The Outdoor Kitchen Island

How To Transform Your Life And Your Yard

Finesse alfresco cooking with an outdoor kitchen island.

They're all about convenience, proximity, and pizzazz!

So while you might resist the urge to install that snazzy outdoor refrigerator, that wood-burning pizza oven, and that coveted beer tap, an island in your outdoor kitchen is indispensable.

That's because they serve 6 essential kitchen functions:

And if you already have a patio or a deck and an outdoor dining set, you're more than half way there!

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Think of them as souped up kitchen cabinets with a cooktop, a counter and a twist.

They're so great, because they're so versatile!

The term "outdoor kitchen island" is one of those phrases that has multiple meanings.

It could mean an utterly modern, all-inclusive unit with a powerful, professional, freestanding or built-in grill. This same unit also contains an outdoor refrigerator, ice maker, warming drawers, grill canopy hood, refreshment center and a serving cart -- outstanding!

Or, it could mean snack bar, dining area, counter space, landing zone, prep area -- that sort of thing.

Here are a few basic layout options:

• Single counter
• Dual counters - gallery arrangement
• L-shaped
• U-shaped
• G-shaped  - rectangular or square
• Curved
• Arched
• Circular

Here are locations and functions to think about:

• Against a wall of the house
• In a courtyard
• On a retaining wall
• Edge of the patio
• Edge of the deck
• Freestanding
• Raised bars
• Table extensions

The work triangle is the most convenient configuration, but it's not always possible. Some outdoor kitchens won't have a sink. And you can't create a triangle with one counter.

So create zones instead:

• Hot  zone for grills, burners, and pizza ovens
• Cold zone for refrigerators, coolers and ice makers
• Wet zone for sinks and beverage centers
• Dry zone for a buffet, food prep, serving plates, eating

Put the hot zone the farthest distance for safety and comfort. Cold zones should be positioned where serving drinks is convenient. Wet and dry zones should simplify food preparation. And try to get some counter space in every zone.

Another consideration is weather.

And the idea is to get the look and feel of an indoor cabinet by using noncombustible and weatherproof outdoor kitchen cabinet materials.

Achieving this might be a tad more expensive, and adds a layer of complexity to construction, but the end result is well worth it.

If you're looking for a simple, low-cost alternative, concrete block covered in a decorative stucco finish fits the bill nicely. Or use decorative concrete blocks that don't need finishing at all.

I'm all about simple, low-cost alternatives!

And if simple, low-cost alternative ideas appeal to your inner do-it-yourself, here is a 3,000 foot view.

• Install a concrete slab
• Purchase all the soon-to-be built-in components, including the grill.
• Size your outdoor kitchen island to use full widths of concrete block
• Support open bays or other open areas
• Build food prep countertop