7 Best BBQ Island Design Tips

Designing a BBQ island that works for you and your yard is not overly complicated but it’s easy to make mistakes.  Here are 7 tips that will help you design an island that is both beautiful and functional…

1.      Put the grill downwind from where your guests will be sitting so the smoke does not blow in their face
2.      The back of the grill is the “messy” part of the grill.  Position the grill so the back has the least amount of exposure as possible from the yard or home.
3.      Try to keep the cooking appliances together and the cold appliances together.  The grill and sideburner should be at one end and the sink & refrigerator at another end as an example.  If possible leave enough room for others to get into the refrigerator without making the chef step aside from the grill.
4.      Leave a minimum of 9” to 12” inches of counter space on each side of the grill or sideburner if possible.  Dinner plates are typically 9” in a diameter and you’ll appreciate having enough room to set one down on both sides if possible. 
5.      If you are including seating behind the island, try not to put anyone behind the grill since it will be hot, smoky and messy.  Figure on 30” per chair for seating.  A five foot (60”) bar top will seat 2 people for example.
6.      Consider adding a kickplate with the same material you use on the countertop around the base of the island to protect the stucco finish from standing water.
7.      If you plan to use stone on the sides of your island, you will want the top to overhang the sides by at least the thickness of the rock.  The island looks better when the top overhangs the sides.

Take advantage of our free island design service by contacting any of our stores or just come on in.  Store locations and hours can be found at http://www.bbqgrillsandislands.com/locations.html

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