• Always use a grill outside in an open area away from the house.
• Don’t store a propane tank in an enclosed area.
• Come straight home after having a tank filled and remove it from the car immediately.
• Don’t use a tank that is dented, rusted, or otherwise damaged.
• Never buy or accept an exhanged tank if the brass valve has turned a blue or green color.
• Turn off the burners and close the cylinder valve after each use.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand, or garden hose handy in case of fire.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.

Outdoor kitchens have been rapidly gaining in popularity, which should come as no surprise. Seems like it gets harder to gather the family around the dinner table at night, but when you’re talking about a barbecue, the “whole fam damily” likes to show up! Even if you think an outdoor kitchen is too far from your budget, you may be surprised at just how affordable it can be. The key is really in the basics. If you have an existing patio or deck, you’re over halfway there. All it really takes to have an outdoor kitchen is a grill and a storage area for the cooking accessories you need. Many manufacturers provide that in a single unit for as low as $299. Of course, there are many options to consider, if you have a larger budget, which are some of the things I’ll mention here.

Location, Location, Location

Again, if you already have an area, such as a concrete patio or deck, the cost is minimal to set up a nice outdoor kitchen. A word of caution, though, if you are setting up on an existing deck. Be sure to have a professional look at the structural soundness of the deck before adding the extra weight of a large outdoor kitchen. You may need to add some extra bracing first.

The important thing to keep in mind is that wherever you have the grilling station, you want to make sure there are no combustible surfaces next to the grill. Fire plus wood equals more fire! But don’t consider only wood surfaces. Don’t make the mistake I’ve seen more times than I can remember of placing your grill next to an area covered in vinyl siding. A hot grill may not start a fire there, but it will literally melt the siding, then you have a huge mess and will be spending a lot more money to remove and replace siding.

If you are opting for a gas grill, you’ll want to locate your kitchen near a gas line, or where one can be easily installed. Also, you’ll want to provide ample cover for the cook in the event of bad weather and proper outdoor lighting.

Build-It-Yourself

If you create your own type of cabinets for storage, you want to be sure and consider how much they will be affected by the elements. I have built many small outdoor kitchen areas using treated lumber. You can also sheathe the area with a cement fiber backer board and install a tile or stone surface over it. A very nice stainless steel drop-in grill can be purchased for around $700, like this Charmglow available at The Home Depot. The countertop also needs to be weatherproof. Granite, tile, solid surface, stainless steel and even concrete can be used successfully. If you make the countertop area large enough for the eating area, too, then you create a fantastic social spot all centered around the grill. Barstools complete the look, but, again, keep the weather in mind when choosing the stools.

Sinks and Refrigerators

What is a kitchen without a refrigerator? New models have been designed strictly for outdoor use. In almost every instance, you want a good stainless steel model. These refrigerators aren’t going to be the full size units, but rather an under the counter style. Make sure the unit you choose is rated for outdoor use. Having a refrigerator outside will save countless of trips back and forth from the grill to the inside kitchen. For security, most of these models come with a lock, so you can keep items safely stored year-round.

A sink is another option well-worth considering. Simple things like rinsing food, adding water to sauces and even washing hands can be so convenient when a sink is right there instead of having to go onside or use a water hose. However, you want to make sure and check out what your local building codes are in relation to adding a sink.

Ready-To-Grill Modules

If you aren’t comfortable with building your own outdoor kitchen, there are some great alternatives in modular units that you simply put in place and fire up the grill. Grills, by nature, are meant for outdoor use, but you don’t want to buy the $39 special at the local five and dime. This is a true investment. Most grills will have a cooking area anywhere from 15 to 26 inches deep and up to four feet wide. The decision that first comes up with grills, though, is whether or not to have a charcoal grill or one that operates on gas (natural or LP). You could even opt for a wood smoker, although they are more difficult to provide a regimented cooking schedule.

Stainless steel is the most popular choice among true outdoor grilling connoisseurs. Some of the newer models are even coming out with bright colors and even a wood grain embossed on the stainless steel. You can also add options, such as a side burner to use for sauces or other dishes.

Of course, you can be just as elaborate as you can be simple. Here is a nice set-up from Sam’s Club.

This barbecue grill features three main burners, one infrared burner, one side burner, motorized rotisserie, heavy-duty grill cover and removable icebox. Best of all is the price. Sam’s Club delivers this model for $799 and you can get it in a natural gas or LP model.

For the Cadillac or even Maserati of the line, check out the stainless steel modular units like these from Viking. Because the units are modular, you can pick and choose the style of your outdoor kitchen to include everything from the grill to refrigeration to a refreshment center.

Finally, as a bonus, you’re not only creating a spot for family and friends to gather and enjoy good food and company. I mentioned earlier that this is an investment. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has determined that adding an outdoor kitchen will add value to your home, so you’re getting a return on your investment if you ever decide to sell. In fact, the return on your dollar can be as much as 130%.

Watch the segment on CBS The Early Show’s website.

Outside Projects

Spring Cleaning doesn’t have to stop at the front door. In fact, you should probably clean the front door along with the rest of your home’s exterior. Dirt, grime, mold and mildew build up on the outside of our homes, and spring is the perfect time to clean them off. Cleaning is important not only for aesthetic reasons but also to maintain the integrity of the materials on your home.

Pressure Washer

The easiest way to approach this job is with a pressure washer . As the name implies this tool generates exceptionally high pressure water to blast away dirt. Though scrubbing is not required it is a good idea to use a detergent to speed up the process. A number of these products are available at home centers. It’s important to make sure the cleaner you choose is designed for use in a pressure washer, if that’s how you plan to apply it, and that it’s intended for the type of surface you’ll be cleaning. There are a number of cleaners for specific applications like siding, decks or masonry surfaces. Whether you buy ($200 to $600) or rent (about $50 per day) a pressure washer, be sure you know its strength and your limitations before you begin work. These tools can quickly do a lot of damage if they aren’t handled properly.

Barbecue Grill

Spring also means that the barbecue grill starts to heat up more often. Before you put on the first steak or batch of burgers give your grill its own spring cleaning. If it’s a charcoal unit, the process is fairly simple. A gas grill will be a bit more involved, but the cooking grate is a good place to start for both types. A wire brush and a degreasing detergent will remove the residue from the last cookout and any rust that occurred during the winter. The burners on a gas unit should be cleaned and inspected for deterioration brought on by rust. The tiny holes in the burners should be clean and free of debris. If necessary, use a small piece of wire to clean them out. The bottom of the grill pan itself catches most of the grease (gas or charcoal) so more wire brushing and detergent are needed here. You may find that the outer surface of your grill is in need of paint. If so, prepare it properly by lightly sanding the surface and washing thoroughly to remove all grease. After it’s totally dry, coat it with a high heat spray paint (often called barbecue and stove enamel).

Gutters

Another outside area that needs our attention is the gutters. Those fall leaves have to come out so the spring rain runoff can get through. Here are a couple of tips to make that easier: Create a custom gutter scoop by cutting down a plastic container (like an antifreeze jug). Keep the jug handle and top and cut away the bottom diagonally. The resulting scoop is just the right width for your gutters. To rinse out gutters without leaving the ground build a U-shaped spray handle from a length of PVC pipe (3/4″ works best) and several couplings. On one end of the pipe glue a female garden hose fitting then use two 90° elbow fittings to create the U-shape and get the water into the gutters.

Inside Projects

Filters

If your home has an air conditioner you’re about to put it to work, so have a pro check it out before the weather heats up too much. Small problems with air conditioners can be aggravated by excessive use, so you’ll not only save the hassle of trying to get an AC guy on a 90° day, but you may save some money as well. While hiring a pro is a good idea, there are a few things you can do yourself. One of the easiest, and yet most overlooked, is changing your return air filter. If allergies are part of your springtime experience you’ll want to consider using something more than a simple fiberglass filter. Some of the new pleated air filters actually catch the microscopic contaminants that cause problems for people with allergies and asthma. These filters also allow you to go 2 to 3 months between changes instead of every month.

Thermostat

Once that air conditioner stars running regularly you’ll be looking for ways to control your power bill. One great way is to install a programmable setback thermostat. This unit replaces your existing thermostat by simply re-connecting a few wires. The advantage is that you can program the system to raise the temperature while you’re away from home and then lower it again just before you return home. Most can be set up with different programs for all seven days of the week and can be overridden with a manual switch.

Sealing

Once you get that air in the house cool you want to keep it there. Sealing up air leaks around your home will keep you more comfortable and keep your energy bill lower. Caulk is your chief weapon here. Seal all cracks around windows and doors and anywhere air can pass from the inside to the outside or vice versa. Weather-stripping is a must around doorways (including the one leading into your attic) and there are tons of styles to choose from. The real test is to close the door on a sunny day and look at it from the inside. If you see light getting around the door then you know the air is too.

• Remove the leaves, debris and stagnant water.
• Spray out as much gunk as possible with a garden hose.
• Mix up a mild bleach solution and use a stiff scrub brush to clean the bath (this will kill the algae and remove the stains it leaves behind).
• Thoroughly rinse the bath out with clean, fresh water.
• Finally drop several copper pennies into the refilled bath to prevent future algae growth (the chemical reaction between copper and water stops algae growth).