Get Thinking About Installing Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen

While those in the north are starting to pack up their grills as winter cools the coals, down here at Cinco Ranch in Katy, Texas, you and all your southern neighbors can keep things cooking in outdoor kitchens.

If you’re an entertainer at heart, or simply the family grill master, installing an outdoor kitchen provides you with the tools and space to plate up succulent meats, juicy veggies, and a whole lot more. For those thinking long-term, outdoor kitchens in Cinco Ranch, Katy TX can provide a promising rate of return on investment.

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Design the Dream, Dream the Design

There are four standard design shapes you’ll want to consider when laying out outdoor kitchens plans: running along one wall, u-shaped, L-shaped, or as an island.

Most likely, only one or two of these options will be a good fit for the space you’re considering transforming. No matter which basic layout you decided to build on, there are certain elements of outdoor kitchen design that you’ll want to incorporate.

First, Think safety! Creating a small barrier between where guests might be hanging out, such as the far side of an island or the counter of u-shaped outdoor kitchens, or the heat of the grill, is a good way to keep excited children and careless adults from accidentally getting burned.

After safety, consider workflow. Professionally designed outdoor kitchens and bars are designed not only to be beautiful, but functional. There should a minimum amount of movement when reaching out to prepare standard drinks and there should be a smooth flow from prep-cooking to grilling or smoking.

If entertaining is a priority, consider installing a centerpiece to the outdoor kitchen, which can either be an island, where you work and guests can drink, or a fire pit, to keep everyone cozy while you perfectly sear steaks.

Though it can be helpful to know what you want before you reach out to the experts, don’t hesitate to lean on them when it comes to designing your dream outdoor kitchen. You can also check out the vast amount of information provided by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

What Do Outdoor Kitchens in Cinco Ranch, Katy TX Need?

What you will be doing in the outdoor kitchen space will dictate many of your decisions when it comes to customizing it. If you expect to be hosting a lot of parties, features such as warming drawers, side burners, a bar, keg coolers, wine chillers, an ice machine, and so on are worth considering.

If the outdoor kitchen will be entirely focused on getting food out for the family, you might decide that it’s best to keep things simple with a built-in grill, a smoker, a refrigerator, and a sink.

Either way, think about the types of foods you want to prepare. For those who want to enjoy the sky overhead and an evening breeze in their hair, but have no interest in grilling, stick to side burners and even consider installing a pizza oven.

Like your inside kitchen, an outside kitchen should also be equipped with ample surface area to prepare food, as well as drawers, cabinets, and vent hoods. The thing is, you want to feel just as at home cooking outside the house as inside it.

Outdoor Kitchens: Cooking for the Future

Unlike swimming pools, another common upgrade to a family home, outdoor kitchens won’t carry the kind of liability that comes with a big tub of swimming water. Additionally, most real estate agents agree that outdoor kitchens bolster a house’s selling price. In fact, CNN Money suggested that some outdoor kitchens can fetch a 100–200% return on investment.