If you’ve been developing an outdoor kitchen so that you can come home and enjoy an experience that rivals cooking and eating indoors, you’ve probably been dreaming of all the appliances you’d like to add to it. That is, if you haven’t already stocked up on many of the basic appliances.
So, whether you are expanding or adding appliances for the first time, it isn’t that hard to find good appliances for your outdoor kitchen. The key purchasing consideration for most families is how durable the product will actually be. If your backyard is in colder areas with lots of storms, you might put more wear on your grill than the average Californian will because the elements can be destructive.
Fortunately, most appliances ship with an anticipated life span so that you can determine how many years of use you will get out of them. The more expensive an appliance is, the longer it is likely last. However, you should always consider getting a warranty for additional financial safety. After all, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Now, aside from the basic appliances outdoor kitchens need to function, there are some key appliances that you should consider adding if you want to get the most enjoyment possible.
Turn your home into the jewel of the neighborhood when you add these 5 essential appliances to your outdoor kitchen.
1. Grill
It is almost impossible to imagine any kind of cowboy cookout with your kids or pirate cocktail party with friends without a decent grill that can cook meat and vegetables all year around. When couples get started with their outdoor kitchen, they often use a barbecue grill that is portable and not built-in to a countertop. If you live in an area where the weather changes during wintertime, you might be tempted keep some of that portability factor for easier storage.
However, there are some gas grills that are designed to be set into counters and then removed periodically. If you buy one of those, it could be stored in a shed or garage while you are waiting for the weather to change. In addition, you’ll enjoy the extra beauty a countertop grill brings to your outdoor kitchen.
And while there are electric grills available, unless you have a solar installation powering your electric grill, you will probably have a more enjoyable cooking experience if you use gas. However, the choice is really up to you. Take the time to consider the most important features you want your grill to have before you make your purchase. After all, you’ll be the one who has to use it every time you entertain guests. It makes sense to chose a grill you’ll fall in love with every time you use it.
2. Smoker
If you want to give your meat a flavorful twist, you need to invest in a quality smoker. Cooking with a smoker allows you to create food that has hickory or barbecue flavor that cannot be achieved when you are simply cooking on a grill. That is largely because most smokers are like an outdoor oven that filters a lot of smoke from wood pellets through the food that you are cooking. With a large variety of flavored cooking pellets available, it’s easy to find a smoky flavor your tastebuds can’t get enough of. You can even experiment and create new family recipes.
As you become expert with your smoker, you’ll probably learn which type of wood flavors goes best with specific types of meat. Soon your backyard cookouts will become the talk of the neighborhood. Everyone will be eagerly anticipating an invitation to your next barbecue.
3. Pizza Oven
Having a brick pizza oven in your outdoor kitchen is a sign that you have arrived. You can cook pizza on a stone or create tandoori chicken any night of the week. You can also bake artesan Italian style breads and desserts with ease.
Interestingly enough, most Argentines have an outdoor pizza oven as one of the first appliances that they have in their yard because for old world or new world favorites, it will be one of the more popular things that you could demonstrate for friends and family.
With so many pizza fans in the world, it’s easy to get a lot of value out of your pizza oven. One way is to create precious memories. Imagine how much fun you kids will have create their own personal pizza and eating it beneath the arbors of your outdoor kitchen.
4. Refrigerator
There are several refrigerators that you could get for your outdoor kitchen. The most inexpensive are the college dorm style, which are about 1/5 the size of a normal refrigerator and can be moved back into storage when the weather starts to change in late Autumn.
Some people prefer to get specialty refrigerators for the outdoors that offer more space for trays of food and condiments. If you find that you are entertaining often, it might be worth your while to look at customized sizes that can hold your appetizers and desserts while you wait.
Have your local landscaping expert make sure your outdoor kitchen is connected to a proper irrigation system. With water that freely flows to and from your indoor kitchen, you’ll be able to keep your outdoor fridge well stocked with ice and cold water.
5. Soda fountain
If you have children, a soda fountain is one item that can make a lasting impact on their lives. Learning how to make their own soda will nurture their curiosity and creativity. Furthermore, if they can learn that healthy food can be enjoyable when they use natural ingredients in their soda creations.
Don’t want to leave too many appliances in the kitchen at a time? No problem! There are several compact soda fountains available that are easily portable. Also, if you want to add more overall value, add carbon dioxide containers to your soda fountain. By doing so, you’ll have a custom system that feeds live beer and soda from taps, just like at your local restaurant. This added feature can add an extra touch of professionalism and class to the evening. You should definitely add this feature if you’re someone who likes to entertain business partners and clients.
Getting Started
Deciding which appliances would benefit your kitchen most can be challenging. And that’s before you have to decide what crucial features you want each appliance to have. It’s easy to see how this task can quickly become overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be hard. Take a deep breath and relax. Soon you’ll start to enjoy the thrill of finding the perfect additions to your outdoor kitchen.
After all, finding appliances for your outdoor kitchen is one of the more enjoyable design tasks that you could have during the year. As long as your outdoor appliances meet your durability test, you should consider being as creative as possible. Does the grill you want handle paella pans? Does your smoker auto-feed pellets to maintain an even smoke experience? Whatever the feature, if it is within your budget and will enhance your cooking experience, it will be worth the investment.
If you’d like to learn more about how to enhance your outdoor kitchen experience, reach out to K&D Landscaping, Inc. Their team of landscaping experts will be happy to help you meet your outdoor kitchen goals.