It’s wonderful to have an outdoor kitchen but traipsing back and forth to the house for supplies can drain it of all its fun. Wouldn’t it be great to have a complete set of kitchenware that you can leave in your beautiful outdoor cooking area? That’s always a great goal, and there are many items you can stock it with.
We’ve talked elsewhere about your large-scale storage options like cabinets and closets. But let’s have a look at what you can fill them with. In this article, we’re going to suggest some organizers as well as the supplies that should find a permanent home in this space.
Of course, you may not be able to do all of it right away. If you’re on a budget or just not ready to go “all in” on your new, fantastic cooking area, that’s fine! You can pace yourself and decide what’s most essential for your cooking style. Adding a few items at a time will still allow you to enjoy the space as you build it into your own culinary getaway.
Where possible, rely on devices whose metal parts are stainless steel. Aluminum and cast iron are also good choices. These are more resistant to rust, which is especially important in outdoor conditions.
You also have to think about your own cooking style and interests. No one checklist is going to be ideal for everyone. What do you like to cook? What will go great outdoors? From there, you can start narrowing down the supplies you need.
Small Appliances
A hundred years ago, no one had all the little electric tools that we’ve grown accustomed to. So we know it’s possible to make a great meal without them. But it’s so much easier when we can just plug in an appliance and let it do the work!
Some of the most “essential” electric appliances include:
- Blender;
- Air fryer;
- Food processor;
- Juicer.
Many others are possible, too, but we’ve found that these are the ones we’d use the most (or miss the most, when we don’t have them!)
Pots and Pans
Your selection of pots and pans is very personal and depends on what and how you like to cook. But consider at least the following:
- Mixing bowls, unless you want to do all the prep in the house;
- 2-3 frying pans/skillets;
- 2 sauce pans.
Cooking Utensils
Of course, you’ll need a fair share of tools to prep your food, too. These items should cover the basics. We think we’ve covered the basics, but if we’ve left anything out, please let us know!
- Meat thermometer;
- Set of knives;
- Cutting board;
- Food strainer;
- Spatula;
- Wooden spoon(s);
- Whisk;
- Ladle;
- Oven mitts;
- Aluminum foil;
- Tongs;
- Corn holders (for corn on the cob).
Dining Utensils
Once you’ve cooked up all that delicious food, you’ll want to serve it to your family or guests, or even just enjoy it yourself! Be sure to have an adequate supply of each of these items:
- Serving platter;
- Plates;
- Bowls;
- Silverware;
- Glasses;
- Corkscrew.
These will serve you for most meals. Do you cook anything that requires additional utensils?
Cleaning Supplies
Of course, after cooking, you (or someone!) will have to clean up. You might not have a dishwasher in your outdoor kitchen, so you may prefer to carry the dirty dishes back to the house. Or you could just wash them in the sink!
Be sure to keep the appropriate supplies on hand:
- Sponges
- Dishwashing detergent
- Dish towels
- Scouring pads
You’ll also need to clean off counters, tables, the floor, and the stove. You’ll need:
- Spray cleaner
- Rags
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Mop
- Floor cleaner
- Garbage bags
We prefer to store most of these items under the sink, but of course you’ll need an upright closet for a broom. So that could be another alternative for all of them! We do encourage you to store these in a separate space from your cooking supplies, though.
Storage and Organizers
Of course, you need to be able to organize all of those items and keep them in handy! There are many types of storage available.
We like a traditional tray that sits in a drawer for our flatware. But for most other things, we’re partial to hanging wire frame racks. They seem to allow more space in our cabinets!
Even better are the narrow cabinets that unfold to offer various sections.These really optimize your space – a vital need when you’re dealing with the limits of an outdoor kitchen!
Clean And Dry Helps It Last!
To keep your outdoor kitchen supplies in good shape, it’s vital to keep them clean and dry. Sometimes in the house, you can get away with putting damp supplies back in the closet. Since the environment is climate-controlled, they’ll dry on their own. But you can’t rely on that outside, where temperature and humidity vary so widely.
But taking good care of them – and thoroughly drying everything off before putting it away – will help it last far longer!
Conclusion
A fully equipped outdoor kitchen means you have all the convenience and luxury you want in its “traditional” indoor counterpart. There’s no need to cart things back and forth, and no stress because you realize you don’t have the right supplies when your meal is at a crucial point in its preparation. By adding the right equipment and supplies, you can comfortably serve up great meals in the open air, so start stocking up now!
