Whether you’re hiring a contractor, building an outdoor kitchen yourself, or purchasing a prefab kit online… it’s essential to know that your future outdoor kitchen is designed and constructed with your safety in mind.
So it’s important to ask yourself: “Is my outdoor kitchen built safely? How will I know?”
As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer that puts a heavy emphasis on outdoor kitchen safety, we can confidently help you answer this question. We have spent an immense amount of time and resources on creating an outdoor kitchen solution that’s built with safety in mind… and along the way, we’ve learned what you need to look out for.
In this article, you will learn about several outdoor kitchen safety checklists. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what you need to have in place in order to ensure your outdoor kitchen will be constructed safely.
Quick Links:
General Safety Checklist
For a general safety checklist, here are a few questions to get answered:
- Do you understand the safety risks associated with proper outdoor kitchen construction? (explosion hazards, improper ventilation, etc.?)
- Do you have a gas fitter lined up for natural gas or a fixed propane tank connection?
- Do you have a licensed electrician to establish electrical connections and outlets to local code?
- Have you reviewed local codes and ordinances for outdoor kitchens?
Need More Guidance about Safe Outdoor Kitchen Construction?
Safety Checklist if You’re Hiring a Contractor
If you plan to hire a contractor to build your outdoor kitchen, here’s a checklist of questions to get answered before signing the dotted line:
- Is your contractor licensed and insured in your state?
- Does your contractor build outdoor kitchens on a regular basis (at least 6 per year), and do they have at least 5 years of experience with building outdoor kitchens?
- Can your contractor provide references for previous outdoor kitchen projects?
- Does your contractor build outdoor kitchens with non-combustible materials?
- Does your contractor have experience with built-in appliances? Will they (correctly) refuse to build a freestanding appliance into an outdoor kitchen?
- Does your contractor understand local codes and appliance manufacturers’ guidelines for setback requirements?
- Is your contractor able to explain island ventilation strategy that meets or exceeds the appliance manufacturer’s requirements?
Safety Checklist if You’re Building from Scratch
If you plan to DIY your outdoor kitchen project… below is a checklist of questions to ask yourself before building:
- Do you intimately understand how an outdoor kitchen is constructed?
- Do you understand zone design best practices and how this will apply to your project?
- Have you researched and identified how to build an outdoor kitchen with non-combustible materials?
- Have you planned for proper appliance setbacks and distances from combustible overhead structures?
- Have you researched and identified how to vent your outdoor kitchen in the event of a gas leak?
- Have you identified your built-in appliances and reviewed the manufacturer’s setback requirements?
- Are your built-in appliances UL or ETL rated?
- Does your appliance manufacturer have a positive track record of standing behind their products?
Safety Checklist if You’re Buying a Prefab Outdoor Kitchen
Buying a prefabricated outdoor kitchen? Don’t forget to run through this checklist of safety questions before making a purchase:
- Does your intended outdoor kitchen brand meet their appliance manufacturer’s requirements for ventilation and dispelling heat?
- Does the manufacturer use a frame that will perform in your climate and not be structurally compromised over time?
- Does the manufacturer use non-combustible finishes?
- Is the manufacturer available to discuss outdoor kitchen install location and make provisions to ensure safety? (Proper appliance setbacks, distances to combustible structures, etc.)
- Does the manufacturer have a meaningful warranty on the island structure?
- Does the manufacturer have an abundance of photos of real kitchens in real customer’s backyards?
- Has the manufacturer been in business for over 5 years and is willing to provide local customer references?
- Does the manufacturer have reviews that support the quality of their product and company?
Safety Checklist for Constructing Near a Wall or Under a Structure
Many homeowners intend to build their outdoor kitchen near a wall or underneath a structure such as a pergola or gazebo. If this is the case for you… keep this checklist of safety questions in mind:
- Have you reviewed local codes and grill manufacturer’s requirements for setbacks?
- Do you understand the definition of a non-combustible wall?
- Do you understand when overhead ventilation, such as a range hood, is required?
- Do you understand that if you put your outdoor kitchen near a wall, provisions will have to be made in order to shield heat and reduce the potential risk of a grease fire?
- Have you reviewed the requirements for wood stove setbacks and have an understanding of best practices?
What Else Should I Know about Outdoor Kitchen Safety?
Now that you’ve seen the various checklists associated with properly constructing an outdoor kitchen… you certainly have some reflecting and researching to do!
If you don’t already have the answer to many of these questions, you may feel stumped as to where to get the information you need. Thankfully, we have an entire page on our website dedicated to the topic of outdoor kitchen safety. So whether you’re starting from 0 or not… you’ll be able to find the information you need to fulfill the above checklist.
Browse our safety resources here, and if you have specific questions, we are happy to help!
