Cooking Guy has in his backyard area.

I absolutely love his setup especially the round EVO flattop cooking surface which is to die for.

I've had two friends that got built-in, flattop cooking griddles, one really, REALLY likes his, the other, its turning into a white elephant. They don't know each other however, the one who's not as enamored with his, is also not as diverse and broad in his culinary skill as the other. Seeing how you can use it also to heat up pot/pans instead of a burner, I think is a bonus technique that people overlook.

These are very helpful, thank you.

Our house is L shaped around a screened pool, so I’m extending the pool deck and cage back about 16 feet and building the covered space adjacent to the existing back of the house. The covered space will be approximately 16 x 30 when finished and it will be screened in.

We eat dinner outside most nights and I’m cooking on the grill 2-3 times per week, so I’m pretty confident we will use the space enough to justify the cost.

I’ve been kicking the idea around for a couple of years now and decided I better hop to it so I can get my money’s worth out of it before my kids move out.