Due to the pandemic, people are spending much more time in their homes. This has led to a growing awareness that backyards are often underutilized. Many chefs dream of having an outdoor kitchen. But how much does it cost? And what are the components and considerations? On our podcast, All Things Renovation, we interviewed Matthew Herbert from Sherwood Outdoor Kitchens, to find out the answers.
What are some of the key components that people want?
The design and needs of the kitchen will depend on what kind of entertaining you want to do and how many people you want to have over. People who entertain large groups in a backyard will have different needs than those who live in a condo and have 3-4 people on a weekend.
Pizza ovens – Many people can be involved in the preparation, but you will also need lots of counterspace.
Grills – These range in size from 24″-54″, but a great all-around grill is 36″.
Smokers
Charcoal
Outdoor fridge – You want to keep the party outside rather than running in and out of the house.
Work Flow
Inside kitchens have a work triangle, linking the fridge, stove, and sink. Outdoor kitchens follow the same principles, but there are more zones as there is a lot more space available. Pizza ovens, prep space, grilling can each have their own zones.
Withstanding the elements
An outdoor kitchen is obviously faced with many more elements than in a climate-controlled indoor kitchen. Cabinetry is made of stainless steel, which can be powder-coated to provide many colour options. Countertops are made of a material called Dekton. It doesn’t degrade under the ultraviolet light from the sun, it’s scratch-proof, heat-proof, and stain resistant.
It’s important to be aware that the materials that can weather the elements and give you the longevity that you want tend to be more expensive.
What about appliances?
An outdoor fridge must have much more insulation than an indoor fridge. It needs to keep the contents cool during extreme temperature fluctuations. It’s also more specialized and there aren’t as many manufactured and available.
Pizza ovens and grills produce a LOT of heat, and the cabinetry needs to be able to withstand the heat. Wood cabinets would be too combustible.
Extra fun features!
Lighting is often forgotten, and it’s even more important in an outdoor kitchen. When it gets dark you need task lighting to see what you’re prepping.
Audio-visual features are becoming very popular. People like watch TV outside, or cook while watching YouTube. And of course, don’t forget music for dancing! Televisions are available that are rated for the outdoors. Not only do they need to be weather-resistant, but they also need to be so much brighter than a regular television.
Structures
People often want a structure to shelter their outdoor kitchens. This can be a covered deck or a pergola for example. Note that some of these will require permits from the city to build. Here on the west coast it’s mild enough that we can cook outside all year round, as long as we are protected from the rain in the winter. We are lucky to not have issues with mosquitoes, but people on the prairies or back east might consider screened in covers to protect themselves in the summer. A louvered roof can provide shelter when it’s raining and let in the fresh air and sun when it’s not.
What will all this cost?
The starting point is around $20,000. That will get you a 7-8′ with a grill and a fridge, but it’s on the lower end. There is no upper limit, it can extend into six figures. Adding a stone pathway to the kitchen and landscaping can add even more.
With the state of the global supply chains right now, the lead times have almost doubled for some of the components. You will also need to book electrical, plumbing, and gas services. So if you’re thinking of building one for the spring, you should start planning immediately.
To listen to the full episode and read the show notes, visit www.AllThingsRenovation.com or click on the Podcast tab at the top of our homepage at www.woodbeart.com.
