Deck lighting for the grills


 
BillSmith

BillSmith

TVWBB Pro
I have a rectangular deck with two sides attached to the house. I have my grills away from the house along the back rail. I’m looking for lighting suggestions.

Here are some options that I’m considering:

1. Mount floodlights on the side of the house. Would work ok for one grill but might cause a shadow issue for the other grill.

2. Find some sort of post that I can mount to the deck between the two grills. The lights attach to the post and shine downwards on the grill. I think this is my preferred option if I can find a suitable post. Here’s one that might work:

https://www.rablighting.com/product/PS4-11-10WT

3. I have seen these string lights that seem to be the rage. They look like little light bulbs hanging down from a cord. Run this along the outside perimeter of the deck. Not sure if this will provide enough light for cooking.

Any other suggestions of thoughts? I don’t think I’m interested in a grill handle light but you can try to convince me otherwise.
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Your ideas would all work. In my opinion decide if you are looking to light your deck for yourself and friends to enjoy sitting on the deck in the evening or if it is to shed light on your grill for cooking. My wife and I enjoy sitting on our deck with minimal or no lighting and maybe a candle lamp for atmosphere. I have a "grill light" that I attach to my grill and it gives me enough light to cook.
Each person has their own wants and needs. Just make sure that what you do meets your wants and needs. Then enjoy grilling and sitting outside.
 
Unless you have multiple light sources, you will always have shadow issues. The grill handle light or "miner's hat" light are practical solutions. Like Mike, we like to sit on the deck at night. Flood lights are too bright. The string of small lights works great for this, but not really bright enough for cooking. (I got several 25' strings of white Christmas lights at Lowe's for about $10 a string. Five years and they are still going strong.) I'd be thinking of something specific to shine on the grill surface.

Jeff
 
This is a quandary that I share with you! Lighting a grill is kind of an odd challenge, you want enough light to see but not be blinded, I also am not terribly fond of the blue quality of LED lights in most lamps. I’m leaning toward more “Edison” lights, they are less intense and offer a nice warm light and are offered in even an LED version which I do like I’m working on the best way to make them work on the new deck and provide enough light for grilling.
 
J Hasselberger has a good point, single light source will frequently mean shadows.

I got a tri-head LED array with a light sensitive motion sensor (only goes off after dark,) a claimed 1,900 lumens IIRC, to replace the incandescent floodlamp by the back door. My grill is petty much right in line with the head at 90 degrees, so I get a good wash from my left hand side over the grill. I've been been very happy with it, I wouldn't hesitate do do something like it again. YMMV.
 
My covered patio is dimmly lit for the most part but I can turn on two exterior porch light that help light the cooking area but not enough at the grill. I picked up this little battery powered light with a magnetic base that works really good for putting light right where I need it.
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Some of the work tool lights by Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc may work well also. Just throwing out an idea, hope it helps.
 
Colin, the problem I have with that, is color correction, Those light are all about brightness, food is not. Real color is what I want and as easy as those things are (I have several) the reality is as far as finesse, they fall far short. I’m pulling a couple of my Coleman lantern collection out of their lair when I finish cleaning the garage and will have those closer to hand by fall.
Blue light makes food look revolting in my opinion. It may be bright but, appetizing, it surely is not.
 
I use an LED headlamp. No shadows, lights up whatever I'm looking at, and a portable solution. I considered putting up lights but the shadows would drive me nuts.
 
Todd NC said:
I use an LED headlamp. No shadows, lights up whatever I'm looking at, and a portable solution. I considered putting up lights but the shadows would drive me nuts.
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I have used an LED headlamp before. The only issue I have is the bugs are attracted to it and they start diving at my face.

Another option that I might have to consider would be some sort of clamp light that I could attach to my deck railing. Like a snake light that one might use on a desk but rated for exterior use. I'll have to look around.
 
BillSmith said:
I have used an LED headlamp before. The only issue I have is the bugs are attracted to it and they start diving at my face.

Another option that I might have to consider would be some sort of clamp light that I could attach to my deck railing. Like a snake light that one might use on a desk but rated for exterior use. I'll have to look around.
Click to expand...

Yea, bugs could be an issue. I mainly use the headlamp in the winter when darkness comes way too early. The bugs are mostly gone here during those months.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Colin, the problem I have with that, is color correction, Those light are all about brightness, food is not. Real color is what I want and as easy as those things are (I have several) the reality is as far as finesse, they fall far short. I’m pulling a couple of my Coleman lantern collection out of their lair when I finish cleaning the garage and will have those closer to hand by fall.
Blue light makes food look revolting in my opinion. It may be bright but, appetizing, it surely is not.
Click to expand...
Another Coleman lantern user here! Plenty of bright natural light. They can be hung or placed where needed. I keep one in my BBQ cabinet next to my grill.
Here’s last night’s Tri-tip cook—nice and bright!
 

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Timothy F. Lewis said:
Colin, the problem I have with that, is color correction, Those light are all about brightness, food is not. Real color is what I want and as easy as those things are (I have several) the reality is as far as finesse, they fall far short. I’m pulling a couple of my Coleman lantern collection out of their lair when I finish cleaning the garage and will have those closer to hand by fall.
Blue light makes food look revolting in my opinion. It may be bright but, appetizing, it surely is not.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder Timothy. I am always "in the dark" when doing long smokes and the single deck light does not cut it. I have a good Coleman lantern sitting in my garage that since I got a trailer I do not use. Time to dust it off and fire it up for my next smoke.
 
I bought one of these from Lowes and mounted it above my grilling area. Been using it for a couple months now and it works good for checking temps and color on overnight smokes or grilling. I figure for $29 if it goes out I'll just buy something else and battery power makes it so I can mount it anywhere.
 
As soon as I can get back to the back corner where I put a “locker” for them (why in blazes I decided that was a good spot I will never know!) I will haul them out and clean them up! Season is almost upon us!
 
I have some pretty bright flood lights but the way my grill is positioned causes me to cast a shadow on the grilling surface.
I'm planning on doing something like this:

www.hgtv.com

String Light Solution: Hang Patio Lights Using Planters and Wood Posts

Café lights add a gorgeous glow to an outdoor living space, but they can be tricky to hang if you don’t have trees or other tall objects to string them from. Here’s a freestanding solution for hanging lights that uses planters and wood posts. It’s totally temporary, so it’s perfect for renters.
www.hgtv.com www.hgtv.com
 
Check this out:

tvwbb.com

Best Light for Performer

Tried searching, but light and lamp were too generic to turn anything up. As the days get shorter I need a good lamp for my performer so I am not juggling the flashlight. Anyone have a recommendation? I have seen the Weber one with the clamp, just wondering if there is a better option out...
tvwbb.com tvwbb.com

My answer will be found on Post #11.

Keep on smokin',
Dale53 :wsm:
 
A lot more involved, but this was my weekend project. Added a couple of lights over my grilling area and a couple of receptacles: one to run my smart plug for the LED "atmosphere" rope lights under the deck railing for when we're just sitting out there and another for power to my radio and rotisserie, etc. The overhead lights are also on a dimmer, so they can be used for additional lighting if we are just having a drink out on the deck or brighter if we're having dinner. I was concerned about casting too much light towards the neighbors, but this works perfectly, and I can dim them if I am grilling a "European" dinner later in the evening.
 

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I just picked up a couple of small LED focusable solar lights at Costco yesterday, first impression is pretty good, didn’t grill with it last night but, it’s a warm light not the regular blueish (makes food pictures look weird) kind. Too soon for a full report but, I will advise.
 
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