Wouldn’t it be great to have a fully furnished outdoor kitchen? Cooking outdoors on hot days would leave the house cooler and give the family a nice fresh air experience. For some, an outdoor kitchen means an inexpensive charcoal grill on the back patio and a few folding chairs. But, for many homeowners, an outdoor kitchen means much more. The price tag for a dream outdoor kitchen can reach into the thousands. But, with the right guidance, families can end up with a nice outdoor kitchen within their budget.
Where Do You Start?
If a homeowner has nothing developed outdoors but grass and dirt, this will be a big project. The outdoor kitchen will need a patio or deck to set on. There needs to be a convenient door from the interior of the house, preferably the kitchen, to the patio and outdoor kitchen space. Once the setting is built, it is time to decide which outdoor appliances are essential and what furniture is needed for relaxing and eating.
Now the fun of picking outdoor kitchen appliances can begin. Don’t go off willy nilly buying appliances. Get some guidance from outdoor kitchen experts and designers. There are outdoor grilling magazines and online blogs to look at for ideas, there are outdoor appliance guides to look up online, and it’s easy to get advice from outdoor living experts. There are also online sites that rate outdoor appliances for quality and customer satisfaction.
Plan the Outdoor Kitchen
Now it is time to plan the new outdoor kitchen. Start with what is already there if you have a patio or deck in existence. This space should be repaired and freshened up to be ready to welcome the new outdoor appliances, counters, and furniture. If you are starting from scratch, contact contractors to build a patio or a deck with the appliances and their placement in mind.
Look at your finances and come up with a realistic budget, and stick to it. A family might have a small budget available now and need to plan their outdoor living space and kitchen in stages. Get the envelope or base of the outdoor space done first. As it is being built, don’t forget to put in electrical and gas outlets or hookups for the future. If there is more money, plan the finished outdoor kitchen and budget the money for the outdoor appliances and furniture.
Some homeowners start with the very basic appliances, like a grill and a refrigerator, and add appliances as funds are available. When the family starts considering which appliances and brands to purchase, it is time to get some advice from experts. It is important to have a knowledge source that has experience in both outdoor appliances and outdoor kitchen construction. These experts will help you avoid expensive mistakes and get the most for your money.
Build the Outdoor Space and Install the Appliances
Now it is time to build the base for your outdoor kitchen and purchase the appliances. There are some important considerations when choosing them:
- Quality of stainless steel. Look for 304-grade stainless steel.
- Look for lifetime warranties on appliances.
- Decide whether the grill will be freestanding or built in.
- Pick the appliance sizes and qualities.
- Choose the fuel and grill type. Natural gas, charcoal, propane, or pellet.
- Which appliances will best meet your needs?
A well-designed and outfitted outdoor kitchen makes a great place for entertaining and family get-togethers. Entertaining outside leaves the inside of the house clean and neat. Outside cooking and entertaining are less formal and more fun.