Having a grill is great, but having an outdoor kitchen opens up new possibilities in the world of outdoor cooking. Whether it’s pizzas in an outdoor oven or smoking whole chickens, you can prepare full meals while entertaining guests and take advantage of all the amenities that are available in today’s grilling Islands. The benefits are numerous, here are just a few:
A top benefit of having an outdoor kitchen is that they’re perfect spaces for entertaining. When food is grilled out on the patio, guests can gather around the BBQ grill and socialize as dinner is being prepared. It might get crowded in an indoor kitchen when everyone hangs out with the cook, but outside there’s much more space.
Kitchens have a great return value because they add home value and reduce utility costs. Because of the popularity of this home improvement, owners earn a high rate of return on their financial investment. Most of today’s BBQ grills and other patio appliances are made from stainless steel, which makes them able to handle the changing temperatures with the seasons. Stainless steel is also desirable because it is easy to clean. When you’re grilling outside during the summer, your air conditioner won’t have to work overtime to keep your house cool.
Some foods smell delicious while they’re cooking, while others are less desirable. When you cook especially odoriferous foods such as fish or smoker items, those aromas can linger for days. When you prepare the same menu items outside, your house stays fresh smelling.
No need to add on a room with walls and a roof; simply incorporate the space you already have on your back porch. If you have a covered patio, you’re all set to bring in appliances and have the outdoor kitchen of your dreams while expanding your living space. If you have considered an outdoor deck remodel, having your own outdoor kitchen is just another reason to take the next step with your project.
What is the point of an outdoor kitchen?
An outdoor kitchen allows for more cooks – or helping hands at the very least – to help with preparing food, mixing drinks, grilling, and cleaning up. Depending on the layout of the outdoor kitchen, more bodies in an outdoor kitchen aren’t necessarily a bad thing as it can be less crowded than an indoor kitchen.
Design Considerations for Outdoor Kitchens
You’ll need to give some thought to the design of your outdoor kitchen. For example, ventilation is important, so pay attention to the space above and below your grill. You want the smoke to blow away from your cooking area. Make sure to sketch out the dimensions of your kitchen layout before buying your appliances and accessories. Some additions to contemplate when planning your design are:
- Built-in or Portable Grill
Decide how large of a grill you need or want, and whether you want one that’s permanently positioned or mobile. If you plan to cook for large crowds, you’ll need a larger size, but if you’ll just cook for your family, invest in a smaller BBQ.
- Countertops
How much preparation space will you need in your outdoor kitchen? Plan your countertop space accordingly. Also, make sure you select a product that can withstand changes in weather.
- Built-in Cabinets
You might need some help designing the layout of your patio cabinets. Don’t underestimate the need for cupboards outdoors, or you will be running back and forth between your indoor and outdoor kitchen, which will put a crimp in the convenience factor.
- Lighting
Since you will probably be doing much of your meal preparation during the evening hours, you’ll need to have adequate lighting on your patio. You definitely don’t want to be chopping and slicing in the dark. Plus, you need to be able to see your grilled items clearly to make sure they’re rare, medium, or well done.
- Sink
Having a sink with running water is essential to convenient meal preparation. Install yours near your prep station for ease in cleaning up and adding liquid to recipes.
- Refrigerator
You might decide to have a small fridge or a full-sized one. It all depends on how much you plan to store outdoors.
- Flooring
Concrete, natural stone, brick, and tile are good options for outdoor flooring. You don’t want a high-maintenance product outside, but you do want it to be stylish and weather-resistant.
Contact Us for an Expert Consultation
Once you have your outdoor kitchen up and running, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. If you ever decide to sell your home and move to a new location, your outdoor cooking space will be a sought-after selling feature. Now that you’ve experienced creating this extra space in your abode, you’ll be able to set up a new one wherever you move.
