First, let me say that I am not here to convince you to put a BBQ or an outdoor kitchen into your landscape. You either understand the limitless value of having a counter top complete with a place to plug in your margarita blender, or you don’t. I don’t have to convince you because you already know that there is no better way to get your boss to loosen up outside of work than to serve him a few blended beverages of conversation lubrication. I am not here to convince you that one of the strongest aphrodisiacs known to the opposite sex is the sight of you confidently working your meat mojo at the grill. You know all this and more.
I am here to give some advice on what elements to include in your outdoor entertainment area. As far as fire goes, if you are a purist, get a wood fired set up for cooking your carne. If you aren’t sure – you’re not a purist – put in a gas grill. Also, if you install a gas grill, WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE SURE YOU INSTALL A WARMING DRAWER. You will never be sorry. You can cook things and keep them warm so you can stage your meal, or, keep things warm for late friends.
Outdoor sinks are nice but something you can live without. They require additional work to install the drain, venting and water. If you do put in a sink, definitely include an insta-hot for the water.
A fridge is nice for keeping spoilables handy. Other refrigeration can come in handy. For instance, if you drink a lot of beer, have an outdoor beer chiller included in your set up. Unless you drink a lot of beer, though, keeping some cold ones in the fridge is going to be plenty. Of course, if you are a wine drinker, you need a wine cooler.
There are many other options that can be included. I suggest avoiding things like TV’s outside simply because they cut down on personal interaction, which for me, is one of the main reasons for enjoying a meal outside with friends and family. Now, having said that, keep in mind that I would love to install your outdoor theatre for watching movies after the grill has gone cold. If you don’t want the video, please consider audio. In my mind, nothing goes better with meal under moonlight than a little jazz. And, this is easier to do than most people realize.
