Outdoor Kitchens

You can increase your living space and the value of your home by simply making use of the largest room of your home---the back yard!  By installing an outdoor kitchen, you increase the real estate value of a home, without having to invest a huge amount of money, even though you could easily spend several thousands of dollars. 

Outdoor kitchens could range from a very simple stainless steel unite you purchase from your local outdoor supply store to well over several thousands of dollars for one that was professionally designed and constructed using the finest masonry.  The only rule you have to follow is to blend the design of your outdoor kitchen with the design of your house in order to create aesthetic appeal.  In other words, if your home were a rustic log cabin, you wouldn’t want your outdoor kitchen to look like it belongs on the patio of a condominium overlooking Park Avenue.

An outdoor kitchen is more than a gas grill or a simple charcoal barbecue.  Most outdoor kitchens are complete cooking center including a grill, refrigerator, and cabinets to store all your outdoor kitchen cookware. 

If you are going to build your outdoor kitchen yourself, or have one built for your, it is vital that it is carefully planned and build with quality materials that can handle the climate in your area to ensure that your outdoor kitchen will last and serve you for many years to come.  

The following are a few tips to help you design and build your perfect outdoor kitchen:

•       Location:  
  Let’s face it outdoor kitchens are designed for entertaining.  With that said, if you have an existing patio, this would be an ideal site.  However, before you fire up your outdoor kitchen, you first have to fireproof your patio.  What this means is you will have to remove all flammable materials from overhead, including trees, trellises, and patio awnings and roofs.  If you do not have an existing patio, then consider placing your new outdoor kitchen near your home, and where is protected from the elements and wind. 
  
  Another ideal place for an outdoor kitchen is underneath a deck, providing the deck is high enough off the ground so that you can stand and work comfortably and that the deck is not at risk of catching fire.
  
  

•       Access to Utilities:  
  As most outdoor kitchens have sinks, you will need a water supply and a drain.  In addition, you will also need to supply electricity to operate the outdoor refrigerator, a rotisserie, and lighting.  For this reason, you will have to carefully plan how and where these utilities will be routed from the house to the outdoor kitchen.
  
  

•       Comfort is a Plus:  
  Keep in mind that your outdoor kitchen is for entertainment and therefore it should be designed with many of the same considerations and comforts as your indoor kitchen.  What this means is that the countertops of your outdoor kitchen should be from 32 to 36 inches high and at least 24 inches deep.
  
  

•       Build it to Last:  
  You want to use sound construction when building your outdoor kitchen.
  
  

•       Know your Local Building Codes:  
  Build your outdoor kitchen according to code.  This means that before you finalizing your design, and start your building project make sure that you check your local zoning requirements so that you do not violate any codes and have to spend more money to correct any mistakes.  In addition, make sure that you acquire all permits for your project.
  
  
  

The popularity of outdoor kitchens will continue to grow simply because of the convenience they provide to homeowners.  Many of us when we cook and entertain with family and friends outdoors we want a relaxing night, without having to be constantly running back and forth carrying items outside, then once the evening is over having the worry of carrying it all back into the house.  Because many outdoor kitchens have freestanding under-counter refrigerators, keeping food cold is no longer a problem, taking away the worry of having to carry the food back and forth from inside the house to the great outdoors and then back into the house again.  In addition, clean up is often a breeze with many outdoor kitchens having easy-to-clean surfaces.