Including Your Gas Grill In Your Landscape
Feb 25th, 2009 by tommy
With summer just around the corner it’s time to start thinking about gardening, picnics, and grilling. Just as baseball and apple pie are truly American, cooking food on the grill seems to be a right of passage each summer. If you are considering purchasing a new grill this season, you might want to start thinking about how to fit it into your overall landscape.
Gas grills are the new mainstays for cooking outdoors. Fast even heat, electronic ignitions, and no messy charcoal are just a few of the benefits making gas grills so popular. They come in many shapes, sizes, and brands (Weber, etc.). Tabletop models, which run on propane cylinders, are the smallest versions. Typically, the largest gas grills on the market are built-in models that slide into place in elaborate outdoor kitchens.
Obviously, if you choose one of the smaller models, your landscape won’t be affected greatly by the new addition. However, it has been my experience that even the most modest gas grill needs a proper location not only for aesthetic reasons but also to prevent damage to the appliance.
Here are a few options for placing a new gas grill into your overall landscape.
Existing Patio – If you have a patio or deck then you have a great location already available for your gas grill. Simply make room for the new grill, maybe add some potted or hanging plants nearby, and your work is complete.
New Patio – Another great option for your gas grill is to construct a new patio. This has been the solution for our home. We have installed a concrete walkway leading to a small 10′ x 7′ pad where the grill resides. New flower beds lining the walk and pad really make grilling a treat for the senses.
Driveway – I agree that this option is neither original nor particularly exciting. It is one of the simplest (and least expensive) options available. Most gas grills have wheels or casters on the base for ease of movement. A gas grill on the driveway can be easily placed in whatever location is most convenient for that particular day.
Always consider using a cover for your gas grill when not in use. This valuable piece of protective equipment will help keep your grill sheltered from the elements. Covers come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Be sure to pick one that will compliment your landscape.
Summer is about spending time with friends, getting out in the garden, and, of course, grilling. Whatever method you choose to incorporate your gas grill into your landscape should be convenient and easy to maintain. After all, the quicker you can start grilling this season the more fun those summer evenings will be!
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Those are good ideas tommy. I have a gas grill on a pad below my porch that I made from patio pavers, but in the winter I move it up on to the porch so it is closer for the ocasional winter time steak.
I do keep it covered , but find the cover awful hard and brittle when temperatures are real cold. I am ashamed to say that I can’t go all winter without grilling steaks, so I love my gas grill. It’s easy to start and you don’t have to stand over it. I just throw the steaks on and run in the house until it’s time to flip em over.
I never thought of this but I am sure glad that you did. Grills are certainly not objects of great beauty but almost everyone has one so they should be incorporated into the garden design. I have an herb garden near the house and I think I will locate my grill area there so I can grill with herbs at my fingertips. Thanks for the inspiration.