Text by: Sébastien Lacroix and Olivier Soucy
You've been thinking about it for a while, but you're not yet sure if you're ready to take the leap...invest in an outdoor kitchen.
Your friend has one, you see them in magazines, on Pinterest… they catch your eye, but right now, you're not sure if you need one or can afford to take on the project.
Well, it's worth seeing what an outdoor kitchen can do for you (and even bring back).
Let’s start with the basics. Why have an outdoor kitchen?
In fact, an outdoor kitchen is the heart of your home, extended outside. The kitchen is THE gathering place for all families. It's where we spend the most time, cooking, chatting, eating, helping the children with their homework... It's a place of sharing, in every sense of the word.
By having an outdoor kitchen, you can bring all of that outside and enjoy the nice weather at the same time and, why not, even sunbathe while preparing the meal. The best part? You will no longer need to go back and forth from your house to your BBQ and have to clean the inside of your home because everything will be in the same place, and easy to access. The days of having to wipe wet footprints on your floor because people came to get a beer from the fridge after getting out of the pool, for example, will now be behind you!
With an outdoor kitchen, you will live to the rhythm of the seasons and take full advantage of each one. Do your children like to play ball outside? You will be able to keep an eye on them at all times. Do you like to entertain? Your whole gang will enjoy having a drink on your patio while filling their nostrils with the delicious smell of steaks cooking. With an outdoor kitchen, the great BBQ season is not limited to summer either. Cooking outdoors when the leaves on the trees are orange is a magical moment.
Also, an outdoor kitchen adds value to a property or, at least, helps when selling; it is a nice attribute that should not be overlooked.
Who can have an outdoor kitchen?
Anyone can have one. No matter your budget, there are definitely options out there that can suit you if you are interested in outdoor kitchens.
Indeed, an "outdoor kitchen" can be "just" an addition of a preparation counter in your BBQ area or, on the contrary, consisting of the installation of a complete kitchen with a refrigerator, a sink, a beer keg, a wine cellar, etc. (If you think of something and you are not sure if it is possible, discuss it with your advisor, you might be surprised by the answer. ;)) There are even island modules on wheels, which can be ideal for you, if you plan to modify your space in the coming years.
How can an outdoor kitchen please every type of person?
As just mentioned, anyone can enjoy an outdoor kitchen. Yes, yes. Here are a few points that may tip the scales for you, depending on your personality type/family situation:
An outdoor kitchen, for one person x, can allow them to:
The father/mother of the family
- Supervise children when they play outside;
- Having space to cook with the children;
- Avoid having to clean the floors of the house
The hostess par excellence
- Prevent comings and goings around the house to get the different elements of the meal;
- Have space to accommodate many people at once;
- Allow several people to cook at the same time (when there are several BBQs);
- Let people get themselves a drink from the fridge;
- Cooking while chatting with people sitting at the bar area;
- Spend longer moments in good company;
- Wow the gallery with a superb outdoor kitchen space
The technology fan
- Cooking with high-performance BBQs (Bluetooth and WiFi machines, which have an integrated temperature probe system, connected thermometers, etc.);
- Have a kitchen space in which there can be a sound system, a TV…;
- Working in a “fully equipped” space where there is water and electricity
The nature lover
- Cooking while enjoying the great outdoors;
- Use the BBQ all year round;
- Prepare meals outdoors, day or night (using electricity)
The homebody
- Enjoy a good meal without having to go to a restaurant;
- Avoid heating the house in summer by using the oven
The guy/girl who wants to keep it simple
- Avoid cleaning spider nests or other (by choosing modules made of stainless steel)
And finally, what is customizable in an outdoor kitchen so that you have one that is truly to your taste?
There are several choices and options available to you when shopping for an outdoor kitchen. These include:
- The color of your modules;
- The material of the module counter;
- The location of each module and accessory (the faucet, the ice bin, etc.)
All depending on the company you choose. At BBQ Québec, we will offer you the options of Cuinox, Station Grill, Urban Bonfire and Oasis.
There you have it. An outdoor kitchen is a worthwhile investment that will add character to your property. Whoever you are, it will provide you with a lot of pleasure for many years to come. An outdoor kitchen is the culmination of a wonderful project.
To discuss your ideas, book an appointment with our team here .
Happy BBQ!