DIY Network

Patio Kitchen: Evaluating the Situation Patio Kitchen: Evaluating the Situation From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-204

Figure A

Living in the desert climate of Las Vegas offers many year-round outdoor activities -- the challenge is making the most of the great outdoors while trying to escape the dry desert heat. Deven and Jordan Brown, who have spent the past three years renovating the inside of their home, now want to start a renovation on their backyard, but although they love to entertain, the desert heat makes outdoor gatherings difficult (figure A).

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Figure B

To the rescue comes the Grounds for Improvement team, Jackie Taylor and Dean Hill, with new ideas for an outdoor kitchen/dining area, along with solutions to combat the heat and make the patio more entertainment friendly (figure B).

The new patio plan uses the existing gas and electric lines to install a new kitchen island, complete with grill, refrigerator and tile countertops. An overhead mister system and ceiling fans will help cool the space and move the air around to create a cool, gentle breeze. Trimming the existing palm tree and adding new Mexican fan palms will dress up the perimeter wall and visually direct the eye to mountain vistas in the distance.

In preparation for the renovation, the space is cleared of old furniture and a worn-out grill. The patio space is perfect for the new kitchen island because of the existing utility connections already in place.

Note: Before connecting or turning on utility lines, always check with your local utility or codes office to see whether professional service installation is required.

Figure C

After checking to determine whether the patio half-wall offers any structural support (which it doesn't) and making sure removal won't damage the stucco walls, the team rips out the walls to make space for the new kitchen island. Removing it opens up the space and eliminates a potential safety hazard; never place combustible materials such as wood near a source of heat.

The new kitchen island is modular and can be designed online to custom-fit any space (figure C). The components attach together, using a patented system of brackets and screws, on the inside of the cabinets. Made of steel-stud construction, with permabased exterior cladding, the outside surface offers several finishing options. Food-prep areas can be tiled on top for a smooth, flat work surface, whereas the sides can be finished with stucco or natural stone.

Next: Installing the Outdoor Kitchen Island

RESOURCES :

Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm

Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com

Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com

American Society of Landscape Architects

Delta Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com

Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor Kitchen Concepts
Website: www.outdoorkitchenconcepts.com

Plants provided by Star Nursery