Make Sense of Your Grill Setup

Grilling season has started. Are you a creature of habit, with your grill in the same spot it’s always been? Make this the year you invest in your outdoor kitchen space to expand its use and enjoyment. 

With some simple tips, you can get better results. For starters, here are some ways to make sense of your grill setup. 

Shed some light on it. You can’t cook what you can’t see. Poor lighting results in an average of 52 tons of burned meat each year. How much did you contribute to that massive volume? Make sure you have sufficient light for your nighttime grilling. Install overhead lights, if you don’t already have them near the grill, or add task lights surrounding that area. 

Use the same traffic pattern as your kitchen. For ultimate efficiency, your outdoor kitchen should follow the same principle as you indoor one: a triangular path from prep area to cooking to cleaning. You should minimize the amount of travel between your grill and the prep and cleaning spaces. Consider expanding your outdoor kitchen by adding a countertop with cabinets underneath, a sink, and maybe even an outdoor refrigerator. A better equipped outdoor kitchen will inspire more use—whether for family or entertaining. 

Add shelter. By providing cover over your grilling station, you can cook outside in any weather. Add a shade structure—like a flame-retardant canopy or covered pergola—making sure it’s high enough above the grill for safety. 

Create a gathering space. Add some seating and a side table or two near the outdoor fireplace. Imagine your guests seated around this cozy area while you cook up tasty skewers, meats, veggies, and fruits (try apple pie on a stick), and later invite everyone to create their own gourmet s’mores. Once you’ve created a more enticing and functional grill setup, explore new recipes and experiment with more ways to use your grill. Have a safe and appetizing outdoor grilling season!