Outdoor Kitchens - Design, Build, and Enjoy
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by: KCKudra
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An outdoor kitchen is a great addition to any home. You will not be stuck in the kitchen missing all the fun outside. Instead, you can cook tasty meals over the grill while enjoying the company of your family and friends.
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.
Which Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets are Recommended?
Outdoor kitchens are exposed to water, sunlight, and extreme temperatures, so durable cabinet and worktop materials are best. Brick, marble, and granite are good materials to choose. Wood is highly flammable and rots easily, especially the untreated variety. Outdoor kitchens are meant to last for years so it is a good idea to invest in the best quality kitchen design you can afford.
Which Outdoor Kitchen Appliances 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 an 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 decided what you want, you can hire a contractor to help you or build the outdoor kitchen yourself. Make sure the outdoor kitchen is near the house so you can transport food in and out easily. Also, ensure the outdoor kitchen is not placed so that smoke will blow into your guests' faces. Your grill should be thirty-six inches high and you should not use flammable materials in the construction of outdoor kitchens.
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!
About the Author
When it is cold out nothing will fill the spot better than our hardy vegetable lasagna recipe. This along with our recipes for grilling corn on the cob will be a winner on your table.
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