Backyard grills are an essential element for getting the perfect barbecued results, but sometimes you don’t always need to bring in the big guns. When it comes to utilizing outdoor kitchen spaces most grill experts will always say less is more. So let’s take a look at some ideas that you might not have considered when setting up the optimal kitchen setup that does the job with little effort and cleanup.
What should an outdoor kitchen include?
We’ve mentioned how outdoor kitchens need upgrades, but we really haven’t given a good idea of what should be included with an outdoor kitchen setup. We want you to be confident whenever outdoor cooking allows you to prepare food outside your home kitchen. The first step is designing a work area that’s essentially following the Golden Triangle concept. This principle is the same that you have in your kitchen without really knowing it.
Having all of the working items that make food preparation is always included within a three-point triangle. This will typically include a cooking station at the very center and two separate elements that are within an arm’s reach on either side. There will always be a sink and a fridge. Really, it’s just 1-2-3 and the order is repeated outside. In the case of outdoor kitchens, the scale is just slightly smaller.
Which outdoor kitchen accessories should you include?
Many years ago, comedian Tim Allen had a hit TV show called Home Improvement. It was a parody of home improvement TV shows that featured an eccentric host who always craved having a tool or appliance that had More Power! These moments were the big laugh for the show and were often ridiculous examples of overkill when it comes to getting the job done’. This is always the most important thing to consider for any backyard kitchen setup.
Backyard grill
This is the star of the show and has to be a real workhorse. For this reason, your grill must be able to take on several tasks that will give you the most versatile BBQ abilities for grilling and cooking. Everything else is a matter of choosing the type of fuel that you prefer. Because your grill can be big, it’s fine to choose the right model that accommodates the space that you have. Plus, it gives you bragging rights for being a real backyard grill master.
Side burner
Many conventional grills don’t offer this extra, but it’s worth mentioning all the same. A side burner is a fancy name for a standard stovetop type range that is next to or within the proximity of your BBQ grill. It’s used for assorted tasks that mostly will need lower heat for cooking sauces or making sautéed dishes. To be honest, it’s just a nice backup to have if you aren’t using your grill for big meals.
Mini fridge
If you don’t need a lot of space or don’t have a lot of space to start with, a mini-fridge is perfect for keeping your basic essentials nice and cool until you need them. This is perfect for storing items that can easily wilt on hot days or just need to be as cold as you need them before they are used. This isn’t limited to having an ice chest for cool drinks but items that need to be separated because they shouldn’t get wet or mixed with ice chest items.
Sink with running water
Keeping your backyard kitchen clean is going to be the most important task. This helps you clean and wipe down countertops to clean and wash cooking accessories. Having running water with a good-sized sink will be worth its weight in gold when it comes time to keep your backyard cooking area free from dust and dirt, but more importantly, germs that any kitchen is trying to avoid.
Plenty of shelf storage
All of your space that isn’t being used outside should be maximized so you can put in cabinets and shelves for everything you need. Open shelves are fine but closing shelves will work to keep out the things you want to protect. This will be especially handy if you intend to use your backyard setup very often. Once again, shelf space is a matter of what is close to your kitchen’s golden triangle, so only keep the essentials where you can reach them easily.
Will portable appliances be handy?
Some items you just want to have on hand when you’re planning something different. This is why you also install electrical outlets that can connect kitchen accessories and portable appliances that are good for on-deck grilling or something closer to your friends and guests. It doesn’t have to be set to a specific list, however, some items will be genuinely a must-have if you like outdoor kitchen comfort.
Blender
There will always be a need for having a blender outside to mix up cocktails or even a fruit juicer for fresh juiced smoothies. Heck, you might need a wand mixer or hand blender for making homemade pizza sauce, or just mixing up muffin batter.
Deep fryer
There will always be the need for your deep fryer outside since fried items like chicken, onion rings, breaded meats, and anything else that gets deep fried is perfect at any outdoor grill party. If you love making party poppers, you can make these in a jiffy right on your outdoor cooking counter.
Electric grill
Sometimes you just want to have a simple dish or two on nights when you don’t need to fire up your grill. Or perhaps you have guests that are specialty eaters and need their food separate away from where meat dishes are cooked. This is where it’s handy to have a Weber electric grill that’s dedicated to smaller portions or specialty dishes. We saw the Weber grill reviewed and mentioned here as one of the best electric grills you can buy.
Portable wood-fired oven
How many times has everyone been asking when you’re going to add a wood-fired oven? Well, perhaps the Ooni Fyra 12 is the perfect solution when you’re looking for a professional wood-fired pizza oven that you can be proud of. It’s sleek, compact, and best yet- it has results that make it worth baking real artisan pizza!
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