If youâve got the urge to dine alfresco, whether thatâs a sizzling barbecue or a fancy dinner party, youâre in the right place. However, no slap-up meal is complete without the correct equipment, even if youâre 100% sure about your cheffing abilities.
At Open Space Concepts, weâre passionate about helping you create the perfect outdoor oasis, and that includes an investment in one of our bespoke outdoor kitchens. If youâre not too sure on how to get started, donât worry, as in this guide, weâll tell you all about the best outdoor cooking equipment that will take your cooking to the next level.
Keep reading to discover moreâŠ
Why do you need an outdoor kitchen?
Before we start, it might be beneficial for you to understand why you might want an outdoor kitchen. More than just a grill on your patio, itâs an extension of the home you live in, allowing you to bring your lifestyle outdoors. Some other benefits of an outdoor kitchen include:
- It creates a social hub – naturally, a kitchen is the entertainment station, and this is no exception to the outdoors. You can host dinner parties until your heart is content and invite friends and family over to enjoy your new space.
- It can increase the value of your home – a modern outdoor kitchen is a sought-after feature, and its luxury appeal could attract potential buyers should you come to sell your house.
- It adds an extended living space – investing in an outdoor kitchen means that youâre creating a whole new space for relaxing and socialising. If youâre tight on space in your home, the best solution is to make the most of your outdoors.
No matter what design youâre after, whether thatâs L-shaped or stainless steel, an outdoor kitchen could really help to maximise your outdoor space, especially when paired with the correct equipment.
The best outdoor cooking equipment you need for an amazing culinary experience
So, without further ado, letâs take you through some of the best outdoor cooking equipment that can take your barbecues from ordinary to extraordinaryâŠ
- Food storage
Nobody wants their outdoor cooking adventure to lead to upset stomachs, which is why hygienic food storage is just as important as careful food preparation. Cooking outdoors, especially when itâs warm, means that there is an increased risk of bacteria growing on both raw and cooked foods. Ensure that all of your meat, fish, and dairy products are carefully stored in order to reduce risk.
Many outdoor kitchens come equipped with fridges, whether thatâs a small wine fridge, a double-door fridge, or a mix of both. However, we recommend having a fridge that is big enough to separately store your cooked foods from salads and dairy products.
- Durable countertops
When it comes to cooking, ensuring that you have durable and functional countertops is key. Not only do they allow you to prep food seamlessly, but they also offer large amounts of space to serve up your food, display drinks, and to home utensils and chopping boards. Having countertops that are durable is even better, as they can be much easier to maintain and can withstand heavy-duty use.
At Open Space Concepts, whether you choose a freestanding kitchen or another of our designs, you can expect durable and strong countertops that will cater to all of your culinary needs. Made up of a strong porcelain material, youâll experience weatherproof and hard-wearing features like no other.
- The correct utensils
Another key piece of equipment that you need when it comes to outdoor cooking is the correct utensils. Thereâs no point in cooking a barbecue if you donât have the correct equipment⊠think of things such as cutlery, knives, spatulas, and ladles that make serving up your dishes that bit easier.
As well as the obvious utensils, there are some other accessories that might come in handy. We recommend investing in a food thermometer, which will check that your food is cooked properly before serving it up. It means that your mind will be put at ease when cooking for large numbers of guests.
- An eating and seating area
For any kitchen, whether thatâs indoors or outdoors, it’s important to have an area where you can actually sit down and enjoy the delicious meals that youâve cooked. If youâre cooking outdoors, then youâll want to eat outdoors, so creating a comfortable seating area means that you can wine and dine in comfort.
For a truly luxurious dining experience, invest in one of our modern pergolas. These gorgeous structures can be made completely bespoke and will house your dining table and chairs, as well as seamlessly blending with your outdoor kitchen. They even come equipped with a versatile roof, giving you complete control over your environment.
- Functioning water
Thereâs no point in having an outdoor kitchen without running water. Offering way more than just convenience, itâs essential for practicality, hygiene, and functionality. Imagine trying to clean a greasy grill or wash vegetables without a reliable water source. Therefore, having a modern and sleek kitchen sink is essential when it comes to cooking outside.
Having water close to hand is also important when it comes to health and safety, especially when dealing with hot grills and open flames. In case of minor burns or flare-ups, access to water can prevent accidents and injuries when cooking outdoors.
- Outdoor lighting
Finally on the list of equipment that you need for outdoor cooking is some form of functional outdoor lighting. Itâs not just about functionality – the correct outdoor lighting can help to create an ambience and the right atmosphere for your dinner parties and barbecues.
For a truly magical outdoor cooking experience, consider our Louvre Pod. This impressive structure comes with the option to add LED RGB colour-changing lighting, or even better, an LED starlight roof. Composed of miniature LED lights, you can recline and relax as these twinkling lights create a dazzling starry sky above you. This feature will take your dinner parties to the next level as well as impress your friends and family.
Cook up a storm with Open Space ConceptsâŠ
We hope that this blog has been helpful in telling you about some of the best outdoor cooking equipment. Whether youâre after shiny utensils or helpful storage solutions, we reckon weâve got it covered in this handy guide. Now that you know what equipment is essential, youâve got no excuse to get outdoors and start cooking.
At Open Space Concepts, weâre truly passionate about the design and installation of bespoke outdoor living structures. And, with over 30 years of industry experience, you can trust us to guide you through your latest project. Please donât hesitate to get in touch – a member of our team will be more than happy to get back to you.
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