Have you ever thought about creating an outdoor kitchen? If the answer is yes, now is the right time to do it. Outdoor kitchens are a great investment that will introduce a new way of living and cooking into your life. They can be an extension of the interior design of the house or a stand-alone unit with its unique style and design. No matter how you design it, one thing is for sure, it'll become your new favourite place to be.
Cooking Gear
Grill
The grill might be the most essential part of your outdoor kitchen. It's the one component that no modern outside kitchen is complete without. It can be a perfect focal point of the place, and the space where you can do almost all of the cooking. Newer versions of the grill are very versatile. They'll let you cook meat, soups, vegetables and pizzas. The main difference between all of the different grill versions on the market is the type of fuel they use.
Gas grills are quite popular and easy to regulate. You can either connect it to your natural gas supply in the house or buy liquid propane tanks. With this second option, you’ll need to change and refill the tanks once in a while. You can buy a practical and durable wholesale barbecue grill at an amazing price and invest in several propane tanks in advance.
If you want something more original, go for a charcoal grill. You can use it for grilling, simmering, baking and slow cooking. The smoky flavour the food will get from it is unmatched. These grills are budget-friendly and come in many sizes, so pretty much anyone can afford them. Besides charcoal, you can also use wood or briquettes as a fuel source. If you like the open flame feel of a grill, this is the right one for you.
Pellet grills are a combination of charcoal and gas grills. They're very easy to use, heat up faster and some models have amazing smart features and infrared cooking. One downside is that they can be at an expensive price point, but they’re worth the investment. If you don’t want to bother with open flames, gas tanks or charcoal, you can buy an electric grill.
These grills have a very simple temperature control method and they’re easy to adjust. But keep in mind that you’ll need an outlet to plug it in, so pick a place outside that has one nearby. You can use wood chips to get that smoky flavour. Electric grills are budget-friendly and come in many sizes so you can fit them anywhere. Which type you choose depends on your personal preference and your budget.
Pizza Oven
A pizza oven is one of the most popular items when it comes to creating an outdoor kitchen. It's one of the first things homeowners want to buy to start their project. Just like the grill, the oven can be a key component in the overall aesthetics. The type of oven you choose will have an influence on how the pizza tastes. There's a plethora of choices on the market, all you need to do is find the right shape and size for your kitchen design.
Don't buy the oven if you haven’t measured the space you have available. It should be the right fit without overlapping with other appliances or getting in the way of people moving around. Its capacity is important as well. If you want to host big family gatherings or have a lot of friends over for dinner, you’ll need an oven that can handle a lot of food at once.
Investing a couple of more dollars in a high-quality oven can make a big difference. You can always find one on sale just like with the wholesale barbecue grill and make it your long-term investment of the year. Brick, stone and steel are the best material choices. And when it comes to fuel, you can choose between wood, gas, charcoal and electricity.
Other Appliances
There are some other essential appliances that can be very helpful in your outdoor kitchen. Some of them will save you from going in and out of the house a bunch of times. A fridge is one of them. Outdoor versions of these appliances are much sturdier, have better insulation and are waterproof. They're not very big but can fit a fair amount of food and drinks.
Side burners can be merged with your outdoor barbecue. They’re ideal if you’re making sauces, soups or vegetables. Another practical investment is the warming drawers. They'll keep your food warm for a long time. If you enjoy meat, having a smoker will be helpful. An outdoor dishwasher will save you a lot of time and make your outdoor kitchen more practical.
And last but not least, no kitchen would be complete without a deep fryer. Deep-fried food is considered to be unhealthy but let’s be honest, fried chicken, potatoes and fish just taste much more delicious than their baked version. You get a crispy outside and a tender inside that just melts in your mouth. Just make sure you put the fryer on a flat surface, or it can become a safety hazard.
Cabinets
Cabinets are truly a necessity. They can give you a lot of outdoor storage space for your glasses, plates, pots, pans, utensils, condiments, oil and other essential accessories. One of the most popular materials is stainless steel. It can stand up to the elements and it’s very durable. Plus, it’s corrosion resistant which is an important feature for any outdoor furniture.
If you want something more decorative you can go with masonry. This is a combination of brick, concrete blocks or decorative stone and a metal frame. These cabinets have a natural look and are very strong and durable. Marine-grade aluminium is another option and it’s ideal for outdoor cabinets because it's corrosion-resistant.
Even though PVC is a new player to the game, it’s already gaining a lot of popularity. It's mainly because it’s waterproof, rust-resistant, sturdy, can withstand a lot of wear and tear and it’s easy to clean. Don't forget wood. This is a timeless classic that’s among the favourites. Some of the best wood alternatives are Mahagony, teak and oak. Just keep in mind that they’ll need a bit more maintenance to not get damaged or rot.
