Kitchen doors are a great invention. It is necessary for the regular operation of your open-air kitchen and the safety of your equipment and accessories.
Outdoor doors protect your kitchen better than indoor ones do. But for even more security, the best outdoor kitchen doors should come with seals, latches, and locks to secure the fragile or valuable components of your open-air kitchen.
At Sunset Bar and Grill, we have collected five examples that are sure to convince you. Let’s check them out!
What Is An Outdoor Kitchen Door?
Open-air kitchen doors serve a dual purpose. They protect items from the weather while conserving space by storing anything from accessories to utensils.
They allow you to save space and hide what guests should not see significantly. There are also boxes with hinged lids. Such systems often look like a soft corner in a kitchen with doors.
The size of the doors for the kitchen directly depends on their location. If we are talking about doors, their dimensions are equal to the width or height of the cabinet, minus the width of the guide rails.
What Is The Advantage Of Outdoor Kitchen Doors?
In every modern kitchen, you can find pieces of furniture with built-in doors. It is due to their advantage.
It guarantees free access to items, extending the functionality of the kitchen. No ordinary hinged shelf can cope with such a task.
Thanks to these systems, the opportunity opens up for organizing a small cellar and compact storage of fruits, vegetables, and preparations. They are especially suitable for preserving vegetables, are conveniently placed in special compartments, have constant access to oxygen, and are always fresh.
Compared with classic furniture pieces, the doors are practical. They hold a lot of tools and other accessories. It allows you to free up space to organize the work area properly for other purposes.
How many types of Outdoor Kitchen Doors?
Nowadays, there are three types of outdoor kitchen doors. They are access doors, combination doors, and dry storage cabinet doors. You can review them and find out it suitable for you.
Access doors
You can reach your grill station’s inside through an access door. It’s simply a door that is frequently put in under your kitchen appliances. They can also be found beneath an outdoor sink. It has two kinds of doors.
- Single access door
A conventional option is a single-access door. One door is all there is. Both horizontal and vertical variants are available.
- Double access door
A single-access door is considerably narrower than a double-access door. because you receive two doors for your outdoor kitchen side by side!
Combination doors
If you’re looking for outside kitchen storage as well… Consider combining a few of them! There are many options available to you… want a few access-door equipped outside kitchen drawers, or possibly a warming drawer! Both situations call for access doors and drawer combinations, which are very useful for outdoor kitchens!
Use an outdoor kitchen door and drawer combo to save space on the face of your BBQ island. and provide you with a true storage option! Additional drawers and access doors are also included. For dry storage, grill cabinet doors are also available!
Dry storage cabinet doors
Doors for dry storage are a fantastic choice. They’re entirely enclosed… Therefore, your summer kitchen’s interior won’t be visible when you open the doors. In its place, they are completely sealed.
This implies that you can utilize them as food storage areas in your pantry! While from the outside they appear to be regular access doors… Depending on the one you buy, there may be shelves and cabinet space inside.
Buying Guide on How to choose the Best Outdoor Kitchen Doors
It will help if you consider several criteria when choosing kitchen doors.
1. Kitchen Layout
Position a door with integrated modules correctly so as not to restrict movement in the kitchen and not to obstruct the opening of other designs. In the case of limited kitchen space, it is best to purchase multi-part corner models.
2. Appointment
Before buying open-air kitchen doors, you should decide what you will store in them. Depending on this, you can select appropriate designs.
For example, vertical modules are suitable for placing cutlery, small kitchen utensils, and dishes. And for storing vegetables, you should consider boxes that are accessible to the air and equipped with a durable hinge.
3. Hardware Manufacturing Material
Since this is the most frequently damaged accessory, you cannot save on its quality. You should prioritize the systems made of durable stainless metal, whose thickness exceeds 1 mm.
There are also chipboard, MDF, and natural panels, while doors made of stainless steel are considered the best choice. When choosing them, you should pay attention to the smoothness of the surface and the absence of scratched chips.
4. Durability
When we choose goods to buy, the most important factor to consider is durability. Even if they will be covered, outdoor cabinets absolutely must be weather resistant. This is crucial in places like Florida where the climate is humid and rainy.
Select 304 or 316 stainless steel cabinets for the highest level of weather resistance. Extreme temperatures and dampness are no match for stainless steel. Additionally, it has a modern appearance that complements the majority of outdoor kitchens. In terms of hardware, zinc-coated steel handles will offer the best rust resistance.
5. Water-Resistance
When it comes to outdoor cabinets, water resistance is the name of the game. Stainless steel, marine-grade plastics, and teak are the finest choices.
Galvanized steel is inferior to stainless steel. Although stainless steel is long-lasting, weatherproof, and suits your grill, not all stainless steel is made equal. 304 stainless steel is the best option.
Watch the following video to see how to choose an outdoor kitchen door.
In-Depth Reviews Of The Best Outdoor Kitchen Doors
Our comparison section gives you a small overview of the different models.
#1. Mophorn BBQ Double Sliding Door – Best for Monolithic Construction
Important Specifications
- Brand: Mophorn
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Silver
- Size : 31 x 24 inches
Product Highlights
For this product, the overall quality is worth the price. Since it is a monolithic double-layer door, it is more durable than a single-layer door.
Polished stainless steel gives your barbecue a professional look. Your area will appear more modern with smooth edges and polished finishes.
The glossy surface is attractive and easy to clean, leaving no marks or stains. Silver steel looks nice and stylish. But, there is a risk of scratches on the silver surface.
When you open the door, you’ll notice six holes in the interior wall for hooks, allowing you to save space by hanging BBQ tongs, gloves, and other cooking accessories on the door.
The bottom frame of these stainless steel BBQ doors has an integrated magnet block for simple closing and improved door tightness. Strong magnetic absorption keeps your cabinet closed while allowing air to pass through, preventing flies from escaping.
The integrated door hinge also provides a clean appearance and smooth operation. Finally, the delicate and ergonomic handle on the BBQ door is comfortable and hard to scratch.
Pros
- Monolithic construction makes it more durable than others
- The smooth surface is attractive and easy to clean
- Built-in magnet for simple closing
- Six holes in the wall for hanging hook
- Integrated door hinge
- Delicate and ergonomic handle
Cons
- Silver material can get scratched
Bottom line
This door is ideal for indoor and outdoor use, especially with open-air kitchens and a BBQ island. You can install it in your fireplace, sink, electrical box door, trash can, gas tank, storage, or car stove.
#2. Seeutek Outdoor Kitchen Door – Best for Anti-corrosion
Important Specifications
- Brand: Seeutek
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Silver
- Size: 28 x 19 inches
Product Highlights
The BBQ door is 304 stainless steel, with high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. The glossy mirror finish not only looks excellent but cleans beautifully without leaving any marks or stains.
The design is monolithic and has no sharp corners to protect the safety of users. Furthermore, the sleek and ergonomic handle on the BBQ door allows you to enjoy each opening with a beautiful, hard-to-scratch hand feel.
Cleaning and storage are made easier with the removable door. For any open-air kitchen, this entry door is the ideal storage option.
Magnets at the top and bottom keep the cabinet closed while still allowing air to pass through. Therefore, no bugs or rodents can get your food or anything else in the cupboard.
The doors are an excellent value for money. They are lightweight, but once installed, they seem fine.
My main concern is that two of the three sets of doors I have purchased have a brushed horizontal design, and one has a vertical brushed texture. It may not seem like a big deal, but it dramatically changes the look of the cabinet.
Pros
- High durability
- Corrosion-resistant surface
- Removable doors for easy cleaning
Cons
- Uneven pattern
Bottom Line
These doors are nice and clean to complement any outdoor cooking area. It makes any barbecue or BBQ the focal point of your entire yard.
#3. JIE JIN BBQ Door – Best for Convenient Handle
Important Specifications
- Brand: JIE JIN
- Color: Silver
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 35 x 24 inches
Product Highlights
These double doors are perfect for our outdoor bar and kitchen. The sleek and stylish recessed handle makes it comfortable to hold without bending over. The handles along the top edge are much better than the cheap ones in the middle on other doors.
It’s a beautiful, simple, and well-made design. Retractable doors make it simple to transport bulky goods and make installation smoother.
Installation is also simple as the door lifts right off the hinges. So all you have to do is hold the frame in place, mark and drill your four holes, mount the frame, then slide the doors back on their hinges.
I’ve been able to size the holes for an exact fit ever since we built the base out of concrete blocks. They are incredibly sturdy once fitted and look much better than planned.
Pros
- Sleek concave handles
- Simple installation
- Sturdy structure
- Bright surface
Cons
- Fewer drills
Bottom lineÂ
These stainless steel doors are now suitable for all other exterior circumstances. It is especially ideal for an open-air kitchen and a BBQ island.
#4. APWONE Outdoor Kitchen Doors – Best for Budget
Important Specifications
- Brand: APWONE
- Color: Silver
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 31 x 24 inches
Product Highlights
APWONE door is made of high-quality and thick stainless steel, making it anti-rust, wear-resistant, and safe to use. This material is straightforward to clean and does not leave any scars or stains.
Cabinet doors include stainless steel plugs, and you can remove them from the door frame by lifting the door, making it simple to get heavy items through and install them. To ensure the safety of users, they are all designed to be seamless and without sharp corners.
The door comes in two layers instead of a single layer on the outside. The frame is also solidly built and has the corners welded and boxed back into the frame. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise, and the price was unbeatable.
Pros
- Thick and high-quality stainless steel construction
- Seamless design with no sharp corners
- Good price
Cons
- Handles can come loose
Bottom line
Stainless steel doors offer a classic and professional look for an outdoor cooking area. Besides, this product is also budget-friendly.
#5. Mophorn Double Doors – Best For Magnetic Closure Technology
Important Specifications
- Brand: Mophorn
- Color: Silver
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 14 x 20 inches
Product Highlights
This BBQ door is an attractive addition to your cooking area for an open-air kitchen. Like the other picks on this list, it’s made with premium stainless steel to last for years of all-weather exposure.
The seamless design and magnetic closure technology keep the door completely sealed, preventing dust, precipitation, and insects from entering. This feature also prevents the door from hitting your knee while cooking.
In addition, this BBQ door has an ergonomic handle that is both easy to grip and simple to open, providing a comfortable feeling for each opening. At the same time, the handle is removable for easy storage when not in use.
Finally, there are three holes for hanging hooks on the kitchen cabinet doors to hang small items like mops, clips, and gloves, allowing you to make better use of your space.
Pros
- Stainless steel construction
- Seamless design
- Ergonomic handle
- Magnetic closure technology
- Three holes for hook hanging
Cons
- Uneven sheen over the entire surface
Bottom line
These doors are easy to use and look sturdy. They are much cheaper than some of the other frameworks, which is good.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you weatherproof an outdoor kitchen?
Covering an open-air kitchen correctly is another way to weather the weather. You can use a canopy for cooking in any weather. Besides, build a wall to shield the kitchen from high winds or direct sunlight.
2. Can kitchen cabinets be used outside?
Heat, cold, rain, and snow are not a problem for open-air kitchen cabinets. You must also clean them regularly to retain their form and function. That means there are fewer material alternatives than inside a house.
3. What material is used for an outdoor kitchen?
There are many types of materials for outdoor kitchen cabinets. The most common materials are stainless steel, marine-grade aluminum, masonry, PVC, and wood.
4. How do I Weatherproof my cabinets?
Some tips for waterproofing your cabinets
- Spray the rubber coating.
- Make use of vinyl tiles.
- Waterproof shelf liners
- Your wooden surfaces should be waterproof.
- Replace leaking pipes.
- It would help if you took care of everything.
- Take a look at the backlash.
What Is The Best Outdoor Kitchen Door
If you’re going to build an outdoor kitchen cabinet system, you’ll need to figure out the scale first. Work within the confines of your outside area, keeping in mind that visitors will need to be able to walk about freely, taking into consideration tables, chairs, and other furnishings.
You’ll need to choose a style once you’ve determined the size of your outdoor kitchen cabinet fittings.
The possibilities are endless, but an excellent place to start is deciding whether you want your outdoor kitchen doors to match the rest of your outdoor area or whether you want a distinctive design that adds visual interest.
In any case, many home improvement shops have a variety of finishes and designs, from wood to glass and stainless steel. So you should have no problem selecting the best outdoor kitchen doors that match your design sense.