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Outdoor Kitchens

Plastic Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets Vs. Stainless Steel

Some of the most important factors when deciding on the material of your outdoor kitchen cabinets are durability, attractiveness, longevity, and ease of maintenance. To put it simply, you want to choose beautiful outdoor kitchen cabinet materials that will last a long time in the outdoors, will be easy to care for, and will provide the best return on investment. In this article, we compare two common outdoor kitchen cabinet materials – plastic and stainless steel – and discuss how stainless steel is the best option. Brown Jordan® Outdoor Kitchens™ manufactures 304 and 316 grade stainless steel outdoor kitchens that can be powder coated in a variety of colors, offering you a lifetime of effortless maintenance and sophisticated beauty for your outdoor living space.

Plastic Outdoor Kitchen Design

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastics are common for outdoor furniture because plastic does not rust, corrode, or rot in the outdoors. Plastic is also popular in the outdoors because it is available in many colors and does not need to be painted. Although plastic can be used to construct outdoor kitchens, it has several maintenance considerations and integrity concerns when used outdoors and near heat. With HDPE outdoor cabinets, the color can fade due to sunlight exposure, and environmental changes can cause plastic cabinet boxes to warp and crack so they will no longer function as intended. Since plastic will melt when exposed to heat, plastic grill cabinets will require a stainless steel firebox.

Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Design

Although stainless steel can rust due to the iron content, the presence of chromium acts as a rust deterrent. The most common grades of stainless steel for outdoor kitchen cabinetry are 304 and 316 (marine) grades, with 316 offering additional corrosion resistance. When exposed to the outdoors, however, bare stainless steel cabinetry needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly to avoid rust and stains. A highly recommended option is to add a powder coat finish, which will reduce maintenance to a bare minimum and offer a beautiful, long-lasting finish to your outdoor cabinetry. Stainless steel is highly durable overall, as it will not crack, warp, or dent during typical use in the outdoors, making it ideal for use in outdoor kitchens

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Stainless Steel is the Best Option for Outdoor Kitchens

By comparing plastic with stainless steel, you can easily determine which material is preferable for outdoor kitchen cabinetry. Stainless steel cabinetry is durable and will provide the best return on investment. While plastic is relatively inexpensive, the need for replacement in the outdoors means the costs will add up over time. By contrast, the stainless steel cabinets manufactured by Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens will maintain structural integrity in the outdoors for the life of your outdoor kitchen area.

Both plastic and powder coated stainless steel cabinets require maintenance in the outdoors, which involves regular cleaning with mild soap and water. While plastic does not need to be painted or repainted, the finish can fade over time when exposed to sunlight. Unlike plastic, the stainless steel cabinetry manufactured by Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens can be powder coated with UV resistant finishes that require very limited maintenance, and the color will not lose integrity when exposed to sunlight and the weather.

Stainless steel is the best material for outdoor kitchen cabinets due to its durability, structural integrity in the outdoors, and limited maintenance requirements when powder coated. Choosing stainless steel cabinets over plastic cabinets will provide the best return on investment, giving you the freedom to enjoy your outdoor living space worry-free for years to come.

Call Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens today to learn more about the benefits of stainless steel outdoor cabinets and how we can transform your outdoor kitchen area!

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Call 203-626-5625 or click to learn more about Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens.