OT: Outdoor kitchen lighting

Boileregger

I'm in the initial design phase of my outdoor kitchen.  Trying to save the cost of running electrical out there.  Anybody have any nice looking and functional solar powered lights they would recommend?  

northGAcock

If you want reliable, sustainable lights....run the cable. In my opinion, you will not be happy with low voltage or solar lights. It gives you options for many value add features....dimming, small appliance, fans, charging (cell phones).....TV, Internet....just my two cents worth. Get it out there....extend it as you need to as you discover your needs. Your money spent on replacing solor could add up. I however prob find it easier to spend your money.

DoubleEgger

Run the electrical and do it right the first time. Just my .02

kingsmoke

Do it right the 1st time, you won't regret it. Just my opinion 

caliking

+1 for electrical.  When I had my barbecue patio built, I had 4 outlets installed around it. So glad that I did.  I have power for lighting, temp controller and other stuff. 

YukonRon

I have just started the planning on my outdoor cooking space....there will be electricity. Solar lighting, based on what is available, now is not an option I wish to pursue. I need power outlets for appliances, blenders, charge stations, etc,.
Invest in the wiring, you will be glad you did.

MaskedMarvel

Aaaand get the electrician to leave a line in the pipe so you can drag more cable through an existing tube later. You never know what you’ll need out there in years to come. 

pescadorzih

I have one of these out by my egg. http://www.maxsainnovations.com/solar-security-lighting/
Throws off plenty of light for tending to egg.
It is 5 yrs old now and still going strong.
I also purchased one of these at HD last year. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-180-Degree-White-Solar-Motion-Activated-LED-Twin-Head-Flood-Light-MST1000LWDF/206604723?keyword=1000+lumen+solar+security+light&semanticToken=21040+++>++++st:{1000+lumen+solar+security+light}:st++cn:{3:1}++solar+{brand}+security+light+{product}+1000+lumen+{rest}+

My outdoor counter is only 20' from the kitchen, so I felt I didn't need electric run out there. JMO

Killit_and_Grillit

I was really hoping there were going to be a few decent options here.

I was contemplating this last night. I think we will be out of our house in about a year.

1) My box is overloaded because of an additional playroom.

2) I think I've maximized my ROI on this house given the market and neighborhood.  

I also don't prefer grilling with a flashlight in my mouth. (or holding an umbrella like I was last night...but again, don't want to spend the money for a covered patio.

tarheelmatt

Killit_and_Grillit said:

I was really hoping there were going to be a few decent options here.

I was contemplating this last night. I think we will be out of our house in about a year.

1) My box is overloaded because of an additional playroom.

2) I think I've maximized my ROI on this house given the market and neighborhood.  

I also don't prefer grilling with a flashlight in my mouth. (or holding an umbrella like I was last night...but again, don't want to spend the money for a covered patio.

Have a picture of you holding that 4D Maglite in your mouth?  Asking for a friend.  

tarheelmatt

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

northGAcock

tarheelmatt said:

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

I had an electrician pull 220 to my garage for my wif’s kiln. He pulled it directly from the meter to a separate outdoor panel he installed. My point, there may be alternatives to having to go to the panel. 

tarheelmatt

northGAcock said:

tarheelmatt said:

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

I had an electrician pull 220 to my garage for my wif’s kiln. He pulled it directly from the meter to a separate outdoor panel he installed. My point, there may be alternatives to having to go to the panel. 

Yeah, there's more than one way to skin a cat for sure with sub-panels, etc, but sounds like the guys looking for cost effectiveness.  

Bringing in a new line from the meter to a new sub-panel can be costly over pulling a new #10 wire from the breaker in your existing panel.  

DoubleEgger

northGAcock said:

tarheelmatt said:

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

I had an electrician pull 220 to my garage for my wif’s kiln. He pulled it directly from the meter to a separate outdoor panel he installed. My point, there may be alternatives to having to go to the panel. 

Did you have to run a separate circuit for Party’s towel warmer? 

jdkeithbge

As others have said, go ahead and run electrical for outlets and lighting.  In fact, I considered trying to wire in some task lighting over my BGE and BS but never really found the right lighting setup, so I've relied on a ceiling fan with light that is not really that bright.  But it works.  There are times I wish I'd have done the task lighting, but I did have the folks put in an extra junction box that I can tap into in the future. 

Not to hijack your thread but if anyone has some good examples of wired outdoor kitchen task lighting (not battery powered clip on lights) I'd be interested to see that.

The other thing to consider is that you may not need to run a new circuit.  I tapped off of two other existing outlets/circuits for my outdoor patio stuff.  They were both circuits with several minimally used outlets so I knew I wasn't going to overload anything.  If you do this just make sure you tally up your anticipated amperage so you don't constantly trip a circuit breaker.  I'm comfortable doing a fair amount of electrical work myself but not everyone is, so I should say if in doubt call a professional electrician.

northGAcock

DoubleEgger said:

northGAcock said:

tarheelmatt said:

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

I had an electrician pull 220 to my garage for my wif’s kiln. He pulled it directly from the meter to a separate outdoor panel he installed. My point, there may be alternatives to having to go to the panel. 

Did you have to run a separate circuit for Party’s towel warmer? 

not yet.

blasting

Yep, another vote for hard wired lights.  Do it right, and you will kick yourself you didn't do it sooner.  I also support running an extra line for future considerations.

NorthPilot06

No need to run a separate service from the meter for a sub-panel, just add a dual-pole circuit breaker to your existing main panel and attach to the main lug (make sure to decouple the ground/neutral on the sub-panel.

I agree with the above though - run the wire, it's minimal in the grand scheme of things and will be money well spent.

northGAcock

tarheelmatt said:

northGAcock said:

tarheelmatt said:

I'm in agreeance with the other here.  Better go with a wired solution but also run receptacles as well.  Hopefully you have some room in your existing panel, but this is by far the best choice.  

I had an electrician pull 220 to my garage for my wif’s kiln. He pulled it directly from the meter to a separate outdoor panel he installed. My point, there may be alternatives to having to go to the panel. 

Yeah, there's more than one way to skin a cat for sure with sub-panels, etc, but sounds like the guys looking for cost effectiveness.  

Bringing in a new line from the meter to a new sub-panel can be costly over pulling a new #10 wire from the breaker in your existing panel.  

In my case, it was a cheaper more conveient solution. Logistically...made good sense / cents.

Kent8621

I spent several years in Boilermaker country, are there even enough sunny days to make solar a viable option?  I don't recall many nice days and I would think uncovering it from snow and ice a wire is much easier.

JustinMN

You could run it from an existing outdoor receptacle or even out the back of an interior receptacle that is in an exterior wall. Might be a case where hiring a pro to help you get it going would be well worth it. Just sayin...I’m a licensed electrician FWIW.