Preparing your outdoor kitchen for the winter season helps breathe more life into the kitchen, thus giving more fun moments during the warmer months. The process of prepping the kitchen with aluminium pergola for winter isn’t as daunting as some people would like to think. Outlined below are a few tips and pointers on how to prepare it for the cold winter season.
1. Drain The Faucets
Frozen water lines can easily damage your faucets, a reason it would be advisable to drain them off. To drain the faucets:
- Turn off the water supply (usually under the sink)
- Insulate exposed pipes with soft insulation material. This reduces the risk of it freezing and breaking during winter. There are plenty of insulation materials on the market to choose from.
- Turn the faucet off. This will allow water within the pipes to drain off.
- Unscrew the faucet: This will help drain off any water left within the faucet. This can get a little messy, a reason you’ll need a towel or mop to wipe off any spillages.
2. Drain The Sprinklers
The sprinklers should be drained off as well before the winter season begins. Although turning the sprinklers off weeks before may help, it would be advisable to drain them manually.
3. Clean And Polish the Stainless-Steel Grill
With all the water drained, it is time to start working on the grill. Start by cleaning the grill of food materials, dirt, and grime. Use a soft-bristled brush and warm soapy water to clean the grill until shiny.
4. Turn Off and Disconnect the Gas Line
Does your grill run on natural gas? If yes, you’ll then need to turn it off and disconnect the supply line. There’s a good chance you won’t use it for the next few months anyway.
5. Polish The Cabinetry
Most outdoor kitchens have stainless steel cabinets for easier cleaning. Use the same polish (used on the grill) on the cabinets for a clean look and finish.
6. Store All the Outdoor Furniture Inside
It is good practice to keep all furniture in the outdoor kitchen indoors, especially in the garage, basement, shed, or any other storage area. Everything from tables, lawn chairs, pool noodles, and trampolines will need to be kept away, safe from the harsh winter weather. Be sure to keep this organised and where you can access them with ease when the need arises. There are moments when you’ll want to use the lawn chairs once in a while when the sun is out. Keeping them neatly together should make accessing them much easier.
7. Empty The Freezer and Refrigerator
Any food and drinks in the fridge/freezer will need to be moved back to the fridge/freezer indoors. Sort these carefully and wipe them before putting them in the fridge. With the empty outdoor fridge, you can turn it off, unplug it, and then wipe it clean once it has thawed out. Look out for chunks of ice at the back of the freezer too. This, of course, depends on how much food you have in the freezer and the temperature outside.
8. Clean The Ice Maker
Repeat the same process (on point 7) on your ice maker. Switch it off, unplug it, and then let it thaw for some time. With all the ice gone, wipe the icemaker down with a clean towel before tucking it in the garage or storage unit with the furniture.
Preparing your outdoor kitchen for winter will help safeguard your appliances and furniture from the harsh winter elements and damage and make it easier to reuse once winter is over. It also leaves your compound clean and tidy too.