What Stone Is Good For Outdoor Kitchens And Bespoke BBQ’s?

There’s no place like home – one of the best ways to enjoy the warmer months is in your very own garden with the people you love.

One thing that is not quite as fun, however, is running back and forth between your kitchen and your garden lugging utensils and food.

Let’s not get started on bringing everything back inside again when you are finished!

A fantastic way to add extra versatility to your outdoor space is to install an outdoor kitchen, which can be the perfect space for dining, hosting friends and family, or even just to relax after a long day.

Outdoor kitchens can range from a simple cabinet all the way to a comprehensive kitchen set with a grill.

Here at Quartz Kitchens, we are your local specialists in all stone materials – today we have compared the materials available to find the one most suitable for an outdoor bbq kitchen.

Read on to discover our top choice, as well as a breakdown of other popular stone materials on the market.

What materials are on offer?

With a wide variety of kitchen countertop materials on offer, it can be a little confusing to select the best one for your needs.

Three of the most popular options are marble and granite, which are 100% natural stones, as well as quartz, which is a manufactured material.

We urge you to consider the properties of each material and consider whether these factors lend the materials to be beneficial for outdoor use.

Marble

Marble is a stunning material that is certain to be the talking point of any kitchen. Its natural look adds depth and class to your kitchen, which at the same time provides a fantastic heat-resistant surface for you to work from. 

While it is possible to use marble in an outside setting, it does require regular maintenance in the form of sealing to prevent water damage.

This can prove quite time-consuming and may not be ideal for those with busy schedules.

Granite

Our top pick for an outdoor kitchen, granite is an extremely durable material that is perfect to withstand outdoor conditions.

It offers many benefits for an outdoor setting, including being heat-resistant, able to withstand the heat from the sun, as well as from pans without any issues. 

Granite does also require sealing; however, this can be completed relatively infrequently, leaving you with more time to enjoy doing the things you love. 

Quartz

While quartz is a fantastic material for use indoors, it is unfortunately not ideal in an outdoor setting.

During the manufacturing process for quartz, it is combined with resins and polymers to achieve the desired look.

However, when exposed to sunlight and outdoor conditions, these resins will turn yellow and spoil the look of the kitchen.

Why is granite our number one choice?

Below, we have listed a few reasons why we have selected granite as our number one choice of material for a built in bbq.

From the incredible durability to the large variety of colour and finish options available, read on and find out why a granite countertop may be the best choice for you.

Durability

Granite is renowned as an extremely durable and tough stone, and this quality is showcased when it is used as a kitchen surface material.

Did you know that granite’s durability is second only to diamonds for natural material hardness? 

It is also resistant to chips and cracks, which makes it perfect for outdoor use and any outside activities that may take place.

When it comes to the best material for outdoor use, the durability of granite cannot be understated.

Easy to maintain

While granite is already an extremely easy material to maintain, maintenance is made even easier with the proper sealant.

Granite is the least porous stone, meaning you do not need to apply a sealant as much as you would with marble.

Following the proper sealing routine, the lifespan of the material will be extended even further, making it extremely resistant to outdoor conditions.

Large variety of colour and finish options

There are many different hues and styles of granite for you to choose from to suit your needs.

Granite will not fade either when exposed to sunlight, so you are free to choose the colours that best suit you.

However, it is important to remember that sunlight will make darker colours hotter to the touch, so it may be advisable to opt for a lighter colour. 

Heat-resistant

It is essential that the countertop material you install can withstand the heat of the sun as well as any cooking that takes place.

Granite maintains its structural integrity even when exposed to extremely high levels of heat, which is a direct result of the extreme pressure that it was exposed to before it was mined for use.

Placing hot pots and pans directly onto granite will not damage the surface, however we do recommend utilising trivets wherever possible. 

Summary

While there are many kitchen surface materials for you to choose from, there are certain materials which stand out above the rest.

Quartz should not be used as a material for an outdoor kitchen, as its colour can change when exposed to light.

On the other hand, we highly recommend granite as an ideal material for outdoor use, as it is not only extremely durable, but can also arrive in a variety of colours to match your personal tastes. 

To learn more about the best materials for your outdoor kitchen, feel free to get in touch with our friendly service team on 0208 068 2047 or via email at info@quartzkitchen.co.uk.

You can also fill in our quick and easy online quote form or utilise our online chat feature.