Outdoor Kitchen Planning

Extend your home space outdoors by adding an outdoor kitchen plan to your spring to do list. An Outdoor kitchen is perfect for summer entertaining, winter steaks, and everyday family time.

As the trend of Staycations grows every year, outdoor living manufacturers have developed modular cabinets that make building an outdoor room in your backyard seamless and much less expensive than you may think. With many product lines available you have your choice in style and color that allow you to create your fully functional dream outdoor kitchen. With a long list of possible features, nothing is impossible.  

The footprint of the kitchen can be as small or large as you need as well as any shape to compliment your living space. By simply picking components, put them together and finishing it all off with a countertop of your choice, it is so easy that a kitchen can be built over a weekend or even in a day.

Most outdoor kitchen products are built to withstand the elements, from the hot sun to the snow & freezing rain, but where you put it and how you finish it is important. There are a few general guidelines when planning an outdoor kitchen project. As with designing a kitchen in your home, every aspect must be well thought out and planned. Start by asking yourself the following questions.

Where will the outdoor kitchen be placed? Location is important for several reasons.

Convenience is key with placing your outdoor cooking space. So make sure to select an area that has easy access from the inside kitchen, Or at least the main backyard door. Often, you’ll find yourself going in and out with platters, condiments and other food items for cooking and serving. A general guideline is 15-20 feet from your main kitchen at most.

Are there adequate utilities in the spot where the kitchen is being placed or can they be installed? Most outdoor kitchens require a power outlet and a gas connection depending on what kind of components you are installing. Perhaps you would like to add an outdoor television or have more outlets for appliances such as a blender. An outdoor sink is very convenient but does require plumbing. It is recommended to talk to the required professionals about your plan before purchasing any components for there may be some unforeseen regulations or bylaws what need to be met and may result in some adjustments to your plan.

What kind of components do you want to add to your outdoor kitchen?

There are so many amenities you can combine to add convenience and aesthetic appeal. A stainless grill head is a great choice and very practical, but wouldn’t it be fun to add a Kamado cooker, pizza oven or a pellet grill as well to compliment your grilling skills? A refrigerator is an absolute necessity if you have a pool. Gone are the days of kids and guests tracking through the house in wet bathing suits looking for a drink. A sink is so handy for food preparation and clean up after preparing a meal.  If you entertain a lot you may find it convenient and price effective to install a Kegerator. Cold beer at your fingertips is a luxury and we all know beer and barbecue go hand in hand. Or even take the chill out of a cool evening and add a heater. You can mount it right above your grilling area or have a standalone heater close by. Storage is always an issue so make sure to factor in a few places to store accessories, charcoal, wood chips, and kitchen paraphernalia. One unit that is always recommended is the combination garbage/paper towel holder because it is so useful.

As you can see, the options are endless.

Planning a seating area for guests

A big trend at the moment is to have a seating area or bar right at the outdoor kitchen itself. This is a bonus for the host as they get to take part in the conversation and can keep prepping and grilling without missing a beat. If you have a seating area reserved away from the grilling area, you may want to add a fire table for warmth and ambiance. You could even add a water or fire feature for aesthetic appeal.

Finishing the outdoor kitchen.

Do you want a shelter above the kitchen? Even if you’re not an avid winter griller we still have other elements to deal with. No one likes a soggy bun with his or her burger and a well-placed pergola or sunshade can solve that problem. You may want to place extra lights or even speakers above to complete the whole entertainment area.

Last but not least, you will need to decide how you want to finish your beautiful outdoor kitchen. The right countertop can finish off the entire look. Yet again, there are so many choices but you must keep in mind aesthetic appeal as well as durability. Your choice should have low moisture absorption, be resistant to environmental pollutants, humidity, and freeze-thaw conditions. Corian, granite, and soapstone are all great choices but a good countertop manufacturer can steer you in the right direction.

Planning an outdoor kitchen should be fun. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our experts who are happy to help you navigate all your choices.

Happy Grilling!