Ideal Outdoor Kitchen: Essential Aspects to Keep in Mind
Designing an outdoor kitchen is an exciting endeavor that brings culinary pleasures into the open air. Here are essential factors to contemplate when creating your ideal outdoor kitchen:
Calculating Costs for an Outdoor Kitchen
Like any endeavor, the expense of your outdoor kitchen hinges on the level of intricacy you envision. A rough estimate for an outdoor kitchen, complete with countertops, a built-in barbecue, and a bar area, could span between $8,000 and $17,000 – this figure excludes the cost of appliances and pavers.
In setting a budget, exert effort to adhere to it diligently. Expenses can easily escalate beyond initial expectations. Hidden costs might include fees for hiring a designer, plumber, or electrician, obtaining necessary permits, and even excavation work. To mitigate unwelcome financial surprises, it’s prudent to collaborate with an experienced contractor who can help you gauge a realistic budget for your project.
To Cover or Not to Cover Your Outdoor Kitchen
Contemplating some form of coverage for your outdoor kitchen is a judicious move, backed by several reasons. If the sun’s intensity peaks during meal hours, the consideration of constructing a pergola around the kitchen or installing sunshades becomes valid, ensuring a comfortable culinary and dining experience throughout the day. If your locale experiences unpredictable weather shifts, such as sudden gusts of wind or frequent rain showers, a shelter or retractable canopy can guarantee preparedness for any climatic scenario.
It’s noteworthy that even when the outdoor kitchen is not in use, the appliances remain exposed to the elements, including snow in certain regions. Therefore, safeguarding them with at least partial coverage is wise, preserving their aesthetic appeal and functional performance over the years.
Defining the Best Outdoor Kitchen
The optimal outdoor kitchen is one tailored to harmonize with your lifestyle. Whether you revel in hosting grand gatherings or prefer intimate get-togethers, your kitchen should echo your preferences. Does your culinary taste lean towards gourmet or do you gravitate towards uncomplicated and casual cooking experiences?
An outdoor kitchen’s possibilities are expansive – encompassing gas, propane, or electric grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and even full-size ovens and stovetops. Should the aim be to cook amidst your guests, then a spacious countertop area and a sink with hot water are essential.
For convenient ingredient storage, prepared dishes, and beverages, a refrigerator might prove beneficial. Don’t overlook the necessity for storage space for cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery, saving you from the chore of ferrying items between indoor and outdoor kitchens.
Selecting the Right Location for Your Outdoor Kitchen
In the interest of convenience, positioning your outdoor kitchen in proximity to your house is a sensible choice, especially if you require electricity, running water, and gas access. This proximity also eases the transportation of food and dishes from indoors to outdoors.
For those residing on expansive properties, a more picturesque setting or a location near the pool might be preferred. It’s prudent to factor in the added expenses associated with water, gas, and electricity connections, along with possible obstacles like buried utility lines, septic tanks, and property easements. However, positioning the kitchen farther away might mean a longer journey to fire up the grill.
Material Considerations for Outdoor Kitchens
When deliberating on materials, prioritize durability, followed by ease of maintenance. Given the outdoor kitchen’s exposure to various seasons and potential hazards like outdoor debris, footwear grime, dropped food, and the rigors of heavy appliances, sturdiness is paramount.
Stainless steel emerges as a prudent option for countertops and appliances due to its robustness and resistance. It not only exudes a sleek appearance but is also adept at withstanding elemental challenges, and its maintenance is hassle-free.
For flooring, the Beacon Hill Smooth concrete paver, fortified with EnduraColor technology, stands as a favorable choice. This paver boasts a fortified foundation and a surface enriched with concentrated color and fine aggregates, assuring its resistance to fading over time.
Another exceptional option, suitable for high-traffic zones, is the Umbriano paver, factory-sealed with EasyClean™ for surface protection and swift cleanup of spills. Further enhancing its appeal, the Umbriano paver is available within the U-Cara Modular System, facilitating the creation of pillars and grill islands efficiently.
Determining the Right Size for Your Outdoor Kitchen
The size of your outdoor kitchen is largely dictated by the available space, yet size itself isn’t the pivotal factor. Even compact urban settings have the potential to accommodate elements such as barbecue grill islands and pizza ovens.
In determining the dimensions, maintain a realistic perspective on the number of family members and friends who will partake in outdoor dining, as well as the style of cooking you intend to undertake. Ensuring ample seating room for al fresco diners is an aspect that should not be overlooked.
Guidelines for Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen
Gather your concepts and wish lists, and then engage in discussions with our Best Pro Landscape team.