Concrete Countertops For Outdoor Kitchens

Backyard kitchens with sinks, bars, and cooking surfaces that allow everyone to enjoy being around a central area, is trending in the industry.  Concrete countertops naturally are the best materials option for these areas because it's both decorative and functional for cooking and entertaining guests.  There is a myriad of design options, flexibility, and most importantly, ease of maintenance which makes it attractive to homeowners that don't want to spend more time cleaning up after the party.  Below, we have a number of tips for a cast concrete countertop finish.
Where To Put The Outdoor Kitchen?
This step is crucial in designing an outdoor kitchen to maximize convenience and fun.  These tips will help you make the right decision.
Views:  Taking into consideration the views from different aspects will enhance the enjoyment of the space.

• Views when standing or sitting at the counters.
• Views from the house and rooms facing the yard.
• Chef's view - the most important aspect.
• Use natural landscaping to screen views with shrubs, hedges, and trees to provide privacy while respecting your neighbors.

Proximity to the house: Keeping your outdoor kitchen close to the house will save you time.

• Keep it closer to the indoor kitchen - It's no fun if you're cooking at the grill by yourself, so by keeping it close to where your guests are, you won't mind slaving over the BBQ.
• Long trips back and forth to get food prepped inside can become a major annoyance over time.  Also, forgetting little things can add to the irritation and take away from your enjoyment.  Making sure this isn't an issue will go a long way.

Wind: Smoke blows downwind of the grill. Be a good neighbor and plan accordingly.

• Most yards have a prevailing wind pattern so this should be taken into consideration where the smoke will go.
• Ho close to windows, doors, and balconies?
• The dining patio should be upwind of the cooking area.

Sun and Shade: Placing it under existing shade or building out shade will make it comfortable to be outdoors for longer periods.

• Natural shade from trees and vines offer the best cover.  They also evaporate moisture to cool themselves creating a natural misting system.
• Shade trellis is an option just take into account angles for the sun at different times of the day.
• Umbrella stands are a cheap and flexible option for shade cover where ever is needed.

Access To Utilities: Gas and electric lines may play a part in choosing the ultimate location of your grilling center.

Designing An Outdoor Kitchen
Making the backyard area into another living space is a growing trend in landscape and hardscape design. In the past, this was just an area for the BBQ grill but now is growing in size and functionality as it becomes the main focal area of the backyard. Outdoor kitchens are now more elaborate and sophisticated extensions of the indoor kitchen to meet the entertaining and dining needs of the homeowner.  We will go over some of the design parameters.
Entertaining needs: These questions will help you size the counter.

• How big are the typical parties?
• How often do you grill?
• Will there be additional space needed for a caterer or bartender?
• How many people do you entertain on a regular basis outdoors?

Configuration

• Do you want the counter built at one height or create a split level counter with a portion of the counter at bar height? 
• How many people do you want to be able to have at the bar counter?

Placement

• What is the best area in the backyard?
• Which direction is the wind usually blowing from?
• What are the sun and shade angles in the yard ?