Being locked down and confined to their home and yard has been hard on many families this year. If you are one of the people having a tough time, there are quite a few things, such as having an outdoor kitchen installed, that can help get you through the gloom and out in the sunshine on the other side.
However, just like with anything else in the world, there are things that you need to consider when you’re planning an outdoor kitchen. Of course, you know that you need chairs, tables, a stove, and quality cookware, like Made In Cookware pots, pans, and plates. There are other things to consider as well. Read on below for a few of those things to be revealed.
Your Budget
It’s important to sit down and scratch out a reasonable budget before you do anything else when it comes to building an outdoor kitchen. There are different price points out there, so you want to know exactly how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are a few budget points to keep in mind:
- Material quality: You want the materials you use to be of the highest quality. Though there are cheaper options out there, you want to go with materials that will last you more than a few years, so work that into your budget from the beginning.
- Add in the increase in utilities: More often than not utilities like electricity, gas, and water are going to need to be run to your kitchen. You need to budget for the price of these, plus any permits you need to have. That also means an increase in those bills every month, so it doesn’t hurt to work that increase into your budget as well.
- Tech: If Wi-Fi and cable will be installed into the outdoor kitchen area, then make sure to cover that in your budget also.
The Location
You need to consider the climate and the environment where you live before you buy stuff to build your outdoor kitchen. For example, you wouldn’t use the same materials for an outside kitchen in Utah that you would in a humid state like Florida. Each climate has its own unique problems and fluctuations. Some of those are listed below.
- Weather fluctuations
- Coastal environment
- The type of weather it has
Appliances
The right appliances will help to increase the value of your outdoor kitchen, so you want the best ones that you can get that are within your budget. The oven, grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and burners can raise the value, but also increase the creativity of the chef at the helm as well. From heated countertops to fridges and ice makers, make sure that you have the right appliances to make your outdoor kitchen the fun place to be you’ve been dreaming of.
Seating
No outdoor kitchen is complete without comfortable seating for your family and guests. The most popular seating today is a low seating area away from the kitchen, with perhaps a firepit in the middle for those chilly autumn nights. Make sure to add a low table that’s big enough for guests to sit their drinks and plates as well. You can also put a large picnic table off to the side for eating and serving food on if you want everyone to stay out of the kitchen itself.
These are just a few of the things you might want to consider when planning your outdoor kitchen. Remember, these things should all be put into your budget, and then all you’ll have to worry about is how many guests to invite and what you’re going to cook for them.