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Julie and I are building an outdoor kitchen. I've got 2 large grills and 3 small smokers, plus she has a small grill...that's a lot of grills to cram on our porch. We've outlined a space in the back yard 19' x 14' that will hold the grills, a sink, and some storage cabinets. The whole thing is going to have a pergola over it and will be paved with bricks. Today, I'm going to start running some PVC pipe to where we are building it. I'm running two lines...one for water, and the other to run an electric line through. As it progresses, I'll post pics. Once it's done, we'll be having a big fat-assed barbecue.

What time is dinner?
Love, Ima

CameronBornAndBred wrote: Once it's done, we'll be having a big fat-assed barbecue.

How do barbecue a fat ass?

Yumm!!!

windsor wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote: Once it's done, we'll be having a big fat-assed barbecue.

How do barbecue a fat ass?

I'll find a way, almost anything can be barbecued!

FUN!! We'll be seeking advice when we're ready to build ours!

windsor wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote: Once it's done, we'll be having a big fat-assed barbecue.

How do barbecue a fat ass?

Low and slow!

windsor wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote: Once it's done, we'll be having a big fat-assed barbecue.

How do barbecue a fat ass?

http://xkcd.com/37/

And I was thinking, ass-bbq sounds pretty nasty. ;)

Sounds like fun. I'm there!

CathyCA wrote:Sounds like fun. I'm there!

Yay! When we're done I'll let folks know when the shindig will be.

This is what the kitchen looks like right now..lol.

I can hardly wait!! Your plans sound nice. Yum.

Unsolicited advice follows...

When building a pergola,
a) Consider making it as large a coverage area as can be imagined.
b) Since electricity is going to be available, an outdoor rated ceiling fan (no light kit...bugs) installation is money well spent.
c) Think ahead to if you might ever consider screen-walling around it.
d) A clear vinyl, or smoke-tinted, corrugated roof works wonders. Coolaroo brand shading fabric and/or Sunbrella fabrics are miraculous creations.
e) Lattice can be a fine friend, indeed.
f) The bug issue and lighting can be solved with white rope lighting. the light is so diffused that the moths and such cannot home in one any one particular source. Hence, they usually give up.
a again) Three seasons of the year, it just may be the most popular spot on the property. Therefore, expect more people to show up. Especially during low-light times of the day. That Sun beating down without proper shading can get mighty rough.
g) When considering refrigeration, a dorm fridge, properly encased with a small cabinet that allows ventilation, will save a lot o'cash over those that advertise as for 'Outdoor Use'. They have elecrical encased compressors and no motors that would be exposed to weather. They can hold quite a bit of beer.
h) 6X4 posts are a lot stronger, and CHEAPER, than 4X4s.
i) Stainless steel hardware. More expensive, but worth it.
Signed,
the capt (pergola designer and owner for a few years)
ps...Always think "How can I keep the rain out from getting under here"

Fabulous ideas, Capt!! Thank you!

DukePA wrote:Fabulous ideas, Capt!! Thank you!

One thinks of all this shit after the fact. Usually, while standing there, tongs in hand at the grill, as rain and windblown rain, begins to pelt both you and your gourmet creations into sounding out a pissed off and bloodcurdling scream!

...Then, everybody else runs back in the house, leaving you standing there...a wet and angry lonely dreamer that's yearning for innovative thoughts. Thoughts that may involve both engineering design AND means of committing bodily harm to those that have abandoned you to this dripping and foolish stance, thinking of creative ways to get the food inside by yourself.

captmojo wrote:Unsolicited advice follows...

When building a pergola,
a) Consider making it as large a coverage area as can be imagined.

captmojo wrote:b) Since electricity is going to be available, an outdoor rated ceiling fan (no light kit...bugs) installation is money well spent.

captmojo wrote:d) A clear vinyl, or smoke-tinted, corrugated roof works wonders. Coolaroo brand shading fabric and/or Sunbrella fabrics are miraculous creations.

captmojo wrote:f) The bug issue and lighting can be solved with white rope lighting. the light is so diffused that the moths and such cannot home in one any one particular source. Hence, they usually give up.

I'm gonna pass all these suggestions on to Julie. The rest of them suck. ( ) Actually they are all good but these ones apply most and address some thoughts I've had as the work progresses. I love the idea of the ceiling fan, not so much for the comfort it would provide but for the way it might work out with idea #2. We are indeed putting up that vinyl corrugated roofing, but I was wondering since I'm grilling and smoking everything out there how would I prevent the smoke from gradually staining the vinyl. A fan would work wonders in redirecting the smoke. Over the top of the vinyl we are planning on having wisteria, so once it starts growing it won't be easy to replace the roofing if I have to.
Love the idea for the lighting, too. That makes tons of sense. I've got my PVC piping all together now, so will spend the morning tomorrow burying the lines so I can to work on the actual construction. I was a carpenter for years before I worked on computers, so I'm really looking forward to putting my belt back on.
As far as your other (not so sucky) ideas...won't have a fridge out there, the real kitchen is close enough. Maybe in long term but not now. I don't want any screening..I'm so mobile when I cook that I hate being restricted to certain entrance points. I'm planning on using the 6x4's and stainless. Both good thoughts. Everything is gonna be screwed, lagged, and anchored. Living in hurricane country, nails are pretty useless.

captmojo wrote:Unsolicited advice follows...

When building a pergola,
That Sun beating down without proper shading can get mighty rough.

Radiant Barrier Insulation under the roof can/will drop the temperature under the roof at least 10 degrees, maybe closer to 20. It's like you built your kitchen under a really big, dense shade tree! I know where you can get a good deal on some We'll have a cool cover for one of our tents this fall! http://shiningarmorinsulation.com/index ... 6c&TEXT_1=

Glad to be of...help? Glad not to be so...sucky?