Why do you need an outdoor kitchen?
Outdoor cooking, barbecues, and alfresco dining are a great way to spend time with loved ones, no matter what season. Imagine backyard cricket and a sausage sizzle during the Australian summer, or a weekend wind-down with a glass of wine in the winter; your outdoor kitchen is not only an extension but a central part of your home. A thoughtfully designed outdoor area also adds value to your home, while offering large and growing families additional space to cook, eat, and relax in.
Figuring out what you need for your outdoor space can be tricky so we’ve made it easy to shop at Appliances Online by highlighting outdoor kitchen essentials and offering tips to make your alfresco dining area and outdoor BBQ the best in the neighbourhood.
What is an outdoor kitchen and how should I build it?
You can transform a portion of your patio or backyard into an outdoor kitchen to offer a convenient solution for those who love to entertain and barbecue. An outdoor kitchen has similar features you’ll find in an indoor kitchen such as a place to cook and wash. But instead of a cooktop, you have a barbecue and instead of a regular refrigerator, you can have an outdoor beverage centre that is more suited for entertaining.
These appliances are also designed to withstand the great outdoors so they’re built with corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel. The main function of an appliance is also augmented for the outside environment such as a rangehood with a powerful exhaust or a patio heater to warm you up quickly during winter nights.
You can begin to design your dream outdoor space with kitchen modules. These may include a sink, cabinet, metal drawer, side burner, outdoor benchtop, and even a built-in barbecue or beverage fridge. These can come together or separately so you can mix and match and configure your kitchen based on your preferences and the available space you have.
You can shop our range of outdoor kitchen modules and get ready to entertain or serve up your next family feast al fresco.
What to look for when buying a BBQ?
The heart and soul of the outdoor kitchen is the BBQ. The barbecue space is where people gather, socialise, and put the skills of the chef on display. Grill masters can experiment with new recipes and cooking methods, or cook up beloved classics. Whether you are after a built-in unit, freestanding unit, or something completely different like a charcoal kamado or smoker, the BBQ is sure to be the centrepiece of any outdoor kitchen.
If you want a more traditional style of BBQ or grill, it's a good idea to take note of how many burners a particular model utilises. Essentially the burners divide your grill into separate cooking zones, for precise heat control. If you tend to cook for more people or an abundance of different foods, you may want to look for a BBQ with more burners, such as the Beefeater Signature 5 Burner BBQ.
It's also important to ensure you pick up a proper BBQ cover for your BBQ, whether it's a charcoal BBQ or built-in BBQ. Even though your new outdoor kitchen may be undercover, it can still be subjected to the elements.
- What is the right size BBQ for your outdoor kitchen?
Picking the right size can be tricky. As a general rule, we suggest considering a unit that is slightly bigger than what you think you would require. For example, if you are a family of four to six people, and you often entertain, you should look at a unit with at least four independently-controlled burners. If you’re cooking a simple family meal, you can cook smaller meals by only using the BBQ burners you require, while still having the flexibility to cook on the entire grill surface when you are entertaining.
- What is the best fuel for a barbecue?
Another important factor to consider is the fuel source. If your home has natural gas, it will work out to be more cost-effective in the long run to plumb the BBQ into your home’s gas piping. If you are looking for a portable BBQ to easily move around your outdoor area, or to take on holidays, an LPG model is more suitable. These units are easy to disconnect from the gas source and are generally small and light enough to transport.
- Are outdoor smokers worth it?
When creating the ultimate outdoor area, maximising your outdoor kitchen space can be a challenge. Consider an outdoor kitchen configuration where you can be creative with your cooking. There are several types of cookers outside the standard burner gas BBQ that will enhance your cooking and unlock a whole new world of flavours. Impress your guests with our range of kamado cookers and pellet smokers. There are numerous options to integrate into your outdoor space.
For a comprehensive guide on smokers, read our Low n Slow Buying Guide
- What is the best barbecue for my location and space?
Choosing the right barbecue to suit your location and climate is important. This ensures your barbecue can withstand the elements so it can last longer. For example, building an outdoor kitchen in coastal areas would require 316 stainless steel, as this is more resistant to seawater exposure. While the more commonly used 304 stainless steel can be installed in outdoor kitchens located in the mountains or urban areas.
It’s important to note that if you live in an apartment building with neighbours above, installing an outdoor kitchen with a smoker may emit excessive smoke and grease and may not abide by the strata by-laws of your building.
Why do you need an outdoor kitchen sink?
Practicality and Location - What works for you?
An outdoor sink is an essential component to your outdoor kitchen if you want a hassle-free way to barbecue and entertain. The convenience of preparing a meal and cleaning up afterwards, without heading back and forth to the kitchen, means you can spend less time inside and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
Where can I install an outdoor sink?
An outdoor sink is ideally installed in a kitchen module located closer to the house. This will help to reduce installation costs associated with piping. All outdoor sinks require drainage and plumbing if installed with a tap. Plumbing can get very expensive, especially when installing new lines. While the BBQ and kitchen module may look good in the corner of your yard, ensure your budget allows for it.
Should I install a single or double sink in my outdoor kitchen?
When installing sinks you should consider the design and capacity. If you want a place near your alfresco dining area to wash your hands before eating or rinse glasses and plates, then a single bowl or bar sink would suffice. If you want to be able to wash up as you go and not have to head back inside, or you intend to prep meals while entertaining, then a double sink is a more suitable choice.
For a run-down on all your sink options, you can read our Kitchen Sink Buying Guide.
Why do you need an outdoor fridge?
Transforming any BBQ area into a true outdoor kitchen space requires an outdoor fridge. This appliance comes in handy for foodstuffs, condiments, as well as keeping your beers ice-cold. An outdoor bar fridge frees up space from your main refrigerator, especially with beverages, which can take up a lot of space when you are hosting a party or barbecue. The majority of outdoor fridges will have glass doors allowing the owner to see your drinks and other items inside so you can constantly monitor your stock levels while you’re entertaining.
How to choose the best outdoor refrigerator
- Placement
Besides keeping the unit closer to the preparation and cooking area it is best to have the fridges out of direct sunlight to ensure your refrigerator runs efficiently and minimise stress on the unit. It is also crucial that your appliance is installed in a well-ventilated space. Always try and keep 5cm as a minimum around the unit for ventilation. As outdoor fridges have stronger compressors and motors for its size in comparison to an indoor fridge, the motor will expel more heat and be louder than its indoor counterparts. - Size and door design
There are two main styles of outdoor fridges: single and double door units. The best outdoor fridge for you depends on the capacity you need. If you entertain frequently or feed a large family, the double door fridges should cater to your needs. Remember, the larger the fridge the higher your running costs will be. There are also models with sliding doors if your outdoor space restricts the use of hinged doors. - Climate and condensation
If you are located in a hot and humid area, look for outdoor fridges with Low E and triple-glazed glass doors. These features help to maintain efficient cooling by keeping the cold in and the heat out. Additionally, these help to reduce condensation on the glass which can affect the visibility of your glass door.
To help you select the outdoor fridge for your space, read our Beverage Centres Buying Guide.
What is the best outdoor heater for your alfresco area?
One of the best things about the temperate Australian winter is that you can still enjoy alfresco dining and barbecues during the cooler months. All you need is an outdoor heater to keep your alfresco area warm and cosy.
A gas-fuelled outdoor patio heater warms up your space with radiant heat. This makes it an ideal option for alfresco areas as it focuses the heat in a specific area so you and your loved ones can snuggle up. However, you need to consider height restrictions to ensure a freestanding patio heater fits nicely in your home. Another option that brings people together is the fire pit. You can gather friends and family around as you enjoy a beverage or a meal. A gas outdoor fire pit also provides frolicking flames to create a warm and inviting ambience.
For an in-depth look at our range of heating solutions, you can read our Outdoor Heating Buying Guide.
Do I need a rangehood for my BBQ?
Installing a rangehood in your outdoor kitchen is a practical way to keep your cooking area free from excess smoke, grease, and smell. These rangehoods are built with a powerful exhaust, designed specifically for outdoor use. This appliance prevents cooking vapours from drifting indoors and enables breezy entertaining. They also keep your neighbours happy as it stops smoke from going into their backyard.
The style of your outdoor rangehood should complement your grilling setup and kitchen configuration.
You can read more about the different outdoor rangehoods we have on offer and how to choose the best one for your outdoor kitchen in our Outdoor BBQ Rangehood Buying Guide.
- Size
Most BBQ rangehoods are 650mm to 800mm in depth. The rangehood you purchase should be the same size as your BBQ or larger. If you have any additional hotplate or grills, the rangehood should be big enough to also cover these. - Style
The style of your outdoor rangehood will play on an aesthetic level and compliment the space you have created. Rangehoods come in 3 distinctive styles: Canopy, fixed & downdraft.
Outdoor BBQ Rangehood Buying Guide
You can read more about outdoor rangehoods, their style and properties and installation guides here.
How do you clean an outdoor kitchen?
Having a well-designed outdoor kitchen or alfresco dining area is no use when you let it run down. But cleaning and maintaining your patio and outdoor space doesn’t have to be time-consuming or labour-intensive. With the right equipment, you can keep your space spick and span with ease and efficiency.
We have petrol and electric pressure washers to blast away grease after a barbecue or to freshen up your garden features before a big gathering. Leaf blowers and vacuums can keep your patio spotless. And handy helpers like whipper snippers and hedge trimmers will help you maintain an immaculate backyard or alfresco area.
At Appliances Online, we provide a total solution for all your outdoor and alfresco area needs. Shop our extensive range of home maintenance tools to ensure your outdoor space is ready all year round.
Outdoor kitchen utilities
Creating the outdoor kitchen of your dreams will be a rewarding experience when it is completed, however, it is important to remember about building requirements and long-term costs such as utilities. One main thing you need to remember in the costing phase is installation. Having the alfresco area may look nice down the back near your favourite tree, or up against the side wall, but you need to consider the cost of connecting your main utilities to that area. As a general rule, the closer you build to your main dwelling or existing utility point, the cheaper the installation will cost.
- Power
The addition of an outdoor space often requires additional power installation. Does your BBQ run a powered rotisserie or do you have an outdoor bar fridge? Lighting is also important for safety and practical uses, as well as providing ambience when you’re entertaining at night. When installing, it is handy to add an extra power point for additional power requirements for charging, lighting, or heating equipment. - Water
Having running water in your alfresco space is convenient for cooking and cleaning. You can also refill water jugs in the summer to serve thirsty guests. If you install an outdoor BBQ sink you will need to run water and have it plumbed in as these cannot be operated from a reservoir. - Gas
The main utility for an outdoor space will be gas, be it LPG or Natural Gas. If your house has natural gas installed, it will work out to be more cost-effective to build your kitchen with a natural gas BBQ. If you’re using an LPG bottle, it's always handy to have a spare on hand to ensure you can keep cooking without interruption.
We're here to help
If you have any questions around outdoor kitchens, finding the perfect BBQ or building the alfresco area of your dreams, please don't hesitate to reach out to the team at Appliances Online 24/7 on 1300 000 500.
Happy grilling!