Make it work for you OUTDOOR KITCHEN
With some careful planning you can set up a fully functioning kitchen in your garden and make outdoor entertaining effortless
◆ CHOOSE YOUR SPOT Unless you have a large garden and want to dedicate a whole area to an outdoor kitchen, stay close to the house. You need a solid, level patio or deck for it, preferably against a brick or stone wall rather than fencing, which is a fire hazard. The area should also be clear of overhanging greenery and awnings, and away from pathways.
◆ STRETCH THE BUDGET There’s a growing number of companies that can design and build a bespoke built-in kitchen for you (average cost, £7,000). The next step down would be to buy modular sections that fit together into multiple configurations.
◆ …OR DIY IT If you’re a dab hand at brick (or breeze block) laying, or know someone who is, you can build a permanent structure with help from Youtube. Choose a work surface, such as concrete, stainless-steel or sealed stone, that’s impenetrable to the elements. If you want to cover it with a pergola-style roof, consider fire safety and ventilation, to allow carbon monoxide from your appliance to escape. You can also buy freestanding items (such as Ikea’s Flytta trolley) and assemble surfaces and storage around your grill.
◆ FOCUS ON COOKING Your appliance should be the starting point. Purists advocate charcoal for the best flavour, but you can’t beat gas for convenience and cleanliness – especially if you want to boil or heat up food, not just barbecue. If you have space, go for both. You can also integrate a pizza oven, smoker or teppanyaki plate.
◆ ADD THE PERIPHERALS Once your cooking appliances are in place, add surfaces, a sink unit and closed storage for utensils, pots and pans. If you want an outdoor fridge (from around £1,000), remember it must be designed for outdoor use.
◆ MAINTAIN YOUR KIT To keep your kitchen safe and functioning, get into a routine of ‘putting it to bed’ at the end of the summer: clean and disconnect appliances, re-seal surfaces and cover everything.
Then, next year, unwrap, clean and connect ready for your first cook-out.