7 Vital Outdoor Kitchen Wood Rules You Can’t Overlook
Picking wood for an outdoor kitchen frame, cabinets, doors, countertops, or backsplash can be a frightening process. Some say it’s foolish to even consider wood for the backyard!
Other homeowners state this material works amazingly in humid areas. So…what’s the truth? Can you build an outdoor kitchen out of wood that actually works well and lasts a long time?
The answer: an outdoor kitchen can be built entirely out of wood. Multiple wood species will work excellent for outdoor kitchen frames, cabinet doors, countertops, and even covering!
A wooden outdoor kitchen can be:
- created with a variety of budgets
- durable and long-lasting
- the focal point of any backyard
So am I saying all the voices on the internet stating wood is a terrible material for an outdoor kitchen are wrong? Well, it definitely can be if you don’t follow the seven vital rules of a wooden outdoor kitchen design.
I’ll share them with you so you can avoid common (costly) mistakes.
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Guide: The 7 Rules
Wood is one of these materials that looks amazing in the backyard. A wooden outdoor kitchen can also be durable, but only if you build it wisely.
There are seven rules to follow – some of these rules will differ for budget outdoor kitchens and premium ones.
Rule #1: Use Wood With 20% Or Less Moisture Content
Properly dried wood is more resistant to elements, less likely to rot, and will not visibly change its shape. To achieve this result, wood has to be dried either by air or in the chamber.
Rule #2: Add an Insulated Jacket Under Every Heat Appliance
Wood is a combustible material. That doesn’t mean it’ll only last a short period of time (have you seen the hundreds of wooden houses around the world?).
It does, however, mean you have to use it wisely and add an insulated jacket under every heat appliance such as a stovetop or a grill. Yes, jackets add to the budget, but they make your outdoor kitchen a much safer place.
An insulated jacket is basically a stainless steel bin you put between a structure made of combustible materials and a burner/ grill.
Take your grill instruction seriously if you’re considering outdoor kitchen wood materials: if your instructions require a range hood installation, do it. The goal of a hood is to reduce smoke and direct a fire in case one starts.
Remember to never leave your grill or burner unattended while on. It’s also worth keeping a fire blanket, or an extinguisher, in your outdoor kitchen area.
Rule #3: Inspect Your Outdoor Kitchen Twice Per Year
As with any outdoor space, the outdoor kitchen needs to be looked after. You need to perform inspections of your outdoor kitchen at least twice per year to look for signs of pest invasion and leaks.
You also need it to perform water and gas installation check-ups.
Even the most protected outdoor kitchen wood can have surprise mold or surprise insects burrowing inside.
Rule #4: Pick the Right Wood Species
For a smaller budget, spruce is a nice choice. A slightly more expensive oak is another beautiful option that holds up well.
A pellet of fence wood is definitely not an option, as these materials are frequently soaked in chemicals.
A reliable option for heftier budgets are exotic wood species such as ipe (Brazilian walnut), teak, or tigerwood. Exotic woods are very dense and durable, ensuring outdoor kitchens look great and work amazingly for a long time.
Exotic woods are more resistant to fire too (some are class A).
If you’re able to buy a processed outdoor kitchen wood, like glulam, that doesn’t have any knots or imperfections, do it. Knots are prone to rot and are less resistant to insect invasion.
They even build bridges out of glulam! It’s super-strong and has high thermal isolation. Any knots are removed during production.
Rule #5: Seal Your Softwood Every Year
This process involves sanding your softwood, then applying sealer. Not only will you improve the visual aspect of your outdoor kitchen, but you can even make the wood waterproof with a waterproof sealer.
Rule #6: Put an Isolation Layer Between Wood and Concrete
If you’re going for wood construction — or your outdoor kitchen will be finished from bottom to top with wood — putting it on a block of concrete isn’t a great option.
Concrete wicks moisture, which means the porous stone acts similar to a sponge. This moisture will migrate to the wood without an isolation layer, increasing the risk of rot, mold, or warping.
Rule #7: Add a Roof When Not in Use
This simple move will not only make your outdoor kitchen long-lasting, but it’ll ensure cooking is much more comfortable. When you have some covering above your outdoor kitchen, you can even mount a fan to it and get rid of flying insects.
These seven rules ensure your outdoor kitchen wood remains a durable and beautiful part of your backyard.
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Frame
Making an outdoor kitchen framing out of wood is pretty common amongst DIYers. Wood is much easier to work with than metal (and all your needed tools are usually in the household).
Wood is also a much more forgiving material than metal. If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of each type of frame (and why professionals prefer aluminum and steel studs), check out my handy comparison guide.
While professionals say metal is better for framing, wood can sometimes be a better choice than metal in humid areas like Florida. The main issue with metal is rusting and corrosion. Wood, on the other hand, will naturally extract and contract depending on the humidity.
Even though a wood frame can be a good solution for most outdoor kitchen construction, I recommend installing a metal frame, brick, or concrete blocks construction under the grill.
Why? These materials are less fragile to high temperatures, so they’ll burn slower if a fire happens. Most outdoor kitchens are placed close to the house, so keeping fire hazards as low as possible is crucial.
If installing a different frame material under a grill or a burner is too much fuss, use an insulated jacket under your appliances.
The goal is to isolate a source of heat from the outdoor kitchen wood so it’s more resistant.
This is an example of what a wooden outdoor kitchen with an insulated jacket looks like. As most grills are often in stainless steel color, jackets are nearly invisible to the eye (you can see how they look separately here).
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Cabinets
What kind of wood works best for outdoor kitchen cabinets? The most recommended types of wood for premium outdoor kitchen cabinets are teak, cypress, and bamboo.
For DIY projects, spruce, oak, and maple are a good option. Outdoor kitchen cabinets need to be finished with an oil or a water-resistant seal.
It is important not to put outdoor kitchen wooden cabinets directly on a concrete slab, as concrete will move moisture up into the wood. This tip is especially vital for softer species of wood, but this logic also applies to exotic wood cabinets.
It’s a good idea to add a metal construction under the grill, even if all other cabinets are done from wood.
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of researching wood types and adding water-resistant seals, consider wood alternatives like HDPE. You’ll have the choice of benefits such as waterproof protection or a lifetime warranty, but can still customize your purchase with woodgrain textures.
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Doors
Wooden doors are probably the easiest way to incorporate wood into your outdoor kitchen design. A famous interview with the designer Sandy Koepke about outdoor kitchens in the New York Times, where she states: “Your goal is to integrate it with nature,”.
Unsurprisingly, achieving this goal with, say, stainless steel cabinetry is impossible!
As you can see in the pictures above, wooden outdoor kitchen doors can have so many styles. From traditional to modern, each looks great in the backyards and so close to nature.
It’s worth remembering that countertops overhang can protect doors, especially if an outdoor kitchen is not covered.
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Countertops
The wooden countertop is a controversial solution for an outdoor kitchen. It sure looks amazing, but it’s a huge challenge to maintain.
Check out the two pictures of outdoor kitchen countertops made out of wood. The outdoor kitchen in the first picture is luxurious, while the second picture shows an outdoor grill station with a bar counter.
Wooden countertops need to be sealed to prevent water absorption, mold, and rot. I recommend you don’t chop and dice food directly on them, though, to avoid splintering or scratches.
Note how, in the first picture, the outdoor kitchen is entirely under the roof. This is essential for anyone planning an upscale outdoor kitchen with a wooden countertop.
What if only a part of the countertop is made out of wood? This is a smart idea since wood stains easily and has a higher risk of burning. There’s just nothing quite like a stone countertop for the outdoors.
There’s one kind of countertop I find absolutely amazing for an outdoor kitchen: a butcher block.
If you’re into the rustic style, this is a way to go. It can be a top part of a movable outdoor kitchen table that increases the size of your countertops (as well as the stylishness of your outdoor area). The rest of your countertops can be made out of more suitable outdoor materials.
On the contrary, for a casual option, wood might actually be an excellent option. It’s inexpensive, easy to DIY, and can be easily changed.
It is worth knowing, though, which types of wood will work well for a countertop. I’ve read and see plenty of strange advice on the internet, like using wood from a pallet or even regular fencing wood!
These types are dangerous for a food prepping surface, as they can be contaminated with toxic chemicals and harmful bacteria.
There are plenty of wood types that can be used for a countertop. The pricier they get, the more long-lasting they likely will be. For a lower budget, spruce is a nice option. Oak and maple are more pricey, but also age with grace.
If you’re looking for a wood that’ll last and look great (will being more expensive) go for exotic woods like teak or tigerwood.
Outdoor Kitchen Wood Backsplash
A backsplash is a very unusual place for wood. It can add a lot of warmth to an outdoor kitchen design, as it’s quite eye-catching on a vertical surface.
However, basic wood types don’t work well with water and heat. They also need to be frequently impregnated to stay in shape. So…how do you make this type of work?
First of all, you can fake it and put on backsplash tiles that look like wood. This is a safe option, but for the passionate wood enthusiast, may not be an acceptable option.
The second option is adding a backsplash far from the grill (like in the picture above). Water may damage unsealed wood with time, but it won’t burn it. This option will be much easier to maintain with an exotic wood.
Is wood an Eco-Friendly Material for an Outdoor Kitchen?
Yes! Wood is the most sustainable material of all. During growth, which usually takes decades, it captures carbon dioxide.
Often trees capture more CO2 than is generated during wood treatment. Check out the diagram below comparing different outdoor kitchen materials:
The only materials that even come close to wood are brick and concrete.
As a matter of fact, using wood for your outdoor kitchen is a wonderful choice for the planet. As you can see, concrete (which you really have to use to create an outdoor kitchen) generates plenty of carbon emissions in its life cycle.
With stainless steel, it’s even worse!
When you try to care for the Earth, it’s essential to reduce the number of fossil fuels used not only by yourself, but in the products you buy. As you can see on the SCA diagram, there is no construction material quite like wood.
If you still wonder what type of wood should be chosen for your outdoor kitchen in terms of sustainability, the answer is the one that will be most durable.
Want to learn more about outdoor kitchen materials and what each one has to offer your future project? Check out the following articles:
