Outdoor kitchens have long been an integral part of life in warmer climates, with residents in countries such as Australia and the US enjoying regular alfresco cooking. More recently, outdoor kitchens have emerged as a popular choice in the UK and Northern Europe too, despite our occasionally unreliable weather. So why are outdoor kitchens growing in popularity, what do they offer that the humble BBQ doesn’t and why should you think about buying one?
An outdoor kitchen allows you to fully enjoy the experience of cooking in the open air with your friends and family. There’s no need to keep running inside to prepare the food, grab something from the fridge or hide in the kitchen to use the hob.
"An outdoor kitchen is about so much more than just enjoyment of your time outdoors; it’s about quality of life, simplifying the process and being spontaneous…"
Without the constraints of walls an outdoor kitchen can be whatever you want it to be. From a simple affair with a grill mounted in a worktop and space to assemble and serve simple food, or a wall-mounted structure with myriad useful fixtures and fittings, the only limit is your imagination.
Here’s how to plan an outdoor kitchen that you’ll love and use for many years to come.