With the long, harsh, and snowy winters that dominate the Wisconsin landscape… you may be wondering if an outdoor kitchen is a worthy investment.
Since you’re searching for “outdoor kitchen Wisconsin” already… you’re likely leaning towards getting one!
Even still, it’s an important question to ponder.
An outdoor kitchen is no small investment… and you’ll want to be sure you get your money’s worth out of it.
In this article, we’ll cover all the factors you need to consider before deciding to purchase an outdoor kitchen.
By the time you’re through, you’ll know if your answer is “yay” or “nay”… and you’ll get some leads on how to start your project, if desired.
So let’s get started, shall we?
Outdoor Kitchens: Worth it in Wisconsin?
Before you jump headfirst into an outdoor kitchen project… of course, you’ll need to decide if it’s a worthy investment or not!
There’s a few reasons why you may not be sure… so let’s address a few factors to consider.
Cold, Four Season Climate
Wisconsin’s cold, snowy climate is likely casting the most doubt on your future outdoor kitchen project.
It’s cold and dark for so much of the year… will you really use your outdoor kitchen enough for it to be worth it?
For us, we’d answer that question with a resounding “yes!”.
And here’s why.
Because of the fact that your state experiences cold weather most of the year… it means that you appreciate the short summer season much more than our southern neighbors.
The warm weather is only around for a limited time, and you want to make the most of it!
In our minds, there’s no better way to capitalize on the summer months than with an outdoor kitchen. There’s no other backyard upgrade that’ll encourage you to get outside more often.
You don’t have to limit your uses to weekend BBQ parties, either. You can whip up a quick grilled chicken salad on a weeknight of your choosing… and enjoy a lovely dinner al fresco.
Summertime aside… you might be surprised to hear that you can comfortably enjoy grilling outside during spring and fall, too.
You just need the right gear.
Between wearing a warm sweater and the heat coming off your grill… it’s just as enjoyable to BBQ during the spring and fall as it is in the summer.
And if you need an extra blast of heat? A nearby patio heater will quickly remedy that issue.
Point is, even in Wisconsin… you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen almost year-round!
Increases the Value of Your Home
Another reason to consider an
outdoor kitchen in Wisconsin is adding to your home value.
It’s probably not the first reason you’d think of! But it’s an important one.
As you’re well aware… every well-executed home improvement project will increase the value of your home.
However, some projects will provide a greater return than others.
And surprise surprise, an outdoor kitchen is one of them!
We surveyed real estate agents across the country to determine exactly how much of an ROI you might get on your outdoor kitchen.
Most agents landed their estimate in the 50% – 200% range… but some even suggested that you could expect a 300% ROI!
Since you live in Wisconsin, which is traditionally an underserved outdoor kitchen market… it’s not unreasonable to expect that your ROI would land on the higher end of this range.
So if nothing else… your outdoor kitchen investment will more than pay for itself!
Your Summertime Entertainment Hub
But of course… the hope of a future ROI isn’t going to be the main driver behind an outdoor kitchen purchase.
Ultimately, what’s most important is how you will use your outdoor kitchen… and how it enhances your lifestyle.
The biggest benefit?
It’s all in how an outdoor kitchen will completely transform your backyard.
Before, your backyard was just an open area without much to do. Maybe you already have a fire pit for some weekend fires… but not much else.
An outdoor kitchen will turn your backyard into a destination… a veritable entertainment hub that your family and friends will always want to gather in! (It sure beats crowding around your indoor kitchen, too.)
Your backyard will become the de-facto location for BBQ parties and family gatherings of all sorts.
But you can enjoy your island beyond just hosting large parties!
Weekend breakfasts al fresco… lazy Saturday lunches… and weekly family dinners are all perfectly applied to your outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen will encourage you to:
- Eat more healthy, home-cooked meals
- Spend more time outdoors, in the fresh air and sun
- Get more face-to-face social connection with your loved ones
And that’s just the starting point. (There’s so much functionality at play!) All the benefits of owning an outdoor kitchen will continue to unfold over time. But now that we’ve established the why behind an outdoor kitchen… what about the how?
Outdoor Kitchen Materials: What’s Best for Wisconsin?
It’s no secret to anyone how harsh Wisconsin weather can be. So for that reason alone… not all outdoor kitchen materials will make the cut for your climate.
Of course, that leads you to a big question.
Which materials are good to use… and which ones are not?
We’ll give you the answer in 3 parts.
The Material You Should Never Use
No matter where you live, but especially in Wisconsin… there’s one outdoor kitchen material you should never use.
The answer will probably surprise you, too.
It’s wood.
It might be a ubiquitous building material and inexpensive to use… but that’s where the benefits begin and end for an outdoor kitchen application.
For one, wood is completely unsafe to use for an outdoor kitchen.
When you’re putting a grill with an open flame right next to a combustible material… you’re just tempting fate at that point.
The risk of a devastating fire is simply too great to ignore. So from a safety standpoint… wood is an absolute no-go for your outdoor kitchen.
But that’s not the only issue with wood. It’s a particularly poor choice for your Wisconsin climate.
With all the rapid temperature fluctuations, rain, snow, and ice you get throughout the year… this inclement weather will quickly damage your wooden outdoor kitchen.
The wood can warp, swell, and rot… and of course, it’s susceptible to insect damage as well.
Point is, a wood island will quickly degrade in the Wisconsin environment! So from both ends… this material is a big loser for your outdoor kitchen.
A Better Option, But Still Not Good
The most common outdoor kitchen material you’ll see used these days are metal frames.
This system makes use of aluminum or steel frames, which are then covered with a layer of cement board… and then covered once more with a layer of mortar and your desired finish (stucco, tile, stone, brick).
The materials used in this setup are non-combustible, which is certainly a good start! You won’t have imminent safety issues in that regard.
The primary issue with a metal framed outdoor kitchen is longevity. And once again… this is especially pertinent in the Wisconsin climate!
As we just mentioned, there’s a lot of temperature fluctuations your area experiences throughout the year. Much of it is dipping between freezing and warmer temperatures… which will wreak havoc on a metal framed outdoor kitchen.
The metal, cement board, mortar, and your finish will all expand and contract at different rates.
The pressure differentials will first show up as cracked or damaged finishes.
Not only does this introduce ongoing maintenance work for you… it also allows moisture to access the interior of your island.
That moisture will eventually rust and corrode away your outdoor kitchen frames… leaving you with nothing more than a structurally compromised island.
It can only take a couple harsh winters for this type of damage to occur, which doesn’t exactly sound like a long-term investment!
If you want an outdoor kitchen that’s built to last a decade or more… you’ll want to consider other options.
So what’s the best material choice for your Wisconsin outdoor kitchen?
The Most Weather-Resistant Wisconsin Outdoor Kitchen Material
If you want to build an outdoor kitchen that can handle anything the Wisconsin climate can throw at it… concrete is your material of choice.
There’s a reason why we trust concrete to form the foundations of our homes, sidewalks, bridges, and more.
It’s because concrete is a reliable material that, in many cases… will long outlast us.
Concrete is impervious to problems that both wood and metal are susceptible to. It won’t rot, swell, warp, corrode, or rust… which completely eliminates any longevity concerns.
And best of all?
Concrete is a non-combustible material. So once again, you won’t have to be concerned about adding a fire hazard to your backyard.
All in all, concrete is the ideal choice for a Wisconsin outdoor kitchen.
Now that you have all the facts… how do you get started with your project?
The Best Local Option for a Custom Outdoor Kitchen
If you’ve decided that an outdoor kitchen is right up your alley… you’ll have to start figuring out the particulars of your project!
There’s many details that can be overwhelming, but ultimately… the first place to start is finding your outdoor kitchen provider.
Luckily, we have a recommendation for you.
These Kitchens are Designed with the Wisconsin Climate in Mind
What if you could get an outdoor kitchen that was designed with a harsh, cold climate in mind?
Well, that’s exactly what we at RTA Outdoor Living did.
Our high performance concrete outdoor kitchens are specifically engineered to thrive in even the harshest climates.
As we just mentioned, concrete is the best outdoor kitchen material available. Which is why we use high performance concrete in our islands and countertops!
It won’t be susceptible to warping, rot, swelling, rust, corrosion, insect damage… the whole 9.
You’ll recall that concrete is a non-combustible material. So there’s no fire hazard there! We also go the extra mile and ensure every island has plenty of vent openings. (But we won’t get into the details of ventilation, here!)
Let’s get back to Wisconsin climate concerns.
It’s not just the use of concrete that makes RTA uniquely equipped for your climate. It’s also in the way our kitchens are constructed.
Rather than being installed with layers upon layers of different materials… RTA islands are made with monolithic (single-layer), solid panels. The finish is fully integrated into the panels as well.
That means you’ll have no worries about your finish getting damaged, or any other structural issues from freeze thaw cycles.
All in all, an RTA outdoor kitchen is made to last for decades.
Manufactured & Shipped from the Midwest
When you choose to work with RTA… your outdoor kitchen won’t have far to travel, either.
Our custom outdoor kitchens are made to order in Cambridge City, Indiana… just a couple states away from you!
This local manufacturing facility provides several benefits to you:
- You’ll save on shipping costs due to shorter travel distance
- Your lead times will be slightly shorter (again, less distance to travel!)
- If you love looking out for the environment, less fuel will be burned bringing your outdoor kitchen home
From this standpoint, it’s a win-win all around. But we can take it even a step further!
Local Installers Ready to Rock in Your Area
Even though our outdoor kitchens are DIY friendly… you may not want to install it yourself.
Luckily, Wisconsin is one of the service areas for our Pro Installer Network!
If you’re unfamiliar… we have a network of vetted contractors that are specifically trained to install RTA outdoor kitchens.
We have installers in the Madison area… and we’re always seeking to add more contractors to our network.
No need to lift a finger when it comes time to install your island!
Expert Guidance at Every Step
You may be excited at the prospect of having a local installer available… but what about the front half of the process?
Will you be left to figure all this out yourself?
Not at all!
At every stage in the planning process… you’ll have a dedicated team member assigned to your project. Day or night, they’ll answer any questions you may have!
For the first stage, you’ll be connected with a Design Expert. They’ll help you tweak your design to perfectly match your vision.
Then, your finished design will pass into the hands of our Blueprint Liaisons… who will transform your layout into a blueprint for our manufacturing facility.
While your perfect outdoor kitchen is being manufactured… you’ll get connected with your Project Success Manager (PSM).
Your PSM will become the point-person for all things related to delivery, installation, and beyond. Even months after your project is complete… they’ll be there to assist you!
We know an outdoor kitchen is a lifetime investment, and we’re in it for the long haul.
Wisconsinites Love These Outdoor Kitchens Already!
And for perhaps the best reason to consider RTA… plenty of Wisconsin homeowners are already in love with our outdoor kitchens!
We’ve had quite a few Happy Hosts in Wisconsin over the past few years. So many, in fact… that we have a most popular finish and grill for Wisconsinites!
Most RTA kitchens in Wisconsin have either stacked stone graphite or plank charcoal finish… and are most commonly paired with a 36” SL-Series built-in grill from Coyote.
You can go for a completely different look, of course! But it’s nice to know what your neighbors like.
And now that you’re (hopefully) interested to learn more about RTA… let’s reveal the first step toward achieving your dream outdoor living experience.
Get Started with Your Outdoor Kitchen Wisconsin
If you’re seeking to learn more about RTA outdoor kitchens… the best place to start is with creating your own outdoor kitchen design!
Our free online design tool is simple, easy to use… and it takes just a few minutes to create the layout of your dreams.
You can add stainless steel built-in grills, refrigerators, pizza ovens, side burners… and practically any other type of outdoor cooking appliance you could think of.
Point is, your design is only limited by your imagination!
Once your design is submitted… we’ll be able to discuss plans for your kitchen area and outdoor living space, budgetary requirements, and more.
