As investment in outdoor kitchen has grown, so has the need to think about how best to light theses outdoor spaces, both for safety around the cooking area and for aesthetic ambiance in what is essentially another room of your house.

So what's the best way to light these outdoor spaces?  Here are a few things to think about when lighting an outdoor kitchen: 

1. Use task lighting above the grill.  It is important to have bright task lighting directly above the area where you will be cooking and preparing food.

2. Use lighting rated for wet or damp locations.  Remember, an outdoor kitchen may feel like a room of the house, but it is still exposed to the elements.

3. Use under-cabinet lighting.  Most outdoor kitchens include an island with appliances and cabinets underneath.  While daylight may allow you to see sufficiently for a part of the day, under-cabinet lighting will assist you during those evening entertaining hours.

4. Use more than one circuit.  It is important that the lighting for your outdoor kitchen is calculated for the various loads that will be used by the light, as well as electrical appliances, like speakers, mixers and margarita machines.  We suggest at least two to three 20-amp circuits in the outdoor kitchens; and that your appliances be placed on a separate circuit because they go on and off constantly.

 We hope that these tips can help you construct or better your outdoor kitchen.  And if you have any electrical questions or concerns, please call our office or email us at inquiry@longelectric.com.