Our Blog

It is football season and fall. Well, almost. Fall equinox is September 22nd. Close enough and the perfect time for grilling outside. I can almost smell the burgers! We once called our outdoor kitchens “Summer Kitchens” – yet in Florida it is probably too hot in summer to grill.

Regardless of what you call them or when you choose to grill, outdoor kitchens are a desired accompaniment to our outdoor living. They have become so mainstream, you can now buy outdoor kitchens – complete with cabinets and grill – at Home Depot, Ikea, Costco, Wayfair, and of course Amazon.

The Grill

When it comes to the grills – there are many choices – gas grills fueled by propane or nature gas, electric grills, charcoal grills and Kamado-style ceramic grills like the Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe. Additional appliances can range from pizza ovens, skillets, pellet grills, and beyond. The sky (and your budget) is the limit!

For years our grill was powered by propane – initially those refillable tanks and then a propane valve on the back porch. Now we have natural gas.

Our charcoal grilling was initially only at football tailgates. Then we got a mini portable grill with propane. We’ve never used a Green Egg, which uses charcoal and is excellent for smoking meats. Electric grills are now available and great for multifamily outdoor kitchens where an open flame is prohibited.

The Cabinets

The weatherproof material for outdoor kitchens has been a challenge. I remember one builder tried building cabinets out of marine grade plywood and laminate. It did not stand up to the Florida heat, rain, and humidity.

Stainless steel became the cabinet of choice because they are durable, weather-resistant and can be rust resistant if you get the right grade – 316 grade for coastal environments. Initially only available unfinished – you can now get them in a variety of colors and finishes.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is also available for outdoor kitchen cabinets. It is 100% waterproof, UV-resistant, and won’t warp, crack, or fade. Sounds like the perfect low maintenance solution, though I’m told the colors and finishes are somewhat limited. Be sure the handles and hinges are stainless steel.

Teak, Brazilian Walnut, and Tigerwood have also been selected for outdoor kitchen for their exotic beauty and natural durability. They do require more maintenance including sealing or oiling depending on what look you’re going for. Probably not the cheapest solution, ether. Cedar and cypress can be a less-costly alternative.

PVC or Resin Cabinets are great low-maintenance and budget-friendly solutions. Great for high humidity. Of course, some don’t care for their “plastic” appearance.

Light Weight Concrete cabinets are now available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Very durable cabinets boxes – that you can then add cabinet doors to the face. Often, the sides are finished in stone or brick.

The pre-made boxes are light enough that no additional footings are required. Of course, you can also custom-build an outdoor kitchen with concrete block and stucco – just add the doors.

The Vent

For years, we had a grill on our covered back porch. It was a big lanai with a tall ceiling, but eventually the smoke stains could be visible on the once white ceiling. Oops. Now in many jurisdictions, a vent hood is required if the grill is under a roof. Of course, that hood must be stainless steel and a high enough grade to withstand the sun, heat and humidity.

My neighbor has a grill without a vent. That’s because it is outside. Great solution for the smoke – not so great when it rains.

Our roof deck has an outdoor kitchen. The cabinets are marine grade stainless steel with a black finish. We also included a sink and under cabinet refrigerator. Hey – it is a long way from the second-floor kitchen to the roof deck on the fourth floor. And no vent overhead – just blue sky and night stars.

What about your outdoor kitchen – either in your personal home – or the one you offer as an option? What is the fuel, the cabinet construction and does it include a sink? Send me your ideal outdoor kitchen. Better yet – tell me what you enjoy cooking on your