If you’re in the depths of DIY outdoor kitchen research… there’s no doubt you’ve seen tons and tons of outdoor kitchens built from wood. It’s so commonplace, you’re likely not to question that there’s anything wrong with it.
Even though they’re extremely common, wood outdoor kitchens pose a serious safety risk to your home. As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer that puts safety at the forefront… we have a deep understanding of what building materials are safe or unsafe to use in an outdoor kitchen.
In this article, you will learn why wood outdoor kitchens pose a safety risk, and about other material options that are a safer choice.
Why are Wood Outdoor Kitchens a Safety Risk?
Wood outdoor kitchens are a serious safety risk for two reasons: (a) wood is a combustible material and (b) wood is susceptible to rot, mold, and insect damage.
Wood is a Combustible Material: The premier reason why wood outdoor kitchens are unsafe is that wood is a combustible material. As we all know… when exposed to high heat or open flame, wood readily burns. An outdoor kitchen creates exposure to both heat and an open flame… so using wood as the surrounding structure is inherently unsafe. Even if a wood outdoor kitchen doesn’t catch flame right away, you only increase the risk over time. Consistent heat exposure from your cooking appliances will dry out the wood, making it more brittle… and ever more susceptible to catching fire. For this reason alone, we never recommend using wood in the construction of an outdoor kitchen.
Wood is Susceptible to Rot, Mold, and Insect Damage: Aside from the combustibility problem, wood is also prone to rot, mold, and insect damage. While this may not seem like a safety risk upfront… over time, it can become dangerous if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rot, mold, and insect damage can contribute to structural failure over time. Eventually, the outdoor kitchen structure may no longer be stable, leading to collapse. If you happen to be unlucky enough to be using your outdoor kitchen when this collapse happens, you can put yourself at risk of injury.
Are there Other Outdoor Kitchen Material Options that are Safer than Wood?
Now that you understand the reason why wood is an unsafe outdoor kitchen material… you’re naturally going to be asking a follow-up question: “Are there other outdoor kitchen material options that are safer than wood?”
There are, in fact! If you want to prioritize safe outdoor kitchen materials, your best bet will be to use high performance concrete. Unlike wood, high performance concrete is:
- Non-combustible
- Immune to rot, mold, and insect damage
- Rated for 100 years for long-term durability
- Designed to perform in all climates and weather conditions
While this sounds great and all, you may still be a little skeptical. Sure, high performance concrete is a safe material… but is it a good material for an outdoor kitchen?
For the curious minds out there, this article will satisfy your demand! The question “Is concrete good for an outdoor kitchen?” is fully explored, so you can decide whether or not this material is the right choice for your project.
