Home » Category » 4 Must-Have Elements of an Outdoor Kitchen
outdoor kitchen

4 Must-Have Elements of an Outdoor Kitchen

Photo courtesy of NatureKast

Click the picture to download a PDF of this story.

By Renee Changnon, rchangnon@nrha.org

Take It Outside

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the smell of meat and vegetables cooking wafts through the air. This may seem like the scene of a vacation getaway, but for many homeowners, it’s a yearlong reality now that outdoor kitchens and living spaces have become popular home improvement projects.

In fact, 1 in 10 outdoor renovators invests in outdoor kitchen equipment, such as grills, special cookers, built-in cabinetry, sinks and appliances, according to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscape Trends Study.

For a designer’s perspective on these trends and why retailers should consider selling this home improvement project, Hardware Retailing spoke to Michael Erickson, co-owner of Inside Out Kitchen and Bath, a construction company that serves homeowners throughout Florida’s west coast.

“Homeowners I work with want to be outside while also being able to enjoy the comforts of the indoors,” Erickson says. “My company helps them by designing a space that is an extension of their home and flows from the inside out. Homeowners want to entertain, cook and enjoy their space, and I help them achieve those goals.”

Read on to learn the four main trends displayed in today’s outdoor kitchen and the products that make the space desirable. Discover how you can incorporate these types of products into your outdoor lawn and garden departments to gain these customers.

As outdoor living remains a popular project for homeowners, establishing a well-rounded cooking area is at the top of many remodelers’ lists. Homeowners may want a standard grill, a specialty cooktop or a combination of both. (Photo courtesy of NatureKast)

Grills and Special Cookers
One thing homeowners will think about when it comes to creating an outdoor space is the type of cooking source to choose. But grills are not one-size-fits-all.

Today’s homeowner has a variety of products to choose from. Some manufacturers are creating high-end grills that allow users to switch between, depending on how they want to cook their food.

One of the fastest-growing segments of outdoor living is specialty grills, according to the market research firm The Freedonia Group. These include pellet grills, kamado grills and smokers, which all allow the chef to focus on different ways to add distinct flavors to their food.

When a customer hires Erickson’s company to build a new outdoor kitchen, they may have a basic space that was created when the house was built that they want to gut and make their own.

“Most of our customers want to remove the previous work a builder has done to create more space and to meet their specific design preferences,” Erickson says. “I’ve found those that move to Florida from the Midwest or east coast are more likely to want an outdoor kitchen because they had one back home.”

As more homeowners are finding ways to prepare meals outside, outdoor kitchens will include built-in gas grills connected to a home’s natural gas line. People who want an outdoor kitchen but aren’t as interested in grilling, might install the same type of range outdoors as they use indoors.

Appliances like dishwashers may be something a homeowner wants to include outside. However, these appliances must meet building codes. (Photo courtesy of NatureKast)

Appliances and Plumbing
Depending on a homeowner’s outdoor space and budget, another segment of the outdoor kitchen that brings the convenience of cooking into nature is outdoor-rated appliances and plumbing options, like sinks.

Installing a sink in the cooking area can help with cleanup and during the food prep process, like washing vegetables.

Some homeowners may want to take cleanup a step further by adding a dishwasher to the outdoor kitchen. However, consumers should make sure they select a dishwasher that is designed to withstand weather in all seasons.

It’s also important for them to be aware of building codes and other requirements. Erickson says any appliance used outside must meet specific building codes.

“Any appliance that can be used inside can be used outside, but it needs to be rated for the outdoors, even if it’s in a completely enclosed area,” Erickson says. “In Florida, we have to do this because salt can corrode appliances if they aren’t rated for the outdoors. Up north, winter is the issue, so homeowners need to keep winterization in mind and have appliances that can stand the cold.”

Instead of wading through codes and requirements, connecting an outdoor sink to a cold water connection might be all a homeowner needs to do to get the job done, Erickson says.

“If they want to incorporate basic plumbing like adding a sink, depending on their community’s code, running water off the outdoor cold water line might be the best way to move forward with their project,” he says.

Some homeowners might also want to designate a bar area in their outdoor kitchen layout, which might include a separate icemaker or a wine cooler. 

Another appliance customers might consider adding is a minifridge designed for the outdoors.

For homeowners who want to create an outdoor kitchen but want to finish the project quickly, Erickson says there are several different manufacturers that create modular, moveable counter islands, which include storage, a sink, a counter for preparing a meal and a cutout to fit specific grills or cookers. This might be a preferred option than a built-in design.

Michael Erickson’s Florida-based construction business Inside Out Kitchen and Bath specializes in helping its customers get the outdoor kitchen of their dreams. Erickson says stainless steel cabinetry is a trend he prefers in outdoor kitchens.

Cabinetry, Countertops and Storage
In order to prep and cook a meal conveniently, every kitchen needs countertops. When selecting a countertop for the outdoors, homeowners must take into account the different materials.

Porous stones like marble, limestone and bluestone stain easily and would be better to avoid, according to this article by HGTV. One of the most durable options to choose is granite, as it doesn’t absorb stains or odors and shouldn’t fade in the sun. Soapstone is another option, and while the colors are limited compared to granite, it is resistant to heat, stains and bacteria.

A design style that Erickson prefers when designing outdoor kitchens for his clients is concrete countertops.

“To ensure that concrete countertops remain durable outside, professionals can add steel rods to reinforce it, providing tension,” he says. “Concrete is less likely to crack if a homeowner takes these precautions. They can also add different colors or glass to concrete and then add a polish on top. It’s a very versatile style.”

As outdoor kitchens become a more common project, there are more manufacturers that create cabinetry designed specifically for the outdoors. Popular types include weatherproof cabinets made of a specialty resin material that looks and feels like wood. These can come in a variety of finishes and styles. Plus, many are constructed to allow homeowners to select cabinets for appliances and provide storage spaces.

Metal cabinets are also popular as they can withstand changing weather, rot and insects. These cabinets come in a variety of styles, providing the opportunity to customize a kitchen’s finished look.

Some cabinet manufacturers create systems that fit specific grills and cooking units, while others make customized cabinetry.

According to Erickson, modular kitchens can allow a homeowner to do it themselves.

“Many modular kitchens are stainless steel setups that can be mixed and matched,” he says.

Storage keeps outdoor kitchens organized, so homeowners don’t have to run inside for tools. These may include hidden drawers for trash bins, pull-out cutting boards and drawers to store cooking tools.

Inside Out Kitchen and Bath helps customers add a variety of projects to their outdoor kitchen, like this fireplace installation with built-in seating.

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation
It’s important to consider the regional temperatures to keep an outdoor kitchen and living space comfortable.

When Erickson first began completing construction jobs five years ago, he was living in the Chicago suburbs where outdoor kitchens were a popular request among homeowners looking to extend their time spent outside.

“I learned the ways to make an outdoor space warm in cooler temperatures in Illinois but that translates to Florida as well for colder evenings,” he says. “Many of my customers add propane heaters, and some may want an infrared heater, which I recommend if they have a covered roof.”

For homeowners who intend to use their outdoor kitchens as long as they can, combining a variety of items to keep the space warm can make it accessible almost all year.

One way almost any retailer can keep outdoor living areas warm is by adding a fire pit into the design, Erickson says. These can range from something as simple as a wood-burning fire pit to stationary setups with fire rings and glass.

An outdoor fireplace is another way to heat up the space and bring a homeowner’s design preferences to the space. In many designs, the fireplace becomes the focal point, and it also can provide storage and built-in seating areas.

“Adding an outdoor fireplace is a high-end addition to this project,” Erickson says. “If a DIYer has enough experience, there are some manufacturers that provide a kit for fireplaces, but I recommend most homeowners use a professional mason to complete this project.”

Three years ago, Erickson moved to Florida to start Inside Out Kitchen and Bath with his brother. Erickson says he is now frequently asked by customers what to add to keep outdoor living areas cool.

If it gets hot outside, an outdoor ceiling fan can help promote circulation. Homeowners should pick out options that are wet, dry and damp-rated outdoor fans. These are waterproof and can handle the outdoors. Wall-mounted outdoor fans are also an option for customers whose outdoor kitchens aren’t covered by a roof or other structure. 

According to Erickson, he often will add misting fans to his outdoor projects to provide relief from intense humidity.

To prevent smoke from blowing in guests’ faces or clouding the cook’s focus, a vent hood is also a smart addition. The hood should be larger than the grill so it can catch smoke easily.

While outdoor kitchen remodels can be as basic or extensive as a homeowner desires, this project will continue to be on many wish lists in the years to come, Erickson predicts.

“As people continue to invest in their homes, those that finish indoor projects will be more likely to take on outdoor living projects, like kitchens,” he says. “Retailers should find out what their customers’ plan is and help or recommend professionals to get difficult tasks knocked off their to-do lists.”

About Renee Changnon

Renee Changnon is the retail outreach coordinator for NRHA. She meets with retailers in their stores and at industry events and introduces them to the services NRHA provides. Renee previously worked as a member of the NRHA communications team. She earned a degree in visual journalism from Illinois State University, where she served as the features editor for the school newspaper. After college, she implemented marketing and promotions initiatives at Jimmy John’s franchise locations across the country. She enjoys exploring books with her book club, Netflix marathons and hosting goat yoga at her apartment complex. Renee Changnon 317-275-9442 rchangnon@nrha.org

Check Also

Make Cybersecurity a Key Component of Your Loss Prevention Strategy

By Luke Vander Linden, Vice President, Membership and Marketing, Retail & Hospitality ISAC In the …