Back Yard
A Place for Everything
A Saturday-morning idea, six matching pavers and one more little corner of the backyard finally looks finished.
We love to grill here at 173. But, let's be clear - when I say we love to grill, I don't mean we love it in the way Texans love it. Beef Loving Texans writes, "It’s always grilling season in Texas. We’re the lucky ones who smoke up our backyards year ’round and never have to dust off the grill come springtime." A quick flip through the channels on a Saturday morning will show you no less than a couple grilling shows set in Texas! But here at 173, we just love the flavor of the food that comes off the grill every week or two during the summer. We don't grill a lot, but when we do, it's really something special. Anyway, this is the story of the Saturday morning I woke up and decided it was time to put some pavers down to more clearly define the space where the grill rests during the summer. Let's get into it...
The Grill's Longtime Home
Who knows how some things come to be but, the northwest corner of the back yard has always been the home of the grill here at 173. This is evidenced by the old Weber grill in this very early picture of the back yard...
And that corner continued to be home to the grill even after the original fence replacement in 2001.
Looking at these old pictures, I hadn't really appreciated how long this particular corner had been the grilling spot. Grills have changed, the fence has changed, and the yard certainly looks different, but apparently some decisions around here get made once and never need to be reconsidered. The northwest corner belongs to the grill.
Six Pavers Make a Grill Pad
This just happened to be another one of those moments where I got started on a project, got carried away and forgot to take before - or even progress pictures. So, we flip from the very beginning of the idea to ... done!
As you can see, it's only six blocks and I used the same style as was used under the garden bench and the potting bench... you know - a little cohesiveness!
Funny thing is, none of these little paver spots were ever part of some grand landscaping plan. One went under the garden bench because the grass wouldn't grow there, another eventually ended up beneath the potting bench, and now the grill has its own.
Somewhere along the way, without really planning it, repeating the same pavers started tying these different little corners of the yard together.
Sometimes a design plan apparently works just as well when you don't have one.
Wouldn't you agree that putting the pavers there as a place to keep the grill during grilling season looks a lot tidier than without the pavers?
A theatrical spectacle is inherent whenever family members congregate and reacquaint themselves with powerful universal themes educed from homecomings including hugs, food, drink, conversation, politics, games, music, conflict, terror, mercy, smiles, tears, prayers, misfortune, and self-discovery. - Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls
Will Pavers Help the Grill Last Longer?
And finally, I tend to think that having the grill resting on some pavers rather than the grass all summer long, coupled with being covered and being stored in the shed during the winter has extended, the life of our grill considerably. As a matter of fact, I think we've had this grill probably a good 15, maybe even 20 years now and it's still in excellent condition.
The only thing we've done to it besides changing propane canisters, is we replaced the heat deflector that sits just above the flames. We change that out maybe nine years ago. Aside from that, the frill's lasted quite awhile and I think this little paver spot contributes to that!
So that's the story of the six little pavers for the grill spot in the back yard here at 173.
Six pavers. That's it. Certainly not the most ambitious project ever undertaken at 173, but every time I look over and see the grill sitting neatly in its little spot, I'm ridiculously pleased with it.
Sometimes that's enough.
Thank you so much for stopping by and hey ... see ya' next time!
I've got a small yard and a grill too, so I completely understand this project. When space is tight, even the grill needs its own assigned parking spot.Six pavers, a couple hours, done. No plans, no lumber run, and no explaining to the wife why the backyard is torn apart for the third weekend in a row. That's my kind of project.I've done the same thing in my yard, fix one little corner, like how it looks, then repeat it somewhere else. Ten years later you realize you apparently had a landscaping plan all along.And twenty years out of that grill? Leave everything alone.Those six pavers are clearly magic. - A Small Yard Griller
Frequently Asked Questions
Why put pavers underneath a backyard grill?
Pavers provide a firm, level surface and keep the grill off grass and soil. They can also make the grilling area look more intentional and prevent the wheels or legs of the grill from sinking into soft ground.
How large does a paver pad for a grill need to be?
It depends on the size and type of grill. The pad should comfortably accommodate the entire grill while leaving it stable during use. Any required safety clearances from combustible materials should be determined separately according to the grill manufacturer's specifications.
Do you need a full patio for a grill?
Not necessarily. If you simply want a stable place to park a grill, a small paver pad may be enough. At House 173, six pavers were sufficient to define the grill's longtime location without constructing an entire patio.
Can keeping a grill off the grass help it last longer?
It can help reduce prolonged contact with wet grass, mud and soil around the base of the grill. Keeping the grill covered and storing it out of the weather during winter are likely even more important factors in extending its life.
Keywords
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