Well, if you love preparing and eating delicious food from your yard then definitely an outdoor sink can do the trick for you.
Post your lunch or dinner you’ve to wash your dishes and utensils, and carrying them back to your indoor kitchen may not be feasible at times, right?
Constructing an outdoor kitchen sink is a hassle-free task ONLY IF you’ve done the planning correctly and effectively.
The type of drain that you’re opting for can greatly influence the performance of your outdoor kitchen sink.
So, it’s REALLY important to have some idea about different types of kitchen sinks.
Outdoor Kitchen Sink Drain Types
There are mainly three different types of drains for an outdoor kitchen sink.
Let’s have a quick look at each one of them.
- A French drain or dry well
- Under-sink bucket
- Sewer or Septic system
French Drain or Dry Well
A french drain aka dry well is a drain that constitutes a pipe that is responsible for accumulating wastewater/greywater from your outdoor kitchen sink and directing it to a hole full of gravel.
A french drain prevents the accumulation of water in your yard or basement.
Trust me, a french is affordable, durable, and most importantly, easy to install.
So, if you’re planning to install a french drain then you can do so by following the below-mentioned steps.
- First thing first, start by digging a trench 4-6 feet deep and 2 feet(.61m) wide
- Don’t forget to put gravel on the pipe
- Make sure NOT to cover the trench with soil or sand as it will prevent wastewater from flowing through the line
For gathering greywater from your sink drainage, you can take the help of a bucket full of gravel.
Make sure to drill holes in the bottom of the bucket full of gravel in order to provide an uninterrupted flow to the trench.
Two french drain models are quite popular among our clientele, that is, the traditional french drain, and collector and interceptor counterpart.
The installation process that we’ve discussed so far is for the standard french drain.
Since a typical french drain is fully covered, you can easily carry out day-to-day activities in your yard.
On the other hand, a collector and interceptor counterpart is an open trench that directs the outdoor sink water to an enormous channel.
Our clients prefer collector and interceptor variants because it prevents both floods and the surface from becoming damp.
If you’re planning to construct an open french drain like collector and interceptor then make sure to place a filter to collect specks of dirt, debris, dust particles, etc that can cause hurdles to the free-flowing greywater.
A budget of $500 to $700 would be required for constructing a standard dry well.
Under-Sink Bucket
If you’re on a shoestring budget and looking for an affordable option then an under-sink bucket can do the trick for you.
Not only is this type of drain highly affordable but convenient as well.
You would be needing a large bucket that can be used for collecting greywater from your outdoor kitchen sink.
The only problem that I see with this type of drain system is the need for frequent disposal of the greywater.
Failing to do so can bring a foul smell to your yard.
When it comes to cost, an under-sink bucket would roughly cost you in the range of 10 to 15 dollars.
Sewer or Septic System
For a standard outdoor kitchen sink, a septic system is the best drain.
Remember, a sewer system shouldn’t be mixed with your home’s septic system, both need to be SEPARATE.
For this type of drainage system, you would be needing the help of a plumber who can design everything perfectly so that you can reap maximum benefits from the system.
Before choosing this drain system or the ones mentioned earlier in the post, you must have a look at the local area rules related to the treatment and reusing of wastewater.
In case, you’re NOT allowed to treat wastewater, then the best drain system would be a sewer system in spite of it being costly because it is the SAFEST drainage method.
It’s always good to be SAFE than SORRY, isn’t it?
The budget that you need to allocate for a septic system falls in the range of 750 and 1000 dollars.
Factors that Determine the Right Type of Drain
Before making your preference, make sure that you’re well-versed with the below-mentioned points in order to prevent any last-minute misadventure.
Local Regulations and Codes
It is really important to CHECK the rules of your local area because different areas can have different rules.
It goes without saying, local regulations and codes play a significant role in determining the perfect drainage system for your outdoor kitchen sink.
As far as I know, some areas do permit the reuse of wastewater from your kitchen sink.
But, at the same time, there are areas that strictly prohibit the reuse of greywater.
Not to forget, some regions do advocate separate sewerage systems for greywater and blackwater.
Budget
Needless to say, if you’re on a shoestring budget you’re priority would be different from someone who doesn’t care about the budget, isn’t it?
For all those who are on a tight budget, an under-mount sink will do the trick.
All you need is a large bucket that needs to empty on a frequent basis to prevent foul smell.
Moreover, a french drain or a septic drain will cost you more as you need to be handy with specific plumbing tools for the latter and pipe and gravel for the former.
What is the Cost of an Outdoor Kitchen?
As per Home Stratosphere, an outdoor kitchen’s average cost is between $2700 to $10000.
On the other hand, a classic outdoor kitchen will cost you somewhere in the range of $30,000 to $50,000.
You might be wondering why there is so much variation in the price, right?
It is because the cost of an outdoor kitchen depends upon quite a few factors as mentioned below.
- Which materials are you going to use?
- The type of sink and drain
- Consider add-ons such as a fire pit, refrigerator, shading, fencing, and water fountain.
- Flooring types
- Counters
- Furniture
Things to Consider Before Constructing an Outdoor Kitchen
Though constructing an outdoor kitchen sink isn’t a tough task still NOT considering the below-mentioned things can delay the process and may increase the cost.
Space
To a large extent, the availability of space plays a crucial role in making a choice for your outdoor kitchen sink.
Some features are only functional in an outdoor kitchen sink if appropriate space availability is there.
My suggestion to all my clients is to always opt for an outdoor kitchen sink that syncs well with the availability of space.
Climate
Definitely, the climate is yet another important parameter that you must consider when it comes to constructing an outdoor kitchen sink.
For example, do you live in a hot or cold climate?
If you’re a resident of a hot and humid climate then having a shade over your outdoor kitchen sink is a MUST to avoid the scorching sun.
On the other hand, it’s better to refrain from constructing an outdoor kitchen sink if you’re a resident of a cold climatic condition.
In fact, the indoor kitchen sink would be a better choice in cold weather.
Wrapping Up | How To Drain An Outdoor Kitchen Sink
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on how to drain an outdoor kitchen sink.
And, in case, you liked our effort then please do share this post with like-minded people and the ones who are in search of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
That’s all, as of now :):)
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