Ten Tips for Creating an Outdoor Barbeque Counter

The taste of barbeque is one of the clear hallmarks of summer, and any homeowner or host worth their salt puts on at least one barbeque party over the course of the season. While the countertop surfaces that come standard with your grill may be plenty when you're just feeding the family, keeping your guests happy demands more! An outdoor barbeque counter gives you space for food preparation, storage, and a "buffet line," allowing guests with organized access to the chow. Here are twenty tips to help you ensure that your barbeque counter is the best that it can be.

1) Location: Place your barbeque counter close enough to the grill that you can step back and forth easily while cooking to retrieve ingredients or drop off grub.

2) Countertop: Choose a waterproof surface that is resistant to the elements. Kitchen countertops were not intended to be exposed to heavy rain. Stick with tile, cement, or stone.

3) Structure: Use pressure-treated and exterior grade lumber exclusively, and use an exterior-grade paint, paying particular attention to horizontal surfaces.

4) Storage: Building a counter without storage space underneath passes up on a great opportunity! Build a permanent home for sauce brushes, barbeque forks, and paper plates right out next to the grill, and save yourself many trips in to the kitchen.

5) Tilt it: While kitchen counters should be perfectly level, it's best to give outdoor countertops a slight tilt toward the front. This will allow rainwater to be shed, creating a nice dry workspace.

6) More than a Work Surface: Even if you're not using the grill at all, for example when you fry a turkey or have a lobster bake, the outdoor barbeque counter is indispensable. Set up an outdoor party bar for guests, or place hors devoirs within arms reach.

7) Cover It: If you live in an area that sees frequent rains, an outdoor barbeque counter can become the centerpiece of a waterproof outdoor kitchen. Freestanding outdoor canopies have become affordable and widely available. Set one up over your counter, and you can still grill up a mean rack or lamb without fretting about the weather.

8) Build It In: Consider extending your barbeque counter around the base of your propane grill. This will give the whole works a unified look, and conceal and protect your propane canister.

9) Socialize: If you're willing to put the time into building a permanent outdoor barbeque counter, it's likely that you entertain quite a bit during warm weather. Consider creating permanent or semi-permanent seating near to the grill and counter. This can be as simple as a few bar stools on the opposite side from the chef. This helps to keep the host and cook from being isolated from the guests and being left out.

10) Use It: Once you've put the time, thought, and effort into creating a beautiful social and work space - don't forget about it. Consider off-season celebrations, and get yourself and the family outdoors to enjoy it as often as possible.

Summer's a great time to reconnect with friends, and enjoy the outdoors with good food. An outdoor barbeque counter is an attractive, labor-saving project that you'll use for years.