When planning to build an outdoor kitchen, there are a lot of construction decisions to consider. The most important one is what materials to use. If you are thinking of building your kitchen with wood, choosing the right kind is essential, a wood resistant to rot and decay, water-and-fire damage, etc.
You can build an outdoor kitchen out of wood. The wood you choose for the project needs to be resistant to fire and water, wood-boring insects and not be susceptible to rot and decay. Hardwoods are typically used for exterior projects, as they are very durable when compared to most softwoods.
Wood is an aesthetically pleasing medium when it’s incorporated into any design, especially an outdoor kitchen. Choosing the right kind of wood from the get-go will ensure that it adds value to your home and does not detract from it. You can use certain softwoods for the project; however, that choice will come with a maintenance plan that most hardwoods will not have. This article will discuss which types of wood does the best in an outdoor kitchen design.
There is one caveat to the completely wooden kitchen which is certain of the appliances. If you want any additions like a stovetop or pizza oven, you have to make certain portions of the kitchen with materials such as stone, brick or metal. This would be the exception to a completely wooden kitchen.
Can You Build An Outdoor Kitchen Exclusively Out Of Wood?
A famous French proverb goes like this “Not every sort of wood is fit to make an arrow.” Wood is one of the most versatile materials to work with; however, when building an outdoor kitchen, you would need to choose the best wood for the project. Would you need a permit for a wooden kitchen?
Before you commit to a specific wood type, ask the following questions and see how the wood measures up:
- Is it recommended for outdoor use?
- How does it react to high heat exposure?
- Does it clean easily?
- What maintenance is required?
- Will you be required to refinish it?
You will need to use wood that will withstand nature’s elements and the wear and tear of a standard kitchen, preferably wood with an aesthetic appeal. When designed and built correctly, a fully functioning outdoor kitchen can add value to your property.
You can build an outdoor kitchen with wood; however, it is recommended that you install a metal-, brick-, or concrete block frame underneath the grill section. These materials have higher heat resistance and will burn slower should there ever be a fire situation. It may be easier to use a regular grill instead of a permanently installed grill in a wooden outdoor kitchen.
Should you decide that you want an outdoor kitchen made out of wood, you will find that most hardwoods have a naturally high resistance to fire and heat and will be safe to use close to your grill. If you are not going to build the outdoor kitchen yourself, click on the following link to get three different quotes from contractors in your area who can assist in constructing your dream kitchen.
If you are not using heavier materials for your outdoor kitchen than you may be able to forgo the cost of your outdoor kitchens foundation.
What Wood Types Should Be Avoided When Building An Outdoor Kitchen?
Building an outdoor kitchen is a costly exercise. Using the wrong wood in its construction will turn out to even be more expensive, as you would have to replace the whole kitchen over time, usually because of rot and decay, wood-boring insect damage, or mold and mildew damage.
When it comes down to building an outdoor kitchen, do not use the following wood:
- Spruce
- Fir
- Whitewood
- Pine (unless it has been pressure treated)
- Red Oak (Hardwood that sucks up water like a straw)
Softwoods that are used externally are usually:
- Susceptible to rot
- Susceptible to wood boring insects
- Quick to catch fire
- In need of yearly maintenance
- Not as durable or dense as a hardwood, making it prone to water-damage
Using softwoods as the primary material in your outdoor kitchen will have you maintaining it yearly, and waterproofing sealers tend to peel off this kind of wood quite quickly, making maintenance an ongoing theme.
If you opt for a softwood (indoor) type of wood to build your outdoor kitchen, one way to help it survive outdoors is to prime and paint them. Just some cautionary advice: You will have to stay on top of the paint job and spring to action as soon as it cracks, chalks, or start peeling!
What Materials Are Used To Build An Outdoor Kitchen?
When deciding on a suitable material to build an outdoor kitchen, you have a few options to consider, some more durable than others, others more expensive. Mainly the following materials are used to build an outdoor kitchen:
- Stainless Steel
- Concrete
- Wood
- Brick
- Masonry Construction (marble, granite, limestone, cast stone, bluestone)
- Marine Grade Polymer
What Kind Of Wood Can I Use For An Outdoor Kitchen?
Choosing the right kind or type of wood is essential when building an outdoor kitchen. Picking a hardwood is generally the best option for exterior projects. They are typically more durable than softwoods due to their higher density level, making them more water -, fire-, and rot-resistant.
A hardwood will typically cost you a little more than softwood and can be a challenge to work with, but at the end of the day, a hardwood will outlast a softwood any given Sunday. Hardwoods are often used in high-quality furniture, decks, flooring, and exterior constructions that need to last (outdoor kitchens).
Kind of woods that you can use for an outdoor kitchen:
| Wood Kind | Resistant to | Janka Rating (Durability) | Life-Expectancy | Color |
| Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire (Class A Rating) Water | 3680 (Extremely Durable) Excellent For Flooring | 40-75 Years | Brown |
| Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire (Class A Rating) Water | 3540 (Extremely Durable) Excellent For Flooring | 50+ Years | Golden Brown-Reddish Brown |
| Tigerwood | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire (Class B Rating) Water | 2160 (Extremely Durable) | 30-50 Years | Tan Brown (Red & Orange Undertones) |
| Teak | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire Water | 1000 (Very Durable) | 50+ Years | Dark Golden-Brown Yellowish White |
| White Oak | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire Water | 1360 (Very Durable) | 25-50 Years | Light Straw Color-Brown |
| Mahogany (African) | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire Water | 830 (Very Durable) | 20+ Years | Pale Pink- Reddish Brown |
| Spanish Cedar | Mold Mildew Rot & Decay Wood Boring Insects Fire Water | 600 (Durable) | 30-50 Years | Light Pink-Reddish Brown |
- Many people use glulam when constructing the frame of their kitchen as it is highly resistant to fire (more than steel), it’s relatively cheap, and it’s just as durable as steel.
- Another material frequently used to build an outdoor wood kitchen frame, especially near the grill area, is pressure-treated pine (High fire-, insect-, and rot-resistance.)
Can You Use Pressure Treated Wood For An Outdoor Kitchen?
Pressure-treated woods usually refers to yellow Southern Pine, which is made to be rot- and pest-resistant when put through a chemical process. Some pressure-treated wood is made from SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) wood.
Pressure-treated wood placed in direct sunlight will fade quickly over time, turning into a grey color, and will require you to use either one of the following (regularly):
- Transparent Sealers
- Opaque Stains
- Semi-transparent Stain
- Paint
Should you use pressure-treated wood as your building material, it is then advised that you have some cover in place to protect it from the sun:
- Gazebo
- Roof
- Pergola
- Canopy
When using pressure-treated wood to build your kitchen, you need to consider that you will have to perform more maintenance on the wood to retain its visual appeal, whereas most hardwoods won’t require annual maintenance (sealers, stains, and paint).
A common type of pressure treated wood that is also a cheap alternative to the large upfront purchase cost of all new lumber is pallets. We discuss here different ways to make pallets more appealing in your backyard such as painting your pallets.
Conclusion
When building an outdoor kitchen out of wood, the bottom line is that you build it right from the beginning, choosing the correct wood type that will give you zero hassles down the line. Hardwood is the best wood option for an outdoor kitchen. Even if it costs a little more, you will save money and time in the long run!
Hardwood is durable and offers natural resistance to most elements that you will have to incorporate into softwood kitchen designs via sealers, stains, and paints. An outdoor kitchen is an investment, so invest in the best wood.