Outdoor Kitchen Design Frequently Asked Questions
Outdoor kitchens are a fantastic addition to any home. They serve not only as a place to make your favorite meal while your family plays a game of flag football in the backyard, but also as the perfect entertainment space. Cook New York-style pizza in your very own pizza oven to celebrate the big game or grill juicy steaks on your outdoors to surprise your significant other.
Outdoor kitchens are a versatile living space for your home. Old Town Pool and Patio is dedicated to bringing our clients’ dream outdoor living spaces to life. Whether you want a modern or rustic design, we have the right solutions for you. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about our outdoor kitchen design and installation services:
What Are the Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen?
Outdoor kitchens offer a variety of benefits for your outdoor living space such as:
- Being versatile—they can fit any backyard.
- Providing a unique space to share a meal with family and friends.
- Keeping unwanted cooking scents and heat outside of your home.
- Providing ample seating for guests.
- Providing the perfect setting for parties.
- Allowing you to keep food fresh and hot when hosting an outdoor party.
- Allowing the cook to partake in the festivities while cooking.
- Increasing the overall value of your home, helping you to get a return on your investment.
What Considerations Will I Need to Make for Space for My Outdoor Kitchen?
Outdoor kitchens can be made to fit any backyard, but keep in mind how much space you’ll need to cook and host guests. Here’s what our designers consider when thinking about space:
Where and how guests will be seated in the outdoor space: One of our more popular options is to include an attached bar, keeping guests close and comfortable while the cook works their magic. We can also attach the outdoor kitchen to an outdoor dining area so that guests can relax and enjoy their food.
How much space should be between cooking elements, such as a grill and the sitting area: Safety is always the top priority when building any outdoor space. Your grill should be far enough from the seating area to decrease the risk of burns.
How much space is needed to store your cooking supplies: We also plan storage solutions when we design an outdoor kitchen, as having your tools close by is important for convenience and a safer, more enjoyable experience.
How much space is between the outdoor kitchen and the home: Your outdoor kitchen should be close enough to your home that it’s convenient to bring out food, but far enough so that heat and aromas don’t waft in. Keeping your outdoor kitchen closer to your home also allows you to hook up cooking appliances to electricity or gas.
How much space is between your outdoor kitchen and other outdoor entertainment spaces: You don’t want your outdoor kitchen to be too near other parts of the backyard, such as a pool. This increases the risk of a ball or pool toy coming into the cooking space, hitting food or an outdoor grill while it is on.
What Shape Should My Outdoor Kitchen Be?
Shape varies depending on the space you have to work with. For example, smaller backyards will benefit from an outdoor kitchen placed straight against the wall of the home, as this keeps plenty of space open for other activities.
For larger backyards, you can make use of split-level designs that include an outdoor bar with separate cooking prep and serving sections. It all depends on the size of your backyard, your vision for the space, and what features you want to include.
What Kind of Appliances Can I Use in My Outdoor Kitchen?
Outdoor kitchens can incorporate any of the following appliances:
- Griddle
- Side Burner
- Pizza Oven
- Smoker
- Outdoor Grill
- Power Burner
- Outdoor Sinks
- Outdoor Refrigerator
- Outdoor Bar
- Outdoor Wine Coolers
- Warming Drawers
- Outdoor Ice Makers
What Kinds of Materials Can I Use to Make My Outdoor Kitchen?
Old Town Pool and Patio only use materials that can withstand the elements, ensuring that your outdoor kitchen is built to last. We also take in the following considerations when offering materials:
- They must be rated for outdoor use
- They must be able to withstand high heat
- They must be easy to clean and require little maintenance
Based on the following, we offer the following materials when building our outdoor kitchens:
- Appliances made from stainless steel
- Outdoor walls made of:
- Stone
- Brick
- Concrete
- Durable wood such as teak
- Stainless steel cabinets or marine-grade polymer
- Countertops made of:
- Natural stone
- Concrete
- Tile
- Quartz
- Soapstone
- Marble
- Slate
- Wood
Ready to Design Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen?
Old Town Pool and Patio is dedicated to creating functional outdoor living spaces that also look like art. Whether you want to design your dream outdoor kitchen or are looking for a gorgeous new pool to complement your home, we have the solutions for you! Contact us today for more information on our outdoor living space construction services or to schedule an appointment with our design team.
