When you’re building an outdoor kitchen… You’ll quickly realize just how many options there are out there.
There’s prefab options and ready to finish frame kits… But you might want something a little more hands-on.
Hence, why you might be thinking about a cinder block outdoor kitchen.
Depending on your situation, this can be an excellent solution!
But there’s a lot you’ll need to know before moving forward.
So to begin… Let’s discuss the pros and cons of building an outdoor kitchen with cinder blocks.
PROS OF A CINDER BLOCK OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Building a cinder block outdoor kitchen is a huge undertaking! But if the benefits are strong enough… The effort is more than worth it.
We’ll kick off with durability.
CINDER BLOCK IS EXTREMELY DURABLE
It’s just that simple. Concrete block construction is extremely durable!
There’s a reason why concrete homes are a popular construction method in areas like Florida. They’re nearly bulletproof!
And if a home made from concrete can withstand hurricane-force winds… It proves that a cinder block outdoor kitchen will be equally durable.
Cinder block also doesn’t come with the pitfalls of other outdoor kitchen materials.
Wood will rot, swell, warp, and is susceptible to termite damage.
And while metal doesn’t have these problems… It’s prone to rusting and corrosion.
Concrete is immune to all of these concerns.
No matter what climate you live in… The durability of concrete makes for a near-perfect solution.
CINDER BLOCK IS NON-COMBUSTIBLE
If you’re familiar with our content… You’ll know that we never recommend building a wood outdoor kitchen.
There’s multiple reasons for this… But the most important one is safety.
As you know, wood is a combustible material! And when it’s sitting directly next to a hot grill… That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
So, how does this relate to cinder blocks?
Well, cinder blocks are a non-combustible material!
There’s no risk of concrete catching fire… Which makes your BBQ grill island far safer.
To us, that peace of mind is more than worth it!
While it’s true that cinder block is an excellent option no matter where you live… This can’t be emphasized enough in the northern half of the country!
In fact, using concrete for an outdoor kitchen is the only material we recommend in cold climates!
Why is this?
Well, it has to do with those lovely winters Northerners have.
Moisture is a huge problem for wood and metal outdoor kitchens. And with the abundance of hail, ice, and snow… These conditions do a number on most grill islands.
This problem is compounded by freeze/thaw cycles. This constant shift in temperature and freezing water causes the materials in your island to expand and contract.
This expansion and contraction creates cracks, openings, and weak points in your island. Moisture is allowed to enter uninhibited… And wreak havoc over the course of months and years.
Before you know it… Your island has severe structural damage and needs to be replaced!
Concrete outside kitchens avoid all of these problems entirely.
They handle freeze/thaw conditions without skipping a beat… Leaving you with problem-free enjoyment for years to come.
Design your outdoor kitchen island, scroll through our Website, and when you’re ready…
Buil’re here to help!