How an Outdoor Kitchen Changes Daily Habits at Harrisburg and Hummelstown PA Homes

An outdoor kitchen can be one of the most exciting additions to any outdoor living space. It can completely transform the way you and your friends and family enjoy culinary experiences at your home. Clearly, a space that’s most useful during the warmer months, an outdoor kitchen has many year-round purposes. The simple expansion of kitchen space to an outdoor environment can improve the flow of your home. Here’s how an outdoor kitchen changes daily habits at Harrisburg and Hummelstown, PA homes.

Related: What Layout is Best for Your Outdoor Kitchen in Mechanicsburg PA?

The Bar

One of the most important functions of an outdoor kitchen is to double as a gathering place for friends and family. Including a smooth-countertop bar in your outdoor kitchen expands not only a seating area for hungry kids to eat healthy snacks in between rounds of tag but a prep area for putting together the ultimate fresh-air feast. Having a comfortable place to sit, eat, and socialize will encourage the whole family to go outside more!

Appliances Galore

Choosing weather-resistant appliances doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice convenience or performance. Here are some of the more exciting and popular additions to an outdoor kitchen that will make outdoor cooking as enjoyable and convenient as your indoor kitchen.

Dishwasher – Nothing makes cooking that incredible fresh-air feast more arduous than having to transport dirty dishes to the house afterward. Having a powerful dishwasher outdoors is a must for any serious cook. Especially if your outdoor kitchen isn’t immediately adjacent to the back door, this addition minimizes trips with heavy and dirty plates and utensils.

Refrigerator – An absolute essential, an outside refrigerator doesn’t need to hold the same variety of foods you keep in the indoor kitchen. In fact, you can make an under-counter fridge the party headquarters and keep it stocked with easy snacks like hummus, dips, charcuterie, and more. Even better, keep it readily stocked with beverages and mixers to keep the fun going all through the summer. 

Chest Freezer – This thoughtful addition can help take the load off your indoor kitchen by keeping the more long-term frozen ingredients outside. If you’re looking for a new indoor refrigerator, it’s the perfect time to choose one with a smaller freezer compartment and opt for a chest freezer to keep outside. Immediately, your fridge and kitchen will feel decluttered.

Wood-Fired Pizza Oven – Easily one of the most exciting additions to any outdoor kitchen, the wood-fired pizza oven made from gorgeous stone masonry will keep your friends and family coming back for more. While designed to capture the delicious flavor of woodsmoke in the bubbly crust of pizza, these ovens can cook nearly anything with the right combination of wood, location, and heat. In the winter, the capabilities of a wood-fired oven can be expanded even more as it doubles as a communal fireplace. Plan a place for comfortable seats to create a half-circle around your pizza oven so that your favorite people can enjoy warm pizza as much as they want.

Storage

The inclusion of plenty of storage in your outdoor kitchen will encourage you and your family to use the backyard even more when weather permits and visitors will be impressed with your clever use of space. Carefully consider what items you actually use while cooking outdoors, and ensure that there’s enough under-counter and/or cabinet storage for these essentials.

Related: Include These 4 Essentials for the Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams in Harrisburg, PA