As the weather warms up and we start spending more time outside, an outdoor kitchen can quickly become one of the most-used spaces in the home.
But there’s more to creating a great outdoor kitchen than choosing the barbecue, benchtop and cabinetry.
Whether you’re planning a simple entertaining area or a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, getting the electrical requirements right from the beginning can make a big difference to how safely and conveniently the space works — both now and in the future.
Here are some of the most important things to consider before you build.
Before thinking about where the power points will go, think about how you actually want to use the space. A modern outdoor kitchen might include a fridge, wine fridge, electric barbecue, dishwasher, rangehood, television, speakers, heating and a range of smaller appliances.
Each addition can affect the electrical requirements of the space. This is why we recommend involving your electrician early in the planning process.
Understanding what you want to install allows your electrician to plan the electrical installation around the finished space, rather than trying to find solutions once construction is already underway. It also gives you an opportunity to think about what you might want to add in the future.
An outdoor kitchen can add a number of new appliances to your home’s electrical system — and some can require considerably more power than others.
Part of planning the electrical work should therefore include assessing your existing electrical system and the additional demand your new outdoor space may create.
Depending on the age and condition of the home, as well as the appliances being installed, additional electrical work may be required.
In some cases, your electrician may also need to assess your switchboard and the available electricity supply to determine whether they are suitable for your plans.
The important thing is to establish this before your new outdoor kitchen is completed.
Power points are one of those things you tend not to think about until you need one!
And once an outdoor kitchen has been beautifully finished, adding in extra electrical wiring can become considerably more complicated. And expensive!
Think about both your fixed appliances and the things you’ll regularly plug in.
Where will the fridge go? Will you use a blender or coffee machine outside? What about a television, speakers or other appliances when you’re entertaining?
Good electrical planning isn’t about putting power points everywhere. It’s about putting them in the right places.
An experienced electrician can work with your builder and other trades to plan power around the cabinetry, appliances and layout so that the finished result is practical without compromising the design.
An outdoor kitchen isn’t simply an indoor kitchen without four walls.
Depending on its location, electrical equipment in an outdoor kitchen can be exposed to moisture, rain, dust, heat and changing weather conditions.
That means the electrical equipment, fittings and installation methods need to be appropriate for the conditions they’re going to be exposed to.
The level of protection required will depend on factors such as the location of the equipment, how enclosed the outdoor kitchen is and its exposure to the elements.
Your licensed electrician can assess the space and specify the appropriate equipment and installation methods to help ensure the electrical work is safe, suitable for the environment and compliant with the relevant requirements.
This is one area where taking shortcuts simply isn’t worth the risk.
Safety switches, also known as Residual Current Devices (RCDs), are an important part of electrical safety in Australian homes.
They are designed to quickly disconnect the electricity supply when certain electrical faults are detected, helping to protect people from electric shock.
When you’re adding an outdoor kitchen, your electrician should assess the new circuits as well as the protection provided at your existing switchboard to ensure the electrical installation meets current requirements.
This can be particularly important when renovating an older Sydney home, where the existing electrical installation may have been completed to different requirements.
Rather than simply adding new electrical work to what’s already there, it’s an opportunity to make sure the electrical system supporting your new space is appropriate for how you’ll use it.
The right lighting can completely change how an outdoor kitchen feels after dark.
You’ll need enough practical lighting to safely prepare and cook food, but that doesn’t mean the entire space needs to be brightly illuminated.
A considered outdoor lighting installation can combine functional task lighting with softer ambient and architectural lighting to create a space that feels just as inviting in the evening as it does during the day.
Think about lighting around preparation and cooking areas, pathways and steps, as well as lighting that highlights landscaping or architectural features.
Planning this alongside the main electrical installation helps ensure the lighting feels integrated into the design rather than added as an afterthought.
If you’re already investing in an outdoor entertaining area, it may also be worth considering how it connects with the rest of your home.
Home automation and smart home technology can give you greater control over elements such as outdoor lighting, entertainment and other connected systems.
That could mean incorporating your outdoor areas into existing lighting scenes, controlling different elements from one place or creating a more seamless connection between the inside and outside of your home.
You don’t necessarily need to create a completely automated outdoor kitchen.
The important thing is to consider your options while the electrical wiring is being planned, when incorporating current and future requirements can be much easier than trying to retrofit them later.
One of the best things you can do when planning an outdoor kitchen is involve your electrician before construction gets too far. Early electrical planning gives your electrician an opportunity to work alongside your builder, designer and other trades to understand the layout, appliance requirements and overall vision for the space.
It means potential issues can be identified earlier, electrical requirements can be incorporated into the build and everyone can work towards the same finished result.
For the homeowner, that means fewer surprises and an outdoor kitchen that’s designed to work properly from day one.
Planning an outdoor kitchen in Sydney?
An outdoor kitchen should make entertaining easier — not leave you wishing you’d added another power point or planned the electrical differently.
At Astley Electrical, our Residential Electrical Services in Sydney include electrical installation, electrical wiring, lighting and smart home solutions for new builds, renovations and upgrades.
If you’re planning an outdoor kitchen or entertaining area, get the electrical requirements sorted early by talking to us!
A note on electrical safety and compliance: Electrical installations in Australia must comply with applicable electrical safety requirements, including AS/NZS 3000:2018, Electrical installations (the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules), as adopted by the relevant state or territory regulator. Requirements for an outdoor kitchen will vary depending on the design, location, equipment being installed and exposure to weather and other conditions. Electrical installation work should always be carried out by an appropriately licensed electrician.
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