Category: Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

How to plan your outdoor kitchen space

Outdoor Kitchen

At Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, we more than understand how big of a project it can be planning your very own outdoor kitchen space. Although, we’re here to tell you how fun it actually is, and steps you can take to make this an easier process to get started. Having an outdoor kitchen takes your living space into a whole new direction as it is practically an extension of it. You want to ensure you’re planning for this extension to be full of shade, warmth, and shelter no matter what season you may be using it in. The first step is always getting a clear idea of how you’re going to use this space. Do you like to cook outside often, or plan to? Will you be having a lot of events in this space where you want to focus on entertaining as well? Try to write down some thoughts about what you expect this to be for you, and that will help you have a great outline on how you can get started.

The second step to consider is your surroundings. Now that you have some ideas for your outdoor kitchen; it’s also important advising to the space you have in order to get the most out of what you want to see. Not only do you want to get out your measuring tape to make sure it fits, but you also want the aesthetics to be fitting regarding your home’s exterior. Don’t worry, remember this is supposed to be fun! You’re going to be excited about choosing the colors, style, and textures that complement each other once you get going. Please also note, your surrounding landscape is also pretty important. For example, in a tropical location, you might want to consider materials that are bold and stand out to compliment the lush it will contrast. 

The next thing you would want to focus on is planning your layout. Just as you planned your living room for each family member to feel comfortable in no matter what occasion, you want to ensure you’re doing the same for your extension of it outdoors. This also makes it incredibly easier to know where and what to place once you get appliances for it. Something to keep in mind is your indoor living space utilizes the assistance of walls, windows, and doors whereas your outdoor space uses the space of its own. Please know to also plan accordingly to your hot and cold zones. You want to refrain putting your grill next to your refrigerator unit since your fridge is working pretty hard in the summer to keep things cold for you and your friends. This is just one of many thoughts to plan out so you can be prepared accordingly for your outdoor kitchens use. 

Another step to get very excited about is choosing your appliances. Here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, we have a vast selection of appliances to help get you started. You can check out our page to see what options are available to you. We want to ensure you get the best when it comes to your grills/smokers since the focal point is this in your outdoor kitchen space. Once you have your appliances selected, you want to start choosing your materials especially in preparation for heavy rain, extreme heat, high winds, and even the possibility of snowstorms. It’s important to keep durability in mind, and toughness for these weather changes. Stainless steel is a very popular choice as it compliments those scenarios, and it’s also to easy to clean while looking sleek.

Finally, all you have left is your lighting and style by adding any fixtures you want to consider for it. It’ll make your outdoor kitchen come to life, and set an ambiance for the party you’re now ready to plan. Here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, we want you to know we have your best interest in getting exactly what you planned and need for this new venture you’re about to take on. Please don’t hesitate to contact (239) 229-9033 to get started on this journey!

Five reasons to own an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen Gazebo by Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Elegant Outdoor Kitchens – Fort Myers, FL

Five reasons to own an outdoor kitchen

In this article, we discuss five reasons to own an outdoor kitchen. In Southwest Florida, cooking outdoors can appear as if it were a national pastime. For many areas around the United States, the statistics seem to support that notion. The reaction people have to a well built outdoor kitchen is an apparent reason to want one; however, there are six other reasons to have an outdoor kitchen. Let’s take a look:

1: Expanded Living Space

Having an outdoor kitchen and living area creates a welcoming atmosphere that offers extra space for cooking, dining, entertaining, and socializing. Built-in outdoor grills are a stylish way to open up a yard while gaining new cooking space. Outdoor rated refrigerators keep ingredients and beverages cold and conveniently located. Adding a kitchen sink to an outdoor living area means fewer trips back and forth for washing hands, dishes, and utensils. Advances in building materials and outdoor rated appliances have transformed yard space into elegant and eye-catching living areas.

2: Increase Value

Let us start by pointing out that installing an outdoor kitchen does not automatically mean that property value will go up enough to cover the cost of building and installing an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens constructed with the intent of using and enjoying the space rather than as an investment is a far healthier approach. The monetary value will have many variables; however, the real value of an outdoor kitchen is in the experience that it creates. For families, friends, neighbors, and visitors, outdoor living areas are a personal touch that welcomes and invites all to enjoy.

3: Save Energy by Cooking Outside

Moving cooking outside during hotter months will keep inside temperatures lower, and having less heat in the house means that air conditioners will not have to work as hard to keep interiors cool. Save power by maintaining the cooking temperature on the outside.

4: Save Money by Staying Home

Eating at restaurants can be very costly when done frequently. Homeowners who have put the time and investment into an outdoor kitchen commonly report eating at home more often. Rather than going out for barbecue and drinks, people invite guests to enjoy the space with good company. Many outdoor kitchens include wet bars in the design to accommodate entertaining, which brings us to our final reason for owning an outdoor kitchen and living area.

5: Great for Entertaining

Anyone with an outdoor kitchen can attest to how great they are for entertaining. Family, friends, and guests alike will enjoy the customized space. In many instances, the outdoor kitchen itself becomes a topic of conversation. People can socialize, watch TV and movies, play music, and enjoy the experience and atmosphere created by an outdoor living area.

So now that we’ve discussed some significant benefits to having an outdoor kitchen, you can follow up with our tips and tricks for planning an outdoor kitchen of your own!

Located in Fort Myers, Elegant Outdoor Kitchens bring quality and experience to Southwest Florida. If you would like to talk with us directly, you can reach us at (239) 229-9033.

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Simplifying The Process: Owning an Elegant Outdoor Kitchen, It’s Ease and Your Happiness

Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, outdoor kitchens, bbq, outdoor living, barbecue islands, custom outdoor kitchens, custom outdoor living, florida, naples, ft myers, fort myers

Owning an Elegant Outdoor Kitchen is different than going to Home Depot, writing out all the products you wish to include, hiring a general contractor and piecemealing your thoughts into an inconvenient, stress-amplifying experience. The ease we provide to our customers is beneficial for many reasons. Not only do we remove you from the unwanted burden placed upon yourself to achieve the desired result, but before the process even begins we guide you through a series of pertinent questions that may have been otherwise overlooked.

For instance, will you be hosting parties or the occasional intimate family gathering? Will you need refrigeration, natural gas or running water? Do you have the proper water lines or gas lines running to your outdoor living area? If not, have you inquired about an estimate? What type of fuel will your primary cooking components use? (Natural gas, charcoal, wood, propane, etcetera). Will you be dining outside? If so, do you want your outdoor kitchen to have reasonable accommodation for such? What type of cooking are you most interested in pursuing? Will it be grilling, baking, smoking or a combination of the previously mentioned? What kind of material finishes will you be selecting and have you considered how they’ll fair in the Southwest Floridian weather? Do you need functional storage and trash storage? What design layout works best for your allotted space? Have you spoken with a professional design consultant yet?

Reading these questions may seem overwhelming. Not only are they valid concerns, but there’s also quite a few. Many of them would’ve arisen once the general contractor had been hired, creating an added pressure to have an answer before you know if it’s the correct one, had you not considered each prior.

Andrea and Ben Poulton of Elegant Outdoor Kitchens indeed simplify the process. You can contact us for a free consultation, we’ll come by your home at a time of your selection, and together we’ll navigate the parameters and possibilities within them while focusing our attention on what’s practical, within budget and aesthetically appealing. We’ll create a mock outdoor kitchen in our software, propose it to you based on the information we’ve discussed, further reworking the design if necessary, and once you’re happy with the layout, action will ensue. You won’t have to worry one bit; continue on with your life. We’ll just be in the backyard shrouding your vision with sawdust and hard work; however, once the debris settles and our final tool goes back into its bag, you’ll realize in that moment that your selection to choose us was one you won’t regret.

Call us today for a free consultation. Let’s create something lasting, something you take pride in, something beautiful, something you.

Custom Outdoor Kitchen Design of Fort Myers Florida – Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Close-up of Blaze 25 Inch Traditional Series grill

If you live in the Southwest Florida areas of Fort Myers, Naples, or Estero, give Elegant Outdoor Kitchens a call today! We specialize in the custom design & manufacturing of beautiful outdoor living spaces.

We design & build custom barbecue island designs for our SWFL clientele! Let our custom outdoor living specialists help you choose a BBQ Island design that best fits your outdoor living space. From design concept to actual build completion, we start every project with an on-site design consultation. This process allows our team to understand both the area you have to work with as well as your aesthetic design preferences. Our primary objective is to manufacture a superior outdoor kitchen that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come. We invite you to view our outdoor kitchen project portfolio; we’re confident that you’ll be able to get some basic design ideas of what you want in a custom outdoor kitchen build. It helps when we understand what you want to achieve with your new kitchen. If you’re not quite sure what you want yet, that’s okay. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Our knowledgeable team is always here to answer any and all questions you might have when it comes to building a brand-new custom outdoor kitchen with Elegant Outdoor Kitchens.

 

Custom Outdoor Kitchen Design & Manufacturing Services by Elegant Outdoor Kitchens of SWFL

Some Questions Worth Considering Before We Start

Whether you’re looking for a convenient outdoor kitchen that enables you to grill amazing meals or you’re looking to construct a breathtaking outdoor living space with all the bells and whistles. Elegant Outdoor Kitchens has you covered. We’re here to help you explore barbecue island design concepts that work with your space and fit within your budget. What we’re not here to do is oversell you! Our design team is here to make sure you get the most out of your outdoor kitchen investment. We work closely with our clients to ensure that they receive a quality product that they can enjoy for many years to come. From professional barbecue grills to outdoor pizza ovens, the Elegant Outdoor Kitchens team is here to exceed your expectations.

Download this fantastic outdoor kitchen design guide that we’ve compiled; it will help you to start thinking about what you want in an outdoor living space.

Contact | Start Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen Today!

We build beautiful outdoor kitchen & outdoor living areas. If you would like to learn more about our services or if you want to start designing your outdoor kitchen, please fill out the form below. Get started building, today!!

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The Outdoor Living Lifestyle – Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Custom Outdoor Kitchen by Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Imagine being able to enjoy the taste of your favorite steakhouse from the comfort of your own home. With an outdoor kitchen build by Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, you’ll be grilling like a professional chef every night of the week. We bring the steakhouse to you! Here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens, we pride ourselves on building the best custom outdoor kitchens and living areas in Southwest Florida. From concept to completion, you’re able to pick and choose whatever style of outdoor kitchen design and cooking components you want in your custom build. We build the kitchen how you want it made! Whether you want all the latest professional components, or you just want to keep it super simple, our team is here to consult you and answer any questions you might have. Our professional team is here to show you what’s available, and what looks great! We pay special attention to both functionality and aesthetics. Our primary concern is building an outdoor kitchen that works with your outdoor living space, and it must look spectacular!

Building custom outdoor kitchens is what we do here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens of Southwest Florida!

Outdoor Kitchen Design & Manufacturing Company of Southwest Florida – EOK

Elegant Outdoor Kitchens has quickly become the preferred custom outdoor kitchen design & manufacturing company in SWFL. Our priorities aren’t just about the construction though; we’re all about customer service and support. We want to make our customers happy. We believe that communication is crucial when it comes to building you the outdoor kitchen that you want. We want to ensure that you’ll enjoy your outdoor living area for decades to come. That’s why we’ll work closely with you, making sure we build it to your specifications. Give Elegant Outdoor Kitchens a call today!

 

Contact | Start Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen Today!

We build beautiful outdoor kitchen & outdoor living areas. If you would like to learn more about our services or if you want to start designing your outdoor kitchen, please fill out the form below. Get started building, today!!

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Our Custom Design Work

Are Outdoor Kitchens Worth the Investment?

Close-up of Bull BBQ Grill and Custom Stainless Steel Doors and Refrigerator

Close-up of Bull BBQ Grill and Custom Stainless Steel Doors and Refrigerator

One of the most popular areas of the home that is frequently upgraded by homeowners is the backyard or outdoor living area. On average, most can fetch a return on investment (ROI) of as much as 70–80%. I don’t know about you about you, but I like those odds. The outdoor kitchen upgrade and build serve a dualistic purpose to the homeowner. First, it can serve as a place where you’re able to entertain both family and friends, creating moments that truly make a home, a home. Second, and one of the most exciting aspects to the financially savvy homeowner is the return on investment or ROI.

MSN real estate experts suggest that building an outdoor kitchen can get you about the same if not more return on investment when reselling your home. Other experts suggest you can get more for your money; Zing adds that CNN Money suggested that some outdoor kitchens can fetch a 100–200% ROI. Further, it’s also an excellent way to add buyer appeal to your home investment.

 

Ben Poulton Custom Outdoor Kitchen - Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Custom Outdoor Kitchen w/ Bull Grill

It’s safe to say that building that outdoor kitchen you’ve been considering is a sure fire way to bring both financial and entertaining value to any residential home. If you’ve been thinking about an outdoor kitchen build and would like to start by getting some valuable information, we invite you to schedule a no-risk outdoor kitchen design consultation. The pros from Elegant Outdoor Kitchens are here to answer any and all questions you might have about both the design, and the construction of your potential BBQ island addition.

Want to see what we’re capable of building? Excellent, we love showcasing the work we do. Below you’ll find a link to some of the existing projects we’ve developed. Check out our beautiful portfolio, then give us a call to schedule an in-home visit.

Give Elegant Outdoor Kitchens a call today to schedule an on-site design consultation. From concept to completion, we’ll ensure you get the maximum ROI through our quality outdoor living area design and manufacturing.

 

If you’re not interested in waiting, and you would like to contact Elegant Outdoor Kitchens now, go ahead and fill out the form below to schedule an on-site design consultation.

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Don’t Just Let Anyone Build Your Outdoor Kitchen

Close-up of Blaze 34 Inch Professional 3-Burner Grill

Don’t just trust anyone to build your outdoor living area, trust the tried and true pros from Elegant Outdoor Kitchens of Fort Myers, Florida. You wouldn’t just let anyone build you a home, right? The team here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens will help you understand your options when it comes to both the construction and the excellent components that are available to you. When you choose EOK, you can rest assured that you’ll receive nothing less than the absolute best construction and guidance. From concept to completion, we’ll make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for in a custom barbecue island build.

Believe it or not, there’s a lot to consider before building a custom outdoor living environment. Not only are you adding a physical structure to your home, but you’re also increasing the value of your home in the process. These are important decisions, decisions that should be made with a professional outdoor kitchen design company.

Allow us to help you with a one-on-one outdoor kitchen design consultation! Planning is the cornerstone of any construction project. We invite you to schedule an on-site design consultation to start the planning process. The benefits of working with our design team are immeasurable. It all starts with first understanding what you want. Once we understand your goals, we set out to provide you with aesthetic & functional design options for your project. From natural finishes to professional barbecue grills & layout configurations, we design with you in mind. It’s safe to say that knowing what’s available to you is half the battle when it comes to building an outdoor kitchen that you’ll love.

Beautiful Barbecue Island Design & Manufacturing

The Benefits of Using a Professional Outdoor Kitchen Design & Manufacturing Contractor
Building a custom outdoor living area can be a significant task. Let’s face it; it’s a major addition to your backyard and home. Barbecue island design and construction is what we do here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens. Our team is happy to assist you, every step of the way. Give us a call today to schedule an on-site design consultation. Our tried and true design process will ensure that you get the outdoor living area you’ve always dreamt of owning.

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The Modern Outdoor Kitchen & Living Area

Blaze 34 Professional Barbecue Grill

Building A Custom Outdoor Kitchen & Living Area With Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

When it comes to grilling, the modern outdoor kitchen and living area can do everything your indoor kitchen can do, and more. The team here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens is here to help you create the ultimate outdoor entertaining area. Whether you’re into small intimate family gatherings or huge outdoor parties, we can help. We understand the significance of outdoor grilling, it’s been a part of our American lifestyle and culture since the 1950’s. Our outdoor kitchen consultants are here to help you design and build your brand new custom outdoor kitchen, from concept to completion. We’ll work closely with you to construct an outdoor living area that will have your neighbors begging to be invited to your next barbecue.

Topics to Consider Before You Build

There are some logistical topics you’ll want to consider before starting your barbecue island build. We recommend contacting a professional to help you in the early stages of planning. Our professionals understand what it takes to build a beautiful and functional outdoor kitchen. There’s a lot of choices that will need to be made during the planning phase. Questions such as:

Which type of fuel source do you want to use? Liquid Propane (LP) or Natural Gas (NG)?

Will you require running water for a built-in outdoor faucet and sink?

Do you have a specific area of your property where you would like the outdoor kitchen built?

What type of equipment do you want in your outdoor kitchen area? Do you want a traditional barbecue grill, pizza oven, smoker, or any other type of cooking platform?

What type of finishing materials would you like to use for your barbecue island?

What’s your budget for the complete project?

These are just a few preliminary questions that you’ll want to answer before starting the construction. Elegant Outdoor Kitchens can help you with all the important planning and construction. We’re here to assist you with the entire process. Give us a call today to schedule an on-site design consultation.

Schedule A Design Consultation

Ben Poulton of Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Ben Poulton of Elegant Outdoor Kitchens

Choosing a Professional Barbecue Grill for your Outdoor Kitchen

Lynx Professional Built-in Barbecue Grills - Outdoor Kitchens of Southwest Florida

What to look for before you buy a professional outdoor grill. Your outdoor kitchen’s primary feature is the barbecue grill. We recommend starting with this article from Elegant Outdoor Kitchens of Southwest Florida.

Choosing A Professional Built-in Barbecue Grill Head for your Outdoor Kitchen

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to a professional grill for your outdoor kitchen island.  There are a few things you’ll want to consider though. The last thing you want to do is choose a grill that will only last 2-3 years. We call these types of grills “throwaways”. We won’t be mentioning those grills in this article today. What we will be doing is giving you a few pointers that will help you during the selection process.

Structural Design & Integrity of a Barbecue Grill

304 Stainless-Steel is the industry standard when it comes to professional barbecue grills. Structural integrity of your grill is extremely important, the last thing you want is for your grill to start rusting and breaking down inside your new barbecue island. The goal of building a custom outdoor kitchen is to get as many years out of it as possible. The professional grills we’ll be talking about today have a lifespan of around 10 – 15 years. The nice thing about a professional grill is that they are just like vehicles, if a part breaks, you’re able to replace it. We’ve seen customers with professional grills as old as their automotive vehicle.

Blaze 32 Inch 4-Burner Grill With Rear Burner - Open Grill Head

Blaze 32 Inch 4-Burner Grill With Rear Burner – Open Grill Head

There’s quite a few great barbecue grill manufacturers on the market today. It’s always best to start the process by talking with a professional within the industry. We’re Southwest Florida’s outdoor living specialists and we’re here to help you design and amazing outdoor kitchen environment. Give Elegant Outdoor Kitchens a call today!

All in all, you’ll want to make sure that the grill you purchase for your barbecue island is made of stainless-steel. Most popular grill brands have standardized grill sizes too. So, when it comes time to replace the old grill, the chances are high that they will have made a newer model in the exact same size or cut-out size.

Burners, BTU’s, Grilling Surface & Grates

Your BBQ grill burners are another very important feature that you’ll want to understand. What metal the burners are manufactured out of as well as their lifespan. Grill burners are constructed from range of materials, cast brass, cast iron, 304 stainless-steel, and infrared (which is a type of burner, not material). Leading grill manufacturers usually use cast brass burners. Cast brass burners are considered to be superior in many ways. They’ll usually last as long as the grill itself.

Summerset Stainless-Steel Grate and Cast Iron Burner

Summerset Stainless-Steel Grate and Cast Iron Burner

BTU: A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one-degree Fahrenheit. This is the standard measurement used to state the amount of energy that a fuel has as well as the amount of output of any heat generating device.

Your professional grill will have a BTU output associated with each burner. The number of burners your grill will have will range from 3 – 6. Entry level professional grills will usually have 3 burners, which is a very common configuration. BTU output per burner can range from 10,000 to 20,000 depending on the grill manufacturer. Most of the professional grills on the market today will also come with an infrared rotisserie burner in the rear wall of the grill. The infrared rotisserie burner is usually built-in to the grill, but some companies will charge extra for the rotisserie motor as well as the spit.

The grilling surface is another extremely important feature of a professional barbecue grill. The barbecue grill surface will be measured in square inches. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that more grilling surface is beneficial. The grilling surface or area depends on the barbecue grill you purchase. A great question to answer before purchasing a grill is, “How many people will you be grilling for?” This answer will give you a better idea of what grill range you should be considering.

Another important aspect of the grilling surface is whether the temperature is consistent throughout the entire surface. Does the barbecue grill have cold spots? You can research on the internet to see what people are saying about any grill on the market. The primary objective is to purchase a barbecue grill that evenly distributes heat to its grilling surface.  The surface being the grill grate/s, the grill grates also can vary in size and material used in its manufacturing process. Grill grates can be made of porcelain enamel coated steel wire or porcelain enamel coated cast iron.

 

Professional Barbecue Grill Features, Bell’s & Whistles

Alfresco Grills ALXE Professional Barbecue Grill Smoker Tray - Custom Outdoor Kitchen Built-in Grills

Alfresco Grills ALXE Professional Barbecue Grill Smoker Tray

From LED lighting, knobs, ignition systems, wood smoking trays, and so much more, the industry is massive and competitive. There’s a huge range of features that you can purchase in a professional barbecue grill. Some grills come with built-in side burners and other handy add-ons. What it really comes down to is making sure you choose a professional grill that will last the next ten years without any hitches. We recommend speaking with an Elegant Outdoor Kitchens professional about your options. Our team will help you choose a grill that makes the most sense for your outdoor kitchen space and configuration.

 

Schedule an on-site consultation with the pros here at Elegant Outdoor Kitchens. We’ll guide you through our outdoor kitchen design process, we’ll make sure you get the outdoor kitchen you’ve always imagined. Give us a call today to start building!