Almost $150 billion was spent in the United States in 2005 and $50 billion of this was spent on outdoor living areas. No wonder outdoor kitchens are such a hot trend. Outdoor kitchens cost upwards of a couple of thousand dollars but you can consider them as investments. Here are a few tips on outdoor kitchen design and outdoor kitchen plans.

Outdoor Kitchen Design

There are three basic outdoor kitchen designs, which are a L-shaped island, a basic island, and a U-shaped center. A L-shaped island has space for both cooking and preparation. A basic island features a sink, a grill, and a space for preparation. Basic islands tend to be small so if you are going to be cooking for more than a couple of people, you might want to consider another type. A U-shaped center has a grill in the middle and spaces on either side for preparation and serving. This is a handy design if you want to be able to serve food straight from the grill without leaving it.

How to Choose Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets

Remember that outdoor kitchens will be exposed to sunlight, water, and cold temperatures, so you need to use durable materials for the countertops and cabinets. Marble, granite, brick, and various manmade materials are good to use. Wood rots easily, especially if left untreated. It is also highly flammable. Outdoor kitchens are supposed to last for many years, so you should invest in the best quality cabinets and countertops you can afford.

Which Outdoor Kitchen Appliances Will You Need?

The grill is perhaps the most important item in your outdoor kitchen plans. You could get a charcoal grill or a gas grill. Charcoal grills flavor the food well but gas grills give superior temperature control. If your grill is going to be exposed to the elements, you will need a waterproof grill cover.

A kitchen island is another necessary feature in your outdoor kitchen plans. You can design your own or buy an island in one piece. Good materials to use in your outdoor kitchen design include stainless steel, stucco, and stone. An outdoor sink is useful and can draw from the house's water supply or a portable water hose. You might want to add an outdoor refrigerator to your list of outdoor kitchen appliances although an outdoor refrigerator will have a maximum life span of five years because of the fluctuating temperatures it is exposed to quite often.

Building Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

The first thing to do is plan exactly what you want and need. Also, think about what type of cooking you will do and how often, your budget, whether you want the outdoor kitchen to be a fixture or movable arrangement, and how many people you will be feeding and whether the food will be eaten outside or brought in.

When you have decided on your outdoor kitchen design, you can build it yourself or hire a contractor to help. Your outdoor kitchen should be far enough away from guests so that smoke does not blow in their faces. It should also be near the house so you can carry food in and out. The grill should be thirty-six inches high for your comfort. Remember also not to use flammable materials in your outdoor kitchen plans.

When you are ready to go, you can enjoy building your outdoor kitchen and be assured that family and friends will delight in your cookery for years to come!