1. Know exact dimensions of your appliances before framing your outdoor kitchen and making cut-outs on counters and other finishes.
You will need the exact dimensions for built-in installations. Have the products in-hand or the manufacturers specification sheet for accuracy. Nothing is more frustrating with additional costs and time to fix a finished kitchen when appliances don’t fit correctly. This is by far the biggest mistake that homeowners make. Make sure at a minimum you have a outdoor kitchen framing plan so you know how it will all come together. There is no standard sizes with outdoor kitchen appliances so that framing plan is critical.
2. The outdoor kitchen appliances you purchase should be outdoor rated.
By purchasing appliances that are rated for outdoor use by the manufacturer, you are insuring safety and longevity in the life of your appliances. Appliances that are only rated for indoor use are not made to withstand an outdoor environment.
3. Never install your outdoor cooking and outdoor cooling appliances next to each other.
Both heating and cooling elements put off heat, cooling the internal parts of both appliances can easily become an issue and cause them to fail sooner. Install your cooling appliance at least one foot from your grill or side burner, and make sure a barrier is placed between the two appliances. Outdoor appliances proper ventilation to work correctly and last.
4. Ventilate your outdoor kitchen with vent panels for safety and code compliance.
Make sure you install vent panels every four to six feet to prevent gas build up. The type of gas you are using will dictate vent locations. each vent panel. Natural gas (NG) is vented as high as possible because NG rises. Propane (LP) the vents should be as low as possible as propane gas is heavier and falls.
5. Use insulated grill jackets when using combustible materials in an outdoor kitchen.
Insulated jackets are a necessity when building your outdoor kitchen with any combustible materials. Insulated grill jackets surround your grill keeping your outdoor kitchen structure cool, preventing any burning or warping.
6. Storage components may not work in certain areas of your outdoor kitchen.
Always consider the placement of storage components when deciding whether or not buy cabinets. Many outdoor kitchen owners have purchased enclosed cabinetry to place under their sink, only to later realize they did not account for the plumbing and gas lines.
