Here's how to create a space where you can cook al fresco while entertaining guests

The perfect space to entertain outside. Picture: Ibiza Ibiza Ibiza/Unsplash

The perfect space to entertain outside. Picture: Ibiza Ibiza Ibiza/Unsplash

Published Aug 9, 2021

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* This article first appeared in our latest Home Improver digital magazine.

It may be winter but warm days in between the cold ones mean that an outdoor kitchen can be a year-round asset. Choosing the right location is important.

It should be wind-free and as close to the kitchen as possible, so going back and forth is not a chore, as often these kitchens do not have a second set of dishes, cookware or appliances.

Read the latest Home Improver's digital magazine below

Whether your space is a back garden in the suburbs, a roof deck in the city or a wide porch in the country, you’ll want to consider hard-wearing materials for built-in counters, seating benches and storage units that remain fresh-looking while surviving the onslaught of cooking activities, dirt, dust and rain.

You will need

* Cooking and grilling areas

* Countertops and prep stations

* Storage

* A dining area

* Accessories

Picture: Enric Cruz López/Pexels

How to get cooking

• If you already have a sizeable patio or deck area, incorporating an outdoor kitchen into that space is relatively simple.

• An existing deck can easily be turned into a basic outdoor food prep and dining area by adding a braai stand or grill, a countertop and a table with comfortable chairs.

• Remember to consider the lighting and power points for appliances. In the luxury market, we’re seeing full-on outdoor kitchens complete with bar areas, islands, ovens, stoves and extra storage space.

• These features allow the host to be present with their guests outside while they are preparing a meal.

• While custom kitchens give you more choices, a prefab outdoor kitchen will be more cost-effective

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