The built-in refrigerator is the outdoor kitchen appliance that most reduces trips inside the home during outdoor entertaining. A refrigerator stocked with drinks, condiments, and prep ingredients lets the outdoor kitchen function as a self-contained cooking and entertaining environment for the duration of an event. VistaScapes & Design specifies and installs outdoor refrigerators in Tulsa masonry outdoor kitchens. Here is what to know about the options.
Outdoor Kitchen Refrigerator Types for Tulsa
- Built-in outdoor refrigerator (single door) – The most common outdoor kitchen refrigerator in Tulsa; 5.3-6.2 cubic foot single door unit in a 24-inch wide opening; brands: Coyote, True, Perlick, Lynx, Bull; stainless steel exterior rated for outdoor use; temperature range adequate for Oklahoma’s summer heat (the compressor is designed for ambient temperatures up to 110F, unlike a standard indoor refrigerator); dedicated 15-20 amp GFCI-protected circuit; $1,200-$3,500 depending on brand and features; the refrigerator opening in the outdoor kitchen masonry is sized and framed during construction — changing the opening size after masonry is complete requires demolition
- Beverage center (glass door) – A glass-door refrigerator designed primarily for beverage storage; 5.3-6.2 cubic foot; tempered glass door with UV-resistant coating; allows guests to see available beverages without opening the door (reducing compressor cycling in Oklahoma’s summer heat); brands: Coyote, Perlick, U-Line; $1,400-$3,800; the glass door is appropriate when the outdoor kitchen’s aesthetic direction allows visible beverage display; stainless door alternatives for kitchens where a uniform appliance face is preferred
- Kegerator (built-in draft beer tap) – A refrigerated keg storage unit with a built-in tap column; 6-8 cubic foot capacity for a standard 1/2 barrel or 2 x 1/4 barrel kegs; requires CO2 tank storage either in the same cabinet or in an adjacent access door cabinet; brands: Perlick, True, Kegco; $1,800-$4,500; appropriate for Tulsa homeowners who entertain frequently and want draft beer on tap at the outdoor kitchen; the kegerator cabinet and CO2 tank location are planned during the masonry design phase
- Outdoor kitchen refrigerator performance in Oklahoma’s climate – Standard indoor refrigerators should never be installed in outdoor kitchens in Tulsa. Indoor refrigerators are designed for ambient temperatures of 55-85F — in Oklahoma’s summer heat (95-105F ambient), an indoor refrigerator’s compressor will run continuously, fail prematurely, and cannot maintain safe food storage temperatures. True outdoor-rated refrigerators (Coyote, True, Perlick, Lynx) are designed for ambient temperatures up to 110F and maintain performance in Oklahoma’s summer conditions. The premium between outdoor-rated and indoor refrigerator units ($400-$1,500 depending on capacity) is worth the investment for appliances that will operate in Tulsa’s outdoor environment
- Drawer refrigerators – Refrigerator drawer units that open horizontally rather than vertically; typically 24-inch wide x 24-inch tall dual drawer configuration; useful for storing frequently accessed items (condiments, drink garnishes, protein for immediate grilling) at a convenient height below the countertop; brands: True, Perlick; $2,200-$4,500; adds a second refrigerator circuit to the outdoor kitchen electrical scope; appropriate as a supplement to the primary built-in refrigerator in larger outdoor kitchens
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free outdoor kitchen appliance consultation in Tulsa. We specify outdoor-rated refrigerators appropriate for Oklahoma’s climate as part of every project. Free on-site visit, no obligation.
