
With spring in full swing now is the perfect time to get started on an outdoor kitchen project. Getting an early start building one means that you will be able to enjoy it for the rest of the summer and into the fall. Here are some things that you might want to think about including in your outdoor kitchen project.
Cooking
You will need to decide what sort of cooking devices you want for your outdoor kitchen. These might include things like a barbeque, a gas range or perhaps more specialized equipment like a smoker or a pizza oven. It all depends on what you want to cook and what kind of meals you and your family enjoy. It is important to keep in mind that each piece of cooking equipment comes with its own considerations such as what sort of fuel source is required, whether or not you need to keep the area above the cooking devices clear, what sort of space you require etc.
Cover
It is also important to consider what sort of cover, if any, you want for your outdoor kitchen. Do you intend to have it under a covered deck? A separate gazebo? A series of umbrellas? Or do you want the kitchen to be completely open air? It’s important to make sure that whatever type of cover you decide on works well with the other elements of your kitchen to prevent damage to the cover or discomfort for your guests.
Refrigeration
If you intend to store food in your outdoor kitchen, refrigeration is also something to consider. Will you need a full-sized fridge? Do you want a separate fridge for drinks? Do you want a freezer for frozen treats? It is also important to consider if you intend to store food in the kitchen full time, or do you just want to make use of refrigeration in specific instances? It’s all in how you cook and want to handle food storage.
Heating
Nights can get cold here in the northern hemisphere, especially in late summer and fall, and might put a damper on enjoying your outdoor kitchen to its fullest, therefore you may want to include some heating options for you and your guests. Options might include a fire feature like a firepit or fireplace, or perhaps propane or electric heating units. These will allow you to enjoy your outdoor kitchen at all times of day and later into the fall than you might otherwise be able to.
Counters and Storage
If you are planning to do any cooking in your outdoor kitchen you will also require preparation (prep) and counter space. It will be important to account for how much counter space you will need based on your own style of cooking, are you able to effectively use a small space or will you need lots of room for lots of preparation tools? Storage is another important consideration when designing an outdoor kitchen. Things to include might be drawers for cutlery, plates, cups, and any cookware you might need. You can also integrate shelving either above or below your counters for further storage options.
With Summer just around the corner there is no time like the present to get started on your ideal outdoor kitchen. We hope we have provided you with some inspiration as to what might be included in such a project and hope to hear from you when you are ready to start yours.
If you need some help building or rebuilding your deck and outdoor living space, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (604) 626-7100. This is our area of expertise. We can help you design and build any custom deck you want.
Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties and can build or fix any deck around. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.