Outdoor Kitchen & BBQ Access Doors
Outdoor kitchens are all about the grill at the center of your island, and it’s easy to see why. But there’s a less glamorous, yet still important part of your kitchen that’s often overlooked: access doors. These are crucial to the overall aesthetic and design of your backyard.
All electrical and plumbing connections need to be accessible for servicing and maintenance, which means there must be an opening in the face of your island where those connections are. And since no one likes a giant hole in their kitchen, access doors are an aesthetically pleasing way to cover those connections while maintaining proper accessibility.
There are some things to consider when choosing your access doors, as they are available in a variety of configurations and materials. The most common material is stainless steel, and if that’s the direction you choose, you should opt for access doors that are the same grade of stainless steel as your grill or other cooking equipment. Better yet, choosing access doors that are the same brand will guarantee color and grain match and have complementing handle design. If a warmer look is more your style, wood access doors provide a different, more natural aesthetic. You should also be mindful of mounting options while browsing for access doors. You also need to decide between flush mounted or raised mounted options, which will affect the look of the door frame on the island face. Typically, flush mount will look best on flat surfaces like stucco or painted concrete board and raised mounts look better with textured surfaces such as brick or wood.
Next, choose between single or double access doors and your orientation. Whether you choose horizontal or vertical, single or double, is up to you, but a good rule of thumb is to consider the symmetry in your outdoor kitchen. Having access doors that are the same width and even a little wider than your grill provides a more balanced look. So, if you only want one single access door under your grill instead of a double, consider a wider, horizontal door. Alternatively, if you prefer vertical access doors, the double doors will look symmetrical under a grill. And finally, if the setup of your island requires a separate access point for your side burner or power burner, a single vertical door will look best. Some doors come equipped with integrated storage options for trash bins, paper towels, and propane tanks for added convenience. Hinges are another thing to keep in mind. Some doors are pre-built with either left or right hinges and others are reversible so you can change it to fit your preference.
These aren’t your only choices though, since combination access doors and storage drawers are available to meet your access and organization needs. If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few highly recommended brands that you can’t go wrong with. For starters, the Blaze 32” double access door is a top seller that pairs well with our most popular 32” Blaze grills and comes with a paper towel holder. Another great choice is Twin Eagles, who offer soft close doors for a touch of luxury. Delta Heat also has high-quality access doors that feature beautiful mirror polished accents that match their grills. With the right access doors, your outdoor kitchen will be both functional and stylish.