How to Winterize Your Outdoor Kitchen in California
For the most part, outdoor kitchens can be enjoyed throughout the year in California, whether they include just a little seating area and outdoor pizza oven or an entire outdoor entertainment area with a refrigerator, stove and oven, freezer, and more. While it’s true that you might need to add some outdoor heaters during the chillier months, with proper care in the fall, it’s as easy to entertain during the winter as it is in the summer.
Serious winterizing isn’t usually necessary for folks in San Francisco, Mill Valley, Larkspur, and the surrounding areas, so you’ll just need to do some seasonal maintenance to make sure everything from your small appliances to your grill, sink, and cabinets are prepared for the upcoming weather. For those who live in areas that experience hard freezes and frosts, there are additional steps you’ll want to take to keep your kitchen protected against the elements. No one wants to deal with travesties like flooding, busted pipes, or anything else.
Avoiding Appliance Repair for Outdoor Kitchens During Winter
Refrigerators
Although every appliance needs repairs eventually, there are many things you should do to prolong the life of your machines and avoid unnecessary calls to appliance repair services. Be sure to thoroughly clean out your outdoor refrigerator, kegerator, and wine refrigerator.
Compost wilted vegetables, toss out old food, and clean the entire unit with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Replace your box of baking soda (for odor control) with a new one, and be sure to vacuum the coils in the back of the refrigerators. If you don’t plan on using these appliances during the winter, shut off the power and keep the doors open – without posing a suffocation hazard for pets and children. Drain beer lines in kegerators.
Grills and Pizza Ovens
Thoroughly clean your grill and pizza oven thoroughly, getting all the leftover, burned-on food off of all the grates. You’ll want to season your cooking grates at this time to prevent rust. This is an easy task; all you need to do is apply a coat of vegetable oil and heat the grill for 20 minutes. Be sure to use a grill cover to protect the appliances from the elements.
Counters, Furniture, and Cabinets
For stainless steel counters and cabinets, all you need is to apply stainless steel polish. Make sure they are properly sealed if you have wood surfaces. If your counters or cabinets are made of paving stone, they may or may not be sealed – ask your installer if they are/should be sealed. Clear everything of clutter and wipe down shelves.
As for furniture, check to see if your metal pieces need painting with a rust-resistant paint. The same is true for wood furniture – it might need to be stained and sealed. Store patio cushions in a waterproof deck box during bad weather, and if you won’t be using the furniture much, consider using covers to keep it clean and dry between uses.
If you find your outdoor refrigerator, oven stove top, or any other appliance isn’t working properly, be sure to contact us for affordable, quick, professional appliance repair in Marin County!
