outdoor kitchen - lighting suggestions

JClark

So, we are planning for an outdoor covered kitchen area.  The covered area will be freestanding and use corrugated steel over a wood frame and angled like a lean-to roof.  We are already planning on a single ceiling fan box to allow for air movement.  The kitchen will be a "U" shape work area with an overhang for seating on the outside of one side.

I'd prefer not to identify and install dedicated light fixture boxes for every overhead light.  Conceptually, I'd like the flexibility of track lighting and a mix of ceiling height fixtures over work areas and pendants over the eating bar.

However, I've only found one outdoor rated track lighting system - it's expensive - only has ceiling fixtures and it's based on 12v landscape type fixtures (12 volt, 2 channel wire installed in a rigid track the the light fixtures use a vampire type. connection when securing to the track).

So, that got me thinking - has anyone used the 12V LED stake landscape lights for overhead lighting?  Other suggestions on lighting products/solutions (we would prefer not to light the kitchen area with string lights).

nolaegghead

I don't have any answers, but just a couple questions.  You can put in diffuse or spot lighting...or a combination. Figure out what you want and where you want it.  Also, pick a light temp and stick with it so you don't have an off-putting combination of colors.  I stick with 5000k, which is close to natural sunlight in the middle of the day.  You might want to go warmer.  I would advise avoiding cooler.

Spot lighting is like floods, can be aimed, creates shadows. Diffuse lighting is spread out.  Also consider dimmers.  There is a commercial standard for dimming that uses a 0-10V DC control circuit with no current to control output.  Or use AC dimmers that handle the load, make sure your fixtures and lights support what you want.

chabs

Volt Lighting has some downlight products that they sell including a post mount fixture that could work.

I've used a lot of their products and have been impressed with the quality all solid brass, fast shipping too.

xfire_ATX

nolaegghead said:

I stick with 5000k, which is close to natural sunlight in the middle of the day.  You might want to go warmer.  I would advise avoiding cooler. 

Sunlight in the middle of the day is 6500k or greater. I prefer Warmer at the house just because we’ve used incandescent for do long.  Also warmer temps will make the food seem more like you’re used to

look at RAB lighting for spot/ flood options.  I swear they had one that was an adjustable beam from wide to narrow spot

JClark

nolaegghead said:

I don't have any answers, but just a couple questions.  You can put in diffuse or spot lighting...or a combination. Figure out what you want and where you want it.  Also, pick a light temp and stick with it so you don't have an off-putting combination of colors.  I stick with 5000k, which is close to natural sunlight in the middle of the day.  You might want to go warmer.  I would advise avoiding cooler.

Spot lighting is like floods, can be aimed, creates shadows. Diffuse lighting is spread out.  Also consider dimmers.  There is a commercial standard for dimming that uses a 0-10V DC control circuit with no current to control output.  Or use AC dimmers that handle the load, make sure your fixtures and lights support what you want.

We have extensive landscape lights in the same area for pathway/stair lights that are 3200K - so we'd like to stick with a "white" that is similar for a consistent look.  I also considered tying into that same system for some under counter lighting under the bar area.  We use those lights/system more for safety lighting and are now looking for task lighting with options to dim when not needed as bright.

I'll check out Volt and RAB for options.

nolaegghead

xfire_ATX said:

nolaegghead said:

I stick with 5000k, which is close to natural sunlight in the middle of the day.  You might want to go warmer.  I would advise avoiding cooler. 

Sunlight in the middle of the day is 6500k or greater. I prefer Warmer at the house just because we’ve used incandescent for do long.  Also warmer temps will make the food seem more like you’re used to

look at RAB lighting for spot/ flood options.  I swear they had one that was an adjustable beam from wide to narrow spot

Maybe I phrased that wrong.  The average sunlight temp is 5600K.  Gets more red with sunrise/sunset and more blue with clouds.