Fridge Location

last month

I live in South Florida, and I’m building this outdoor kitchen under a covered patio. This was the rendering and design provided by my contractor which had everything that I wanted needed. Simple. Grill, fridge, trash and storage.

The frame is already built but I’m having regrets now about putting the fridge next to the grill. Only after the frame was built, did I read about ideally not having the fridge next to the grill (which makes sense with cold vs hot appliances).

My question is how big of a deal is this and is it worth asking my contractor to change the framing to move the fridge to the other side of the kitchen away from the grill? Is it not that big of a deal on the components and how costly would it be to ask the contractor to switch the framing? Thanks guys!!

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Comments (10)

chispa
last month
I would have centered the grill on the right, between those two columns and put the other stuff on the left. The current position of the grill, will probably lead to that column getting smoke/grease stains.

It doesn't matter where the fridge is. The heat from the grill is upwards, not downwards. The temperature of the air, sunlight and humidity are the things that will shorten the life of the fridge.

It would have been better to use the composite cabinets. It would have given you a lot more storage than those stainless inserts.

I skipped doing a fridge, since I have two right inside in the kitchen! Instead I got a double burner, placed to the right of the grill. Great place to saute/cook stinky or messy stuff!
Larry David
Original Author
last month
It’s south Florida. It’s hot and humid 90% of the year. That being said a massive amount of homes here have these outdoor kitchens. I will say, the sunlight component is an interesting point. The location of the fridge gets some afternoon sunlight where the left side is almost exclusively in the shade.
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chispa
last month
Yes, you said it was FL. I'm in south FL too!
chispa
last month
last modified: last month
If you are really worried about heat from the grill, my grill had an option of a stainless heat guard/shield that the grill sits in. I had to have one because my cabinets are composite and therefore "combustible", compared to installing the grill in a masonry wall. Pretty common installation.

Insulated stainless jacket that my grill sits in ...

Where is your gas/propane connection? I run my grill and burners off of a buried propane tank, so the pipes were buried during construction and the connectors place at the location of the outdoor kitchen.
Larry David
Original Author
last month
It will be a propane tank underneath the grill.
BPMBA
last month
last modified: last month
I don't think it's an issue as designed. The grill is sending heat up and out, not down. And as long as your fridge is specifically designed for outside use, I don't think the sunlight will be an issue, either.
PRO
Monique
last month
Grills under overhangs can be filthy fire hazards. They need to be a minimum of 10’ from the dwelling with a very obvious and out in the open fire extinguisher. You also want easy access to the shut off for the propane. The grill will also need a hood if you don’t want black smoke grease all over that lanai ceiling.
dan1888
last month
Check with your contractor about options. Then make your decision.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
I do not see the issue the fridge is not right next to the grill and as for the sun beating on it in the aftermnoon I would suggest a roll down solar shade there regardless of the fridge placement. BTW IMO uninterrpted counter trumps any layout change .This is fina as is enjoy. BTW the grill will vent quite nicely there you have lots of open area
PRO
jahazonic
last month
last modified: last month
I usually trust the expert. If your contractor gave you this rendering, we have to admit that he knows his job, otherwise he would have designed it differently. However, you can point this out to him. Given your experience in arranging household appliances, it would be better not to have it next to the grill. Tell him your reasons, and trust his experience. Of course, if you have chosen your contractor carefully.