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Are you worried your stainless steel grill is going to rust out in a year if you live near the ocean? Have you heard that salt air destroys everything? You’re not crazy for asking. In this video, I’ll explain exactly how stainless steel performs [music] in coastal climates, what really matters, and how to make sure your
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outdoor kitchen lasts. Hi, I’m Danny with RTA Outdoor Living. And today, we’re talking about something we hear all the time from [music] homeowners near the coast. Will stainless steel appliances actually hold up in salt air environment? If you live near the beach, you already know salt
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changes everything. It affects cars, patio furniture, railings. >> [music] >> So, naturally, you’re wondering what it’s going to do to your grill and outdoor kitchen appliances. Let’s break this down in a practical way so you know exactly what to expect. One of the biggest misconceptions is that all
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stainless steel performs the same. It doesn’t. There are different grades of stainless, [music] and that grade determines how resistant it is to corrosion. Most quality outdoor kitchen appliances, including Coyote, which we commonly design around, use 304
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stainless steel. That’s considered a high-grade stainless steel that [music] performs very well outdoors. Now, even 304 stainless is not rust proof. It’s rust resistant. [music] There’s a big difference. In coastal environments, constant exposure to salt air means
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you’ll likely see surface oxidation over time if it’s not maintained. But, that doesn’t mean structural failure. It means maintenance matters. >> [music] >> Salt in the air accelerates corrosion. That’s just reality. If you’re oceanfront or within a mile or two of
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the coast, you have more exposure than someone inland. But, here’s what’s important. Stainless [music] steel appliances absolutely can hold up in coastal areas. They just require a little more care. That usually means rinsing them periodically with fresh water and wiping them down. Some homeowners will apply
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stainless steel protectant products as well. If someone tells you stainless steel can’t survive near the coast, that’s not accurate. But, if someone tells you it requires zero maintenance near the coast, that’s also not accurate. The truth is, it’s somewhere in the middle. Something homeowners
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often overlook is that the appliances are only part of the equation. What surrounds them matters. At RTA, our structural concrete panel system is designed to perform in all continental US climates, [music] including coastal and freeze-thaw
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environments. That’s important because salt [music] air doesn’t just attack appliances. It attacks framing systems, fasteners, and [music] finishes, too. If you combine quality stainless steel appliances with a durable, climate-resistant [music] structure, you dramatically improve
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long-term performance. If you’re right on the water, direct oceanfront, >> [music] >> stainless steel appliances will age faster than inland installations. That’s just physics. You might see [music] tea staining or minor surface decolorization
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over time. The key question isn’t, “Will it ever show signs of exposure?” The real question is, “Will it perform safely and reliably for years?” With proper care and quality materials, the answer is yes. And if you want even more
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protection, that’s where proper covers and maintenance routines come into play. Most premium outdoor kitchen appliances are designed [music] specifically for outdoor environments. When paired with a durable outdoor kitchen system and installed properly with ventilation and
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manufacturer [music] guidelines, they perform very well in coastal climates. The biggest mistake isn’t choosing [music] stainless. The biggest mistake is choosing low-grade materials or ignoring upkeep entirely. If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen near the coast, and you want to make sure everything is designed correctly
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for your environment, try our free outdoor [music] kitchen design tool or book a call with one of our design experts. We’ll walk you through the right materials and layouts for your climate. [music] We hope this helped you feel confident about choosing appliances for your coastal outdoor kitchen. And if
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you have more questions, reach [music] out or leave a comment below.
