Who doesn’t enjoy having a good old outdoor meal? These days, more people spend time cooking outdoors than at any time in the past.
And why not? It’s not only a great way to cook food, but a fantastic way to socialize and relax with family and friends! Let’s take a look at 7 things you will need to get that outdoor cooking off to a fabulous start.
Heat It Up!
All outdoor kitchens have a grill and a working counter area. Among those households that have grills, most use gas, and then next up is charcoal, and then way behind is electric. Some outdoor kitchens in Australia are now using hybrid grills, which offer cooking with gas or charcoal.
Sink and Small Fridge
To complete a basic kitchen, add a sink and small fridge. For those who like things a bit more fancy and upmarket, you can add a whole host of items such as a pizza oven, BBQ smokers, bar fridges, cube cabinets and outside heaters.
Shelter
Sheltered kitchens – those with some sort of roof over them – are definitely on the rise, as more cooks are finding that they enjoy cooking outdoors regardless of weather, rain or shine. You don’t have to go overboard, and the best-designed outdoor kitchens simply look like an extension of the home. In many cases, they use similar building materials.
Sufficient Workspace
One common mistake people make in outdoor kitchens is not creating enough counter space. You will need free space on both sides of the grill and the sink.
Consider allowing about 20 feet on one side (or around 600 cm) and 10 feet on the other (300 cm). Avoid putting the sink right next to a grill or at either end of a counter.
Outdoor Lighting
Another common outdoor kitchen oversight concerns lighting. Torches or flashlights don’t make for great outdoor cooking. You can add some standard outdoor lights or even fairy lighting to make things extra special.
Wind
Find out the most common wind direction in your yard so you can avoid smoke blowing from your grill into the house. You’ll also want to position your seating away from blowing smoke. You can also try managing smoke with a vent hood.
Flooring
Outdoor cooking can prove messy and hard on floor surfaces. The mix of oil, grease and rain adds to the problem. Make sure to choose outdoor flooring that’s grease, fire and stain resistant.
Looking to create your very own alfresco dining area? Check out outdoor kitchens in Perth for a great quality range of affordable products, and with a professional service to match.
Enjoy! With the above info, there’s no reason why you can’t get out there and enjoy the great outdoor cooking experience!
This post was underwritten by BBQ Bazaar; please read my disclosure here.
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