Outdoor kitchens make a great addition to your home. It helps you extend your living space into your yard giving you a perfect place to cook and dine comfortably and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine at the same time.
Having an outdoor kitchen means an extra area for entertainment to invite your guests over and have a fun time under the warm weather. It is indeed a smart way to add beauty and elegance to your backyard and value to your property. So, if you have an outdoor kitchen (pre-built or custom-made), give it the maintenance it requires and it will surely pay off in the long run.
It is no wonder the sight of having an outdoor kitchen is very pristine and appealing. But since this area is always exposed to the outside elements, it is the dirt and grime will rack up and a lot of natural wear and tear will be there. Hence, it is essential that you resort to regular care and cleaning to prolong the life of the expensive elements used in there.
Here are three vital tips to get you started:
- Clean those grills
The grill is an important and expensive outdoor kitchen investment and in case it stops working, you are not going to get the best experience from this space. So, make a habit of cleaning your griller every time you are finished preparing the meal.
Keep the exterior of your grill looking new by scrubbing off the rust with a brush and later apply a rust-resistant metal paint. Then move to the inside. Scrape away the leftover food on a regular basis and resort to a deep cleaning of burners, grates, and burner tubes every few months.
- Look after the stainless steel components
This is crucial if your outdoor kitchen island is made of stainless steel. You may think steel is tough but it can fail to resist rust and corrosion if you aren’t careful during its everyday use. Keep the metal away at all costs and avoid placing metal cans, iron cookware or other hot steel items on it.
Also, for the cleaning part, don’t use harsh cleaners as they contain chemicals and can cause abrasions. Instead, apply plain soapy water that would do equally good and maintain the smooth finish of the stainless steel.
- Don’t neglect the countertops
When designing an outdoor kitchen, people choose natural materials, especially for countertops. Homeowners prefer granite or stones for countertops as they look tremendously amazing and can easily withstand heat.
However, one thing to be aware of is the porous nature of these materials that make them more susceptible to stains, so, deal it with soapy water. Plus, make sure you seal the stone every three to five years for better looks and to withstand weather conditions easily.
