How to Design a High-End Outdoor Kitchen with Beauty and Livability in Mind
Grilling season is upon us at last, and the appeal of an outdoor kitchen has never been stronger! With restaurant prices skyrocketing and the weather beckoning us outside, it seems no backyard is complete without a dedicated space to prepare and share a meal! Whether located beside a sprawling swimming pool or perched on a sliver of a balcony, an outdoor kitchen is the new “living room,” and extends living and entertaining space with style.
Today I’m going to share my 4 favorite amenities for a luxury outdoor kitchen. Get ready for some inspiration ladies and gents - it’s time to get your grillin’ on!
#1: Plentiful, Practical Preparation Space
As any chef will tell you, the most important part of a kitchen is the counter space! Because your family or guests will all want to be outside with you, you’ll definitely need room for multiple players to help prep all the glorious food you will be cooking!
For the most stress-free cooking experience, having all the chopping, grating, and slicing done ahead of time is a must. If you’ve watched any cooking shows on tv, the chef’s staff has already taken care of this before the cameras started rolling. That’s why the cooking instructor can breeze through the segment while balancing a glass of wine in one hand for good measure! So be sure to dedicate plenty of surface for preparing and staging your ingredients!
#2: Smart, Systematic Sink Placement
Even if you are the only cook or diner, including a sink in your plans is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your outdoor kitchen setup. Who wants to run inside every time they need to wash their hands? Streamline meal prep and cleanup with a place to wash produce and rinse off dishes and serving ware.
When it comes to materials for an outdoor sink and counters, make ease-of-care a priority. I prefer the basic industrial stainless steel sink. It’s been a mainstay in fine restaurants for years. Plus, I just like the way it gleams because I’m just so fancy! Haha!
#3: Carefully-Considered Cooking Implements
There is really nothing you can’t cook outside, as long as you have the proper power connections for it. A grill is pretty standard - that’s probably where most people get started. Add a couple of burners to the side to mix up your own unique sauces! Pizza ovens are very popular, as are rottiseries. If you love smoked preparations, there are as many options for smokers as you can imagine, from low-tech to very, very smart.
My husband and I have found a lot of playful (I think!) snobbery among grilling enthusiasts over the Big Green Egg. If you haven’t heard of it, the Big Green Egg is a combined ceramic kamado grill and charcoal smoker in one. We own a knockoff (shh! Don’t tell!) and it is awesome - my chef-meister hubby, Scott, LOVES it.
A barrel cooker is also a great way to smoke meats large and small. Scott has produced fabulous smoked turkeys for numerous Thanksgivings at our house. (I love it - less mess in my kitchen!).
Can you tell he has a thing for outdoor cooking?
No. Really.
#4: Functional, Fully-Stocked Beverage Fridge
Last but not least, a beverage fridge is the final piece to make your outdoor kitchen complete. Especially if you have a swimming pool! Kids (and adults) can help themselves to a drink without dripping all over your house and floor. And your own personal grill-meister will appreciate being able to just reach in for a beer while “slaving” over his/her barbecue!
Not to overstate the obvious, but having a nice outdoor kitchen requires a bit of care. Keep it from being a burdensome chore by having covers made to protect your counters and appliances from the elements when not in use.
