Outdoor kitchens can help create epic summer celebrations, but if you want to enjoy that for the long term, they need to survive the winter. That all depends on the effort you put into winterizing your outdoor kitchen so it hibernates safely while you wait for the first warm day of spring. Here is what you need to do to prepare outdoor kitchens in Kansas City, MO for winter and future enjoyment:
- Shut off water access: Any water left behind in your outdoor plumbing can make for a frozen nightmare later. Start by locating the water lines to your kitchen and turning them off. If they remain active, you may suffer burst pipes and an expensive call to emergency plumbing. In addition to shutting off access, you also need to drain the lines so there is no water sitting there waiting to freeze. Continue by draining sinks, refrigerators and icemakers so they remain less vulnerable to cold temperatures, too.
- Preserve your grill: You will want to cover your grill so it does not get assaulted by the elements, but give it a good cleaning first. Use a degreaser and follow through with a polish for stainless steel. Use a metal brush for the hard-to-reach places. Scrub gates and empty the drip pans and other areas where food waste accumulates. Once you are finished, season the grill by heating the grates to 500 degrees and closing the hood for 20 minutes. Keep it closed and turn off the gas line if you never grill in winter. Once it finishes cooling, cover it.
- Address refrigerators and icemakers: Both the refrigerator and icemaker need to be empty. Remove food and dump out any remaining ice. Scrub them both and vacuum under the elements in your refrigerator like you would do with your indoor appliance. Cut off power, but never cover these appliances. They can create condensation even when empty and unpowered, which can lead to damaging freezing episodes and mildew growth.
- Remove sink fixtures: Since you do not need them anymore, remove knobs and faucets and store them inside. These parts are very vulnerable to cold temperatures and if you leave them installed, you will likely have to replace them next spring. Clean sinks thoroughly, as that will help them survive the cold temperatures and resist corrosion. Cover them once you are finished so they enjoy further protection.
- Seal countertops: You should seal your countertops once you know there will be no further outdoor get-togethers. If you have not started this task, do it now before the cold temperatures begin. Otherwise, you risk finding them stained and damaged when you uncover them next spring. Even if it is too late to seal them, keeping them covered will prevent most damage.
MSE Hardscapes LLC builds outdoor kitchens in Kansas City, MO, as well as other hardscape features. If you require assistance with winterizing this year or need damage repaired, give us a call so we can take care of that for you.