Outdoor kitchens are increasingly being seen in the design of high-end homes, both in the city on urban roof terraces as well as in the leafier parts of towns and countries.
The concept of utilising the garden as a place to relax and entertain as an extra room of the home is now well-established and consequently a longer-term view is now being taken by both homeowners and property developers, who are realising that how we cook outdoors has evolved. The kitchen has long been the heart of the home and outdoor kitchens have become the hub of entertaining outdoors by integrating both cooking and entertaining spaces.
With an outdoor kitchen, the entire food preparation process is revolutionised as it can be moved completely outdoors, along with storage of all the essential equipment; so no more dashing back inside for tools and forgotten items. It is essential to choose marine grade stainless steel cabinets, specifically designed for use outdoors with magnetic seals that are waterproof and impervious to dust, insects and bugs. It is also important to choose an integrated grill, designed and manufactured to commercial standards, which incorporates illuminated controls and task lighting within the grill – do make sure every element is exacting and best-in-class for life outdoors. Look for brass burners and ceramic briquettes to ensure even heat distribution, allowing to cook an entire roast, not just a few sausages!
Indeed, outdoor kitchens are often more luxurious than the conventional indoor kitchen, as space limitations can disappear outdoors and teppanyaki plates, warming draws and even cocktail stations become feasible luxuries. If space and budget allows, then an outdoor fridge or even a dishwasher can be incorporated in the design – but that wouldn’t be everything, of course there must be the kitchen sink too. Mains water, gas and electricity connections can be taken from either existing points or run from the main property – do consider the location of these services when planning the positioning of the kitchen.
The aesthetic of the kitchen should be tied in with materials used in either the hard landscaping of the garden design or the architecture of the property to achieve a result which blends the style of the kitchen seamlessly with the exterior design of the home and garden. Cladding in stone, slate or render to match the property should be considered to make sure the memory of the freestanding rusty BBQ is gone forever. Granite makes the most practical work surface as it can handle the heat of the grill and the vagaries of the climate.
Alternatively, for a quick solution, avoiding water and gas installations, choose a ready-to-go, modular, freestanding outdoor kitchen designed with fewer appliances and fueled by bottled gas, hidden within one of the steel cabinets. With a granite surface, contemporary HPL (high pressure laminate) finishes and hermetically sealed cabinets, the island outdoor kitchen has the added benefit of being able to be transported and easily relocated when moving home.
Don’t let the weather spoil things. By covering the outdoor kitchen with a roof, such as the Electric Shade Pergola from Indian Ocean, it will receive outstanding protection from the sun, wind, rain and cold. This sophisticated aluminium pergola has a flat sun and waterproof roof which turns the terrace or cooking area into a usable outdoor space – whatever the weather decides to do. With an easy remote-controlled operating system and silent working of the blades, you can continue your plans for relaxing or entertaining outdoors, whether you need shelter from rain or shade from the heat of the midday sun.
When closed, the blades form a waterproof roof in normal showers. A gutter system drains the rainwater away towards the columns. These patented blades are designed in such a way that the water is drained off to the sides, even if the blades are opened up immediately after a rain shower. The sides can be fitted with a range of optional movable wall elements; glass sliding doors, cedar sliding panels and many other features, all tailored to the space.
Indian Ocean offers a comprehensive process to design, build and install the perfect outdoor kitchen from initial concept to completion, specifying only the highest quality equipment and materials.