Outdoor Kitchen | Design Plans

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Kitchen Design Plans to Extend Your Kitchen Outdoors

by James Mahoney

Authors Note: What exactly is an outdoor kitchen? A kitchen in the great outdoors. It could be called a glorified patio where you can have dining al fresco. Outdoor kitchen plans have become a popular trend first in the West and now across the country.

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Outdoor kitchen plans allow backyard cooks to mix with the guest while cooking on an outside grill. Your outdoor kitchen design plans should result in a unique outdoor room and entertainment site to unite family and friends.

It used to be that outdoor entertaining conjured up the familiar image of the picnic lunch at the park. You only needed a picnic basket, thermos, paper plates and plastic utensils.

Or, if you wanted to be able to host an outdoor luncheon or dinner, you would toss some items on a barbecue pit out in the backyard and flip burgers and hotdogs.

Cooking on a grill is a great way to entertain outdoors. However, it is a nuisance to have to go back and forth from the kitchen to the patio. That is why outdoor kitchen design plans have become more and more popular.

Plans for kitchen expansion to the outdoors can include stovetop-style burners, griddles, roasting spits, sinks, refrigerators, storage space for dishes and cooking gear, low counters for prep work, bar-height counters for guests, stereo systems and more.

Preparing and enjoying meals outdoors along with casual entertaining has in recent years really taken off as homeowners have come to see just how appealing these alfresco preparation areas can be. Having originated in the southwest, outdoor kitchen plans are now found all over the country.

So just what kinds of foods can be cooked outdoors? As long as you draw up kitchen design plans that are practical and functional, not just fancy, any type of food that can be prepared in an indoor kitchen can be prepared in an outdoor kitchen.

Today's outdoor kitchen design plans can include such items as: sinks, cabinets and cutting boards. They can be fully featured areas, which offer a covered bar and buffet area.

In your outdoor kitchen plans, you will need to consider how much you will use your outdoor kitchen and whether it will be just a small part of your deck or patio or a fully functional outdoor kitchen.

Today, however, outdoor kitchen plans have made entertaining more convenient as well as luxurious. Now you can have all the accoutrements of any indoor kitchen all year around no matter what part of the country you live in. Besides the outside grill, outdoor kitchen plans frequently include many features - the number depending on your budget Outdoor kitchens range in cost from about $3,000 to more than $30,000.The latest products on the market include luxury grills equipped with all the capabilities of stovetop cooking. Outdoor kitchen setups include kitchen islands, sinks, refrigerators, wet bars and dishwashers.

Outdoor Kitchen Design Plans: Factors to Keep in Mind

An outdoor kitchen design can include different components and styles and there are many factors in deciding on the right outdoor kitchen plans. One of the factors is just how much space you have to work with. Will it just include a small grill island or will your outdoor kitchen be as big as your indoor kitchen? Will it be the place where you and your family will spend a considerable amount of time? It is important that for it to work, your outdoor kitchen design plans must be able to provide adequate seating and dining areas. If you want to be able to enjoy your outdoor kitchen when the weather turns cooler it is a good idea to also have an outdoor fireplace to keep everyone warm and toasty.

Should Your Outdoor Kitchen Plans Include Custom or Prefab Grilling Islands?

Next, you will need to determine whether you want your kitchen design plans to incorporate a freestanding grill or one that is built into an outdoor grilling island. Custom grilling islands can help provide your outdoor kitchen with a more upscale look. Just like an indoor kitchen island, the outdoor grilling island includes masonry with cabinets. Many experts agree that custom masonry grilling islands can add tremendous value to your home. You can also go with a prefab grilling island. These prefab islands come in a variety of configurations and exterior finishes. They cost less than more custom islands.

Building Materials For Your Outdoor Kitchen

The next step in your outdoor kitchen plans should be to select sturdy and durable materials that can stand up to climate changes. Many building experts agree that Polymer is the perfect material for the construction of outdoor kitchens. It can withstand outside elements and unlike wood, concrete or stucco it does not absorb moisture. Polymer is a solid material not a laminate or layered material and it will not warp, crack, or split. Countertops can be made from ceramic tile, granite, marble, slate and other natural stones to work with your outside kitchen designs.

Importance of Lighting in Your Outdoor Kitchen Design Plans

http://search.hayneedle.com/search/index.cfm?Ntt=outdoor%20lighting&Ntk=all Another area that is just as important for your outdoor kitchen plans is lighting. This can change and improve the overall feel of your outdoor kitchen. There are many types of lighting to choose from including: ambiance lighting that can include soft white lights or colored bulbs. Solar lights can be charged during the day and turn on automatically as it gets dark.

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