An outdoor kitchen seems absurd when you first hear about it. A kitchen? Outside? Why? These questions may be running through your mind. While it is worth wondering why outdoor kitchens exist, do note that cooking outside is nothing new.
People have been known to cook outside when they go on camping trips and picnics. In the US, barbecue grilling in backyards rose to popularity from the 1940s to the 1950s. Yards with garden kitchens have also existed in the past.
Although cooking outside is extremely popular, you don’t hear much about an entire kitchen being set up outside the house. But since the COVID-19 pandemic started, outdoor kitchens have grown in popularity. With that, is it time that you should get one too?
Why Do People Have Outdoor Kitchens?
Safety Amidst the Pandemic
As said prior, the pandemic has prompted people to practice social distancing. This means that huge gatherings have been discouraged to stop the spread of the disease. While huge gatherings are typically prohibited, smaller gatherings have been allowed, given that they follow health guidelines.
A study has found that it is much more likely to catch the virus when indoors than in an outdoor setting. This may have prompted people to hold their small celebrations outside. With that, it is easier to host outdoor gatherings with an outdoor kitchen.
With outdoor kitchens, foods are prepared outside and directly served, skipping the hassle of repeatedly going in and out of the house.
Convenience
This convenience does not only apply to gatherings happening in the pandemic. It is a convenient way to prepare food when entertaining guests in your yard. The smells of your food also do not waft around the air because of outdoor ventilation.
If you love entertaining guests in your outdoor spaces, an outdoor kitchen may be worth considering.
Fire Safety
Cooking involves the use of heat to cook food. This makes it a fire hazard and is one of the top causes of house fires. You can control the fire better with an outdoor kitchen since it is not connected to your property’s main structure.
If ever a fire breaks out from one of your outdoor cooking sessions, it may be controlled and isolated better.
With all that taken into account, there is a good foundation to believe that outdoor kitchens are beneficial, especially for those who love the outdoors. But before you decide to have an outdoor kitchen made for your home, there are some things you should consider.
What to Consider
Costs
If you want an outdoor kitchen, be sure to have enough funds to cover the expenses. Of course, prices can vary depending on the size and what you decide to put in your outdoor kitchen and what materials you want to use.
Be sure to compute everything correctly so you won’t have trouble with building it. You can also choose to have it built part by part. Delays in building an outdoor kitchen won’t be as disturbing as delays in indoor renovations because it is built outside.
Practicality
Check if your house can accommodate an outdoor kitchen. Outdoors kitchens are best suited for houses that have sufficient backyard space. With good backyard space, you can fit the appliances and fittings needed for the whole kitchen to function.
If you have a smaller space outside your house, carefully assess the area to know the best way to fit your outdoor kitchen. Homeowners with smaller areas may also choose the most important functions that they need and build a partial kitchen with those features.
Maintenance and Longevity
You also have to learn how to maintain your outdoor kitchen. It’s no different from maintaining an indoor kitchen, except you now have to deal with the added factor of outdoor elements.
The weather may be a problem for your outdoor kitchens, so be sure to add a roof over them. You can ask roof sheet sellers for assistance on how to do this. With a roof, you provide partial protection from the heat, winds, rainfall, and the occasional leaves that might fall onto your food.
Also, be sure to wipe and clean your cooking stations before you use them. This is because the outdoor elements may cause these stations to be dirty. So be sure to clean them before cooking.
If you use electronic appliances in your outdoor kitchens, be sure they are well-protected against the rain. Also, be sure to add covers to your electrical outlets if you have some.
Outdoor kitchens are for those who enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. If you want to cook under a blue sky, make sure that you create an outdoor kitchen that suits you best.
