Let’s start off with stating the obvious. You’re in Indiana, and you’re thinking about getting an outdoor kitchen.
Whether you’re 99% sure or still just toying with the idea… there’s some important things to research before making a final decision.
Because unlike our neighbors in more southern states… outdoor kitchens aren’t a ubiquitous feature of Indiana backyards.
There are unique climate considerations at play that southern states don’t have to worry about, and plenty more.
As an outdoor kitchen company that has a manufacturing facility in the heart of Indiana… we feel particularly qualified to speak on the topic.
So let’s discuss outdoor kitchens in Indiana, shall we?
Is an Outdoor Kitchen Worth it in Indiana? 3 Considerations
If you’re unsure about getting an outdoor kitchen, you might be wondering… “Is it worth it?”
Of course, to us, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
But ultimately, only you can decide if an outdoor kitchen is worth the investment.
So to help you decide which side of the scale you’re leaning on… here’s 3 important points to consider.
Four Season Climate
It’s no secret to anyone that Indiana has a solidly 4-season climate. Spring, summer, fall, winter… they’re all distinct seasons that affect how we interact with the outdoors.
Knowing how cold, harsh, and long the winter season can be… you might think you won’t get much use out of an outdoor kitchen in Indiana.
Here’s the thing, though — an outdoor kitchen isn’t just a summertime affair! Far from it, in fact.
Apart from the coldest months of winter, you can realistically (and comfortably) grill outside for most of the year.
Long pants and a light jacket are all you need to grill comfortably for most of spring and fall… and the heat coming off your grill will help keep you warm. (You could even use a patio heater, too!)
Inclement weather doesn’t have to keep you from your outdoor kitchen, either.
If you want to get maximum usage out of your outdoor kitchen each year… consider covering it with a pergola, gazebo, or pavilion. All of these structures will provide shelter from rain, and shade from brilliant summertime sun.
All in all, you could end up using your outdoor kitchen nearly year-round!
But that’s not the only benefit to getting an outdoor kitchen in Indiana.
Increase to Home Value
Just like any other home improvement project… an outdoor kitchen can add great value to your home.
This is particularly true in Indiana! As we stated in the introduction, outdoor kitchens are not a universal feature of Indiana backyards.
As of the moment, they’re pretty uncommon.
Which means, adding an outdoor kitchen to your Indiana home is a special opportunity.
Should you decide to sell your home and move… your outdoor kitchen will add even more value than in an area saturated with BBQ islands.
Just how much of an ROI can you expect?
Well, we asked real estate agents across the country that very question. Depending on the market, you could expect anywhere from a 50% to 200% return on your investment.
Some agents even said you could get up to a 300% return! For an underserved outdoor kitchen market like Indiana… we’d wager a guess that your ROI would be on the higher side.
But if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon… let’s return to the most important part of an outdoor kitchen — how you’ll use it.
Your Grilling & Entertaining Hub
At the end of the day… what are you getting an outdoor kitchen for if you’re not going to use it?
The most important aspect of an outdoor kitchen is its functionality.
An outdoor kitchen does far more than simply allow you to grill burgers outside. It transforms your entire backyard into a grilling and entertaining hub.
When you host a gathering at your home, where does everyone congregate?
Your indoor kitchen. (It’s always the kitchen!)
So when you get an outdoor kitchen… you’re creating that same experience of connectivity in the outdoor environment.
An outdoor kitchen will:
- Bring your loved ones together
- Encourage you to spend more time outdoors
- Motivate you to cook healthier, home-cooked meals
- Save you money (by seeking a restaurant dining experience less often)
- Foster a passion for grilling and enjoying the outdoors
And much, much more!
If any (or all) of the above get you excited about an outdoor kitchen project… you’re barking up the right tree!
So now that we’ve confirmed that an outdoor kitchen is in your future… how should you go about the process?
Get The Right Materials for the Indiana Climate
First and foremost, we can’t forget that your home is located in Indiana… the land of hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Which means, you can’t default to the cheapest material option available.
Because if you do… after a winter or two, you’ll be kicking yourself when you see how the weather wreaks havoc on most outdoor kitchen materials!
So, what are your options?
Well, for the Indiana climate… there’s really only one material that’ll do. But first, let’s explain why some materials don’t make the cut.
Avoid This Outdoor Kitchen Material Like the Plague
If nothing else… there’s one outdoor kitchen material you must avoid like the plague!
Wood.
Yes, really! One of the most common and inexpensive building materials you can find is an absolute no-go for your outdoor kitchen.
Why?
Well, the first reason is climate-agnostic. As you’ll know, wood is a highly combustible material.
And when you put a highly combustible material right next to a grill with a searing-hot open flame… it doesn’t take much thought to realize that’s a recipe for disaster.
So from the safety angle, wood is out of the game on that point alone.
But beyond that, wood is an extremely poor choice for the Indiana climate.
Rain, snow, ice, and moisture of all kinds will make quick work of damaging your wood outdoor kitchen.
All that humidity and moisture will cause the wood to warp, swell, and rot. Over time… your wooden outdoor kitchen will literally crumble from the inside out.
Wood might be cheaper at first… but in the long run? You’ll end up paying far more.
A Little Better, But Not Quite
These days, most outdoor kitchens are constructed with a metal frame system. It’s certainly better than wood… but for Indiana homeowners, it’s not that much better.
Part of the issue is that metal framed outdoor kitchens are constructed with several layers… and each one introduces an additional point of failure.
The metal frame constitutes the base of the island. Then you have a cement board layer… a layer of mortar… and finally, a layer for your finish. (Tile, brick, stucco, and stone are the usual suspects.)
Once again, it could take a single Indiana winter for all the cracks to begin to show… literally.
The abundance of moisture in the air… coupled with constant expansion and contraction from fluctuating temperatures will lead to significant structural damage.
All of this shifting and moisture will put pressure on the layers. This leads to cracked stucco or pieces falling off your island, which isn’t just unsightly… it allows moisture to come in, which will cause rust and corrosion on your metal frames.
Yikes. Is there anything a good ol’ Indiana winter can’t ruin?
We’re glad you asked.
The Goldilocks Outdoor Kitchen Material for Indiana
Thankfully, there is an outdoor kitchen material that’s just right for your climate.
What is it, pray tell?
Concrete. Your foundations and sidewalks are made from it… and they have no problem withstanding whatever the weather throws at it.
So it follows that your outdoor kitchen will be just as weather-hardy when made from concrete.
Concrete is completely impervious to swelling, warping, rot, insect damage, rust, and corrosion.
And possibly best of all… it’s a non-combustible material. So it’s perfectly safe to use for your outdoor kitchen.
Additionally, concrete has the benefit of being a low-maintenance material. If you choose an option like ready-to-assemble (which we’ll discuss later)… there’s nothing special you need to do aside from a simple clean on occasion.
Now that you’re aware of what materials to use for your project… what’s the best way to get your new outdoor kitchen?
Custom Islands in Indiana: Who is Your Best Option?
While you could get a cheap island from a local big box store… when you’re thinking about an outdoor kitchen project, you’re probably imagining something much more robust.
You want an outdoor kitchen that comes with quality craftsmanship, is tailored to your exact tastes… and comes with outdoor-rated materials that’ll last a lifetime.
With all these qualifications in mind… to us, there’s only one custom outdoor kitchen solution that will truly nail every single one.
These Islands are Tailor-Made to the Indiana Climate
No need to hold you in suspense any longer… the best outdoor kitchen solution for Indiana climates comes from RTA Outdoor Living. (Hey, that’s us!)
We’re not making unsubstantiated claims here, either.
In fact… RTA outdoor kitchens were originally designed with cold, harsh climates in mind.
Every island is constructed with ultra high performance concrete… and our concrete countertops are further structurally reinforced with composite rebar.
As we mentioned earlier, concrete is a completely non-combustible material. So from the standpoint of safety… you don’t have anything to worry about. (Our islands are also vented, which is another important feature that is often overlooked!)
And again, not to sound like a broken record… but RTA’s concrete islands are also uniquely suited to your local climate.
This ultra high performance concrete is not susceptible to swelling, rot, rust, warping, or corrosion.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about adverse weather conditions damaging your island finish. RTA islands have the finish fully integrated into a single, solid panel… so there’s no opportunity for failure to happen.
There’s no question that RTA is a weather-hardy choice for your outdoor living space… but that’s not the only reason to consider us!
Hand Manufactured & Shipped Locally
For one, our manufacturing facility is right in your backyard! Every RTA outdoor kitchen is manufactured right in Cambridge City… just one hour east of Indianapolis.
Your outdoor kitchen will be made to order, with no expense spared.
And since our facility is centrally located in Indiana… your dream outdoor kitchen doesn’t have far to travel, either!
At most, your outdoor kitchen will only have a few hours worth of travel to make it to your backyard… which significantly reduces your shipping costs. (And environmental impact.)
Of course, this also means that you don’t have to wait long to receive your custom outdoor kitchen. As soon as your island is made… it’ll be on its way to your backyard.
And possibly best of all… your RTA outdoor kitchen purchase will be directly supporting your local economy!
1-on-1 Support at Every Stage
Of course, there’s more than one local outdoor kitchen option in your area… so why else should you seriously consider working with RTA?
Well, our tailored design and support process is truly second to none.
We understand how important it is that your vision matches your final outdoor kitchen design.
It’s for this reason that we supply you with 1-on-1 expert design guidance, completely free of charge.
As soon as you decide to engage with RTA… you’ll be connected with a Design Expert that is specifically assigned to your project.
You’ll discuss your design with them on several virtual calls… and be able to ask any additional questions via phone or email.
Once your design is buttoned up to utter perfection, it’ll get passed to our blueprint liaisons. They’ll create blueprints to be sent to our manufacturing facility.
Between blueprint submission and delivery of your outdoor kitchen… you’ll then be connected with your Project Success Manager (PSM).
Your PSM will become your go-to guide for all things related to delivery, assembly, and future maintenance of your outdoor kitchen.
If there’s anything you need at all… your Project Success Manager is just a phone call or email away.
As you can see, we value service highly! Building an outdoor kitchen can be an overwhelming project to undertake… and we do everything in our power to provide you with all the support you need.
And you know what? There’s plenty of people in Indiana that already love RTA.
Locals Already Love These Outdoor Kitchens
There’s one Indiana local in particular we’d like to highlight here: Mina Starsiak-Hawk.
You might have seen her on HGTV’s Good Bones, which is what she’s most known for. But Mina is also an author and realtor in the Indianapolis area.
Point is, she’s a Hoosier through-and-through! And a few years ago… she decided that an RTA outdoor kitchen would be perfect for her Indiana home.
As you’ll notice, Mina’s backyard has a unique hardscape and landscape design. Her outdoor living space is long, but narrow… presented some challenges on the design piece.
We didn’t have enough wiggle room to fit a large, sprawling L-shaped or U-shaped island.
Thankfully, our design team was still able to work wonders. All it required was some creative thinking!
Instead of packing all of Mina’s wish list into a single island… we created 3 separate islands that each create a unique “station” in her backyard.
First, you’ll see the grill island station. This linear island neatly tucks into the far edge of Mina’s backyard.
It’s got a stainless steel built-in grill, power burner, and storage underneath… which is everything you need for a great meal al fresco.
While there’s nothing lacking with this island alone… Mina wanted to be able to have regular pizza nights with her family. So we’ve got to add on a pizza oven!
And so, Mina’s second island is the pizza oven station.
You’ve got an authentic, Italian-made pizza oven, an outdoor refrigerator… and plenty of counterspace to whip up the perfect pie!
Even still, Mina needed a bit more space for serving and storing refreshments. Which leads us to her third and final island… the serving station.
This simple linear island just has two refrigerators, and empty counterspace on top. There’s an abundance of storage for cold beverages… and a nice, sprawling countertop for a self-serve station.
All in all, Mina’s outdoor kitchen cabinetry is a great example of what’s possible with RTA. (And yes, it’s survived several winters with flying colors!)
So now that you’re sufficiently excited about your future outdoor kitchen… what’s the best way to get started?
Getting Started with Your Outdoor Kitchen in Indiana
Ready to take the next step with your outdoor kitchen project?
If so… hopping right in doesn’t take much effort at all!
Most homeowners choose to start with our free online design tool. This tool allows you to create a custom design in just minutes… and will give you a strong foundation to build off of.
From there, you’ll have a design consultation with your assigned Design Expert. They’ll help you optimize your design, discuss pricing, and address any other concerns you may have.
Pretty straightforward, right?
That’s because it is.
Get started with your dream outdoor kitchen design… and we’ll be in touch soon!
