3 Design Considerations for Your Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can bring a touch of luxury to your Connecticut yard space – especially if it’s outfitted with green and easy-to-clean propane appliances. But what should it include?

Just like your indoor kitchen, there is no “ideal” outdoor kitchen – just the one that’s right for you. To get you started with envisioning what your ideal outdoor kitchen might look like, here are three important questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you want a built-in or freestanding propane grill? A portable propane grill is far less expensive than a built-in (about $500 to $600 for a decent one) and it can be swapped out easily down the road if it starts deteriorating; A built-in grill, on the other hand, is generally larger and will make your outdoor space feel more like a formal kitchen. They are, however, considerably more expensive a portable grill – anywhere from three to six times the price.

   Another big difference between the two options? With a portable propane grill, you will have to provide your own propane cylinder refills. A built-in grill, on the other hand, can be connected to your home’s propane supply and refilled by us via home propane delivery.

2. How many people are you cooking for? The number of people you intend to cook for has a big impact on how much space you will need on and off your grill. While you may do some of your food prep work inside, you’ll still need to stage it for grilling and serving, so plan accordingly.
3. What features do you want? Your outdoor kitchen can include just about any equipment you can imagine – from sinks and cabinets to drawers, refrigerator / freezers, and propane space heaters. Lighting is also important, since you’ll probably be doing much of your meal preparation during the evening hours.

It takes a little planning, but once you have your propane-powered outdoor kitchen up and running you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Ready to start planning your outdoor kitchen? Visit one of our convenient Hocon Gas locations today to learn more about your outdoor propane appliance options – and if you need to have your propane backyard equipment serviced, don’t forget about our Home Comfort plans!