Outdoor Kitchens San Diego

In the Mediterranean, it is very common to see families cooking outdoors. Today, this style of outdoor cooking has become a popular trend in the United States, especially Southern California. Homeowners are learning about the joys of using an outdoor kitchen in their own backyards. Have you considered the benefits of adding an outdoor kitchen to your home in San Diego? Whether you’re building a new house, or simply making better use of the space you have, creating a place to cook outdoors could be a good investment to make. Here are several advantages of outdoor kitchens to consider:

1.  Good for Entertaining

A top benefit of having an outdoor kitchen is that they’re perfect spaces for entertaining. When food is grilled out on the patio, guests can gather around the BBQ grill and socialize as dinner is being prepared. It might get crowded in an indoor kitchen when everyone hangs out with the cook, but outside there’s much more space. You can increase the comfort for your party guests by adding patio heaters, outdoor furnishings, strings of lights, and some mood music.

2.  Increases Home value

Most of today’s BBQ grills and other patio appliances are made from high-grade stainless steel, which makes them able to handle the changing temperatures with the seasons. Stainless steel is also desirable because it is easy to clean. When you have a functional outdoor kitchen, you have an investment you can use and enjoy for many years to come.

3. Expands Your Living Space

No need to add on a room with walls and a roof; simply incorporate the space you already have on your back porch. If you have a covered patio, you’re all set to bring in appliances and have the outdoor kitchen of your dreams. In your outdoor cooking area, you and your family members can celebrate birthdays, holidays, or just enjoy the great outdoors.

Now that you have a few good reasons to add an outdoor kitchen to your home, you’ll need to make a few plans to get started. First, here’s a list of possibilities to think about including:

• Grill
• Smoker
• Prep surface
• Refrigerator
• Storage 
• Pizza oven
• Bar
• Lighting
• Ceiling fan
• Table
• Heating
• Chairs
• Entertainment system
• Plants
• Fire Feature

• Built-in or Portable Grill:
  Decide how large of a grill you need or want, and whether you want one that’s permanently positioned or mobile. If you plan to cook for large crowds, you’ll need a larger size, but if you’ll just cook for your family, invest in a smaller BBQ.
• Countertops:
  How much preparation space will you need in your outdoor kitchen? Plan your countertop space accordingly. Also, make sure you select a product that can withstand changes in weather.
• Lighting:
  Since you will probably be doing much of your meal preparation during the evening hours, you’ll need to have adequate lighting on your patio. You definitely don’t want to be chopping and slicing in the dark. Plus, you need to be able to see your grilled items clearly to make sure they’re rare, medium, or well done.
• Sink:
  Having a sink with running water is essential to convenient meal preparation. Install yours near your prep station for ease in clean up and adding liquid to recipes.
• Refrigerator:
  You might decide to have a small fridge or drop in Ice Chest. It all depends on how much you plan to store outdoors. Also how far away your indoor refrigerator is from your outdoor space.
• Flooring:
  Concrete, natural stone, brick, and tile are good options for outdoor flooring. You don’t want a high-maintenance product outside, but you do want it to be stylish and weather-resistant.

Once you have your outdoor kitchen up and running, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. If you ever decide to sell your home and move to a new location, your outdoor cooking space will be a sought-after selling feature.