Outdoor Kitchens – Our 9 Essential INGREDIENTS

As we joyously celebrate Australia Day 2014 – we will all fire up our BBQ’s right! So maybe it’s time to consider extending that outdoor living space with a kitchen.

Australian house design – is about the merging of inside and outside living and entertaining, through the inclusion of alfresco dining areas, and open wall design. So it is inevitability that we wish to cook outside now, no longer being excluded from the activity occurring outside.

BBQ’s have emerged as mini-kitchens in their own right – able to prepare gourmet meals right there on the patio. We are opting to make the most of this outdoor lifestyle through design, so what is an outdoor kitchen?

Simply, an outdoor kitchen is just that – a kitchen built in an outdoor space. Outdoor kitchens might include anything from permanent bench spaces, BBQs, pizza ovens, grill plates, sinks and bar fridges, all the way down to ovens, stove tops, and dishwashers. Oh, and if a male has anything to do with the design of course – there would be a bar with beer on tap. So no matter what the appliance, if you want to eat, drink and be merry in your outdoor living space – then there is probably a use for that item in your outdoor kitchen.

Our NINE ingredients for a great outdoor kitchen are:

• INGREDIENT 1: Great outdoor kitchens should be designed for outdoor purposes

• INGREDIENT 2:the material used to construct your outdoor kitchen must be able to stand up to the elements – durable weatherproof products

• INGREDIENT 3: In our harsh sun – use UV stable products in your design

• INGREDIENT 4: Fixtures and fittings should be designed for outside use – check their warranties and uses before you invest in something that is designed only for internal use

• INGREDIENT 5: Preferably your outdoor kitchen should be located in a sheltered or protected areas – to keep it clean and dry.

• INGREDIENT 6: Remember you need to connect services like lighting, plumbing, electrical power etc connected to your new outdoor kitchen, so think carefully about placement. Most outdoor kitchens are located under patios, adjoining the home, but not always.

• INGREDIENT 7: Design it just like you would you kitchen inside the home – with thought about functionality

• INGREDIENT 8: Remember your surfaces must be designed for outdoor use, right down to the tiles you choose for the floor

• INGREDIENT 9: Consider how this space, relates to your home – the interaction with the rest of the home is part of good design – if you are unsure consider engaging a professional designer to assist with the flow.

So now, that we have whet your appetite, let’s check out some amazing outdoor kitchen spaces to start to cultivate your imagination – and maybe that weekend project will kick in to gear to create your own outdoor kitchen area.

THIS is my very own outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and teppanyaki plate – made by our staff at Central Glass and Aluminium completely out of aluminium, stone and glass.

Why? You may ask – because I share my outdoor kitchen with my husband’s orchids – so having a completely water resistant product was essential for us, so aluminium was an obvious choice.

So from humble beginnings (being my very own outdoor kitchen, on my deck) let us make your imagination run wild with these next few designs – from the basic to the extravagant.

So no matter what your budget – get out the grid paper and plan right now for your outdoor kitchen – from basic to elaborate, kits to custom design there is an option for all your requirements – just remember our 9 essential INGREDIENTS for a successful outdoor kitchen.

We are here to frame your dreams at Central Glass and Aluminium – give us a call we would be happy to help you come up with some creative options – maybe you do not have space for a complete and a servery is a outdoor kitchen better choice – then take a peek at Pass The Food, please!