Don’t leave the house until you’ve read our expert advice on creating a wonderful outdoor kitchen. Our guidance is useful whether you’re looking for a portable grill and prep area on wheels or a permanent BBQ island with an outdoor refrigeration and bar stools.
One of the best parts of summer is hosting or attending a barbecue. It’s hard not to have a good time when you’re surrounded by nice company, delicious food, and the irresistible scent of grilling meat. It would be difficult to have a bad time under those circumstances. When the meal is over, the leftovers must be brought back inside.
The answer is… An outdoor cooking area! These structures can make it simpler to slow down and spend more time with the people who matter to you, like your family and friends, by putting everything you need for an outside meal within easy reach.
Several kinds of backyard cooking areas
The term “outdoor kitchen” can refer to anything from a simple cabinet to store cooking utensils to a full-fledged cooking and dining area. The installation of an outdoor ‘room’ to your backyard can serve as a focal point or a casual gathering spot. The three options you have to think about are as follows:
Movable
A multipurpose idea for small size spaces that may be the centre of a garden one day and the focal point of a barbecue the next. A gas grill or portable charcoal designed with cast-iron or stainless steel grates and an easy-to-clean grease trap is the first thing you’ll need. Invest in a shelf-equipped rolling cart to save up floor or counter space.
Prefab
A turnkey option for people with a higher budget and a greater requirement for living space than a regular apartment can provide. Typical installations include the illustrated 5-foot stucco-clad island with tiled top, drop-in gas grill and propane tank access doors. Upgrades such as granite counters, a fridge, and LED lighting can be purchased independently. A prefabricated island can be used to begin cooking meals the day they are delivered.
Custom
When it comes to coordinating the kitchen’s materials and design with the rest of the home, nothing beats a built-in-place model. Either a contractor or a capable individual could build one of these kitchens. The appliances, cabinets, and countertops are all built in. There is an increase in cost, but the extra space, abundant lighting, underground plumbing, and attractive pergola-style roof are well worth it.
When planning an outdoor kitchen, it’s important to consider the following:
Do you need a permit to do this?
Prefabricated grill islands are exempt from the requirement for a building permit in several jurisdictions. To eliminate all room for error and ensure that your endeavour does not lead to a rise in taxation, you should opt for a mobile kitchen equipped with a rolling grill, a cart, and an outdoor extension wire for electrical purposes.
The required amount of juice
It is common practise to run power, water and gas lines from the main house to an outside kitchen. Plans for the kitchen and dining area should account for the installation of electric outlets in addition to the availability of electricity for the lighting and refrigerator. A ground-fault circuit interrupter is a must for any outdoor outlets.
Verify whether there are any limitations for the burying of gas and electrical lines in the municipal codes. Different burial sites are required for the two in many areas, while in others it is sufficient to just keep them separate. Find out from the building inspector what must be done.
