Cooking and eating a meal outside is more than just a fair-weather activity. When deciding on your outdoor kitchen design, no matter how simple or sophisticated, your design is you’ll want to make sure you provide a covering to protect both your family and friends but all the cool kitchen elements.
So, if cooking outside in any weather with all your essentials and not so essentials at your fingertips is your idea of bliss, then building an outdoor kitchen should be on your list. It is a super way to entertain your family and friends, as well as throw amazing parties any time of the year or in any kind of weather.
Four reasons to make an outdoor kitchen a part of your home
If you are still on the fence about investing in what can amount to a brand-new living area for your home, here are four great reasons to take the plunge:
Maximize your outdoor entertainment
Just having additional space to entertain or be with family members for a simple dinner or an elaborate outdoor feast, having an open air kitchen makes so much sense as your family grows.
Easy to clean up
Ever wanted to just hose down the mess in your kitchen? Well, with an outdoor kitchen you can simply turn on your garden hose and clean up any messes from cooking or dining.
Increase your resale value
Home buyers look for homes with spaces that can be used for many purposes and an outdoor kitchen fits the bill. When designing your space, be sure to not skimp on the materials as they can significantly increase the ROI when you sell.
Save on your energy bills
Your stove or oven uses a lot of electricity whether you cook with gas or electric. Your outdoor appliances will run mostly on propane which saves money. In addition, when you prep in the kitchen and then go outside to grill, you’re making many trips in and out of your house. Every time you open the door in the winter, you’re wasting heat, and in the summer, you’re wasting air conditioning.
The cost of building an outdoor kitchen, much like indoor kitchen renovation, varies depending on the materials and appliances you choose.
Steps to building your outdoor kitchen
In this guide we will try to break down how an outdoor kitchen is built which includes the traditional and newer construction options. Also, we want to cover some nifty things you can add to your outdoor kitchen that will up your enjoyment and its potential for being the new gathering place for both friends and family.
Maybe I Should Just Buy It Instead of Building It?
Even though there are some interesting options at ready to go modular outdoor kitchens nowadays, they still don’t offer the kind of variety and flexibility that you would have if you were to build your own.
What’s the plan?
An amazing outdoor kitchen starts with a solid plan.
In order to develop the plan, you will need the exact footprint and hardware dimensions of everything you plan to use in your kitchen: doors, grills, drawers, fridge, sink, etc.
This means you have to decide on how to cover your new outdoor area before the building starts. One of the most important aspects of your outdoor kitchen plan should be how to protect it once it is built. Timberline patio covers extend your outdoor dining and entertaining space while providing protection from sun, rain and snow.
What kind of construction?
Steel Frame and Cement Board Construction
While there are a couple of ways to build your outdoor kitchen, this is the most traditional way. First a frame is welded from aluminum studs or stainless steel. Then cement board with cutouts for all of the hardware placements is added to the frame.
Next you can place your counters, doors, grills etc. Finally, the cement board can be covered with the material of your choice – tiles, stone, stucco, or a mix of them all.
Wood Construction
Looking for a way to have flexibility and save some money? Wood construction will last a very long time if treated properly. It can be integrated with steel frame elements for the individual hardware pieces like the cupboards and storage. You can then apply the cement board to your lumber frame and cover it with your chosen tile or stone materials.
All the options (or necessities)!
Wood Fired Pizza Ovens – This addition is both new and old. Cooking with a wood fired pizza oven provides an authentic experience and its healthy and saves energy too!
A Sink and Prepping Station – Having this element is a necessity for all your food preparation and proper sanitation. A sink will require a drain and a water supply.
A Charcoal Rotisserie & Grill – This is probably a requirement for most outdoor kitchens. Having a rotisserie along with the grill provides more cooking options.
Outdoor Fireplace – With some many choices for outdoor fireplaces like wood-burning fireplaces, stone fireplace or glass fire pits, there are many ways to enjoy this functional and beautiful element.
A Smoker – This hardware option is becoming very popular in outdoor kitchens. For smoked brisket, slow-cooked ribs or other barbeque delights, a smoker is a great add-on in your outdoor space.
All the tech stuff too – Here at Timberline, we can build in integrated skylights, recessed lighting, heaters, fans, TVs, speaker systems, and so much more along with our patio covers. There really is no limit to what we can create in your new outdoor kitchen.
Summary
When your outdoor living area is properly protected, there is no end to what you can do with your new space. Not only will it get a lot of use, an outdoor kitchen can add value to your home. It will become a great place to entertain your family and friends.
Even if it seems the climate can limit your usage, the right patio cover can make your outdoor kitchen a year-round destination to cook and entertain.
