OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Making the most of warmer weather
The minute snow begins melting, Canadians eagerly rush outside to relax, cook and dine. For homeowners who don’t own a cottage, transforming their urban backyards into luxurious retreats has given rise to the increasing popularity of outdoor kitchens.
Today’s offerings go way beyond your grandpa’s rolling charcoal barbecue as passionate grill masters demand the same style, durability and functionality found in indoor kitchens. Here are some tips on putting together the right outdoor kitchen for your space and budget.
A GROWING TREND
“Outdoor kitchens have been popular in the United States for quite some time, but with so much inspiration available online on Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz, people are exposed to the outdoor kitchen trend, so we’re seeing more innovation and wonderful new lines of products that enhance your space,” said Michael Richard, owner of District BBQ, which specializes in grills and outdoor kitchens and sells a variety of barbecues including ceramic egg cookers, pellet barbecues, griddles, pizza ovens and outdoor heaters.
“We’re seeing younger professionals creating outdoor living space for everyday use, not just for parties. People are more concerned about the practicality of their setup; we’re selling more plancha grills to do eggs and bacon every weekend,” Richard said.
“Newly retired people building new homes outside the city often want outdoor kitchens for family gatherings with their children and grandchildren.”
EXTRA ‘LIVING’ ROOM
“Outdoor kitchens are an extension of your home, and they offer a reason to enjoy summer to the fullest,” said Ioana Teodorescu, a landscape architect at Services Prime.
“Quebecers struggle with short summers, so they want to make use of their exterior space in a big way. A great outdoor kitchen will make them abandon indoor cooking and enjoy being outside.”
Installing an outdoor kitchen requires careful planning, she added, and is usually part of a bigger landscaping project. As focal points in the backyard, outdoor kitchens are not just used for cooking, but for entertaining, she said. With fully functional appliances and plush seating areas, family and friends can gather, help with meal prep and relax around a firepit after dinner.
“Years ago, outdoor cooking meant taking out your barbecue and having a hamburger or hot dog, but today, we have integrated barbecues, pizza ovens, fridges, sinks, stainless-steel garbage pullouts, cabinets and granite countertops. The options are limitless,” Teodorescu said.
PLANNING YOUR SPACE
Outdoor kitchens should be as functional as indoor kitchens, said Teodorescu, which means the flow, space and location should be carefully considered.
“The choice and size of appliances will determine the size of your kitchen, so start by thinking about what you want to include in your space,” she said.
Richard said some of the best outdoor cabinetry is manufactured in Quebec. While District BBQ offers a large selection of colours and finishes, white, grey and black are the most popular choices for outdoor kitchen elements.
“Companies like Urban Bonfire that were mainly local-market oriented are now gearing up to export and target larger markets. This brought a lot more innovation and fine-tuning of their product lines,” said Richard.
For example, Urban Bonfire’s outdoor kitchen cabinets are built with durable, marine-grade aluminum and designed to maximize space. Homeowners can choose options such as in-cabinet lighting, warming drawers, integrated planters or coolers, retractable garden hoses, garbage and recycling systems, and knife holders.
Homeowners should look for quality construction and products they can use year-round that are designed to withstand our harsh winters. Many collections are modular, allowing you to detach and reassemble cabinets if you want to switch things up.
STORAGE AND MULTIPLE COOKING SURFACES
Just as homeowners want open shelving inside, having this option outdoors means a handy place to stash tableware and other accessories like candles and placemats. When you’re entertaining outdoors, it’s practical to have everything at arm’s reach, said Teodorescu.
And forget dashing back and forth into the house while cooking simultaneously on your grill and your stovetop. Many outdoor kitchen designs now feature ample space to prepare side dishes like rice or pasta while you’re grilling the main course.
INCORPORATE THE PERFECT COUNTERTOPS
Adding an island will provide prep and serving space that doubles as a bar area where family and guests can join you while you’re cooking.
“I love to give my customers as much entertaining space as possible, so my personal touch is the bar area,” Teodorescu said, adding that the materials used to build your island should match your home’s style and colours.
Countertops will elevate the look of an outdoor kitchen, said Richard, who recommends Dekton, which is made by Cosentino. It’s an ultra-compact composite material that’s antibacterial, Uv-proof, scratch-proof and stain-resistant, plus it requires no maintenance.
“Dekton is available in a wide array of colours, patterns and finishes and it’s getting more and more popular,” he said.
Because it doesn’t contain resin, Dekton surfaces won’t change colour or get damaged by rain, he added.
BRING IN SOME BLING
Once the necessities are in place, it’s time for some festive flair. Richard suggests personalizing your outdoor space by adding matching planters, slat walls to hang cooking accessories and in-cabinet lighting, while Teodorescu suggests bringing in outdoor lighting, decorative objects, comfortable chairs and pillows to make the space cosy.
Teodorescu estimates that an outdoor kitchen featuring a stand-alone island with barbecue and storage would cost between $8,000 to $10,000, and can run as high as $40,000 or more depending on how many appliances you want and whether you splurge on high-end finishes. She predicts the coming season’s trend will be bigger and better.
“We’ll see bigger kitchen islands and bigger stone slabs and better cooking with more side burners, smokers and pizza ovens,” she said.