Why limit yourself to your indoor kitchen? An outdoor BBQ next to your pool lets you take advantage of beautiful weather, spend time with friends, and bond with family, and good food complements any gathering. Building a pool is a big investment, so adding a cooking component is a great way to get more use out of the space. Here is how to design a poolside BBQ that works.

Choosing the right grill

Start with how you cook. Ask yourself what kinds of food you want to make and what size gatherings you usually host, since most people choose a grill based on performance. If you like simple meals such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and vegetables, a gas or charcoal grill is a great fit. A built-in grill looks clean and integrates into a counter, while a quality freestanding model offers flexibility.

Placement next to the pool

Strategically placing your grill in a prime spot enhances the whole backyard: nothing beats good company, a cold drink, and the smell of steaks on the air. Keep the grill close enough to the pool and seating to stay part of the gathering, but positioned so smoke drifts away from swimmers and loungers, with a safe buffer from high-traffic paths around the water.

Updating or upgrading your setup

If you already have a BBQ, updating it can refresh the whole space. New parts can make an old grill run like new, and accessories like warming racks and heat plates boost its performance. If you want something more than a grill, there are plenty of options: a pizza oven is a conversation starter that also bakes bread, meats, and more, and rotisseries, smokers, and even teppanyaki flat-top cookers make a unique addition.

The outdoor kitchen extras

Whether you are customizing a grill or a full setup, a few extras make entertaining far easier. An outdoor sink makes cooking and cleanup convenient without trips indoors, and a refrigerator keeps raw meats, drinks, and other ingredients fresh and close at hand. In the desert, shade over the cooking area keeps it usable through summer, and good lighting extends the evening.

Designing the BBQ into the bigger picture

Your backyard is as important as the inside of your home, and a cooking setup creates the incentive to spend more time out there making memories. Pools by Design plans cooking areas alongside the pool for clients across Tucson and Southern Arizona, so the BBQ feels like part of the backyard rather than a bolt-on.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of grill should I get for a poolside BBQ?

Choose based on how you cook and your typical crowd size. A gas or charcoal grill handles most everyday meals, and a built-in unit integrates cleanly into a counter.

What extras make an outdoor BBQ more useful?

An outdoor sink and a refrigerator make hosting far easier, and add-ons like a pizza oven, smoker, or rotisserie expand what you can cook.

Where should the grill go relative to the pool?

Close enough to stay part of the gathering, positioned so smoke blows away from swimmers, with a safe buffer from walkways.