Where to Locate Your Outdoor Kitchen

Three words should come to mind when choosing the location of an outdoor kitchen: convenience, functionality, and safety. Before the foundation is laid, these three things must be considered.

Convenience means different things to different people. For some, having the outdoor kitchen situated where it is easy to bring in groceries and supplies is the most important factor. To others, having nearby access to the main household kitchen means the difference between having to fully stock both kitchens. An outdoor kitchen located near the family pool or fitted in an herb or flower garden may mean more to a few people. Before building, think about what is the most important feature to you.

Functionality depends on what the outdoor kitchen will be used for primarily. Think of the layout and furnishings before building. If you plan to use your kitchen mainly for entertaining summer guests, then the layout may be very different than if you plan to use the kitchen just for family.

Other items to keep in mind would be the size of the appliances; do you need a full size stove and refrigerator or will smaller versions suit your needs. The same considerations need to be thought about for sinks and storage space.

Safety is an important consideration in any type of out-building. Electrical wiring should be done by a qualified professional. Make sure he understands the use of the outdoor kitchen and installs adequate breakers and sufficient wiring for the appliances and lighting that will be used. Having a separate breaker box, with an emergence shut off switch, should be considered mandatory.

All plumbing should also be installed by a qualified plumber. Like the electrician, he should be aware of all applicable building codes and any special water uses you foresee in your kitchen.

Most building projects located within most municipalities require permits before any work can begin. If you are building the kitchen yourself, make sure you have all necessary permits and permissions before you begin. Construction contractors generally, with measured drawings, can help you decide what paperwork you will need before building.

Once you have made the decisions on convenience, functionality and safety, the fun of building your outdoor kitchen really begins.

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