Outdoor kitchens are getting popular lately, and if you’re one of those people who love a good outdoor get-together, then an outdoor kitchen coupled with a patio should be on the top of your backyard improvement agenda. Covered patios are common and there are many patio builders who offer their installation. However, covered outdoor kitchens are less commonplace. So, let’s walk you through the pros and cons of covered outdoor kitchens.

Covered Vs Uncovered Outdoor Kitchens

This is not a simple “yes” or” no” question. Certain factors need to be considered before you can decide on planning either a covered or uncovered outdoor kitchen. Usually, a covered outdoor kitchen is safer, especially if you live in an area where rain and the constant blazing heat are the norm.

Pros Of A Covered Outdoor Kitchen

Here are some benefits of planning and, ultimately, building a covered outdoor kitchen.

No Weather-Related Worries

A covered kitchen gives you the liberty to work outdoors all year round. There isn’t any worry about the weather and whether things are going to get ruined or not. You will be able to enjoy all seasons of nature (mostly) with a covered outdoor kitchen and that’s pretty amazing if you think about it.

Things Are Sheltered

If you think about it, a covered outdoor kitchen protects all kinds of equipment from the damage of the weather. If the grills, countertops, and fixtures are exposed 24/7, then you can only imagine the degree of damage that will be imparted on them.

This is why a covered kitchen will not only protect you from all kinds of weather conditions but will also boost the longevity of the things that are primarily used in the kitchen. You won’t need to pay for maintenance costs over and over again, so it’s only fair that you go for a covered outdoor kitchen.

The Countertops Lasts Longer

The most common place where the sun and rain can impose damage in an outdoor kitchen is the countertop space. Usually, countertop materials like quartz, concrete, and even granite aren’t able to withstand the harsh weather and they can get damaged pretty quickly. If you’ve spent a lot of money on these countertops, then it would be a pain to watch them wither away in the sun and rain.

So, a covered shelter for the outdoor kitchen is going to be a necessity, if you don’t want to frequently replace your countertops frequently.

Appliances Are Taken Care Of

Some outdoor kitchens also have different electrical appliances and even electric cooktops, so keeping them uncovered outside means that you’re deliberately allowing the weather to damage your perfectly good appliances.

If this is the case with you, then you certainly need to think about some shelter even if it’s not raining because the sun can also damage the internal circuits of the appliances due to overheating and since appliances aren’t the most inexpensive, it doesn’t hurt to protect them with a little bit of shelter. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.

Gives More Structure

This pro is for aesthetic reasons only but you’ll be surprised by the fact that many people prefer covered outdoor kitchens because they look more put-together, structured, and beautiful. A covered outdoor kitchen has a more planned appeal to it and it looks professionally made, so that’s always a huge plus.

If you’re someone who wants to tie the outdoor kitchen in a full circle, then you need to consider the covered option because it’s going to look stunning and you’ll want to stare at your backyard all day. It looks even better when the kitchen is attached to a patio. There are many covered outdoor kitchen designs to love.

Cons Of A Covered Outdoor Kitchen

It’s also important to know about the downsides of building a covered outdoor kitchen because not everything is as perfect as it seems.

Space Can Be Limited

Covered outdoor kitchens might be the answer to all of the problems, but there are certain limitations to them as well. For instance, outdoor kitchens can look a bit crowded and cramped according to some people. They prefer a more open and boundary-free kitchen in which they can roam around easily. Adding a cover will only prohibit proper movement in the kitchen and functionality can be compromised.

This is why a lot of people don’t fancy the idea of a covered outdoor kitchen and they like to stick to the traditional outdoor kitchen design plan. It is justifiable if you think about it.

It’s Permanent

If you’re someone who can’t stick to one thing for the rest of your life, then a covered outdoor kitchen might not be the best thing for you because it’s permanent. It’s not something you can remove and alter unless you’re going for a different shelter option that’s more like a tent than anything.

Once covered, the change is going to be permanent, unless you want to remodel the whole thing all over again, which, to be honest, isn’t the most feasible option at times. So, you need to make the decision very carefully whether you want to cover the kitchen or not.

Not Suitable For Small Spaces

If you have a small outdoor space, then you might be able to fit a kitchen in it, but you can leave the covered option out of the equation. Small spaces aren’t ideal for covered outdoor kitchens and it will only crowd the space even more.

So, before even considering building a covered outdoor kitchen, make sure that you’re assessing the available area first because if you go ahead with it unplanned, then things can take a turn for the worse and you’ll end up wasting a lot of money.

It’s Expensive

Outdoor kitchens are very expensive to begin with, and if you add in the option of covering it, then the price can turn astronomical. You need to be mindful of the money that you’re spending because a covered outdoor kitchen might not fit into your budget bracket.

This is why it’s stressed that you should do your research when building anything, not just an outdoor kitchen, because it can give you an idea about how much these things can actually cost and whether you can even afford them or not. Alternatively, you can certainly go for something that fits your budget.

It’s Dimmer

There’s nothing that can beat good ole natural light, but adding a cover on top of your kitchen will darken the space. It can be hard to work in this kitchen with reduced visibility, especially if it’s a gloomy day outside or if you’re working on whipping up a meal in the evening.

This is why you need to think about external light sources if you’re going for a covered outdoor kitchen because you can’t possibly work productively in the kitchen if you can’t see clearly what’s in front.

Conclusion

Outdoor kitchens are great and all, but covered outdoor kitchens are functional and protected at all times. So, if you were to choose from the two, then maybe you could get a good idea as to which option is better and more long-lasting. If you need more details and help for building a covered or uncovered outdoor cooking space, consult outdoor kitchen contractors Long Island.