New England is envied the world over for its beautiful, picturesque landscapes and quaint, small towns.
And while it’s great to be outside wherever you are… in New England, there’s something extra-special about the connection we have to the landscape.
Rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, thick forests, pristine coastline, and freshwater lakes are abundant and easily accessible in New Hampshire. It’s all at our fingertips!
So with that natural-born love for the outdoors in mind… it makes perfect sense why you are interested in building an outdoor kitchen in New Hampshire. You can enjoy the best our state has to offer, without even having to leave your house!
That said, there are some important things to keep in mind before you start racing through an outdoor kitchen project. Not all grill island solutions are compatible with NH weather. And with the harsh winters we have, you might not be 100% sure how much use you’ll get out of an island.
Answering these questions is exactly what this article is for! For questions both big and small… let’s head straight to the answers, shall we?
Key Aspects of a New Hampshire Outdoor Kitchen
Before deciding that an outdoor kitchen is right for you, you need to know all the information first!
So to help you feel certain that an outdoor kitchen is in your future… let’s first review a few key considerations.
Harsh, Cold, & Sometimes Coastal Climate
New Hampshirites know all too well about the inconsistencies of our local climate. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to swing 40°F or even more in a single day, and planning for the weather will only get you so far!
With that and the long, dark winters in mind… you might not be sure if you’ll really get all that much use out of an outdoor kitchen.
But the reality is, with the right setup, you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen for most months of the year!
For most of the state, you can comfortably enjoy the outdoor weather from May through October. That’s already half of the year right there.
If you have a patio heater in your backyard space and you cover your outdoor kitchen with a shade structure like a gazebo… you can comfortably extend that use even further. Depending on the type of winter we have that year, you could be grilling into November, or early December… and dust off your outdoor kitchen in early spring, like March or April.
Point is, even with our long New Hampshire winters… an outdoor kitchen can be easily used for at least half of the year. That’s plenty of time!
Your Entertainment Hub for Spring, Summer & Fall
And since you can use your outdoor kitchen nearly year-round… that means this backyard upgrade will become your entertainment hub during spring, summer, and the fall.
Ultimately, that’s what this project is all about, isn’t it? You want something that will completely transform your backyard… and allow you to use that space to the fullest.
Currently, your backyard probably doesn’t have much entertainment utility to it. Maybe you have a pool, or a fire pit… but they typically don’t get frequent use, and it’s not what you need to throw a huge BBQ party.
An outdoor kitchen enables you to entertain large barbecue parties with ease. But even if you don’t host large gatherings often… an outdoor kitchen fits perfectly into your weekly routine.
Here’s just a few of the things an outdoor kitchen will encourage you to do:
- Eat healthier, home-cooked meals more often (and save you money by eating in rather than going out!)
- Spend more time outdoors, reaping the benefits of sunlight and fresh air
- Get more face-to-face social connection with your friends and family
From weekend breakfasts al fresco to simple weeknight dinners on the grill… the benefits of outdoor kitchen ownership will continue to reveal themselves over time.
And if the benefits of outdoor kitchen features weren’t enough… there’s a monetary gain to be had from this project as well.
How Outdoor Kitchens Boost the Value of Your Home
New Hampshire has been a hot home market for some time now, and it hasn’t shown signs of slowing down.
That said, there’s something else you can do to squeeze even more value out of your New Hampshire home if you decide to sell in the future.
Yes, it’s adding an outdoor kitchen! Although they have been rising in popularity the past few years… outdoor kitchens still aren’t a ubiquitous feature in NH backyards.
Therefore, this highly desired feature can tack on a sizable extra value to your home. When we surveyed real estate agents, they estimated an outdoor kitchen has an ROI of anywhere from 50% – 200%. Some estimated returns as high as 300%!
New Hampshire homeowners can certainly expect an outdoor kitchen project to land them on the higher end of this range… which is a great parting gift if you decide to move in the future.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. You want to build an outdoor kitchen to enjoy now! So let’s move forward with some material considerations.
Important Facts on NH Outdoor Kitchen Materials
As we mentioned in the introduction, not all outdoor kitchen materials are suited for the New Hampshire climate.
So read closely to learn what materials are good to use… and which ones you should avoid at all costs.
Avoid this Unsafe Outdoor Kitchen Material At All Costs
It may be the easiest and most affordable material to work with, but trust us… wood is not a suitable outdoor kitchen material!
There’s a couple reasons for this, but the primary one has to do with safety.
As you certainly know, wood is a combustible material. So when you realize that you’re taking a built-in grill, with an open flame, that can reach temperatures in excess of 1,000°, and housing it in a wooden frame… it’s pretty easy to see the potential problems with that!
And even if you don’t end up with a fire right away, that consistent exposure to high heat will make the wood more dry and brittle over time… which makes it more and more like kindling as time goes on. Point is, wood is an absolute no-go for your outdoor kitchen from a safety perspective.
On the other side of the coin, our New Hampshire climate is also unkind to wooden structures. With our unpredictable weather and long, harsh winters… wood doesn’t hold up to the rigors of our weather well at all.
After just a season or two, wood can start to swell, warp, and rot. Over time, this will compromise the structure of your outdoor kitchen, once again making it unsafe to use.
If you couldn’t tell already… we’re begging you, please stay away from wood for your outdoor kitchen!
Only Consider This Material as a Short-Term Solution
A better quality option you may be considering for your New Hampshire outdoor kitchen is a metal framed outdoor kitchen.
This outdoor kitchen solution is known to have several layers involved in the process. It will start with aluminum or steel frames, then will get layered with sheets of cement board, and then a cladding mortar will be applied to put the finish on top of it. Most New England outdoor kitchens made this way will be finished with a brick or stone veneer.
It’s safer and more durable than wood, that is for sure! However, the metal frame system is not without its problems… and once again, it has to do with New Hampshire’s tricky climate.
Between crazy daily temperature fluctuations, snowy winters, and humid summers… all of this inconsistency and moisture is bound to wreak havoc on a metal framed island.
Moisture and freeze-thaw cycles will be constantly exerting pressure on the layers that comprise these islands. This expansion and contraction will cause pieces of the finish to crack or pop off. And over time… this moisture will begin to rust and corrode the interior frame.
Not only is this unsightly, after a while, this will compromise the integrity of your outdoor kitchen! At which point, this building method also becomes a safety concern.
So wood and metal framed outdoor kitchens are out of the picture… what’s left?
The Most Weather-Resistant Material in NH
There’s one outdoor kitchen material that even the gnarliest NH weather can’t destroy: concrete.
Concrete is far and away the best outdoor kitchen material to use in New Hampshire.
First of all, it’s a non-combustible material… which helps quell the concerns of an island fire.
But when it comes to longevity, concrete outdoor kitchens are entirely weatherproof. No matter how wild the temperature fluctuations get, or how snowy and icy the winter is… concrete remains completely unaffected by inclement weather.
It won’t rust, corrode, rot, swell, or warp. Concrete just persists, no matter what the conditions are around it.
Without a doubt, it’s the most high-quality and durable material you could use for your outdoor kitchen island!
Getting Your Outdoor Kitchen Locally:
Your Best Option
Now that you understand the basics of what to look for with your outdoor kitchen cabinetry… how do you find a good company to work with locally?
Well, we have an idea.
These Kitchens Are Engineered for the New Hampshire Climate
The only thing better than getting a top notch outdoor kitchen… is getting one that was specifically designed and stress-tested for the New Hampshire climate!
With RTA Outdoor Living, that’s exactly what you’re getting.
From the very beginning, our outdoor kitchens were designed and tested in New Hampshire, because we wanted to create a BBQ island solution that could truly last a long time in New England.
After plenty of testing and putting a range of materials through their paces… we landed on using ultra high performance concrete panels for our outdoor kitchens.
These pure concrete panels have the finish fully integrated into the structure, which means these outdoor kitchens are made with single-layer construction… and there’s never any worry of the NH weather peeling or cracking off the finish.
And as we mentioned previously, concrete islands are non-combustible and completely weatherproof. So you can rest assured these outdoor kitchens are made to last the long haul!
Our Home Base is in New Hampshire
As you may have pieced together from the previous section, RTA Outdoor Living got its start in New Hampshire… and we’ve still kept our ties to our home state!
Although our manufacturing facility is out in Indiana, our administrative office is located in Greenland, New Hampshire.
If you’re ever interested in seeing an RTA outdoor kitchen in person, we have one available for viewing at our office.
This office also provides a great opportunity for you to meet several of our team members face-to-face… and we’re always honored to see our customers in person!
Plenty of Local Installers Available
We can help you install your new outdoor kitchen, too.
Depending on where you’re located, sometimes our team members will venture out to help.
But more often, we have a growing number of Pro Installers in the New Hampshire area. These are vetted contractors that have been specifically trained for RTA outdoor kitchen installation… so they’re truly experts!
Point is, if you don’t want to assemble your outdoor kitchen yourself, there’s plenty of help to be had.
Top-Tier Guidance from Design to Installation
Aside from top notch craftsmanship… we pride ourselves on providing home owners with industry-best service from design to installation of your custom outdoor kitchen.
On the design side, we pioneered the first outdoor kitchen design tool. It’s still free to use on our website, and the vast majority of our customers get started there.
It’ll provide you with an accurate rendering of your chosen layout, with all the stainless steel kitchen appliances your heart desires! From built-in gas grills, to pizza ovens, to griddles, to outdoor refrigerators, to sinks… you name it, we have it!
From there, you’ll get connected with your personal Design Expert. They’ll be your go-to guide for everything related to outdoor kitchen design. They’ll be able to make suggestions to help you get the most functionality out of your island… and help you save money by making tweaks and adjustments.
Once your outdoor kitchen is in the manufacturing process, you’ll then get connected with your Project Success Manager (PSM). Your PSM will personally guide you through how to accept delivery of your island, and provide thorough information about the assembly process. They’ll even be remotely available the day you install your outdoor kitchen for extra support.
And should you need any help with your outdoor cooking space in the future… feel free to reach out to your PSM for assistance!
New England’s Favorite Outdoor Kitchen Supplier
Over the years, we’ve secured ourselves as New England’s favorite outdoor kitchen supplier.
RTA has gotten so popular in the region, that we even have a most popular appliance and finish among our New Hampshire customers!
Most outdoor kitchen customers in New Hampshire get a 36” C-Series Coyote gas grill, and a stacked stone graphite finish.
The rustic, stacked stone look is right at home in the Granite State… and looks great in just about any backyard!
So now that you’re sufficiently excited about upgrading your outdoor living space… how do you get started?
As we mentioned earlier, most RTA customers get started by using our free online design tool.
It couldn’t be easier to use, takes just a few minutes of your time, and at the end… you’ll get to see your dream outdoor kitchen rendered right in front of you!
From there, deeper conversation about your outdoor kitchen project can be opened up.
With all that said, why not get started whipping up your own outdoor kitchen design? Enjoy the process… and we’ll be in touch soon!
FAQ
There’s a seemingly infinite amount of features that can be added to your New Hampshire outdoor kitchen! From a variety of finishes, to countertop materials, to layout options… there’s plenty of aesthetic features of an outdoor kitchen to spruce up your property. And that’s not even getting into the appliances! Grills, refrigerators, sinks, storage options, trash bins, griddles, pizza ovens, and more can become key features of your NH outdoor kitchen.
Without a doubt, the best material for building an outdoor kitchen in New Hampshire is concrete. This is a non-combustible material that is completely weatherproof. Snow, ice, rain, rapid temperature fluctuations… none of these will damage a concrete outdoor kitchen!
