Have you ever thought about building an outdoor kitchen? It’s summer and that means home improvement stores are pushing patio furniture and grills, and everything else that goes into it. So the idea is there. “What would it be like to have an outdoor kitchen?” and “how would I even get one started?” Every year we ask these same questions, and this year, we decided to bite the bullet. While not a complete list by any means (since every home and person is different) our list does cover many of the things that you need to consider when planning for an outdoor kitchen.
Finding the Right Spot
That’s a trick question actually. There is no ‘right’ spot, nor is there a “perfect spot’.
No, really. Take that idea and chuck it. No matter where you place an outdoor kitchen there will be reasons to love it and reasons to hate it. There isn’t a defined set of parameters that are going to make a spot ‘perfect.’ What you can decide on though is ‘perfect for you and your needs.’
Ask yourself, do you want it close to your house, or farther away? There are benefits and drawbacks to both.
-If you’re going to keep it close to the house:
-It’s great because it’s easy to run water, electricity and gas. And extending a roof isn’t difficult. You can even get away with not having a sink if you place it near your indoor kitchen.
However,
- Make sure it’s on a northern wall to reduce exposure to the sun for you and your appliances.
- Consider the location of doors and windows in relation to the area so your house doesn’t become known for its smoked meats and furniture.
If you want to build well away from your house consider:
The benefits here include more space to spread out, the heat and smells from cooking won’t be as strong inside your house, and you’ve added an entire room to your floor plan. However, there are a few things that you’ll have to do ‘in exchange’.
Building a roof to protect appliances (and you) from the sun
Including plenty of storage so you don’t have to run all over for tools, utensils etc.
How you’ll run water and electricity to it. Running back and forth to wash your hands is a pain.
Talk to an expert
Even if you intend to build it yourself, an expert consultation can be a big help.
Experts can help with things like
Building codes
How close to your property line can you build?
Even if your local code says you can build right up to the edge of your property, maybe don’t? Consider the noise, privacy and smoke issues from your neighbor’s side of the line.
What do you need for fire safety?
While not a comprehensive list, when it comes to fire
- Keep the grill or stove at least 10’ from combustible materials and your house.
Always have a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water and a bucket of sand in a specific cabinet in the event of a fire. And know when to use each.
What types of permits need to be filed?
Consider lighting and ventilation
Lighting - Make sure that your work surface and the surrounding paths leading to the kitchen are adequately lit. Given how easy it is to get hold of small solar powered lights this is very easy to set up, and ensures a safe work environment.
Ventilation- No one wants to hangout in or near a smoky kitchen, so make sure that the grill is either at the edge of the space or install a ventilation system.
Can you afford it?
According to Angieslist, an outdoor kitchen can cost between 5k to 15k, depending on how many of the indoor comforts you want (Although if you want to get really elaborate, we have seen some that have gone as high as 75k.)
How often will you use it?
Really consider this one. Do you want it just for one major event a year? Or will you use it most weekends throughout the summer? Or do you really love cooking and plan to use it as often as possible? These answers are going to affect where and how you spend your money.
What features do you want?
Just like when we went through how to remodel your indoor kitchen, you need a list. You have the basics:
Water supply
Direct gas line for the grill
Fridge or mini fridge for drinks
What about seating? Fans? A trash drawer? Outdoor safe cabinets and counters?
How much maintenance do you want to do? The materials you choose for your outdoor kitchen will directly affect how much you spend cleaning and repairing as time goes by.
ROI
For some homeowners they look not just at ‘can I afford it and enjoy it now,” but “will it make my home sell better in the future?’
Given that most of our clients live in Texas we can firmly say Yes. According to Quicken Loans, houses in the south see a 100 - 200% ROI on their outdoor kitchens. The reasons for this are many, but here are a few
-The weather is suitable for year round use
- If you use weather safe woods it will last for decades
- It gives a versatility for living indoors and out which is a growing trend, alongside outdoor bedrooms and living rooms.
When you’ve looked at all of that, how does it add up for you? Do you think you’ll save up for another year and put in a lavish outdoor kitchen next year to boost the value of your house? Or are you dying to get started grilling now and you’re willing to add to it bit by bit? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.
And remember, if any of your appliances are giving you a hard time, you can always call or set up an appointment on our website. We want to keep your home running in tip top shape.