Almost $150 billion was spent in the United States in 2005 and $50 billion of this was spent on outdoor living areas. No wonder outdoor kitchens are such a hot trend. Outdoor kitchens cost upwards of a couple of thousand dollars but you can consider them as investments. Here are a few tips on outdoor kitchen design and outdoor kitchen plans.
Which Outdoor Kitchen Design is Best?
There are three basic outdoor kitchen designs, which are a L-shaped island, a basic island, and a U-shaped center. A L-shaped island has space for both cooking and preparation. A basic island features a sink, a grill, and a space for preparation. Basic islands tend to be small so if you are going to be cooking for more than a couple of people, you might want to consider another type. A U-shaped center has a grill in the middle and spaces on either side for preparation and serving. This is a handy design if you want to be able to serve food straight from the grill without leaving it.
How to Choose Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
When you are putting together your outdoor kitchen plans, you need to think about outdoor kitchen cabinets. Unlike indoor cabinets, these are going to be exposed to water, cold temperatures and sunlight, which means that durable materials such s brick, granite and marble are recommended. Wood, especially untreated wood, can rot easily and will need to be replaced within a matter of months. Wood is also very flammable. Your outdoor kitchen is supposed to last for years so it is worthwhile choosing the best quality outdoor kitchen cabinets and work surfaces you can afford.
Outdoor Kitchen Appliances - What Will You Need?
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.
How to Build Your Outdoor Kitchen
The first thing to do is plan exactly what you want and need. Also, think about what type of cooking you will do and how often, your budget, whether you want the outdoor kitchen to be a fixture or movable arrangement, and how many people you will be feeding and whether the food will be eaten outside or brought in.
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.
Once you have your plans and materials ready, it is time to build the perfect outdoor kitchen, where your family and friends will enjoy making delicious meals for many years!
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