Outdoor Kitchen Plans

Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or woodcarving, or music. Julia Child

If you are one of those who absolutely love to spend their time in the kitchen, as you experiment with different ingredients and herbs and invent new recipes, then you are obviously interested in making your work area more delightful and interesting.

Outdoor Kitchen Plans

Before building an outdoor kitchen you will have to ensure that your plan fits the legal constraints. Make sure you check the zoning requirements in your neighborhood so that you can ensure that your outdoor kitchen is at a legal distance from the property lines. Although a permit for the kitchen construction won't be necessary, you will have to acquire permits for the plumbing and electrical fittings.

Remember that an outdoor kitchen is not merely an outdoor barbecue station; it is a complete kitchen with all the grills, cookware, storage cabinets, a dishwasher, oven, and also the refrigerator! While making your outdoor kitchen make sure to pick a spot that is not exposed to too much wind, snow or rain. Shelter the spot adequately to provide shelter from the weather but keep it open enough, so that you can roast your delicious barbecue and bake your mouth-watering apple pie, even when you can enjoy the sight of rain. Usually a patio area is the perfect spot for an outdoor kitchen.

A washing sink is a must for any kitchen. Ensure you have an adequately large sink with undisturbed water supply. The height and the placement of the sink should be such that it is comfortable for the person who is cooking, to reach out to the sink for disposing used utensils. Plumbing work needs to be done for this and hence it would be a great idea to inform the plumber and hire his services with prior intimation.

Depending on the space available, incorporate other useful elements like a storage shelf to store your cookware, a rod with hooks to hang your pans comfortably. In case the space and electrical fittings allow you, incorporate other electrical appliances like a refrigerator, or a blender to assist you while you are cooking outdoors. In case you can't get enough electrical fittings, try to use the conventional grinding tools like a mortar and a pestle, it is said that a puree of herbs made in a blender can never match the crude and mesmerizing aroma of herbs ground using the mortar and a pestle.

While designing the kitchen, make sure that you get the perfect countertop. It is advisable to get a countertop with inlaid grills for cooking. If you are planning to use an electric grill, the electricity connections need to be in place. Make sure that the counter top is wide enough and comfortable high for you to work in the kitchen. A barbecue station is a must-have for an outdoor kitchen, since outdoor cooking is almost synonymous with barbecue parties.

In case gardening is also one of your hobbies then you can enhance your outdoor kitchen further. Wouldn't it be a great idea to have home cooked meals with fresh vegetables and herbs from your very own garden? Yes, plant a vegetable and herb garden right next to your outdoor kitchen. Every time you decide to cook, all you need to do is pick up some fresh veggies, and aromatic herbs from your very own garden, put on your apron and get started!