Why You Need an Outdoor Prep Station and How to Build One

There’s nothing quite like cooking outside. Dicing, slicing and grilling on a beautiful afternoon in your backyard - it’s truly a serene experience.  What really makes an outdoor cooking experience complete is having a nice prep station for cleaning, cutting, and preparing your food.

An outdoor prep station can be a game-changer for anyone who enjoys outdoor cooking and entertaining. Whether you're a barbecue enthusiast, a seasoned chef, or someone who simply loves spending time in the backyard, having a dedicated outdoor prep station can greatly enhance your cooking experience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the reasons why you need an outdoor prep station and provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how to build one that suits your needs perfectly.

Why You Need an Outdoor Prep Station

1. Convenience and Efficiency

One of the primary reasons for having an outdoor prep station is the unmatched convenience it offers. When you're cooking outdoors, whether it's grilling, smoking, or simply preparing a meal over an open flame, having all your tools and ingredients within arm's reach makes the process much smoother. No more running back and forth between the kitchen and the grill; everything you need is right there.

Imagine marinating your steaks, chopping vegetables, and assembling kebabs on a spacious outdoor countertop, all while keeping an eye on the grill. It's a level of convenience that truly transforms outdoor cooking experience.

2. Organization

An outdoor prep station helps you stay organized, which is crucial when you're juggling various tasks when cooking outdoors. It provides dedicated space for cutting, chopping, marinating, and plating your food. With designated areas for different tasks, you can work efficiently and keep your outdoor cooking area tidy.

3. Social Interaction

Outdoor cooking is not just about the food; it's also about the experience and the people you share it with. An outdoor prep station serves as a focal point for socializing. While you prepare delicious meals, family and friends can gather around, chat, and enjoy the cooking experience with you.

It's a great way to bond and create lasting memories. Instead of being isolated in the kitchen, you become an integral part of the outdoor festivities. You can engage in conversations, share cooking tips, and enjoy the company of your loved ones while crafting culinary delights. It also opens up the cooking experience so your guests can watch as you work your chef mastery.

4. Customization

When you build your outdoor prep station, you have the freedom to customize it to your specific needs and preferences. No two outdoor prep stations are alike, and that's the beauty of it. You can choose the size, materials, and features that best suit your cooking style and outdoor space.

Whether you prefer a compact station with a focus on simplicity or a sprawling setup with all the bells and whistles, it's entirely up to you. Customization ensures that your outdoor prep station aligns perfectly with your vision and culinary requirements.

5. Enhanced Outdoor Sanitation

An outdoor prep station can serve multiple purposes, one of them being that it can serve as an outdoor hand washing and dishwashing station. If you have a portable sink installed on your outdoor prep station, you can wash your hands outside while preparing food, and your guests can wash their hands before eating. It creates a cleaner, more convenient environment that is sanitary - which is very important in this age.

How to Build Your Own Outdoor Prep Station

Now that you understand the compelling reasons for having an outdoor prep station, let's dive into the step-by-step guide on how to build one that suits your needs and preferences.

Planning

Selecting the Ideal Location

Start by selecting the ideal location for your prep station. This decision is crucial as it will impact the functionality and aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor cooking space. Consider the following factors:

• Proximity to Cooking Area: Your prep station should be close to your cooking area, whether it's a grill, smoker, or outdoor oven. This ensures that you can easily transfer food between the two and minimizes the need to walk back and forth.

• Lighting: Adequate lighting is essential, especially if you plan to cook during the evening or night. Consider installing outdoor lighting fixtures or positioning your prep station in a well-lit area.

• Shade: While you want ample sunlight during the day, having some form of shade can be beneficial, especially in scorching summer months. An umbrella, pergola, or natural shade from trees will all suffice.

• Proximity to Water Source: If possible, position your prep station near a water source. This makes it convenient for tasks like washing vegetables or filling pots for boiling. If this isn’t possible, you should consider a portable water source or sink.

Determining the Size

The size of your outdoor prep station depends on your available space and your intended use. Measure the available area carefully to ensure your station fits comfortably without crowding your outdoor space. Consider the following:

• Countertop Space: Determine how much countertop space you'll need for various tasks. This includes chopping, marinating, assembling dishes, and setting out serving platters.

• Storage: Decide on the amount of storage you require. This could include cabinets, shelves, or drawers for keeping cooking utensils, spices, and other essentials.

• Additional Features: If you plan to incorporate features like a sink, mini-fridge, or dedicated space for a cutting board, account for these in your design.

Design and Materials

With the location and size in mind, you can now move on to the design and materials for your prep station. This is where you get to unleash your creativity and personalize the station to your liking:

• Materials: Choose materials that can withstand outdoor conditions. Common choices include stainless steel, treated wood, concrete, and natural stone. Each material has its unique aesthetics and advantages, so select one that aligns with your vision.

• Layout: Design the layout of your prep station. Consider the flow of tasks and ensure that the countertop space is efficiently organized. Decide on the placement of any additional features or appliances.

• Aesthetics: Think about the overall aesthetics of your outdoor prep station. Do you prefer a rustic look with wooden elements, a sleek and modern design with stainless steel, or a timeless appeal with natural stone?

Building Your Outdoor Prep Station

With the planning phase complete, it's time to roll up your sleeves and start building your outdoor prep station. Follow these steps for construction:

Construct the Frame

Begin by building the frame for your prep station. If you're using wood, make sure to treat it with a weather-resistant sealant to protect it from moisture and insects. Ensure the frame is sturdy, level, and securely anchored to the ground.

Countertop Installation

Install the countertop material of your choice. Granite and stainless steel are excellent options for their durability and resistance to outdoor elements. Ensure that the countertop is securely fastened to the frame to prevent any movement while you work.

Add Storage

Incorporate storage solutions into your prep station design. This could include open shelves, cabinets with doors, or drawers. Think about the items you'll need to store, such as cooking utensils, pots and pans, spices, and serving platters. Organize the storage space efficiently to keep everything within easy reach.

Add An Outdoor Sink

If you frequently handle messy tasks like cleaning vegetables or seafood, running water is essential for your outdoor prep station. In order to accomplish this, you’ll either need to install an outdoor sink - which would require plumbing, building the sink station, etc.

 

 

Outdoor Sink Alternatives

Sanitation is an important aspect of any outdoor cooking setup.  As we have mentioned above, an outdoor sink can be costly and time-intensive to install. Fortunately, there are some budget-friendly portable options to building and plumbing an actual outdoor sink that will work. Let’s look at some of those.

A Water Cooler

A water cooler is a common makeshift option for outdoor sanitation. It is kind of like a sink in the way that it dispenses water, and you have to touch either a button or a lever with your dirty hands in order to get the water to flow. So if you touch raw chicken or your hands are contaminated, it still may not be a sufficient solution for cleaning.

PROS:

• High capacity

• Lower price

• Continuous water flow

CONS:

• Touch required

• Some control

• Not much pressure

An Outdoor Washing Table

More like a sink, an outdoor washing table is a good option for those more serious outdoor chefs out there. While typically these types of table/sink combos are meant for cleaning fish on docks or even camping, they can also serve as a great portable sink for your outdoor prep area. They fold up like a folding table, so they are easily portable, and have faucets like real sinks. They pull from any water container, so their capacity is only limited by the container it is pulling water from. They also have a lot of table space, so are ideal for preparing and serving food.

PROS:

• Unlimited capacity

• Sink functionality

• Large table space

• Continuous water flow

• Easily portable

CONS:

• Touch required

• Medium price

• Relies on external water source

• Low pressure

• Large size

A Portable Sink

If you’re looking for a solution that can serve multiple purposes, a portable sink setup is likely your best option. 

There are different types of portable sinks, but if you need something that doesn’t need to be connected to water, is easily portable and delivers good pressure - you should consider a RinseKit PRO + Auto-Nozzle Bundle setup for your outdoor prep station.

The RinseKit PRO + Auto-Nozzle System

The RinseKit PRO is a portable pressurized water system that utilizes battery-power to pressurize water in a 3.5 gallon tank. It is a fully portable system, with the battery and pump contained in a small cooler sized box. Due to its battery pressurization system, using it is as easy as pouring water in via the top cap and pressing the power button. 

When combined with the Auto-Nozzle accessory, the RinseKit turns into a fully touchless, portable, pressurized sink. 

The Auto-Nozzle is a motion-detecting detachable nozzle that can clip into the quick connect at the end of the RinseKit PRO hose. It can either be mounted off the RinseKit PRO, or mounted to any surface via a suction cup mount. Then, with the RinseKit PRO plugged in, it can dispense water at the wave of your hand - providing a completely touchless portable water dispensing solution that can be used anywhere. It makes the ultimate portable sink solution for outdoor prep areas - and is perfect for hand and dishwashing outside

The Auto-Nozzle system can either be mounted on the RinseKit, or suctioned to any surface via the suction mount that comes with it. So you can set up the PRO+Auto Nozzle portable sink system anywhere, empowering you to have touchless hand washing capabilities at your outdoor prep station or anywhere you cook outdoors.

PROS:

• Onboard water tank with 3.5 gallons of capacity.

• Enough pressure to wash hands and knock grime off any dish

• Touchless water dispensing

• Easy to use

• Super portable

• Small in size

In conclusion, building your outdoor prep station is a rewarding project that can significantly enhance your outdoor cooking experience. With proper planning and construction, you can have a functional and stylish space that caters to your specific needs and preferences. Your outdoor prep station will become the heart of your outdoor cooking area, where delicious meals are prepared, memories are made, and good times are shared. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your materials, and embark on this exciting journey to create the outdoor prep station of your dreams. Happy cooking!