Having a yard is something that you should definitely take advantage of, and if you’re the kind of person that likes to spend as much time outdoors as possible, installing an outdoor kitchen is something you should totally consider.
Whether you decide to build it yourself or want to hire a contractor to do the job for you, an outdoor kitchen completely changes your perspective on how to enjoy time outside, while also allowing you to make delicious meals inside the grill or the pizza oven. For more insight on how to build your outdoor kitchen, what to consider when mapping it out, and what are some of the best kits you can buy, continue reading today’s article.
Things to Consider When Making an Outdoor Kitchen with a frameBrace yourselves, as this is going to be a long list of the things that you need to keep in mind if you’re designing your outdoor kitchen. The following list was put together for people who want a complete outdoor kitchen experience and want to benefit from full functionality when they’re interacting with it. So, here are the things to consider when you’re sketching your outdoor kitchen plans:
BudgetYour budget is one of the most important things to keep in mind because going over budget is very easy when buying furniture and appliances. However, things can get a little tricky here, because buying the cheapest items can also result in you having to repair them frequently or replace them altogether. When you’re planning your budget, remember to keep in mind that quality materials will cost more, and utilities might need to be added to the outdoor space.
LocaleYour location plays an important part in building your outdoor kitchen for a number of different reasons, but particularly because the climate in your region will make some choices more suitable than others. For instance, if you live in areas where freezing temperatures are a regular thing during colder seasons, choosing natural stone and tile countertops isn’t the best idea because they are prone to cracks. If temperatures during the summer are particularly high, then you risk materials such as metal or PVC warping. If you live in a coastal area, the air might be destructive for your outdoor kitchen furniture. 316 steel is a better choice for this region, as it is more resistant compared to 304 stainless steel.
ExtrasConsider adding pergolas, fans, and heaters to your outdoor kitchen in order to be able to use it in more extreme weather conditions. Some people also like to add a transitional exterior room that offers shelter while still granting easy access to the outdoor kitchen.
FunctionFunctionality plays an important role when designing both an indoor and an outdoor kitchen. Generally speaking, kitchens are divided into four functional zones: cold (where refrigeration and ice makers will be placed next to each other), hot (designed for cooking appliances), wet (where people place their bartending stations or sinks), and dry (which is the kitchen area where you prepare your meals).
AppliancesAppliances are something that a kitchen wouldn’t be complete without, but the outdoor appliance choice is a little different compared to what you usually see in an indoor kitchen. The most common outdoor kitchen appliances include gas/electric/charcoal ovens and grills, pizza ovens, and smokers. A lot of people choose to have ice makers and refrigerators in their outdoor kitchen, especially if this is a spot where they like to entertain guests.
PowerNeedless to say, some of the kitchen appliances that you use are going to need sources of power and fuel. For instance, if you’re using a natural gas grill, you want to make sure that the pipe is extended to your new outdoor cooking area. If you want to add a sink, you are going to need to reroute the plumbing in order to benefit from running water. Electricity is required for a variety of other appliances, such as refrigerators or coffee makers.
LightingIf you’re going to spend long hours in your outdoor kitchen, you’re bound to need some lighting come dusk. You’re also going to need light during the day if your outdoor kitchen is covered and there isn’t much natural light that you can rely on. You want your cooking area, your meal preparation zone, and your cleaning space to benefit from proper lighting. If you have a bar, considering adding sconces above it. For ceilings, you can choose overhead fans with integrated lights.
DesignWhen it comes to design options, the sky’s the limit. It’s up to you if you want to duplicate the style of your indoor kitchen or boldly go with something that’s completely different. The trend dictates that stainless steel cabinets are now the focal point of outdoor kitchens but if you choose them, make sure you go with powder-coated units that have stain and rust resistance. Kitchen countertops designed specifically for outdoor use need to be chosen depending on your local climate. Some of the most common materials include concrete, glazed ceramic tile, stone tile, and granite.
SeatingCooking your meals outside most likely implies that you’d prefer eating outside as well, in which case the seating area needs to be part of your plan. Low seating that’s placed at a distance from the cooking area is quite common these days. You can also opt for a bar with high stools if your guests would like to enjoy a few drinks while you’re cooking but still want to be near you and keep you company.
StorageStorage is another important part of designing an outdoor kitchen, so let’s talk a little bit about it. Naturally, you don’t need as much storage space for an outdoor kitchen as you need for your indoor one, but you have to consider the fact that whatever ingredients are outdoors can easily be accessed by critters, rain, dust, debris, and other contaminants. Since outdoor furniture is solid but isn’t that whatever-proof, store cooking utensils and other non-food items in plastic containers before you put them in the cabinets. Airtight storage bins and refrigerators are good for storing food but if you don’t use your outdoor kitchen that much, you could probably stick with the indoor fridge.
Outdoor Kitchen Frame Ideas
Wood Outdoor Kitchen frameView in gallery
This is the first part of a blog series that teaches you how to make your own outdoor kitchen, starting with the initial plans written on a piece of paper. The project was designed for a pizza oven, a cabinet for storing grilling materials, a countertop to prepare the food, and a built-in grill spot. As you can see in the images of this post, the project was specifically designed for the deck in question, which means that your measurements will be different depending on how big you want your outdoor kitchen to be.
Large Outdoor Kitchen Frame Building process
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This project used the superpowers of a contractor to create a concrete patio that would serve as the perfect space for an outdoor kitchen. After the contractor’s job was done, it was time to build the outdoor kitchen. The appliances were ordered online which is something that you can do as long as you take note of the measurements for each appliance and create your kitchen plans accordingly (assuming you want very specific appliances from your favorite brands). Made from scratch, this outdoor kitchen tutorial was made by building everything in sight, including the roof.
How to Build a Wood Fired Pizza Oven Tutorial
This is one of our favorite tutorials because who could say no to a healthy home-made pizza that has that delicious flavor of ingredients cooked in a wood-fired oven? This is basically a project that uses masonry skills but could easily be put into practice even by someone who doesn’t know the first thing about masonry. Using concrete blocks, you can build the base of the oven and slowly work your way up to the oven floor. Seeing this project through is going to require a little bit of elbow grease, but the long term (and delicious) benefits are definitely worth the effort.
How to Build an Outdoor Kitchen with Stacked stone
If you’re looking to build a kitchen on a budget, you can set aside $800 which is the initial cost needed to cover the expense of the materials, but without including the grill, sink, countertop, or other fixtures. The project requires moderate skill to complete, and it should take up to two weekends to see it through. This tutorial will guide you through a series of detailed steps that include teaching you how to build the frame, attach the lath and trim it, apply mortar and stone, and end up having a gorgeous outdoor kitchen setup.
Build a Backyard Pergola Barbecue!View in gallery
Another amazing tutorial that will show you how to make your own outdoor kitchen is listed in this Instructable post. The step-by-step guide includes detailed instruction and images that will show you how the project was seen from start to finish. It includes everything from laying the foundation for your future outdoor kitchen to creating the cover roof. The tutorial implies using a bunch of concrete blocks, creating concrete countertop forms, and adding tile to the setup.
Outdoor Kitchen IslandView in gallery
If you’re looking for an L-shaped outdoor kitchen island that can serve as a spot for you to cook delicious meals on the grill, here is a project that might help you build your own such island. The plans for this kitchen were designed using professional software such as AutoCAD because it makes it easier to make modifications and determine the measurements needed to complete the project. Using the blueprint design, you can start grinding and cleaning the welds to create the frames for your future kitchen island. After setting the frame in place, it’s time to fasten the cement board, tape and apply the mortar compound, and then install the appliances and put the stone on. It might require a little time and effort, but the end result is absolutely worth it.
How to Build a Grilling Island
Building your own grilling island isn’t really a complicated process if you’re looking to save some money that you would otherwise spend on hiring contractors. This particular project requires a few pieces of wood, tape measures, a framing square, table and circular saws, plus the safety gear needed for any project of this kind: gloves, dust mask, and safety glasses. The steps for this project are pretty simple: take the measurements, build the island frame, make the corners, assemble the parts, choose the countertop material, install the frame and the countertop, clad the exterior, and install the grill.
Best Outdoor Kitchen Kits
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The first suggestion we have in store for you today is a 12-piece outdoor kitchen set that comes with a bunch of products that you need to complete your outdoor cooking space. The set includes a 32-inch built-in natural gas grill, a door and double drawer combo, a refrigerator, a built-in side burner, a trash/propane drawer, and six cabinet frame kits to create a customized BBQ island. The grill is equipped with four burners that have a 12,000 BTU heat output each, made from quality stainless steel.
The interior of the fridge comes with three adjustable shelves and a beverage dispenser on the door, plus a thermostat feature with automatic defrost. With the included frame kits, you can create an 11-foot custom BBQ island without too much trouble. The frames are made from aluminum and are both lightweight and strong.
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The next suggestion is a 13-piece set that offers products similar to the ones mentioned in the kit above, but this one comes with seven cabinet frame kits instead of six, that also allow you to build your own custom BBQ island. The features across the entire kit are pretty similar to the one we showed you earlier. The fridge is designed with a reversible stainless steel door, adjustable legs, a door lock, beverage dispenser, lighting, and other cool features. The grill that comes with this set is a Blaze Premium LTE that comes with four 14,000 BTUs burners, offering 748 inches of cooking space.
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If you don’t want to opt for kits, you can choose to purchase the pieces needed to make your own outdoor kitchen separately. This storage cabinet is perfect for taking advantage of corner space. Using this kit, you can take advantage of solid aluminum framing to make a 90-degree corner cabinet that has a 45-degree angled front. It has a max wall cutout width of 19 inches and a maximum countertop cutout width of 23 inches. The entire thing measures 71” W x 58” D x 35” H.
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If you want another solid outdoor kitchen frame to rely on one, here is one more product that might serve you well. Measuring 42.75” H x 72” W x 32” D, this is the first product needed for a grill base. It’s a pre-assembled frame that’s made from commercial-grade steel to offer as much durability and resistance as possible. It has fully welded panels on the back, top, and sides, and comes pre-drilled to make assembly easy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to build an outside kitchen?Answering this question is a little bit tricky because there are plenty of things that can influence the end price of an outdoor kitchen. For instance, some people want to have “the works” when it comes to their outdoor cooking space, meaning they are willing to buy everything from new spatulas to extra kitchen sinks. Others don’t really need a new refrigerator to place outdoors, which means they end up spending less money on an outdoor kitchen. Generally speaking, a basic outdoor kitchen can cost anything between $2,000 and $10,000, while a luxury outdoor kitchen can cost between $50,000 and $100,000.
How do I build an outdoor kitchen on a budget?If you want to build an outdoor kitchen on a budget, then focus on choosing only items that are truly needed and consider using some of the ones that you already have in your indoor kitchen to save some money (like the fridge or some of the existing storage options you have inside). The more extras you add, the more your outdoor kitchen is going to cost. You can save money on buying affordable outdoor grills, choosing only the necessary cabinets, and overall investing only in things that you need and can’t spare from your indoor kitchen.
What can you make an outdoor kitchen out of?There is a wide range of materials used to make outdoor kitchen furniture and appliances, and the best ones depend on your climate and how well they can withstand the existing weather conditions in your area. Another important factor when choosing these materials is making sure they are resistant for their designated purpose. For example, kitchen countertops need to be able to withstand high temperatures coming from your cooking appliances, and should also be easy to clean. Non-porous stone options are ideal in this case. Cabinets need to be made from materials that are resistant to heat, mould, and moisture, so the best materials include teak and stainless steel.
Can I build an outdoor kitchen with wood?There are specific wood species that could actually pose as good material for outdoor kitchen furniture. Generally speaking, the woods to avoid when searching for outdoor furniture or when you’re looking to build the pieces yourself are cedar, redwood, and pine. These woods are more likely to rot without proper treatment, have a high probability of catching fire, and can easily be festered with insects. The best woods for outdoor kitchens include a bunch of South American species, such as Massaranduba, Cumaru, and Ipe.
In Conclusion As you can see, you can make your own outdoor kitchen regardless of how much money you have to spend. If you’re willing to go big, you can either hire a contractor or purchase a kit that’s pretty easy to assemble, maybe with a little help from a friend. The more furniture pieces and appliances that are added to your outdoor kitchen project, the more it will end up costing, so it’s really up to you to determine what your outdoor kitchen will look like and how much money you’re willing to spend on it.
