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Landscape Design Electrical Wiring Design Dilemma

Where to locate electrical outlets on outdoor BBQ island

2 years ago

Hi I'm getting a ten foot long outdoor island (a 10' x 30" rectangle) with a gas grill in the center. Nothing else in it aside from the usual double doors under the grill to access the gas so I can make it look nicer on the front and have a lot of countertop space for cooking or laying out takeout food. Is there a standard place or way to put electrical outlets on an outdoor island?

The island is along the edge of a concrete patio with a rocky area for drainage behind it. I was thinking about putting two electrical outlets on the island in case I wanted appliances on the counter, an appliance beside the island (ex. temporarily relocating my under desk mini fridge for a rare large party), and for future proofing (ex. get a grill one day that requires electricity like say a pellet grill). I don't want the popup countertop outlets because it's pretty uninterrupted granite and there's no cover so rain, spills, etc would go right into the outlet.

The outdoor outlets I've seen looks pretty hideous, so I was thinking about putting them on the back side of the island close to each of the ends so I can can just reach around from the concrete patio and plug things in. That way all the cords hang behind out of sight and are far away from the grill in the center. Is there a better or standard way to do it?

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Comments (5)

mtvhike
2 years ago
I assume this not against a wall, so could you put one on the back?
Sulan Dun thanked mtvhike
Ron Natalie
2 years ago
First question, is there a sink?

My outdoor kitchen has outlets along the front of the cabinets between the doors. You're obliged to use in-use covers on these things. Putting them on the back side is fine as long as you can get to them.
Sulan Dun thanked Ron Natalie
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“Which means it does not apply everywhere, unless in force by municipal choice. That is most likely why I hadn't heard about outlet requirements in islands. It is not required where I am located.” The reason for this Code requirement is so that when someone uses a coffee pot, blender, mixer, or any other counter appliance on the island, she is not plugging it in by stretching the electrical cord across the aisle to a backsplash outlet many feet away. The scenario Joseph Corlett mentioned is the least worrisome. More concerning are (1) someone walking through the aisle and not noticing the cord and tripping on it, (2) not seeing the cord across the aisle and running into it and pulling on it, causing it to short, and (3) an electrical short from @Sherry Brighton stretching the electrical cord across the aisle, starting the blender, and having the stretched and vibrating cord spark. If your contractor tells you local Code says you don’t need receptacles in an island - and even the worst crappy contractors will not say that, because even they have some standards - then you better find another contractor.
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Hey. hey, let's stop dissing each other, we're all just trying to help. Verbo, why do you think the aisles are too narrow, I don't even see a dimension listed. If you can easily get down the aisle with the drawers pulled out, that's wide enough. Regarding where to place the receptacles, in addition to code requirements, you should consider usage. In my kitchen, there is a quad outlet at the end of the counter where the appliances which are always plugged in - coffee maker, coffee bean grinder, and tea water boiler. Other receptacles should be placed near where you might be using other countertop appliances (blender, mixer, etc.) Especially for these, mount them so the appliances are easy to plug in, not hidden somewhere.
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Fori
2 years ago
I think your plan is good.

There may be code requirements to meet. I'd find out about that first and go from there.
Sulan Dun thanked Fori
Sulan Dun
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks everyone! There is no sink. And the island is not against a wall. I imagine my contractor will be hiring an electrician, so it should be to code.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
To code might not be what you are wanting where they are visible. I need to see the plan there is no way to answer this without one. I have elcetrical lower on the wall for my outdoor kitchen I use them for a blender and spot for any other appliance I might need . We have a huge grill and a smoker and 3 burner stove in ours and honestly other than the blender I never use a plug. Lighting fo the space is a huge deal we have seating along one side but honestly usually everyone just mingles like a big cocktail party . Our kitchen is U shaped to hold everything . It is right outside my kitchen and someday I would like an out door fridge but right now it functions well for our life. We have an ice maker inside so just big buckets of ice for drinks. My hubby does competion BBQ so hence the smoker We have a huge outdoor seating space on one side and a large dining space on the other . There are drawers for my outdoor glassware and dishes I do bring those in for the winter A bit of planning is really needed for these outdoor kitchens to make sure you have what you need but be practical. Do you have gas there ? I have never seen an electric pellet grill what is the advantage ? I have 2 side burners on my grill that I do love but with the 3 burnwer stove not really a neccessitity

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