ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Outside kitchen?

Is an outside kitchen a "kitchen"?
Like a built in grille with a sink, out on the lanai. Do you really need two 20a circuits serving a counter top that might only be 3' wide? I suppose you could tap them off the existing kitchen circuits and be legal but is it really necessary?



It does not specify inside or outside.

The ones that I have seen were done just like an 'inside' kitchen. The architects provided the requirements, or the EC just 'followed the code'.

FYI, none were 'only 3' wide'. Most are outrageous IMHO, and keep in mind NJs climate.

As to NEC requirements, by the definition, "area" could be interior or exterior. Eliminate the sink, and it's mot a 'kitchen', even thou a micro, grill, fridge, wine cooler, keg-a-lator, etc. are all there.

Thanks, I thought so but I am not sure I have ever seen it enforced here.

I did one of those poolside BBQ/kitchen islands once. I came off the pool equipment subpanel (which was fed from a 50A GFCI breaker) and just brought 2 - 20A circuits out and put a regular outlet on each end of the counter space with one additional outlet under the counter for a mini fridge. I doubt anything more than a blender ever got plugged in out there.