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.

In 2005, Americans spent nearly $150 billion remodeling their homes and $50 billion of this was spent on exterior living areas, meaning that outdoor kitchens are a hot trend! You will need at least a few thousand dollars before beginning your outdoor kitchen but consider it an investment. Before you rush out to buy materials and appliances, here are some things you should know about outdoor kitchens and their design.

Outdoor Kitchen Design

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?

When you are putting together your outdoor kitchen plans, you need to think about outdoor kitchen cabinets. Unlike indoor cabinets, these are going to be exposed to water, cold temperatures and sunlight, which means that durable materials such s brick, granite and marble are recommended. Wood, especially untreated wood, can rot easily and will need to be replaced within a matter of months. Wood is also very flammable. Your outdoor kitchen is supposed to last for years so it is worthwhile choosing the best quality outdoor kitchen cabinets and work surfaces you can afford.

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances - What Will You Need?

The centerpiece of all outdoor kitchens are the grills. You can choose a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Gas grills offer better temperature control but charcoal grills give a better flavor to the food. You will need a waterproof cover for your grill, if it is exposed to the elements.

A kitchen island is another necessary feature in your outdoor kitchen plans. You can design your own or buy an island in one piece. Good materials to use in your outdoor kitchen design include stainless steel, stucco, and stone. An outdoor sink is useful and can draw from the house’s water supply or a portable water hose. You might want to add an outdoor refrigerator to your list of outdoor kitchen appliances although an outdoor refrigerator will have a maximum life span of five years because of the fluctuating temperatures it is exposed to quite often.

Building Your Own 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!