A Perfect Surface: Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
When you look for outdoor kitchen countertop ideas, one of the most important decisions you make is what material to install. After all, the countertop is where much of the cooking magic happens and it’s a surface you’ll be looking at every day. The right space for food preparation, organizing and cleaning also needs to hold up against Mother Nature. What makes a great countertop for outdoor cooking? Let’s go over everything you need to know about choosing outdoor kitchen countertops.
What Is The Kitchen Countertop?
The kitchen countertop is one of the essential components of a kitchen and one of the primary outdoor kitchen materials. The countertop is the flat horizontal surface in which food can be prepared. Aside from the act of cooking, everything happens on the countertop. Even if an outdoor kitchen only has a grill and doesn’t have a sink, a refrigerator, or a stove – the three components of the Kitchen Triangle – it still needs a flat surface for food prep. A permanent countertop should be one of the primary considerations of your outdoor kitchen design.
Does An Outdoor Kitchen Need A Countertop?
Absolutely! The main idea of an outdoor kitchen is that it should be completely independent from the indoor kitchen. It doesn’t make sense to constantly run in and out of the house to get supplies or prepare food while you’re cooking outdoors. Keeping the entire cooking activity outside will help you remain a part of the conversation and let you keep an eye on the kids, it’ll keep your house cooler, cleaner, and bug-free, and it will minimize traffic accidents on the patio (one trip and oops, there goes the salad). A countertop is essential for making your outdoor kitchen completely independent from the primary kitchen inside your home.
The countertop makes up the general outline of your outdoor kitchen since aside from the grill or other cooktop and sink, other appliances are tucked underneath. As such, the countertop shape and size will be one of the first considerations you’ll need to nail down in the design.
How Big Does An Outdoor Countertop Need To Be?
The size of the countertop in your outdoor kitchen is one of the most important factors in the design of your outdoor kitchen. A countertop should be sized to accommodate the everyday tasks that suit your cooking preferences. It should also be proportional to the general size of the outdoor kitchen as a whole. You don’t want a tiny space for your countertop while the remainder of the outdoor kitchen is occupied by appliances. Similarly, you don’t want a giant countertop while the rest of your outdoor kitchen doesn’t have enough appliances to make use of the space. Let’s cover some of the important countertop dimensions to keep in mind when designing your outdoor kitchen.
The height of your outdoor countertop is of paramount importance to the effectiveness of your outdoor kitchen. The average kitchen countertop height is 36 inches off the ground. This is recognized as the industry average because it generally accommodates most people in a kitchen. Someone who is 5 feet 8 inches tall, for instance, should be quite comfortable preparing food at a 36 inch high countertop. If your family is generally shorter or taller, adjust your countertop height accordingly. Always design your heavy-use areas such as kitchens and bathrooms to suit you.
The depth of your outdoor countertop is also a crucial determination you need to make for the effectiveness of your outdoor kitchen. The average kitchen countertop is 30 inches from the edge to the back. This is recognized as the industry average because it generally provides the work space that includes a cutting board and smaller appliances. A countertop that is too shallow won’t provide enough space to effectively prepare food and can create a cramped and stressful feeling. A countertop that is too deep may waste space and make it difficult for those on the shorter end to reach items that have been pushed to the back.
The width of your outdoor countertop is the least important factor in creating an effective outdoor kitchen, but it has the most visual impact. The average kitchen countertop width varies greatly according to the design you use, but some standard measurements are 10 feet wide, 16 feet wide, and 20 feet wide. Those measurements generally constitute a small, mid-size, and large outdoor kitchen. When determining which size is best for your outdoor kitchen, make sure to consider how much space you have available as well as which appliances are an absolute must-have for your best outdoor cooking experiences.
What Stone Is Used For Outdoor Kitchens?
Over the years, designers and builders have used a variety of stone materials for outdoor kitchens. There are plenty of stone materials that can be used in the structure of an outdoor kitchen, such as river rock, stacked flagstone, stone blocks, concrete blocks, or blocks clad with stone veneer. There are also many choices for outdoor countertop materials and flooring materials.
The ground surface of your outdoor kitchen should be made of a material that can withstand the pressures of a high amount of foot traffic. It should also be sealed to prevent staining or damage from kitchen accidents. Generally, the ground surface of the outdoor kitchen can be the same material as most other parts of the outdoor living space.
The supporting structure of your outdoor kitchen will most often be made using concrete blocks clad with a veneer. Not all stone is considered structural: river rock and flagstone, for example. But they make excellent veneers on top of a central concrete block structure. You can also use decorative concrete blocks which eliminate the need for a veneer. Or, you can clad a concrete block structure in other materials. This is where the design becomes fun as you choose which stone veneer, wood paneling, or steel cladding to use. You can choose to create a seamless integration into the outdoor space by using the same veneers as on other structures. Or, you can use complementary but different materials such as wood to give your kitchen a “here I am, look at me” wow factor.
There are plenty of stone materials that are used in the countertops of outdoor kitchens. Some of the most common stone materials for an outdoor kitchen countertop are ceramic tile, concrete, slate, and soapstone, but the best material is granite. Granite is both attractive and incredibly strong. Aside from some occasional sealing, granite will prove to be an extremely low maintenance option that improves your outdoor kitchen.
What Type Of Countertop Is Best For Outside?
The best outdoor kitchen countertops all hold up well in all types of weather. There are many materials to choose from as you decide on the right countertop design for your outdoor kitchen. Some kind of stone material is the most popular for outdoor use; but plenty of outdoor kitchens make wood, concrete, epoxy, or metal to make a unique countertop that’s as visually appealing as it is effective.
What many kitchen designers will tell you is that it’s not necessarily the material that is so important, but how it is protected.
Before we get into that point, let’s cover some of the most popular materials for outdoor kitchen countertops.
Ceramic Tile: One of the oldest forms of masonry materials in the world, tiles have been produced in a massive amount of colors, shapes, sizes, and intricate designs. Including tile in your countertop can be an excellent design choice. If you’re interested in using a different stone material, tile can make excellent borders and accents. Keep in mind that tile can be prone to cracking with sustained high levels of heat and that individual tiles may be difficult to replace depending on their design. If you hate the idea of cleaning grout, don’t choose tiles for your countertop and use them on the backsplash instead, where grout is less prone to grunge build-up.
Concrete: Modern designs rely on the drab color palette and texture of concrete. It’s an excellent material to use in an outdoor kitchen as it can be shaped and molded with practically any form, shape, or pattern you’re looking for. It will need to be sealed but it will also develop a gorgeous patina over time.
Granite: One of the most popular stone materials for construction everywhere in the world, this gorgeous and durable igneous rock is best known for its complex visuals, ability to withstand heat (you can put a hot dish on it safely), and weather resistance. Granite will hold up beautifully to the demands of outdoor cooking. And, it’ll give your outdoor kitchen an elegant look.
Epoxy: A hot trend, epoxy countertops have become the darlings of creative DIYers and designers. It’s economical, and when we say the sky’s the limit for design, we aren’t kidding. Epoxy can be poured over virtually anything to create a stunning and functional work of art. Its incredible durability, sleek high-gloss finish, heat resistance, and scratch resistance makes it ideal for outdoor use. Be sure to use a UV-resistant and food-safe epoxy resin on outdoor countertops. The main drawback (aside from time-consuming application) is that you’ll need to wipe up spills quickly before they set as stains.
Slate: When you want to create an outdoor kitchen countertop with gorgeous visuals and a fascinating texture, consider slate. It’ll need to be sealed, but for a rustic kitchen - or as a juxtaposition to a sleek modern kitchen - this stone delivers.
Soapstone: The name of soapstone comes from the smooth texture of the surface of this stone. That texture is actually a huge benefit to the stone because it’s naturally stain resistant. Keep in mind that soapstone will become darker over time and because it’s a soft stone, it will scratch (most scratches are easily buffed out, or you can keep them as they add character to the stone over time).
Quartzite: This natural stone has essentially the same qualities as granite countertops. It’s a stone with incredible character and charm.
Quartz: Quartz countertops are not natural stone but rather stone chips embedded in a resin. They are popular because of their heat resistance, durability and low maintenance, but shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight because they may warp and yellow.
Other materials that are common in kitchen design include wood, which will have to be sealed every season; stainless steel, which is durable and modern but can cause an unpleasant glare in direct sun; and marble, which is gorgeous but prone to staining and chipping.
Because Mother Nature adds a whole new element of hard wear to a countertop, we recommend granite as the best all-around outdoor countertop material. It’s strong, beautiful, and durable. It will only need periodic sealing to hold up against the elements for generations. A granite countertop in your outdoor kitchen will surely be one of the most attractive parts of your entire outdoor living space.
What Can I Use For An Outdoor Bar Countertop?
The bar countertop in your outdoor kitchen is another opportunity to make a big splash with some gorgeous visuals. The bar countertop doesn’t necessarily need to be made of a different material than your outdoor kitchen countertop, but it doesn’t hurt to get a little creative in your design.
While the kitchen countertop will be typically used for food preparation, organization, and cleaning, the bar countertop generally has entirely different purposes. It will be a location for dining, drinking, chatting, reading, or even working. While you can use a different material, you’ll want to choose one that resists scratches and stains, requires minimal upkeep, and will withstand the forces of nature.
What Is The Most Durable Outdoor Countertop?
There are many stone, wood, and metal materials you can use for your outdoor kitchen countertop, but none are as durable as granite. The majority of other stone materials used as countertop surfaces are either prone to scratching or staining, but not granite. Granite is a hugely popular stone for indoor and outdoor kitchens for good reason. Even if it does get scratched or dinged, the blemish won’t show easily since the amazingly rich patterns go all the way through the stone.
Is A Granite Countertop Good For Outdoor Kitchens?
Most definitely! When you’re choosing the stone material for your outdoor kitchen countertops, granite is likely one of the first materials you hear about. The quality, beauty, and versatility of the granite outdoor kitchen countertop lives up to the hype.
Of course, with quality comes a higher price. Granite is strong and beautiful and it is in high demand all over the world for these reasons. Even though granite is the perfect stone material for an outdoor kitchen countertop, it’s not necessary to use it in every other part of your outdoor kitchen (such as the bar) if you want to keep costs down. Then again, its durability and low maintenance can be well worth the initial cost over time.
Are Concrete Countertops Good For Outdoor Kitchens?
Absolutely! Concrete is another one of the most popular stone materials used in the construction of an outdoor kitchen. Unlike granite, concrete is commonly used in both the main structure of an outdoor kitchen as well as the countertop. Concrete is both a structural and cosmetic material.
While it’s not as pretty as stone materials like granite, soapstone, or marble, concrete is infinitely more versatile. A concrete outdoor kitchen countertop can be molded to practically any shape. That’s perfect if you want to think outside the box and opt for curved countertops or countertops that come in lengths longer than readily available stone slabs.
Concrete is also a relatively lightweight, incredibly strong, and widely available material that can result in some truly fantastic modern outdoor kitchen countertops and more. Concrete countertops need regular sealing but over time they’ll develop a cool patina that adds so much character to the space.
Are Concrete Countertops Cheaper Than Granite Countertops?
You may think that since concrete is a widely available material and fairly easy to work with on certain projects that it is a cheaper material for outdoor kitchens than its granite counterpart. However, that’s not always the case. The biggest reason for this is that concrete countertops are seen as a craft that takes a lot of skill to produce. A countertop has much different requirements than your average sidewalk or other concrete structure. It needs to be a precisely crafted and gorgeous feature that amplifies the features and design nearby. In other words, the labor is where this countertop material will bump up the final price.
Concrete is ultimately more expensive per square foot than granite because granite simply needs to be cut to achieve the general shape of the counter. While this is not necessarily an easy process, it requires less physical labor than concrete does. After the form of the concrete countertop is achieved, the structure needs to be secured for several days so it can set and cure. In the long run, granite is definitely cheaper.
How Do You Protect Outdoor Kitchen Countertops?
The countertop is specifically designed to take the biggest beating and the most amount of mess in an outdoor kitchen. Even an incredibly strong stone material will require the protection of a sealant.
There are other tasks during and after construction that can greatly extend the lifespan of your outdoor kitchen countertops. It’s important to keep your countertops under shade whenever possible because even natural materials like stone can fade in direct sunlight. You can protect your investment with a permanent structure like a pavilion or a sun shade that stretches across your outdoor kitchen.
In the winter, it’s important to keep your countertops covered throughout the season, especially porous countertop materials that absorb water and can be damaged by the freeze-thaw cycle.
Whichever material you choose, keep it clean. Make sure to clean up every spill quickly before it seeps in and becomes a forever reminder (unless, of course, you want your outdoor countertop to develop a well-used patina).
What Is The Most Heat Resistant Kitchen Countertop?
There’s that common saying: “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Well, that applies to countertops too. An outdoor kitchen countertop can experience high levels of heat during direct sunlight in the summer or from out-of-the-oven or off-the stove dishes. Granite is the most heat resistant kitchen countertop material available. It’s a stone that was quite literally formed in the fires of volcanoes.
There is a consideration you should make with sunny and hot climates. Granite may be heat resistant, but the color of the stone matters quite a bit in how everyone enjoys your outdoor kitchen. A dark colored granite countertop can absorb a considerable amount of heat from the sun and your outdoor kitchen appliances, so if your outdoor kitchen is in direct sunlight or you live in a hot climate, it’s a good idea to opt for light-colored granite for your kitchen surfaces, including the countertops.
An outdoor kitchen countertop is something you’ll be looking at and using every day, so take your time choosing the material that will work best for you.