Every Minnesotan knows that behind the frigidly cold, dark, winters this snowy state harbors a well-kept secret. And we aren’t talking about blue ox folklore or the Juicy Lucy.
With its big, beautiful lakes, sun-kissed days, and greenery galore, the best kept secret in Minnesota is its gorgeous summers. Like visions of gum drops and sugar plum fairies on Christmas morning, Minnesotans survive the cold months of winter with daydreams of grilling hotdogs, warm summer nights, and days spent outside with friends and family.
But every year just as we seem to settle into these summer months, the chill breeze of autumn comes creeping in. Summer in Minnesota is fleeting so it’s essential to maximize it while you can!
Whether it’s grilling dinner, roasting s’mores, or just lounging outside with a cold drink in hand, we think the best way to get the most out of your summer is through an outdoor kitchen! That’s why on today’s blog we are going to share with you 5 reasons why you should invest in an outdoor space just in time for summer.
1. NatureKast Stands Up to Extreme Minnesota Weather
Unlike places like Los Angeles where the sun always shines and there’s rarely a cloud in the sky, Minnesota experiences all ends of the weather spectrum: heat advisories, thunderstorms, hail, snow, and everything in between. And with weather this polarizing, you need an outdoor kitchen that’s up to the challenge.
NatureKast Cabinetry plays a huge role in creating a durable outdoor kitchen because their cabinetry is 100-percent weatherproof. It has the look and feel of real wood, but because it is made of high-density resin, it will not swell, fade, crack, or split like regular wood. In other words, you get the beautiful aesthetics of wood cabinetry with the elevated durability of resin!
“Naturekast is so durable that you are more likely to tire of your finish long before the cabinetry wears out!” says designer Bre Perrigo.
In addition to having weatherproof cabinetry, you also need countertops with the same resilience. Neolith countertops is one of the most durable products on the market today. Made of natural materials exposed to extreme heat and intense pressure, Neolith is easy to clean, UV-resistant, waterproof, freeze and thaw resistant, lightweight, and resistant to scratches, abrasion, and wear. Other great countertop options are Dekton and Corian Endura. Both options are durable, easy to maintain, as well as heat resistant.
Whether it’s a 100-degree summer day, a spring thunderstorm, or freezing snow, your outdoor kitchen will stand up to any weather, and if properly maintained, continue to look brand-new even over time!
Many people’s biggest hesitation when considering installing an outdoor space is whether they will be able to use it year-round. And with snow being present for numerous months out of each year this is an understandable concern!
You’ll be happy to know that your NatureKast kitchen is fully functional even in the winter months. We recommend covering your appliances (grill, smoker, etc.) when not in use and then turning on the gas when you are ready to cook! So whether you want to smoke meat or have a winter bonfire, you can use your space no matter the season. You just might have to shovel a pathway in the snow first!
Another way to use your outdoor kitchen throughout all four seasons is to make it semi or fully enclosed with screens. The screens allow you to enjoy a nice breeze (without bugs) in the summer, and then with a few vinyl window coverings and a heater or fireplace, you have a toasty place to gather even in the dead of winter! You can even install a built-in grill on an exterior porch wall. And when you top it off with well-designed storage, there is a convenient place for everything you need – perhaps even a blanket or two!
Another concern people have is whether their outdoor kitchen will get enough use to make it worth the time and money.
I have a perfectly functional kitchen inside my home why would I use another outside?
Having an outdoor living space will inspire you and your family to cook and spend time together outdoors, not to mention it makes entertaining a breeze. With a comfortable, durable design, you might never want to go inside!
“The best part of having an outdoor cooking space is that by bringing the kitchen outside, you get to be closer to the activity! The host doesn’t have to run in and out of the house every time a timer goes off or someone needs a drink, they can be included in the action which creates a seamless entertaining experience,” says designer Bre Perrigo.
3. Outdoor Kitchens Are a Great Investment for Your Home
With a housing market as crazy as it is today, it’s important to be wise with your investments and consider how they will impact the value of your home.
The addition of outdoor kitchens has been shown to increase a home’s resale value. Since the elements used to build an outdoor kitchen are high-quality, they’ll last for a long time and add value to your home, even if you don’t sell right away. Potential buyers will love the unique addition of a kitchen outside and an outdoor kitchen with a great design will enhance the look of your backyard.
If you don’t plan to sell your home, expanding your outdoor living area is still a worthwhile investment as it will get lots of use!
4. Outdoor Kitchens Are Easy to Maintain, even in the Winter
Preparing your outdoor kitchen for winter is easier than you think it is.
Turn off power to all refrigerator/freezer/ice making units. Turn off water and drain all plumbing. Note that the valves should be kept open during the winter.
Empty and clean all refrigerator/freezer/ice making units with mild soap and water.
When cleaning your grill, empty the drip pan and thoroughly clean the grates. If you will not be using the grill during the winter, turn off the gas to the grill.
Don’t forget to remove items from your cabinets that might not withstand the winter.
Be sure trash is removed and the trash bin area thoroughly cleaned to prevent unwanted critters from making a cozy winter home in your outdoor kitchen!
Cover what you’re not using
If you have NatureKast cabinets and Neolith countertops, you are done!
The best thing about building an outdoor kitchen with NatureKast is that they are customizable to your lifestyle!
Today’s outdoor kitchens can incorporate cooking elements including build-in grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and even rotisserie roasters. Griddle and side burner accessories are also available which are perfect for cooking for a crowd!
Built-in cabinetry elements increase storage and functionality in your outdoor space. Features such as pull-out trash receptacles and built-in refrigerators make cooking and entertaining a breeze. You can even build in a TV into your outdoor space! This is great for people who love grilling out while watching football.
In addition to the functional elements, your outdoor kitchen is also customizable to your unique design style. Just as your indoor kitchen reflects the beauty and style of your home, so does your outdoor kitchen.
NatureKast cabinetry comes in a variety of styles and finishes that range in both color and design. So whether you want a contemporary space, or one that’s a little more cozy and rustic, your NatureKast kitchen can be designed to suit your style.
It’s never too late to start planning your outdoor space and getting the most out of your Minnesota summers! To start a project or meet with a designer, contact us.
Thank you for sharing this informative article about outdoor kitchens. I hope there are a lot of contractors who could read this and be guided accordingly.
After watching a few episodes of MasterChef Australia recently, my aunt becomes inspired to set up a small outdoor kitchen right at her backyard. I was pleasantly surprised upon knowing that such setups are actually easy to upkeep regardless of the external weather condition provided they are resistant against those elements. I’ll ask her to take a look at this particular detail before she makes any further decision.
Actually, Since a week I was very seriously looking for Luxurious kitchen Worktops for my dream house. I was confused about which to select and now after reading this blog, all my queries got clarified. Thankyou so much for sharing!
Wow, it makes me happy to hear that the high-quality materials used to construct an outdoor kitchen will last for a very long time and increase the value of your property even if you don’t sell it right away. This is yet another reason why I think an outdoor kitchen design-build is something my house needs. Not to mention my husband’s and mine’s love for outdoor cooking and nature.
It’s great that you mentioned how modern outdoor kitchens may have built-in grills, smokers, pizza ovens, and even rotisserie roasters. This is great since my mom’s been looking for outdoor kitchen products since their outdoor kitchen is almost done. She could definitely use your input here regarding BBQ grills and all that kid of stuff.
Whoa! This article would be really helpful to my uncle considering he plans to establish an open cooking area in his backyard. You weren’t kidding when you explained that the outdoor kitchen is relatively simple to upkeep even during snowy weather as long as we cover unused equipment, right? Well then, I suppose he should get in touch with a contractor to commence the installation process quickly.
Whoa! My uncle would certainly benefit from reading this post because he intends to build an outdoor kitchen in his garden. You weren’t joking when you said that maintaining the outdoor kitchen is rather easy even in snowy weather provided we cover unused equipment. Thus, I assume he should contact a contractor right now to get the installation procedure started.
Interesting! Installing an outdoor kitchen is a wonderful way to make the most of your garden, Recent studies show that outdoor stoves provide a 100 to 200 percent return on investment. In other terms, they’re well worth the money!
