Get Sizzling with a Pre Built Outdoor Kitchen
Is your backyard feeling a bit boring? Do you find yourself wishing you could take your culinary talents outside, but hate the idea of expensive construction for a custom outdoor kitchen?
Pre built outdoor kitchens offer an enticing solution - delivering a full cooking setup straight to your patio or deck, ready to help you sizzle under the stars. Keep reading for the dish on these convenient modular cooking oases.
What Are Pre Built Outdoor Kitchens?
Pre built outdoor kitchens, also called modular outdoor kitchens, are fully constructed units that are pre fabricated in a manufacturing facility then delivered to your home.
Made of durable, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel or concrete, these outdoor kitchens come in a range of designs. They typically integrate appliances like grills, side burners, sinks, refrigerators, and storage.
Benefits of Choosing a Pre Built Outdoor Kitchen
Opting for an off-the-shelf pre built option offers a few key advantages over investing in a completely custom-designed and built outdoor cooking space.
First, you gain convenience. Prefabricated units install rapidly - usually in less than one day. That saves you headaches, cost, and waiting compared to starting an outdoor kitchen build from scratch.
You also gain cost savings. Manufacturing outdoor kitchens in bulk allows companies to offer them at more affordable prices than custom builds.
Finally, going pre built gives you flexibility. With a wide range of styles available, you're sure to discover an option tailored to your precise backyard footprint and cooking preferences.
Why Choose Pre Built Over Custom Built?
Beyond the universal benefits above, pre built outdoor kitchens offer a few specific advantages over full custom builds. Let's look at three of the most impactful.
Faster Installation Process
As mentioned, prefabricated outdoor kitchens can typically be installed in just a single day, expediting the process significantly compared to custom builds. Those often require weeks of foundational masonry work, extended construction timelines, and coordination across multiple contractors and installers. Prefabricated modular construction vastly accelerates things.
More Affordable Pricing
Without extensive custom labor required, pre built units cost notably less than bespoke outdoor kitchens. You'll still invest a meaningful dollar amount upfront. However, manufacturers can recoup costs across higher production volumes. Passing those manufacturing efficiencies onto consumers makes pre built options easier to budget for.
Selection of Pre-Designed Options
Finally, ordering prefabricated means choosing amongst a variety of ready-to-assemble configurations, finishes, and integrated features. You decide which model best fits your patio. Custom jobs necessitate starting from a blank slate - more flexibility but also more complex decision making during the design process.
Key Considerations for Selecting a Pre Built Outdoor Kitchen
Ready to locate your perfect pre built cooking oasis? As you evaluate options, keep the following top considerations in mind.
Measure Your Outdoor Space
First things first, thoroughly measure your deck, patio, or backyard cooking location. Dimensions are crucial for identifying the ideal footprint that won't overcrowd yet maximizes your available area. Consult each manufacturer's sizing guidance and talk with sales reps if needed to nail down an appropriately scaled pick.
Determine Cooking and Storage Needs
How many burners or grills do you require? What about prep space, sinks, refrigeration, cabinets, or drawers? Envision your outdoor cooking routines and entertainments needs. Choose appliance and storage elements intentionally to avoid under or over buying.
Material Options
Pre built outdoor kitchens commonly incorporate stainless steel, concrete, or stucco. Each offers unique aesthetic and functional advantages worth exploring before deciding:
- Stainless steel: sleek modern look, durable, easy to clean, can show smudges
- Concrete: striking poured appearance, retains heat well for cooking, porous so needs sealing
- Stucco: versatile southwest style, textured natural stone finish, weatherproof
Additional Features to Enhance Functionality
As you compare models, look for bonus characteristics that boost convenience and functionality. Some examples include:
- Integrated lighting: illuminates your evening grill sesh safely
- Extra side counters: expand prep and serving space
- Undercounter storage: keeps essentials handy but out of sight
- Trash/recycling receptacles: promotes a cleaner cooking area
Step-By-Step Guide to Installing a Pre Built Outdoor Kitchen
Installing your delivered prefab kitchen is meant to be DIY-friendly, but having a plan ensures things go smoothly.
Follow Manufacturer's Instructions Carefully
First and foremost, carefully read any documentation from your kitchen's maker detailing specifications for site prep, physical setup, and functional testing during assembly.
Hire a Professional Installer (Optional)
Tackling installation solo is completely doable for most motivated DIYers. However, don't hesitate to bring in a pro if the process intimidates you. Their expertise irons out the learning curve.
Prepare the Installation Site Properly
Clear the assembly area of any obstructions, grade and level the ground so it can structurally support the kitchen's weight when loaded up with appliances, counters, and cabinets.
Connect Necessary Utilities
Ensure water, gas (if applicable), and electrical connections are available and accessible. Test fittings and valves pre-installation to troubleshoot any issues, preventing headaches later.
How a DIY Pre Built Outdoor Kitchen Can Upgrade Outdoor Entertaining
Once your prefab cooking headquarters is installed, get ready for endless opportunities to savor sunny days with delicious cuisine and meaningful connections.
Creates a Dedicated Outdoor Cooking Area
No more lugging a portable grill outside each use. Your permanent outdoor kitchen establishes a specialized space to handle all al fresco cooking tasks cleanly and comfortably.
Adds Convenience Like Extra Storage and Countertops
Thoughtful design features integrate the storage, prep room, and equipment needed for truly seamless outdoor meal creation. No more packing every essential to transport outside.
Allows Flexibility to Host Bigger Groups Outdoors
Feeding extra guests is less daunting when your outdoor cooking layout neatly organizes ample zones for grilling proteins, sauteing sides, keeping ingredients chilled, and avoiding cross-contamination.
Go beyond basics like burgers and skewers. Cook anything your indoor kitchen can do outside - saute veggies, char pizzas, stir fry rice bowls, or bake cinnamon rolls for weekend brunch.