7 Essential Elements to Check Before Building Your Barbecue Island

Building your very own outdoor kitchen can easily transform your backyard into the newest hotspot for family parties and neighborhood get-togethers. Better yet, it can add much needed value to your home. However, before you get started on your outdoor kitchen journey, DIY BBQ recommends you consider these seven essential elements.

1. The size of your barbecue island

DIY BBQ has plenty of pre-designed islands for you to choose from, but they aren’t worth much if you don’t know the available space you have for the island to occupy. Before you start perusing our islands, custom frames, and cutout kits, measure the length, height, and depth of the area where you want the island to be built.

When measuring, make sure there are no windows or doors that may become obstructed and that there is plenty of space around the island to walk around and entertain. Only then can we help you find the perfect fit for your backyard.

2. Outline the specifics of your outdoor kitchen

If all you’re looking for is a small barbecue four-foot island with no bells and whistles, you probably don’t have to worry much about pre-design. However, if you are looking for an extravagant layout with a large grill and plenty of appliances and accessories, it’s a good idea to draft a set of plans for your outdoor kitchen. This way, you are better equipped to handle any issues that may arise and have a clear path forward when looking into the next few essential elements.

3. Amount of counter space

How do you want to utilize your outdoor kitchen? This is an essential question to ask when mapping out the size of your barbecue island and how many accoutrements you want to include. Adding too many appliances in a small area will leave you very little to no counterspace, where adding little to no appliances to a large island will provide so much counter space, it may feel unwarranted, or as they may say, too big for its britches.

4. The right amount of storage space

At the same time, you want to make sure you are accounting for everything you will need to be the best grill master you can be. Utensils, towels, containers, spare propane tanks — these are just a few of the items you may want at the ready when taking to the grill. So, much like your counter space, you will want to know how many drawers and doors you will need so that we can help you determine the right size of your island.

5. Gas line extensions

DIY BBQ has plenty of propane grills you can choose from, but you may prefer to use natural gas. However, the odds of there being a natural gas hookup for your grill exactly where you want it is small. Working with gas is very dangerous and complicated, so you will want to hire a professional heating contractor or licensed gas fitter to install and prep a new line for you.

6. Electrical needs

When adding appliances, such as a refrigerator, you will need to make sure you have enough power running to your island. Designing your kitchen in an area where an outdoor electrical outlet is already installed is the most ideal, however, sometimes this isn’t possible.

Instead of having to run an unsightly, and possibly hazardous, extension cord from your island to a nearby outlet, you may consider hiring an electrician to come in and add an outlet where your island will be built (and more to the point, where your appliances will be setup).

7. Plumbing your pipes

Having a way to wash your hands and your utensils while cooking is always beneficial, which is why adding a sink to your island is a must have. But to do so, you need to have all the necessary pipes laid before you begin assembling your island.

Once again, plumbing can be a bit complicated, so it’s always better to hire a professional plumber to lay the necessary pipe for your outdoor kitchen.

Once you have all these elements completed, it becomes a breeze to make your dream outdoor kitchen a reality.