A Guide to Understanding Outdoor Kitchen Storage
Cabinetry is just as valuable, if not more so,
in an outdoor kitchen as it is in an indoor kitchen. With so many
outdoor threats to the sanctity of your food, such as moisture, insects
and winds, it's a wonder why we do it at all. But that is why sturdy,
well-sealed, weather-resistant cabinets are vital to a successful
outdoor kitchen, and can make your experience outside a much more
pleasant one. While outdoor refrigerators are available for storing
perishables, outdoor cabinets are great units for cooking utensils,
napkins and other necessary cook and kitchenware. Best of all, these
cabinets can be integrated directly into your outdoor patio and large
fire grill appliances.
Types of Outdoor Kitchen Storage
- Polymer cabinets are synthetic and most closely identifiable to plastic. They are easy to clean, and corrosion resistant, as is the attaching hardware. The material is also water and stain resistant. However, the material has a limited range of color options and is not very eco-friendly.
- Stainless steel cabinets have the classy look of metal without the corrosive tendencies. They will remain uniform with any of your stainless outdoor appliances. However, the material is susceptible to fingerprints and can get extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Wood cabinets have the benefit of a classy and warm look, as well as visual detail not available in other cabinetry materials. The drawback is that wood can fade, depending on the type and finish, and it will eventually break down over time, depending on how it's treated. The best outdoor wood types are ipe, cypress and teak.
- Masonry cabinets are outdoor storage units made of either cement blocks or a metal frame that's covered in decorative stone, brick or stucco veneer. While harder to install and often more expensive than other outdoor cabinets, they are extremely resistant to weathering and provide a really "built-in," customized appearance to your kitchen.
Important Outdoor Kitchen Storage Features
- Adjustable legs are extremely helpful outside, where floor levels are often not as consistent as they are indoors. The adjustable legs allow you to alter the vertical position of different corners on your cabinetry, avoiding the "wobble" factor.
- Toe kicks are optional in outdoor cabinets, but they give you the option to cover the legs under the cabinets. Some people think it creates a more finished appearance for the storage unit, but the toe kicks are a personal preference, not a necessity.
- Exterior trim details are another personal preference, offering some visual detail that dresses up your cabinet a little bit. It's particularly popular with the polymer cabinets, which have otherwise limited design.
- Accessibility features like roll-out trash bins and trays, or extra drawers, will make using your outdoor storage a lot easier for you to use. These features vary by design and manufacturer, so keep in mind the sort of things you'll use your unit for, and keep those in mind when shopping for different features.
- Quality hardware, including the door hinges, drawer slides, connection pins and screws, handles, etc. should always be made from durable material that is weather-resistant and non-corrosive. Without these, even the most waterproof cabinet material will be susceptible to falling apart.
- Durability is extremely important in outdoor storage in general. Polymer cabinets made with 3/4" thick boxes and shelves are a good choice. With stainless steel, look for thicker grades, which will offer better rigidity and dent resistance. If you're unsure, consult the manufacturer's product specifications or contact them to ask for more information. Then compare with other brands.
- Countertops are not always included in your cabinetry package. Depending on your design or aesthetic preferences, it may be smarter to buy the counters separately, allowing you more control over look and feel. However, keep the same weather and durability issues in mind when shopping for countertops as you would with the rest of the cabinetry. Unlike with your outdoor kitchen flooring, however, you can choose marble and other sleek materials for your countertops.