Outdoor Kitchens Don’t Have To Be Complicated
For many homeowners, cooking outdoors is a warm-weather activity. This is true whether they use a simple firepit, a gas grill or a high-tech pellet smoker. But outdoor cooking often involves a lot of walking, usually back to the main kitchen to wash utensils, retrieve ingredients from the fridge and prepare side dishes.
Outdoor kitchens bypass these realities by bringing the most important culinary tools into a single location. While many customers assume that building an outdoor kitchen is too complex, it’s actually something they can do with little more than the right guidance and equipment. Here are a few ways retailers can streamline the process for consumers.
Modular gear provides long-term expansion options
Many customers lack the budget to invest in a complete outdoor kitchen right away, so retailers should use this as an opportunity to stock modular equipment. The primary benefit is that a customer can drive away with a grill to begin their outdoor cooking journey, while having the option to link it to more accessories down the line.
For example, a consumer may pick up a modular propane gas grill in the spring before adding cabinets and a sink during the summer, or maybe even the next year. Brands like Thor Kitchen and NewAge Products specialize in this type of modular gear, so you need only to figure out what best fits your business model. Importantly, modular outdoor kitchens can be immediate and long-term sources of revenue, with high-margin accessories balancing out outdoor appliances like grills, cooktops and ovens.
Likewise, retailers can benefit from selling preconfigured islands that are easy to assemble, which eliminates the need for consumers to hire specialty installers. You still have the opportunity to offer on-site customer assistance while minimizing staff training time.
Permits and the outdoor kitchen
It’s extremely important to know local outdoor kitchen permitting requirements before you can make product recommendations to your customers. In many jurisdictions, outdoor kitchens with permanent utility infrastructure, like electrical and plumbing lines, need a permit to install.
Likewise, patios and roofing that attach directly to the house, are permanent, or are above a certain size, also require permits to comply with building codes and zoning setbacks. Beyond municipal and state rules, customers also contend with Homeowner’s Association (HOA) bylaws.
Although knowledge of permitting practices is a good strategy for avoiding legal liability, it’s also a chance for retailers to streamline the buying process, offer additional services and deliver more value. That said, choosing to build an outdoor kitchen with the appropriate permits can keep things predictable, even if permit fees increase the overall project cost.
Strategies for achieving an outdoor kitchen without a permit
Providing permit-free solutions can increase customer freedom, but it’s just as complex as figuring out permitting; avoiding a permit requires knowing when to get a permit. Propane-powered cooking appliances are ideal for avoiding permits, though cabinetry and outdoor furniture may run afoul of HOA rules. Additionally, they often require covers when not in use — even if the kitchen has a roof overhead. This type of accessory is a great revenue stream.
Some places don’t allow permit-free concrete patios above a certain size due to permeable surface requirements to help landscaping absorb rainwater. However, patio pavers are a workaround to provide a foundation. They are labor-intensive, with an opportunity to have your staff do the install.
For utilities, a sink that uses a garden hose as a water source won’t require a permit. However, the customer must protect the hose or store it when not in use. Draining the sink is trickier, though a dry well, greywater tank or French drain may work in some places.
Electric equipment has the same maintenance hurdles as hoses. Customers can temporarily run a properly-rated power cord from a GFCI outlet with a weatherproof Twist and Seal protector, but it lacks the convenience and safety of a standard electric line. Low-voltage wiring and solar generators can power lighting and low-draw equipment, but not high-draw appliances.
A permanent roof creates lasting appeal and is likely worth the permitting process. Conversely, large umbrellas and pop-up canopies provide some shade, but won’t handle long-term usage or harsh weather. Notably, customers need to know the potential fire hazards of fabric canopies.
Whether it’s a modular system, assistance with the permitting process, or providing cost-effective options that don’t require a permit, retailers have quite a few options to help potential customers build an outdoor kitchen.