Outdoor Kitchens 101

Outdoor Kitchens 101 Outdoor living is a growing trend as more Americans transform their backyard into elaborate extensions of their home. Turning your space into a fully functional,luxurious outdoor kitchen to enjoy takes serious planning and design. These 10 must-know tips will guide you through the process. TIP #1: SITE ASSESSMENT Can the site be: O CONNECTED TO HOME UTILITIES? CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO THE INDOOR KITCHEN? O SHELTERED FROM SUN, WIND, AND RAIN? LEVELED OUT IF NECESSARY? ALWAYS CHECK TO SEE IF PERMITS MUST BE APPLIED FOR OR LEGAL CODES FOLLOWED. TIP #2:UTILITIES PLANNING The location of your outdoor kitchen and equipment can affect the installation/placement of your gas, water, & electricity supply. ELECTRIC PLUMBING GAS • Hot and cold, or just cold water. Provide ample electric (GCFI) outlets. Include task, ambient, and safety lighting. Confirm gas pressure for bulk connections and plan for appropriate pipe diameter to • Ensure plumbing can be winterized. • How to dispose of wastewater. • Dry well supply required total BTU capacity. • French drain • Existing water waste lines • Recycling into the garden • Follow local codes Insufficient lighting is one of the top 3 outdoor kitchen design mistakes. TIP #3: YOUR FUNCTIONAL ZONES Outdoor kitchens are typically broken up into 4 functional zones. Hot Zones Grills, cooktops, pizza ovens, etc. Wet Zones G Sinks and ice reservoirs/ beverage tubs, etc. Dry Zones Prep areas/counters and cabinets/storage, etc. Cold Zones Refrigerators, freezers, wine chillers, etc. Dedicate plenty of space for each functional zone, especially dry zones. TIP #4: CHOOSING YOUR EQUIPMENT The equipment you use depends on the style of outdoor cooking and entertaining you want to do. GRILLING PIZZA MAKING WOK COOKING WINE STORAGE AND AND TANDOOR BEER DISPENSING TIP #5:LANDING AREA RECOMMENDATIONS Quality equipment is a must for any kitchen, but so is having enough open counter space and prep room beside each appliance. Landing Area Minimums for Left and Right of a Pizza Oven 24" of open counter on one side and 12" on the other the pizza oven. Landing Area Minimums for Left and Right of a Grill/Cooktop 24" of open counter on one side and 12" on the other the grill. EEU Landing Area Minimums above an Undercounter Refrigerator 15" of open counter above or adjacent to an under counter refrigerator, ice maker or other similar appliance. Landing Area Minimums for Left and Right of a Beer Tap 12" of open counter on each side of a cooktop. Landing Area Minimums for Left and Right of a Sink 18" of open counter on each side of a sink. The 2nd most common design mistake is not providing enough landing area beside appliances to lay plates or utensils. TIP #6: CABINET/STORAGE SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS Storage space is slightly less important in an outdoor kitchen then an indoor, since there are usually less pots, pans and utensils to store. SMALL KITCHEN: 21" storage cabinet ESSENTIALS KITCHEN: 36" storage cabinets MEDIUM KITCHEN: 72" storage cabinets LARGE KITCHEN: 96" storage cabinets These measurements are the bare minimum TIP #7: SEATING RECOMMENDATIONS It's important to take into account both the width of each seat, the knee space below the counter/table/bar and the traffic space behind the seats. Traffic Clearance No traffic: 32" Tight traffic: 36" Unobstructed traffic: 48" Knee Space Table height seating: 30" high with 18" knee space Counter height seating: 36' high with 15" knee space Bar Height seating: 42" high with 12" knee space Accessible seating: 30-34" high with 19" knee space Seat Width Normal seating: 24" Accessible seating: 36" These measurements are the bare minimum. TIP #8: EXTENDING THE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING SEASON SHADE RAIN SKELTER HEATING COOLING Use a non-combustible ceiling or awning above the grill. Use fireplaces, hearths, radiant heat beneath the patio, natural gas, or propane patio heaters. Use fans or misting Use pergolas and awnings. systems. Install a vent hood or wind baffles to keep smoke from blowing into the entertainment area. O TIP #9: SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS O ENSURE THE PATIO IN THE KITCHEN AREA IS SLIP RESISTANT WHEN WET OR GREASY. O STORE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE AREA. O INSTALL A GAS SAFETY SHUTOFF VALVE IN AN EASY-TO-REACH LOCATION NOT TOO CLOSE TO THE GRILL. O CLIP OR ROUND OFF OUTSIDE CORNERS OF COUNTERTOP. O PROVIDE SAFETY LIGHTING FOR WALKWAYS AND STEPS. COPYRIGHT 2013 KALAMAZOOGOURMET.COM | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED