How to Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Clean?

If you have an outdoor kitchen, you likely know how difficult it can be to keep it clean. Being consistently exposed to the elements means that your outdoor kitchen gets significantly dirtier than your indoor kitchen. It may seem like a never-ending battle to keep your outdoor kitchen clean, but these simple tips will help make it easier, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying it.

Maintain Your Countertops

Granite is the most popular material used in countertops for outdoor kitchens, and for many excellent reasons. One of the biggest drawbacks, however, is that granite is porous. This means that it stains fairly easily if not meticulously maintained — especially in an outdoor kitchen.

Things like grass clippings, food remnants, rust, grease, and dirt can all stain granite. We highly suggest sealing your granite countertops to protect them from stains and wear. Sealing can be done DIY-style or by a professional and should last three to four years.

If you opt to not seal your granite countertops, make sure to wipe them clean with mild soapy water (just a touch of regular dish detergent added to water does the trick) as soon as possible after use and when something gets on the surface. This easy solution goes a long way in helping to keep your outdoor kitchen clean.

Keep Your Outdoor Grill Clean

The grill is often the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen. Much like a throne, a grill seems to have a special charm that transforms any regular meal into a smoky, savory, flavorful feast. While the grill gets tons of attention while cooking, it rarely gets the same attention when it comes to cleaning.

While running a wire brush over the grates is sometimes sufficient, you should regularly deep clean your grill not only to keep it clean but also to ensure that it’s in good working order. Clogged burners can cause uneven or low heat and even minimal grease buildup could potentially cause a devastating fire. Taking some time to keep your grill in tip-top shape will keep the gem of your outdoor kitchen shining brightly.

Be Mindful of Grass Clippings and Yard Debris

Since most outdoor kitchens are in a yard, it’s inevitable that grass clippings and other debris will occasionally find their way to your outdoor kitchen. There are two main ways to combat this: cleaning the clippings or debris up immediately or covering the kitchen.

The best time to clean grass clippings from your kitchen (or anywhere, for that matter) is when they’re fresh and — more importantly — dry. After you mow, use a leaf blower or broom to keep your outdoor kitchen clean and clear. If you wait, it could rain and the clippings will be harder to clean. Grass is also notorious for staining outdoor countertops and concrete.

Another option is to simply cover your outdoor kitchen. You can find outdoor covers for this exact purpose, including some that specifically fit your outdoor furniture and grill. If you prefer an all-encompassing option, a simple tarp placed over the kitchen’s harder-to-clean areas will save you lots of work later. When you’re ready to use your kitchen, simply pull the tarp off.

Set a Routine to Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Clean

It’s always easier to keep your outdoor kitchen clean if you keep up with routine maintenance and don’t let messes build up. Since the kitchen is outdoors in the elements, it will get dirty even when you aren’t using it. It’s easy to forget all about it or put off cleaning during the colder months when you may not be cooking outdoors much, so make sure to stay on top of it to ensure you don’t encounter a dirty kitchen the next time you want to use it.

Keep Your Sink in Good Shape

If you have a stainless steel sink in your outdoor kitchen, it needs some special attention. Avoid using steel wool or wire brushes when cleaning to avoid scratching the surface, instead choose soft cloths and sponges. During off-season months, run the water occasionally to help keep the drain clear of any debris or dirt that may have gotten in.

Keep the Bugs Away

One of the biggest reasons to keep your outdoor kitchen clean is so that you can actually enjoy it. If you get swarmed by mosquitoes and flies every time you go outside for a meal, you’ll likely be inclined to just stay inside.

Run your sink for awhile even when not in use so that drain flies or mosquitoes don’t use the standing water in the drain trap to breed. Keeping your grass cut short can help minimize the presence of mosquitoes and spiders in the first place, and properly disposing of trash and food waste will also reduce the number of flies and ants in your outdoor kitchen. Always eliminate sources of standing water to help create a healthy, enjoyable yard and outdoor kitchen.

Help with Keeping Your Outdoor Kitchen Clean

Whether you’re considering an installation or looking for tips on how to keep your outdoor kitchen clean, Orlando Outdoor Kitchens can help. Our family-owned team prioritizes exceptional customer service and we build every single custom outdoor kitchen to last a lifetime. Contact us with your questions today or make an appointment to stop by our Winter Park showroom.