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An outdoor kitchen is a great addition to any home. You will not be stuck in the kitchen missing all the fun outside. Instead, you can cook tasty meals over the grill while enjoying the company of your family and friends.

Americans spent almost $150 billion remodeling their houses in 2005 and a third of this amount was spent on exterior areas. You can see already that outdoor kitchens are a hot trend! You might need to spend a few thousand dollars getting your outdoor kitchen up to scratch but it is an investment and will push the property of your home upwards if you ever decide to move. Before you hit the shops, here are some guidelines about outdoor kitchen design and putting your outdoor kitchen together.

Which Outdoor Kitchen Design to Choose

Outdoor kitchens come in three basic designs. These designs are an L shaped island, a U shaped center, and a basic island. An L shape island gives you cooking space and preparation space. A U shaped center features a grill in the middle and both preparation and serving areas. This is a good design to pick if you are going to be using your outdoor kitchen a lot. You can also serve food straight from the grill without leaving it. Basic islands are economical but they are too small to cook for a lot of guests.

How to Choose Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets

When you are putting together your outdoor kitchen plans, you need to think about outdoor kitchen cabinets. Unlike indoor cabinets, these are going to be exposed to water, cold temperatures and sunlight, which means that durable materials such s brick, granite and marble are recommended. Wood, especially untreated wood, can rot easily and will need to be replaced within a matter of months. Wood is also very flammable. Your outdoor kitchen is supposed to last for years so it is worthwhile choosing the best quality outdoor kitchen cabinets and work surfaces you can afford.

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

The grill is perhaps the most important item in your outdoor kitchen plans. You could get a charcoal grill or a gas grill. Charcoal grills flavor the food well but gas grills give superior temperature control. If your grill is going to be exposed to the elements, you will need a waterproof grill cover.

A kitchen island is also a must if you want a great outdoor kitchen. You can design the kitchen island yourself or buy one ready-made. Stone, stucco, and stainless steel are good, sturdy materials to use. An outdoor sink should be on your list of outdoor kitchen appliances and you can draw water from the house supply or a portable water hose. You might want an outdoor refrigerator but bear in mind these will only last a few years because of the fluctuating exterior temperatures.

Building Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

The first thing you need to do, when thinking about outdoor kitchens, is to decide which type of kitchen will suit your purposes best. Think about whether you will want a movable or fixed outdoor kitchen, whether you will be eating outside or bringing the food in, your budget, the kind of grilling you will do and how many people you will be cooking for most often.

When you have decided on your outdoor kitchen design, you can build it yourself or hire a contractor to help. Your outdoor kitchen should be far enough away from guests so that smoke does not blow in their faces. It should also be near the house so you can carry food in and out. The grill should be thirty-six inches high for your comfort. Remember also not to use flammable materials in your outdoor kitchen plans.

When you are ready to start building, enjoy the process. It is great fun watching outdoor kitchens take shape and even more fun grilling fantastic meals outdoors for your friends and family!