4 Outdoor Kitchen Planning Mistakes to Avoid in San Antonio

More and more people are enjoying the beauty and functionality of an outdoor kitchen. On average, people spend about $13,000 to make their outdoor kitchen. On top of that, the vast majority of homeowners employ professional installers to make sure that they get their outdoor kitchen planning down right.

If you have not yet enjoyed a meal in someone’s outdoor kitchen, you might not realize how profoundly cooking and eating outdoors can improve the experience.

When you think about it, this makes sense. People are willing to cook and eat in very inconvenient ways if they can do so outdoors. That is the whole reason that people go camping.

But the right outdoor kitchen planning can allow you to enjoy all of those benefits without having to sacrifice the functionality and convenience of cooking at home. So how can you make sure that your outdoor kitchen planning makes the most of your outdoor kitchen?

Read on to learn all about the most common mistakes you should avoid in your outdoor kitchen planning!

Making the Outdoor Kitchen Setup Too Small

The decisions you make with your outdoor kitchen budget will last for years to come. Any corners that you cut will irk you every day, so it is very important that you think about long-term factors.

Some people make the mistake of making the kitchen space too small. One of the great benefits of cooking and eating outside is the lack of physical enclosure. Being in nature is supposed to make you feel like you have all the room you need to stretch out and relax.

That is why having an outdoor kitchen space that is too small is such a big mistake. The whole point of the outdoor kitchen is to let you enjoy stretching out in nature. If there is one thing that you should get right with outdoor kitchen planning, it is making sure that you preserve that experience.

As a result, it is essential that your kitchen and patio area do not feel cramped. It is important to think carefully through everything that you will need space for it.

This includes all of the furniture that you will put in your outdoor dining space. It also includes the cooking implements.

Lastly, you will need to account for how many people you will have eating with you. If you make your outdoor kitchen large enough, then it will automatically function as a fantastic way to bring family and friends together.

Of course, your patio needs to have enough space for all of these things plus a lot more. There needs to be a comfortable walking space between everything on your patio.

If possible, visit some outdoor kitchen setups. Experiment with moving different elements closer together to simulate what it would be like if your kitchen space was smaller. If you can get a feel for how much space you need between furniture and other elements, then you will be able to design your outdoor dining space with greater insight.

Not Making Enough Counter Space for Outdoor Kitchens

When people are planning for their outdoor kitchen appliances, they often don’t consider one of the most important factors. Your counter space will strongly define your outdoor dining experience. It also greatly affect your cooking experience.

It is important that you have enough counter space to comfortably hold everybody’s dishes as well as everything you need to cook with.

In most cases, it is safer to have more countertop space than you think you need. If you ever have an especially large get-together, all you will need is a few extra chairs to seat everybody comfortably.

Orienting the Grill Wrong

Your outdoor kitchen space is almost always used as a social gathering. Many people point their grill the wrong way and end up interfering with their ability to socialize while cooking and dining.

The grill should be oriented so that whoever is using it can face the main group while they are cooking. It is a subtle thing, but it can make a surprisingly big difference. If you have to have your back to the group while you are cooking, then how can you comfortably socialize with them?

Not Enough Atmosphere Control

From design to maintenance for outdoor kitchens, one of the most important things to preserve is your ability to control the atmosphere. This includes the airspace, the lighting, and the temperature.

One of the biggest problems with eating outdoors is the presence of insects. Actually, when you think about it, this is one of the biggest problems with being outdoors in general. But the problem gets worse when you have food out.

Your food may attract more insects than usual. Your guests may attract more mosquitoes than normal. As a result, it is important that you have it way to keep insects out.

A screened enclosure is an extremely effective way to keep insects away. At the same time, it can detract somewhat from the feeling of being outdoors.

Another great way to keep mosquitoes away is by using mosquito repellent candles or devices.

Having enough shade is also crucial. Sitting in the glare of the hot sun can completely ruin your dining experience. Shade also helps you if it starts to rain.

If it gets too hot, it can also be difficult to enjoy your dining experience. Having fans or other cooling devices around can solve this problem.

Enjoy the Benefits of Careful Outdoor Kitchen Planning

We hope that you were able to take away something helpful from this brief article on a few of the most important mistakes you should avoid with your outdoor kitchen planning. An outdoor kitchen is a beautiful way to combine the beauty of nature with the functionality of Technology.

Planning your outdoor kitchen right is an investment that will pay off every single day for years to come! It is well worth taking the time and effort to make sure that you make see most of your outdoor kitchen.

To learn more about outdoor kitchen planning and what items you should include in your kitchen, check out our other articles like this one!

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