With the ever-increasing popularity of outdoor kitchens in America… you might be wondering about how the modern outdoor kitchen came to be. What is the history of outdoor kitchens in the United States?
As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer with a penchant for history, we’ve done our own digging to find out the origins of outdoor kitchens in America. In this article, you will learn the full history of outdoor kitchens in the United States, and what to do if you’re interested in getting one yourself.
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The Indigenous Era
The history of outdoor kitchens in America begins well before the United States was ever formed. Native Americans already had their own version of a proto-outdoor kitchen for thousands of years.
Although a far cry from the sleek, cohesive outdoor kitchens of the modern day… indigenous Americans made use of earthen ovens, cooking pits, and open fire cooking techniques. These central hubs designed for cooking allowed the entire community to gather around, prepare food together, and enjoy a shared meal.
Colonial - Early American Era
Fast forwarding to the Colonial and Early American Era, outdoor cooking takes a much different form. Rather than cooking entirely outdoors, early settlers built detached kitchens as a separate structure from their homes.
These detached kitchens were used to keep heat, smoke, and odors away from the house… and also kept the risk of fire away from the main home. With modern outdoor kitchens, we see a similar desire to keep certain food odors, like fish, outside of the house.
19th Century
By the 19th century, detached kitchens became an entrenched part of American rural life. At this stage, they took on the name of summer kitchens and were used for a wider range of tasks. In addition to just cooking, summer kitchens were used for baking and canning, the latter of which was invented in this century.
Post-WWII Era
In the modern era, gone are the days of a simple charcoal grill on the back patio. Modern outdoor kitchens truly exemplify the term: they’re a full fledged kitchen that is used outdoors. These fully equipped kitchens come with all the amenities… a grill, refrigerator, sinks, storage, and beyond. Some homeowners get extra cooking appliances like pizza ovens, griddles, side burners, and the like.
Modern outdoor kitchens are built for ultimate leisure, convenience, and comfort of the host. Anything the host may need for entertaining is part and parcel of the outdoor kitchen structure. Ideally, with a well-designed outdoor kitchen, the homeowner shouldn’t need to run into the house for anything at all. Everything that’s required is right outside… so the host doesn’t miss any of the action.
The Modern Era
As we enter the post-WWII era… a lot has changed about American home life. Around this time, suburban living began to take root and the average family had more time for leisure activities. So instead of cooking outside out of sheer necessity, it became an activity to enjoy during free time.
During this time, kettle-style charcoal BBQ’s became a ubiquitous feature of post-WWII era backyards. Barbecues where family, friends, and neighbors would all gather together became a weekend staple. But even at this time, we still don’t see the full evolution of what the modern outdoor kitchen would become.
The Throughline of Outdoor Kitchen History
Now that you have an understanding of outdoor kitchen history, what’s the thread that ties them all together? Each era of outdoor kitchen history is distinct and may seem disconnected, but there is a binding thread through it all.
Throughout history, outdoor kitchens were always about more than just the act of cooking. In earlier eras, the primary purpose was survival… and in more recent times, the purpose is weighted on leisure and relaxation. But throughout time, all outdoor cooking setups have a communal atmosphere. No matter the time period, groups of family, friends, and neighbors get together around a shared goal: cooking a delicious meal, and breaking bread together.
Interested in Getting Your Own Outdoor Kitchen?
With all this talk about cooking food and gathering with loved ones, you might be feeling the pull to get an outdoor kitchen in your own backyard. But this brings up a big question…
“Where do I start?”
An outdoor kitchen project might seem simple at first. But the more you dig into it… the more you realize there’s a lot of decisions to make before the end result! To get your feet wet, the best place to start is through our Learning Hub. At the Learning Hub, you can read blogs, watch videos, design an outdoor kitchen, and even speak with a Design Expert. Whatever it is you seek to know about an outdoor kitchen project, you can find it here.
