By Mitch Rice
Having an outdoor kitchen is a dream many people share, and the good news is it can be your reality for far less money than you think. Outdoor kitchens are fully customizable and modular units make it possible to pick and choose what you want so you’re never stuck buying something you won’t use.
If you want to crunch the numbers to get an idea of what you’d spend, RTA Outdoor Living published an article that breaks down the various costs associated with different types of outdoor kitchens based on whether you want to hire a contractor or install a premade unit.
Once you’ve decided to get an outdoor kitchen, you’ll need to figure out what components you want and what design style you prefer for your outdoor space.
Here are some ideas to get started.
- Safety first – keep it outside
It’s very tempting to enclose an outdoor kitchen inside a room or a fully enclosed gazebo, but that could be asking for trouble in case of a fire. Outdoor kitchens require a large amount of ventilation and the more you enclose them, the less ventilation you get. That means heat will stay trapped inside the room and if it gets hot enough to start a fire, you could be in trouble.
The best way to design your outdoor kitchen is to keep it outside in the open air. It’s perfectly okay to cover your kitchen with a gazebo that has at least one or two open walls to keep it dry and shaded. As long as you have some airflow and your grills aren’t touching flammable materials like wood or cloth, that’s what matters.
- Use an outdoor kitchen as an extension of your main kitchen
Thousands of people opt for remodeling their kitchen every year simply because it doesn’t meet their needs. It’s hard to find the perfect home as-is, and it’s normal to settle for a kitchen that isn’t ideal. However, it’s only a matter of time before you start running out of space or get frustrated with the layout when you have guests over or try to host meals on holidays.
If that’s how you feel, getting a small outdoor kitchen would be a great way to extend your main kitchen. If you’re like most people, you might want a kitchen island big enough to also serve as a dining table, and that’s easy with an outdoor kitchen.
Maybe you don’t want a full-size outdoor kitchen and just want to be able to accommodate extra people for holidays and get-togethers. Then all you need is perhaps a grill and an island outside. Combined with a comfortable patio table and chairs, your guests will feel well taken care of at your next gathering.
- Don’t forget the ice machine
Ice is usually consumed as much (or more) than actual food during barbecues and cookouts. People love ice in their soft drinks, water, iced tea, lemonade, and cocktails. The first time you host a party with your new outdoor kitchen, you’ll be thankful you opted for the ice machine.
You can buy party ice from the grocery store, but there’s no guarantee it will be in stock. Plus, you’ll need a place to put it where it won’t melt. That can be tricky unless you have a spare, empty freezer lying around. The convenient solution is to get an ice maker for your outdoor kitchen. They’re easy to use, and it will blend right in with all your other appliances. You can still buy extra ice just in case you run out, but you won’t ever have to rush to the store at the last minute because you forgot to get ice for your party.
- Get the appliances you really want
Forget about the cost for a minute. Think about what appliances you really want to have in your outdoor kitchen. If you’re going to spend the money anyway, you may as well get what you want. Don’t waste your time and energy creating an outdoor kitchen you’ll only be slightly excited to use. Go all out and splurge to get exactly what you want. You’ll use it more and it will make you happier!
Make your backyard an amazing space
Spending time in your backyard should be fun. With an outdoor kitchen, you’ll have a cozy space for enjoying home-cooked meals with friends and family, whether it’s a holiday or for no reason other than you just want to spend quality time with people you love.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
