Outdoor Kitchens- Marine Grade Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum or HDPE?
For Outdoor Kitchens, numerous factors go into the selection of an outdoor kitchen long before the design even begins.
The first consideration is, what type of material will last the longest for the environment for the environment your outdoor kitchen will be in? This question applies not only to the outdoor kitchen cabinets, but also to the appliances you select for your outdoor kitchen.
At Riviera Outdoor Decor we are a four-time international, award-winning outdoor design firm that specializes in coastal outdoor furniture, kitchens and accessories. We have a lifetime of experience living on the coast and over twenty-five years of experience in designing outdoor kitchens and spaces. This article is based upon our years of experience living on the coast and designing outdoor kitchens.
Whichever material you select for your outdoor kitchen, you will need a powder coat finish.
An outdoor kitchen located near a salt water pool or coastal water requires a marine grade outdoor kitchen and marine grade outdoor kitchen appliances if you want it to last.To further protect your outdoor kitchen, a powder coat is essential for both marine grade stainless steel, stainless steel and aluminum
- A powder coat finish provides an additional layer of protection against corrosion, scratches/chipping and fading to further protect your outdoor kitchen;
- It is one of the most economical, longest lasting, and most color-durable quality finishes available on virtually any type of metal;
- A powder coat finish adds not only to the protection but the beauty of your outdoor kitchen, by applying a consistent color finish across the metal;
- Powder coatings can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging;
- Powder coat is non-toxic, and less flammable than wet spray paint finishes;
- A wide range of textures and finishes can be achieved using this process;
- A powder coated surface requires less maintenance and cleaning of fingerprints.
For purposes of this article, we will look at four different materials that we know stand up to the corrosive coastal outdoor elements of salt, humidity and strong wind gusts
Marine Grade (316) Outdoor kitchens
The 'best of the best' for an outdoor kitchen on the coast is Marine Grade (316) Stainless Steel. Near the coast or on the beach itself, or next to a salt water pool, for an outdoor kitchen that that will stand up to tough coastal outdoor elements and heavy chlorine, you will need an outdoor kitchen to be made of marine grade (316) stainless steel.
Why select Marine Grade Stainless Steel?
Marine grade Stainless Steel 316 is preferred for most coastal applications, because it contains molybdenum, which increases resistance to pitting caused by salt exposure. Compared to 304 stainless steel, the extra nickel and molybdenum content in 316 stainless improve the corrosion resistance, especially to pitting and crevice corrosion, but also make 316 Stainless Steel more expensive.
How much more will Marine Grade Stainless Steel Cost?
Expect to pay about 20-22% more for marine grade stainless steel for your outdoor kitchen. It is a highly recommended investment if you want your outdoor cabinets to last.
Stainless Steel (304) Outdoor kitchens
Resistant to impact, corrosion and extreme temperatures, with strength and density, are key characteristics of 304 Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets. Stainless Steel (304) is made up of 18% chromium, between 8% and 10% nickel, and a maximum carbon level 0f 0.0008%. Stainless steel is extremely strong and dense. It will not budge easily even when up against heavy weights and powerful winds which are common in coastal environments.
Most importantly, stainless steel is corrosion resistant and does not easily rust. In addition, stainless steel is non-porous which gives it more resistance to corrosion. However, 304 grade stainless steel is more susceptible to corrosion than marine grade stainless steel due to the lack of molybdenum
Cast Aluminum Outdoor Kitchens
For the purpose of this article we will define aluminum as solid cast aluminum outdoor kitchen cabinets and not tubular aluminum. Aluminum outdoor kitchens from Riviera Outdoor Décor are cast aluminum which means they are solid and characterized by their intricate detailing options similar to carved wood. Our cast aluminum outdoor kitchens are made of solid and not hollow or tubular aluminum, making our outdoor kitchens more durability with a higher product weight. The higher weight ratio gives our cast aluminum outdoor kitchens the advantage to withstand windy conditions and not blow over.
The main characteristic of aluminum is corrosion resistance, making it capable of withstanding the outdoor elements.
HDPE Outdoor Kitchens
HDPE and more importantly,Marine Grade Polymer Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets is an extremely tough material, resistant to impact and physical wear and tear and a favorite among the coastline. Generally speaking, it can take a beating without cracking but it is not structurally as strong as stainless steel. HDPE, can work well. However, it will not hold up as well under extreme loads or high heat as Stainless Steel especially that of Marine Grade Stainless Steel.
Other Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets
When investing in a luxury outdoor kitchen, the details behind the cabinetry matter just as much as the finish you see.
At Riviera Outdoor Décor, we field test the outdoor kitchen cabinets and products we sell in real coastal conditions to evaluate how they perform against salt air, humidity, wind, sand, heat, and everyday outdoor exposure.
One of the most important features to consider is how securely cabinet doors and drawers close and seal. High-quality outdoor kitchen cabinetry should help keep sand, dust, debris, insects, moisture, and other unwanted elements out of your storage spaces. Tight-fitting doors, protective gaskets, secure magnetic closures, soft-close hardware, and well-engineered drawer systems can make a significant difference—especially in a coastal or beach house outdoor kitchen.
But protection should never come at the expense of proper airflow.
A thoughtfully engineered outdoor kitchen must also incorporate the ventilation required for grills, refrigeration, gas components, and other built-in appliances. Rather than leaving the entire cabinet system open to the elements, ventilation should be strategically designed into the kitchen where appliances and fuel systems require it, while storage areas remain as protected as possible.
This balance of sealed storage and properly engineered ventilation is one of the details that separates ordinary outdoor cabinetry from a well-designed, high-performance outdoor kitchen.
At Riviera Outdoor Décor, we look at and beyond appearance. We evaluate the materials, cabinet construction, closures, ventilation, hardware, and long-term performance because a luxury marine-grade outdoor kitchen should do more than look beautiful on installation day. It should be designed to perform beautifully for years in the demanding conditions of coastal outdoor living.
About Riviera Outdoor Décor
At Riviera Outdoor Décor, we believe coastal living should feel like a private resort—beautiful, relaxing, and made to be enjoyed every day. Our passion, our goal is creating outdoor spaces that make everyday life feel a little more like a vacation, giving our clients and their families a place to slow down, reconnect, entertain, and make lasting memories right at home.
Because coastal environments can be demanding, we carefully evaluate and field test the products we sell to help ensure they can stand up to sun, salt air, humidity, wind, and everyday outdoor living. Our goal is to offer outdoor kitchens, furnishings, and accessories that bring together luxury, comfort, and long-term performance—so the beauty of resort-style living can be enjoyed for years to come.
