HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN

OUTDOOR LIVING AT ITS FINEST

According to the calendar, winter has officially begun. While those of us in Colorado know we have plenty of sunshine and surprisingly warm days ahead, now is a good time to start thinking about how to prepare your outdoor living space for cold weather. The experts at Artisan Outdoor Kitchens know what steps you should be taking, and in today’s blog, we’ll be going over the winter checklist you need for your outdoor kitchen.

Whether you’re already planning for a few upgrades in the spring, or you’re dreaming of your first custom outdoor kitchen, Artisan Outdoor Kitchens is here for you. We have years of experience making beautiful spaces a reality, and we’ll work hard to make sure you’re happy with the final product. Keep reading to learn how you can best care for your outdoor living space, and contact us today to start planning your next project!

WHY YOU NEED TO WINTERIZE YOUR KITCHEN

Outdoor kitchens are made, by nature, to survive the outdoor elements. Artisan Outdoor Kitchens in particular is dedicated to using durable materials like powder-coated stainless steel, and we’ll help you find appliances that are made to endure weather in all seasons when we design your outdoor living space. However, there are concessions to be made if you choose to have all the conveniences of an indoor kitchen outdoors. Water, for example, can prove to be a real hazard if you don’t take the following steps. These preventative measures also go a long way toward preserving the beauty and function of your space for years to come, so you can get back to entertaining your friends and enjoying your space as soon as spring arrives. So we hope you keep reading, and talk to your Artisan Outdoor Kitchens consultant if you have questions!

SHUT OFF WATER LINES

One of the most important steps in winterizing your outdoor kitchen – at least in a place like Colorado, where the temperature has already started dropping below freezing – is to shut off the water lines connecting your outdoor kitchen to the indoor plumbing system. The indoor shut-off valve is your best choice. Skipping this step can lead to a lot of unpleasant circumstances, as water will freeze and expand in the cold, and can damage your pipes and whatever they are attached to.

DRAIN WATER LINES

Once the water has been shut off, do your best to empty any residual water in the pipes, and leave all drain valves open. Damage from freezing pipes can not only mean expensive repairs to the outdoor water lines you invested in, but also repairs to the appliances that utilize them. Be thorough, checking the water lines for all your relevant appliances. This can include a refrigerator, ice maker, sinks, and a dishwasher if you have one.

TURN OFF POWER AND GAS

Since you likely won’t be using your outdoor kitchen once it’s snowed and frozen over, it’s a good idea to turn off other supply lines to the space as well. Turn off any gas lines you may have feeding a grill or stove, and switch off any electric-powered appliances or accessories. To be sure nothing is missed and no power is wasted, unplug appliances with an outlet connection and turn off the circuit breaker connected to your outdoor space.

CLEAN YOUR APPLIANCES

If you put your outdoor kitchen to good use this past season, then it could probably use a thorough cleaning. Use one of those unseasonably warm, sunny days to deep clean all your appliances. Degrease the grill and season the cooking surfaces and wipe out the fridge, seeking out and addressing any crumbs, spills, or debris that may have accumulated over the months.

As an extra step, there are also a few aspects of your kitchen that you may want to cover throughout the winter. Don’t cover appliances like your fridge, because moisture can accumulate under the material and may damage electrical parts. You should cover your grill, however, if you don’t plan to use it, and your sink, which may otherwise collect snow and debris.

PROTECT YOUR CABINETS AND COUNTERTOPS

Artisan Outdoor Kitchens is proud to provide sturdy, durable materials for your custom outdoor kitchen, but a little extra care can help them stay beautiful and functional for years to come. Add a layer of stainless steel polish to your cabinets and stainless steel appliances, and seal your stone countertops, if you have them, to prevent chips or staining. This step also offers an opportunity to do a final sweep of your cabinets and storage space and bring items inside, especially liquids. It’s also a chance to look through a few of the items you may have forgotten in the back corners and discard anything old or expired.

START DESIGNING YOUR DREAM KITCHEN TODAY

If your outdoor kitchen needs a facelift from a hard winter, or you want to expand your outdoor living space with a custom layout, contact Artisan Outdoor Kitchens today! We take pride in bringing our customers’ dreams and ideas to life, and we use materials that partner style with practicality and longevity for an outdoor kitchen that can last through years of Colorado winters. While the cold weather may be chasing you inside, it’s the perfect time to visit our Boulder location or call one of our consultants about your next project. Take the first step toward making your plans a reality and contact Artisan Outdoor Kitchens today!

COLORADO LIFESTYLE

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Colorado is the ideal environment for outdoor entertaining. Outdoor living is about more than just personal style and atmosphere; it’s also about function and longevity. Danver and Brown Jordan stainless kitchens are especially designed and engineered for outdoor use in environments like Colorado where snow in the morning doesn’t mean you will not be grilling in the afternoon.