“No outdoor grill should ever be used below an overhead combustible structure,” cautioned Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, which makes high-end built-in outdoor grills. Grill manufacturers also strongly advise against putting a grill under a roof or next to an unprotected surface. Other causes include heat radiating from the grill or spilled coals or a dropped match. “The leading causes of grill fires were a failure to clean, having the grill too close to something that could catch fire and leaving the grill unattended,” stated the report.Ī separate 2010 report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency concluded that 28 percent of all grill-related fires were caused by flames from the grill. The fires resulted in an average of 10 deaths and 160 injuries a year. Outdoor grills were responsible for an average of 8,900 fires each year from 2009 to 2013, according to an association report released this year. “We never recommend grilling under outdoor roofs,” said Nancy Schwartz, spokeswoman for the National Fire Protection Association. Several recent Parade of Homes models also featured such built-in grills under roofs.īut fire officials aren’t fond of them because sparks from the grill or grease fires can ignite overhead and surrounding material. Shively estimated that 90 percent of homes in a new Kentucky community he visited recently had grills under patio overhangs or in gazebos. And opting for moveable pieces that can be shifted into a shed or garage is a sensible option too.As Shively noted, built-in grills under roofs are common in new high-end homes, as owners want big outdoor kitchens protected from rain and sun. However, investing in outdoor covers is a good bet that provides an extra layer of protection over winter months. Stainless steel appliances are also fairly weather-proof and won’t rust when left outdoors. Choosing hardy materials like stone, granite, concrete and stainless steel that can be left outside all year long is a wise option. Worktops will bear the brunt of the weather, from hot sunlight beating down on them, to downpours of rain, frosty mornings and even snow. Especially over the winter months.Ĭhoosing hardwearing, weather-resistant materials should be the first step. How do you weatherproof an outdoor kitchen?Įven if an outdoor kitchen has some form of coverage or shelter, if one or more sides of the outdoor space are open to the elements, protecting your kit and furniture is a must. Check before you build, especially if you’re in a conservation area or your structure will affect neighbouring properties. Provided you follow guidelines for size, height and distance from boundaries, planning permission isn’t generally required for an outdoor kitchen housed in a permanent gazebo or pergola. Can I build an outdoor kitchen without planning permission? Take care that any trailing greenery doesn’t overhang the cooking area too much. Fast-growing climbers will establish themselves quickly and can provide coverage in as little as two years. Give a pergola extra shade and coverage by training climbing plants to grow over it. A pergola shade makes the perfect patio cover-up, easily attaching to the exterior of a house to extend usability of the outdoor area. Get tough with work surfacesīi-fold doors create easily accessible indoor-outdoor spaces that are a prime spot for an open air kitchen. Bear in mind that metal flues get extremely hot, so should always be positioned so that they are not touching wooden structures and away from overhead greenery so that they aren’t a fire hazard. Pizza ovens will require a chimney flue to draw heat and smoke away from the oven.
Key considerations when building an outdoor kitchen. Providing adequate ventilation for gas, wood or charcoal-burning appliances in sheltered spaces is an essential safety requirement too.įor grills and barbecues, opt for an outdoor vent hood, which is more powerful than a standard kitchen hood, but will draw away smoke, heat, grease and food odours and keep the area safely ventilated. While not such a problem with open-roofed structures such as pergolas and gazebos (as air and smoke can escape), with covers or roofs that are semi-enclosed, ventilation to prevent smoke, steam and fumes from accumulating under the roof is a must have.
One of the most important considerations when it comes to covered outdoor kitchen ideas is making sure that the area is adequately ventilated. (Image credit: Timber pergola and fencing, South Hams Fencing & Landscaping)
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