You want to make the most of your investment when designing your outdoor kitchen. A high-quality outdoor kitchen will be beautiful, durable, customizable, and long-lasting. One of the most important considerations for designing a durable outdoor kitchen is the material you select for your cabinets. Because the kitchen will be outdoors, you will need weatherstrong cabinets. The cabinet material should be able to withstand the effects of weather and temperature changes —therefore wood cabinets might not be the best option. In this article, we cover the two most popular options for cabinets (wood and stainless steel), and discuss the pros and cons of each – including why stainless steel outdoor cabinets manufactured by Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens are the better investment.
Wood Cabinets
Wood is the most popular material for indoor kitchen cabinet designs, but it can be used outdoors as well. This natural material helps bring the indoors to the outside, and the color can be customized using paint or stain. Although wood goes well with most outdoor furniture and is suitable for an outdoor space, this material has disadvantages. Extended periods of moisture will cause wood to rot, requiring replacement. Repeated cycles of getting wet and then drying out causes wood to swell and shrink, resulting in cracking and degradation of the structure’s integrity. Additionally, exposure to the elements will damage the finish over time, requiring repainting or replacement. Wood is also flammable, often requiring a stainless steel sleeve or grill cabinet to be placed around the grill. While pressure-treated wood and cement backer board can help mitigate heat and moisture, it is important to be mindful that wood cabinets placed outside will always require maintenance. Also keep this in mind if you are looking at wooden outdoor furniture to fill your outdoor entertainment space.
Stainless Steel Cabinets
Stainless steel is an alloy composed of iron and at least 10.5% chromium. The presence of chromium is vital, as it deters the stainless steel from rusting. Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens manufactures stainless steel cabinets in both 304 and 316 (marine grade) stainless steel. Both grades are high quality and durable, although 316 is more resistant to corrosion and is typically reserved for locations that are susceptible to it, such as near saltwater. While bare stainless steel is an appealing option, it must be properly maintained and regularly cleaned to avoid rust, corrosion, scratches, or stains. With regular maintenance, these grades of stainless steel are very resistant to heat and chemicals, will not rust, and will maintain structural integrity — making them the perfect choice for outdoor cabinetry.
Why Stainless Steel is the Best Material for Outdoor Cabinets
Stainless steel is the best material for your outdoor living space and outdoor kitchen design. It is resilient, durable, and able to withstand weather effects and everyday wear and tear when properly maintained. Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens also offers a powder coat finish on our cabinets to provide even more protection. When powder coated, our cabinets are virtually maintenance-free. Our powder coat color palette includes any color to suit your style, as well as realistic wood finishes that will give you the look of wood without the same maintenance requirements.
Due to the durability of powder-coated stainless steel cabinets, we always recommend a powder coat finish. Indeed, over 90% of the kitchens manufactured in our Connecticut factory are powder coated. We have seen virtually no instances of rust or degradation of powder-coated surfaces in the over 20 years that we have been manufacturing our kitchens.
While wood cabinets are undoubtedly an attractive option for your outdoor kitchen area, the maintenance requirements are numerous. Due to the limited maintenance, powder-coated stainless steel outdoor kitchens are the better investment. Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens offers a wide range of customization for your outdoor kitchen, with many options for color, cabinet door styles, cabinet sizes, and layouts.
Call us today for a quote or use our form to contact our inside sales team for more information about our outdoor kitchen cabinetry. Discover the ways in which a stainless steel outdoor kitchen is truly the best investment for your home!