Electrical safety for outdoor kitchens

Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular in recent times and are providing house owners with an extension to their usual kitchen space and a fun evening spot to spend time with guests. However, using electrical appliances and equipment in outdoor spaces has potential hazards that need to be considered, as it can pose a serious risk to personal safety and property. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise electrical safety in the design and installation of electrical appliances when designing an outdoor kitchen. To avoid electrical hazards and mishaps, ensure that you set up everything safely and in compliance with electrical code and hire an electrical and plumbing service.

Safety tips for setting up an outdoor kitchen

Use only GFCI protected outlets

Switches and outlets located outside are GFCI-protected devices that cause electric short-circuits. To avoid accidents and electric shocks use only GFCI-protected, which are inspected to ensure they’re not faulty. The power supply is cut by the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters when they sense an imbalance between the neutral and hot wires. This prevents electricity from leaking and flowing through your body, leading to dangerous electric burns or cardiac arrest.

Insulate all wires properly

The contact points between the interior and exterior must be kept in consideration when constructing an outdoor kitchen, as they pose a high potential for electrical shock and fire hazards. Insulation prevents the wire from being exposed which can result in various outcomes such as an electric shock, fire, or even corrosion and damage to appliances.

Understand the paths

You need to tap electricity from your electrical system to build an outdoor kitchen. To ensure that, you need to have proper knowledge of the paths. You will have to reconnect your electrical system to the main panel to set up a new outdoor kitchen. You need to check your home’s electrical plan before starting to understand where you can begin, and which path is most efficient also make sure to not leave wires naked where there is water supply. To ensure safety, you can take advice from emergency plumber Melbourne and stay on the safer side.

Do not exceed the load

Usually, all appliances have a circuit breaker or a fuse that is designed to break the circuit or stop the flow of current when it exceeds the threshold. If the circuit breaker trips, you need to understand that there is a problem with your wiring and the circuit is overloaded. Avoid overloading any circuit or any switch to ensure that all electrical systems remain safe and reliable. Using smaller appliances or lights is safer as it will ensure that there is no overload in the circuit.

Avoid leaving appliances unattended

Unplug all electronic appliances when not in use. This includes kitchen appliances and power points in your outdoor kitchen. This measure can help in avoiding any fire hazards, which is an alarming hazard of setting up an outdoor kitchen. If you use appliances like a grill or oven, make sure that you set up a timer when you leave the appliance unattended for a prolonged period of time. It is very easy to set up a timer that automatically shuts down the equipment after a specific time. This will not only protect your equipment from heat damage but also help you avoid any fire hazards. There is a high chance of malfunction when cooking with appliances outside. To make sure these problems do not arise, make sure that the appliances and accessories are working properly.

Avoid using extension cords or power strips

Power strips and extension cords are not made for outside use and cannot sustain the weather conditions outside. Besides not being sturdy, they have a higher risk of overheating than regular switches and outlets. If you’re planning to use an extension cord or a power strip for your outdoor kitchen, make sure that it is tested for being used outdoors and has a built in GFCI.

Conduct regular inspections

Make sure you have the contact details of the emergency plumber Melbourne to tackle any faults or leaks in pipes that could cause an electric short circuit. Contact a professional to conduct regular inspections to ensure that your outdoor kitchen abides by code, is labelled, and works properly. It is crucial to understand that you cannot do the job of setting up an outdoor kitchen without the right knowledge and expertise, therefore, it is advised to hire a professional for the same.

Why should you hire electrical and plumbing service for an outdoor kitchen setup?

There are various hazards associated with setting up an outdoor kitchen, we need to understand them first to avoid any dangerous hazards.

1. Hiring a professional: It is essential to hire someone experienced to take care of the installation and set-up process to ensure safety and compliance with the local building codes and regulations
2. Risks in DIY: There is a huge potential for getting an electrical shock or electrocution when doing electrical or plumbing work yourself. This may lead to serious injuries or even death.
3. Improper wiring: Lack of experience in wiring and installation can lead to exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and improper grounding.
4. Plumbing leaks: Leaks in plumbing might not look major, but water, being a good conductor, can cause hazards when combined with improper wiring.

Set up your outdoor kitchen today and let the MasterChef out of you while the electrical and plumbing service professionals take care of set-up and installation. Electrical and plumbing issues can be expensive and dangerous when not addressed promptly. By hiring a professional electrical and plumbing service provider, you can be worry free.