When you’re in the process of building an outdoor kitchen… one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make are the materials. What materials should you build your outdoor kitchen out of?
As tempting as it is to shave off costs wherever possible… there is such a thing as “cheap now, expensive later” outdoor kitchen materials. And while you may save some cash upfront, you’ll likely end up spending more money in the long run.
As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer that puts a laser focus on providing long-lasting outdoor kitchens made with durable materials… we’ve learned what lasts and what doesn’t. In this article, you will learn what the “cheap now, expensive later” outdoor kitchen materials are, and better options if you’re willing to make more of an investment on the front end.
What are the Cheap Outdoor Kitchen Materials You’ll Pay More for in the Long Run?
In short, the cheap outdoor kitchen materials you’ll pay more for in the long run are wood and low grade steel or aluminum.
Wood
Although it’s the most affordable material you can find, using wood in an outdoor kitchen will incur the largest expense in the long run. This is for two reasons: safety and lack of durability.
Wood is an inherently unsafe material to use in an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens contain cooking appliances that reach extremely high temperatures and have open flames, which poses a significant fire risk when housed in a wooden structure. So in the unfortunate event that a grill fire breaks out and your wooden outdoor kitchen burns down… you’ll literally be starting from scratch and have to build anew.
Aside from the safety concerns associated with wood, it’s simply not a durable outdoor kitchen material. When exposed to the outdoors, wood is susceptible to rot, swelling, warping, mold, and insect damage. The more extreme your climate, the quicker wood will deteriorate. Due to this, wood outdoor kitchens generally only last a few years before significant damage begins to rear its head. And considering that most homeowners want an outdoor kitchen that’ll last 10+ years… you’ll end up spending more on repairs or replacement costs in the long run.
Low Grade Steel or Aluminum
As an alternative to wood, many homeowners will consider purchasing a modular or prefabricated metal outdoor kitchen, whether steel or aluminum. Although more expensive than wood, this is one of the most affordable outdoor kitchen materials. Unfortunately, low grade steel or aluminum outdoor kitchens don’t fare much better than wood in terms of longevity.
Aluminum or low grade stainless steel outdoor kitchens (like 430 stainless) are not designed for optimal performance in the outdoor environment. These metals are susceptible to rust and corrosion, and if you live in a humid or freeze/thaw climate… it can take as little as a few months for this damage to begin taking place. So yes, you may save a few grand on your initial investment… but in the long term, your metal outdoor kitchen is likely to need significant repair or even replacement in just a few years.
What Outdoor Kitchen Materials are Best if You’re Willing to Pay More Upfront?
Now that you know which cheap outdoor kitchen materials (wood and metal) will end up costing you more money in the long run… naturally, your mind will turn to the opposite question: “What outdoor kitchen materials are best if I’m willing to pay more?”
And for that, there’s only one answer: high performance concrete.
High performance concrete is one of the pricier material options, but it is among the most durable and long-lasting. High performance concrete is:
- Rated for 100 years
- Non-combustible
- Immune to corrosion, rust, warping, swelling, rot, mold, and insect damage
- Unaffected by extreme weather and climates, such as snow, ice, rain, hail, flooding, humidity, salty ocean air, or excessive heat
When you take all of these qualities into account… purchasing an outdoor kitchen made with high performance concrete is a one-time investment. You won’t have to worry about constant repairs or replacements, which saves you money over time even though you paid more at first.
But don’t just take our word at face value. This article will explain exactly why high performance concrete is so durable… and why it’s the best material choice if you want your outdoor kitchen to last a lifetime.
