When you’re adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard, you have to consider which appliances and grilling accessories you’ll need to create a complete experience. For example, you’ll probably start with a grill, whether it’s gas, electric, or wood-fired. After that, you have several options for additional appliances to round out your backyard meals.
Here’s a list of the most popular accessories and appliances that will make your outdoor kitchen amazing.
1. A grill
A grill is not just a grill. It’s the centerpiece of every outdoor kitchen, and not all grills are alike. Choosing the right grill is the most important part of building your entire setup and you need to know your options.
- Size ─ Typical grills can range from 30” to 42” and even beyond. However, you can also go compact to save space. Just be sure you get a grill large enough to cook the right amount of food for your guests if you plan to throw parties.
- Fuel type ─ Your choice of electric, propane, natural gas, charcoal, or wood-fired grill will depend on your preferences and budget. For instance, you might need to run new gas lines to use natural gas, and wood-fired grills require constant work to maintain the fire. Propane is the most convenient since you can get canisters refilled just about anywhere.
No matter what kind of grill you end up buying, it will be used often, so make sure you get one that is sturdy.
2. Side burners
Once you have a grill picked out, it’s time to consider whether or not you’re going to get side burners. Unlike a flat top grill or barbecue grill, side burners are the same type of burners you’ll find inside your kitchen. If you’ve ever had to run inside the house to make sauces, soups, or anything else you can’t prepare on a grill, you’ll love having side burners in your outdoor kitchen.
3. An ice machine
Ice machines are considered to be a luxury appliance for entertainment purposes, and are a must-have if you’re serving cocktails and other drinks. If you’re planning on entertaining clients, hosting business meetings, or throwing parties to impress people, you need an ice machine. It will make you a better host since most people will expect you to have ice on hand.
Going to the store to pick up bags of party ice isn’t the same. There’s something more eloquent about having an ice machine for serving people compared to digging for ice in a plastic bag or camping cooler. It’s also fun to get a heated ice press to shape your ice cubes into elegant shapes, like cubes and spheres, to add to your overall drink presentation.
4. A refrigerator
Having to run back and forth between the house and your backyard just to get supplies out of the refrigerator is cumbersome. When you get a mini-fridge with your outdoor kitchen, you can stock it full of supplies you’ll need for cooking. You can also stash some cold beverages inside if there’s room.
5. A grill cover
Many people decide to skip the grill cover because they’re hard to fold and store when you’re using the grill. They can also be a little frustrating to put on your grill after each use. While you can probably go a while with your grill uncovered, it’s still a good idea to cover it through the winter or when you aren’t using it for long periods of time.
6. A sink
A sink with running water is another luxurious element that makes an outdoor kitchen more fun to use. When you have a sink, there’s no need to run into the house just to wash vegetables, rinse your fingers, or wash your hands.
7. Storage space
When you cook for numerous people, whether it’s just your family and friends or a full party, having storage space outside makes a huge difference. Again, it eliminates the need to run into the house all the time to get things like napkins, cups, plates, and silverware. Storage also prevents you from having to waste precious space on counters and tables just to store extra supplies.
8. A kitchen island
Kitchen islands are just as useful outside as they are inside. A simple island will give you extra room to prepare food, and with a few tall chairs or bar stools, it can also serve as a place to enjoy your food.
Barbecues are supposed to be convenient
These are just some of the tools you can add to your outdoor kitchen to make your backyard barbecues better. If you’re looking for something else, chances are, you can find it with a little bit of research.
