Outdoor Kitchens in Humid Climates: What Actually Lasts?

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Are you worried an outdoor kitchen won’t survive the humidity where you live? Maybe you’re near the coast and concerned about rust, mold, or materials breaking down. The good news is outdoor kitchens can work incredibly well in humid climates when they’re built correctly. In this video, I’ll walk you through the key [music] materials and

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design choices that make an outdoor kitchen last near the coast. Hi, I’m Tim from RTA Outdoor Living, and today we’re talking about how to build an outdoor kitchen that actually holds up in high humidity or coastal climates. If you live near the ocean or in a place where

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the [music] air stays moist most of the year, the materials you choose matter a lot more than people realize. Let’s walk through the biggest things you should pay attention to before building. The first thing to think about is the structure of the outdoor kitchen itself. In humid environments, traditional wood

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framing can absorb moisture, swell, and eventually rot over time. That’s why many modern outdoor kitchens use non-wood structural materials that won’t break [music] down when exposed to moisture. Concrete-based structures and other moisture-resistant materials tend to perform much better because they

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[music] don’t absorb humidity the same way organic materials do. Next, let’s talk about cabinets and components. Coastal air often carries salt, which is extremely corrosive to many metals. Lower-grade steel or poorly coated metal cabinets can start to show rust

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surprisingly quickly in those conditions. That’s why choosing high-quality outdoor-rated materials and finishes is critical when you’re near the ocean. We recommend using 304 stainless steel or marine-grade stainless steel. [music] Stainless steel appliances that are designed for the

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outdoor use typically perform better because they’re built to resist corrosion and exposure. Another important factor is airflow [music] and drainage. Humidity itself isn’t usually the biggest issue, trapped moisture is. Good outdoor kitchen designs allow airflow behind and

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underneath components so [music] moisture can dry out instead of getting trapped. That’s one reason RTA’s outdoor kitchen designs can perform very well in humid climates. [music] When water has a place to go and air can circulate, you dramatically reduce the risk of mold,

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mildew, or long-term material damage. Countertops also play a big role [music] in durability. Materials that absorb water can crack or stain over time in humid environments. That’s why many outdoor kitchens use durable countertop materials designed specifically for outdoor exposure. [music] At RTA, we

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offer options like concrete countertops and granite countertops, but locally sourced countertops can be [music] worked into a design with one of our design experts if you choose. The goal is to choose surfaces that resist moisture, [music] temperature swings, and constant sun exposure. The final

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piece is simple maintenance. Even the best outdoor kitchen will last longer with basic upkeep. Rinsing salt buildup, cleaning surfaces, and occasionally checking appliances help prevent small issues from turning into big ones.

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When the right materials are combined with simple maintenance, outdoor kitchens in coastal climates can last for many years and perform just as well as they do anywhere else. >> [music] >> If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen and want to see what your space could look like, try our free outdoor kitchen

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design tool. Or, if you’d like help choosing the right layout and materials for your climate, you can book a free call with one of our outdoor kitchen design experts. We hope this helped you feel confident about building an outdoor kitchen even in humid coastal climates.