Beating the barbecue blues with a hut...
According to the National Barbecue Association, barbecuing is the UK's number one summer home leisure activity, with more than half of all Brits owning a barbecue grill. However, this passion for outdoor cooking is somewhat in contrast with the British weather. Last summer in particular was a complete washout, with some counties recording their wettest June since records began, and most of England seeing double the average July rainfall.
With current predictions suggesting a similar picture for this summer, could the Scandinavian kota grill hut be the answer? We look at five essential stages for setting up your own barbecue hut:
Stage One – Fashion or function?
With prices ranging from around £4,000 £15,000, a barbecue hut is a serious investment, so before you chase the latest trend you need to be sure it's going to be right for you. Barbecue huts are now a popular feature of hotels and holiday lets, but in case you've never seen one, here’s a bit more about them.
Scandinavian kota grill huts originate from Lapland, where they were covered in reindeer hides and used as homes by the nomadic reindeer herders. The modern equivalent is much more sturdy, constructed from solid pine with double glazed windows, making it perfect for entertaining all year round. The high pitch of the roof makes the huts deceptively spacious, with many likening them to a tardis! In the centre of the hexagonal building stands the wood burning barbecue grill, with a chimney and air vents to carry smoke away.
With its cosy atmosphere and quaint charm, a barbecue hut is a truly unique setting to entertain guests. However, if you really want to make the most of your investment, the hut's spacious feel and sturdy construction make it ideal for a number of uses. Many choose to use their huts almost like an extra room of their house, perhaps as a playroom, an office or a spare bedroom. Alternatively, while their construction makes for a luxuriously warm environment in winter, they also stay cool in summer, so you might use your hut as a summer house to relax with a few drinks.
Stage Two – Choosing what's right for you
If you decide that a barbecue hut could be a worthwhile investment, there are several options open to you. Firstly, having thought about what you are likely to use the hut for, you need to decide on its size. A hut with an inside floor area of seven square metres will seat up to ten people, while a nine metre hut can seat up to 15 and sleep three adults, although you do of course need to consider how much of your garden you are willing to dedicate to your new addition.
You then need to decide which company you are going to purchase your hut from. Although shape and materials vary little from company to company, there are other significant differences to consider. Firstly, some companies have experienced fitters who will come to your home and construct the hut for you. However, do think about whether this is strictly necessary, as it can be costly, and the hut will usually be delivered flat packed with full instructions and should be easy enough for two people to construct with little more than a screwdriver!
Secondly, fans of gas barbecues will be pleased to hear this is also an option with a barbecue hut, although purists might argue this choice would detract from the atmosphere! It is also worth looking at what extras you get with your purchase, with offerings ranging from authentic Finnish mugs and plates to reindeer skins and antlers for that truly authentic feel. Finally, do bear in mind that not all companies offer a warranty, and those that do offer different time spans, with some companies having quite strict criteria regarding how you must care for your hut in order to keep your warranty valid.
Stage Three – Rules and Regulations
Once you have ordered your hut you need to prepare your garden for its arrival. First of all, consider planning permission and building regulations. You will not normally need to apply for planning permission for an outbuilding. However, you will need to seek permission if you intend to place your hut less than 20 metres from the road. You also need to seek permission if your chosen hut is more than four metres tall. Building regulations do not apply to outbuildings as long as the floor area of the building is less than thirty metres squared and at least one metre from any boundary.
Stage Four – Preparing for your new arrival
Even if you have chosen a company who will construct your hut for you, they will usually require that you lay the foundations yourself. To do this you will need to obtain measurements from the company, then mark out the area using pegs and string. Remove turf, soil and stones to a depth of 15cm and level the area. Fill the area with a layer of hardcore and cover this with a layer of sand. Place dry-mixed concrete in a wheelbarrow, adding small amounts of water at a time, making sure the cement doesn't become sloppy. Spread the concrete evenly over the area, levelling it off with the straight edge of a piece of timber. Allow 48 hours for the concrete to set prior to the arrival of your barbecue hut.
Of course, if your garden is on a significant slope, it might be best to get a landscape gardener to do this for you.
Stage Five – Interesting options
If you are attracted to the quaint charm and intriguing history of the Scandinavian kota but aren't a fan of barbecues, there are other options available. With the arrival of the smoking ban, bars and restaurants are desperate for stylish shelters to keep their smokers happy. It is for this purpose that the open-sided kotas were designed, typically with three of the six sides removed, leaving a hut which provides protection from the wind and the rain but with a much more open feel. Buying a kota of this type for your garden could be the perfect solution for our somewhat changeable weather, giving the feeling of al fresco dining while offering protection if the weather suddenly changes.
Or, for those who find it difficult to relax after a long week at the office, how about a sauna kota for a bit of pampering? The sauna kota has the same structure as the barbecue hut, but with raised benches and a traditional log-fired sauna instead of the barbecue grill, bringing a sense of luxury into your very own garden!
So even if we Brits finally get our wish of a scorching summer, its versatility means that a Scandinavian kota is a welcome addition to any garden!
*Taken from our last monthly newsletter to over 230,000 home owners. To receive our free newsletter, click here. You can unsubscribe at any time.
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