The weather is slowly beginning to warm up (more slowly in some places than in others, but it’s getting there!) and for a lot of people, that means one thing - the start of grilling season! Whether you’re the friend that always hosts giant outdoor parties at their house, or you’re just looking forward to sitting the family down outside for dinner, grilling season is always fun but can take a little preparation. If you’re willing to finally brave the outdoors and get those steaks and burgers going, here’s a couple ideas we’ve found along the way to get your outdoor kitchen ready to get cookin’! Figure out where it’s going. The first step, as always, is to figure out just where it’s going. You’ve got a couple options here (just so long as they’re outside - don’t need any of that grill smoke in an enclosed area), but the best places to look are those that can maximize your “kitchen” space. Find a hard, level surface for the grill to sit on, and give yourself plenty of space to either side. If you’ve got a corner of the backyard up against the garage or house, setting your grill up there is a good way to make the most of your room and keep it out of the way of anything else you have in the backyard. Give yourself plenty of work surface. One of the most common issues people have with grilling is that sometimes there just isn’t enough room for everything. A good way to avoid constant trips back inside to grab ingredients or set something down is to get some room to work and keep it right nearby your grill. Kitchen carts are an easy way to hang onto ingredients and supplies while you’re cooking, and can double as an easily mobile way to get everyone’s food back over to them. Barring that, some outdoor wire shelving can also come in handy as a place to keep ingredients, plates, and the bigger stuff you’re going to need when cooking. Let there be light! Speaking from personal experience, a lot of grilling parties tend to go well into the wee hours of the night. You’re going to want to make sure you have plenty of outdoor lights to keep things visible, and make sure to keep a few close to the grill - you’re going to need to see what you’re cooking, after all! Bring a sink with you. This one will be a slightly bigger job, but if you have the room (and the requisite water hookups) then having a sink outside for your outdoor kitchen could be a game-changer. Even just a simple wash basin with a faucet can give you the opportunity to wash vegetables, clean your spatula, or even rinse off some plates when you’re done - just remember to take them back inside! Get creative with the grill. Not every barbecue has to be done on the same charcoal grill your grandpa gave you. If your backyard is big enough to support a fire pit, setting some grills across the top is a great way to both save space (by not having to bring a separate grill outside) and change the vibe of your next barbecue. Don’t forget the furniture. In your rush to create the perfect outdoor kitchen, you don’t want to neglect the rest of the backyard - particularly the furniture! Wherever you wind up putting your grill, make sure you have plenty of patio furniture for everyone to sit on, and don’t forget a table for your guests to eat at. You’ve still got a little time to prepare before grill season is in full swing, so follow these tips and you should be all set when it’s time for the coals to get hot!