Outdoor Kitchens Guide

Having an outdoor grill light makes a huge difference in the way you approach the use of your outdoor kitchen. Many outdoor kitchens feature very nice grills, but even top of the line grills do not all have lights inside of them. If you have ever attempted to cook in the dark on a grill with no lights, you understand how difficult it can be. Even if your kitchen area is lit from ceiling lights around the space, they may not help you very much when it comes to seeing if your food is cooked. Think about it. Your grill lid partially covers the cooking surface, even when it is open. This means any light that originates above and behind the grill is useless to you. And since you will be standing over the grill when you are trying to check your progress, your head and body will be blocking out most light that is not originating from inside the grill.

Fortunately there is a solution to this outdoor kitchen lighting problem. Your outdoor kitchen was a big investment. Even if you are not using a built in grill, and have a free standing grill instead, a grill light is vital to both the end result of your cooking as well as your level of enjoyment as you do that cooking. Grill lights are relatively inexpensive, so unlike other grill accessories, adding this one is really a no brainer.

OK, now that we have determined you need a grill light, what kind should you get? Your first choice is whether you want a battery powered or plug in type of grill light. In most cases I would recommend the type you plug in. The last thing you want is to be grilling a steak and your light gets dim at a crucial time because the battery is going dead. Unless you just don’t have power in the area, get an a/c powered grill light. In most cases, an outdoor kitchen will be able to accommodate a small appliance that has to be plugged in.

You will see lights that clip onto the side of the grill and others that have a small stand and sit on the counter next to the grill. Almost all grill lights have a flexible arm that can be twisted to give you light where you need it most at any given time. If your outdoor kitchen is filled with stainless steel appliances, don’t get a cheap looking grill light. It is an appliance just like all the rest, and will be on display for your guests to see while you are grilling. Even an expensive grill light will not cost much more than $100, so don’t skimp on this important grill accessory.

Remember one safety tip about your grill light. There is not much in a good outdoor kitchen that you have to worry about if it rains, but a grill light is one of those things. An a/c powered light can get ruined and worse, cause a safety issue if you operate it in the rain. A battery powered grill light will simply get ruined if it gets wet. treat your light like you do any other electric accessory and keep it dry at all time.