Pergola summer kitchen
An outdoor kitchen allows you to enjoy the garden at any time of the day, even while meals are being prepared. Under a pergola, your electrical appliances will be protected in all seasons. Choosing the right location and the right equipment to install does, however, require a little more thought. Follow our advice to design your summer kitchen.
Where to install the summer kitchen?
For practical reasons, the outdoor kitchen is often positioned close to the house, as an extension of it. This means you don't have to cross the whole garden because a condiment has been forgotten.
However, as garden kitchens are becoming more and more sophisticated and complete, you can choose to position yours near the swimming pool or off-centre from the main building.
In both cases, you will need to consider the water supply (to wash the dishes, a connection to the wastewater system will be necessary) as well as the electricity supply. To ensure that the sockets remain watertight, and to protect your equipment, the roof of a pergola, fixed or bioclimatic, will be necessary.
What size should the summer kitchen be?
Summer kitchens should be convivial. You will often be in the company of guests, and there will probably be a dining area. To make the most of it, the recommended minimum size is 10 m².
If you have limited space, you can simply limit the equipment. A simple fixed barbecue with a small work surface and some storage space will allow you to prepare meals outdoors.
If you have more space, don't skimp on the worktop, cupboards and other fittings that will make your life easier. You will even have a choice of barbecue grill sizes, so you can prepare enough to delight large tables. Well protected by the pergola, your outdoor kitchen can stay just as it is, waiting for you during the winter months.
What equipment is needed for an outdoor kitchen?
Although the barbecue remains a great classic of summer cooking, it is no longer the only type of cooking sought after. Today, planchas, woks, roasting pans and pizza ovens are in great demand. Barbecues themselves are being modernised and can be electric or gas.
Moreover, the kitchen is becoming a real living space. Like inside, it can accommodate a dishwasher and refrigerator. The idea is to no longer need to go inside the house during mealtimes, and to have everything within reach. You will therefore need a worktop, but also storage space for dishes and other utensils.
What materials should I use for my outdoor kitchen?
For the exterior, you will need materials that are resistant to the sun, but also to the cold or humidity. Concrete outdoor kitchens, like stainless steel ones, are often recommended. For a warmer look, you can also turn to wood or stone, or even combine these different materials.
The important thing is that your kitchen is both functional and attractive: you don't want to spend your leisure time cleaning it. Why not opt for a wood-effect splashback, which is much easier to clean, and a granite worktop? This highly resistant material is ideal for your summer kitchen.
To limit maintenance, the roof of the pergola will be important, in order to shelter your furniture from the elements. In terms of material, the aluminium pergola is an excellent compromise between aesthetics and practicality.
Also think about the lighting when installing your electrical system. It will be essential to enjoy your summer kitchen even after dark. All that remains is to decorate it as you would any room in your house!
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