Your New Outdoor Kitchen
Indoor kitchens are overrated. Why not bring all the functions of a kitchen to the great outdoors? In this blog, the Bakersfield landscape supply team at Kern Turf Supply will give you a checklist for everything you need to create an amazing outdoor kitchen.
A Grill
It all starts with the grill. What’s the point of having an outdoor kitchen if you can’t cook out there? This is the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen–the place where all the magic happens—so be sure to invest in a grill that can handle the needs of your epic backyard barbecue parties. This is not a time for one of those old-fashioned, black Weber grills—find a grill model that is built into your outdoor kitchen counters (more on this later), and has the power and grilling space to handle the largest of guest lists and briskets.
A Bar
You’re not going whip up all of those drinks in your indoor kitchen, are you? A bar is a necessity for your outdoor kitchen, even if it’s only a small station to prepare a few cocktails. Start with a few nice cabinets to store all of your bar necessities, top them with a beautiful and durable bar counter, and leave some space for a few stools so your friends can gather around and be amazed by your expert bartending skills. This one’s on the house.
A Dining Area
A dining area of some sort is essential for your outdoor kitchen space—it’s the perfect touch to bring all of those lavish dinner party ideas to your outdoor space. There’s really no point to eating inside in California—so adding a nice dining table to your yard can be useful and enjoyable all year long.
Find a dining table that’s extendable so you can fit larger dinner parties or make things more intimate, and make sure you have plenty of chairs to accommodate everyone in your dinner party. Don’t forget to cover your dining table with some sort of pergola, cabana, or umbrella(s)—the California sun can make a dinner party uncomfortable and sweaty.
Once you bring a dining table into your outdoor kitchen and outdoor space, you’ll be able to shift food straight from your grill to the table, and keep the party going without heading inside. With a California sunset and a few bottles of California wine, you’ll have great conversations and make great memories at your dining table for years to come.
Storage Space
Your outdoor kitchen space should be self-contained—supplies and kitchen goods should stay outside so you don’t have to haul things from the inside every time you entertain in your yard. This is why secure storage is important for your outdoor kitchen. With the right cabinets, you’ll be able to keep all of your grilling supplies, utensils, bar gear, and other important items within your reach when you need them the most.
But cabinets don’t just provide you with excellent storage solutions—they’re the backbone of your entire outdoor kitchen. Great cabinets will create a functional and beautiful kitchen layout, and set the stage for amazing countertops and built-in cooking options like grills and ranges.
There are plenty of outdoor cabinets on the market that will stand up to a variety of weather conditions and retain their stunning appearance, so find cabinets that work for you, develop a logical and visually pleasing layout, and enjoy an incredibly useful and enjoyable outdoor kitchen!
Counter Space
That makeshift, $20 Wal-Mart table isn’t going to cut it in your new outdoor kitchen—you’re going to need something more permanent and more beautiful as countertop space. When you’re grilling for a large group or having a potluck, you need enough counter space for all the corn on the cob, potato salad, condiments, and cookies that your guests bring. You’ll need plenty of counter space for laying out all that hot meat, too.
When it comes to outdoor kitchen counters, find something that stands up to wind and rain, and add a little more counter space than you think you’ll need so you’re prepared for guest lists of any size.
Your Best Friends
There’s no point in having an outdoor kitchen if you’re not gonna show it off. Invite your friends over for an excellent BBQ or dinner party, and enjoy some great food and an even better outdoor space with your closest family and friends!