Designing and furnishing an outdoor kitchen means tackling a host of considerations—particularly how your materials will withstand the elements. For those living in humid environments, the choice between plywood and stainless steel is especially critical. High humidity levels often result in moisture-related damage, such as swelling, warping, mold, and rot for materials that can’t handle prolonged exposure to damp conditions.
This is where stainless steel outdoor kitchens truly shine, offering unmatched durability and resistance to moisture, making them the ideal choice for humid climates. In this blog, we’ll break down the challenges of humidity for outdoor kitchens and explain why stainless steel is far superior to plywood.
The Challenges of Humid Environments
Humidity poses significant risks for outdoor kitchen materials. Here are some of the most common environmental effects homeowners in humid areas face:
1. Moisture Build-Up:
High levels of moisture in the air can penetrate porous materials, causing them to swell, warp, or decay over time.
2. Mold and Mildew Growth:
Warm and humid environments provide the perfect conditions for mold and mildew, which can stain, weaken, and compromise materials like wood-based plywood.
3. Corrosion and Deterioration:
Uncoated metals and plywood adhesives often break down when exposed to continuous humidity, reducing the longevity of your outdoor kitchen’s cabinets and overall structure.
4. Frequent Maintenance Needs:
Humid climates demand constant maintenance to protect certain materials from the effects of moisture, adding recurring costs and labor to safeguard your investment.
Given these factors, selecting materials that can naturally resist the effects of moisture and humidity is key to building a reliable outdoor kitchen.
Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchens: Why They’re Perfect for Humid Conditions
Stainless steel outdoor kitchens are specifically engineered to handle challenges that humid climates bring, offering a range of features that outperform plywood in every regard. Here are the key benefits of stainless steel in humid environments:
1. Completely Moisture-Resistant
Unlike plywood, which absorbs moisture through its porous layers, stainless steel is non-porous. This prevents water from penetrating or damaging the material, no matter how humid the environment gets.
No Swelling or Warping: Stainless steel won’t expand, deform, or crack when exposed to moisture.
No Rot or Decay: The inorganic nature of stainless steel makes it immune to the rot and decay that plague wood-based materials in humid climates.
2. Corrosion Resistance
Stainless steel is naturally rust-resistant, thanks to its chromium content. When exposed to humid conditions, the chromium forms a protective layer that prevents oxidation, making the material virtually impervious to rust and corrosion.
Perfect for Coastal Areas: Stainless steel is especially valuable in coastal regions where salty, humid air accelerates rusting in other types of metals.
Longevity in Harsh Conditions: Even in year-round high humidity, stainless steel maintains its integrity and appearance, making it an investment that pays off over decades.
3. Mold and Mildew Resistance
Plywood is highly susceptible to mold and mildew in humid environments, as its organic makeup provides the perfect conditions for microbial growth. Stainless steel, being inorganic, completely eliminates this problem.
No Stains or Health Hazards: Mold and mildew can stain plywood and release harmful spores into the air—but stainless steel avoids all of these pitfalls.
4. Low Maintenance
Materials that don’t naturally resist humidity, like plywood, require constant sealing, refinishing, or waterproofing to stay functional. Stainless steel, by contrast, needs minimal upkeep.
Easy Cleaning: A simple wipe with soap and water is enough to keep stainless steel outdoor kitchens looking polished.
No Refinishing: While plywood cabinets need regular treatments to combat humidity, stainless steel doesn’t require costly or time-intensive upkeep.
5. Durability in Extreme Weather
High humidity is often paired with related outdoor challenges like heavy rainfall, storms, or fluctuating temperatures. Stainless steel handles all of these conditions with ease:
Waterproof Performance: Stainless steel won’t degrade under heavy rain or storms, providing unmatched weather protection.
Temperature Resistance: It doesn’t expand or contract with temperature fluctuations, maintaining its structural integrity year-round.
The Problems with Plywood in Humid Environments
While plywood is a common cabinetry material for indoor kitchens, it simply can’t hold up to the environmental pressures of a humid climate. Here’s why:
1. Moisture Absorption
Even marine-grade plywood, which is treated to resist water, can only do so for a limited time. Water eventually seeps into its layers and causes the material to:
Swell
Warp
Split or Crack
2. Vulnerability to Mold and Rot
Plywood’s organic wood fibers absorb moisture, creating ideal conditions for mold, mildew, and rot. Over time, these factors can weaken the cabinetry and cause permanent structural damage.
3. Adhesive Breakdown
Plywood is composed of thin wood veneers bonded together with adhesives. Prolonged exposure to humidity and moisture can weaken the glue, causing the plywood layers to delaminate and separate.
4. Intense Maintenance Requirements
To combat moisture, plywood cabinets require routine care, including:
Sealing
Waterproof coatings
Antifungal treatments
Even with consistent maintenance, plywood cabinets may only last a fraction of the lifespan of stainless steel.
Why Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchens Are the Best Choice for Humid Environments
When it comes to humid climates, the benefits of stainless steel outdoor kitchens far outweigh those of plywood. Here are the key reasons stainless steel is the smarter choice:
Rot and Mold Resistant: Stainless steel removes the worry of decay or microbial growth, ensuring your outdoor kitchen stays hygienic and structurally sound.
Waterproof and Humidity-Resistant: Designed to withstand moisture from the air and rain, stainless steel remains strong and rust-free even after years of exposure.
Long-Term Durability: With minimal upkeep, stainless steel lasts decades without degrading, unlike plywood, which may need replacing in a matter of years in humid environments.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Although stainless steel has a higher upfront cost, its longevity and low-maintenance nature mean fewer repairs, replacements, and maintenance costs—saving money over time.
For outdoor kitchens in humid climates, stainless steel cabinets are the clear winner. Their ability to resist moisture, rot, mold, and corrosion ensures they remain beautiful and functional for years, no matter how challenging the environment.
