Outdoor Kitchen - Need Advice

xiphoid007

Hello All,

I'm in the process of designing a massive remodel of a house I just purchased. As a part of the remodel, I will be adding on a massive back porch which will house my large egg as well as a yet purchased XL. I'm looking for tips from all you (or yinz as we say here in Pittsburgh) on designs for my space. I'm actually thinking of something rather simple. A counter on one side with 2 lower areas to house the eggs. Probably stone on the face, stone platforms for the eggs to sit on. Thinking stainless steel for the countertop for easy cleaning, durability, and looks. I was thinking of a sink, but given I'm in western PA, I don't really want to have to deal with it in the winters. I'm planning on some storage for wood and charcoal as well. Any thoughts, comments, what worked well for you and what didn't, would be appreciated.

theyolksonyou

Stainless tops will get really hot in the sun. Not saying don't use but something to consider.

caliking

I would want a large easy to clean counter/work surface with a space to set hot items (CI pans, platesetter, AR, etc) and a sink big enough to wash some pans in . Storage underneath for large items like bags of lump. And drawers for smaller items/pizza stones. I prefer an island type of setup with space for the eggs in nests so they remain mobile or set on shorter platforms, without being actually set into the  countertop. The eggs are easily accessible that way for repairs or if you have to move them for whatever reason.

Raymont

I am in the same process. I was going to go with granite or some other stone for counters. Sink large enough to wash a sheet pan in. Not sure if attachment will show, but here are the draft plans.

Raymont

xiphoid007

The counter will be undercover, @theyolksonyou , which should help.

Thanks, @caliking , for the ideas. Drawers a great idea I hadn't thought of.

Thanks for sharing your plans @Raymont , those look great. I'm still wondering about a sink as my cold winters make me worry about freezing pipes.

grege345

@xiphoid007 I'm not scared of a sink in the northeast. I'm just going to have a union in the line or valve to winterize. Work in progress.

UrbanForestTurnings

theyolksonyou said:

Stainless tops will get really hot in the sun. Not saying don't use but something to consider.

My gas grill burns the poop out of me. I wouldn't store lump outside.

orbbq

a cup of RV antifreeze down the drain winterizes the sink easily enough.  just have a cutout counter drop in to close it off when in winter mode.

cast in place concrete counters are on my short list for my outdoor kitchen plans.  Cost vs performance is awesome and depending on what you want can stain and finish to a pretty high class appearance.

MediumRarely

Bought a home (new) in MD in late 2007.  My wife didn't really care for the kitchen, so in mid 2008 had to renovate.  As I had just built a deck off the kitchen and my countertop contractor wanted $500 to haul off the BRAND NEW Corian counters.  I had him haul it all the way to the deck (no charge).  Then I designed my countertop and Egg support system - developed cut sheets, etc. Since I'm a low maintenance kind of guy, I simply went to plasticlumberyard.com ordered the appropriate lumber (4x4's, 2x4's, 1x4's, etc,) and voila.

 


A little better view of the build.



Just out of the picture to the left is a gasser.  Stainless Steel (316L) Egg supports courtesy of Don Olson (Hi Tech Mfg.)  I anyone decides to to re-purpose a corian countertop or use plastic lumber, let me know as I learned some crucial steps that will affect your build.

tcampbell

Sink

Chowman

For the sink, I would use pex plastic pipes in case they do accidentally freeze (won't burst as easily as copper), but add indoor shut off valves with an integral drain to winterize. That is a nice project you've got there!

Chicklet

Have you ever looked on Houzz.com?  There are tons of search results for outdoor kitchens.  Be prepared to be overwhelmed.  Fun but a LOT of ideas.  

UrbanForestTurnings

It's no problem blowing out your water lines. You just have to figure out how to move your gray water. That could be the hardest part.

Chubbs

I am a fan of concrete counters. Can buy forms cheap at Z counterform. Just pour and snap off. Can stain and seal and a fraction of cost of granite

MadcapMagician

Another issue that you might want to consider is placement of the kitchen in relation to the sun. I get afternoon sun in my backyard and is absolutely unbearable in the summer, thanks to my dumb ash neighbor taking down all his trees. Just my thoughts.....

henapple

Things I enjoy. ..

Sink. ..others have explained
Electric
Electric eye ...boiling, reducing
Some sort of fridge / cooler
Place for aluminum foil and butch paper
Heat...for yourself
Lump..

Ymmv

pgprescott

Check out the challenger modular kitchens. Expensive but really nice and weatherproof. Might not be the look you want, I like them. Also you can take them if you ever move.

Double Bogey

I second the Challenger cabinet concept. I had this stone monster built for my eggs and then a couple of years later we decided to move.  I got prices for building another one and then decided on something more portable. I have three Challenger cabinets, one for the large and one for the small BGE and a third for a drop in gas grill. Nice storage, weatherproof and I had mine built with wheels so portable.

tcampbell

Double Bogey said:

I second the Challenger cabinet concept. I had this stone monster built for my eggs and then a couple of years later we decided to move.  I got prices for building another one and then decided on something more portable. I have three Challenger cabinets, one for the large and one for the small BGE and a third for a drop in gas grill. Nice storage, weatherproof and I had mine built with wheels so portable.

Pics please.I'd live to see them.thanks

pgprescott

You can get sinks integrated, drawers,shelves whatever. Wheels or leveling legs available.

Double Bogey

pgprescott,
I'll get some pictures by the end of the week.  Just had knee replacement and steps to patio are still an issue.  The large and gas grill are standard cabinets and the one for the small is the model for tailgating with the electric lift system that raises the whole cart for transport

pgprescott

Double Bogey said:

pgprescott,
I'll get some pictures by the end of the week.  Just had knee replacement and steps to patio are still an issue.  The large and gas grill are standard cabinets and the one for the small is the model for tailgating with the electric lift system that raises the whole cart for transport

How do you like the tailgater? Does the egg travel nicely or do you rove parts. Curious.

Double Bogey

I have not had an opportunity to use the tailgate lift.  I actually had an opportunity to get the cart for cheap from my dealer and when they delivered it they brought along the lift as well.  The damn thing is rather large and weighs a ton.  It comes with straps to secure the table to the lift when you lift it for transport.  The egg is surrounded by a high temp rubber gasket at the table top.  The dealer used it often for demo cooks and events and said he never had a problem.

pgprescott

Double Bogey said:

I have not had an opportunity to use the tailgate lift.  I actually had an opportunity to get the cart for cheap from my dealer and when they delivered it they brought along the lift as well.  The damn thing is rather large and weighs a ton.  It comes with straps to secure the table to the lift when you lift it for transport.  The egg is surrounded by a high temp rubber gasket at the table top.  The dealer used it often for demo cooks and events and said he never had a problem.

Thanks.

xiphoid007

Thanks for the great tips everyone!

@Chicklet I have been looking on Houzz. It is a great help. I've been using it for lots of ideas. Luckily I'm working with a great architect who has some incredible ideas.

It is seeming like the sink may be a better consideration than I first thought. @UrbanForestTurnings the greywater shouldn't be an issue as this is part of a massive remodel anyway. I can tie the sink directly to the plumbing. I'm try I'll to plan everything up front so I can avoid issues like that down the line.

@pgprescott I thought about the challenger, but this is the dream house so I was going for a built in unit.

I appreciate all the good ideas. I figured all you eggers out there would have great ideas to pass on.