Outdoor Kitchen Plans Are The Next Trend
Outdoor kitchen plans are the next hot trend! In the spring and summer time, why not take the heat out of the kitchen- and bring the kitchen outdoors! Nothing beats dining al fresco and eating hot food fresh off the grill. If this sounds like your idea of fine dining, take a look at some outdoor kitchen design plans that will get you excited about cooking and entertaining outdoors.
No outdoor kitchen plans will work unless you have a decent location. When choosing a spot for your outdoor kitchen, consider proximity to the indoor kitchen itself since you will likely be transferring supplies to and fro. Will your outdoor kitchen be a focal point or just an appendage to your existing patio? Be careful of ventilation. Choose an area where smoke will not darken and damage an overhanging roof. If possible, choose a location where the wind will not blow smoke into the house or seating/dining area. For full outdoor entertaining, you may also need a place with natural shade to increase comfort. Remember to consider your outdoor kitchen as part of the house and keep proximity to pool or seating area, too.
Now focus on your outdoor modern kitchen design plans. Do you plan on entertaining a crowd or just the family? If you just want a place to grill the steaks and hot dogs, a single wall design with a grill, prep space, and maybe a sink should suffice. Another popular design is an “L-shape” which can incorporate counter seating or a standing bar. Or go for the full “U-shape” to accommodate all your friends. Look closely at outdoor kitchen plans online to see what shape kitchen will best meet your needs.
The area under the grill needs to be heat and fire resistant. If you build on a patio, you may need to add extra support beneath to hold the weight of the grill. You don’t want your outdoor kitchen plans to go crashing down.
Now bring your outdoor kitchen plans to fruition! Enlisting the help of a professional can give you a more modern, aesthetic look, but do-it-yourselfers can create an outdoor kitchen from some basic, low-cost materials. As for the frame of the grill itself, the basic choice is cinder block. Steel beams are a great option as they allow you to design some storage space. Do not use wood as it can catch fire.
Usually, outdoor kitchen plans are built as a standalone structure, or an island. Pre-fabricated islands do exist and may be a more affordable choice for you. If you choose to build, use materials that can stand the outdoor environment. Natural stone looks great and is fire-resistant but needs regular sealing to protect from moisture. Stainless steel is a good surface that is easy to clean and sanitize. Other materials to consider are slate, tile and stucco. If you include patio furniture look for fabric that is grease or stain resistant.
Now the endless debate: what type of grill to buy to complete your outdoor kitchen plan? The common preferences are charcoal or gas but there’s also hybrid and electric grills. Choose a grill based on price and also food preference; don’t forget the versatility of cooking on an electric grill. Most importantly, as this is an outdoor grill, buy one with a cover to keep off insects and rain.
As always, you can go get inspiration from outdoor and online kitchen layouts or in magazines. Whether you are the Master Chef or just a hotdog-type griller, nothing beats the aromatic, slightly crisp taste of hot-off-the-grill foods. With the right outdoor kitchen plans, you can build a fun and functional dining area that takes the heat out of the kitchen to the great outdoors.
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