Welcome to our gallery of outdoor kitchen countertops where we cover popular types of materials and share design ideas for inspiration.
An essential part of any kitchen are the countertops. Countertops are in work areas and necessary for food preparation. When building an outdoor kitchen, it’s important to choose the proper countertop material for ease of use, durability and attractiveness.
Best Countertop for Outdoor Kitchen
When it comes to the best countertop for outdoor kitchen, another factor to consider would be how well the material will hold up against the weather. The countertops of an outdoor kitchen will be exposed to the elements and you don’t want something that will easily fade in the sun or warp due to moisture.
The types of outdoor countertops that offer the best amount of durability are granite, tile and concrete.
Outdoor Kitchen Granite Countertops
Granite is tough to damage, it won’t scratch or chip, and it is easy to clean. You can also get it in a variety of colors and even textures. The only real problem with granite is that installing it can be expensive, so if you are on a tight budget you might want to consider one of the other options below.
Outdoor Kitchen Tile Countertop
The disadvantage to an outdoor kitchen tile countertop is tiles are not as durable as say a harder material like granite. Tile can crack and chip and this may detract from the beauty of your countertop. There is also the problem of discoloration of the grout, when tiles are installed outdoors these can get dirtier then in indoor installations.
Luckily, replacing a tile or two is actually a relatively easy DIY project. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find matching tiles to replace. In this case, it might be a good idea to buy and store extra tiles for this sort of scenario.
Outdoor Kitchen Concrete Countertop
Outdoor Wood Countertop
If you decide that the warm colors and unique patterns of wood countertops are worth the effort of maintenance, here’s what you need to remember:
- Apply food grade oil regularly to the surface. This will protect the wood from moisture and also allow for safe preparation of food.
- Varnish the surface. Varnish is a good water repellent and also provides protection from UV. You’ll need to sand and apply a coat annually.
- Place a roof or awning over your wood countertop. You might also want to consider a cover for when it’s not in use.
Quartz Outdoor Countertops
On the plus side any spills on a quartz countertops can be cleaned up easily and when installed in the proper environment there is no special care needed. Since quartz is non-porous it does not need to be sealed like many other types of countertops.
Soapstone Outdoor Countertops
Soapstone scratches rather easily, however scratches are easy to deal with. You can sand scratches out of soapstone without too much effort.
One other disadvantage is staining. Water, oil, and even fingerprints can mar the surface of unsealed soapstone. While these can be washed off, some people consider soapstone countertops high maintenance because of this.
Outdoor Stainless Steel Countertops
Stainless steel is a good material if you are looking to create a sleek and minimalist look for a room. It’s a common feature in modern design. It is very easy to clean and maintain, which can be a plus for a kitchen but it’s also considered noisy. It’s very hard to place a bowl or dish on a stainless steel countertop without making a clanging noise.
If you want stainless steel countertops in your outdoor kitchen, make sure you place them where they are not directly exposed to the sun. You can also place a roof, awning, or some other sort of shade over your stainless steel countertop. The noise factor of a stainless steel countertop is not that big a deal in an outdoor kitchen as, since the area is open air the sound dissipates quickly.
Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Ideas
Have some sort of roof or covering over your outdoor kitchen countertop. Not only will this protect the countertop material, but it will also make it a better workspace. You might be spending a good deal of time standing at your countertop so you want to shield yourself from the sun to maximize your comfort.
A good design idea is to incorporate in your countertop area a pergola. It will provide shade to keep the surface of your countertop cool, but will still allow natural light and air in.