If you are fortunate enough to have your very own outdoor kitchen, then you know how great it is to be able to cook outside when the weather is nice, and you also know how important it is to perform regular kitchen maintenance. Yes, it’s summer and winter is still a long way off, but now is the time to start thinking about winterizing your outdoor kitchen in Jackson, MS—even if you don’t live in a part of the country with harsh winter weather.
Like an indoor kitchen, an outdoor kitchen will need to be properly cared for if you want it to function at its best. From cabinets, counters and cooktops to sinks and plumbing, now is the time to round up the tips needed to protect your outdoor kitchen from the elements when outdoor cooking season comes to an end.
Cooktops
When outdoor kitchen appliances are not in use during the winter months, make sure to turn off all electrical units either by unplugging individual components or powering down through the circuit breaker. Although cooktop materials such as cast brass and some metal grills may be durable enough to withstand the cold, others are made of enameled cast iron. While the durability of cast iron cooktops are good, seasoning your burners every autumn is a benefit that offers protection during the winter.
Cabinets and Counters
It’s easy to neglect outdoor kitchen cabinets and counters when in use, but don’t close up shop for the winter without a little TLC. Stainless steel counters and cabinets will benefit from a stainless steel polish to keep shine from dulling over the winter, and you can use a quality kitchen cleaner on most other countertops materials. Another good idea is to add a weather seal to cabinets and counters every year to prevent freezing or water stains, chips and cracks from forming while in storage. If you live in a freeze zone, remove any containers with liquid from the cabinets and generally clean them out, as to not attract pests.
Sinks and Plumbing
First and foremost, you need to drain water from all faucets and water lines from outdoor kitchens in Jackson, MS. Disconnect both the cold and hot water supply to your outdoor kitchen and drain the water from the plumbing—valves should remain open. Consider blowing compressed air through valves to force remaining water out to prevent freezing pipes from causing cracks and other damage to the plumbing and sink basin.
In addition to the afore mentioned tips, further protect all of your outdoor kitchen fixtures and equipment by doing a thorough wipe down, followed by covering everything with covers that will be able to withstand the elements. Using sturdy covers over the winter will keep debris out of sinks and off of surfaces and overall preserve your kitchen until outdoor cooking season comes back around.
If you are thinking about purchasing a new outdoor kitchen in Jackson, MS, seeking kitchen design help, looking for the right appliances or simply researching kitchen information, look no further than Kitchen Kreators Ltd. for all of your kitchen needs!