How to Prepare Your Outdoor Kitchen for the Winter

Outdoor kitchens are a game changer. They allow us to prepare amazing meals for our friends and family all while enjoying our company outside, under a calm summer sky. But when the winter months start approaching it’s time to move everything back inside and get your outdoor kitchen prepared for the snow and ice. 

Here are seven solid tips on how to make sure your outdoor kitchen is safe and won’t get damaged during the unpredictable Midwestern winter. 

1. Shut the Water Off

If you have a sink, an ice maker, or any water source in your outdoor kitchen then be sure to shut it off. If you didn’t grow up in the Midwest, or an area that gets cold, then you may not know that pipes can freeze and burst, so it’s essential to shut off any water supply to your outdoor kitchen to save your pipes. 

2. Drain the Pipes

Even after you shut the water off, the pipes leading to your outdoor kitchen are going to be filled with water. That water will expand when it freezes, and damage your pipes. So it’s essential to drain the water from the pipes as well. This can be done simply by turning on the faucets after you shut off the water. The water will drain out. 

3. Inspect the Area for Damage

Before you start covering and putting things away, inspect things like furniture and cabinet hinges to stay on top of any issues. Damaged things can become worse when the temperatures drop. 

4. Clean and Cover the Grill

Clean any excess fat and drippings from your grill so rodents and other wildlife don’t nest in there. Also, cover it once it’s clean to protect your grill from the harsh elements that will be coming your way.

5. Clean and Protect Cabinets

Clean the inside and outside of your cabinets to remove any food. Then polish the outside, depending on the material. The polish protects from corrosion. 

6. Cover or Store the Furniture

If you can move it inside, we suggest you do. Otherwise, cover your patio furniture so that it stays undamaged for spring. 

7. Consider an Area Cover

There are canopy options and other dedicated covers you can purchase to serve as a roof for your outdoor kitchen. It’s better to have the heavy snow damage a tent than to have it pile on your grill. 

Need Help With Building an Outdoor Kitchen in Frankfort, IL Area?

If you're in the Frankfort, Chicago Heights, Manhattan, Orland Park, IL area, or NW Indiana and your outdoor kitchen needs brick, stone, or masonry repairs, contact Custom Brick & Stone! We're here to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a free estimate. Don’t leave masonry repair until after winter, because the elements could cause more damage. Contact us so we can get your brickwork back on solid ground before winter hits.