Make Your Backyard Outdoor Kitchen Ideas A Reality, Easily!

These backyard outdoor kitchen ideas are trending in 2022! Have you always dreamt of an outdoor kitchen in your backyard? Imagine dining al-fresco after cooking in your outdoor kitchen surrounded by friends, family and the people you love most? Making memories and sharing food in a happy environment, what more could one want in this lifetime? Here are some great backyard outdoor kitchen ideas to make your dream your reality.

Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen Space

Undercover or Not?

Are you planning to put the outdoor kitchen on a covered patio or deck area or is it open area and free under the elements?It is a new section you will be creating and building? Is the kitchen plan to be rustic and relaxed or more chic and trendy? These are important questions which will help you decide what appliances you will need.

Draw up a rough design of the kitchen you envisage on paper, pin it on your wall / glass doors to the outdoor area and then make adjustments, additions, notes and important thoughts.  Where do you need plug points? What plumbing may you need? Leave it up for a couple of weeks while grilling outdoors, until you are totally happy with the layout and flow before you have the plan drafted, amended and implemented.

Safety is of paramount importance and you do need to familiarize yourself with this important topic. Roof clearance height, vent hoods and distance from the house walls all need to be considered.

What Outdoor Kitchen Appliances Do You Need?:

The fun thing about cooking outdoors is that you can add all the appliances at once or plan a space where you can add on. Here are some of the outdoor kitchen appliances you may want to consider:

• Grill – Start with your grill – is it to be a built in grill, table top grill or a freestanding one that fits into this space? Would you enjoy smart technology so you cook perfectly and evenly every time.
• Smoker – Smokers come in a variety of fuel sources so take some time to consider whether its going to be charcoal, wood propane or plug in. What size do you need?
• Outdoor Oven – An oven will give you the freedom to bake, roast or broil. It’s wonderful for roasting vegetables and cooking breads and even pizzas although you may want to consider a pizza oven for entertaining.
• Pizza Oven – It is so much fun to chop up a number of ingredients and let everyone make their own pizza. A pizza oven creates a whole new way to enjoy the outdoors
• Flat Top Griddle – Imagine your breakfast cooked outdoors or even your grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches cooked out under the stars.
• Side Burner – Do you need the extra cooking space for cooking extra sides?
• Warming Drawer – Much needed place to keep food warm while you continue cooking
• Cooker Hood – A cooker hood will extract the smoke, toxins and oils from an under cover area – so you may want to consider that option.
• Outdoor Fridge – This has so many uses and you could even have one for drinks/ bar area and one for food storage or cooling
• Ice Maker – have ice right where you need it!
• Dish Washer – yes – what about those outdoor dishes that needing cleaning? You may not want to carry the load into the kitchen and dirty both kitchens. Keep outdoor dishes outdoors! It’s a small price to pay for a useful appliance
• Outdoor sink and faucet – this is a must have! Water on tap or a place to wash your hands or cooking utensils. Perhaps consider adding a garbage disposal unit – it could save your plumbing!
• Trash Can – Don’t forget the outdoor trash can!

Utilities:

When choosing your appliances you need to consider the electrical points, plumbing that may be needed and whether you are adding a gas line or not – important decisions to make. Some can be quite costly upfront however it’s good to have the points installed in the beginning even if you do not purchase appliances or require the usage immediately.

Hot and Cold Beverage Station:

A beverage station with a wonderful coffee maker and a bar / drinks area is a great concept. Don’t forget you may want a hot drink instead of a cold one when Fall brings in the cooler temperatures. Cooking alfresco can also be a romantic meal for two or a coffee, burger and chat or a large get together with many different beverage needs. The beverage station will save losing the memory making moments to rush indoors and organize it.

Lighting:

Lighting is important for practical outdoor cooking purposes as well as for ambience. Plan the lighting so that bright lights and reflections do not shine in your guests faces, but pointed down onto your cooking surfaces. The lighting around guest areas needs to create the ambience and the mood so carefully plan that too.

Cabinets and Storage:

Stainless Steel cabinets and storage does not easily rust or corrode, is durable and a good quality guage is able to stand up to the elements. It’s an option to consider stainless steel for cabinets, even countertops and storage. There are wood, aluminum, concrete and of course pvc cabinets too. Many options and many budget related choices are available.

Counter Tops:

Counter tops are well used in outdoor kitchens and often hold hot bowls and dishes that have been standing on your grill or in your warmer. The outdoor counter needs to be durable, weather resistant and practical. Marine quality wood is an option but will still need some protection from very hot pots and dishes. Stainless steel is difficult if the area gets sun – both the glare and the heat of the sun on the steel can be unpleasant. Granite and even concrete are good choices. Granite requires more maintenance and does need to be resealed or buffed occasionally while concrete can crack if the quality is not the best. Basically, you need a non abrasive, scratch resistant product for easy outdoor living.

Patio Heating and Cooling:

Of course, when you are enjoying cooking outdoors in the fall winter and spring months, it may be wonderful to add a little heating to the area to take the chill out of the air. Patio Heaters are a wonderful addition to any entertainment area. The Summer months, when the temperature from the grills and cooking appliances can raise the temperature a few degrees, it’s ideal to consider overhead fans or other options. It will definitely give you more options for alfresco dining.

Music and TV:

Very important! Don’t forget when planning your outdoor kitchen to plan a place for your outdoor TV and sound system. There needs to be electrical plug points installed in the right locations for this too. Take into account the size of the TV and the position you put it in. You do not want to have glare or reflections on the screen. What would outdoor entertaining be without the ball game?

Firepit or Fireplace:

A firepit or fireplace is a wonderful source of heating for any outdoor entertainment area.  It also creates an ambience that fits in well with outdoor cooking and get togethers. Plan it in, even if it’s not of prime importance when you start off your backyard kitchen.

Hot Tub or Spa:

Is that something you would consider in this entertainment area? For wonderful evenings under the stars you can relax and unwind after your evening meal. Your family will always remember your hospitality and fun times.

Backyard Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

A well planned outdoor kitchen that is executed correctly can add a wonderful living space to your home. The value metaphorically and literally will have an impact to your life and those you love. Friends, family and loved ones will want to share your space. Your home, your outdoor living area and backyard kitchen will be the best place to make memories. An outdoor kitchen is more than a meal – it’s a lifestyle experience that you will never regret.