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Sandy: WOW, how fantabulous is this weather! I am already breaking out the BBQ and patio furniture as I am sure many other are doing as well and our YCCA peeps are busy helping folks prepare for outdoor living again.
Tom: Sandy, you are spot on about the weather. It is good to hear that business is hopping also. We are getting calls from folks who want to maximize their outdoor living time. As you know, the planning process is step one in getting it right.
Sandy: Right on, Tom. So what is the first step in the planning process to maximize outdoor living? I guess first of all folks need to know what they want from their outdoor spaces and get started by asking the right questions. Tom, what are some of those questions that you ask families when planning an outdoor living area?
Tom: First of all, do you want to sit outside? Do you want to cook outside? Is dining outdoors a goal? The answers to these questions will get you started down the right path. In this region, the opportunities for living outside are huge and that’s why we live here!
Other questions to ask are, if you are cooking outside, how close is the kitchen and do you want to be running back and forth while trying to cook? Knowing the answers to this can help you decide if you need outdoor storage for cooking tools, spices, condiments and the like. Taking the time to analyze these issues will help give your architect and builder the information they need to meet your goals.
Sandy: I personally like to eat outside, and with the great climate here, entertain outside as well, and I am not one who wants to run back and forth – I like everything at my fingertips and I would not be big on running back and forth to the kitchen every time someone wants a drink or a fork or another plate. I have seen some simple outdoor cabinets for storage and I have seen some elaborate setups that include outdoor refrigerators and sinks, just like a full kitchen.
Tom, share with our readers some of the outdoor kitchens you have designed and built.
Tom: We have designed and built several outdoor spaces ranging from the simple and basic to the full kitchen and dining area. Some have included warming drawers to keep the veggies warm while the steaks cook and cooling drawers for salads and other condiments. Refrigerators for drinks range from full size to smaller under-the-counter types. We have even used dispensers for soda, beer kegs and juices. A lot of these are a big step up from the Igloo cooler filled with ice and drinks, although that still works!
Sandy: I love my Yeti cooler. I would guess that the size and outdoor kitchen components would certainly depend on how often the space is used to some extent. Outdoor parties during our GREAT summer evenings make for some good times, that’s for sure.
Tom, as people are thinking about what their space needs to be, size, location, etc., wouldn’t another consideration be protecting the equipment from the elements? I understand that those appliances and cabinets are made to be left outside. Do you build the kitchens under cover in most cases? I would think that the thought of a cover, or roof over the outdoor kitchen area might be considered as well. Hey Tom, what about counter top material for outside use?
Tom: Sandy, that is a good thought and thanks for bringing it up. The surfaces are different than those you normally find inside of the home kitchen. While the counters can be the same materials, such as granite or concrete, there are some solid surface products that don’t perform as well outside in the sun and rain. The appliances as you mentioned are typically made of stainless steel. We have constructed the vertical surfaces with stucco finishes, stone and specialty metals such as copper. As for cover, that depends largely on how the space is oriented. While our climate is generally great, the sun can be somewhat unforgiving in the afternoon. A roof to screen out the sun makes for a more comfortable area with the added benefit of protecting from the rain.
Sandy: You make it sound as though everything but the kitchen sink is out there! How does one power all this? Or even clean up afterward?
Tom: You are right Sandy, except the kitchen sink is often included for the full outdoor kitchens. Hot water is often supplied by an electric or gas (both propane and natural) on-demand heaters. Power for other appliances is usually from a separate electrical circuit(s) as needed. As we started this conversation saying, early planning is the key to any successful project.
Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN
Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy”