6 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas and Tips

The kitchen is typically the heart of the home, the area where your family gathers together to eat, talk, and generally to enjoy each other's company. However, if you live in a warm climate, you have another option available to you. An outdoor kitchen is a popular current home trend and lets you spend time with your family outside when the weather allows. Cooking and eating outside is more comfortable during the hottest months and often more fun. If you have some outdoor space that you are interested in converting to new use, here are some outdoor kitchen ideas.  

1. Test Space and Ideas

You may have an area in mind that you think would be perfect for outdoor cooking and grilling. However, before you start any construction, or even before you get too detailed in your plans for the cooking space, you should do a trial run. Get a portable barbecue grill and find foldable tables and chairs that you can set up in the configuration you are thinking about for your outdoor kitchen. You may find that your initial site doesn't work as well as you thought it would, though you shouldn't make that decision until you have tried multiple DIY outdoor kitchen configurations in the same place. If it really doesn't work, you can move on to a different site. However, you can find a way to make the initial spot work for you in many cases.   

A modern outdoor kitchen might include a dining area or dining table, even a kitchen island with a concrete countertop. For big families, the idea of an outdoor entertaining space or an extra outdoor bar could be fun, keep all that you want in mind and work on a custom outdoor kitchen design to make sure to have space for everything.   

2. Familiarize Yourself With Applicable Regulations  

A fire pit can add ambiance to an outside kitchen, but not all locations allow you to have them in a particular area because of safety concerns. Before you purchase one or decide to have it installed, be sure to check any applicable municipal codes. Some communities ban fire pits altogether, while others may restrict them in size, the fuel they burn, etc. If open flames are not allowed, consider a flameless product that produces the same effect through simulation.   

Another important consideration is whether your insurance will cover an outside kitchen. Most insurers will cover it if it is connected to the house, e.g., on a patio or deck, but you should review your policy to be sure.   

3. Decide How You Are Going To Cook Outdoors  

For many people, outdoor cooking is synonymous with grilling, so going for a stainless steel grill would be a great choice. Nevertheless, there are other options if you don't want a grilling station; for example, some people prefer to smoke their food, and a combination smoker and grill provides more versatility. For people committed to cooking outdoors, a wood-fired oven that allows for baking pizzas is a popular option. You may also check out an outdoor fireplace that can do double-duty as a pizza oven.   

A more straightforward option for those who prefer to cook outside on a smaller scale is a Dutch oven; this is a traditional implement typically made of cast iron. It is easily portable and can be used indoors or out. You can find many delicious recipes online to try with your Dutch oven.   

4. Get Outdoor-Only Cooking Implements and Furniture 

When it comes to cookware, there are many implements you can use both inside and outside. However, some items may be at risk of getting lost or damaged if they go outside. Therefore, you may want to consider purchasing outdoor kitchen appliances and keep them for that purpose. Another fantastic modern kitchen idea might be installing stainless steel cabinets to make a fabulous outdoor living space. It will also depend if you have a covered patio or a pergola that may allow you to have different types of furniture combining indoor and outdoor use. 

5. Plan for Storage and Garbage   

While you can store outdoor cookware inside to use outside, this isn't the most efficient because you have to keep going in and out to bring out everything. You may want to consider outdoor kitchen cabinets for the long-term storage of these implements. Clutter is not conducive to outdoor fun, so you should keep your tools well organized.   

When you're cooking and eating outside, it is essential to keep the space clean; your kitchen design should include designating a spot specifically for an outdoor trash can and making sure to empty it often, so you don't attract wildlife and pests.   

6. Set Up Sufficient Light and Heat

Your outdoor kitchen project must consider sufficient lighting and heating; they are essential for the safety and atmosphere of your perfect outdoor kitchen. In addition, it is important that the outdoor lighting is adequate to allow people to see where they will not trip and fall.   

If you live in an area where it doesn't snow a lot and the temperature doesn't get too cold, you can use your patio kitchen for most of the year. However, it can get chilly outdoors, especially after the sun goes down at night. So give thought to heating your exterior kitchen to keep everyone comfortable and ensure no one develops frostbite or hypothermia.   

Regardless of where you live or your outdoor kitchen ideas, at Max Warehouse, we can help you equip your kitchen, both indoors and out. Learn more about our shipping policy, and remember that orders over $49 ship free!