What You Should Consider Adding to Your Outdoor Kitchen

Enhancing the outdoor space you already have requires planning, budgeting, and careful selection of the amenities you need to make it an entertainment or functional space. One popular option that a lot of homeowners are going for is an outdoor kitchen which can improve the value of the home and make it more desirable to buyers if you ever wish to sell. Now, you might be wondering what to include in your outdoor kitchen once it is complete. Check out our list of outdoor kitchen must-haves below.

Sink and Counter Space

As with an indoor kitchen, you need an area to clean the food as you prepare it as well as a surface to work on. For this reason, the first additions to think about are the sink and counter space. A sink is essential for handwashing and washing up as you go so you do not have too much to deal with after you are done with the meal. It is also more convenient to wash utensils and put them back where they belong if you have outdoor storage space.

For the counter space, it is better to have too much than to have too little. You can add a counter next to your grill or oven, or on a separate island if you would like a separate space to work. 

You do have numerous choices when selecting countertops for the outdoor kitchen. Ceramic tiles are popular because they are cheaper and easier to work with, but you should consider soapstone and granite as they resist damage much better.

More expensive options including granite and soapstone withstand weather elements better and are thus the best option for uncovered cooking areas.

Cabinetry

Cabinetry is important if you would like some outdoor space to store different items. Outdoor cabinetry is made using different materials such as polymers, wood, stainless steel, and high-density polyethylene.

Stainless steel has become a popular option in recent years because it is compatible with most appliances and is resistant to both fungus and bacteria, something you want if the material is to be around food items.

Stainless steel cabinets come in different finishes including powder coating in specific colors and grain wood finishes. Powder coating is the preferred option, though, because it protects the surface of the stainless steel from scratches, stains, chips, and fingerprints. It also provides excellent protection against environmental conditions and corrosion.

You can also complement your outside cabinets with floating shelves. These might be temporary storage, but they can be incredibly useful in holding items you only need to use at the time. Floating shelves work well for outdoor kitchens that are placed against a back wall. They are also relatively easy to install and can serve as decorative additions when not in use.

Built-in Grill

One of the most popular additions many people go for is the built-in grill. Because there are other options to choose from, why does it make sense to opt for a built-in grill? First, they slide easily into an outdoor kitchen and make the best use of the space available.

Second, there are a lot of beautiful options that will look great and become the centerpiece of your new outdoor kitchen. For this reason, they look like thoughtful additions to the kitchen instead of an afterthought.

Built-in grills can be a costly investment, but they last much longer than other grills because of how they are incorporated into the kitchen. Because of this, they provide a lot of value for year-round grillers that will use them a lot.

There are a lot of options to choose from here but pick one within your budget and that is easy to use so you can grill something delicious quickly.

Outdoor Pizza Oven

Most people use their outdoor kitchens to cook steaks and delicious sides. However, it is a good idea to sometimes broaden your outdoor cooking horizons by trying your hand at something different like a pizza.

You can opt for larger outdoor pizza ovens, but there are some fantastic smaller options for 16- and 12-inch pizzas like the Ooni Koda 16 and 12 outdoor pizza ovens. They do not take up too much space and you have the option of using propane or natural gas for either. The outdoor pizza ovens from Ooni are affordable options and can be included in any outdoor kitchen.

Side Burner

A side burner is a versatile kitchen accessory for homeowners who would like to create a variety of meals outdoors. It makes your kitchen more convenient while also allowing you to cook a variety of meals simultaneously. A side burner also means you do not have to keep an eye on what is cooking in the indoor kitchen as you can use the side burner to cook everything you need outdoors.

Flat Top Griddle

A flat-top griddle is perfect for creating various breakfast meals including hamburgers, sizzling fajitas, bacon, and crispy vegetables. If you are following the trend of more people who are opting to have breakfast outdoors, a flat-top griddle could be the perfect option for you.

Outdoor Refrigerator

Since most people entertain during the warmer and hotter months of the year, it is a good idea to have a constant supply of cool drinks. You can store all your refreshing beverages in your outdoor refrigerator instead of relying on the one inside the home. You can also use this outdoor refrigerator to store various items like vegetables, desserts, and sides so they stay fresh until you need them.

There are many options meant to complement different home and outdoor kitchen aesthetics to ensure the outdoor refrigerator does not look out of place.

Fireplace

Consider adding a fireplace to your outdoor space if you intend to cook or entertain in the evenings and nights. While not strictly an addition to the outdoor kitchen, a fireplace can complement the kitchen to make the space more pleasant for the homeowner and their guests.

Homeowners can build big heaths that provide warmth and soothing lights or use smaller fireplaces if they do not intend to entertain many people.

Trash Bin

If you have ever cooked or entertained outdoors, you know how quickly trash can accumulate outdoors. While cooking things like steak might not generate much trash, preparing sides, salads and other meals will. You then have to walk back and forth between the outdoor and indoor kitchens to get rid of this trash. To avoid this, it is best to get a trash can and place it outdoors.

An alternative to a trash bin is a pull-out trash cabinet. These cabinets are inexpensive and keep the trash out of sight. If you decide to get one, you should empty it every time you use it to avoid any issues.

If you have some outdoor space that you want to increase the utility of, you should consider installing an outdoor kitchen. The outdoor kitchen will be as useful as the amenities you add so think about adding some of the ones we have discussed above.