Nothing beats making and eating a homemade pizza in your outdoor living space. But when you’re trying to enjoy pizza all year, you’ll need a pizza kitchen that can withstand the elements. After all, rain and intense sunlight can take a toll on your outdoor equipment.
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Read on to learn about four smart ways to weatherproof your outdoor pizza kitchen for every season.
1. Build a Roof Over Your Kitchen
One of the easiest ways to enhance the protection of your pizza oven is with a roof. A roof instantly prevents rain, snow, or debris from hitting your oven and surrounding appliances. You’ll keep your counterspace free of damage, too.
Go with corrugated metal or aluminum to create a sturdy and fire-resistant cover. Panels with ventilation, a covered patio, or a pergola are other great ways to shield your pizza oven from the elements. And make sure that the appliances and materials within your kitchen are weather-resistant, as well.
2. Keep Your Kitchen Frames Sealed
Every good outdoor kitchen will have a frame that supports it. And if it’s made from steel, it will begin rusting when weather patterns bring moisture to your area.
You can use industrial primer paint to prevent rust from taking hold of your pizza kitchen. This paint provides a critical foundation that helps bond the steel with an additional finishing coat. It also offers protection from chemicals and moisture, so you don’t have to deal with rust and oxidation.
If you have cabinets in addition to your frame that you want to protect, ensure that you’re matching your primer to the type of material. Always opt for primers and paints meant for metals and outdoor use. With the right selections, you can help seal surfaces and protect them from premature wear.
3. Select Moisture-Resistant Counters
Remember that your outdoor countertops will need to tolerate more moisture than those in your indoor kitchen. Consequently, it’s critical to budget for granite, stainless steel, or porcelain. These materials can handle changeable weather conditions without breaking.
Water can find its way into even the smallest crevices, creating problems with swelling. Ensure that you’re using non-porous counters, and watch for drainage, as well. Water should always be flowing off your counters rather than collecting on them during rainstorms.
4. Use Breathable Covers
When you’ve opted for the right materials and built a roof, you still should introduce one last measure of protection. Always place breathable covers on your kitchen appliances and surfaces when you’re not using them regularly. That means your grill and pizza oven should always be shielded from snow, sun, and rain.
Clean all surfaces after use and let them dry completely first. Check on them, too, during long stretches of inactivity to remove leaves and look for evidence of water problems.
Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Ready
If you’ve invested in a nice outdoor pizza kitchen, you want to keep it in good shape. Build a roof over your kitchen area, and choose materials that can tolerate moisture. Protect steel frames with the right primer, and cover appliances when not in use.
With some smart and proactive choices, you can keep your pizza kitchen running smoothly throughout the year.
