Outdoor Kitchens

Your backyard can be a great place to entertain family and friends. With a patio and comfortable seating, delicious food cooked in your own outdoor kitchen, and a stunning view, what more could any outdoor lover ask for? There are few things in life more enjoyable than an outdoor cookout, especially when it takes place in the comfort of your very own backyard with your favorite people.

Planning and Design

There are a surprising number of factors you should consider when planning your outdoor kitchen space. Before leaping into your outdoor kitchen project, take the time to consider materials, weather, location and execution. A good general contractor, landscaping landscaper and high-end appliance retailer will be able to assist you when you're ready to move forward with this type of outdoor project. Remember that everything from kitchen style and faucet finish to grill placement and countertop material will be influenced by your weather trends. What works in San Francisco might not survive Toronto winters, so make sure your products and materials can stand up to the weather.

Weather, Weather, Weather

When planning your outdoor kitchen space, start by considering local weather patterns. Wind, rain, and humidity all play a role in determining your otdoor kitchen site placement and design. Be sure to place grills out of the path of prevailing winds. This detail is often overlooked until smoke from the grill has already blackened nearby walls, seeped into the home, or choked your guests. To minimize rain splash, an 18" to 24" roof overhang will help a lot. Consider retractable canopies to give shade from the sun and outdoor propane heaters, fire pits or outdoor fireplaces to heat things up when the sun goes down.

Location, Location, Location

The new outdoor kitchen should tie into the architecture and materials of the home. Careful planning and a little landscaping can make an outdoor kitchen look like it's always been there. If you live in a rural area, wildlife can be a big consideration. Proper procedures like cleaning meat juice from all surfaces, padlocking your fridge, and even putting it inside a wooden cabinet you can lock can keep the damage from hungry paws to a minimum.