An outdoor kitchen is the perfect complement to any house. Not only are you able to cook delicious meals outside in the warm summer evenings but also you will not have to be stuck in the main kitchen, missing all the fun outside.
In 2005, Americans spent nearly $150 billion remodeling their homes and $50 billion of this was spent on exterior living areas, meaning that outdoor kitchens are a hot trend! You will need at least a few thousand dollars before beginning your outdoor kitchen but consider it an investment. Before you rush out to buy materials and appliances, here are some things you should know about outdoor kitchens and their design.
Outdoor Kitchen Design
Outdoor kitchens come in three basic designs. These designs are an L shaped island, a U shaped center, and a basic island. An L shape island gives you cooking space and preparation space. A U shaped center features a grill in the middle and both preparation and serving areas. This is a good design to pick if you are going to be using your outdoor kitchen a lot. You can also serve food straight from the grill without leaving it. Basic islands are economical but they are too small to cook for a lot of guests.
How to Choose Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
Remember that outdoor kitchens will be exposed to sunlight, water, and cold temperatures, so you need to use durable materials for the countertops and cabinets. Marble, granite, brick, and various manmade materials are good to use. Wood rots easily, especially if left untreated. It is also highly flammable. Outdoor kitchens are supposed to last for many years, so you should invest in the best quality cabinets and countertops you can afford.
Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
The grill will be the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen and you can choose from a charcoal grill or gas grill. Charcoal grills give a delicious smoky flavor to your food but gas grills offer a better temperature control. If your grill will be exposed to the elements, you will need a waterproof cover for it.
A kitchen island is also a must if you want a great outdoor kitchen. You can design the kitchen island yourself or buy one ready-made. Stone, stucco, and stainless steel are good, sturdy materials to use. An outdoor sink should be on your list of outdoor kitchen appliances and you can draw water from the house supply or a portable water hose. You might want an outdoor refrigerator but bear in mind these will only last a few years because of the fluctuating exterior temperatures.
Building Your Own Outdoor Kitchen
When building outdoor kitchens, it is important to take your time and plan exactly what you want the finished outdoor kitchen to look like. What kind of cookery will you do? How often will you cook there? How much can you spend? How many people will you feed at once? Do you want your outdoor kitchen stationary or movable? These are some of the important questions to ask yourself before designing your outdoor kitchen plans or thinking about outdoor kitchen appliances.
When you have a firm idea of what is required, you can either build your own outdoor kitchen or hire a contractor to help. Outdoor kitchens should be near the house so you can bring food in and out but not in an area where smoke will blow into the house or into the faces of your guests. Other safety precautions include making sure the grill is a comfortable thirty-six inches high and not using any flammable materials in your outdoor kitchen construction.
When you are ready to go, you can enjoy building your outdoor kitchen and be assured that family and friends will delight in your cookery for years to come!
The article is very informative, thanks for posting helpful tips on how to set up outdoor kitchens.