I have always been one of those people who loves to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for others, which is why I started looking at landscaping design in the first place. It was incredible to me to see how much of a difference I was able to make by adding a few new plants, and after that first project, I wanted to help other people. I started volunteering to help friends and neighbors do their landscaping, and after a few months, I had developed quite a following. This blog is all about creating a warm, inviting yard through smart landscaping and an eye for detail.
An outdoor kitchen can be an excellent investment if you have a strong passion for cooking and your indoor kitchen is insufficient to meet your needs. There are key factors to consider as you design your kitchen.
Preparation
Before you can begin designing your kitchen, you will need to find a good location. The location of your kitchen can depend on where existing utility lines are or where they can be expanded. You will need to make decisions based on the utilities you currently have at your home and what you are willing to acquire. For example, gas ranges are popular for professional chefs, but if you do not currently have natural gas in your home, the investment to have the line installed may be substantial. In addition to gas and/or electric, you will need to decide whether you will need plumbing installed. Having at least one sink will make your outdoor kitchen more user-friendly, but it may be more economical to skip the sink and wash dishes indoors. Building your outdoor kitchen closer to the home, while maintaining a safe distance between the house and fire-hazards, will make installing utility lines less expensive.
Shelter
You will need a shelter to protect your kitchen and dining area, but you should also consider having a structure that is versatile and can be used in different weather conditions. First, you will have to decide on the foundation for the structure. Building an elevated deck or simple concrete slab is one option. The foundation should be elevated to help any water run off and for the foundation to be more stable. Some materials that are good for the foundation are concrete, brick, and natural stone. A canopy will also be necessary to protect your kitchen from the elements, especially rain. Instead of having a static roof, consider a retractable canopy. You can retract the canopy when the weather is better or to reduce the amount of heat that might build up while cooking.
Amenities
Having adequate counter space not only makes cooking easier, but it can also be used as a dining area. The material you choose will be different based on whether your kitchen will have a canopy or not. A completely open outdoor kitchen will need natural stone or other materials with water-resistant features. With proper sealing, granite can be a good countertop for an uncovered, outdoor kitchen. If your counters will be covered, stainless steel can be a good option. Concrete counters might be a good all-around choice and potentially more affordable. Some of the main cooking surfaces you may want to have include a grill, gas range, electric oven, and brick oven. These appliances will give you the most variation in the types of foods you can cook.
Designing an outdoor kitchen is a complicated task that needs to be planned in a systematic manner. Considering where to place the kitchen and which utilities can be extended to the outdoor kitchen will start the foundation for designing the other aspects of the kitchen.
Contact a local company to learn more, like Arborstone Outdoors.
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