Outdoor Kitchen

When summer time comes around, there are fewer better places to be than in your garden in Toronto, surrounded by friends and family, enjoying a barbeque or a cookout. There’s no better way to entertain guests in your yard than with an outdoor kitchen Toronto, but still one question remains – should it be big, or small? Well, that depends on you.

Outdoor Kitchens – Big or Small?

Before we get into deciding which is better for you, let’s first look at the standard sizes for several features of an outdoor kitchen.

• Countertop Height: Standard height is 36”, or slightly more if wanting to accommodate a fridge. Designed to be lower than your bent elbow to the ground.
• Bar Counter Height: Typically between 42” – 46” tall, usually dictated by bar stools.
• Cantilever Height: 10” to allow for knees.
• Tabletop Height: Standard is around 30”

With those in mind, let’s get around to looking at why you might pick a big or small outdoor kitchen.

Big Outdoor Kitchen – Pros and Cons

There are plenty of reasons to want a larger outdoor kitchen. If you’re planning to cook there more regularly, then a larger kitchen will prove to be more comfortable and practical in the long run – you don’t want to run out of counter space and have to put things on the floor or in the house!

Secondly, as you’ve read above, if you’re planning on getting a fridge in your outdoor kitchen then they’re naturally bigger and taller. A fridge would make life easier, saving you from having to run back and forth through your home to get the ingredients for cooking, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when it comes to deciding whether to go big or small.

Thirdly, when it comes to entertaining, bigger is better. Bigger means more tables, surfaces and counters for your guests to gather and talk around, helping it to be a real social hub. Bigger also means you’ll be able to fit more around the table for a meal, and no one will end up sat on your petunias.

However, bigger also means more expensive, which may deter a lot of people if they don’t see the value in it. It also means that it will take up more of your garden, which will see you sacrificing green space for it.

Small Outdoor Kitchen – Pros and Cons

Yards are meant to be enjoyed for what they are – natural green spaces. Rather than opting for a larger kitchen that dominates your garden, you might find more harmony and balance in selecting a smaller one that complements, rather than covers your yard.

A smaller outdoor kitchen would also be cheaper and much easier to clean. If you’re not bothered about an outdoor fridge, there no point in paying extra for one and taking up more yard space. Less counters and surfaces also means that it’s easier to clean and maintain, giving you more time to spend enjoying your garden.

However, if entertaining is something you plan on doing a lot, you might want to go for a bigger size in order to accommodate all your guests and keep them comfortable. You don’t want rumours spreading in Toronto about your lack of hospitality!

It’s Down to You

It’s a matter of personal preference in the end. Are you someone who values your garden and green spaces, or do you live to host and entertain guests? Can you compromise between the two? Whatever you decide, an outdoor kitchen is a great asset to any home, and we’re sure you’ll have made the right choice.

The consensus is in: outdoor kitchens can provide a host of opportunities that are sure to please friends and family.

There are many backyards in Toronto sufficient with the usual suspects: a charcoal grill or perhaps a chic brick oven. However, there’s no better time than now to turn that promising space into a truly elegant experience.

A new outdoor setup will not only provide a fresh backdrop for guests to relax in luxury, but it provides the setting for the pampering you deserve.

How to Think Big with Your Outdoor Kitchen

A well-executed vision and plan will have you sitting on top.

• Visualize Your Future

  Whether it’s cooking for one or a neighbourhood get-to-together, there’s ample ways to utilize and furnish an outdoor kitchen to fit the need. Imagine the accolades you’ll receive when the family expounds upon the dining experience in your own backyard. Are large gatherings on the horizon? Perhaps you’ll require a fully equipped kitchen – grill station, cabinets, prep space – the details are endless. It all begins with a vision.

• Consider the Layout

  Of course, everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why flexibility is paramount when designing the perfect space. We will work with you to create a space that is functional, without losing any of the aesthetic charm you seek. Your vision will encompass how you see you and your family using the area provided. Whether you’re starting from a clean slate or adding to an existing setup, let us help you design an outdoor kitchen that seamlessly blends in with its surroundings and molds into your individual lifestyle.

• In with the New

  Now is a good time to take it to the next level. Many people have a grill resting in their backyard, and not much else in terms of equipment. To erase the constant shuffling between indoor kitchen and outdoor grill, many have elected to bring the comforts of indoor convenience outside. We offer a polished design that brings all of your essentials into one unique platform that caters to your specific goals and dreams. Why not incorporate those time-trusted necessities of old and remake them into a modern, sleek, and eye-catching outdoor kitchen of today.

• Imagine the Possibilities

  The hallmark of our design is our ability to turn the outline in your mind into the ready-to-use, modern creation of today. A person could envision: kitchen equipment that offers modern elements, design patterns that integrates seamlessly with the theme of the available space, lighting that will set the mood for your next gathering. More so, our team will present to you options that may become a light bulb moment for you: spacious sinks, countertops, cupboards, ice chests — artfully put together in a way to make your dining experiences efficient and grand.

• Think Big

  There’s a kitchen for every occasion and you’ll delight in knowing yours was specially crafted with you in mind. We believe luxury can be extravagant without losing the comforts of that long-referenced refrain: there’s no place like home. Perhaps your outdoor kitchen will be used for special family gatherings or simply used as a means to unwind. Maybe the children will sit poolside while you fix up a plate of your famous edibles. No matter what, think big and let your imagination lead to reality.

At Toronto Custom Decks we believe in the quality of the relationships we forge and the outdoor kitchens we build. Satisfaction is a cornerstone and a standard we take pride in.

If you’re ready to take your dream to the next step call us at 647-878-8780 and speak with one of our specialists today.

Our writer giving tips how you can install Outdoor Kitchen vs Smaller Yard

Building an outdoor cooking area in your Toronto back yard may seem like a foolish idea if you have a limited amount of space to work with but even if you have a very small yard, you can still build a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional. To help you get started, we have put together some design ideas for you to consider. If you would like to have your new kitchen designed and built by a team of experienced professionals, please feel free to call and request a quotation at any time.

Designing a Compact Outdoor Kitchen for a Small Yard

The main thing to bear in mind when designing a smaller outdoor cooking area is that as long as you stay focused on the essentials, you are sure to end up with a practical, stylish kitchen that is perfect for preparing summer feasts when the weather is fine.

• Opt for High Quality Materials – One of the advantages of smaller outdoor kitchens is that you can afford to specify higher quality materials because you will need less of them. You can order the best countertops on the market, the highest quality floor tiles, and the nicest bricks to build the base for the countertops and grill unit. Get together with your designer and go mad: you won’t regret specifying the best materials once your new outdoor kitchen has been completed and is ready to use.
• Buy a Top-of the-Range Grill – Rather than spending money on loads of small appliances that will probably be of limited use once you actually start to use your new outdoor cooking space on a regular basis, invest the majority of the money you set aside for appliances on a top-of-the-range grill. A high quality grill will add far more value to your kitchen in terms of functionality than an expensive espresso machine, ice maker, or any other optional appliance is likely to do.
• Use Indoor Food Preparation Area – If you are working with a very small space, you can use your indoor food preparation area instead of building a new one for your outdoor kitchen. To make it easier for you to go from inside to out, your new outdoor cooking area can be adjacent to your indoor kitchen.
• Make Sure You Have Room for a Roof – Even if you are only planning to use temporary canvas roofing, make sure that you remember to leave space for it in your outdoor kitchen design. While you are only likely to use your new kitchen when the weather is fine you should be able to continue cooking in the event of a light shower, so making it completely open to the elements is a bad idea. One of the advantages of a smaller outdoor cooking area is that you can shield it from the elements more easily than a large, sprawling space: you can plan the layout of the countertop and storage units so that they help to shelter you from occasional spring showers and summer rainstorms.
• Combine the Seating and Cooking Areas – If you don’t have room for a separate patio where you can eat your meals al fresco, put some seating in the kitchen area itself. You may have to use a slightly smaller table than if you located it in a separate area but it will save a lot of space, which is the main aim when working with very small yards.

Call today to find out how much it will cost to hire us to design and build your new outdoor kitchen, whatever the size of your Toronto back yard.

It is very easy to forget all about your outdoor cooking area in autumn and winter as there are so few days in Toronto when the weather is warm enough to make preparing and eating a meal outside an attractive proposition at this time of year. What this means is that when the weather finally starts to warm up, your outdoor kitchen can be in a bit of a sorry state. To avoid this being an issue, you should follow a regular maintenance schedule, as set out below. Some tasks need doing every time you cook, whereas others may only need attending to once every few years.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen in Good Working Order

Follow the suggestions below and you will find that your kitchen is primed and ready to use when the sun starts to show its face again.

Clean and Check Your Grill Regularly – Whenever you are using your grill on a regular basis, you should be cleaning it on a regular basis too but even in the colder months of the year when you seldom use it, you should give it the once over every couple of weeks. It is almost certainly the most important appliance in your outdoor kitchen and should be treated as such. In addition to cleaning the surface of the grill once it is not too hot to the touch (but still warm) you should check the condition of the burners, hoses and valves every now and then.

Have Your Counter tops Sealed – This is especially important if you chose granite for your kitchen work surfaces, as so many people in this part of the world do. Granite is a good choice for kitchens both inside and out, owing to the fact it is very resistant to heat. However, it can easily be damaged by the UV rays to which it will be subjected in an outdoor kitchen, which is why it should be sealed. The work should be performed by a professional but there’s no need to panic as it only needs doing every 3 to 5 years so it won’t cost you a fortune!

Power Clean Your Stone Surfaces – Whether you opted for engineered or natural stone in your outdoor cooking area, an annual cleaning with a power washer will ensure that it stays looking good for many years to come. One thing to bear in mind when you are using a pressure washer to clean engineered stone is not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations as far as the maximum pressure you use is concerned.

Disconnect Your Appliances – To avoid wasting energy when your outdoor kitchen is standing unused and to avoid the possibility of gas or electric lines being accidentally damaged, disconnect your appliances until spring: unplug any electrical equipment and turn off the gas supply to your grill.

Store or Cover Outdoor Furniture Over Winter – Most people have a few chairs and a table in their Toronto outdoor kitchen if nothing else. If you want to make sure that your kitchen furniture is still in good condition once it is time to start cooking outside again, it is a good idea to store in in a dry place during the winter months. If you do not have anywhere suitable to store it, you can cover it instead: use tarpaulin, canvas or vinyl sheeting and try to make sure that it is completely protected from the elements.

If you would like more tips on how to maintain your outdoor cooking area, or you don’t yet have one and would like to find out how much it would cost to build one, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Toronto has finally caught on to the concept of the outdoor kitchen – a great way to make the most of your yard during the warmer months. These installations offer much more than the traditional outdoor barbecue. There’s no need to invite the neighbours over, and you can prepare whatever you feel like, without just being limited to the grill. Not only that, an outdoor kitchen is good for use from the spring, right through to the fall. Whether you want to serve up a simple salad, to a full Sunday dinner, it’s a household addition you can really get the most out of.

How Do I Make Sure My Outdoor Kitchen Fits In?

For those who haven’t seen an outdoor kitchen before, it’s easy to imagine some clumsily put-together arrangement of appliances and fixtures, ruining an otherwise perfectly good lawn or garden. With a little preparation and attention to detail, however, that shouldn’t be the case. Take a look around some of the nicer examples in Toronto and you’ll see how it can complement and become an integral part of your outdoor space. Here are some tips on how to get it right:

• Think of it as Part of Your Home – If you set about building with the idea that it’s a glorified barbecue grill, that’s what you’ll end up with. A barbecue is something that people can usually put away once the season is over. A kitchen isn’t. Think of it as a part of your home that you will be using instead of your indoor kitchen as much as possible.
• Make it Comfortable – They say that a kitchen is the heart of every home. It’s not only a functional space, but a space to live in, relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t overlook crucial elements such as comfortable seating, adequate space to eat and entertainment.
• Consider the Aesthetics – No two outdoor spaces are identical, but in general, yards and gardens are places where we can find trees, grass, plants, stones and rocks. While contrasting can work when done with extreme care, your project is much more likely to succeed if you use similar materials to those in your yard – woods, stones, similar shades and designs.
• Plan from the Ground Upwards – Look at the space available to you and then visualize your kitchen within that space. Whatever flooring you opt for, you will need to leave ample space for movement between kitchen units, appliances, eating areas and so on. The open nature of your yard can be deceptive when it comes to planning what to do with certain spaces. Working from the ground upwards eliminates the risk of trying to fit too much into that space.
• Consider Your Neighbours Along with Your Own Home – Just as you might choose to build your kitchen away from the house in order to avoid smoke or noise from filtering back into your home, you’ll also need to bear in mind the proximity to your neighbours’ properties. It goes without saying that the further away it is from noise and bustle, the more successful your installation will be.

There’s more to an outdoor kitchen than providing a fun area for you and your family to cook, eat and relax.  One of the main reasons so many of the better properties in Toronto are opting for these installations is the value they add to the house. Your kitchen is already most likely the most important room in your home when it comes to determining value. Having two kitchens is more and more seen as a big draw for buyers, and valuations are reflecting that.

 

The beautiful long summer days in Toronto make the perfect setting to spend your entire day in the sun. Why bother heading inside to make lunch or dinner when you can have all you need to cook up a feast right in your own backyard? An outdoor kitchen is the perfect way to soak it all in before the chilly winter days approach.

Choosing the Best Location for Your New Outdoor Kitchen

Use these 6 hacks to figure out the best spot for your new favourite place to make dinner!

• Convenience: Are you a master chef that needs all sorts of utensils and gadgets to cook up your masterpiece? If you are, a location closer to the house may be a good idea. This gives you easy access to anything you may need from inside without worrying about your steak turning to charcoal before you return with a clean plate for serving.

• Space:Obviously to choose the right location for your outdoor kitchen you need to assess the amount of space available. Maybe your space only permits an island with a drop in grill and some counter space on either side. For someone with a more spacious property things can get a bit more elaborate. More counter space, cupboard space and perhaps a fridge to keep a few cold ones?

• License and Permits:The less exciting, but surely important thing to think about is where you’re actually permitted to build this dream kitchen of yours. Check in with your municipality to figure out how close or far your outdoor kitchen needs to be to comply with city regulations.

• Safety: Another very important thing to consider is safety. When installing your outdoor kitchen, you must be sure to include some safety measures so you don’t incinerate yours and potentially your neighbour’s backyard. Having a fire extinguisher nearby is always a great idea just in case things get a little too heated. Be sure that you don’t place anything like a grill or other sorts of cooking equipment under trees or things like phone lines. Something else to consider is the clear path you should have out of your house in case of a fire evacuation. These are all precautions that will most likely save you time and money in the long run!

• Electric and Hydro: Now to avoid pipes and power lines littering your backyard, it’s probably in your best interest to keep your outdoor kitchennear the power sources it will be using. This will make the whole process easier and helps you avoid having a massive underground system throughout your precious oasis along with decreasing the costs of running power through your yard!

• Aesthetic:Finally, the best part is making sure it’s aesthetically pleasing! You want your outdoor kitchen to be in a spot that works perfectly with the layout of your whole space. Whether you’ve got a slick, modern set up or a rustic refuge you need an easily accessible kitchen. You don’t want to go rock climbing just to get to your new spot. Make sure it’s not obstructing any walk ways or that the grill is so close to a window that your home becomes a smokehouse. Give yourself some shelter so the rain doesn’t ruin your fun. Choose materials that will withstand the elements and most importantly make sure it all coordinates well with your already beautiful backyard.

Location for a new kitchen will vary from place to place based on so many factors. Using this guide you will surely find the perfect place for your outdoor kitchen and be throwing the best dinner parties in Toronto in no time!

 

Although the idea of outdoor food prep is as old as human’s home design of the past few hundred years made it an increasingly indoor experience, save for the occasional barbecue. The outdoor kitchen reverses this trend and in the process elevates the often forgotten backyard into a hub of activity. All that said backyard kitchens have attracted their fair share of misunderstanding and myths and in this post we’ll address some of the more common ones.

5 Myths That Have Grown up Around the Outdoor Kitchen

A backyard kitchen is fun, exciting and beautiful. It can help you fall back in love with your house. However, in spite of (or maybe because of) the popularity of outdoor kitchens in Toronto and elsewhere a laundry list of myths have arisen around them; some perhaps understandable. Others, not so much. Here are some of the most commonly heard myths surrounding outdoor kitchens today.

• Myth: An outdoor kitchen is the perfect DIY project – No. It’s not. A properly concepted outdoor kitchen will likely include a gas grill, running water and a tasteful, comprehensive lighting scheme. Unless you’re a certified Gas Safe technician, a plumber or an electrician you shouldn’t be attempting to handle any of those aspects of construction yourself. Especially outdoors, where the proper fitting of gas lines and wiring becomes even more crucial.

• Myth: You don’t need to spend extra on weatherproof appliances – Yes, you do. Trying to cut corners budget-wise by installing indoor appliances outdoors is setting the countdown to failure in motion. You just have to hope that when the wiring in the refrigerator goes (and it will if you have an indoor fridge outdoors) that someone you love doesn’t get electrocuted. Every appliance you install in your new kitchen needs to be built specifically for the outdoors.

• Myth: Outdoor kitchens are only useful on sunny summer days – If that’s your only goal when building it then this might be true. But if you want to use your backyard kitchen most of the year and you’ve hired an experienced professional to design it they’ll make sure to add features like a heated floor, strategically placed wind-breaking walls and a retractable roof that will allow you to entertain in your new space in all but the most extreme weather.

• Myth: Outdoor kitchens are only for the rich – Outdoor kitchens are like anything else; how much you spend is up to you. You can spend $2,000 on a fine gas grille or you can drop $15-20,000 on the fanciest, leading-edge grille technology available. Same with everything else; you can have a slate floor or a marble floor, hot and cold running water or just cold. How much you invest will be entirely up to you. But you don’t have to drop $100,000 to get quality.

• Myth: Your utility bills will go through the roof – Why would they do that? When you and your guests are outdoors there’s no need to have as many things running indoors. When you’re using the outdoor grill you’re not using the indoor stove. When you’re using the outdoor sound system you’re probably not using the indoor sound system. Is it possible that your utility bills may increase a bit if you start entertaining a lot? Sure. But that will be a function of entertaining more, not a function of having an outdoor kitchen.

The al fresco kitchen is many things alright, including the target of myths and tall tales floated by who knows who. Before you give too much weight to stories and myths you may have heard call the backyard experts at Toronto Custom Decks. We’ll show you how to achieve the outdoor kitchen of your dreams at a price you can afford.