When you think of outdoor kitchens, the first components that may come to mind are outdoor kitchen appliances, such as outdoor grills, which are discussed below. But while outdoor kitchen appliances form the nucleus of such facilities, the proper deployment of other components is critical in creating outdoor spaces that are truly livable. Lighting, accents and outdoor kitchen accessories can enhance your outdoor grill; all can be used to tailor an outdoor kitchen to your specific needs. Consequently, this article will also touch on such accessories, in conclusion. I asked David Gatti, Co-owner / CEO of P.O.P.S. Landscaping, to share his thoughts on outdoor kitchen appliances accessories in the interview that follows.
Q. Give us some quick thoughts on the basic outdoor kitchen appliances to be found in most any up-scale outdoor kitchen. Let’s begin with outdoor grills.
A. The outdoor grill is the heart of any cookout or barbecue. One option is to make it the foundation around which to build an outdoor kitchen. Designers offer many plans as to how homeowners can encase their outdoor grills or other cooking related appliances with decorative stone.
Stainless steel is the best way to go for outdoor grills, because they don’t rust and will last much longer than powder coated metal. They provide easy maintenance. Outdoor grills usually can’t be covered if they are built into a custom surround. Sometimes the manufacturers make covers that work well. To fit into a budget and get more for your money, you can buy a propane outdoor grill and change the connections by purchasing a conversion kit from the manufacturer and converting it to natural gas. You can save thousands by doing this.
You can also purchase a free standing outdoor grill that has all of the elements you want (instead of all of the separate outdoor kitchen appliances), and then remove the wheels and set it into a custom surround. This is a cheaper way to get all of the options you want. Most outdoor grills have rotisserie cooker options on them now. A lot of people are adding warming drawers. The frequency and amount of people entertaining should be a factor to determine if warming drawers are necessary.
Q. Another obvious outdoor kitchen appliance to consider is the outdoor sink. For instance, what materials are available for outdoor sinks?
A. There are inexpensive outdoor sink units available that hook right up to your house’s water supply or can be fed with the hose. Again, a stainless steel outdoor sink is ideal because it will not rust or corrode. High-end design sinks are available in a variety of stone materials. One new trend includes stone sinks shaped like bowls with interior-like fixtures.
A stone-style vessel sink is the current trend in outdoor sinks. They are set on the top of the counter with a gooseneck faucet and an extension sprayer to clean off the counters and surfaces. This also adds a decorative element to the kitchen.
Code states the following for outdoor sinks: if you use hot water, the water has to drain to a sewer line. Hot water has to be installed, insulated, and is very expensive. It could cost $3,000 - $5,000 for a complete system. If you use cold water only for your outdoor sink, you can run drain water to your outdoor drainage system as you would an outdoor utility sink –- a very inexpensive option.
Q. A final outdoor kitchen appliance that is a must to discuss is the outdoor refrigerator. What counsel do you have to offer homeowners regarding the installation of outdoor refrigerators?
A. Traditional outdoor kitchen units typically include an outdoor refrigerator for keeping food and drinks cold during warm summer months. Two obvious options are the conventional, regular-sized refrigerator and a smaller low-watt unit. A design / build professional can customize many kinds of built-in areas with stone and hardscape surrounds to house outdoor refrigerators, icemakers and wine coolers.
For a small-to-slightly larger size outdoor refrigerator, typical cost is $450 - $550. There are many options ranging in price to meet any style or preference. Outdoor refrigerators are not always necessary. You can buy a regular indoor type and add a stainless steel front, with the front costing around $99. This covering will help protect the refrigerator from the elements. It may eventually acquire mildew on the outside but, it would work for many years before needing replacement. Obviously you will need electrical outlets in the space to connect any electrical components. Always use a licensed electrician to do any electrical work.
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