If you’re in the process of building an outdoor kitchen… you’re likely in the throes of research about outdoor kitchen construction. There’s a great deal of information about building an outdoor kitchen online, but is all of that information high quality?
It’s an important question to ask yourself, because as it stands… outdoor kitchens are the “Wild West” of construction. Which means, going along with whatever you see online could be problematic, or even downright dangerous!
In this article, we intend to educate you about why outdoor kitchens are the “Wild West” of outdoor construction, what that means for you, and how to ensure you get an outdoor kitchen that is built properly.
Why are Outdoor Kitchens the “Wild West” of Construction?
Currently, outdoor kitchens are the “Wild West” of construction for the following reasons:
- No Safety Guidelines: Outdoor kitchens are, in essence, a structure designed to hold outdoor appliances, many of which operate with an open flame. Of course, whenever there’s fire involved, there should also be a hefty dose of safety planning involved as well. Unfortunately, the outdoor kitchen industry has largely skirted the issue of safety. Currently, there are no established safety standards for outdoor kitchen construction. Companies and builders are not beholden to any safety standards, which can (and has) put homeowners at risk for issues such as outdoor kitchen explosions.
- No Building Guidelines: Similarly to safety standards, there are no established building guidelines for outdoor kitchen construction. For home construction, contractors are required to follow state and local building codes for construction. No such codes exist for outdoor kitchen construction, which can put you at risk if you work with an inexperienced company or contractor. You may experience safety issues, longevity issues, and shoddy workmanship as a result of this.
- Best Practices & Materials are Not Established: Due to the lack of standards, best practices and best materials for outdoor kitchen construction have not been established. As such, many outdoor kitchen companies and contractors use subpar materials due to a lack of guidance in this area.
- No Rigorous Testing Done on Products: Many products we purchase and rely on every day are subject to strict testing requirements. Outdoor kitchens do not currently fall under this umbrella, and many of the materials and products available have not been rigorously tested. The durability and safety of many outdoor kitchen products are not confirmed as a result.
- Commonly Promoted Practices are Risky: Many DIY outdoor kitchen builders will promote risky building practices, such as installing a freestanding appliance into an outdoor kitchen. Many online builders unknowingly promote building practices that are unsafe, further circulating incorrect information about proper outdoor kitchen construction.
How Can I Get an Outdoor Kitchen I Know Will be Properly Constructed?
Now that you’re beginning to see why you can’t trust all the information you see online about building an outdoor kitchen… your confidence may be shaken! How can you know you’re going to get an outdoor kitchen that’s properly constructed?
We understand your concerns completely. At RTA Outdoor Living, we have taken it upon ourselves to spark the conversation about proper outdoor kitchen safety and construction. Whether you decide to work with RTA for your outdoor kitchen project or not… it’s our primary objective to help you build an outdoor kitchen that is built well, and constructed with your safety in mind.
Our dedicated Safety Resources page is a great place to continue your research about properly building an outdoor kitchen. You’ll learn about island ventilation, hood ventilation, appliance setbacks, and much more. Enjoy the research, and if you decide that an RTA outdoor kitchen is in your future… let us know! We’d be honored to assist you with bringing your dream outdoor kitchen to life.
