Everything You Need to Know About Summer Kitchens
Summer kitchens are charming outdoor structures that hark back to earlier eras, yet remain surprisingly relevant today. These separate cooking spaces next to the main house kept homes cool before the invention of air conditioning. Now, they allow us to enjoy the outdoors during warmer months. From their origins and vintage architecture to contemporary benefits, here's your guide to everything about summer kitchens.
A Brief History of Summer Kitchens
Summer kitchens first emerged in the American South during the 18th and 19th centuries. They were especially common on antebellum plantations, where they allowed wealthy owners to keep their main houses cooler.
The Function of Summer Kitchens in the 18th and 19th Centuries
In the days before air conditioning, cooking indoors made homes excruciatingly hot in summer. Fires burning for hours over hearths and ovens generated intense heat and thick cooking odors. As a solution, a second, outdoor kitchen was built a short distance from the main house.
Servants, enslaved people, and cooks used the summer kitchen for preparing meals and canning fruits and vegetables during warmer months. This allowed the main house to stay cool for the homeowners' comfort.
Why Summer Kitchens Were Necessary Before Air Conditioning
Summer kitchens emerged as a clever solution to the issues of cooking in hot, humid weather before AC existed. Keeping a home cool was difficult without fans or refrigeration. Fires for cooking could heat a house to over 100degF (38degC). Rooms filled with smoke, ash, and strong cooking smells.
Building a separate outdoor kitchen helped circulate air while windows vented heat and smells. Homeowners gained respite from the summer heat in the cooler main house. Without summer kitchens, enduring the extremes of summer would have been nearly impossible.
The Origins of Summer Kitchens in the American South
Summer kitchens first appeared in the American South in the 1700s and 1800s. Long, hot summers and large plantations made them especially useful. Enslaved workers could cook without heating the main house.
Some of the earliest summer kitchens were primitive - simple wooden shelters or spaces between four posts. By the mid-1800s, many evolved into permanent masonry or brick buildings with a chimney.
The Prominence of Summer Kitchens on Antebellum Plantations
Summer kitchens reached the height of popularity on Southern plantations before the Civil War. Owners built substantial summer kitchens for slaves and servants to cook meals for field workers and household members.
These plantation summer kitchens allowed owners and guests to dine and entertain formally in the cooler main house. They became indispensable for Southern living and hospitality.
Key Architectural Features of Summer Kitchens
Summer kitchens share several typical architectural features that aided their functionality in hot weather.
Typical Layout as a Separate Building
Summer kitchens were always located outside as detached structures around 10-50 feet from the main house. This separation circulated air while allowing cooking odors and heat to dissipate.
Common Inclusion of a Masonry Stove or Cooktop
The most essential element was a cooking surface like a masonry or brick stove. This stove had open surfaces for pans as well as enclosed ovens for baking. Some kitchens had a simple grill or cooktop instead of a full stove.
Spacious Work and Prep Areas
Summer kitchens required generous work areas for food preparation tasks like chopping, canning, and dish duty. Long wooden tables or deep counters lined the walls, along with storage for cutlery and pans.
High Ceilings and Ventilation
Soaring ceilings allowed hot air to rise instead of becoming trapped. Ventilation was also key, whether open windows, louvered vents, or openings under eaves.
Sleeping Quarters in Some Designs
On plantations, some summer kitchens had an additional room or loft space for slaves or servants to sleep in warm months. This saved them from walking back late at night.
Connection to the Main House via a Path
A covered or uncovered path connected the summer kitchen to an entrance of the main house for transporting food. On rainy days, servants stayed dry moving between buildings.
The Role of Summer Kitchens on a Plantation
On Southern plantations before the Civil War, summer kitchens were essential for the household's workings and social order.
A Workspace for Enslaved People and Servants
Summer kitchens served as important daily workspaces for enslaved cooks and servants. They prepared three meals a day for potentially dozens of people.
Keeping the Main House Cool for Wealthy Owners
The plantation owners and their family enjoyed a cooler main home thanks to the separate summer kitchen. Its heat and smells never reached their living quarters.
Providing Meals for Field Workers
In addition to the household, summer kitchens cooked for all of the field workers on larger plantations. Workers received morning and evening meals.
The Social Role on Plantations
Summer kitchens became gathering spots where enslaved people socialized, shared news, and found community. Their operations brought order to the plantation ecosystem.
The Evolution of Summer Kitchens
While less common today, some summer kitchens remain from earlier eras. And their appeal is driving a contemporary resurgence.
The Decline of Summer Kitchens in the Early 20th Century
Summer kitchens began falling out of favor in the early 1900s as modern stoves and iceboxes allowed indoor cooking year-round. Central heating and air conditioning made them obsolete.
Remaining Examples of Historic Summer Kitchens
A number of 18th and 19th century summer kitchens still stand on the grounds of museums and historic sites like Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Colonial Williamsburg. They offer a window into the past.
The Revival of Summer Kitchens in Contemporary Homes
Today, renovated summer kitchens are treasured historic features. New versions are also being built to enjoy outdoor cooking and entertaining. Their appeal endures.
Benefits of Adding a Summer Kitchen Today
Modern summer kitchens offer many of the same benefits as their historic counterparts - along with some new perks.
Increased Home Value and Curb Appeal
A summer kitchen boosts a home's value at resale for a relatively reasonable investment. The vintage charm also enhances curb appeal.
A Designated Space for Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining
With a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, homeowners can grill, bake pizza in a brick oven, fry, or cook full meals alfresco. It also provides extra space for parties.
Enjoyment of the Outdoors in Warmer Weather
A summer kitchen lets you spend time outside enjoying fresh air on beautiful days without sacrificing cooking and dining comforts.
Flexibility for Special Events and Gatherings
Beyond everyday use, a summer kitchen offers flexibility for holidays, birthdays, reunions and events with extra guests. The outdoor setting feels special.
Opportunity to Incorporate Vintage Design Elements
From a stone floor to salvaged barn wood, summer kitchens are perfect for adding old-fashioned character and charm.
Key Considerations for Building a New Summer Kitchen
If a summer kitchen sounds appealing, here are key factors to weigh before starting your project.
Choosing an Appropriate Location
Consider airflow, views, sunlight, proximity to the main house and yards when picking the ideal spot. Allow adequate workspace.
Including Essential Components Like a Grill
Evaluate how you'll use the space. At minimum, include a high-quality grill or cooktop, prep counters, and storage.
Adding Counters, Sinks, and Storage as Desired
For expanded functionality, incorporate extra elements like sinks, refrigerators, cabinetry and shelving tailored to your needs.
Styling with Indoor-Outdoor Fabrics and Materials
Choose fixtures, furniture and surfaces designed to withstand weather and frequent use while bringing personality.
Obtaining Necessary Permits and Following Codes
Be sure to comply with local regulations and building codes for electrical, plumbing, and construction.
FAQs About Summer Kitchens
If you're considering a summer kitchen, chances are you still have some questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked ones.
Are summer kitchens expensive to build?
Costs vary, but summer kitchens can often be built for less than indoor kitchen remodeling since utilities are simpler. Using DIY skills also cuts costs.
What are the best materials for summer kitchens?
Weather-resistant and low-maintenance materials are ideal, like stone, brick, tile, metals, and pressure-treated lumber. Use rust-resistant metals and outdoor-rated fabrics.
Should a summer kitchen be screened or enclosed?
While screening helps control bugs, go for lots of open space. Allow good airflow and minimize roof coverings that trap heat and moisture.
How far from the house should it be?
Around 10-25 feet from the main house is typical, but consider your lot. Allow room for paths and traffic flow while maintaining a connection.
Can I use a summer kitchen in winter?
With the right heating additions like fire pits or insulation, you can expand a basic summer kitchen's season. But design it primarily for warmer months.
Whether you're a history buff, an avid cook, or just love spending time outdoors, a summer kitchen offers the best of all worlds. These outdoor spaces keep kitchens comfortable on hot days and open new possibilities for alfresco dining and entertainment. With strategic design choices, you can build a summer kitchen that seamlessly matches your needs and lifestyle.
Summer kitchens hearken back to gracious earlier eras but offer timeless, tangible benefits. Their vintage architecture lends character and charm while providing an effective way to keep homes cooler during the dog days of summer. With their revival, we can all tap into the ingenuity of the past while enjoying the comforts and conveniences of today.