Outdoor Kitchen, Bar, Oven, BBQ
Spaces used for entertaining guests are those we often put the most effort into, which also goes for the home’s outdoor areas. In this article, we’ll share all the essentials about outdoor kitchens, bars, and BBQs, so stick with us.
Advantages and Disadvantages of an Outdoor Kitchen
There are pros and cons to each design decision you make when renovating your house, and the same goes for outdoor kitchens. Let’s see what they are.
Advantages of Outdoor Kitchens
The pros of having an outdoor kitchen include:
- Having a space for entertaining guests (patio kitchens are quite popular now)
- Easy access (you won’t need to go back and forth to your main kitchen when entertaining guests)
- Customization (you can design it, so it’s aesthetically pleasing and fits your needs)
- Having a nice-smelling house (you can cook outdoors and avoid unwanted smells in your home)
Disadvantages of Outdoor Kitchens
There are a few drawbacks to having an outdoor kitchen:
- They are prone to weather damage (equipment may corrode and the cabinets may get water damage during winter months)
- They take up a lot of space (not a good idea if you have a small backyard)
- Susceptible to theft (anything that you leave outside may potentially get stolen)
Once you know all the pros and cons of outdoor kitchens, you can start thinking about design and budgeting.
Budgeting for Your Outdoor Kitchen
First things first, think about how much you are willing to spend on your outdoor kitchen. On average, outdoor kitchens can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $17,000. However, if you’re used to constructing things on your own and DIYing, you can spend as low as $2,000 for an outdoor kitchen built from scratch if you purchase some of the kitchen equipment secondhand.
Some of the appliances you may want to include in an outdoor kitchen include a full oven for baking delicious food, a BBQ for hosting occasional BBQs with your friends and family, and even appliances such as an outdoor pizza oven or a fire pit.
If you need help budgeting for your outdoor kitchen, use our budget estimator to help you plan and stay on top of your budget during the renovation.
Tips for Creating Your First Outdoor Kitchen
Once you’ve determined your budget for creating your outdoor kitchen, you can start planning for the renovation. Follow these five steps to create your perfect outdoor kitchen.
Plan the Space
First things first, think about how you’re planning to use the space. Consider how much you’ll be using your outdoor kitchen, what you’ll be cooking, who and how often you’ll be entertaining, and so on. This is important not only for the actual design of the kitchen, but also for your electricity and plumbing requirements.
To get the most out of your outdoor kitchen, include a shade so you can enjoy those hot summer days without burning. Moreover, plan it in a way so you have easy access to your indoor kitchen if you need to grab additional appliances, ingredients, or utensils.
The Design
Decide whether the kitchen will be an extension of your indoor kitchen or a space where you can make specific foods by including a barbeque, a pizza oven, or even a regular oven. For more information on designing kitchens, check out the article on designing the cook’s kitchen.
The Layout
An outdoor kitchen should be just as functional as an indoor kitchen, so it should ideally have enough space for prepping, cooking, serving, storing, and washing once you’re done eating. Think about the different layouts and choose whether you’d like to have a more minimal kitchen, like the one-wall kitchen, or a more elaborate kitchen, such as the galley kitchen, L-shaped kitchen, U-shaped kitchen, island kitchen, or peninsula kitchen. You can even make this space open during the summer and add glass doors so you’re warmer in the winter.
The Lights
The spot you choose to place your outdoor kitchen should be properly lit and get a lot of natural light during the day. At night, however, you’ll need to have lights that will help you adequately light the cooking and prepping space, and you can use decorative light over the area intended for dining.
The Materials and Appliances
Choosing the materials for your outdoor kitchen will mainly depend on your allocated budget for the project. Keep in mind that the materials you choose need to be resistant to the elements and durable in order for your kitchen to stand the test of time. Opt for materials such as high-quality stainless steel, non-porous stone, concrete, etc.
On the other hand, the appliances you choose for your outdoor kitchen will depend on what and how much you plan to cook in it. You may want to include an oven, but you may not need a refrigerator - the final decision is yours.
Outdoor Bars
Another area you may want to include in your backyard is an outdoor bar. Your outdoor bar should be a functional unit that can be either separated or combined with the outdoor kitchen for ultimate outdoor enjoyment during the summer, especially if you have a pool.
Just remember to choose durable materials so you can enjoy your bar area for a long time. If you want to learn more about the different materials you can use for your bar area, check out our best surfaces article.
BBQs
Last but not least, we have the essential equipment in any backyard, the BBQ. BBQs are broken down into three general categories, based on the fuel type:
- Gas (one of the most affordable types of BBQ that ignites quickly, is easy to use, and is very convenient)
- Charcoal (the classic grill produces the ultimate smokey flavor and uses a natural cooking process to create delicious BBQ)
- Electric (an alternative to gas and charcoal BBQs that has a compact design and is easy to use; you just need to plug it in and you’re ready to make delicious meats and veggies)
Final Thoughts
Outdoor kitchens have become a great addition to many homes where people want to spend time outdoors while hosting family or friends. Outdoor bars are also becoming more and more common, and a combination of the two makes for the ultimate entertaining and relaxation spot.