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Best bean-to-cup coffee machines 2022: for one-touch, fresh coffee
It’s no secret that quality coffee is all about freshly ground beans. Well, the best bean-to-cup coffee machines will ensure that your beans are as freshly ground as possible when you brew a fresh espresso or a tasty cappuccino. Often working at the touch of a button, a bean-to-cup will grind the perfect amount of coffee for a well-extracted shot and then create the ideal level of pressure to prevent too much acidity or bitterness in your final drink. Some even come with automatic milk dispensers to make fine and frothy foam without any hands-on steaming. And if you enjoy steaming your own milk, there are also options with milk wands that will allow you to customise your temperature and texture depending on your drink.
Although they may be the most expensive options, bean-to-cups are also some of the best coffee machines for those who take their coffee really seriously. Their sleek and modern designs look at home in a variety of kitchens, and there are also some more barista-style machines that give you custom control of your brew or the ability to work on your art. If you want to recreate your coffee-shop favourite then there’s no competition. A lot of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines come with scrollable menus of all the coffee drinks they can make. All you need to do is pick your drink and let the machine do the rest.
Below you’ll find the best bean-to-cup coffee machines we’ve tested from the likes of Sage, Beko, De’Longhi, Krups, and Miele. Everything below has been tried by a member of the Ideal Home team, so you’ll be able to run through our pros and cons as well as our user experiences to give you an idea of how the machine would work in your kitchen.
While it wouldn’t be quite right to describe any bean-to-cup coffee machine as cheap, we have made an effort to review some of the more affordable options on the market alongside premium models that make great gifting. Our top 10 features machines that come in at £250, right through to models that cost well over £1,000!
Best bean-to-cup coffee machines
1. De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine overall
Milk wand: No, adjustable dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Can be controlled remotely
• Quality milk frother
• Sensitive bean grinder
• Adjust to your own preferences
Reasons to avoid:
• The milk container needs to be cleaned regularly
With modes for cappuccino, flat white, and even latte macchiato, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 is a premium coffee machine that delivers on automatic systems with hands-free brewing. The menu allows you to adjust the drinks to different sizes and aromas, and you can completely customize the coffee-to-milk ratio by making a preset just for you.
The water tank sits at the front of the machine, and so does the grounds container. Both are very easy to access, and the bean dispenser sits at the top back which makes pouring easy. You’ll need to clean the milk dispenser after every use, but all this requires is switching the dial to the self-clean mode.
If quality espresso is your top priority, you’ll love the automatic grinding, which is sensitive for different types of beans. You can also pour grounds into a different dispenser for making decaff without emptying out the bean container. It’s an expensive machine, but you’ll often find it on sale, and it ticked every box in our testing.
Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars
Read our full De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 review
5. Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine on a budget
Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.6 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• It’s a great alternative to much more expensive models
• Slimline
• Light-up dispenser
Reasons to avoid:
• We found the milk wand quite fiddly
• The coffee came out quite hot for our liking
Sometimes you’re testing a group of products and realise that two are very similar to each other. What’s even more interesting: sometimes they’re priced very differently. So it was with the Beko and the Dualit machine you’ll see below. Both machines have a narrow footprint (the Beko is 24cm) and use a 19-bar pressure pump to make deep, full-bodied coffee. They both have touch controls on the top, with simple icons to select your drink.
Out of the box, the coffee was a bit mild, but there’s a dial to adjust the grinder. Once the grind was finer, coffee was tastier with a better crema. Meanwhile the froth from the steam wand was very powerful (maybe too powerful) and quick to get going. Features are very similar to the Dualit: touch controls on the top select from a limited drinks menu, the coffee dispenser slides upwards to accommodate mugs, and it self-cleans when turned on or off.
Like the Dualit, you can adjust the grind and also the length of coffee shots: instead, if you want a longer drink you can top it up with hot water from the wand or hold one of the brewing buttons down to make the shot longer or shorter. And again its pre-brewing system wets the dose of coffee for a richer extraction, releasing oils to maximise aroma and depth.
We found the light-up touch controls on the top hard to see in bright sunlight from the skylight above. The steam wand also works at quite an awkward angle if you’re really serious about your lattes. However, this coffee maker is hard to fault in terms of bangs (beans?) for the buck. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, or take up too much worktop space, buy the Beko.
Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Read our full Beko CEG5311X Bean to Cup Coffee Machine review
2. Cuisinart Veloce
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for automatic brewing
Milk wand: No, milk is automatic
Water capacity: 1.25 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• A smart machine that offers a full menu of drink options
• Very good value
• Easy to top up water
Reasons to avoid:
• You need to clean the milk wand after every latte or cappuccino
The Cuisinart Veloce makes some of the more high-end bean-to-cup features relatively accessible. It’s by no means cheap, but you do get all the perks of a digital display and complete coffee menu. We enjoyed saving our custom drink preferences onto the menu, which made for easy coffee rounds.
It’s got a small water tank, but on the plus side it’s front-facing and incredibly easy to remove and refill. The same can be said for emptying the coffee grounds, and the display comes up with instructions and prompts to stay on top of maintenance.
We found that the machine needed adjusting before we got that perfect espresso. It required grind adjustments, which can be done at the top of the machine where you keep your coffee beans. The milk wand can be inserted into the side container via a rubber tube, and this makes fully adjustable lattes or cappuccinos completely hands-free. You can even choose your froth level and the temperature of your drink.
The milk wand needs to be placed in a cup of water after each use, after which it will run a quick self-clean. If you plan on making long coffees and americanos though, the self-clean is fully automatic.
Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
Read our full Cuisinart Veloce coffee machine review
3. Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro
Best bean-to-cup machine coffee shop style
Milk wand: Yes, manual
Water capacity: 2.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Easy to use and clean
• Fully adjustable settings
• Barista-style design
Reasons to avoid:
• No water level indicator
The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro has a more classic coffee machine style, allowing you to grind and tamp your own beans before adding to the espresso machine insert. Then, froth up some milk using the attached milk wand. It’s got 30 grind settings on the bean grinder, which is more than some actual coffee grinders, and because it’s see-through you’ll always know if it needs topping up.
The display is appealing, with black panels and a stainless steel frame. The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro also has a very generous water tank, meaning even caffeine addicts won’t need to top up regularly. That said, it has no reminder to top up the tank, and because it’s at the back you may find that you run out unexpectedly.
We found that the coffee grinds can get a little messy after tamping, so regular wiping will be necessary. It does make you feel like a proper barista to do this all yourself though, as opposed to some of the bean-to-cup coffee machines in our guide which simply require you to press a button.
Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
4. De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul
Best premium bean-to-cup coffee machine
Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.2 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• App-controlled
• 21 coffee settings to choose from
• Excellent milk frothing
Reasons to avoid:
• That price tag
If you’re going to buy a coffee machine that costs over £1,000, it had better be perfect. Well, we scored this one a smooth 100% for its smart design and flawless operation. We were able to make drinks from the next room using the app (tip: don’t forget to leave a mug on the tray if you plan on doing this) and it offers a whopping 21 presets for just about any coffee drink you could wish to make. This includes cortado, flat white, espresso and even just babyccino for little ones.
The machine guides you through setup using the touch-screen controls. It allows you to flick through the settings and choose coffee-shop quality drinks that are made in an instant. The 19-bar pressure creates some dreamy coffee, with frothy crema that stays long after your first sip. You can choose your coffee strength, and as for the LatteCrema dispenser, cleaning is straightforward because it runs an automatic steam cleaning setting after each use.
The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul is very large, so be prepared to dedicate a decent portion of your kitchen to it. Once it’s there though, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars
6. Gaggia Anima Prestige
Best mid-priced bean-to-cup coffee machine
Milk wand: Yes, dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Sleek controls
• Compact dimensions
Reasons to avoid:
• Feels cramped when you add the milk frother
The Gaggia’s setup was comical as we followed the instructions, switched it on and it self-cleaned… before having attached the milk frother (this came on a later page). A jet of hot water spluttered out and we dived for the power button.
But after this hiccup, setup went fine and we were left with an impressive compact machine. It’s a similar size to the Dualit or Beko, taking up most of the depth of a worktop but only 22cm wide, but features are more automated. Instead of using a steam wand to heat or froth milk manually, you attach a reservoir of milk.
The machine feels roomy if you only want an espresso or espresso lungo. Add the milk frother, for cappuccino or latte, and it’s suddenly cramped. But it works well. When you press the button for a milky coffee, you’re prompted to slide out a spout from the milk pot. Milk is automatically frothed and dispensed, then the coffee shot is added afterwards. The milk jug works well and you can stow it in the fridge when not in use.
The machine cleans itself when you turn it on and off, and after each cuppa. A small amount of water comes out and lands in the drip tray, assuming there’s no cup in the way. The drip tray is well designed. Firstly, it extends under the whole machine, for a bigger capacity (empty it less often). Secondly, the bin for coffee grinds slides out at the same time, encouraging you to empty both.
There are just four choices of drink, with no manual controls: espresso, espresso lungo, cappuccino and caffe latte. They tasted great, the espressos flavoursome with a good crema and just the right level of bitterness, the milky coffees delicious and moreish.
But with a machine at this price, more options would have been good.
If a steam wand is too much hassle but you don’t want the expense, or worktop space, of a premium machine, this mid-priced model is well worth considering.
Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars
7. Miele CM5300 Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine
Best bean-to-cup machine for a small office
Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 1.3 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart design
• Supreme control
• Can do pots as well as mugs
Reasons to avoid:
• It needs regular emptying and water refills
At 24cm, the Miele isn’t wide but it feels more imposing. It has a neat, contemporary design. It achieves the clean lines thanks to a rubber tube that you attach to the side of the nozzle whenever you want to froth milk. The double nozzle dispenses either single or double coffees, so you can make two drinks at once (or just make a giant coffee). There’s a central dispenser for hot water to make long coffees.
The display is easy to read and gives you supreme levels of control, to adjust grinder, coffee quantity, brewing temperature, pre-brewing, portion sizes. You can even tell it your water hardness. And there’s the option to use a dose of pre-ground coffee instead of beans. You can make everything from ristretto to caffe latte to a coffee pot. The entire front head slides up a long way, to accommodate not just mugs but coffee pots of up to 750ml. You can also create two user profiles, with menus of your favourite drinks.
The coffee was superb. It made an outstanding lungo from a single shot: tasty with a sturdy crema, you get a lot from a single dose.
Your cleaning burden is low because it thoroughly cleans itself every time it turns on or off. Thanks to its long menu of drinks and ease of use, we could see this being a firm favourite in a small office or co-working space, or the kitchen of someone who has everything. Your architect would definitely approve of the machine’s good looks.
Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
8. Krups EA907D40
Best high end bean-to-cup coffee machine
Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.7 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• 17 drink options
• Advanced self-cleaning
Reasons to avoid:
• An expensive choice
The Krups isn’t cheap but you feel like you get lots for your money because it’s gadget-packed. That means you can make better, and fancier, coffees with even less effort than budget machines. And it looks so cool, guests will marvel as it does its thing.
There are nice premium touches, for example it comes with an attractive pair of glass coffee cups. Its party trick is being the first bean-to-cup machine with a self-cleaning steam wand. This motorised marvel descends into your cup of milk to froth it. Then the machine adds coffee shots on top. It’s amazing and actually reduces effort and cuts the cleaning burden.
You pop your cup, containing the right amount of milk, in one place and the machine does it all. You won’t need to clean a milk jug, you won’t even need to wipe the wand.
There are 17 automated programmes, all of them conveyed simply on the colour touch screen. You can tailor them and the machine remembers your preference for next time. There are also eight user profiles for personalised recipes, so you can design your own perfect coffee. You can adjust the grind level and temperature. You can also use single doses of ground coffee.
The milky coffees, including cappuccino and latte, are effortless and delicious. In fact, they’re moreish: this machine is so good that you could find yourself drinking too many. Our only criticism is that the grinder is noisy, the back of the machine even shakes as it grinds.
The cleaning burden is minimal. Everything is automatic but you’re in control. The steam nozzle cleaning happens internally and doesn’t make a mess. The drip tray is large enough that it doesn’t need emptying too often, despite the self-cleaning. The Krups isn’t cheap, but you feel you’ve got something very special.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
9. Sage The Barista Pro SES878BSS coffee machine
Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for wannabe baristas
Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 2 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Allows you to take control of the Barista process
• Smart control panel
• Steam wand is very powerful
Reasons to avoid:
• It’s a bit of work
Some coffee lovers want a machine to do all the work and dispense the perfect drink. Others enjoy and take pride in the process of making coffee. The Sage is more for the latter audience. This isn’t an effortless bean-to-cup machine, it’s more like a grinder and coffee machine combined. Everything you need in one unit, but you are the barista.
First up: the grinder. Weirdly it senses when you put the portafilter under it, then it automatically dispenses a dose of freshly ground coffee. You tamp the grounds and then use the supplied razor to ensure the perfect quantity. The instructions teach you a lot about how to judge what needs adjusting, in which direction. For example, we made the grinds coarser (it goes from 0-30, we dialled it up from 15 to 20). And the portafilter seemed too full, but after tamping we realised that the dose of ground coffee was perfect.
Then you attach the portafilter to make your coffee, telling the machine whether it’s one or two shots. And finally there’s the steam wand for frothing milk plus a separate hot water tap.
The controls are easy to use and the coffees tasted delicious but it’s a large machine (35cm wide) and doesn’t save you much effort. Cleaning is a chore too: you need to empty the portafilter each time, wipe the steam wand and probably wipe up spilled coffee grounds.
We felt the Sage missed the point of a bean-to-cup machine, but it does make good coffees. Plus, some people enjoy being more part of the process: one of our testers fell in love with this machine.
Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars
10. De’Longhi Maestosa
Best luxe bean-to-cup coffee machine
Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.1 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart connectivity
• Multiple bean options
Reasons to avoid:
• That immense price tag
It was always going to be hard to justify such an expensive coffee maker. You could buy a decent second-hand car for less. But the De’Longhi at least does much more than rival bean-to-cup machines.
First, unusually, it has dual bean hoppers so you can have two preferred types of coffee bean (caffeinated and decaf? everyday and specialty? breakfast and after dinner? yours and theirs?) plus you can dose it with a measure of ground coffee for a third way. The machine also makes tea and has dual water heaters at two different temperatures, so there’s no compromise.
The De’Longhi has a five-inch colour touch screen and Bluetooth, connecting it to a smartphone app where you can tailor personal recipes. The screen works brilliantly: tap on a drink and hit the plus sign to tailor its length, aroma (dose), temperature, froth. The dispenser slides up and down, so you can also make a carafe of between 250 and 750ml.
The milk container is an insulated pot that you plug in when requested. Impressively a milk nozzle pivots from the front and ends up just in front of the coffee spouts, so once it’s in place you can just press a button to make a latte, cappuccino or similar. After making a cuppa it asks whether you want it to self-clean the milk nozzle.
Alternatively, attach the Mix Carafe for cold coffees, cocktails and more. You can add small ice cubes and sugar to make blended cold coffees. Or add the choco stirrer attachment for an impressive hot chocolate: on-screen instructions talk you through everything.
We found it easy to use and never needed the manual, despite the complexity, but it is pricey and multiple accessories means stuff to store. It’s a boxy design that takes up lots of worktop depth and 29cm width. The results are impressive but ultimately we felt that the pricey De’Longhi was over the top. That said, if you love the idea of blended cold coffees and money’s no object then you won’t be disappointed by this luxe machine.
Ideal Home rating 3.5 out of 5 stars
Why should I buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine?
While we’ve been in the grips of pod coffee machines when it comes to convenience and easy cleaning, people are increasingly turning to bean-to-cup machines to work on their latte art or simply find a more sustainable way of making a morning brew. You can empty out your coffee grounds into your food waste without any worries about single-use plastic, and there are even ways to use them in the garden to make your plants happy!
Another great advantage of bean-to-cups is the freedom they bring to your brew. You can experiment with all different types of beans, and even try out a coffee bean subscription, to make the most of the freshly ground goodness you’ll be drinking every morning.
And it’s not just the controls that make the difference – the cleaning is easier, too. Instead of wiping and rinsing after every drink, you just need to empty it from time to time and refill the beans and water containers as required.
After thoroughly testing these models, we had just one concern: some are just too good. That sounds like a nice problem to have, but the ease with which you can make latte after latte means there is a risk of descending deeper into caffeine addiction. Proceed with caution. Or sometimes detox with decaffeinated beans.
How to buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine for you
How much should I spend on a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
The bean-to-cup coffee machines tested here start from a compelling £250 and you can certainly get great machines for under £600. Above that, sense-check whether the machine actually does more or makes things easier. Sometimes you’re paying for the design or the brand.
It’s a lot of money, but to look at it another way, it’s £1-2 a day for a year. Not bad if you’re weighing it up against buying a fancy coffee on the way to work every morning.
Too much for your budget? Check out Best pod coffee machines
image credit: Sage
How do I clean my bean-to-cup coffee machine?
There’s no such thing as a free lunch and there’s no such thing as a coffee machine that doesn’t need cleaning. But there are machines that need cleaning less. All machines here except the Sage automatically dose themselves with ground coffee and then deposit the used grounds in a bin, so you’ll need to empty the bin regularly. You’ll also need to empty the drip tray – the water from self-cleaning ends up in it. Beyond that, you’ll want to give the machine a proper clean once a week to ensure it’s hygienic and tastes great.
Are there any downsides to bean-to-cup machines?
Aside from having to clean the things, other caveats are worktop space (they tend to use much of the depth of a worktop, but the width varies) and cost. And finally, note the above concern about some being too good: so easy to use that you can drink frothy but highly caffeinated drinks all day long. Of course, one of the best milk frothers will do a (very) similar job. Note that the milk frothers are great for making soothing hot chocolates, too…
The post Best bean-to-cup coffee machines 2022: for one-touch, fresh coffee appeared first on Ideal Home.
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Outdoor kitchen ideas for the utmost in stylish alfresco dining
It’s difficult to be the hostess with the mostess when you’re stuck cooking inside while guests enjoy the summer in your garden. Outdoor kitchen ideas allow you to bring the prep, cooking and dining outside, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice practicalities or fun.
Outdoor entertaining has risen dramatically in popularity in terms of garden ideas – and for good reason. Exterior spaces are prised and can add serious value to your home, so the more set up your space for hosting, lounging and living, the more you’re adding to your home. And if you’re not planning on selling, having a properly planned outdoor area will make your garden more enjoyable year round.
‘Barbeques and outdoor ovens are an amazing way to bring the kitchen outside right into the comfort of your garden,’ notes Ash Read, home and property expert and founder of Living Cozy. ‘They can be used all year round to cook up a storm no matter what season it is.’ Indeed, alfresco cooking is popular worldwide, with the Scandis embracing it even in the coldest months.
Outdoor kitchen ideas
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to outdoor kitchen ideas – not only are barbecues available everywhere you look, so are pizza ovens, cabinets, worktops, and sinks.
And you can go as elaborate or modest as you fancy. From building one yourself, to buying an off-the-peg design or paying a professional company to install high-end appliances, an outdoor kitchen can vary wildly in price and finish.
1. Keep everything to hand
Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young
The last thing you want to be doing when cooking for a crowd and sorting garden party ideas is faffing around trying to find everything you need. Since we tend to use our outdoor kitchen ideas less than the main indoor kitchen, we’re not as familiar with where everything is.
Keep life simple for yourself by rigging up a space to hang your oft used utensils. Open storage and labelled drawers will also cut down on your time searching for what you need.
2. Save space with a narrow design
Image credit: WWOO
Most of us are limited with our outdoor space, so save precious square footage by plumping for a slimline design. Really consider what you need to include, rather than just adding in all the mod-cons ‘just because’. You’ll be surprised what you can do with only a multifunctional barbecue and sink.
Remember most of the items, like condiments and glassware will be stored indoors most of the time, so you don’t need as much worksurface space as you might think. As long as you have room enough for a chopping board then you’re good to go.
3. Include a multifunctional trellis
Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young
Garden trellis ideas are perhaps a surprising, but definitely welcome, addition to outdoor kitchen ideas. The structure will firstly add a pretty backdrop to your cooking space, meaning you’re not just looking at a brick wall or old fence. Paint in a pretty shade or train climbing plants upwards for extra impact.
Secondly, the gaps in a trellis are perfect for hanging utensils, chopping boards and other essentials. You could even hang small pots of herbs so you have them to hand for cooking or adding to cocktails with your garden bar ideas.
4. Fake it till you make it
Image credit: Tom Howley
Blur the lines and fake an outdoor kitchen. Design your home with an indoor-outdoor feel with matching or similar flooring running between the two. A wall made up of sliding or bifolding glass doors will disrupt the distinction between indoors and out, meaning you can get the best of both worlds without adding a new space.
Find the right garden seating ideas which work just as well with your interior design as your garden space.
5. Go for an all in one design
Image credit: Future PLC/Nicola Stocken
Some modern designs have everything you could want – and more – in one structure. To make sure you get what you want, go bespoke, or make your own if your DIY skills are up to scratch. That said, unless you’re a professional, do bring in someone to rig up any electrics and water that are needed.
6. Go casual with rustic vibes
Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson
Think cottagecore for a charming take on outdoor kitchen ideas. Rustic brick pizza ovens or the best BBQs will add old-worldy appeal. A big plus of this is the more rough around the edges the better, so you can get away with minimal upkeep. Ensure you keep your surrounding planting in tip-top condition to stay on the cottage garden ideas side rather than run down.
7. Get creative with old kitchen tiles
Image credit: Future PLC
If you only have a small garden, you can easily zone out a small garden kitchen with the aid of a few tiles. Whether you have some leftover from your own kitchen or picked some up on offer, attach them to a wall or wooden board attached to a fence to create striking outdoor wall decor ideas for your barbecue.
8. Consider low maintenance materials
Image credit: Lundhs
‘Opt for a material that is easy to clean and is maintenance-free’ advises Hege Lundh, Marketing Director, Lundhs. ‘The key to this is choosing a material that is 100 per cent natural. A completely natural stone will be used to the elements and notoriously only require very little maintenance – a simple wipe with a damp cloth will suffice!
9. Position in the perfect spot
Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles
Find the perfect spot on your patio ideas to place the kitchen area, ensuring you have enough space for all your cooking needs.
‘The outdoor kitchen should not be fully exposed to sunlight, and if possible find the least windy area,’ advises Hege from Lundhs. A secluded spot within the garden, preferably closer to the house should cater well for most garden layouts.
10. Take the indoors out
Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Reaside
Take inspiration for the the layout of your existing kitchen. Set the kitchen and cooking elements of the design to one side and keep it contained, only a short distance away from a dining area. this hub of social interaction will feel familiar to the kitchen you know and love indoors. Placing your outdoor kitchen directly outside on the patio is a mirror reflection of the interior.
11. Consider an overhead covering
Image credit: Morso
‘While barbecuing has been popular for a long time, we’ve seen demand for covered outdoor kitchens soar in recent years,’ says Declan Kingsley-Walsh, MD at Morsø UK. The beauty of a solid structure overhead is that you can plan garden parties without consulting the weather forecast.
‘The best outdoor kitchens provide ample food preparation space and worksurface for pots, crockery and utensils, as well as seating,’ adds Declan. A long chimney will funnel smoke away from both the structure and your eyes.
12. Entertain at an outdoor cocktail bar
Image credit: Landform Consultants
Give your entertaining a cocktail-bar buzz, without leaving home. ‘I would recommend a garden bar to make greater use of outside space,’ says Rhiannon Williams, landscape architect and project manager at Landform Consultants. ‘A bar takes up a lot less space than a dining area.’
Select key fittings, such as an outdoor wine fridge or sink, then build the bar around these. ‘Choose materials that can withstand year-round exposure. I would recommend a well-sealed natural stone top and treated wood cladding,’ Rhiannon adds.
13. Build a budget outdoor kitchen
Image credit: Ikea
Once you’ve worked out your budget, shop around to find a range that’s right for you. Ikea has a fantastic range of affordable outdoor kitchen products, including this charcoal barbecue with a detachable trolley and storage cabinet. They also, of course, have matching garden furniture to complete the look.
14. Narrow down your cooking style
Image credit: Future PLC/Claire Lloyd-Davies
Are you more of a barbecue buff or a grilling guru? Whatever your preferred cooking method, there’s something for you. Choose from an outdoor kitchen BBQ, the best pizza oven, hob, grill or a combination of them all.
15. Dedicate a place for food prep
Image credit: WWOO
Make sure that you have ample space for food preparation. You won’t want to have to walk back and forth to the kitchen or garden table with all your food in tow. Be sure to keep cooked and uncooked food separate so as not to contaminate one another.
16. Choose a weatherproof countertop
Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole
Your outdoor kitchen is going to be exposed to all weather conditions, so it’s important to choose a suitable material for your work surface. Avoid wood, and go for concrete or stainless steel instead.
You could use stone tiles, slabs or flagstones, too, but they should be treated with an acrylic sealer. This will make them more weather resistant and easier to clean.
17. Include storage for essentials
Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore
As with any kitchen space, it’s important to ensure you have enough storage. This doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple shelves fixed to a fence can work as a place to stack herbs, spices and marinades, and you can hang tools from dowling rods. A fold-out table provides extra workspace when it’s needed, but can live in the shed in the winter months.
Make sure you’re able to close and lock things away so that they are safe from the outdoor elements.
18. Install an outdoor sink
image credit: Garden House Design
For the full al fresco experience, include a sink in your outdoor kitchen so you can do your washing up in the open air, too. However, installing the plumbing required can be costly. You could look to positioning your sink on an external wall of the house, below an existing outdoor tap to minimise the cost, but you’ll still need to consider a hot water supply.
Make sure you have a way of covering your sink in winter to protect it from bad weather, and remember it will require more cleaning that a regular indoor sink! Make sure you plan accordingly for any water or electricity access, as this will play a big part in planning.
19. Take shelter
Image credit: The London Tile Co.
Given the endearing unreliability of the British weather, it’s a good idea to think about how to create shade in your garden for your outdoor kitchen. Go for a fold-away option to take advantage of the glorious sunshine (when it comes!). Be safe though – for example, a grill will need to be properly ventilated if it’s to be sited under a covered area.
20. Put safety first
Image credit: Future PLC/David Hiscock
When choosing the design and layout of an outdoor kitchen, put safety first. ‘Take safety into consideration when planning your kitchen’ says Hege from Lundhs. ‘If you are planning on installing a grill for example, make sure you avoid flammable materials and choose a worktop and surfaces that can withstand high temperatures of up to 300C.’
Take safety into consideration when planning the layout, make sure there’s a safe flow from cooking area to dining space.
21. Grow your own herbs nearby
Image credit: Future PLC/Alun Callender
Wherever you site your outdoor kitchen, plan in a planting space for herbs not too far away. A joy of cooking in your garden is that you can pick rosemary for your lamb, or basil to top a pizza, fresh and instantly. Rosemary is relatively easy to grow, as are mint, sage and chives.
22. Keep it cool
Image credit: Bradstone Luxury
When you’ve got guests round on a summer’s evening, you’ve got to keep the drinks flowing. Install an outdoor fridge or wine cooler to keep bottles within arm’s reach.
Just remember, you can’t install any fridge in your garden – look for a models designed for outdoor use and consider that you’ll need an electrical supply to power it.
23. Stay warm with an outdoor fire
Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young
When dinner is finished and you’re relaxing with full tummies, what better way to keep the evening going strong than by cosying up under blankets and lighting the fire? Store a selection in baskets that you can bring out in one lot for your guests when the sun goes down.
Liberal numbers of lanterns and other garden lighting ideas will help make you feel extra cosy, too.
Things to consider before buying an outdoor kitchen
Whatever your space, start with a barbecue with a work surface/countertop beside it. Choose between a gas or charcoal barbecue, bearing in mind that gas will be easier to keep clean and gives you the option of using it year round. If your budget allows, look for a design that features a rotisserie for slow-roasting meats – great for summer barbecues or Sunday lunches. Storage cabinets are always a handy extra for stashing utensils and cookware, while other optional add-ons can include pizza ovens, outdoor sinks with taps and even fridges.
Where’s the best place to install an outdoor kitchen?
As a rule, outdoor kitchens are best situated fairly close to the house and always on level decking or a patio. Look to position yours against a brick wall (not wooden fencing for obvious reasons) and try to keep it away from walkways.
How much does it cost to put in an outdoor kitchen?
How much it costs to put in an outdoor kitchen depend on your budget and how ambitious your plans are. If you’re a keen DIYer, here’s nothing stopping you from building your own cooking area, incorporating a new barbecue (or your existing one) into the design, with cabinets, worktops and shelving made from weatherproof materials such as wood, stainless steel and brick. Heatproof tiles are a good addition if you want to add a decorating edge.
To keep costs down, consider purchasing a pre-made island or bar-style structure, as this will save you buying what could be expensive custom additions, such as concrete worktops and stone bases. Or why not try building your own as part of an upcycling project, using reclaimed wood and bricks?
Outdoor fridges tend to be quite pricey as they need to be watertight and weatherproof, so they aren’t really an option for those on a budget – plus you’ll need an electrical supply. However, if you have space, a sink or a cooler filled with ice is just as effective for parties.
If money is no object, there are now quite a few companies that will design and install a whole outdoor kitchen for you, as well as looking after any necessary wiring and plumbing. According to Bradshaw Luxury, you should expect to pay around £9,600 for an outdoor kitchen complete with gas grill, fridge and sink.
What is the best surface for an outdoor kitchen?
The best surface for an outdoor kitchen, if you have the budget is a durable stone – that withstands the elements all year round. Stone is 100 per cent natural and is one of the most durable and resilient materials in the world.
‘When it comes to material and in particular worktop surface choice for an outdoor kitchen, the most important consideration is the weather and the climate,’ advises Hege Lundh, Marketing Director, Lundhs. ‘Make sure you choose materials that will withstand changes in temperatures, exposure to the sun’s UV rays and also to the moisture of rain and dampness. The key to a long-lasting outdoor surface is something that will stand the test of time against these elements. The features you should look for are a material that has low porosity, low absorption and a resistance to UV.’
It is thanks to its exceptional durability and resilience to the elements that stone makes the ideal outdoor kitchen worktop surface. ‘Resistant to water, heat, UV rays, stains and scratches, real stone can be used outdoors without worry and is guaranteed to be every bit as beautiful as it is practical.’
How do you weatherproof an outdoor kitchen?
Look at investing in good-quality covers to protect your kit from the elements. Wooden surfaces need to be cleaned and treated once a year and, if you have the space (and money), consider a well-ventilated gazebo to shelter your kitchen year round.
Like loft conversions and kitchen extensions, we see outdoor kitchens becoming increasingly popular, as we all try to get the most from of the space available to us. So why not build one of these outdoor kitchens, and turn your backyard into the hottest eatery in town…
Additional words by Linda Clayton
The post Outdoor kitchen ideas for the utmost in stylish alfresco dining appeared first on Ideal Home.
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