How long will your summer kitchen worktop really last?
Depending on the material chosen for your outdoor kitchen worktop, its durability over time can vary considerably. There are a large number of materials currently used for summer kitchen worktops.
Nevertheless, if you want to preserve its aesthetic properties over time, you should choose a material that is resistant to temperature, UV rays, humidity, water, rain, cold, non-porous, with a low coefficient of expansion and high abrasion resistance, to avoid scratching. It must also be phytosanitary.
Key maintenance factors for outdoor kitchens
Key maintenance factors for outdoor kitchens
Stainless steel outdoor kitchen worktops
Stainless steel is a suitable material for your outdoor kitchen worktop because it is phytosanitary, very easy to clean and highly resistant to aging, but it can scratch on the surface. That’s why restaurant kitchen worktops generally have a vibratory finish, meaning they’re brushed in all directions and overall look good, meaning that if they do get scratched, you won’t detect the scratch you’ve made.
Top-of-the-range kitchens don’t usually offer the kind of distinctive worktop finishes you’ll find in a restaurant kitchen. The most common finish is a one-way satin finish. This type of finish is time-consuming and requires highly specialized machinery, especially if you want a top-quality finish. A stainless steel kitchen of this style has incredible presence.
Painted iron or galvanized steel worktops
Iron can rusts simply from exposure to oxygen in the air, which is why it is painted. For better quality, it’s possible to do both. If scratched, the basic iron material remains exposed and rusts.
The rusted surface is no longer phytosanitary, i.e. it is no longer suitable for handling foodstuffs. This means that it does not meet the abrasion resistance characteristics you need for a kitchen worktop.
Marble outdoor kitchen worktop
Marble is not recommended as it is a worktop material for your outdoor kitchen, as it is porous, stains easily and, although it can be given an special anti-stain treatment, this has a limited lifespan. Once stained, it cannot be repaired. It also contains calcium carbonate, which changes its appearance when in contact with acids or certain foods.
Marble outdoor kitchen worktop
Marble is not recommended as it is a worktop material for your outdoor kitchen, as it is porous, stains easily and, although it can be given an special anti-stain treatment, this has a limited lifespan. Once stained, it cannot be repaired. It also contains calcium carbonate, which changes its appearance when in contact with acids or certain foods.
Aluminum outdoor kitchen worktops
Aluminum also oxidizes. That’s why neither aluminum nor painted iron are suitable materials for your outdoor kitchen worktops. Lower-end barbecues and outdoor kitchens are made of these materials, as they are easy to work with and economical.
Outdoor kitchen worktops in Compact
Compact is a material composed of resin and aggregates. It is used in indoor kitchens and bathrooms in the medium-low range, but is not suitable for outdoor use as it is very porous, stains easily with many foods, oil, wine, sauces and is affected by temperature.
Wood outdoor kitchen worktops
Wood worktops are not recommended for your outdoor kitchen, as they are affected by humidity, heat, UV rays and so on. They require maintenance at least twice a year, as their aesthetic appearance deteriorates very quickly. This involves sanding and varnishing. They are easily scratched.
Plastic outdoor kitchen worktops
Plastic worktops such as polypropylene, HDPE, PVC and polymers are no longer recommended. Plastics are affected by UV rays, deform with heat, change color and scratch very easily.
For these reasons, they do not meet the necessary requirements to be used as kitchen worktops indoors or outdoors. Some brands use them because they’re very inexpensive, but if you want your outdoor kitchen to retain its aesthetics and functionality over time, they’re not a good option.
Outdoor kitchen worktops in Compact
Compact is a material composed of resin and aggregates. It is used in indoor kitchens and bathrooms in the medium-low range, but is not suitable for outdoor use as it is very porous, stains easily with many foods, oil, wine, sauces and is affected by temperature.
Ceramic outdoor kitchen worktop
In our experience, large-format porcelain stoneware is the perfect material for high-end worktops. It is temperature- and weather-resistant, non-porous and non-staining. Ceramic is very durable, but fragile at the same time. If you give it a violent blow, it can break. That’s why it’s important to work with it in great thicknesses, which guarantee good resistance.
Prices vary according to type, brand, finish and thickness. The thicker the porcelain stoneware, the more expensive it is, but the more resistant and durable it is. That’s why you shouldn’t skimp on thickness. A thickness of 3 mm for the fronts, sides and back of your outdoor kitchen is neither resistant nor durable, and breaks very easily.
How to Protect an Outdoor Kitchen
The best protection is to choose the most suitable materials for your outdoor kitchen. Fesfoc outdoor kitchens combine the most resistant and durable materials, such as 304 and 316 stainless steel and porcelain stoneware, with an ideal design.
This, and regular maintenance, will guarantee superior durability for your outdoor kitchen, even if it’s not sheltered. What’s more, you can opt for a range of additional protection options for your outdoor kitchen, between the majesty of a pergola and the functionality of protective covers.
Outdoor Kitchen Shelter: Awning & Pergola Options
To protect an outdoor kitchen under an pergola or awning, choose models made from durable materials. Make sure the structure offers adequate protection against rain, wind and sun.
Pergolas and awnings offer exceptional versatility. In addition to protecting your outdoor kitchen from inclement weather, they enhance the aesthetics of your outdoor space, creating an attractive place to relax. Their versatile use allows you to create a space for different activities.
Outdoor Kitchen Pergola Structure
Adding value to your property, they also regulate temperature, providing coolness and comfort on hot days. These structures are thus functional and aesthetic assets for any outdoor space.
Protective covers for outdoor kitchens
To effectively protect your outdoor kitchen, use covers specifically designed for outdoor use, made from weather-, UV- and water-resistant materials.
Make sure your cover fits snugly to prevent the ingress of water, dust and debris, while providing adequate ventilation to prevent condensation.
Opt for secure fastenings such as zippers or drawstrings to keep covers in place, even on windy days. Regular cleaning and proper storage will extend the life of your cover and maintain its effectiveness in protecting your outdoor kitchen from the elements and dirt.
At Fesfoc, we design custom covers for all our custom outdoor kitchens.
What is the Most Reliable Outdoor Kitchen?
The most reliable outdoor kitchens are those that meet a series of requirements such as: durability, weather resistance and aesthetic preservation of the kitchen over time with minimum maintenance.
All this means designing your outdoor kitchen with top-of-the-range materials capable of withstanding inclement weather, with a design that guarantees its structural solidity and that ensures the correct layout and operation of the various elements and appliances you’ll be adding to your outdoor kitchen to get the most out of it.
If you want the most durable, low-maintenance designer outdoor kitchen, made from the strongest, most durable materials, Fesfoc outdoor kitchens are the solution for you.
Why not buy your outdoor kitchen from an interior designer?
The most reliable outdoor kitchens are those that meet a series of requirements such as: durability, weather resistance and aesthetic preservation of the kitchen over time with minimum maintenance.
All this means designing your outdoor kitchen with top-of-the-range materials capable of withstanding inclement weather, with a design that guarantees its structural solidity and that ensures the correct layout and operation of the various elements and appliances you’ll be adding to your outdoor kitchen to get the most out of it.
If you want the most durable, low-maintenance designer outdoor kitchen, made from the strongest, most durable materials, Fesfoc outdoor kitchens are the solution for you.
Why choose Fesfoc?
You should contact an expert company like Fesfoc, which has been designing the best and most reliable outdoor kitchens for over 20 years, in terms of materials, design and reliability of outdoor appliances.
If you want a designer outdoor kitchen with the best performance, finishes and top-of-the-range appliances, at Fesfoc we’ll advise you and develop your outdoor kitchen project so that it’s simply a success and you can enjoy cooking like a professional chef.
Contact us now, either by email at [email protected] or by phone to discuss and detail what could be one of the most exciting projects of your life!
