If you have an outdoor kitchen/grilling area, this is probably when it is getting the most use. In Texas, it can get a bit dicey in the summer, with temperatures regularly over the 100-degree mark, so our grilling season is not quite when many other parts of the country are enjoying their outdoor areas. The last thing you want to do is be standing over a grill when that summer heat is like a brick wall.
For us, the grilling season starts in late fall and continues all the way through the spring. However, this is also when we get some pretty interesting “Texas†weather. States like Arkansas experience the same thing. It can be 85 one day, 47 the next. Throw in all the crazy storms, and you have to wonder how this weather impacts outdoor kitchen areas.
The Grill
Grills are built to endure extreme heat, but direct sunlight can do harm over time. This is especially true if you are using a propane system. If the tank is directly exposed to that kind of heat, it could heat the fuel enough to cause an explosion. If the grill is permanently fixed and not movable, always keep it covered during direct sunlight when not in use.
If you live in an area where there is extreme cold weather and snow, the colder weather can crack the hoses. Snowfall can cause rust on the metal surfaces. Again, if the grill is not movable, keep it covered at all times when not in use to help prevent these issues.
Fridge
This is probably the one unit in terms of outdoor appliances that will be the most impacted by extreme heat. The refrigerator works in much the same way an air conditioner does in the home. It tries to maintain a consistent temperature, but being outside, it will be working much harder. If the fridge can be kept in a shaded area, it will make a huge difference. You also want to make sure the fridge is always clean and there is plenty of space around it for the airflow circulation.
For people in cold-weather locations, the coils and water lines are going to be your main concern. They could easily freeze up in the extreme weather. If they freeze up, the unit will likely break down, so you must choose your placement carefully.
We would also recommend having these appliances professionally “tuned up†both before and after a big season. This will help keep them in tip-top shape, so they do not break down right in the middle of the “big game†or party.
