Outdoor Kitchen Design: 5 Things to Remember

Choosing an outdoor kitchen design that matches your style is the best way to add fun to your outdoor living space. Before you dive into the basics of outdoor kitchen planning, spend some time looking for the type of space that will best fit your lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor kitchen ideas to consider.

If you’re designing an outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to get these 5 essentials incorporated into your backyard space. Click To Tweet

What are some essentials to keep in mind for your outdoor kitchen?

When setting up a kitchen in your backyard, you must install all the essentials to complete the space. Some of the must-have accessories in an outdoor kitchen include refrigerators, barbeque grills, and ovens. Consider equipment made from stainless steel to withstand adverse weather conditions.

Here are the critical factors to consider when setting up an outdoor kitchen.

  1. The Basics
  2. Cooking & Grilling
  3. Refrigeration
  4. Organization
  5. Insulation & Ventilation

1) The Basics

You want an outdoor kitchen design that fits your lifestyle. But where should you start? Install the basic outdoor kitchen equipment, such as built-in gas grills, access doors, a compact refrigerator, a side burner, and a trash bin. The patio kitchen should also have a sink and sizable counter space for meal prepping foods.

2) Cooking & Grilling

Adding a grill to your outdoor kitchen can make cooking more convenient. There are various types of grills, including gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet grills, and portable grills. Select a design that fits your needs and lifestyle. Other essentials that can add cooking versatility to the grill area include a smoker, power burner, or kamado.

3) Refrigeration

If you love entertainment, take your kitchen space to the next level by adding ice makers, wine coolers, beverage centers, and kegerators. When organizing poolside adventures, turn your outdoor kitchen into a cocktail paradise by installing the outdoor refrigeration appliances. Your family and friends will enjoy having ice-cold beverages.

4) Organization

Keeping all the appliances and accessories organized can improve your outdoor décor and help you save more space in the outdoor dining area. Ensure the kitchen has a big dining table and enough storage compartments to store all the ingredients you’ll need to grill your favorite meal. You’ll easily access the items while grilling.

5) Insulation & Ventilation

When setting up an outdoor kitchen, your safety should come first. One of the best ways to ensure that is by insulating and ventilating the outdoor kitchen. Use insulated jackets when installing your cooking appliances on a combustible island. Vent panels or vent hoods are also essential for proper gas venting in the kitchen.

Pro Tip: Look at design ideas online to find the outdoor decor that will best suit your new kitchen!

The Perfect Outdoor Kitchen Design for Your Home

Modern outdoor kitchens are an excellent example of a perfect outdoor kitchen design. Ensure you select the appliances that can spice up your outdoor living space. Consider modern outdoor cooking appliances over the traditional ones. The bottom line is to find an outdoor kitchen design that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Connect with us to learn more outdoor kitchen ideas and designs.

Complete Your Outdoor Kitchen with These 6 Appliances

Are you planning to set up an outdoor kitchen in your backyard? If so, you’ll need to add a few outdoor kitchen appliances to complete the space. You wouldn’t want to make frequent trips into the house to use your indoor kitchen appliances. Which equipment options are needed for an outdoor kitchen? Let’s find out!

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What are some great appliances to complete your outdoor kitchen?

Outdoor kitchen appliances are not new. The only difference between them and indoor kitchen appliances is that they are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, like temperatures and humidity. So, make the right choice when buying appliances for your outdoor kitchen. Here are some suggestions for you to consider:

  1. Charcoal Grills
  2. Gas Grills 
  3. Pellet Grills
  4. Pizza Oven
  5. BBQ Smoker 
  6. Side Burners

1) Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills are highly versatile and offer the simplest way to grill your favorite food, whether meat, fruits, or veggies. However, there are different designs of charcoal grills, including built-in charcoal grills and free-standing charcoal grills. The latter is mobile, making it easier to set it up anywhere in your backyard. Whatever your outdoor cooking preferences, charcoal grills are a great option for parties. 

2) Gas Grills

Gas grills are excellent alternatives to charcoal grills. They are customizable, versatile, and easy-to-use. Most importantly, the grills can generate and maintain stable high heat levels, allowing you to cook meals quickly. However, the designs for gas grills vary, depending on configuration and the type of gas used.

3) Pellet Grills

If you crave for slow-cooked smoked meat but don’t want to use charcoal or gas grills, you can opt for the pellet grill. It uses a special fuel (wood pellets) made by compressing hardwood sawdust. Thankfully, the pellet grills can ignite easily and produce even heat. You can choose either a free-standing or built-in grill.

Pro Tip: With a temperature range of 200-700 degrees Fahrenheit, pellet cookers can smoke, grill, barbecue, broil, and bake. Some models can even sear food.

4) Pizza Oven

Are you a pizza fanatic? If so, a pizza oven is a must-have appliance in your outdoor kitchen. The equipment is highly versatile and comes in different styles, depending on configurations and type of fuel used. Some of the designs include built-in, free-standing, portable, and countertop pizza ovens. Their sizes also vary.

5) BBQ Smoker

Like the pellet grills, BBQ smokers can cook foods at low heat for longer periods. The good news is, there are various models in the market, including electric, charcoal, gas, and pellet BBQ smokers. Generally, you ought to choose a model that matches your outdoor kitchen’s style.

6) Side Burners

You can inexpensively boost your outdoor kitchen’s versatility by adding a side burner. It offers separate temperature controls, allowing you to cook at multiple heat levels for a sear, simmer, and boiling. Notably, there are different side burner designs, including single side burners, double-side burners, and power burners. 

Finalizing Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen 

Now, it’s time to spruce up your outdoor kitchen space by adding these outdoor kitchen appliances. Choose brands that will suit your kitchen style. You can buy appliances of the same brand or mix and match different brands. Once you’ve done that, hire a reputable contractor to help you install the kitchen appliances.

Contact us for outdoor kitchen design solutions, including appliance installations.

A Guide to Outdoor Refrigerators & Coolers

Are you planning some poolside adventures in your backyard? You’ll need an outdoor fridge or an outdoor wine cooler to liven up the party. Once you’ve set up this great outdoor equipment, you can stock them with everything you’ll need for the adventures, including some chilled beverages.

There are so many types of outdoor refrigerators to choose from! Let’s take a look at what might work best for your backyard. #Creekstone Click To Tweet

What should you know before buying an outdoor refrigerator or cooler?

When choosing an outdoor refrigerator or cooler, select a device that can withstand the outdoor temperatures. There are several types of fridges and coolers designed based on specialty and the intended use. Here are the different styles of outdoor refrigeration.

  1. Compact Refrigerators and Freezers
  2. Outdoor Beverage Coolers
  3. Outdoor Ice Makers
  4. Outdoor Wine Coolers
  5. Difference Between Indoor & Outdoor Refrigeration
  6. Undercounter vs. Freestanding
  7. Classes of Refrigeration to Consider

1) Compact Refrigerators and Freezers

In most cases, outdoor compact refrigerators are ideal for storing refreshments, treats for kids, and kitchen perishables and ingredients. It keeps food and other items below 40°F, preventing the growth of bacteria. On the other hand, compact freezers can safely and conveniently store food for a long time at 0°F.

2) Outdoor Beverage Coolers

Your wine and beer deserve proper storage, and that’s where the outdoor beverage coolers come in handy. Most of these cooling devices operate around 40-45 °F, the right temperature for beer and carbonated drinks. Consider a cooling unit with interior lighting, rather than an incandescent bulb producing UV light.

3) Outdoor Ice Makers

You don’t want to have to run to the store to look for bags of ice in the middle of your party. Thankfully, an outdoor ice maker can keep your outdoor party and adventures going by always making fresh ice streams. Different types of ice makers can produce different shapes of ice for a variety of uses. 

4) Outdoor Wine Coolers

If you would love to add some wine to the outdoor party, the outdoor wine coolers are must-have assets in your backyard. The equipment operates at a temperature of around 45-60 °F and within appropriate humidity levels. Thankfully, most outdoor wine cooler models can keep your drinks safe from UV light and absorb shocks and vibrations.

5) Difference Between Indoor & Outdoor Refrigeration

Indoor refrigeration involves applications inside a house while the outdoor refrigeration involves applications outside the home, let’s say the backyard. However, there’s more beyond this simple difference. For instance:

  • Indoor refrigeration appliances tend to use less electricity and produce less noise compared to their outdoor counterparts. That’s because the temperatures within the house tend to remain relatively steady.
  • Outdoor refrigeration appliances get exposed to adverse weather conditions, sudden temperature swings, and other environmental elements. So, the fridges have to work harder to keep the temperatures down.

Pro Tip: While almost all indoor and outdoor fridges consist of stainless steel, the two systems’ stainless-steel food-grade differs. For outdoor usage, choose a refrigerator with a higher stainless-steel grade.

6) Undercounter vs. Freestanding

There are two main differences between these two refrigeration models:

  • Undercounter Refrigerators: You can build these models in a kitchen or bar island. However, these refrigeration models rely heavily on front-venting designs. It also requires adequate space under the counters for proper ventilation.
  • Freestanding Refrigerators: As the name suggests, stand-alone refrigerators can work effectively both indoors and outdoors. Most of them have rolling casters to facilitate movement from one place to another within your home.

7) Classes of Refrigeration to Consider

If you are looking for an outdoor fridge, figure out the class of refrigeration system you need, whether it’s luxury, standard, or premium refrigeration. Both premium and luxury refrigeration have a stainless steel exterior to prevent damage by external factors. On the other hand, standard models may not be reliable in extreme outdoor environments.

Choosing the Perfect Refrigerator for Your Outdoor Kitchen

Now that we’ve looked at the buying guide for an outdoor fridge and outdoor cooler, you can choose the right refrigerator for your outdoor kitchen. After buying the new fridge or cooler, stock it full to ensure it works perfectly. Remember to clean the refrigerator regularly using edible cleaners, such as vinegar and baking soda.

Join the conversation to learn more information about our outdoor refrigeration products.

Covered Patio with Summer Kitchen by Creekstone Outdoor Living

Outdoor Kitchen Storage: Cabinets, Drawers, Drink Coolers, & More

Having enough outdoor kitchen storage space is one of the best ways to make your outdoor living more convenient. You’ll have enough space to keep all your cooking items and ingredients, helping you stay organized. Thankfully, there are many ways to add extra space to your outdoor kitchen design, and that’s what we are about to discuss in this guide.

Create more storage for your space with outdoor kitchen cabinets and more! Let’s take a look at some great looking outdoor storage options. #Creekstone Click To Tweet

Weatherproof Outdoor Storage

Selecting outdoor storage equipment that can withstand extreme weather conditions can keep your outdoor kitchen beautiful for many years. An excellent example of a weather-resistant material used in most outdoor equipment is stainless steel. That’s because it’s highly resistant to water and rust.

Here is the list of standard storage equipment for outdoor kitchens.

  1. Island cabinets
  2. Drawers and rollers
  3. Refrigerators
  4. Wine coolers
  5. Discreet trash cabinets

1) Island Cabinets

Installing an island cabinet in your outdoor kitchen is a great way to spruce it up. You’ll enjoy more storage space while keeping the kitchen beautiful. However, you should select a BBQ island cabinet that matches the style of other equipment in your outdoor kitchen. Invest in storage components that can help maximize your outdoor kitchen’s functionality.

2) Drawers and Rollers

When you think of outdoor storage space, it’s no doubt that drawers will come first to your mind. As the basic unit for grill island storage, drawers encourage the organization of kitchen equipment, from flatware and towels to grilling tools. You can keep everything you’ll use for a cookout within arm’s reach in the drawers and easily accessible doors.

3) Refrigerators

With refrigerators installed in your outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy ice-cold beverages as you grill. Consider using an outdoor option designed to withstand temperature swings. An excellent choice could be a refrigerator made of stainless steel and certified for durability in outdoor environments.

4) Wine Coolers

Another incredible way to add fun to your outdoor kitchen is by investing in outdoor wine coolers. The equipment will provide the convenience of having a cold wine bottle right at your fingertips. While considering resistance to extreme weather, you need to select a brand with a high-efficiency cooling system for your outdoor living area.

5) Discreet Trash Cabinets

We all know that cooking creates trash, and we need somewhere discreet to dispose of the waste. Thankfully, outdoor trash cabinets provide a nice solution. You can conveniently throw away the garbage in the cabinets without the need for frequent trips to the trash bins within the compound. Choose a trash cabinet that matches your outdoor kitchen style and adds to its’ beauty.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure which outdoor storage options will look best for your unique backyard, our customer service and design team at Creekstone Outdoors will be happy to help. 

Completing Your Backyard Kitchen

Now that you have a list of the best storage equipment, you can quickly transform your outdoor kitchen storage space. With the right set of BBQ island doors, drawers, cabinets, and more, you’ll find it easy to keep all the items you need for outdoor grilling. Consider these options with multi-function components to save on your outdoor kitchen space.

Contact us to get the best outdoor kitchen storage equipment at affordable prices.

Backyard Cooking: Outdoor Summer Recipe Roundup

On a summer evening in Houston, few things are more satisfying than sitting down to a freshly grilled backyard dinner. And why restrict yourself to just grilling steaks? A versatile grill like the Big Green Egg can cook everything from meat to vegetables and even pizza! Try something new for dinner tonight.

Have you experimented with recipes perfect for your backyard grill? Why not get started tonight? Check out these mouthwatering summer recipes! #Creekstone #backyardlife #recipes Click To Tweet

Easy Summer Weeknight Dinners

Some of these recipes require a little prep ahead of time, but every single one is remarkably easy and quick to prepare. Whip up some smoky, tasty treats with one of these delicious recipes:

  1. Grilled oysters
  2. Beer glazed beef ribs
  3. Smoked chicken sandwich with chipotle mayo
  4. Grilled pizza
  5. Grilled tilapia with pineapple salsa
  6. Stuffed burgers
  7. Tequila lime grilled chicken
  8. Kabobs
  9. Honey soy grilled pork chops
  10. Grilled veggies

1) Grilled Oysters

These savory, buttery oysters are sure to be a crowd-pleaser for a big event or a casual home dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 12 fresh oysters
  • 6 tbsp butter mixed with roasted garlic, basil, and parsley
  • 1 lemon
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh chives

Directions:

Your Big Green Egg will need to cook the oysters at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Shuck the oysters and discard the flat top of the shell, keeping the bowl-shaped bottom half. Place the bowl-shaped shells on a perforated cooking grid. Add half a tablespoon of softened butter to each oyster. Place the grid inside your heated Big Green Egg grill and close the lid, letting the oysters cook for about 4 minutes or until bubbly. Serve the oysters garnished with lemon slices and chives.

2) Beer Glazed Beef Ribs

These ribs need a long time to cook, but all the waiting will be worth it at dinnertime!

Ingredients:

  • 1 5-6 lb rack of short ribs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 bottle dark beer of your choice

Directions:

Preheat the Big Green Egg to 265 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the membrane from the ribs and brush them in olive oil. Season them with the garlic, salt, and pepper. Place in the Egg with the meat facing up for 2 hours, then flip and cook for 1 more hour. Pour the beer into a shallow heat-proof pan, place the ribs in the beer, and cover with foil. Place the pan back into the Egg for 3 more hours. Serve whole garnished with your favorite barbecue sauce.

3) Smoked Chicken Sandwiches with Chipotle Mayo

This recipe is provided courtesy of Chef Billy Parisi in partnership with Creekstone. You can find more details about this recipe on his website.

Ingredients:

  • For the chicken
    • 6 fresh chicken breasts
    • 3 tbsp brown sugar
    • 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
    • 1 ½ tsp onion powder
    • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
    • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp ground mustard
    • ¼ tsp ground ginger
    • ¼ tsp chili powder
    • ¼ tsp chipotle powder
    • ¼ tsp paprika

Mix the herbs and spices together and rub over all sides of each chicken breast. Cover the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours. Smoke on your Big Green Egg for about 2 hours or until cooked all the way through. Wrap the chicken in aluminum foil and set aside for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

  • For the chipotle mayo
    • 2 cups mayonnaise
    • 3 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • 1 ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • Salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together until well-combined. Store in the fridge until it’s time to make the sandwiches.

  • Sandwich garnishes
    • 3 sliced heirloom tomatoes
    • 1 head butter leaf lettuce
    • 2 thinly sliced avocados
    • 2 cups packed shredded kale
    • 24 strips bacon, cooked to taste
    • 1 lb thinly sliced ham
    • 12 fried eggs, cooked to taste
    • 12 slices mozzarella cheese
    • 12 slices pepper jack cheese
    • 12 toasted sesame seed buns

Spread a thin layer of mayo on the inside half of each top bun. Add however much ham, chicken, and cheese you wish to the bottom buns and melt under a broiler. Stack the vegetables on the top bun. Once the cheese has melted, combine both halves for a completed sandwich. This recipe makes about 12 sandwiches.

4) Grilled Pizza

The smoky flavor of a grilled pizza is the perfect end to a Friday night!

Ingredients:

  • Enough pizza dough for a large pizza (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2-3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • However many toppings you like: sauce, cheese, meat, veggies, etc.

Directions:

Roll out the pizza dough and drizzle with olive oil and salt. Grill the dough for 2 minutes. Add your toppings and cook another 2-5 minutes or until done.

5) Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa

Combine sweet and savory flavors with tilapia hot off the grill!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tilapia fillet per person
  • 2 cups fresh cubed pineapple
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped green pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 4 tsp lime juice
  • Pinch of salt

Directions:

Mix the pineapple, onions, green pepper, cilantro, salt, and lime juice and refrigerate. Grill tilapia over medium heat until done. Serve spread with salsa.

6) Stuffed Burgers

Stuff a burger patty with cheese, bacon, veggies, or other fillings for a savory surprise.

Ingredients:

  • 1 raw burger patty per person (or enough raw ground beef to make the patties yourself)
  • 1 oz filling per patty: bacon bits, cheese, onions, peppers, etc.

Directions:

If using ground beef, shape the beef into patties. Press the center of each patty down and work the meat into a bowl-like shape. Fill each hollow with about 1 oz of filling. Make a “cap” with the remaining meat and press it onto the top of each patty to seal it shut. Grill burgers until well-done.

7) Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken

This chicken may require some preparation in advance, but the result is well worth it.

Backyard Cooking: Outdoor Summer Recipe Roundup, Creekstone Outdoor Living, Spring, TX

Ingredients:

  • 8 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 4 tbsp agave nectar
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Mix tequila, olive oil, lime juice, salt, onion powder, agave nectar, and cilantro to make a marinade. Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring they’re completely covered, and let them marinate in the fridge for 2-8 hours. Grill the chicken on medium heat until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Pro Tip: Marinating meat or veggies overnight before grilling brings an extra dimension of flavor to your dish. Experiment to find your favorite marinade!

8) Kabobs

Kabobs are an ideal dinner for picky eaters. With a huge list of potential ingredients and seasonings, everyone can build a kabob they’ll love!

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 oz meat per person (chicken, beef, or fish are all excellent choices)
  • Enough of your favorite marinades to treat all the meat
  • 2 lbs chopped veggies (tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, baby potatoes, corn, etc.)

Directions:

If using meat, marinate it overnight ahead of time. Choose your ingredients and slide them securely onto the skewer. Grill over direct heat for 10-15 minutes or until done.

9) Honey Soy Grilled Pork Chops

Another recipe that requires marinating, this one promises sweet, juicy results.

Ingredients:

  • 8 pork chops
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper flakes to make a marinade. Submerge the pork chops in the marinade and allow to sit overnight in the fridge. Grill 8 minutes per side, remove from heat, and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

10) Grilled Veggies

There’s no shortage of grilling recipes for meat-eaters, but what about vegetarians? Fortunately, your grill can cook up some smoky, delicious veggies for anyone who wants them!

Ingredients:

  • 1-1.5 cups veggies per person (corn, mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, asparagus, potatoes, etc.)
  • Enough of your favorite marinade to cover all the veggies (if marinating)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Enough olive oil to coat all the veggies (if not marinating)

Directions:

If you choose to marinate the vegetables ahead of time, wash and chop them to the desired size. Prepare your marinade, submerge the veggies, and leave them in the fridge overnight. Grill until tender-crisp and serve hot.

If you’d rather not marinate the vegetables, you don’t need to do as much preparation ahead of time. Wash and chop your vegetables to the desired size. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper until completely coated. Grill until tender-crisp and serve hot.

Summer Dinners for the Win!

Professional and amateur chefs alike will love the chance to grill something amazing on a warm summer evening. Experiment with different ingredients and proportions to find your favorite go-to recipe. Meanwhile, enjoy impressing your family with your newfound skills!

Join the conversation for more recipe ideas and outdoor cooking tips.