Outdoor Kitchen Designs

An Introduction To The Outdoor Kitchen From ChooseOutdoorKitchens.com

What exactly is an outdoor kitchen? Outdoor kitchens are comprised of an eating area, as well as cabinets, sinks, warming drawers, prep counters, a range, and even a refrigerator – all outside of course. Naturally, homeowners can design an outdoor kitchen according to their preferences, but it usually contains the same elements found in a standard indoor kitchen.

The added benefit of having an outdoor kitchen is that a built-in grill is usually part of the design, transforming the grilling experience into something extraordinary.

Outdoor kitchens are a great place to gather with friends and family for a meal, and they add value to a home. The size of an outdoor kitchen depends on how much money homeowners have to spend, and how often they plan to use the space. Some people eat outside every day, while others only plan to use an outdoor kitchen space on special occasions. Good outdoor kitchen design takes every factor into consideration, including how often the area is going to be used.

Outdoor kitchens must be made of materials that can withstand outdoor weather conditions. Examples include stone sinks, stainless steel cabinets, and slate countertops. For those who want to use their outdoor kitchen for as long as possible, an outdoor gas heater or fireplace can extend the use of the kitchen into colder months.

Having a grilling and cooking space in the backyard is about convenience and enjoyment. An outdoor kitchen has everything in one place, so there’s no need to make trips back and forth to the kitchen to grab utensils and use the equipment inside. But it’s also a fun place to hang out with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and cook up a storm at the same time.

If you’re thinking of building an outdoor kitchen, the best place to purchase appliances and equipment is from a website like ChooseOutdoorKitchens.com. The company brings customers high quality products at factory direct pricing. They offer amazing prices because they are involved with the product down to the factory level, cutting out the middleman, which saves you money.

Beyond the Backyard Barbecue: Create Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

California Wine Country residents have enjoyed outdoor kitchens for years, and now this once considered luxurious trend is riding a wave of popularity in warm weather states across the nation. As gasoline prices soar, more homeowners are investing in amenities for enjoying good food and friends at home, including high quality grills, outdoor furniture, outdoor fireplaces, and outdoor lighting. Creating an outdoor kitchen in your own backyard also adds to your home’s value, though you probably won’t want to part with your custom kitchen alfresco and may even find yourself out there grilling on weeknights too.

Today’s outdoor kitchens come complete with built in grills that include stovetop style burners, roasting spits, and griddles; bar and service centers with sinks and refrigerators; storage space for cooking gear and dishes; counters for prep work; even built in lighting and stereo systems. Patio umbrellas, custom designed awnings or arbors protect cooking and food prep areas. Outdoor carpets and special rubber chef’s mats cover the “floor” for standing comfortably while cooking. Outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, and fire pits provide warmth on cool days and evenings. “Exterior decorating” includes wall art and sculpture, and weather resistant outdoor dining sets, couches, and ottomans complete the comfy indoor feel.

What you include in your outdoor kitchen will depend on your budget and how much you enjoy grilling and outdoor dining. Cost ranges from about ,500 for the basics: a high quality free standing grill and patio dining set, to well over ,000 for a top of the line built in grill, bar, sink, service center, and more. More elaborate outdoor kitchens include automatic dishwashers and special wine refrigerators. Outdoor “cabinetry” is stocked with top quality grilling accessories, grilling spices, and wine tools, and all indoor cooking necessities are included, right down to the paper towel holder.

The heart of the outdoor kitchen is the grill, and experts recommend purchasing the best you can afford. Top of the line outdoor grills made of high grade stainless steel, such as Lynx grills and Twin Eagles grills, come with lifetime warranties and provide professional grade heat output, restaurant style searing marks, and special amenities, including griddles and side burners for whipping up breakfast alfresco on the weekends. These upscale grills are fueled by gas or propane. Budget conscious homeowners will find fueling with bottled propane the least expensive choice with no need for running costly gas lines from the house to the outdoor cooking area.

Efficient layout is just as important when building an outdoor kitchen as it is with indoor kitchen design. Grilling with ease makes the outdoor cooking experience all the more enjoyable. Design experts suggest that the grill and sink flank the food prep area, and that an outdoor refrigerator or food cooler be available to keep ingredients fresh as you assemble your meal. Providing for even the smallest storage space will cut down on trips inside to retrieve barbecuing accessories, cooking gear, and serving dishes. However, a short and easy path to your indoor kitchen may be an important consideration, especially if you often entertain large groups, requiring use of both cooking areas. Making the most of a pleasant view and providing shaded seating may also be important considerations.

To create an outdoor kitchen on a tight budget or enjoy the outdoor cooking experience in a less permanent way before installing built in appliances, outdoor kitchen designers recommend opting for a freestanding grill with rollers, side trays, and storage. Pair with a comfy outdoor dining set, and you’ll have the basics in portable form while considering the kitchen and dining layout best for you. You’ll also enjoy amazing grilled meals while planning your ultimate outdoor kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen, Designing Custom Outdoor Kitchens in Houston

Nothing says “summer” quite like a cookout. Kids love them. Adults, too-because they get to feel like kids again. The aroma of cooking food mixed with fresh air makes everyone’s mouth water. And no one has yet explained how everything cooked outdoors somehow tastes better.

Outdoor kitchens are the newest trend in Houston landscaping. These structures create a focus point similar to the kitchen inside the home. It becomes the center of all the action and entertainment. In other words, outdoor kitchens give you a natural gathering place in a natural setting.

Best of all, an outdoor kitchen allows you, as the host, to enjoy the good times, too. You may be the chief cook and bottlewasher, but, with an outdoor kitchen, you get to do all your necessary-and much appreciated-work right in the midst of your family, friends and guests.

An Expert Call to help with your Outdoor Kitchen

Building an outdoor kitchen is not any different than any other remodeling project-except it must withstand extremely high levels of heat from the grill and, if not built properly, it can damage or destroy your property. Therefore, it makes sense to use a professional.

A pro will help you during the landscape design phase to check your deed restrictions concerning rules regulating such items as size, lot coverage percentages, height, and color materials. They will also be familiar with city regulations prior to and during construction. It is also imperative that you have a good layout so that all your appliances fit and are convenient for use.

Another consideration for which a professional will provide advice is tying your outdoor kitchen’s design into the larger space; things like, complementing any existing structures, easy access to the indoor kitchen and the outdoor kitchen’s relationship to a swimming pool and outdoor fountain. There might be important factors concerning the layout; for instance, if the outdoor kitchen is at your beach house, it might be best positioned to catch the prevailing breeze.

Additions and Subtractions

Decisions to make concerning your outdoor kitchen include:

• Do you want your outdoor kitchen covered so that you can cook and entertain even when it rains? If you opt out of a roof, fabric covers keep your grill and other furnishings clean. Plus they’ll last longer with extra protection.

• You will want to consider the overall size needed. For instance, for the chairs at the dining table, you need at least four feet away from any other element, especially the grill or any step-downs.

• Plan for adequate cabinet space. This way you can keep your outdoor kitchen properly supplied, which will help cut down on trips back and forth to the indoor kitchen.

• Counter top options include tile, granite, stone and concrete. Consider a counter top with a minimum of grout so that it reduces your clean-up time.

• Overhead fans.

• Refrigerator: Undercounter units are popular for outdoor kitchens because they are out of sight, protected by the counter and handy for storage. Look for models that include automatic ice makers and frost-free features.

• Sinks: Stainless-steel sinks are preferable for outdoor kitchens because they won’t corrode.

• Other accoutrements to consider: Waterproof TV and sound systems, hot water heaters, warming drawers, and fireplaces.

The Star of the Show: The Outdoor Grill

Grills can be either custom-built or pre-fabricated. Custom-built grills provide a more permanent appearance. They also require a non-combustible surround, usually made of brick or masonry. Prefabricated grills use a steel frame and are available with decorative finishes such as stucco, brick or stone.

Other nice-to-have features for the grill include a smoker, side burners and a rotisserie.

Whether you go with a custom or ready-made grill, your builder will need to check for any necessary permitting. Electricity, water and natural gas lines are usually brought to the outdoor kitchen from the service in the house.

Don’t Forget!

Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds suggests three elements that often get overlooked when designing an outdoor kitchen:

• Outdoor kitchens need adequate landscape lighting-and lighting that not only provides general and task lighting, but accent lighting as well. “Lights can be attached to the grill or lighting can be mounted in beams in the arbor, in nearby trees or on the house eaves,” says Halper. “Lights create dramatic effects by casting shadows from plantings and trees. They provide an artistic element that can be enjoyed indoors or out.”

• Plenty of electrical outlets should be included in plans for the cooking and dining areas.

• Think about landscaping, an herb garden nearby. “It’s a nice touch and you can easily add the garden-fresh ingredients to your cooking,” says Halper.