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An outdoor kitchen counter is
like the basic black dress or blue suit. All it needs is a single accessory -- one head-turning
gem -- an outdoor kitchen sink.
It's bliss to wash produce outdoors, fill pots
for boiling water, rinse hands and utensils, and clean up when
your done.This is even truer if you plan to begin and end
most days in your ristorante alfresco!
You'll see lots of small
bar sinks installed, and they get the job done okay. But for
many, bigger and deeper is always better.
Stainless steel rules, but there are plenty
of other materials and mounting styles. And don't forget the
faucet -- you'll need these, too.
The Guide looks at all of these. Use it to
find the splash-happy outdoor kitchen sink and outdoor kitchen
faucet that's right for you.
If you don't plan to wash
dishes outdoors, you can get by with just cold water. And you
can use a water line from the house or a garden house.
For hot water, you'll need a line from the house. Or heat
up cold water with a small under-sink water heater.
The sink's drain line can be tied to the house's drainage
system or a separate dry well.
Or you can install a gray-water tank. Then re-purpose the
used water for the landscape plants. Just make sure the soaps
are biodegradable.
If the sink won't be used that much, you can collect the
water underneath the sink with a bucket.
Every outdoor sink needs a shut-off valve so you can drain
the system before winter weather sets in.
Outdoor Kitchen Sink
Materials
Stainless steel is durable and readily available
in every shape, size, and price range. But there are lots of
other outdoor sink materials.
Porcelain enamel looks like ceramic, but is more
weather-worthy.
Stone basins are the most durable, and cooper
develops a beautiful patina with age.
If the sink material can be scratched or
chipped, it's better used under a shelter or roof -- like in a
gazebo or pergola. In an
exposed area, be sure the outdoor kitchen sink material
is weather worthy.
Here are some materials you can expect to
find in the different outdoor kitchen sink types.
Stainless Steel - $-$$$
Polished stone - $$$
Solid Surface - $$
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Seamless sink & counter can be molded
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Lots of colors, shapes, sizes & styles
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Resists scratches & dents
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Not heat resistant
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Scratches can be sanded out
Porcelain Enamel - $$
Concrete - $$-$$$
Copper - $$
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Outdoor Kitchen Sink Styles
Drop-in sinks. They fit into a
hole cut into the counter. And they're easy to install.
Undermount sinks. Easy to
clean, but difficult to install because they need a perfect,
polished-edge cutout.
Farmhouse sinks. These are
freestanding basins. They're mounted flush with the front of
the cabinet. So they're easy to reach.
Integrated sinks. These feature
seamless construction, making them an integrated part of the
countertop.
Vessel sinks. These are small,
decorative bowls that sit on top of the outdoor
kitchen counter.
Bar centers. This drop-in sink
is a pre-assembled modular unit that contains a bar sink, a
cooler and condiment bin all in one.
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Outdoor Kitchen Faucets
Faucets are made from stainless steel.
A faucet with solid brass insides and ceramic
disk valves lasts longest.
And there is plenty of variety in outdoor
kitchen faucets.
You can get a faucet with knobs or levers,
single-handle, or double-handled, long neck, short neck, fixed
position or adjustable, and with or without sprayers or soap
dispensers.
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