Outdoor kitchens are becoming more popular these days, as more and more home owners realize the benefits to putting their outdoor living areas to greater use.

Not only is entertaining outdoors more fun and more simple than holding yet another party in a boring living room, but an outdoor kitchen also adds a significant amount to the value of the home. Outdoor kitchens require an investment of both time and money, however.

Here are some things to consider when buying an outdoor kitchen that could save you considerable expense in the long run.

How to Use Your Space

Before you start shopping, take a good look at the space you have available and determine how much of that space you want to use for your kitchen. Remember to block out room for gardens, play sets, and any other important features of your back yard.

How Will Your Kitchen be Oriented?

Before getting your heart set on a specific outdoor kitchen, think about how you will protect your guests from cool breezes, whether you’ll be staring into the setting sun as you cook, and how to keep your outdoor kitchen as close to your indoor kitchen as possible.

Check on Required Building Permits

Adding an outdoor kitchen is a much more serious undertaking than simply installing a grill. You may need building permits before you get underway. It’s a good idea to check on your local requirements before going ahead with your project.

How Will You Run Your Gas/Electric Lines?

If you’re going to have an outdoor kitchen, you’re going to need an easy way to manage the heat and electricity you’ll need. You should determine whether it’s possible to install the electrical or gas lines that you’ll need before getting started.

How Will the Plumbing Work?

Most outdoor kitchens include a working sink, which greatly eases everything from food preparation and hygiene to making drinks for guests. To accomplish a running sink, however, you’re going to need both water to the outdoor kitchen and a drain to the sewage system. This is worth considering before getting underway.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

At this point, you’ll probably want to consider what you’ll want to store outside, and where storage space will be located. Keeping plates, utensils, spices, and cutlery in your outdoor kitchen can save you a lot of work carrying stuff back and forth, if your storage is designed to keep your items clean and organized. Fit In Counter Space Counter space is an important aspect of cooking that is often overlooked when designing outdoor kitchens. Food preparation will be difficult if you don’t have the room to clean and slice your ingredients.

Choose Your Flooring Carefully

Cooking outdoors puts some special requirements on the flooring of your kitchen. The chances are even higher that you’ll be walking on the floor while it’s wet, so you should find a non-slip, non-porous surface. You’ll also want something with low glare, to prevent reflections in the sun.

By following these tips, you can have a good idea of what you’ll need from your outdoor kitchen before you go shopping, and before you make a potentially costly mistake.

strathwood-st-thomas-fire-with-round-tableAdd versatility when entertaining out of doors with a free standing fire pit which is available in a variety of styles and material types such as copper or stainless. Or you may prefer to incorporate a fire pit into a permanent brick structure.

Either way you will certainly enjoy the benefits of having the fire safely contained while cooking. Say goodbye to that rusty old barbecue and hello to the elegance of beautifully constructed fire pit.

There is nothing quite like huddling around a fire on a chilly autumn night and people will use every excuse to gather up enough wood to build a blaze. This is especially true during the month of October when bonfires are so popular.

The downside is that bonfires and dug-out firepits can cause a lot of damage to your yard. Outdoor firepits, on the other hand, are an ideal alternative to the primitive fire.

Outdoor Firepits: Enjoy the portability

Fire pits resemble large metal bowls and can be found in numerous designs to compliment any decorating style or personal preference. Some are quite simple, others are elaborate and breathtaking. In addition to the traditional firepit that resembles a bowl with short legs there are pits that resemble coffee tables and deep cauldrons. There are even pits that can be equipped with BBQ grill attachments.

Building a fire in a pit rather than making one on the ground is ideal because it uses less wood and it protects your lawn from damage. A pit with a spark screen can also protect your dry grass and leaves from sparks. And you won’t have to worry about the fire spreading beyond the confines of the pit.

The portability of the firepit also makes it a great choice. When you build a traditional fire, you pretty much have to continue building subsequent fires in the same spot or resign yourself to a scarred and scorched yard. With a firepit, though, you can move the fire easily every night.

And you won’t spend a lot for a beautiful pit. You can find some styles under $50 but the majority are priced around $100 to $200. Of course you can spend more if your taste and preferences lead you in that direction. You can also have a firepit custom made if you can’t find any styles that suit you and your space perfectly

Nothing brings warmth to your backyard like an outdoor fireplace.  But just like an indoor one it needs periodic cleaning. The joy of it being outside is you don’t have to worry as much about kicking up soot and dust. But you do still have to clean it up from time to time. Not sure about how to go about it?

Here are a few tips when it comes time to clean your outdoor fireplace.

  • The first thing you want to do is make sure that there aren’t any hot embers in the fireplace. Wait at least a day after use before scooping the ash out of it. You don’t want to catch your trashcan on fire.
  • After you’ve swept out the major ash piles just grab your garden hose. Spray the whole thing down from top to bottom. This should remove most of the soot and dirt from it. It also helps to wet down any dust and keep it from flying all over the yard and in your face.
  • The next thing you need is a stiff nylon brush and a bucket of hot soapy water. Crawl up into the fireplace. Starting at the top, scrub all around the inside working your way down to the base and back of the fireplace. Next work your way back out scooping all the dirty water towards the front.
  • If there isn’t much build up then this should be all you need to do to have a nice clean fireplace. If you still have some trouble spots though you’ll need to break out some harsher chemicals.
  • Use a fireplace cleaner specially designed for removing caked on soot. Be sure to wear gloves and goggles to prevent any skin or eye irritation.
  • Just spot treat the trouble areas then hose off. That should do it!

If you clean your outdoor fireplace on a regular basis you will minimize the effort required to keep the fireplace in excellent condition.

endless-summer-ewtr800sp-new-orleans-tabletop-electric-heaterIf you are an outdoor entertainer, you no doubt have been considering some of those deck heaters that will keep people warm when the nights get a little chilly out.

But you keep encountering problems. Perhaps you don’t want those large floor displays that take up so much room on your already space deprived deck or patio. Or maybe you just hate that no matter what heater you look at they are all unattractive and look like they are from some Industrial warehouse. Not anymore.

The Endless Summer EWTR800SP “New Orleans” Tabletop Electric Heater has taken those outdoor heaters you know and hate to task for their appearance. His tabletop unit is not only going to put out the heat you need, but also all the while looking like an attractive lamp that should be on display in your home or on your patio.

The Endless Summer EWTR800SP “New Orleans” Tabletop Electric Heater and it’s 1,200 watt heating element, putting out almost 4,100 BTUs, offer heat in a 12 foot circle around the unit.

Knowing that things can get a little out of hand or people can start talking with their hands a little too much at family and social gatherings, this heater also comes with safety features such as an automatic shut off if it is tipped on it’s side. This can keep it from becoming a fire threat if it is accidentally tipped over.

What We Like

  • It’s a very attractive heating option that takes both form and function into account.
  • This is a great way to extend a fun evening without everyone having to run inside for warmth. It is easy to set up and use.

Other things to consider

  • Part of the base is made of ceramic so it may break if knocked over.

 CLICK HERE to buy or read other reviews

endless-summer-table-top-patio-heaterIf you live in an area where the nights where you can enjoy sitting outside are limited because the weather often drops too low, you may want to consider finding a way to lengthen the time you can stay outside. The Endless Summer ES-GWT501A Table Top Patio Heater may be the answer.

Powered by a small propane gas take, this heater puts out 11,000 BTUs per hour. That’s a lot of heat for such a little system.

Unlike those large unwieldy heaters that stand from the ground up, this compact model will work to heat the area where you are going to be sitting without taking up too much space on your deck or patio. You can even move it with you if you start your evening at a table for dinner then want to move to a more comfortable sitting area to enjoy cocktails after dinner.

When it comes to safety, this is a great piece to own. It has an automatic shut off switch that kicks in if it is knocked over. If you are like most homes, things get knocked over on the table all the time, and it’s good to know this will not cause a fire if that were to happen.

What We Like

  • Unlike larger models that make a loud hiss while being used, this is a relatively quiet heater.
  • It’s easy to assemble. You only need a screwdriver.
  • Heats a good-sized area very effectively.
  • Can be hooked up to a small camp propane tank or the larger tanks if you want it to last longer.

Other Things to Consider

If you don’t have a big table to put it on, it may be too hot to also use the table as it has a pretty wide heat radius.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER TABLE TOP PATIO HEATER & TO SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

The Firenzy Outdoor Fireplace  is No Longer Available
Here are Some Great Alternatives



 

charbroil-firenzy-outdoor-fireplace-with-screen

Have you ever found yourself in the backyard thinking it was getting a little chilly and having to give up on enjoying a beautiful night outside because it was too cold? The CharBroil 03505784 Firenzy Outdoor Fireplace with Screen will bring those days to an end.

With the   Firenzy Outdoor Fireplace  you will be able ignore the chill in the air and light up a fire to keep you warm and toasty so you can enjoy much more of that fresh air that you love.

This easy to set up unit will put out heat, warming up everyone who is sitting around it. What a better way to wrap up an evening than to have your family and friends sitting together around this style of heating unit with a few drinks and great conversation.

Not only can it be a great heating unit, but you can also pop off a screen, pull out some sticks and marshmallows and make up a few smores after dinner. The kids will love it.

This fireplace measures 30x 21 x 7 inches and has a number of features including:

  • Steel construction
  • Screens on all sides for maximum heating
  • Built-in log rack
  • Powder coated for durability

What We Like

  • It’s not as hard to assemble as it looks like it would be.
  • It’s a great deal and a good unit for the price.
  • We like the removable screens from the side that will let you put new wood in.
  • It’s a very sturdy unit.

Other Things to Consider:

  • Follow the manufacturers recommendations to ensure your fireplace is given proper maintenance and care, especially in more tropical or seaside locations.
  • It gets VERY hot, so make sure you have gloves or something else to protect your hand from getting burned while using it.

 

CLICK  TO BUY & READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY

 

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