10 Questions To Ask Before Creating Your Outdoor Kitchen

Fall is just a few heat waves away. When that breeze starts rolling in, and when the leaves start changing color, all we’ll want to do is sit on the porch and enjoy it. However, we usually don’t get to enjoy as much of it as we’d like, because the majority of our time is spent in the kitchen. But with a few adjustments and additions to that porch, you could be enjoying this fresh air while cooking your favorite meals outside.

Here are 10 questions you might have while creating your outdoor kitchen:

1.) Should I Design it Myself? Or Should I Let Someone Else Design It?

That decision is totally up to you. Some people feel that getting their hands dirty with the design of their outdoor kitchen gives them tremendous creative satisfaction.

However, designing these exterior rooms and kitchens by yourself can be incredibly stressful if you don’t understand fundamental design principles. Also, if you aren’t sure of the exact measurements of the products you’d like installed, your guesswork can become costly and timely.

Hiring a professional designer for your outdoor cooking space will help keep costs in check and decrease stress. Also, more often than not, the project will be completed quickly. Professionals will also winterize your sink, which is an absolute necessity if you live in an area that’s affected by cold weather.

Something to Consider: Pre-Made Designs

Sometimes the designer and installer will already have a portfolio of pre-made designs that would fit perfectly on your porch or patio with no work required from you. Utilizing a preconfigured design would minimize the impact on your home (and your busy schedule), as the entire project can typically be completed in two days or less with little or no mess.

Okay, so let’s say you’re going to give this designer a chance.

2.) Do I Need to Know Exactly What I Want Before We Meet?

It’s nice to have a general idea as to what you’d like to feature in an outdoor kitchen, but you don’t necessarily have to know specifics unless you’re buying all the products and installing the whole thing yourself.

For Example: You should have an idea as to what kind of grill you’d like to install, as that decision could potentially dictate the structure around it.

3.)  What Type of Grill Should I Choose for My Outdoor Kitchen?

There are three types of grills that you could consider: Charcoal grills, Pellet grills, and Gas grills. It’s totally up to you which one you choose, but here are the reasons why you might choose one or the other.

Why Choose a Charcoal Grill?

• The smoky charcoal flavor is a must for some grillmasters
• They’re usually less expensive than other grills
• They can have variable temperatures on the same rack. This promotes greater control.

Bassemier’s carries two brands of Charcoal Grills: Big Green Egg / Yoder Smokers

Why Choose Pellet Grill?

• They’re perfect for those who love a wood-smoked flavor
• There’s a variety of pellet flavors
• They can usually be utilized as both a smoker and a grill

Bassemier’s carries two brands of Pellet Grills: Yoder Smokers / Green Mountain Grills

Why Choose Gas Grill?

• They offer a super easy start-up
• There’s almost no clean-up
• They can reach high temps very quickly

Bassemier’s carries three brands of Gas Grills: Summerset / Saber / Broilmaster Premium Gas Grills

4.) Does Foundation Matter?

Yes. Foundation is crucial. If it will be placed on a deck or in a place where weight might be an issue, a Challenger All Aluminum kitchen will most likely be the best option. While most patios would support a metal or aluminum framed piece, not all of them would be able to support the weight of a full masonry kitchen.

For the DIY guys and gals: If you plan on using lumber with stone, please be cautious. Without proper precautions, this is a fire hazard. The wood will warp, popping off the stone. Then it will rot and collapse.

It’s probably better to use a metal frame. They’re made from galvanized steel studs, and they have a long life expectancy.

Bassemier’s offers frames made by Sutton Concepts: The Sutton frames are crafted from extruded aluminum and are impervious to breaking down. Although they’re slightly expensive, they’ll outlast the home they are sitting behind.

5.) What Do I Need to Know About Countertops?

Here’s a quick tip: Never. Ever. Tile. Let’s all say it together. Everyone, raise your right hand. “I will not use tile for a countertop where it freezes in the winter.”

Why? Because all the tile will pop out of place. You really don’t want to have to pay for another counter six months after you install it.

Quartz is also typically a poor choice, as the sun will change its color.

Okay, so what are the best options?

• Granite
• Natural stone slab
• Concrete

Bassemier’s carries three brands of Countertops: For Granite: Ameristone / For Natural Stone Slab: Interstate Stone Supply / For Concrete: Evo Concrete

6.) Does My Cabinetry Need Ventilation?

Absolutely. Ventilation under the cabinet is required by code if a gas appliance is present, because it prevents explosions from gas leaks.

Are you planning on placing the kitchen under a roof? If so, make sure the cabinetry includes a vent hood. If not, things will at the least get nasty. In some situations, it can even create a fire hazard.

7.) What Other Components Do I Need in an Outdoor Kitchen?

There are plenty of other components and accessories that will take your outdoor cooking experience from “fine” to “fun.” Here are just a few items that we suggest you consider installing:

• Side burners
• Cold storage
• Bars & sinks
• Access doors
• Storage drawers
• Insulating jackets
• Grill covers

8.) What Style Should I Choose?

You can choose to decorate your outdoor kitchen however you’d like, but you’ll need to determine what design most appropriately reflects your cooking style. Here are some popular styles that are carried by Bassemier’s:

Challenger Designs – For the modern, aluminum look. Challenger offers elegant, weatherproof, American-made cabinets that last a lifetime and are easily portable. Their outdoor kitchens are built to last. They also offer various sizes to fit various ceramic grills like the Big Green Egg.

Housewarmings – For the more conventional taste. Housewarmings offers a more permanent setting for your outdoor cooking. With many beautiful stone variations to choose from, their designs are innovative, welcoming, and durable.

9.) How Much Does a Customized Outdoor Kitchen Cost?

It totally depends on the accessories you want installed. These projects can range from $5000 up to $60,000 or more.

10.) Why Choose Bassemier’s for Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Everything is customized for your cooking style:

Everything that can be created in an indoor kitchen can be created for your custom outdoor kitchen. We’re more than capable of handling any design or construction request. Every single piece of your outdoor kitchen is hand-picked for quality, value, function, and flow.

We’ll install it all: We don’t just sell you the products. We build outdoor kitchens & dream patios from the ground up. We’ll manually install every piece of the kitchen ourselves.

• Built-in grills
• Burners
• Warming drawers
• Outdoor refrigerators
• Outdoor ice machines
• Trash centers
• Outdoor sinks
• Much more

We’ve been doing this for 50 years: Bassemier’s has been in business since 1968, and we built the first outdoor kitchen in Evansville.

• We don’t use subcontractors
• We have licensed and trained staff
• We’re experts

Let’s build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams! Contact us to get started today!