Building an outdoor kitchen is a great way to enjoy al fresco entertaining and everyday outdoor living. Whether you’re installing one from scratch or upgrading your existing setup, it’s good to know ways you can make your outdoor kitchen functional and cooking outdoors more convenient.
If the main use of your outdoor kitchen is to prepare occasional meals for your immediate family, you may only need some counter space for prepping food, a grill for cooking, a refrigerator, and a sink with hot and cold water. However, if you plan to host larger gatherings, there are other amenities you may want to consider. Check out some of the essentials for the ultimate outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor BBQ Island
You can transform your patio into a well-stocked oasis with an outdoor BBQ island. It can be customized any way you wish, with countertops for food preparation, appliances for cooking full meals, and even plumbing and refrigeration.
Task Lighting
Now that you’ll be prepping and cooking food outdoors, you will need adequate lighting to safely complete these tasks. The best way to illuminate your work areas without distracting from you existing outdoor lighting setup is to install task lighting. This will let you aim light on specific areas without brightening your entire patio.
Pizza Oven
An outdoor pizza oven is a great complement to any outdoor kitchen, allowing you and your family to make and bake pizzas right in your backyard. Whether you go all-in with a built-in, wood-fired oven or a more budget-friendly countertop model, this appliance takes outdoor cooking to the next level.
Beer Tap
What goes better with a pizza than an ice-cold beer? If you frequently drink or serve beer with your outdoor meals, a beer tap with a kegerator will save you money and time on post-party cleanup. Kegs are generally less expensive than buying cases of beer and there are no bottles or cans to recycle, so this outdoor kitchen addition is also eco-friendly.
Trash and Recycling Bins
Speaking of easy cleanup, conveniently located bins for trash, recycling, and compost are definitely outdoor kitchen must-haves. Make sure they’re clearly marked to save yourself from sifting through trash and kitchen scraps to fish out cans and bottles.
Dishwasher
A dishwasher may seem like overkill for the backyard, but if you regularly cook outside or host gatherings, it’s incredibly convenient. Not only does it just make cleaning up easier, an added bonus is that you can always use your outdoor unit in unison with your indoor dishwasher to clean more dishes.
You can upgrade or start building an outdoor kitchen in increments. It doesn’t have to be an all-at-once affair. With fun additions like a pizza oven or features that add function like dishwashers, you’ll make party hosting more convenient and enjoy your outdoor living space even more.