Outdoor Kitchen Lighting Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

Visibility is an important part of cooking, not just for watching the food, but also for safety. Kitchens are often filled with hazards like sharp objects and hot surfaces. A person may need to look at a food item to see if it is done. Cooking after dark becomes easier with the proper lighting.

Yes! LED is an excellent choice for outdoor kitchen lighting for several reasons. The following are a few examples.

Energy efficiency – The energy efficiency of LED lighting helps protect the environment and saves money on energy bills.
Long-lasting – While LED lights will burn out eventually, they generally last longer than conventional lights. 
Attract fewer bugs than conventional lights – LED lights tend to attract fewer bugs than conventional lights, which is very helpful when working with food.
Durability – Quality LED light bulbs tend to be durable, making them an excellent choice for outdoor lighting.
Less heat – LED lighting generates a small amount of heat, making it better if someone accidentally comes into contact with it as opposed to conventional lighting.

Outdoor lights are subject to the elements. Wind, hail, sunlight, and more can damage them. There are several steps you can take to help protect your outdoor kitchen lighting from weather damage. Please note that even with precautions, outdoor kitchen lights can still be damaged. 

Light Placement
Depending on where you need the outdoor kitchen lights, you may be able to position them in sheltered areas, such as under eaves that help keep them out of the rain and sun. Lights placed high up in open areas are particularly susceptible to the effects of the wind. Avoid placing outdoor lights near objects that could be blown into them due to heavy winds. Avoid installing ground lights in areas prone to flooding. 

Utilize Protective Accessories
Protective accessories like weather shields or light guards can be added to lights like pathway lights or spotlights to help protect against the wind, hail, and the intensity of the Dallas-Fort Worth sun.

Use Weatherproof Wire Nuts
While it may be easy to overlook wire nuts, using weatherproof ones with filling can offer some protection against adverse weather conditions like rain and snow.

Utilize Surge Protectors
While LED lights excel in many areas, they are more susceptible to electrical surge damage than conventional lights. It is essential to use a quality surge protector for your outdoor lighting. Given the dangers of electricity, it is vital that a professional install the surge protector.

Yes! Outdoor kitchen lighting can be paired with smart home systems.

Your outdoor lights should receive professional maintenance at least once a year. In between that, there are other maintenance practices you can employ if you feel comfortable doing so and know what to do. The following are a few maintenance examples you may be able to do yourself. Please note that this list is not necessarily conclusive. 

Caution: Given the dangers of electricity, care must be taken when doing any maintenance tasks with lighting.

Clean Off Lenses and Fixtures
Fixtures and their lenses may get dirty over time. When this happens, it can reduce the amount of light shining through the lenses and potentially cause corrosion. 

You can clean the fixtures and lenses following these steps. 

-Turn off the power to the lights for safety.
-Take a dry, soft cloth and wipe away the dirt, grime, dust, and other debris that may have accumulated on the fixtures and lenses.
-You can clean particularly dirty lights with a sponge or cloth that has been dampened using water and a mild soap, like dish detergent. Don’t use ammonia or other harsh chemicals, which can damage metal finishes.
-Ensure the fixture has dried completely to protect against electrical shock and water damage to sockets.
-Once you’ve returned power to the light, test that it still works by turning it back on.

Readjust Fixtures that have been moved out of position
Over time, your outdoor kitchen lighting fixtures may be bumped or come into contact with objects, causing them to move out of place. If a light isn’t aimed in the correct direction, it might not work as intended. If you can, move it back into position.

Check for Exposed Wires
Exposed wires can be a tripping hazard and present an electrocution risk for people and animals. Buried wires that have become uncovered will need to be reburied. If you don’t know how to safely do it, please contact a professional.

Regularly Inspect Wires
Routinely inspect wires and every electrical contact point from the fuse box to the socket. Check for frayed or worn wires, weak connections, and loose fixtures. Given the electrical shock risks, electrical repairs must be left to professionals. 

Replace Burnt or Burning Out Bulbs
Even long-lasting LED light bulbs burn out eventually. By replacing the light bulb when it begins to dim, you can prevent it from going out entirely. If you don’t know how to safely change the bulbs in your landscape lighting, please contact a professional.

Look for Fixture Damage and Wear
Look for signs of damage and wear on light fixtures, such as corrosion, rust, cracks, and dents. Damaged parts should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent unsafe situations. It is best to leave repairing outdoor kitchen lighting to professionals.

The following are some suggestions for lumens to use for outdoor kitchen lighting. Your specific needs and preferences may vary. An outdoor kitchen should have 300 to 400 lumens for each square foot. Task lighting in outdoor kitchen and dining areas should be 500 to 800 lumens per fixture for good visibility.