6 Outdoor BBQ Ideas for the Spring and Summer Seasons

Everyone loves a good barbecue, as Will Smith so eloquently said in the movie ‘Independence Day’: “I could’ve been at a barbecue!” If you're like Will Smith, you'll love our outdoor bbq ideas!

Summer is the time to be outside, enjoying the wonders of the great outdoors and barbecuing meals on the grill with family and friends.

Can you picture it now? I’ll set the scene…

The charcoal is burning and smoke starts to emerge from the grill. You open your beverage and the *crack* of that drink breaks through the sounds of the snapping fire.

Tongs slap some seasoned steak on the barbecue and immediately the smell of sizzling meat slices through the air. The kids are playing, the sun is shining, and that drink is so delicious.

Want a quick and easy way to build an outdoor kitchen? Check out our Outdoor Kitchen Kits Ultimate Guide!

How’s that sound? Good? If so, keep reading! You’ll soon have a personalized outdoor barbecue grill.

Outdoor Counter Space

Summer means being outside and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. What better way to do this than by bringing your kitchen outdoors?

Installing a sink and having some spare countertop space might be a way to make sure you can stay outside without having to shuffle between indoors and outdoors. Your home will be cleaner without all the mud and dirt that you bring in – and you’ll be able to keep it bug-free!

Counter space is essential for making sure you have enough room for all the food and drinks you’ll be providing for your guests! You can always use collapsable tables for extra space. Add some color to your outdoor counters with a tablecloth and you’re good to go!

Keep in mind that too much counter space will take away from your outdoor patio. With little space, people won’t be able to walk around and enjoy their time. So, be sure to strike a nice balance between space and mobility.

Keep That Beer Cold!

Sure, you’ve got counter space and a sink, but what happens when you want a beer? Consider adding a refrigerator or mini-fridge for some tasty beverages.

Take the photo above, for example. There’s a built-in mini-fridge on the right where you can store cold drinks and other refreshments you may want to keep cool while you’re barbecuing.

Also, all “outdoor kitchens” don’t need to be in the open. In this enclosed patio, you’re right next to the door. It’s really easy to go in and out as needed.

Here are some of our favorite ideas to store your cold drinks:

• Built-in mini-fridge
• Free-standing mini-fridge
• Portable cooler
• Full-sized stainless steel fridge for the avid barbecuers

Venting the Grill Stations

Many barbecues are in open, warmer areas but for BBQ grill stations in cold weather climates, you’ll likely want a roof. Your BBQ grill will likely be under the roof. In this case, you’ll want an outdoor-rated range hood.

While outdoors, smoke from barbecuing meats will spread rapidly and change direction based on the wind. Heavy contact with smoke and greasy, dirty air can discolor your outdoor space and cause damage that will require repairs.

So, an outdoor range hood is essential. It has tremendous power and is one of the best options for barbecue lovers! It will suck the smoke up and keep your ceiling and walls clean from unwanted toxins.

Proline’s outdoor range hoods are manufactured in 304 stainless steel, which is built to handle the intense heat of your BBQ grills and outdoor ranges. They will last you years.

Bananas for Bars of Bahama Mamas

With your own outdoor bar, you’ll surely be the entertainer of the summer. Create your own little bar for serving drinks to your friends, family, and neighbors who stop by. Check one out in the patio below!

Be sure to make space for family and friends to gather, too! Outdoor couches and other furniture will make your space more comfortable for family and guests, creating comfort for all. Bring the comforts of the indoors to the outdoors!

Just check out all the cool features in the above photo: the colorful design on the pillows, the sunflowers on the table, and best of all, the multi-color outdoor bar!

You have countless ways to personalize your outdoor space, big or small. Start brainstorming some ideas!

But before you make that list...are you hungry for more ideas on how to make your outdoor patio space inviting and fun? Check out our Pinterest board!

Can You Barbecue a Pizza?

Yes, you totally can – in a brick oven! Consider building an old-fashioned brick oven for pizza and other baked dinners in your backyard.

Think about how great a brick oven will be in your outdoor kitchens. Pizza ovens produce a ton of heat, so simply having the oven installed in your backyard will improve the air quality and keep your appliances and outdoor furniture stain-free.

Not to mention that, in an enclosed room, it will get really hot! Install the oven outside to help regulate the temperature in your kitchen!

Make sure that you build the oven away from the main patio area, so that you won’t be in everyone’s way while cooking.

You’ll have the best pizza in the neighborhood in no time. Check out these pins of brick ovens in backyards for some more design ideas. Alright, go get started on your delicious pizza!

Outdoor BBQ Ideas - What do you serve at a backyard BBQ?

I’m sure we can all agree that outdoor cooking isn’t fun without delicious food!

Not sure what to barbecue? Check out our list. We can’t wait for summer!

• Hamburgers
• Hotdogs
• Ribs
• Veggie Burgers
• Chicken
• Steak
• Kebabs
• Roasted Peppers

You can see that this list has ideas for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. Before you host a big get-together in your backyard, make sure that you ask everyone about their dietary restrictions and preferences!

Yawning Under the Awning

Nothing screams summer like a lovely picnic lunch under an awning, right? Typically warm weather climates are best suited for awnings since it’s warm year-round.

They are a great way to spice up your outdoor kitchen and keep your house cool.

A shaded space in your backyard will be a huge hit. People who burn easily under the sun or who just want a break from the heat can enjoy the cool shade along with your delicious food.

Add some outdoor furniture and a cooler with ice-cold drinks to keep everyone refreshed and hydrated!

There are so many ways to customize your outdoor kitchen and patio. It can be an incredibly fun and rewarding project! Stay tuned for more design inspiration and check out our outdoor kitchen Pinterest board.