Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular. With every year that passes, outdoor kitchens get more sophisticated, becoming suitable for year-round use. If you’re thinking about installing an outdoor kitchen this year (or updating your current one) then here are the best outdoor kitchen trends in 2020.

Outdoor Ice Makers

If you want to entertain guests in your outdoor kitchen then you definitely need to have an ice maker in there. Guests are sure to be refilling drinks a lot during a hot day. It helps to have an icemaker ready to go outside instead of them having to walk inside all the time for ice.

Icemakers are more convenient and effective than ice buckets. Buckets don’t keep the ice frozen for long, especially on a hot summer day. Having an icemaker also means having fewer coolers hogging valuable outdoor real estate.

Kamado Grills

Every outdoor kitchen needs a grill. It’s basically the law. Even modern indoor kitchens need some kind of grill. The style of grills has moved on quite a bit from the days when every grill was the traditional round-top. These days kamado grills are the “in” thing. These grills are made from ceramic and are quickly becoming the biggest outdoor kitchen trend around.

Kamado style grills cook food using temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. They are known for their versatility, which is one reason they became so popular. They can be used to cook pizzas (just close the grill), smoke meat on a low heat for a long time, and more. A kamado grill can be used for charcoal cooking too. Just leave the grill open and give your food the woody flavor you get with a charcoal grill.

Creative Storage

With outdoor kitchens becoming more and more advanced, people are no doubt buying more kitchen gadgets for their outdoor kitchen than ever before. More things in the kitchen mean a greater need for room to store it all in. Outdoor kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for extra storage space outdoors. If you’ve got something big that needs to be stored away – such as cushions and seat covers – then consider a decorative cabinet.

A wide decorative cabinet looks better than a standard drab plastic storage tub. Outside of looking good, having the right outdoor storage also allows you to make better use of the outdoor room that you have. There are many new and exciting creative storage options out there. Look around for something that suits your kitchen perfectly.

Different Cooker Styles

It’s important to have several different options at your disposal when cooking, including when cooking outside. Having more cookers outside gives you the chance to really get the most out of an outdoor kitchen. You want the option of being able to grill, bake, fry, and more. There’s no reason for outdoor kitchens to not have all the same amenities as an indoor one. That’s why one of the latest outdoor kitchen trends of 2020 is to have several different kinds of cookers in an outdoor kitchen.

Instead of just limiting yourself to charcoal cooking, a gas cooker, or a pizza oven, you’ve got the choice to install several different cooking appliances. Give yourself the freedom to cook whatever you want whenever you want it in your outdoor kitchen. You can make small changes that add up to big differences, such as installing a side burner for boiling water. These changes make the cooking space more versatile and allow you greater freedom of choice without affecting the available space too much.

Outdoor Cleaning Options

As fun as entertaining guests is, clean up the day after is something we all have to deal with. Something that can help with this is the outdoor kitchen trend of having cleanup options built directly into an outdoor kitchen.

Install a sink for a quick fix or go all out and get a dishwasher. Both options give you the chance to do the cleaning outdoors so no one has to ferry dirty plates inside and outside for cleaning. Just take care of it all in the kitchen – the outdoor one.

Create Functional Zones

An outdoor kitchen should be planned out similarly to an indoor kitchen. There should be a natural flow from the refrigerator to the counter space to the cooking area, for example. Built-in patio grills provide a great way to save space. The kitchen should be laid out in a neat and simple way. Think about how food and drinks will be stored in the kitchen. Consider what you’ll have to retrieve from inside. Create a functional kitchen.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their outdoor kitchen is not thinking about counter space enough. If people sat outside you want to be able to cook while socializing. So make sure there is enough room for that.

Create the Total Package

Outdoor kitchens are about more than just the barbecue and grill. An outdoor kitchen can – and should – have sinks, plush seating, wine coolers, beer taps, refrigerators, ice makers, ceiling fans, barbecues, and so much more.

Outdoor entertainment and television sets encourage people to stay outside for longer. Don’t worry about the weather either as there are many weatherproof TVs out there. These sets can withstand extreme conditions including wind, rain, snow, and dirt. They’re also extra bright to work even in direct sunlight. Just keep in mind that you still have to connect them to the cable or satellite to get a signal! The availability of cheap outdoor kitchen kits means that you don’t have to break the bank when creating your ideal outdoor space.

An Outdoor Kitchen is For Life, Not Just the Summer

Given all the different options for cooking, cleaning, heating, and entertainment it’s fair to say that outdoor kitchens in 2020 are designed for year-round use. An exterior kitchen can be one of the best home improvements that you make this year. Make sure yours is equipped with a versatile cooker and consider installing some lush seating and amenities to get more out of your outdoor kitchen all year round. There are many fantastic outdoor kitchens for sale, and you can contact us for a free estimate.