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An outdoor kitchen is a significant investment that will provide years of enjoyment for your family. To protect that investment, you may be wondering if you should cover an outdoor kitchen.<\/p>\n
Most items in an outdoor kitchen say that they\u2019re made with durable, weatherproof materials. This implies that they\u2019ll be fine with being exposed to the elements for a long time.<\/p>\n
While that\u2019s true to a certain degree, n<\/strong>umerous factors are going to determine how fast or slow things in an outdoor kitchen will last<\/strong>.<\/p>\n To make matters a little more convoluted, if you Google \u201cshould you cover an outdoor kitchen\u201d, you\u2019ll get search results that are mostly related to overhead coverings for outdoor kitchens like roofs and gazebos. Also mixed in, however, are articles and product links related to coverings for individual parts of an outdoor kitchen like covers for grills<\/a> and other appliances.<\/p>\n Whichever topic you\u2019re looking for some help with (and maybe it\u2019s both), we\u2019ve got you covered with a complete guide to covering an outdoor kitchen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A new, uncovered outdoor kitchen with high-quality cabinets<\/a>, countertops, and appliances should last you for years before things need to be repaired or replaced because of exposure to the elements.<\/p>\n High-quality outdoor kitchen products are made with resilient materials<\/strong> that have a high resistance to corrosion, colour fading, and damage from extreme temperatures. Cheap outdoor kitchen products won\u2019t be nearly as reliable and long-lasting, naturally.<\/p>\n Some outdoor kitchen appliances should be covered during the cooking season, while others don\u2019t have to be (read more on that below). Typically, cabinets and countertops are left uncovered during the months an outdoor kitchen is in use and are covered for the winter in Ontario.<\/p>\n Additional factors that affect how long things in covered and uncovered outdoor kitchens will last is the climate where you live, how much sun exposure the kitchen gets, the frequency of kitchen use, and whether or not the kitchen components were properly installed.<\/p>\n It\u2019s recommended to add an overhead covering to an outdoor kitchen for numerous reasons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n As you can see, life becomes a little easier if you have a permanent outdoor kitchen cover<\/strong>. You\u2019re able to maximize your opportunities to use the kitchen when the weather won\u2019t cooperate, including grilling during the winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Having an entire outdoor kitchen covered also means you won\u2019t have to worry as much about covering up individual kitchen parts during the grilling season. If you forget to cover the barbecue after using it one day, for example, it\u2019s less of a concern if it rains.<\/span><\/p>\n Even covered outdoor kitchens aren\u2019t immune to some impact from the weather, mind you. They still have <\/span>to deal with <\/span>humidity, extreme hot and cold temperatures, strong winds, and a little moisture from blowing rain and snow. An overhead covering significantly reduces the impact of all these weather-related effects, however.<\/span><\/p>\n Covering an outdoor living space lets you enjoy your backyard more and extends the lives of your outdoor products.<\/p><\/div>\n If you\u2019re looking for options to cover an outdoor kitchen, there are plenty of types of coverings to choose from. They include the following:<\/p>\n Canopy<\/strong>: The least expensive option to cover an outdoor kitchen is a canopy. Canopies can be used as standalone structures or sturdier structures like pergolas and gazebos sometimes use a canopy for the roof.<\/p>\n Awning<\/strong>: This backyard covering solution comes in fixed and retractable forms. Retractable awnings are better since they give you the option to leave decks and patios uncovered when the weather is nice. Awnings are operated manually with a hand crank or are motorized. Higher-end retractable awnings can be operated with a smartphone app and have wind sensors that will automatically retract the awning in high winds.<\/p>\n Pergola<\/strong>: This type of deck and patio cover has a semi-open design. The slatted roof lets you enjoy the sun while providing some shade covering. The downside of pergolas, of course, is that there\u2019s no protection from the rain.<\/p>\n Gazebo and pavilion<\/strong>: These similar freestanding structures with coverings are commonly confused with one another, but have a few differences. Gazebos usually come in oval, octagonal, and hexagonal shapes and sometimes have surrounding rails. Pavilions are typically square or rectangular and are open on the sides.<\/p>\n Roof extension:<\/strong> The other way to cover an outdoor kitchen is to extend the roof of a house over a deck or patio. This creates a more seamless extension of a home\u2019s living space. In comparison, an outdoor kitchen beneath a pergola, gazebo, or pavilion that is further away from the house creates a more separate, defined backyard living area.<\/p>\n Another thing to consider when you\u2019re deciding which roof option to get is drainage. An outdoor kitchen roof needs a good drainage system<\/strong> so flooding doesn\u2019t damage the deck or patio foundation or the bottoms of your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n A pergola is one of several types of outdoor kitchen coverings available.<\/p><\/div>\n If your outdoor kitchen is covered with a roof, it\u2019s a good idea to install a ventilation system<\/strong>. More enclosed kitchen designs have a greater need for ventilation. Adding a grill vent hood is wise even if you have a fairly open kitchen layout or a partial overhead covering. Here\u2019s why grill vent hoods are so useful:<\/p>\n The grill in an outdoor kitchen should always be covered when it\u2019s not in use<\/strong>, even if the kitchen has a roof over it.<\/p>\n Grills that have less exposure to the elements will simply last longer, require less maintenance, and function more reliably.\u00a0Covering a grill\u00a0also prevents critters like birds, mice, and squirrels from using the appliance as a home.<\/p>\n It\u2019s fairly common for a grill to occasionally be left uncovered overnight or even for a few days because it was left to cool off and someone forgot to cover it. Grills that range in quality from average to high shouldn\u2019t have any issues if this happens on occasion, even if they get directly rained on. Cheap grills won\u2019t fare as well in these situations, however.<\/p>\n Just make sure you\u2019re not using a cheap grill cover that doesn\u2019t breathe well or a grill cover that got wet on the inside. This can trap moisture, which will accelerate how fast the grill starts to corrode.<\/p>\n Some other outdoor kitchen appliances<\/a> will benefit from being covered when they\u2019re not in use during the cooking season.<\/p>\n Regularly covering appliances like side burners, flattop grills, and an outdoor oven will extend their life and reduce the time needed to clean and maintain them. If you cook outside several times a week and use all your appliances regularly, covering them is less necessary if they\u2019re in a covered space.<\/p>\n The only outdoor kitchen appliances you shouldn\u2019t ever cover are refrigerators and ice makers<\/strong>, even during the winter. The reason is that these appliances are more likely to accumulate moisture. Even though their electrical components are designed for outdoor use, trapping moisture beneath a cover can still cause damage.<\/p>\n Before winter arrives, refrigerators, ice makers, and other outdoor appliances that use water (like a beverage dispenser and dishwasher) should have their water lines drained. The fridge interior should be cleaned and dried before it\u2019s retired for the winter.<\/p>\n Outdoor kitchen cabinets on a deck or patio with or without a roof don\u2019t need to be covered during the grilling season<\/strong>. Whether or not you should cover them for the winter largely depends on their quality.<\/p>\n Premium cabinets are constructed with the highest-quality steel and typically have powder-coated finishes. This type of finish protects against corrosion and discolouration, so covering them during the winter isn\u2019t necessary.<\/p>\n Brown Jordan says their cabinets are \u201cengineered to remain durable when exposed to all types of weather with minimal maintenance\u201d. Covering them for the winter \u201ccan reduce maintenance and offer extra protection for peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Outdoor kitchen countertops<\/a> don\u2019t need to be covered at any time of the year<\/strong>. The materials they\u2019re made with are extremely resilient and will last for years if they\u2019re well-maintained.<\/p>\n Certain types of countertop materials need to be resealed at least once a year to prevent stains and other surface damage. This includes countertops made with:<\/p>\n Outdoor sinks should be covered during the winter and during the grilling season if they\u2019re in an uncovered kitchen near a lot of trees.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re covering up for the winter, use a snug cover that is specifically made for your sink model. The cover will protect the sink from filling up with rain water and snow and prevent debris like branches and leaves from clogging the drain.<\/p>\n Outdoor kitchen countertops need occasional maintenance, but don\u2019t have to be covered.<\/p><\/div>\n As we\u2019ve mentioned, it\u2019s important to use high-quality covers for anything that is being individually covered in an outdoor kitchen. Using a cheap cover that traps moisture against an appliance can actually do more harm than if you left the appliance uncovered.<\/p>\n Just because an outdoor cover is heavy doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s effective<\/strong>. The key is proper ventilation. Make sure the covers you use have a design that allows some airflow to let moisture and humidity escape. Covers that have retention hooks will ensure they stay anchored in high wind conditions, too.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to build a new backyard kitchen or are looking to upgrade an existing outdoor cooking space, now you have all the facts about whether or not you should cover an outdoor kitchen.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ever in doubt about whether or not something in an outdoor kitchen should be covered, consult with the product manufacturer or your kitchen designer.<\/p>\n Get your outdoor kitchen project started by scheduling a free design consultation<\/a> with Outeriors today.<\/p>\n Please share this post if you found it useful.<\/em><\/p>\n Outdoor kitchen products are built for exterior use so you may be wondering if you should cover an outdoor kitchen. Get all the answers here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outdoor-kitchens-101"],"yoast_head":"\nEverything to know about covering an outdoor kitchen<\/h2>\n
Benefits of permanent outdoor kitchen covers<\/h2>\n
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![\"outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.outeriors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covered-outdoor-living-space.jpg\")
Types of permanent outdoor kitchen covers<\/h2>\n
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Use ventilation if you cover a backyard kitchen<\/h2>\n
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Should you cover a grill?<\/h2>\n
![\"Outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.outeriors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/outdoor-kitchen-winter-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhich outdoor kitchen appliances should you cover?<\/h2>\n
Covering outdoor cabinets is optional<\/h2>\n
Covering countertops and the sink<\/h2>\n
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![\"outdoor](\"https:\/\/www.outeriors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xoutdoor_kitchen_ideas_danver-13.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.CxDs2xRIQz.jpg\")
What to look for when buying outdoor kitchen covers<\/span><\/h2>\n
Add a beautiful outdoor kitchen to your backyard<\/h2>\n
See also:<\/h4>\n
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