Author: Beckers

Randy Beckwith here. I’m thankfully retired. But, my career included graphic designer, copy writer and marketing professional. Now I live with my wife in Roanoke, Virginia enjoying time relaxing on our patio that was a necessary addition to our home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I love to cook fun, simple but tasty food. When enjoying an adult beverage on the patio it’s usually a vodka martini. And I do simple DIY projects to enhance our home and outdoors. We’ve had great fun building an outdoor living space on a “reserved” budget and want to share our experience with anyone who wants the same without breaking the bank. I hope you enjoy reading our blog. And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!

Potato Salad — Classic Summer Food

If you were asked to quickly name some classic summer foods, you’d probably say hamburgers and hot dogs, then name some other grilled meat. But very near the top of your list you’d probably say “potato salad”. And you’d be spot-on! What’s a summer meal on the patio without potato salad? Wrong, that’s what it is!

Now, much like barbecue ribs, I’ve learned that how people make potato salad can be very personal. Almost everyone has a specific recipe for potato salad, some with unique ingredients, and the maker can be unyielding to any variations. I’m good with that. We want to enjoy what we like, right? Sure. But I like simple things. So I don’t mean to be persnickety, but it’s called potato salad. Perhaps only a few simple ingredients are necessary. Nothing fancy. But yummy to the tongue and tummy.

Let me tell you how I make potato salad and you tell me what you think in the Comments section below.

Click here to get FREE digital, printable downloads about how to create and enjoy your patio, deck and/or outdoor living space.

Potatoes

I use golden potatoes because I like the flavor and the skins are thin, since I leave the skin on when I make my version of potato salad.

I like my potatoes soft but firm in the sense that I want them to hold together when I toss my salad and not get mushy and fall apart. But I don’t want them firm as in “not completely cooked” — hard versus firm. To get them to this consistency, I steam my potatoes whole in a pressure cooker the day before and chill them overnight in the refrigerator. I do this for two reasons:

Cold Potatoes

I feel that potatoes should be “refrigerator cold” when cutting them and mixing them in potato salad. They hold up as you mix the salad and they taste better when chilled.

Resistant Starch

By cooking potatoes and chilling them in advance they release what’s called “resistant starch”. Resistant starch is a carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine and gets fermented in the large intestine. It feeds the good bacteria in your gut and stabilizes blood sugar levels while increasing feelings of fullness. As potatoes cool, their resistance starch rises. So reheating and eating potatoes from the fridge a day or more later is more heathy (and less fattening) than eating them just after cooking.

Finally, in the recipe below it specifies certain measurements of the ingredients. These measurements are NOT finite. Your tastebuds drive the amount of the ingredients. If you cut up two pounds of potatoes and it doesn’t look like it is enough, add more! If you mix up the dressing and it doesn’t bring your salad to the consistency you desire, add more! You are the creator of the salad. Use the recipe as a starting point.

Potato Salad Recipe

Potato Salad

2 lbs. potatoes (5 to 6 medium) — steamed, chilled overnight, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup sliced green olives with pimentos

Dressing

We like our potato salad “wet” — lots of dressing. And we like it tangy.

1 heaping cup Mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, preferably unfiltered
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Make the Potato Salad

Add the cut-up potatoes, celery, and olives in a large bowl. The celery gives the salad some “crunch”, the olives add to the “tang”, and the pimentos add color to the salad.

In a separate bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and mix with a whisk. Taste the dressing. Does it need more of any of the ingredients to get the flavor you want? More mustard for increased tang? More sugar to sweeten the dressing? More pepper (or even some cayenne) to add a little zing or heat? If so, add them to the dressing now and whisk again.

Look at the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Look at the dressing in the smaller bowl. Does it look like the volume of dressing you’ve just mixed up will make your salad the way you want it — dry or wet? If you want it dry, add a little dressing and toss the salad. Keep adding the dressing in small amounts until you get your desired consistency. If you want it wet, dump it all in and start tossing. If it’s not wet enough, add a dollop or two of mayo to the salad and toss some more.

When I get the salad the way I like it I top it with some coarse salt and fresh ground pepper and put it the refrigerator to chill it down before it’s time to serve.

Now remember one thing: cooking is art and baking is science. So you have control over what and how much you put into whatever you’re cooking. You’re the “artist” — adjust the recipe to fit your taste. And have fun!

Download Recipe

My Perspective: Simple is Better

So here it is. A simple recipe for a tasty potato salad that you can modify to make your version rock! Now fire up your grill and ice down the beer (or other adult beverage). There’s going to be a party on your patio today whether a party of one or two, or a gathering of your many friends. And they’re going to rave about your potato salad and ask for the recipe. Initially you might resist, but you’ll relent because when they invite you to their house you’ll want to eat the same fabulous potato salad at their party.

And remember, every day is Friday on the patio.

Potato Salad FAQs

What is the best type of potato to use for potato salad?

To keep your salad from falling apart into mush, it’s important to use the best potatoes for potato salad. Skip the russet potatoes and use a waxy variety instead, like Yukon gold, red potatoes or fingerlings.

Should potatoes for salad be cooked whole?

Potatoes for salads should be cooked whole, then peeled and cut, in order to preserve nutrients.

What does chilling overnight do to potatoes?

Cooling potatoes after cooking can substantially increase their amount of resistant starch. One study found that cooling potatoes overnight after cooking tripled their resistant starch content.

Should you let potatoes cool when making potato salad?

The type of dressing you plan to use, mayo-based dressing or vinaigrette, will determine when the salad should be dressed. When using vinaigrette, don’t let the potatoes cool before dressing them. And when making a mayonnaise-based potato salad, stay away from dressing warm potatoes.

Why do you add vinegar to potato salad?

A splash of vinegar adds much-needed tang to potato salad.

Please Leave a Comment

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. How do you like your potato salad: wet or dry? What ingredients do you add to your potato salad? Is your recipe regional, unique to Roanoke, VA or anywhere else? Did you make the recipe above? If so, how did it turn out? Can you attach a photo to your comment so we can see how tasty your finished potato salad looks?

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Barbecue Ribs — A Delicacy to Be Enjoyed!

The first tool you need when setting up your grill for patio barbecue (especially barbecue ribs!) is a bottle opener, preferably a wall-mounted bottle opener somewhere in the vicinity of your grill. Who would ever want to sit on the patio while smelling the delicious aroma of grilling meat without a cold beer? No one! And how do you get that cold beer open? Bottle opener. Simple logic.

With that important element settled, patio barbecue can be a very personal and an individually unique experience. So we’ll tell you here how we generate fabulous barbecue ribs using both the oven and the grill. But take it all with a grain of salt. How we do it may not be how you’d do it. And that’s OK. Barbecue is personal. We get it.

Barbecue Ribs — An Easy Recipe

Barbecuing ribs is more of a process than an actual recipe.

I start with pork baby back ribs because I like the flavor of pork. Make sure they are completely thawed if they came out of the freezer so they will cook evenly.

Many recipes will tell you to strip off the membrane from the meat surface. Here’s some direction from the website The Spruce Eats:

“Leaving the membrane attached to your ribs will result in less-flavorful ribs and a tough texture.

The membrane (called the peritoneum) is a piece of tissue that is attached to the underside of pork ribs. Unlike the cartilage and other connective tissue between and around the ribs, this membrane does not soften when it’s cooked. It just comes out tough and chewy, like a sheet of plastic.

It also forms a barrier against your seasonings (like a dry rub), preventing flavors from penetrating the meat. If you are cooking on a grill or smoker, the membrane will prevent the ribs from fully absorbing the smoky flavor.”

If the membrane is an issue for you please follow the steps to remove it as outlined on The Spruce Eats.

However, with due respect to their directions, I have rarely been successful at removing the membrane. I’ve cooked barbecue ribs many times with the membrane in place with no noticeable loss of flavor or satisfaction — mine were not “chewy”. Because the membrane is on the bone side I did not experience a loss of flavor from the dry rub I used. I focused more on the “meat side” even though I did season the bone side. So, from my viewpoint, remove the membrane if you can, but if not, no worries. Let me know how that works for you.

Barbecue Ribs — The Next Step . . .

I lightly rub some Colavita Garlic Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil on both sides of the ribs so the dry rub will stick. Now, mix up a batch of Randy’s Eat Shop Smoked Paprika Spice to use for your dry rub. Give the ribs a heavy coat and make sure to pat it into the olive oil on both sides so that it sticks to the meat.

Barbecue ribs ready to bake — *Seasoned ribs wrapped in foil for baking in the oven*

Wrap the ribs in some heavy duty foil. If your rack is too big cut it in half and wrap each rack. Seal it tight and put the racks on a cookie sheet or other pan with sides in case some of the fat drips out (I have an 11” X 19” cast iron baking pan that I use). The ribs should be meat side up, bone side down. Let your ribs sit for a moment while you warm your oven to 250 degrees. When the oven is up to temperature, cook the ribs for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Don’t open the oven or unwrap the foil “just to check”.

At the two hour mark, prep your grill. Either crank up your gas grill or fire up your charcoal grill. (You may need to fire up your charcoal at the hour and 45 minutes point to make sure your coals are perfectly ready when needed.)

Barbecue Ribs to the Grill . . .

Now it’s time to finish the ribs on your grill. I use my gas grill. To prevent your ribs from sticking to the grill, use a balled-up paper towel covered in oil. Grab the paper towel with your grilling tongs and dunk it in a small bowl of cooking oil. Just before you are ready to grill, wipe the paper towel on the hot grates to make them slick and get your meat over the heat.

Barbecue ribs baked and ready to grill — *Baked ribs ready to be finished on the grill*

One anomaly with my grill is that regardless of where I twist the gas knobs to get more or less heat, the flame remains at one stage — really hot! So I use the “three-minute” rule. It always works. Simply start grilling each side in three-minute increments. (Yes, use a timer.) Keep rolling your meat — whatever you’re grilling — until it’s done. In the case of the ribs, remove them from the foil they baked in and put them over the grill and roll each rack every three minutes for a total of 15 minutes. Then, cut a piece of the meat from a thick part. If it’s not overly pink on the inside and when you taste it, it’s not chewy as if it were not fully cooked, then they’re done. On a cutting board, slice the ribs into individual pieces and get the plates out. You’ve got more cold beer, right?

Wait a minute, let’s back-up a step. When you’re ready to finish your ribs on the grill you have the option of basting them with your favorite BBQ sauce. But, be careful. I personally want to taste the flavors of the spices in the custom rub I used. And I want to taste the smoke in the meat from the grilling process. If you cover your ribs with sauce at this point the sauce is probably the only flavor you’re going to taste. And you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on your barbecue ribs to make sure the sugar in your BBQ sauce doesn’t burn and spoil your ribs. I usually let my family/guests squeeze a bit of BBQ sauce on the edge of their plate for dipping, if they want.

Finished barbecue ribs ready to eat — *Finished baked and grilled pork ribs — meaty and tasty!*

Tasty Patio Barbecue Is Not Rocket Science

That’s it! Barbecue ribs made simple. And what a great meal for eating on the patio. Of course, you’ll need a side dish or two — check out Randy’s Eat Shop tasty potato salad recipe. Now, grab another cold beer or other adult beverage and start eating. And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!

Patio Barbecue FAQs

What is the definition of a barbecue food?

Barbecue, an outdoor meal, usually a form of social entertainment, at which meats, fish, or fowl, along with vegetables, are roasted over a wood or charcoal fire. The term also denotes the grill or stone-lined pit for cooking such a meal, or the food itself, particularly the strips of meat.

What is the origin of the word barbecue?

The word barbecue comes from the language of a Caribbean Indian tribe called the Taino. Their word for grilling on a raised wooden platform is barbacoa. The word first appeared in print in a Spanish explorer’s account of the West Indies in 1526, according to Planet Barbecue.

What are the 4 types of BBQ?

While the wide variety of barbecue styles makes it difficult to break them down into regions, there are four major styles commonly referenced, North Carolina and Memphis, which rely on pork and represent the oldest styles, and Kansas City and Texas, which use beef as well as pork, and represent the later evolution of the original Deep South barbecue.

What is the best meat to grill for beginners?

Here are suggestions for the easiest meats to grill this season!

Beef kebabs. The cooking time for perfectly grilled kebabs is approximately 12–15 minutes; this makes it a low-effort, delicious dish to serve up for a larger crowd.
Chicken
Turkey
Pork chops

Should meat be seasoned before grilling?

Seasonings need time to penetrate the meat, so season your meat at least one hour before grilling. Rub the meat with oil to help the rub stick to the meat but for the meat not to stick to the grill.

How long should meat sit before grilling?

Take your meat out of the fridge about 30 minutes before grilling to bring it to room temperature so it will cook evenly.

Do you put seasoning on both sides of meat?

The rule is, when cooking meat, both sides have to be seasoned equally. This makes sense. You want every bite to be perfectly seasoned . . . exactly like every other bite.

How to Stop Meat From Sticking to Your BBQ Grill

Simply use a balled-up paper towel covered in oil. Grab the paper towel with your grilling tongs and dunk it in a small bowl of canola oil. Just before you are ready to grill wipe the paper towel on the hot grates and get your meat on the grill.

Please Leave a Comment

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. What recipe do you like to grill the most? Do you grill over charcoal or gas? How often do you grill? Share a recipe. Please attach a photo to your comment so we can see how tasty your grilled meal looks. Or, if you don’t grill but love to eat ribs, where in Roanoke, Virginia, or in any other location, anywhere, do you love to eat ribs?

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Patio Umbrella Stand — A Unique Solution

At the end of last season we bought two patio umbrellas to help shade some areas of the patio on either side of our pergola. These areas, in particular, get a lot of hot summer sun in the late afternoon just about the time we want to wander out to enjoy a cocktail on the patio. All we were missing is a patio umbrella stand.

And here are our patio umbrella stand challenges:

Beefy enough to hold up in the constant breeze on our patio.
Meld with our somewhat eclectic decor.
Able to weather the spring/summer/autumn weather.
Easy to move around the patio
Fit our budget.

Research!

By now you must know that we research everything to death! And so the research began, leaving no stone unturned.

Ready-made Patio Umbrella Stand

In the retail world there are many options for patio umbrella stands either from a local retailer or online vendor. Regardless of the material or style — plastic filled with water or sand, steel, formed concrete, or even stands that can be mounted directly into your patio or deck surface, none appeared to be able to fit our first criteria: Beefy enough to hold up in the constant breeze on our patio. We needed something big and heavy.

Now, to be fair, I did find some retail stands that had the weight required but they were hundreds of dollars to buy, so they didn’t meet our last criteria: Fit our budget.

Here’s some research that I found interesting. Apparently, the rule of thumb is that a patio umbrella stand, in terms of weight, should be ten pounds for every foot the umbrella is wide. So I did the math: our umbrellas are seven and a half wide when fully open. Seven point five times ten equals 75. I needed an umbrella stand that weighed at least 75 pounds. To be safe, a hundred pounds would be better. To buy that off the shelf could have cost as much as $250. And I need two. A retail purchase wasn’t gonna happen.

DIY Patio Umbrella Stand

Now in all of my research I viewed tons of homemade stands that ranged from the highly creative to the overly simple. But none satisfied our criteria to meld with our somewhat eclectic decor. I spent many afternoons laying in our hammock with an adult beverage thinking about what I could design/build/modify to meet all of the needs we had for patio umbrella stands. My mind kept revolving: reasonable cost, look good on the patio, be functional, hold up in the weather — over and over and over. This kind of mental process is good because you start eliminating the obvious and start thinking creatively, outside the box. And that is where you sometimes find your best solutions.

During my trips back and forth into the house from the patio hammock to refresh my adult beverage (I don’t have an outside bar yet — stay tuned!), I watched an internet provider installing new fiber optic cable in my neighborhood. All of that cable wrapped around those wooden cable spools got my “out of the box” mind cranking. Watch out!

Cable spools about 24 inches in diameter seemed to have enough weight and base to prevent the wind from tipping our umbrellas over. I did an extensive search online for new cable spools but they were not to be found. There was plenty of finished furniture from old cable spools but that wasn’t going to fit our need. Then I remembered that we have some friends in the cable business. I asked them if they had any old spools that I might have for free. Yes, they did. Here they are in their rough condition:

I wasn’t deterred because I knew I would polish them up to make them look better and be durable for any weather.

Refurbishing the Cable Spools

Paint

First I wire-brushed all surfaces to get dust, dirt, and grime off the wood. Then I applied the first coat of paint. I did not use a primer as the paint I bought was designed for exactly the kind of outdoor application I was seeking. Plus, the cable spools are made from pine so I knew the wood would really soak up the paint.

Casters

Next, I installed four casters on each spool. To hold the umbrellas in place the stand had to weigh about 75 pounds — more than I want to heft around the patio. So the wheels make it easy to move that kind of weight. I also wanted brakes on the wheels so that a strong wind would not blow the umbrella and stand across the patio. After doing my research I found Jack Boss 3 Inch Caster Wheels (pack of 4) on Amazon. These are fabulous casters at a very reasonable price. Each wheel has a brake so I can firmly place each umbrella stand and know it is not going to move.

Umbrella Pole Sheath

The pole on the umbrellas we bought came in two pieces that thread together. So I took the bottom piece to my local big box hardware store to search for a tube in which the umbrella pole would snuggly fit. I found a PVC pipe whose inside diameter was 1.5 inches — a perfect size for the umbrella pole. After cutting the sheath to the desired length, I drilled a hole through the pipe about an inch from the bottom and inserted a bolt with nut so the umbrella pole could rest on the bolt. This allows any water that gets into the pipe to drain out through the bottom and prevent the umbrella pole from rotting.

Now, the PVC pipe was a bit smaller in diameter than the hole in the center of the cable spool. I needed a way to secure it centered without using any fasteners that would obstruct the umbrella pole from fitting into the PVC sheath. So I bought some cedar door shims and used them to wedge in between the PVC pipe and the outside edge of the center hole in the spool. It worked great. I pounded them in for a snug fit and cut off the excess. I then ran some caulk around the pipe on top of the shims for a good tight and smooth seal. Just be careful to make sure the PVC pipe is level and square so your umbrella will stand up straight and not be crooked.

Lastly, I put several coats of gloss black spray paint made for plastic application on the PVC pipes and then brushed on a last coat of black paint on the top of each cable spool to give them a clean, finished look.

I also drilled a hole on the upper part of the PVC pipe clear through the umbrella pole to insert another bolt with wing nut to secure the umbrella to the umbrella stand. This will prevent a gust of wind from grabbing the umbrella and pulling it out of the umbrella stand sheath.

Corrugated Steel

We had just finished our grill deck and had some corrugated steel left over from the roof we put on that deck. So I thought it would be a nice detail to wrap the center part of the cable spools with some of the corrugated steel. I think it really dresses up the umbrella stands in an “industrial look” kind of way.

Patio Umbrella Stand FAQs

What’s the price range for Patio Umbrella Stands?

The average price for Patio Umbrella Stands ranges from $10 to $700.

How heavy should an umbrella stand be?

A good way to determine the minimum weight for your umbrella stand is to multiply the width of your umbrella canopy by 10. For example, for a 7.5′ umbrella we recommend using a 75 lb. umbrella stand; a 9′ umbrella will require at least an 90 lb. umbrella stand.

How much wind can a patio umbrella with stand?

You should close your patio umbrella if the wind velocity exceeds the range of 15-20 mph, although high-quality wind-resistant umbrellas may withstand it.

What is the proper height for a patio umbrella?

In general, you want your umbrella to be at least 7 feet tall. You can also look for patio umbrellas with tilting and cantilever functions to adjust where the shade lands.

Should I close my patio umbrella every night?

The short answer is yes, it is a good practice to close your umbrella at night or any time that you are not using it. Like most outdoor furniture, your patio umbrella is likely weather-resistant and made with durable materials, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is indestructible.

What color of umbrella repels the sun?

The color option black is very popular because of its ability to block UV rays. Out of all the colors in the spectrum, black absorbs the most light and heat. If you have a black patio umbrella canopy, you can rest under it on hot sunny days without letting the heat bother you.

Patio Umbrella Stands to Beat the Heat, Wind, and Rain

The stands are now in service on the patio. One shields the hammock from the afternoon sun and the other shields the wrought iron furniture where we often sit to have snacks and refreshing drinks.

Are we happy? Absolutely! Are these umbrella stands as aesthetically beautiful as if they had been professionally manufactured and were brand new, just out of the box? No. But this is patio furniture. It needs to be rough and tumble. It needs to hold up in the weather. It needs to handle spilled food and drink. It needs be refurbishable again in several years.

And did they meet our criteria? Yes. They certainly are beefy enough to hold up in the constant breeze on our patio. They meld nicely with our somewhat eclectic decor. They will definitely be able to weather the spring/summer/autumn weather. The casters make them easy to move around the patio but, with their brakes, make it easy to firmly ground the stands if necessary. And they really fit our budget — all in all, the cost of the materials to transform these cable spools into usable, effective patio umbrella stands was less than $100.

So now it’s time to relax. And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!

Please Leave a Comment

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. Do you have umbrellas on your patio or deck to shade the sun? How do you keep them secure? If you are using patio umbrella stands were they purchased or did you make them? Please attach a photo to your comment so we can see how your stands work and how creative you may have gotten.

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Grilling Deck for All Seasons

I wrote an earlier blog post entitled: A Grilling Table is My Outdoor Kitchen because the cost of an outdoor cooking area seemed WAY above whatever budget I’d ever have. But issues started to arise when cooking outdoors with no weather protection. Invariably, when I’d decide to grill on a sunny Saturday afternoon, by the time I’d prepped the food, fired up the charcoal, poured an adult beverage, and was ready to grill, the weather had turned into rain and I was washed out. I needed to have a covered space to allow me to grill in a reasonable rain (or snow — Roanoke, VA is a year-round grilling opportunity). I needed a grilling deck for all seasons.

I wanted an outdoor cooking space close to my indoor kitchen.
The grilling deck had to fit my grilling table, which holds my charcoal grill and a two-burner propane stove, plus a propane grill that a friend had given us.
I wanted to build it myself to save money but I’m not the best carpenter so it would have to be simple and easy — no fancy cuts and nothing I couldn’t lift by myself.
The project had to be economical — definitely under $1,000 and closer to $500 if possible.

A Space Close to My Kitchen

Two years ago we had a poly privacy fence installed around our yard. When the fence was installed along our carport it left a small grassy space that wasn’t good for much. Or so I thought. This space is right across our carport opposite the back door leading to our indoor kitchen. Perfect!

Space for Grilling Table Plus a Propane Grill

The small grassy space “not good for much” was about eight feet wide by about sixteen feet long. After measuring all items I wanted on the grilling deck it appeared that a seven foot wide by twelve foot long deck would meet my needs and pocket book.

Determined to Build the Grilling Deck Myself

I am a very elementary carpenter (read: hacker — “a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity”). I like 2x4s and maybe 2x6s. I like straight cuts and as few cuts as possible. I like screws versus glue because I make mistakes and sometimes I have to take apart what I’m building and reconfigure. And I like saving money!

I looked online for a plan but couldn’t find one I liked or thought that I could build. So I designed one myself.

I built the base out of 2x6s . . .

I built the base out of 2x6s with the joists spaced at 16 inches on center. This is a floating deck so I set it on some old pavers I had and leveled it up. I did not dig out the sod underneath as the earth here in Roanoke is very hard clay and I just didn’t have the energy to dig it out and replace it with a weed barrier and gravel like many of the YouTube videos I’d watched. The decking I used was 5/4 by 12 feet. All the wood I used was pressure treated to hold up in the weather.

I wanted a partial roof to keep me dry . . .

I wanted a partial roof to keep me dry and/or out of the hot sun while grilling so I put the uprights in place, built the roof structure at five feet wide by 12 feet long. Then I bolted the roof structure to the rear uprights so I could swing it up into position with the front uprights and bolt it in place. (All of the uprights and braces are 2x4s since they carried very little weight.) My wife helped a bit at this point, but otherwise I was able to do most of the work alone and keep the project going.

I covered the roof with corrugated steel panels from Home Depot. The material seems a bit thin but it has held up well and, since I did not design the roof to carry a lot of weight, these panels worked nicely and had the visual appeal I wanted.

Click on each caption to get these featured grilling deck items from Amazon.

I wanted six foot corrugated panels but they only came in eight foot and 12 foot lengths. The 12 footers were too long for me to carry on top of my vehicle so I bought the eight footers and cut two feet off the end of seven panels. I used these tin snips — they worked great! (I used some of the left over corrugated steel panels to decorate patio umbrella stands I made.)

Regarding the angle of the roof to allow for rain run-off, my research identified this rule of thumb: For every running foot of roof, the angle of the roof should drop 1 inch. I have a six foot roof so my roof drops, front to back, six inches. I put down some clear plastic between the deck and fence and topped it with river rock to allow the rain to flow down and out toward the street. This prevents the deck roof run-off from making the ground soggy and negatively affecting either the fence posts in the ground or the position of the pavers on which my floating deck is sitting level. It all works very efficiently.

Make sure when installing your roof panels that the first one is square on the roof structure or the other panels will “creep” as you install down the length of the roof. Not terrible if it happens but cleaner if it doesn’t. And shop around for some of the elements needed for this project. For instance, I found the screws to install the corrugated panels much cheaper at Amazon online from Jake Sales versus buying them at the big box hardware stores locally.

Make your grilling deck moveable

One last note: I made this grilling deck so that if I ever moved, I could easily take it apart and move it with me, maintaining the value and pleasure I have received from this DIY build.

Plus, an Added Bonus . . .

A grilling deck is going to need a workspace, right? Absolutely! Where else will you place your meat, ready-to-grill and your cocktail to enjoy while grilling! So, I collected several scraps I had leftover from other projects and pulled together a grill cart on wheels so it can serve whichever grilling apparatus I happen to be using at the time. And, of course, it needed to have a bottle opener as required, standard operating equipment for ice cold beer on a hot summer day.

Grilling Deck Had to Be Economical

I really wanted this grilling deck but it had to be within my targeted budget for my peace of mind and pocketbook after it was completed. All in all, I spent about $700.00 to complete the project including a gallon of pricey marine sealer that I applied to ensure that the deck would withstand the elements and perform for us for years to come.

Grilling Deck with grilling equipment right shot

Grilling Deck with grilling equipment left shot

The Benefits of a Grilling Deck

Now I can grill (almost) no matter the weather. I can plan and not be undermined by rain or snow. We can have those we may be entertaining join us at the grilling deck to enjoy many pleasures:

The aroma of whatever is on the grill
Enjoy an adult beverage and patio snack
Create anticipation for the wonderful meal we all are about to delight in.

And all this from the grilling deck within reach of my indoor kitchen. It is simpatico. Mouth watering. Large-smile friendly. Pure fun!

And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!

Click on each caption to get these featured grilling deck items from Amazon.

UPDATE: This is EXACTLY Why I Built My Grilling Deck!

Just this afternoon I was grilling some marinated pork cutlets. As I have described in the above post, as the afternoon went on the weather turned from sunny to cloudy to looking like rain. Literally, as I was pulling my cutlets off the grill I heard the first raindrops on my grill deck corrugated steel roof. Within a minute or two what you’ll see in the video here occurred. Complete grilling washout without a covered grilling deck. The front of the deck where there is no cover was wet with rain. The grilling equipment under the roof remained bone dry. Build it! You won’t have any regrets. And you’ll conclude your grilling event dry and ready to chow down.

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Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or tell us what we missed and can add to this post. Do you have a space or structure specifically for your grilling equipment? If so, did you build it or have it built? What do you like about it? What would you do differently if you built another? Please attach a photo to your comment so we can see your cool grilling deck.

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Privacy Fence for Your Patio

Our neighborhood was built in 1970. The developer installed a 48 inch high chainlink fence around every back yard. And those fences remain today . . . 53 years later. Perhaps people were not interested in the privacy of their yards in those days.

We are one of the few houses in our neighborhood with a privacy fence. And I’m glad. We want to relax on our patio while enjoying an adult beverage, entertain our friends, chill out on our hammock — even garden, and not feel like our outdoor space is a communal environment where our neighbors can see every move we make or overhear our conversations. We’re not anti-social or snobby neighbors. We just like our privacy.

Another plus of our privacy fence is that many of our immediate neighbors have dogs who, before we installed our privacy fence, barked and barked and barked when we were in our backyard. Now that they can’t see us they bark much less.

Frankly, in all of the cities in which we’ve lived (we’ve been vagabonds in the past) every house in our neighborhood had a privacy fence. So for us, it was one of three main objectives for which we budgeted as a patio project goal in our initial patio development.

And finally, our privacy fence is a good investment, increasing the value of our house. In a selling situation, a privacy fence will make our home more desirable and command a higher price than a fenceless house. It’s a good value.

Research Your Fence Options

We did quite a bit of research online to determine the material we wanted to use for our privacy fence. We narrowed our options down to three types:

Chainlink Fence, Preferably Black, Vinyl-covered With Slats
Solid Wood Fence
Solid Vinyl Fence

Here’s what we found out in our research to make our final decision:

Chainlink Fence, Preferably Black, Vinyl-covered With Slats

We found a chainlink fence manufacturer who uses slats in the chainlink to create “privacy”. This manufacturer has developed a better type of slat that offers 98% privacy versus the standard slat style for chainlink fences which doesn’t look very private at all. The photos on their website (eprivacylink.com) of this type of fence looked really clean and contemporary. Sadly, however, we were fence shopping at the height of the COVID pandemic when everyone was improving their homes. No one knew how long the pandemic would last. People didn’t leave their homes except for necessary reasons like grocery shopping. So demand drove up the price, putting this fence style way outside of our budget. But you might check it out — it looks really cool.

Solid Wood Fence

A wood fence was our least desired option because we’ve had wood fences in the past at other homes we’ve owned. They never lasted as long as the supplier promised — in one instance our wood fence rotted and fell down after just seven years. Plus, to make them really last you must treat the wood with protectant every two to three years. That meant having spraying equipment or buying cases of beer, gallons of sealant, and boxes of paint brushes with which to con our friends into helping us re-seal our fence on a regular basis. Not an optimal situation as we have 331 linear feet of fence.

And at the time we were shopping, wood was hard to get (pandemic issue) so the cost between wood and vinyl was almost the same when we purchased our fence.

Solid Vinyl Fence

In the end, we selected a solid vinyl privacy fence for these reasons:

Aesthetically we really liked the clean lines of the fence design, enhancing the appearance and value of our property overall.
Both sides of the vinyl fence look the same. So we didn’t have to worry about which side faces our neighbors and which side we get to look at inside our yard, unlike a wood fence.
Vinyl fences can last over 30 years.
The vinyl material is very low maintenance — as simple as power washing or hosing down the vinyl material every two to three years as needed. Much better than spraying or brushing on sealant on a wood fence every two to three years.
Vinyl fences weather very well, so our yard and patio area looks well-kept throughout any season of the year.
The amount of privacy we feel we have far surpasses the other two materials we were considering.

Consult With Your Local Building Code Officials

I made it a point to go to our town offices and speak with the code official. I found out:

I did not need a permit for my fence.

Regardless of whether our fence was DIY or professionally installed, someone — the installer, if professionally done, or us, if DIY — had to contact 811 to determine what utilities were underground. Please note: Whomever calls to schedule for utilities to be marked is the responsible party. If you do not have the utilities marked before digging and something gets broken, you (the home owner) or your fence installer will pay for repairs. So if you are having your fence professionally installed, have the installer call for the utility marking. No digging should occur until you get the paperwork saying it was inspected. And you should clearly see visible markings on your property. By the way, we did have a gas line moved. By asking the gas company well in advance of our install date, they were able to work the gas line relocation into their normal schedule at no cost to us. Yahoo!

Our code official suggested we have our fence inset on our property about six inches from the property line as a “hedge” against unknowingly installing our fence on our neighbor’s property. Because there is an existing chainlink fence installed directly on the property line, that six inch space was our responsibility to maintain or risk a citation. We would have to negotiate with four neighbors every time we mowed our lawn to allow us into their yards to weed whack that six inch space. No way. And then the code official suggested we inset our fence the width of our lawn mower plus an inch or two. Genius! Now we just run our mower around the 27 inch space between the two fences and then relax on our patio with a cold beer.

The code official told me that if we extended our fence beyond the front plane of our house, the height of the fence would have to drop down from six feet to four feet. The fence could not extend any farther than 25 feet from the front of the house. We decided not to extend our fence into the front yard.

Finally, they identified the maximum fence height at six feet six inches. That was valuable information because we wanted a taller fence. Because we verified the correct fence height, we avoided an unknown code violation. That violation would have caused us to remove the fence and install the correct height. And if not corrected now, the error would need to be corrected before we could ever sell our house. By the way, we asked for a code variance for a taller fence and they said ‘no’. But they were nice about it.

So the point here is, do your due diligence with your local building code officials so you know the rules before you contract with a fence supplier — in particular, whether a permit is required. If there’s no permit, there’s no official inspection and no one would notice any code violations until it’s too late, requiring expensive corrective action.

Selecting a Privacy Fence Supplier/Installer

Again, given the COVID pandemic situation at the time we were ready to purchase our fence, many of the vendors we contacted were booked a year in advance. We found only two suppliers, but getting more than one estimate saved us thousands of dollars. There was a $6,000 difference in the price estimate from one vendor versus the other . . . for the same fence! Needless to say, we highly recommend getting more that one estimate.

Also, we checked-out both bidders online to read reviews from past customers. The company we decided to buy from had great reviews — happy customers. They are a smaller local company which we liked because we dealt directly with the owners who were a joy to work with.

And they were very honest with us about supply chain issues due to the COVID pandemic and weather issues in states where the materials for our fence were produced. We ended up with a delay of about five months. But our fence vendor was excellent about communicating with us so we always knew where we were in their cue and had accurate expectations of when our fence would arrive from their supplier.

By the way, if you are in or near Roanoke, Virginia, please include on your prospective supplier list, J & M Fencing. They did a great job for us and we recommend them for the quality they put into their work.

Other Privacy Fence Considerations

We communicated between our concrete vendor for our patio and our fence vendor so both vendors knew our project plans and timelines. This process is very important to making the entire project come off without a hitch. From both suppliers we learned that it would be better to pour the patio first and then install the fence. Otherwise, we stood a good chance of having to remove some of the fence to make room for the concrete equipment and then re-installing the fence thus adding to the overall cost of the project. Not good.

Another decision we made was to have a pedestrian door installed from our carport out to the patio and then, on the other end of our house, have installed two four-foot gates that, when opened, would allow for other equipment to get into our backyard (like a bobcat) in the event we wanted to make further backyard improvements in the future.

We Love Our Patio Privacy Fence

So now it’s been a little over a year since our privacy fence was installed. It still looks great. We enjoy private time on our patio lounging in the sun or entertaining our friends. We enjoy beverages, adult or otherwise and feast on fun patio food. Some nights we climb into our hammock and marvel at the stars. And all of these activities we enjoy without feeling like we’re sharing with our neighbors because . . . we have this beautiful privacy fence. Sometimes the simple things in life make us the most happy. Yes, life does happen on the patio.

And remember, every day is Friday on the patio!

Privacy Fence FAQs

How much does it cost to put a privacy fence around your yard?

Privacy fence installation can cost between $12 to $50 per linear foot depending on materials and the height of the fence.

Are vinyl fences cheaper than wood?

Initially, vinyl may cost more than wood. However, premium vinyl fencing will outlast the wood fencing by years, requires no maintenance upkeep, is impervious to insects, and over the long run, vinyl is less expensive than wood! Not only will it be less expensive than wood over 10 years, but it will also have about 6-1/2 times the Return On Investment (ROI) over wood.

What type of privacy fence lasts the longest?

Vinyl is hands down the material that is going to give you the most bang for your buck in terms of longevity. Vinyl fences can last over 30 years if they are properly maintained.

If you’re set on having a wood fence, cedar is the best choice for its durability (natural rot and insect resistance) and low-maintenance (no need to paint or stain). If overall maintenance and durability is a primary factor, vinyl fence may be a better choice.

What is the best season to build a fence?

Winter is definitely the best time to install a fence if you have a manicured landscape. Most plants are dormant during the winter months, which means trees, plants, and shrubs are less likely to be damaged during fence installation and construction.

Who gets the good side of a fence?

The finished side of a wood fence should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it’s the standard and may be a code regulation. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. But remember, vinyl fences look the same on both sides so you and your neighbors see the same great looking fence.

Please Leave a Comment

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Do you have a privacy fence around your patio/yard and what kind? What was your experience in selecting and installing your fence. Add a picture so we can see how your fence looks.

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Black Bean Chili

When summer wanes and the air starts to cool off we all start thinking about “comfort food” on the patio. I’m sure you would agree that a bowl of hearty chili ranks near the top of the list. And the nice thing about chili is that it can be so diverse depending on personal taste, available/regional ingredients, or even an heirloom recipe handed down generation to generation.

If you’re like me you like tasty food that’s easy to make. And if you like yummy chili ready to eat in about 40 minutes, you’ll like Randy’s Eat Shop Black Bean Chili. Keep reading and get ready.

Black Bean Chili

1 – 2 Tbsp canola oil
1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage or ground pork
1 – 2 sweet onions, diced
3 – 4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cans black beans, 15 oz, undrained
1 can tomatoes, diced, 28 oz, undrained
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp Randy’s Eat Shop Smoked Paprika Spic e
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 chipotle chile, diced (add another couple if you want more kick)
1 can chopped green chilis, 7 oz

Do this:

Spices

Collect all of the dry spices into one small bowl.

Meat

Heat the oil in a dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the ground sweet Italian sausage and break up the meat with a spatula. Cook until all of the meat is no longer pink. With a slotted spoon remove the meat from the dutch oven to a bowl. Leave the oil in the pot.

Vegetables and Spices

Add more oil if necessary. Cook onion and garlic in dutch oven until onions are soft. Stir often to prevent the garlic from burning (it will turn bitter). Stir in dry spices to let their flavors and aromas open up. Add the chipotle chili (this will give it a bit of a kick). Saute for a minute or so.

Finish the Chili

Add in the cooked meat, black beans, tomatoes, green chilis, and balsamic vinegar. Stir to mix well. Turn the heat to simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a piece of cornbread. If you make your own cornbread and you’ve never added a can of creamed corn to your mix, check out this cornbread recipe and see what you think.

Download Recipe

It Only Gets Better

Doesn’t chili only get better day after day — great on the first day but better on the third? And when it gets down to the last cup there’s only one best way to finish it off . . . chili dogs and beer!

So mix up a double batch of black bean chili and bake a pan of cornbread. Then invite your friends and family over for a little fall/winter entertaining on the patio. Fire up your propane patio heater, throw another log on the fire in your fire pit, and start mixing hot toddys to compliment every bowl of black bean chili that’s dished out.

And always remember: every day is Friday on the patio!

Black Bean Chili FAQs

Are black beans healthy?

The antioxidants, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates in black beans make them nutritionally powerful.

Are black beans good in chili?

Yes! Black beans are a great source of protein and fiber, and they add a delicious flavor to chili.

Do you drain black beans for chili?

The liquid in good canned beans is just the water and salt the beans were cooked in filled with delicious bean flavor. And this liquid is a great thickener

Should I add liquid to chili?

It depends on personal preference. Some people like a thinner chili, like soup. If so, you can add some vegetable broth or red wine to thin it out. Others like it thick and hearty. The liquid from the beans and tomatoes is enough for them. What do you like?

Leave a comment for black bean chili recipe

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Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Did you make the chili? Was it as easy as we said it was? Did it add to your winter patio experience? Did you modify the recipe? How so? Did you bake the cornbread? Please include a photo so we can see how delicious your chili looks.

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Chicken Burgers

Quick!

Think of a classic patio food. Burgers, right? But, what kind of burgers and under what conditions? You’re probably thinking beef burgers on a hot summer day with a cold beer(s) or another tasty adult beverage. And you’d be right . . . most of the time.

All-Season Burgers

What about when you want something lighter? Beef can be a heavy meal. What about when it’s not summer — maybe winter? What about inflation? Ground beef can be much more expensive than ground chicken. What about when you get a craving for a grilled (or pan-fried) burger and you need it . . . RIGHT NOW?! No waiting required with Randy’s Eat Shop homemade Chicken Burgers.

Chicken Burgers

2 – 3 pounds ground chicken
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
4 tbsp mayonnaise
4 tbsp minced onions
2 – 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Randy’s Eat Shop Smoked Paprika Spice
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Do this:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients together until blended, but don’t over mix.

Roll the mixture into balls approximately 1/4 pound.

Use a burger press to make consistently sized burger patties. Watch the video here to learn how to use the burger press.

NOTE: Absolutely use the slip sheets in the burger press or you will have issues getting the meat out in the shape your want. They come with the burger press but are not featured in the video. Place one slip sheet in the bottom of the press then place the ground meat ball in the press and roughly flatten it with your hand. Then place another slip sheet on top of the meat before you press it into the burger shape. Remove the patty from the press and slide it into a sandwich size ziplock baggie. Squeeze the air out of the bag and zip seal it shut.

Grill Chicken Burgers

Now you can cook a few burgers or freeze all of the burger patties for when you get that “RIGHT NOW” craving. When ready to cook, remove the patty from the plastic bag and also remove the slip sheets from both sides of the patty. Place the frozen patty (or patties) on a preheated grill to medium-high heat after oiling the grates. Cook the chicken burgers on the grill until the internal temperature is 165 F, around six to ten minutes total, flipping halfway through. All cravings may be satisfied within minutes on the grill or pan-fried (preferably a cast iron pan) on the stove — medium heat and keep an eye in it, flipping a couple of times.

As an alternative, grill all of the burgers and freeze them cooked so you can pop them in the microwave from the freezer for an almost instant meal. Feed your craving FASTER!

How Do You Know When Chicken Patties Are Done?

Here are several ways to determine when your chicken burgers are ready to eat:

Use a meat thermometer — poultry is safe to eat when it reaches the temperature of 165°F
Feel the meat — when you first start grilling (or frying) your burger it will be soft and spongy. As it cooks it will firm up. When you press the burger with the edge of your spatula or your finger, if it feels firm and not pliable then it is done. And remember, it will continue to cook for a few minutes after you remove it from the heat due to the heat retained in the meat. So if you stop cooking a bit early it will finish with the heat is has retained and stay juicy.
Have a “test” patty to cut into — Sometimes I create a separate patty, maybe smaller but the same thickness, that I can cut slices off of to see the inside of the meat and determine if it is fully cooked. It gives me something to snack on while I’m grilling.

Download Recipe

Ready to Eat

Have your buns, condiments, and cold beers or adult beverages ready. And what will be your sides? Tater tots? Fries? Chips and Creamy Onion Dip? Plan accordingly and enjoy!

Please Leave a Comment: Chicken Burgers

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Did you make chicken burgers? Was it as easy and delicious as we said it was? Did it add to your spring/summer/fall/winter patio experience? Did you modify the recipe? How so? What tasty side did you choose to go with your burger? Please include a photo so we can see how delicious your burgers look.

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Scrap Wrap

Scrap Wrap. Is this a food recipe or just an idea? It’s both. It’s a recipe without an ingredient list. With limited instructions, that makes it an idea. Let me explain.

What’s in Your Refrigerator?

Do you sometimes open your fridge looking for something to eat and you find several tiny leftovers that aren’t enough for a meal in-of-themselves? What do you do with them? Combine them! They’re scraps, right?

Combine the Scraps How?

Here’s what I did recently. I opened my fridge for breakfast. I wanted something different from my standard fare. I was looking at about a quarter of an onion. I had about two or three large spoonfuls of leftover fried potatoes. Those two would go together, right? And I had a half-eaten chicken thigh. Alone — individually — they weren’t enough for a meal. But chopped up and combined they were going to make two tasty breakfast scrap wraps for my wife and me. Here’s what they look like in my cast iron skillet before cooking (really, just reheating).

What kind of Wraps?

I found these wraps that are much lower in calories than a regular four tortilla. That works for us. But any wrap you like will work just fine. Here’s a photo of the La Banderita brand I use — 45 calories per tortilla!

Put the Scrap Wrap Together

I have a gas stove so warming up the wraps is pretty easy — right on the burner over the blue flame. Have a piece of wax paper on your counter top and place the heated wrap on the paper. Smear some sour cream on the wrap or other favorite sauce (like the chipotle sauce in our Fish Tacos recipe). Fill your wrap with the heated scraps. Maybe top with a little salt and pepper and roll the wrap up. You are done and ready to eat.

*Beginning Scrap Wrap with sour cream or other favorite creamy sauce*

*Scrap Wrap warm, filled, wrapped, and ready to eat!*

The Scrap Wrap Idea . . .

The idea is this: what scraps (leftovers) are tucked into the corners of your refrigerator that, when combined, would make a great, tasty meal? Because I don’t know what’s in your fridge, I can’t provide you with an ingredient list. I can tell you that this is an easy way to be creative in the kitchen and make a simple, quick meal that’s hand-held (no dirty dishes).

And here’s what will top it off. Make a cup of Randy’s Eat Shop Cold Brew Coffee (or grab a cold beer), and head out to the patio with your hand-held Scrap Wrap to enjoy the sunrise (or sunset) while you eat a culinary delight that you made yourself . . . from scraps.

Life happens on the patio so remember this: every day is Friday on the patio.

Please Leave a Comment: Scrap Wrap

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Did you make Scrap Wraps? Was it as easy and delicious as we said it was? What “scraps” did you have in your fridge that you used? Did you modify the recipe? How so? Please include a photo so we can see how delicious your scrap wraps look.

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White Bean and Bacon Soup

This Could Happen . . .

Let’s say it’s winter and you’re wondering how you can use your patio. It’s an overcast day — kinda gloomy — but it is reasonably warm for a winter day. You want to sit on the patio to take in the season but you need something to keep you warm when the winter chill starts to creep in. And you don’t mean a comforter. You need Randy’s Eat Shop White Bean and Bacon Soup.

I had you at “Bacon”, right?

Quick, Easy, and Delicious

This soup goes together in a flash so you’ll be sitting on your winter patio in no time with a bowl of soup in amazement of how your yard brings you such pleasure even though it is barren because it is “resting” for winter. It’s your patio. It’s your garden. It’s your soup. Enjoy!

White Bean and Bacon Soup

1 lb bacon
4 cans white beans (Great Northern)
4 cups of chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
String carrots — handful, to taste
3 – 4 celery stalks, sliced
2 large sweet onions, chopped
2 to 3 large garlic cloves, diced, or more to taste
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Do This:

Bacon

Cook bacon in dutch oven until crisp. Remove bacon and save the bacon fat. Chop bacon into bite sized bits.

White Beans

You can use dry beans (Great Northern) and cook them in a pressure cooker — I do that often (but I never soak them — ask me why in the comment section below and I’ll tell you). But to speed the process I use canned beans — they’re almost as good.

Open all four cans. Two will go into the soup whole and two will be pureed to thicken the soup a bit. Do not rinse the beans.

To puree two cans of beans, use a blender or empty them into a bowl and use an immersion blender. If you don’t have an immersion blender get one. I had no idea how fabulous this tool is until a friend bought me one. Now I can’t live without it.

Vegetables

Chop the onions, celery, and mince the garlic. Put them in the dutch oven with the bacon fat. Add two tablespoons of olive oil. Use as much, or less, of the vegetables as looks good in your dutch oven to suit your taste — it’s your soup. Add a handful or so of the string carrots. Saute over medium high heat in the bacon fat/olive oil mix.

Vegies for White Bean and Bacon Soup in dutch oven

Half-way through sauteing the vegies, add the spices so the heat will release their flavor and aroma. How long is “half-way”? Watch the consistency of the vegies. You’ll know when to add the spices and when to finish the soup (maybe 5 to 7 minutes).

Finish Making the Soup

Add the whole beans and the pureed beans to the vegies. Stir to mix the ingredients. Add the chicken broth. Add the chopped bacon. Simmer uncovered about 15 minutes on low heat — stir the soup a couple of times while it simmers. Salt and pepper to taste.

Time to Eat White Bean and Bacon Soup

White Bean and Bacon Soup with warm bread and butter

As with many soups, this will get better day after day. But it should be very tasty the day you make it. Fill up a cup or bowl, grab a spoon, and head out to your favorite seat on the patio. Oh, did you make a hot toddy to compliment your soup and add to keeping you warm? And a hunk of warm bread with butter will be a nice accompaniment to your just finished Randy’s Eat Shop White Bean and Bacon Soup for winter patio dining.

Download Recipe

Remember, life happens on the patio . . . even in winter!

Please Leave a Comment

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Did you make the soup? Was it as quick and easy as we said it is? Did it add to your winter patio experience? Did you modify the recipe? How so? Please include a photo so we can see how delicious your soup looks.

Remember I said that I never soak my beans before cooking them in the pressure cooker? Ask me why in the comment section below and I’ll tell you.

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Patio Heaters Are For Winter Patio Fun!

There’s a Chill in the Air

Not to be dissuaded by the cold of winter, we started looking for ways to keep warm while still enjoying our patio even though winter has set in. Some kind of localized heat generator was going to be needed (read: a heater right next to me on the cold patio). Since our patio is not connected to our house in the backyard we need a free standing unit that would keep four to six people toasty.

Chase the winter chill away with a propane patio heater

Power Sources to Consider

Our patio has no electrical service run to it. And, although our stove, furnace, and water heater are natural gas, the cost to pipe and bury a gas line from our house to the patio was more than we wanted to invest for outdoor heat. Plus, we wanted our heat source to be mobile over the entire 432 square feet of patio surface. So the heater must be portable (moveable). That left propane as the best option.

Research, of Course . . .

We started looking at all the propane patio heater options available that fit our criteria:

Portable
Uses a 20 LB tank (I already had a spare tank and didn’t want to buy another potentially adding $40 to $50 to my cost)
Heat at least a 100 square foot area (10’ x 10’)
Low maintenance
Well constructed for longevity
Purchase price of $150 or less with emphasis on “less”

Many propane patio heater models looked very similar so buyer reviews became very important. Sometimes buyers were complaining about the same issues on any given model — not good. Sometimes buyers loved their purchase and updated their review months or years later to say that their unit was still performing very well — wonderful! So buyer reviews can be very helpful to your research, especially if you read them from several unbiased sources. And remember to pay it forward. If you rely on credible reviews to influence your purchase and you are happy (or not), be sure and take the time to review the product yourself for the benefit of the next person researching the same item.

We Made Our Choice: Propane Patio Heater

When is was all said and done, we found a model at a local BJ’s Wholesale Club. Buying local for this item was a blessing as many reviewers of propane patio heaters they purchased identified damage to their purchase due to shipping. I didn’t want to hassle with a supplier over damaged goods.

Here’s the blurb about our propane patio heater from BJ’s Wholesale Club website:

Berkley Jensen Outdoor Propane Heater
“This heater neatly conceals a standard BBQ style propane tank up to 30-lbs. inside the stainless steel base. Powerful heat element produces over 48,000 BTU’s of radiant heat that reaches out up to a full 15′ around the unit (175 sq./ft).”

The three most important factors to consider when choosing a propane patio heater are its size, its BTU output, and the heating diameter it covers. Heating diameter can vary considerably depending on the brand and style of heater; make sure you have a model that covers the entire area you want to keep warm.

Generally outdoor propane patio heaters run from $150 to $200 or more but can be had for less if you are diligent in your research. We paid less than $100 on sale at BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Important Note:
Once you make a purchase, please read your heater owner’s manual specifically to note the amount of open space needed for your propane patio heater both side to side and on top of the heating unit to prevent starting a unintended fire.

Patio Heaters Are a Necessity for Winter Entertaining

A friend of mine and I have a habit of enjoying a cheap scotch on the patio most Friday afternoons. Summer adult beverages were easy. But when it got cold that made our ritual a challenge. Enter the propane patio heater. We’ve used it down to around 40 degrees (maybe a bit colder) and it has worked splendidly. It can be breezy (sometimes windy) on our patio and that diminishes it’s heating capacity, but when the breeze quits we are toasty!

UPDATE

OK, so it is December 2023. We have just begun to use our patio heater for this cool-air season. And . . . it wouldn’t start.

In the summer season I had disconnected the propane line from the propane tank and wrapped the line and regulator in plastic to prevent dirt from getting blown in and plugging up the line. Plus, I could smell gas when I tried the final step in lighting the heater. So the line and regulator were not the problem.

Next, I went to YouTube and typed in “outdoor propane heater will not start”. There were several videos from other people who had experienced the same issue. They recommended taking off the top of the heater to look at the simple workings of how the gas gets ignited. They mainly focused on the thermocouple that has to get hot and stay hot when you first start the heater. The hot thermocouple acts as a constant igniter for the gas running the heat lamp until you shut the gas off. If the thermocouple gets dirty or sooty it won’t get hot enough to continue to ignite the gas as the heater is running. The recommended fix is to clean the thermocouple with some steel wool and then reinstall the top of the heater. But that wasn’t my issue. My thermocouple was still bright and shiny.

Now, when I worked the manual spark clicker (meaning the starting clicker was not battery operated) used for igniting the gas there was no spark. That was the problem.

I seriously thought about replacing the heater because many of the commenters on the YouTube repair videos said they were just about to replace their heater until they watched the repair videos. Their issue was the thermocouple and so they fixed their heaters and are now toasty warm. But I was not interested in buying a new part — my clicker — for a heater that I had only used a few times last season. So, what was my “old school” fix that works every time, saved me from buying a new heater, and has kept me toasty warm on my patio during these cool autumn days and nights? Matches.

There is a hole at the bottom of the heater head where the gas comes out from the tank. It is there to start your heater with a match. Strike your match and put it in the hole. Then turn your heater gas knob to “start”. Volia! Instant start! Just don’t push in the “start” button releasing gas into the heater head and then start messing around with your matches unless you want your hair to get scorched. Even safer yet, use a Click N Flame Butane Lighte r.

This is an easy fix and now I am throughly enjoying my patio heater once again without spending any money on a repair. Oh, and remember to enjoy a Julie’s Hot Todd y while you’re getting nice and warm under your patio heater.

Propane Patio Heater FAQ

Are propane patio heaters worth it?

Propane patio heaters are a great option, as they heat quickly and can be easily moved from one spot on the patio to another. The average heating area for any outdoor heater is about 100 square feet. Typically, a propane patio heater is effective to about 40 degrees. Effectiveness drops as the temperature cools.

How long does a 20 LB propane tank last in an outdoor patio heater?

The average portable propane patio heater houses a 20 LB propane tank or about 4.7 gallons of fuel. A 20 LB propane tank can last up to 10 hours and costs between $15 – $20 to fill up, making the average cost per hour between $1.50 – $2.00.

Can a propane heater be used on a covered porch?

Propane patio heaters typically require measurable amounts of clear space and can be safely used as long as there is proper ventilation and clearance — at least three around the heating unit and at least three feet above the heating unit as a minimum clearance away from any fire hazard or other combustible materials. Please, let common sense be your guide, and consult your product’s owner’s manual for specifics.

Can outdoor propane heaters be left out in the rain?

No. Outdoor gas heaters should be stored in the upright position in an area that is sheltered from direct contact with rain and other inclement weather conditions.

Wheels are important to be able to reposition your patio heater under covering to avoid leaving it out in inclement weather such as hard rain or excessive snow.

What does BTU mean?

The British Thermal Unit is a way to measure energy. One BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.

A heater with a higher BTU rating is more powerful — that is, it has a higher heat output than one with a low BTU rating. The higher the BTU the better to raise the temperature in your space each hour, so you can either heat your space more quickly or heat a larger space.

Please leave a comment about our propane patio heater blog post

Please Leave a Comment: Propane Patio Heater

Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Have you added a heater(s) to your patio and what kind? Let us know how it is working for you. Add a picture so we can see you relaxing on your (winter) patio, warm and toasty and sipping a Julie’s Hot Toddy.

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