Why have one kitchen when you can have two? We’re talking about one indoor kitchen, and one outdoor kitchen. A thoughtfully designed, well-equipped outdoor kitchen can act as a cooking area, serving station, and entertainment space, all in one. Not to mention, a place to disconnect from the business of life and enjoy the serenity of nature. A 2024 outdoor kitchen can be so much more than a built-in grill with some cabinetry; instead, outdoor kitchens can feature a beautifully designed layout, and luxurious appliances like pizza ovens, undercounter refrigeration, ice makers, side burners, sinks, griddles, and bar stations. So, let’s dive into these 2024 outdoor trends!
Modular Designs
Modular designs are going to be all the rage for 2024 outdoor kitchens. No need to sacrifice fashion for function in 2024, as modular designs are the most flexible option for an outdoor kitchen, while still packing a visual punch. Unlike built-ins, modular designs offer the ability to rearrange or update components separately. In addition, modular options are as customizable as ever, thanks to cutting-edge brands like Urban Bonfire and Vlaze.
Urban Bonfire designs can help your dream outdoor kitchen come to life! Their outdoor cabinetry designs connect customers to nature and outdoor elements around them, inspire great meals, and provide a backdrop to connect with friends and family. Using marine-grade, powder-coated aluminum, Urban Bonfire cabinetry is created to fit seamlessly with a wide range of PIRCH grills and outdoor appliances, allowing you to bring new life and energy to your outdoor cooking space.
In Whitney Bond’s San Diego outdoor kitchen, Urban Bonfire cabinetry, Dekton by Cosentino surfaces, and DCS appliances came together seamlessly to create the outdoor kitchen of her dreams. Urban Bonfire’s kitchen designs also offer a modular element that makes them extremely versatile for any kitchen; the 4 zones (heating, cooling, prep, and clean) make everyday cooking and hosting a breeze.
Vlaze’s ADAPT kitchen modules are finished in luxurious enamel glazes, in vibrant hues like Ochre, Indigo, and Nori, while also being heat-proof, hygienic, and stain-resistant for outdoor living. Wondering what design would suit your outdoor space best? Vlaze’s host of options, including islands, L-shaped units, and planters, ensure the perfect piece for your kitchen. Designed for outdoor living, these mobile units offer the perfect solution for food preparation, cabinetry, and al fresco dining, all while being completely weatherproof.
Sustainability & Clean Energy
Sustainability is one of the top trends for 2024, as in the last few years we have noticed a larger focus on reducing the home’s carbon footprint. Whether it’s incorporating recycled materials into your kitchen, or investing in low-water usage appliances, there are many ways to be greener inside your home and out.
For an outdoor kitchen, one of the main appliances is likely a grill, whether it’s a pellet grill, traditional grill, or kamado grill. From charcoal, to propane, to natural gas, there are many options to choose from, and the choice can feel overwhelming. As a general guide, propane and natural-gas fired grills are the more sustainable option compared to charcoal or wood-fired grills. However, charcoal grills can still use natural lump charcoal, which is made from processed wood and produces fewer greenhouse emissions. If you still want to use a wood-fired grill, you can make sure the wood is responsibly sourced in order to reduce your carbon footprint.
Kalamazoo’s outdoor appliances are known for their high-quality materials and craftsmanship, aiming for long lifespans and reducing the need for frequent replacements. With that, Kalamazoo grills also boast unmatched performance. Take the Hybrid Fire Grill, for example. When using gas only, it has a temperature range of 220 – 750°F at the lid thermometer, which translates to around 850°F. With charcoal, that cooking surface temp can surpass the four-digit territory. What this means is that literally any part of the grill can sear, regardless of what type of fuel you’re cooking with. Next to your searing station, you can also slowly roast vegetables by turning down the heat. Plus, you’ll find a built-in mechanized rotisserie. This multifunctional grill reduces the need for other appliances, in turn helping to reduce energy consumption. With a 25 year warranty on all Kalamazoo products, you can remain stress-free about your outdoor kitchen for years to come.
Apart from outdoor appliances, there are also various sustainable options available for surfaces. Moderno Porcelain Works specializes in large-format porcelain surfaces that are ultra-luxe and high-performance, made from a formula of natural minerals and cutting-edge technology. Unlike granite or marble, porcelain is a man-made material that promotes sustainability; it is constructed from recycled materials, is incredibly durable, and at its disposal, is recyclable. For the outdoors, porcelain surfaces are ideal for flooring, stairs, pool surrounds, accent walls, and of course, outdoor kitchen countertops. Moderno surfaces are stain, scratch, heat, and UV resistant, creating durable kitchen surfaces that elevate your design while holding up to the outdoor elements. From Emser Tile, to Cosentino, to Lapitec, PIRCH offers a wide selection of sustainable options for indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Rain, Snow or Shine
Contrary to popular belief, outdoor kitchens aren’t only for the perfect sunny day! Thanks to technology and extra durable materials, your outdoor kitchen will be able to withstand even the most extreme bouts of weather.
Dekton by Cosentino offers a wide variety of options for surfaces, flooring, and facades in both indoor and outdoor applications. Resistant to UV damage, scratches, stains, heat, abrasion, and freezing/thawing, Dekton countertops are an enduring look in more ways than one! Food blogger Whitney Bond explains that she chose Dekton surfaces for her outdoor kitchen because “They can withstand being outside, as well as any kind of spills or scratches. They’re scratch resistant, stain resistant, and heat resistant. I love that for being outside and entertaining.” Available in 5 thicknesses and various designs, there’s a Dekton surface for any design aesthetic.
For walls and water features, MR Walls is the way to go. Their walls are constructed from durable Corian Solid Surface, which is highly UV resistant, scratch resistant, and heat resistant. The only limit to what MR Walls can achieve is your own imagination.
In addition to these durable materials, Pratic pergolas have you covered for any type of weather, making outdoor living possible all year round. Even in the heat of the summer, or wet months of winter and spring, you can still gather with loved ones under the comfort of a thoughtfully designed pergola. An ideal blend of design, technology, and wellness, Pratic’s bioclimatic pergolas make it possible to obtain an outdoor structure that is perfectly integrated with your space, extending the comforts of your home to be enjoyed outdoors.
Technological Advances & Smart Capabilities
As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, many outdoor appliances and products can be purchased with smart capabilities. For instance, features such as high-tech lighting, easy-to-use remotes, and mobile connectivity through Bluetooth are bringing a whole new light to outdoor kitchens for 2024. Appliances are also becoming more high-tech, with features like integrated Wi-Fi controllers and apps to make cooking a breeze.
The Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill by Kamado Joe is introducing a new era of ceramic grilling, combining the traditional kamado style with digital technology for a revolutionary cooking experience. Choose between Automatic Cook Mode for digitally connected cooking, or Manual Cook Mode for a traditional kamado grilling experience. No matter your skill level in the kitchen, or what you love to cook, the Konnected Joe makes it easy to cook up meats, vegetables, and sides. In addition, you can use the Kamado Joe App to set temperature and time, monitor meat probes, and discover new recipes. It couldn’t be easier to master grilling and smoking in the comfort of your own backyard.
If you’re searching for a high-tech pellet grill, you’ve come to the right place! The 36” Wood-Fired Pellet Grill & Smoker is Twin Eagles’ super premium grill, combining phenomenal design and meticulous engineering to create a grill unlike any other. Whether you want to smoke, bake, grill, sear, or rotisserie, the Twin Eagles pellet grill is your best friend. It’s perfect for entertaining with its large surface area, and with three temperature probes, you can monitor the temperature of multiple food items simultaneously. The Wood-Fired Pellet Grill also features an intuitive, Wi-Fi enabled touchscreen packed with recipes and tips for your next cookout, so you won’t have to stress about difficult-to-use controls.
Unique Materials
As outdoor kitchens become increasingly popular and infinitely customizable, so do the materials used to construct them. Arguably the most important part about selecting materials for your outdoor kitchen is to make sure that they are resistant to the elements, such as rain, heat, and freezing. Materials in an outdoor kitchen should also be able to withstand wear and tear, especially if you plan on entertaining often.
Pro-Fit Outdoor Living’s kitchen designs feature an infinitely recyclable, weatherproof, and rust-proof aluminum frame system that offers flexibility and countless options to seamlessly integrate any manufacturer’s grill along with any built-in accessory. With pre-designed kits that can be assembled in less than 2 hours, you can watch your outdoor kitchen come to life in a matter of days to be fully ready for grilling season.
Pro-Fit’s unique framing system is constructed from heavy gauge aluminum and fire-resistant panels, ensuring that your outdoor kitchen won’t bend, crack, or warp, no matter what climate you live in. And, in addition to designing outdoor kitchens, Pro-Fit can customize and build modern waterfalls, firepits, mobile bars, and outdoor compatible TV walls.
A new addition to their lineup of surfaces and tiles, Dekton by Cosentino now offers Dekton Ukiyo, a new textured collection in collaboration with Claudia Afshar, an internationally recognized high-end interior and product designer. Featuring ready-to-install fluted tiles, this collaboration is one of the first of its kind in the industry, bringing distinctive depth and dimension to any space. Apart from the collection’s gorgeous aesthetic, all Dekton products are full life cycle carbon neutral and are resistant to UV rays, scratches, stains, and thermal shock, making them a fabulous surface option for the outdoors. From facades, to fireplaces, to built-ins for outdoor kitchens, the Ukiyo collection is ideal for many applications across the board.
Baking Outdoors
Baking is a classic cooking method that will never go out of style. And now, along with baking indoors, we can bake outdoors as well, with a variety of different methods. Pizza ovens and hearths are the most obvious choices for baking outdoors, and for good reason. With all the fabulous pizza oven choices on the market right now, you can find an oven that fits both your budget and space perfectly. Alfa Ovens, made in Italy since 1977, offers multiple models suitable for baking, grilling, roasting, and stewing. No matter if you opt for a wood fired, gas, or hybrid Alfa oven, you can be sure that any meal you cook will impress family and friends. From pizzas, to casseroles, to roasted vegetables, we’re confident that an Alfa oven will be the mainstay of your outdoor kitchen in 2024.
The Wood Stone hearth is an exceptional stone hearth oven built to perform and offer the power and precision you need to make the food you love. Wood Stone is often found in the world’s leading restaurants due to the quality and reliability of their products.
With their residential line, they offer the same performance in a package that can be integrated into your home and backyard, elevating your cooking experience, and bringing a dynamic centerpiece to your cooking spaces.
“I love the way Wood Stone combines old traditions with a modern flare,” Chef Kimberly Ayala says. “Hearth ovens go so far back in history, where traditionally a town had one single hearth oven that everyone visited to bake their breads or other goods. With a Wood Stone hearth, you can fire it up in the morning to reheat pastries, and by noon you can use it to bake a beautifully roasted chicken and sourdough loaf. For dinner, you can have your friends and family over for a pizza party. There is still a sense of community around a Wood Stone hearth oven and to me that screams outdoor entertaining.”
The EVO Grill is another fabulous way to incorporate baking into your outdoor kitchen. At first glance, you may be thinking: “How can the EVO bake anything when it’s a flattop grill?” The answer is the EVO hood!
With this large stainless-steel hood, you can roast meats and vegetables just like you can in an indoor oven. When roasting, place the seared meats, fish, poultry, or vegetables either on a baking rack placed on the cook surface or directly on the cook surface. Within minutes, you’ll have delicious results without having to switch appliances.
This year, it’s all about making your outdoor kitchen a place to gather, laugh, relax, and enjoy an amazing meal. These 2024 outdoor kitchen trends are simply the first step in the design process, because ultimately your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle, personal design aesthetic, and cooking preferences.
No matter what your vision is, at PIRCH we’re here to make all your outdoor kitchen dreams come true. From incredible appliance brands like Kalamazoo, Hestan, and Wolf, to outdoor heating, to surfaces, to lighting, you’re guaranteed the best selection and the best service from our knowledgeable sales consultants.
Are you looking to build or renovate an outdoor kitchen in 2024? We can help! Click here to make an appointment at your nearest PIRCH showroom.
