Cook and Entertain in Style:
Designing Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen
Relaxing outdoors with the family is the perfect way to spend a lovely summer evening. With the growing popularity of outdoor kitchens, backyards are transforming into luxurious multifunctional spaces that serve as second kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms for many homeowners. When the sun is shining and the days are long, there’s no better way to enjoy your backyard than by cooking and dining al fresco!
Outdoor kitchens provide everything needed to cook simple burgers or gourmet dinners. State-of-the-art appliances with luxury features and professional-grade cooking equipment create outdoor kitchens fit for any gourmet chef. Whether you’re a top-notch cook or a great grill master, an outdoor kitchen allows you to enjoy cooking in the backyard with your family.
Here’s why you should consider adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard oasis
1. Elevated Entertaining:
An outdoor kitchen provides the perfect setting for entertaining guests. Imagine hosting a summer barbecue or a cozy evening with friends around a fire pit. With a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, you can prepare meals while still being part of the action, ensuring you never miss a moment of the fun.
2. Increase Home Value:
Investing in an outdoor kitchen can significantly boost the value of your home. Potential buyers see it as a desirable feature, making your property stand out in the market. It’s a home improvement project that not only enhances your lifestyle but also offers a great return on investment.
3. Expand Your Living Space:
An outdoor kitchen effectively expands your living space, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors more often. It creates a versatile area for cooking, dining, and lounging, making your backyard a true extension of your home.
4. Improve Cooking Efficiency:
Cooking outdoors can be more efficient, especially during hot summer months. By keeping the heat outside, you reduce the strain on your indoor air conditioning, keeping your home cooler and more comfortable. Plus, with modern outdoor kitchen appliances, you can replicate your indoor kitchen’s functionality with grills, ovens, refrigerators, and more.
5. Promote Healthier Eating:
Grilling is a healthy cooking method that allows you to prepare delicious and nutritious meals. Outdoor kitchens encourage you to cook at home more often, leading to healthier eating habits for you and your family. Freshly grilled vegetables, lean meats, and even pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven can become staples of your diet.
6. Customization Options:
Outdoor kitchens are highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the design to your specific needs and preferences. From compact setups for smaller spaces to elaborate kitchens complete with bars, sinks, and storage, the possibilities are endless. You can choose materials, finishes, and layouts that complement your home’s style and your personal taste.
7. Year-Round Enjoyment:
With the right design and features, your outdoor kitchen can be enjoyed year-round. Adding elements like pergolas, heaters, and outdoor fireplaces can extend your outdoor living season, making your backyard a cozy retreat even in cooler weather.
An outdoor kitchen will provide years of backyard enjoyment for your family, but proper installation procedures should be followed. Here are some important tips to keep your family and home safe.
Choosing the Best Location
Locating your outdoor kitchen close to the house offers several benefits:
Costs:
Outdoor kitchen installation requires power and water. Gas appliances need a gas line, electric appliances need wiring, and refrigerators, ice makers, and dishwashers need a water line. Placing your kitchen close to the house keeps utility costs down.
Convenience:
A nearby outdoor kitchen allows for easy use of indoor appliances, equipment, and storage. Sometimes, you might prefer to cook outdoors but eat indoors, so a close location offers flexibility.
Safety:
An outdoor kitchen close to the house provides more privacy and protection from the weather, including excessive heat, rain, snow, and high winds that might cause falling trees and power lines.
For those who prefer a more remote location, ensure your outdoor kitchen is self-sufficient with gas lines, electrical wiring, outlets, water lines, and proper drainage. Professional installation by a licensed contractor is crucial to meet local building codes. Choose a site that offers privacy but doesn’t pose a fire risk and consider prevailing winds to prevent smoke and sparks from blowing towards you and your guests.
Assessing Your Existing Patio
If you plan to build your outdoor kitchen on an existing patio, ensure it can support the additional weight. Depending on the patio’s age and condition, extra support might be necessary. Ideally, your outdoor kitchen should have its own foundation for the following reasons:
Weight:
Standard concrete patios are typically 4” thick, but the weight of a fully equipped outdoor kitchen can cause this concrete to crack.
Drainage:
A separate foundation at least 1/4” to 1/2” higher than the patio surface ensures proper water drainage, preventing water backup and stagnant water under the kitchen.
Replacement:
If you ever decide to replace your patio, having a separate foundation means your outdoor kitchen can remain intact during renovations.
Selecting the Safest Materials
Framework:
The basic framework for your outdoor kitchen should be galvanized steel or concrete block. Galvanized steel studs are faster, cheaper, and provide more interior cabinet space for appliances and equipment. Ensure all utilities are stubbed through the floor to remain hidden from view.
Materials:
Cover the framework with materials like natural stone (granite, limestone, slate, flagstone, river rock), brick, stucco, concrete, wood, or tile. Stucco and concrete are cost-effective, while natural stone is the most expensive. Choose materials that are easy to clean, maintain, and complement your home’s architectural style. Custom countertops can be made from natural stones, brick pavers, concrete, tile, or cultured stone. Opt for materials that resist spills, stains, and heat. Some may require a sealant for protection. Consult with your outdoor kitchen contractor to select the best countertop materials for your home.
Ensuring Safety Precautions
Ventilation:
Proper ventilation for fire, smoke, and soot is essential. High-powered grills need grease pans to catch dripping grease and food particles, which can cause fires. Grill vent hoods are available in wall-mounted and island designs.
Fire Safety:
Always have a fire extinguisher on hand. Install a gas safety shutoff valve near the kitchen, but not too close to the grill. Avoid placing your outdoor kitchen under your house roof line, against wooden fencing, or under low trees and shrubs.
Shelter:
Provide shelter from sun, rain, and wind for your family and guests. Consider a cover for your outdoor kitchen when not in use. In hot direct sunlight, materials and equipment can become hot to the touch. In cold weather, use gas heaters, a fire pit, or a fireplace for warmth. Ensure adequate lighting for nighttime cooking and entertaining. Protect your outdoor kitchen from bugs and mosquitoes to ensure a pleasant experience.
Ready to Transform Your Backyard?
If you’re ready to take your outdoor living space to the next level, an outdoor kitchen is the way to go. Whether you have a clear vision or need some inspiration, the experts at Babylon Builders are here to help. We specialize in creating custom outdoor kitchens that perfectly match your lifestyle and preferences.
Contact Babylon Builders today for more information or to schedule a consultation. Let us help you create the backyard of your dreams!
