Increasingly popular, outdoor kitchens are transforming gardens and terraces into true extensions of indoor spaces, where you can cook and spend quality time with friends and family. The design with which outdoor kitchens are created gives the environments in which they are placed an increasingly high aesthetic value, making them essential complements for garden furniture enthusiasts. However, to ensure that they are not only beautiful to look at but also functional, it is essential to learn how to navigate the many appliances available on the market, considering your needs and budget, as well as the space dimensions and the number of people you plan to host. In this article, we will give you some tips to guide you in choosing the appliances that best suit your needs.
Functional Outdoor Kitchens: How to Choose the Right Appliances
The heart of an outdoor kitchen is undoubtedly the barbecue. As described in a previous article, each type of barbecue, from classic charcoal grills to modern pellet barbecues, offers unique features and benefits that can meet a wide range of needs. When choosing, it will be crucial to evaluate the pros and cons of different types of fuel, ensure that the barbecue size matches the available space, and choose the features that best reflect your actual needs. To delve deeper into the topic, we recommend reading our article Guide to Choosing a Barbecue: Types, Use, and Maintenance, while here we will continue to present other essential appliances to make your outdoor kitchen functional: cooktops, deep fryers, pizza ovens, refrigerators, wine coolers, and dishwashers.
Choosing the Cooktop: Pros and Cons of Gas and Induction
One of the essential appliances to fully exploit the potential of an outdoor kitchen is the cooktop, which can be installed either gas or induction based on individual needs and usage conditions. Gas cooktops are widely used for their ability to provide precise and immediate temperature control and maintain performance even in windy conditions, making them ideal for outdoor kitchens and compatible with any type of cookware. However, gas cooktops require complex installation and a continuous gas supply, which may involve risks and logistical difficulties. On the other hand, induction cooktops offer a modern and efficient solution, providing high energy efficiency due to reduced heat dispersion, which is generated directly in the cookware through electromagnetic fields. Their cooking surface remains relatively cool, making cleaning easier and safer. Despite these advantages, induction cooktops require specific ferrous-bottom cookware and are less effective than traditional gas cooktops in particularly windy outdoor environments, as the wind may affect the sensors’ operation. Therefore, gas offers robustness and versatility, while induction provides safety and energy efficiency: your choice will depend on the location of the outdoor kitchen, the time you can dedicate to cleaning and maintenance, the recipes you usually prepare, and the type of cookware you already have at home.
Deep Fryer: Why Buy a Traditional Model
The second appliance we recommend installing in your outdoor kitchen is the deep fryer, to prepare fried foods without spreading persistent odors indoors. For this reason, we suggest avoiding air fryers, which can be used indoors without problems, and instead purchasing a traditional deep fryer, paying attention to safety issues. Given the use of large quantities of hot oil, traditional deep fryers require proper disposal of used oil and thorough cleaning to maintain their efficiency over time.
How to Choose a Pizza Oven: Differences Between Wood, Gas, and Electric Models
The third appliance capable of enhancing the functionality and value of your outdoor kitchen is undoubtedly the pizza oven. Available in various types, pizza ovens can reach high temperatures that ensure even cooking and a crispy crust in minutes. Again, as with barbecues and cooktops, the choice of fuel will depend on your specific needs: wood ovens offer traditional charm and a unique smoky flavor to pizzas but require more attention in managing temperature and combustion; gas ovens provide better temperature control and ease of use; and electric models are a practical solution for those looking for simple installation and intuitive operation. Whatever your choice, we are sure the pizza oven will become the focal point of your outdoor parties!
Refrigerator and Wine Cooler: Why Include Them in a Functional Outdoor Kitchen
In addition to cooking appliances, we recommend installing appliances for storing and cooling food and beverages, such as refrigerators and wine coolers. An outdoor refrigerator, placed inside a waterproof casing that ensures complete protection from the elements, will withstand variable environmental conditions while maintaining a constant internal temperature, even in high external temperatures. A wine cooler, offering precise temperature controls, separate cooling zones, and UV-resistant glass, will allow you to store white and red wines in optimal conditions and protect them from direct sunlight exposure. By installing both appliances and selecting models with the dimensions and configurations best suited to your outdoor space, you will have all food and beverages always at hand and enjoy your meals and dinners in company, avoiding unnecessary trips inside the house.
Dishwasher: Why It’s Useful to Have One Outdoors
Finally, we recommend considering the installation of a dishwasher in your outdoor kitchen, reserving an additional waterproof casing for it. This way, you can quickly manage dirty dishes after outdoor meals, avoiding the hassle of transporting plates and cutlery inside the house for washing. To select the best model for your needs, you will only need to evaluate the specific capacities and features, preferring the most sustainable latest-generation models with energy-saving options and efficient water use.
Choosing the right appliances for your outdoor kitchen requires a careful analysis of your specific needs and thorough planning of your outdoor space, without overlooking the local climate characteristics. In this way, your outdoor kitchen will not only be beautiful and welcoming, the design furniture complement that all your guests will envy, but also extremely functional.
