Degree of hosting: Close company Every great kitchen starts out with the basics! First things first: pick the star performer for you. Aiming for memorably tender steaks to flip? Consider the classic gas grill that's built-in. Will you rather smoke meat over crackling charcoal? A kamado grill or BBQ smoker can't go wrong. With a pizza oven, bring Italian crunch into your space; every time you bake flawless pies! Our checklist for outdoor kitchens expands on these principles, suiting every intent. Note that your primary attraction affects your needs for protection. Ventilation is also a great start: add an overhead vent hood and island vent panels, and note that an insulated jacket is required for any built-in grill. The grill and the island are covered from each other!
Degree of hosting: Friends & family
It is easier than you would imagine to bring your better backyard life up a notch. We call the game "Grilling and Chilling" at this stage! Enjoy hotter fire (and more sizzling steel to deal with), hold kitchen equipment within reach (but beyond sight), and enough ice to make any penguin jealous (and engineering a cunning plan to steal that ice maker). This level of design of outdoor kitchens provides greater capacity with a lot more comfort. For more ideas on what to add to your dream outdoor room, be sure to check out the BBQ kitchen checklist above!
Degree of hosting: Blowout Barbecue
You've found it for those of you who really want the finest outdoor entertainment. We're talking about more cooking, more storage, more refrigeration, and premium seating and ambience to wrap the room with outstanding luxury. It's time to pull out all the stops here. You suddenly squeeze year-round enjoyment out of your investment when you have a patio heater (one of our favorite additions to any outdoor area). To create the place to be for any televised event, add an outdoor-rated TV.
Security of kitchens
Clearance
Our crazy science has told us after diligent experimentation (and too many singing eyebrows), the following: covering a fire with claustrophobic walls and a low ceiling just makes the fire angrier. On an unrelated note, when he drops by on his day off, we've learned to pat down Chef Tony for lighters. From our due diligence, learn! The first rule in the safety code is respecting kitchen clearances: mind those gaps and beat the sun!
Ventilation procedures
That's right: for as long as it takes, we'll bang this drum. Ventilation does not necessarily shield the visitors away from smoke and odor (and you, as you stand over your smoking flames). It even vents away discoloration, streaking smoke, and grease from the surfaces of your kitchen. Meanwhile, scorching heat is sucked out, incidentally, less risk of a fire hazard. As outdoor kitchen ventilation is sometimes a zoning code requirement, consult with your local property laws.
Jackets of Isolation
Several outdoor kitchen islands are made with combustible materials and have a solid grill. The problem here can already be found by those of you who recall a few science classes. These stainless steel buffers restrict the roaring heat of the rest of your kitchen investment from accessing the humble insulated jacket. They even protect the undercarriage of your grill from corrosion and weathering! Treated or not, every island needs an adequate insulated jacket, also partially constructed with flammable materials.