February 19, 2025

KMCKrell

Taste the Home & Environment

What makes a great outdoor kitchen

What makes a great outdoor kitchen

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I love my backyard. It’s a place where I can unwind and find peace and tranquillity, but it’s also a great place to entertain friends and family. Over the past few years, I’ve significantly improved my backyard space, including updating my outdoor kitchen.

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Before setting up any outdoor kitchen, ensure you follow local building codes when it comes to load calculations for decks and be aware of the safety and fire concerns when using certain grills on wooden decks. Also, consult with a licensed electrical contracting business to ensure guidelines and permits are followed with any electrical hookups for appliances. Remember, the same applies to any gas or water hookup.

However, no matter your budget or circumstances, there are options for everyone, and manufacturers and suppliers are continually coming up with great options to help homeowners create their ideal outdoor kitchens.

Here are some things to think about when creating your outdoor kitchen area:

Why not consider adding an under-counter fridge? An outdoor fridge can be convenient for keeping things cold, and you won’t have to keep going back into the house to get things. Choose a refrigerator made of high-quality stainless steel that is certified for outdoor use and is cETLus certified. cETLus certification means the product is verified and independently tested through a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

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My fridge, for one, is designed to fit perfectly within my cabinets and includes a finishing bracket for a streamlined look. Other features include easy-to-use digital thermostat controls, automatic defrosting, and LED lighting. Some fridges even come with fully lockable doors to safeguard contents when not in use, which is a feature I love, especially when little people, like my grandkids, were present.

Remember, a bar fridge will require a dedicated outlet, and circuits must be grounded with GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters). Always hire a licensed electrical contracting business for all your electrical needs to avoid the risk of electrical fires or deadly electrical shocks.

Whether you have separate units or a complete set of cabinets, choose materials that will hold up to the cold and the sun as well as moisture. The best weather-resistant cabinetry includes stainless steel, and aluminum.

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The latest feature in outdoor kitchens is the pizza oven. My grandkids love pizza, and it is fun for the whole family. I’d get one large enough to cook at least two pizzas at a time. My gas-powered pizza oven comes with ceramic stones, a warming drawer and a crumb chute and fits perfectly into my setup. Plus, I love the illuminated controls, as they make it easy and safe to operate as dusk rolls in.

Also, many pizza-oven models come propane-powered in tabletop or cart versions. There’s an option for any size, space and budget.

On a recent visit to a supplier’s showroom, I was reintroduced to an amazing-looking kamado-style bbq. They look like big ceramic eggs. The technology has been around for a long time, but this new version is impressive and looks sleek. The ceramic material can reflect and insulate the heat when the lid is shut and the vent openings create a continuous airflow of heat and moisture — creating the ideal cooking environment.

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This kamado bbq can grill, smoke, bake, roast and even cook pizzas with the right accessories. And the best part is that it’s available in a stand-alone version with a heavy-duty stainless-steel cart and locking castors that allow you to easily and safely move it around. The cart also comes with two work surfaces for grilling tools or plates.

Not all stand-alone bbqs come with side burners, but they are a great feature you should consider. Side burners, power burners or searing stations can make your cooking area more practical and convenient. I like the double burner; they are great for warming sauces or parboiling corn. And when not in use, they have stainless-steel covers, providing additional counter space for cooking utensils, plates etc. — anything that will help the chef (that’s me)!

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The final feature that is a treat to have is a sink. It is not necessary but so convenient. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be durable, like one in stainless-steel, for example. Even a small bar sink can be useful. But before adding a sink to an outdoor kitchen, research your area’s plumbing requirements and building codes.

And finally, if you do invest in any of these outdoor kitchen ideas, make sure you look after them and invest in durable protective covers. Even the simplest outdoor kitchen ideas can create an environment perfect for enjoying time with friends and family.

Residents of the GTA can apply for season 2 of Holmes Family Rescue at www.makeitright.ca

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