If you have been considering an outdoor kitchen for your outdoor space, you will want to get started by determining the material of the cabinets. While natural materials like brick and stone have been commonly used in the past, working with these materials can be messy and labor-intensive. On the other hand, powder coated stainless steel is quickly becoming the most popular material for outdoor kitchen cabinets due to easy installation and durability in the outdoors. Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens manufactures stainless steel outdoor kitchens that are superior in quality, structural integrity, beauty, and maintenance when compared to stone outdoor kitchens.
Stone Outdoor Kitchen
Stone can be a great option in the outdoors if you are seeking a natural aesthetic that blends the indoors with the outside. It is available in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures to enhance and customize your outdoor space. Some types of stone are more porous than others, so you will have to be mindful of spilled liquids and other stains in your outdoor kitchen. This material can be difficult to clean for this reason. Installation of a stacked stone outdoor kitchen design requires masonry skills, and installation can be messy as well. Although natural stone is durable, replacement may be required if the stones break or crack over time.
Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen
Stainless steel is an iron alloy, and while it is durable outdoors, it is capable of rust, scratches, stains, and corrosion if not properly maintained. The concentration of the element chromium is important to prevent rust. Danver uses 304 or 316 (marine) grade stainless steel to manufacture outdoor kitchen cabinetry, with the option to powder coat the stainless steel in an array of attractive colors and finishes. Stainless steel will retain its structural integrity in the outdoors, as it is non-porous and can withstand temperature fluctuations. It is also easy to clean and resistant to corrosion when regularly maintained.
Powder Coated Stainless Steel for Outdoor Kitchens
Although stone is a natural material and tends to be more inexpensive upfront, stainless steel is more durable and attractive and requires less maintenance over time – meaning less cost and less replacement in the long term. While stainless steel is a better material for outdoor kitchen cabinets, natural stone can be a great material for countertops or as a cladding material for outdoor stainless steel cabinets.
A major difference between stone and stainless steel is porosity. Certain stones are porous and difficult to clean. Stainless steel is non-porous, making it easy to clean. Applying powder coat to the stainless steel surface will further reduce cleaning requirements – only requiring rinsing with mild soap and water. Our powder coat finishes are UV-resistant like many types of stone as well, meaning that your stainless steel outdoor kitchen will stay beautiful through all types of weather.
Constructing a stacked stone outdoor kitchen requires training and extensive labor and time requirements, often requiring weeks of construction. It is also a messy process. As a more attractive option, Danver’s preassembled cabinets and professional installation instructions make installation a breeze. In fact, some smaller, less complex projects can be completed within a day.
Both real stone and stainless steel can be used for outdoor kitchen cabinetry, although real stone is better suited for an outdoor kitchen countertop or cladding material. The durability of stainless steel in the outdoors is unrivaled, meaning that your stainless steel outdoor kitchen will stay durable, attractive, provide the best return on investment, and keep its structural integrity in the long term. For longevity and attractiveness, stainless steel is a better option than stone for your backyard kitchen.
Ready to upgrade from a stone outdoor kitchen to stainless steel? Contact us to get started on your new outdoor kitchen project!
This article is based on industry knowledge and research by outdoor kitchen design professionals, including our in-house experts and engineers with decades of experience.Our goal at Danver is to provide factual information on relevant topics to help readers make informed decisions about their outdoor living spaces.
This article uses trusted sources with references hyperlinked to the source material.
