Outdoor Kitchen

Archive for November, 2010

To some all sinks are the same. But it’s important to select the right one when you are planning your outdoor kitchen. Some of the key considerations you need to take into account when deciding on an outdoor kitchen sink are the applicable regulations, the cost, and finally the type of sink you will be installing. This article will discuss these three items in some detail.

The first thing to consider is what the building regulations are which could have a bearing on the placement of your sink. Some city councils require you to have a planning permit as they consider an outdoor kitchen to be an extension of your property. If you are in any doubt it’s best to check early with the relevant authority. Failing to do so could cause delays as well as increase the costs. Usually, a simple phone call to your council to confirm that they have no special requirements is all that is required. If a building permit is required, it usually involves submitting plans to the council and also may require you to advertise your proposed changes so that neighbors or any other interested parties have an opportunity to object. The council may have certain stipulations recording things like the location of drainage outlets or power points. If you adhere your to these requirements you should have no problem in getting that permit.

The next item you need to consider is the cost. In addition to the actual cost of the kitchen sink, don’t forget to consider some of the other costs such as the installation. In general labor is much more expensive than goods. Especially when it comes to plumbing! And again it’s better to spend upfront, than to incur higher costs later. Unless you are an expert in plumbing, get a good plumber at the beginning of the project and don’t try and do it yourself. You may well bite off more than you can chew! There are some ways you can minimize the cost of plumbing the sink, such as solar water or under the counter heating. They will then be no need to plumb hot water from your home and your costs will be reduced.

There are many types of outdoor sinks available in the market today. Probably, the most suitable for outdoor use would be a sink made from stainless steel. They are easy to maintain and because they don’t stain they are usually very easy to clean. The cost of the sinks can be as high as $200, but you can usually find a good sink for about $100. Another idea is to use a portable sink, these are usually cheaper and much easier to install. Make sure that the sink has a shut off valve, so that you can’t stop water from flowing to your outdoor kitchen. Otherwise, in winter on cold days you might find the water in your pipes freeze!

I trust this article gave you sufficient insight and you can plan properly for your outdoor kitchen sink.