For many homeowners, an outdoor kitchen is a wonderful addition to any home and is a dream come true. An outdoor kitchen is the perfect outdoor oasis to give you and your family a relaxing outdoor breathing living space away from the four walls of your home.
An outdoor kitchen can truly take meal prep and cooking to a whole new level. It really is a more relaxing way to prepare and cook simple, everyday meals. What’s more, it provides the perfect way to host barbeque parties to get your friends and family together for special occasions, whether be it in your backyard, patio, or poolside area.
Part of enjoying the perfect outdoor kitchen is careful planning of its overall structure, look, and design. Along with it is also planning and laying out what outdoor kitchen appliances are a must-have for maximum functionality so you can cook, grill, barbeque, and host people over with so much ease.
Wondering what outdoor appliances you should look into for your outdoor kitchen? Then you’re in luck because I’ve got you covered right here!
Must-Have Outdoor Kitchen Appliances for Modern Outdoor Kitchens
- Outdoor Kitchen Sink
A sink is a must for any outdoor kitchen. Having one right out in your outdoor kitchen would make things a whole lot easier and more convenient. This would mean you won’t have to keep going back in to use the sink inside your house.
Having a kitchen sink in your outdoor kitchen will also promote cleanliness. An accessible sink outside means you can keep clean hands as you prepare and cook your meals. Washing dishes would also be a whole lot easier as you can clean and wash as you go instead of bringing everything back inside to do it.
- Outdoor Refrigerator
A refrigerator right in your outdoor kitchen will allow you to store anything – from fresh food, meat, beverages, and even leftover food. With an outdoor refrigerator, you can say goodbye to running back in and out to get the food supplies you need.
Outdoor refrigerators can keep meat and fresh food supplies you know you would need for barbeque parties and outdoor parties. Plus, you can keep your favorite drinks chilled and all ready to drink up.
This would also free up space in your indoor kitchen, giving you so much more space for other food supplies inside.
- Outdoor Grill
Any outdoor kitchen must have a grill and it can pretty much be the center of any outdoor party or get-together with friends and family. An outdoor kitchen grill can give you a variety of cooking and meal options to serve up your guests from beef, meat, or hot dogs. You can opt for standing and portable grills or built-in grills for a cleaner, professional look.
Outdoor grills can use either charcoal or gas. Charcoal grills (or pellet grills, if you prefer) are a great choice if you would want to achieve that smoky flavor to any of your food. Gas grills are convenient and very easy to use and operate. With a single push of a button, you’ll be grilling in no time.
- Pizza Oven
A pizza oven is another convenient outdoor kitchen appliance you might want to invest in. It’s perfect for serving up your guests with homemade (and much-healthier) pizza whenever you host people over.
With pizza ovens right outside in your outdoor kitchen, you can achieve that smoky, delicious flavor many pizza chains aren’t able to. Plus, watching a pizza cook inside a pizza oven is such a sight to behold that is sure to take people’s attention.
- Ice Maker/Ice Storage
During very hot summer days, a day spent outside is typically everyone’s ideal day. What makes a hot summer day so much better are refreshing drinks.
Another outdoor kitchen staple you might want to consider adding to your home is ice makers. Gone are the days you would have to buy bags of ice from the store and figure out a way to store them in your house, whether for personal or party use.
And sure, you can always make your own ice in the freezer of your refrigerator but it can take some time to make tons for you to use and just an overall hassle.
With ice makers, you can enjoy ice in your drinks in only a few minutes. Ice makers also double as ice storage to store certain amounts of ice after producing them.
You won’t have to worry about whether your guests have enough ice to last through the night as ice makers continuously produce ice for you to use.
- Kegerator and Wine Cooler
If you like beers and so do your friends and family, a kegerator is a perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen. This is perfect to keep your beer cold and fresh, ready for anyone to drink.
But if you prefer to serve yourself and others with a variety of wine bottles, then a wine cooler is for you. It not only keeps your wine cold but also stores multiple bottles at once.
Both a kegerator and wine cooler allows your guests to serve their drinks themselves without hesitation. A glass of good beer or wine is sure to keep the good times rolling right in your outdoor kitchen.
- Outdoor Dishwasher
A dishwasher is not so much of a necessity in an outdoor kitchen but it definitely has benefits it can offer to make it a priority outdoor appliance among many. A dishwasher will make cleaning and washing up dishes such a breeze. Just pop in what needs to be washed and let it do the cleaning for you.
When you have guests over a lot, you don’t want to spend a lot of time at the party cleaning up dishes nor do you want to spend so much time washing them up well after the party. An outdoor dishwasher is a very convenient way to do it.
An outdoor dishwasher is definitely a splurge but a great investment, nonetheless.
- Outdoor Cooktop
An outdoor cooktop is essential in any outdoor kitchen if you want to be able to cook simple and quick meals. With an outdoor cooktop, you’re not only grilling for house party guests but you can also cook simple eggs, sausages, and pancakes for a simple morning with your family.
- Cabinets and Counters
Cabinets and counters are a great storage solution for any outdoor kitchen. Whether it’s for keeping appliances, cookware, or dishes, cabinets and counters help you keep the place clean and tidy. They can also prevent things from being all over the place and being a total eyesore.
What to Consider in Choosing Outdoor Kitchen Accessories and Appliances
Part of the planning process for outdoor kitchens includes selecting and choosing outdoor kitchen appliances.
We have below some important factors to consider in looking for outdoor kitchen appliances to add to your space.
Outdoor kitchen space
In looking for outdoor kitchen appliances to invest in, the first thing you’d want to consider is the outdoor kitchen space you have. Remember, buy appliances according to the amount of space you have. You don’t want to buy appliances you don’t have space and room for.
Buying too many appliances than what your space can accommodate can make your kitchen look smaller than it already is. It can also appear cluttered and all over the place.
Style and design
For the sake of aesthetics, you want to make sure that your outdoor kitchen appliances would match your kitchen’s design. This will give your space a cleaner and more harmonious look.
What you will cook
In deciding on what appliances to buy, ask yourself what meals you want to cook in your outdoor kitchen. Whether you want to be grilling meat, barbequing, or simple eggs, bacon, and pancakes, you want to make sure you have appliances for that.
Budget
Buying your outdoor kitchen shouldn’t break the bank. Set a budget and make sure to work around that so you don’t regret anything later on.
Conclusion
An outdoor kitchen is definitely a homeowner’s many dreams. It’s a great way to receive and entertain guests without having to be within the four walls of your home.
In designing and planning out outdoor kitchens, it’s not only the designs and aesthetics that matter. What matters most in outdoor kitchens are the appliances in it that help produce maximum flexibility.
An outdoor kitchen can house a variety of appliances. Some basics you might want to think about include a sink and a dishwasher. An outdoor grill and basic cooktop give a variety of cooking meal prep options. You can even opt for a pizza oven if you enjoy them homemade.
Also, consider looking into an outdoor refrigerator and cabinets and counters to enhance your outdoor kitchen’s functions and purposes.
And if you want to invite friends and family over for a round of drinks and good conversations, look at your options for an ice maker, a kegerator, and a wine cooler.
And that has been our list of must-have outdoor kitchen appliances for a modern outdoor kitchen! Happy shopping!
