Patio poured-the search for a cooker has begun.

[Jim White]

Roll-around... I am thinking of buying a stainless table or two to use as counter space.

A great source for stainless steel tables is webrestaurantstore.com

When I did my new outdoor space, the two cookers I chose came with their own carts, but I chose to do stainless tables the appropriate size, with casters. Fortunately, I have a helper who has a good contact at a machine shop, so we cut the legs to a custom length for the cooking height I wanted.

I also wanted an extra surface that can double as a bar or as buffet serving. We put it on casters, too:



It normally lives against an outer wall, but here it is moved around for serving when we had my wife's students over:



WebRestaurantStore sells several grades of stainless tables. I went with the higher grade since Florida heat and humidity are rough on surfaces of all types. With California dry air, you could possibly get away with saving a few bucks if you don't plan to put heavy loads on the lower grades.

My next wish list item will be some barstools that can sit at that versatile table.

[Jim White]

Carolyn Yes, if you poke around enough on the site, virtually all of the tables can be ordered already cut to a lower height. Be sure to allow for the height of the casters if you go that route. I will be happy to DM some precise measurements for you when you're ready to order if you'd like.

[Carolyn]

Jim White Thank you so much.

[DaveD]

Damn, that's a fine space there Jim!!

[rlozinak]

Congrats on the new patio! Have fun shopping for a new grill

[Carolyn]

Thank you. I hope I don't analyze them to death like I usually do.

[Richard Chrz]

I love following these. Congrats on starting it!

[Carolyn]

Thank you. I'll post some images as they complete things. They are pouring the curbs for the grass right now.

[WayneT]

That’s a nice sized footprint. i can’t wait to see the process and final result. I also think a kettle is a must in any serious smoker’s arsenal.

[Carolyn]

Thank you. I'll be posting some progress pics since people are interested.

[HawkerXP]

Lookin good!

[Carolyn]

Thanks. I am really happy with it. Can't wait to start cooking out there.

[Carolyn]

Why wait to enjoy the yard? I plugged in the boom-box outside and ate lunch on the concrete.
The curb for the grass as been poured, and the dogs seem to be enjoying the yard
already.

[DaveD]

Those are clearly some professional, experienced dogs right there! Doggin' it big time!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Suggest starting with a pavilion from Costco...that is a great space!

This will be fun

[Carolyn]

Thank you, and thanks for the suggestion.

[Carolyn]

I never cared for the dirt brown block wall. Should I paint it to match the fence or another color?

[jfmorris]

I would match the fence. Or get artistic and paint a huge mural landscape…. Haha. Be sure to put one of those tunnels in it that Wiley Coyote used to paint for the Roadrunner….

[Carolyn]

jfmorris My type of humor. I'd be tempted to put the tunnel or a silhouette of Wylie Coyote running into the wall.

[Bogy]

It looks like a great start. I agree with others that the space looks plenty spacious for 3 or 4 cookers. You don't need to buy them all at once, but a charcoal cooker, gas grill and griddle make a nice assortment. A barrel cooker, Bronco or PBC, don't take up much room, but do a great job. For gas I like my Weber Genesis, but like my Blaze even more. Especially with the sear burner. It helped that Amazing Ribs gave me mine.

[Carolyn]

I looked at a Weber Genesis today and was comparing it to the Napoleon. The Genesis is a tank in comparison and has nicer casters and grates.
I have been considering a Blaze. They are from my home town area. A friend of mine has one and really enjoys it.
What specifically do you like better about the Blaze other than the sear burner?

[Bogy]

My Genesis is about 8 years old now, and is still working fine. Far different than other less expensive gas grills I had in the past. But it also means my info on the Genesis is dated. I expect the Blaze to have the same kind of reliability. The Blaze has dividers between the burners which helps with non direct grilling. It does not have all the bells & whistles that some grill have, but I see that as a plus. Less to go wrong. It's constructed of high grade SS.

[jfmorris]

Carolyn I had a 2002 Genesis 2 burner that is still going strong at my daughters house. For durability and warranty I feel they are great. The newer ones have sear burners, but probably not as good as the Blaze.

[FireMan]

Looks like more than half yer yard. Rill nice. Now which cooker do you need us to help you with?

[Carolyn]

Thanks. Yes, it is a lot of concrete, which I am quite happy about. Although, I was looking at it today and thinking, "Man, that is a lot of stepping stones."

I am open to suggestions on cookers. I will probably start with a gas grill since it is what I know. I looked at a few Napoleons today. They were in stock at a Lowes in Orange county. The Weber Genesis was like a tank in comparison.

I would like learn something other than just grilling burgers and some chicken pieces.

[FireMan]

Love my Napoleon. Well, maybe not love, I mean it is an inanimate object and………let’s say I really like it. You won’t go wrong with one at all.

[Carolyn]

The plants are being delivered.

[Smoker_Boy]

My wife is jealous of your climate.

[jfmorris]

Carolyn Did you ever decide on a new grill for that expansive patio space?

[Carolyn]

No, I haven't. I need to decide because most of the yard is done.

[Carolyn]

Welp, I guess an update is past due. Turf installed, fence up, plants planted....still some more to do.
Still considering cookers for the patio.
We aren't putting up any kind of cover this year. Maybe next year after we recover some financially.

[RonB]

That's a great lookin' space. I'm sure you will get a lot of joy out of it.

[Carolyn]

RonB Thank you.

[Mosca]

Wow, sunny California!

[Draznnl]

That looks great. And plenty of room for a nice gasser, a kettle and a pellet smoker to start. 😁😁🙄

[Carolyn]

Thank you. Yeah, I keep hearing that I can fit at least 3 cookers on that patio. 🤔😆

[DVal]

I recently bought the Weber summit kamado and I am a BIG fan. It can do everything a kamado joe can do, and anything a kettle can do. I've had both and this is easily worth the money. It occasionally drops below 900 if you can find the right sale. I also second the idea to get a griddle. They're awesome! Id start with an inexpensive Blackstone to make sure you like it. Those two cookers will help you prepare just about any meals outdoors.

[Carolyn]

Thanks for the recommendations. I would love to have a griddle or even a griddle insert on a cooker.