June 28th, 2024
From mid-spring through late fall, an outdoor kitchen in Ohio is a fantastic place to not only enjoy the seasonal temperatures but also to spend time with friends and family over a delicious meal. When you create an outdoor kitchen, you can stay present with your guests instead of constantly shuffling back and forth inside the house to cook, grab drinks, and do any other number of basic entertaining tasks. But where do you start? And what makes an ideal outdoor kitchen? The experts at Appliance Gallery and AG Outdoors have great tips on the elements you’ll want to include to make your dream outdoor kitchen a reality.
Element 1: Consider the materials.
With an outdoor kitchen, being mindful of the materials used for countertop prep space and cabinetry is critical. Yes, beauty matters, but consider function first. Your materials will be exposed to the elements year-round. Shop specifically for outdoor materials designed to withstand the sun, rain, wind, and snow.
Element 2: Consider how you cook.
There are tons of options for outdoor appliances. And there are certainly a few must-haves in the ideal outdoor kitchen. You’re going to want a grill. But what size will you need? Plan, realistically, for how many people you’ll be cooking for and how big your space is. Next, decide what kind of grill suits your cooking style best: charcoal, electric, or gas. Do you want a separate smoker or an appliance that can pull double-duty?
Having additional burners available makes preparing the entire meal, side dishes included, much easier. But what about other cooking options, like warming drawers, an outdoor pizza oven, or griddles? As a good rule of thumb, if you would use the appliance indoors, it would be great to have it outdoors. If you don’t make pizza or do much baking (pizza ovens can be used for a lot more than just pizza!) inside, allocate the budget resources to something you’re more likely to use.
Element 3: Consider convenience.
Having food prep space and fantastic cooking appliances loses a lot if you’re still running back and forth to the indoor kitchen for ingredients and drinks. Avoid the hassle by adding a sink and refrigerator to your outdoor kitchen plan. You won’t regret it! Food prep and hand-washing will be a snap, and the outdoor fridge makes it easy to keep your ingredients close at hand but safely stored until you’re ready to use them. Add an ice maker for ultimate convenience: you and your guests won’t miss a minute of conversation or the ballgame on your outdoor TV when a drink refill is in order.
Element 4: Consider the flow.
The heart of the outdoor kitchen is the fellowship it facilitates. A well-laid-out kitchen and dining space with comfortable seating are the ultimate elements for your ideal outdoor kitchen. Do you want enough prep space so that others can join you in the cooking? Do you prefer counter seating so you can engage in conversation while you cook for those you love? Add a beautiful dining table so you and your family can enjoy an amazing meal. Or incorporate comfy outdoor couches and chairs to invite lingering conversations.
Element 5: Consider the environment.
The last element of the ideal outdoor kitchen involves the environment itself. To maximize the enjoyment of your outdoor living space, both throughout the day and the year, there are a few things you can do. Add lighting to use the space after the sun goes down. Add a form of shade, whether a pergola, awning, or sun sail, to protect yourself from harsh sun in the heat of summer. Keep the air moving with an outdoor-rated ceiling fan. And don’t forget the portable heaters for those crisp, autumn evenings.
When you’re ready to create your ideal outdoor kitchen, contact the experts at Appliance Gallery and AG Outdoors to get started.