COOKING COMPANION
OUTDOOR KITCHENS ON A BUDGET
While a fully bespoke outdoor kitchen can give you a range of cooking methods, fridges, counter space and more, the costs can also be prohibitive for some. The good news is, though, that there’s still plenty that’s possible on a smaller budget. Here are five tips for those looking to design an outdoor cooking space that doesn’t break the bank:
to an outdoor kitchen can be expensive work: instead, consider cooking equipment that simply uses naked flames or is powered by gas canisters.
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plenty of guides to building your own from scratch: it’s a cost- effective way of creating your space.
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Planning for the future is key. If you’re starting with the basics but are looking to add to your outdoor kitchen in the future, ensure that the groundwork is laid for future additions. This could be anything from building solid flooring for your space to ensuring that electricity supplies are routed to the site before beginning the work – it’ll save you the hassle of pulling everything up and starting again from scratch down the line.
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stone, paving and bricks can reduce the spend needed to create your dream space.
part of many outdoor kitchens, it can add a lot to the budget. Instead, consider a portable, rolling food trolley: it will give you plenty of space for storage and prep (and will help with serving) at a fraction of the cost.
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While an island or built in counter space is an integral
Use salvaged materials. Reclaimed wood and recycled
Build your own brick oven. Search online and you’ll find
Running your existing gas, water and electricity supplies
How to cook OUTDOORS
When planning your alfresco kitchen, it’s
important to decide how you intend to use it before the build begins. John MacQueen of Totnes-based BigFire tells us more…
In addition to the actual equipment you
are planning to purchase, it is important to think carefully about its layout, location and who will be using it. For example, try and site the kitchen in a more sheltered location, or consider building in adequate wind breaks as well as rain cover. You don’t want to site the kitchen in a position where the prevailing wind will always be blowing into your outdoor oven. Tis is really important, as it will take the heat out of the oven and blow ash and smoke around all the time. What is your cooking style? Tis will help
you choose the right equipment. If you like slow cooking, then something like a Kamado Joe could be ideal for you. But if you are planning to bake a lot and love pizza, then a traditional-style pizza oven is likely to be a better fit. Here is a selection of our favourite bits of equipment for an outdoor cooking area:
KAMADO JOE Tese awesome bits of kit are becoming more and more popular with top chefs, thanks to the flavour they give to the food and flexibility they offer. You don’t have to be a top chef to operate one, though! Aside from standard BBQ grilling you can slow cook for twelve hours without touching it. It’s super
easy to control the temperature, easy to light and ready to use in about 20 minutes. From pizzas to hot smoking, baking to barbecuing, you can do it all with one of these.
Pros: ❤ Adds incredible flavour to food and keeps meat moist
❤ Easy to use ❤ Will last decades Cons: ❤ Very heavy to move
KADAI FIREBOWL
A Kadai Firebowl is a great addition to any garden. However sophisticated your outdoor kitchen or cooking aspirations are, you will surely find a use for one of these. Made from recycled oil drums, the fire bowls are supplied with a grill and tongs. You can fit a tripod to the bowl and hang bowls or skillets from it.
56 | THE WEST COUNTRY FOODLOVER
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