There is nothing better than having a barbecue to complete a perfect summer day, be it a juicy steak cooked on a stand-alone gas or wood grill or a fantastic meal cooked completely in a sophisticated outdoor kitchen. While the grill is the basis of any outdoor meal, today the choice to bring a party to the party makes the backyard barbecue even more fun!
The open kitchen not only provides great entertainment for you and your guests, it expands your living space and can add value to your home. With proper planning, you can create the perfect open kitchen that will be a source of pleasure and relaxation for many, many years.
The starting point for an open kitchen is space. If you plan to place an outdoor room on the deck or patio, make sure that you have sufficient room not only for grilling and other appliances, but also for a large number of comfortable seats. Too narrow an area will disturb your guests. the ability to move around and fully enjoy the space. If the space for an outdoor room is a limitation, think about reducing your plans for the grill and other appliances. A big grill that drives people out is not a compromise that you have to consider.
Once you have determined that you have enough space for your plans, it is time to choose the central part of the outdoor kitchen - the kitchen island.
When it comes to kitchen island, you have two main options. You can buy on a large number of pre-built islands, available from several well-known manufacturers, or you can buy your own island, built according to your own characteristics. For a truly ambitious business, you can create it yourself.
Professionally made islands and most custom islands are framed by heavy gauge steel, similar to metal studs that you can find in a modern home. As a rule, the steel used is a heavier calibration than the one used inside the house. In the past, islands were often built from concrete, carved into frames (a very laborious task) or framed treated wood, which has a much shorter service life than the almost indestructible steel used today. Even a DIY enthusiast would be wise to choose steel compared to a lighter, but less consistent choice of treated wood.
Obviously, the key to any open kitchen is the grill. There may be a tendency to want to save money by getting a cheaper grill to drop on the kitchen island, but a cheap grill will need to be replaced soon, and the cost of removing the old grill and replacing it will likely exceed the extra cost of the best grill. Stick to a heavily calibrated stainless steel grill for best results.
When choosing an outdoor kitchen design, be careful to leave enough space for work. Problems with appliances and sink against each other without a working room. If you have too much space, it is better to choose small devices.
In addition to the grill, the central element of many open islands is a wood-burning stove. For a DIY homeowner, if you are tempted to use wood in your island frame, do not even consider it if you intend to turn on a brick kiln. Not only can your handiwork breathe, it can take your whole house.
The most fancy outdoor kitchens include a sink, but building codes and plumbing costs make a very expensive addition. If you have a sink in your plans, think about a small water heater that can be avoided to avoid the cost of operating a hot water line from home.
The island can be finished in a variety of materials. The base often ends in natural stone or brick, but there are other materials that can better complement the exterior of the house. Worktop finishes are usually weather resistant materials such as granite, porcelain tiles or natural stone tiles.
Is outdoor kitchen your future? With careful planning, you can add comforts to your home, which you and your guests can enjoy for many years.
