Outdoor Kitchen Appliances Buying Guide - 10 Tips
One key element to consider when building the perfect outdoor kitchen is appliances. Appliances add exceptional value to your outdoor space. They are incredibly convenient and practical, making everything from cooking to entertaining guests easier.
Before you dive into the world of appliances, here are 10 things to keep in mind. We’ll help you choose appliances that meet your needs while not breaking the bank.
What appliances do you want?
Your needs are one of the most important things to consider. Pizza lovers will want a pizza oven. Those who enjoy a drink or two every so often may want a mini-fridge. If you do some heavy grilling, you might consider a warming drawer or two to keep food hot and ready to serve.
Think hard about your cooking habits and what you want your outdoor space to be before buying a bunch of appliances.
Regardless of what you want, there are a few essentials to consider for your outdoor kitchen. Most outdoor kitchens feature at least a hood, grill, and sink. If you have enough space, you might consider a fridge, freezer, pizza oven, extra griddles...the list goes on.
How much space do you have?
Can you easily use them with guests around? You don’t want to feel cramped while cooking or keep people from moving in and out of your outdoor space.
What is your budget?
The cost of an appliance depends not only on the type of appliance but also on its quality. Keep this in mind as you shop for outdoor appliances. While they may seem expensive, most appliances are long-term investments designed to last a decade or more.
Keep it simple if you have a low budget. You can always invest in more appliances if you have more money – as long as you have the space.
Warranty
If your appliance is used outside, does that void the warranty? How long does it last? Consider appliances with longer warranties because it gives you a fallback option if it breaks or dents. Most brands advertise the warranty on their product page. If not, you can check out the manufacturer’s website.
Material
Are your appliances certified for outdoor use? 304 stainless steel is a durable corrosion-resistant option. When browsing online, look for products that are “outdoor rated” or “certified for outdoor use.”
Reputable brand
The brand is a huge part of finding a reliable appliance company. Most brands in the business for several years have solid reputations. Some household name brands include Maytag, Kenmore, and Whirlpool.
We’re not saying you can’t trust newer companies. But you are taking a slight risk going with a newer company that doesn’t have a long history of success behind it.
A great way to decide on a brand is to just ask your friends and neighbors. What appliances do they have in their outdoor kitchens? Maybe look at what appliances you have around the house. Then check to see if that particular brand sells outdoor appliances too.
There are so many brands out there so the traditional research process of looking individual brands up can be grueling.
Ease of use and installation
Everyone loves an appliance that’s easy to use and install. While you’re cooking, you don’t want to have to spend time remembering how the controls on your pizza oven work or how to open your warming drawer. Make sure you go after appliances that are straightforward to use.
How will you cover your appliances when you’re not using them?
For smaller, portable appliances, you can move them inside or store them in your shed. For most larger appliances, you can find covers online designed for that particular appliance. Here’s a refrigerator cover from Amazon, for example.
In most cases, you won’t need to cover your appliances in between uses. Watch for harsh weather conditions though. In cold climates, be sure to cover them before winter hits.
If you’re getting new appliances installed, wait for nice weather. You don’t want them to get rained or snowed on the day after installation!
Are they energy efficient?
Reputable appliance brands are dedicated to making their appliances as energy-efficient as possible. In fact, they all have manufacturing and engineering teams that work to refine the building process. Energy efficiency is a huge focus in today’s world.
Typically, you will be able to get much more insight into how appliances are made from larger reputable companies compared to newer brands. They have more marketing materials out there and information that helps customers. That’s one benefit of going with a longstanding brand.
If you’re really into energy efficiency, you can check out the owner’s manual to try and find specific info on how much energy the appliance uses. You might get a better sense of its impact on the environment.
Make sure you don’t break the bank. When shopping, be wary of buzz words like energy-efficient or environmentally friendly. Many brands can claim that their appliance accomplishes that but in reality, it isn’t anything special. They can hike the price but you may not get great value.
Permanent or portable?
Do you want to be able to use appliances elsewhere? Some appliances can be multi-purpose. You can move them in and out of your kitchen. Or are you looking for a more permanent appliance that’s a key component of your outdoor kitchen?
One good example of this is pizza ovens. You can find small portable pizza ovens or invest in a large brick or stone oven. The latter won’t be easy to move…in fact, it’ll be virtually impossible.
Hopefully you have a better idea of how to shop for the best outdoor appliance for your home. There’s a lot to consider, so I narrowed the list down to three of the most important aspects:
- Your Needs - What appliances do you want?
- Reputable brand
- Budget
The rest of the points overlap a little or are not as crucial to the research and buying process. A lot of what goes into buying appliances is up to your personal preference too. Maybe you prioritize ease of use and energy efficiency over other things on this list. To each their own!
Well, that wraps up our article. It’s time for you to start the research process and find outdoor appliances that work for you.
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