Introduction to Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens come in all shapes, sizes, and styles these days. The variety of options can almost be daunting especially when you begin trying to come up with an outdoor kitchen plan. From small outdoor kitchens to the grandiose, these days there is a solution for almost anyone and any budget.
cooking elements you should have no trouble finding something suitable for your space. When my Wife and I built our outdoor kitchen was one of the best home improvement projects we’ve done, hopefully, the following will help get you started on yours. Consider the following a quick overview as you begin your research.Pre-planning
An obvious but critical consideration is the square footage you want to dedicate to your kitchen. When considering a design start to think of your space and whether an L shape might work best vs. a counter / cooking element against a fence.
Set a Budget
Pre-fab Straight and L-Shaped Kitchens
There is a variety of pre-fabricated designs on the 
market ranging in price from around $2,000 to $9,000. Most models can be customized but in a basic model you should expect the following:
- Stainless steel 30″ or 36″ grill (7,500 to 9,000 BTU)
- Stainless steel storage doors
- Stainless steel refrigerator
- Towel Rack
- Stucko Side with a variety of finishes
- Tile counter top
Read More On Entry Level Prefab Outdoor Kitchens
Custom Kitchens
If you are considering a custom outdoor kitchen – planning obviously becomes much more complicated and critical.
After you’ve considered the amount of space you intend to dedicate to your kitchen your next step is to think about the zones within the kitchen.
Ideally you’ll have the following:
- Prep Zone – refrigerator, cutting surface area, sink
- Cook Zone – grill, smoker, side burner
- Serve Zone – warming drawer, storage
- Entertainment Zone – fire pit, gas fire table
Depending on your layout, consider raising the entertaining zone or serve zone to pub height creating depth in your space.There a myriad of things to consider when planning a custom outdoor kitchen. Below is a checklist of things you’ll like to begin thinking about.
There a myriad of things to consider when planning a custom outdoor kitchen. Below is a checklist of things you’ll like to begin thinking about.
- How often do you grill?
- What types of cooking do you enjoy? Smoking? Grilling? Etc.
- What shape works for you and your space?
- How often do you entertain and how many friends do you want to be able to handle around the kitchen?
- Will you be running new electricity?
- Will you be running new plumbing?
- Will you choose a prefabricated body type?
- What materials might you like on the body?
- Stone
- Stucko
- Concrete
- Brick
- Wood
- Tile
- What heating source will you be using?
- Natural gas? (requires plumbing)
- Propane?
- Charcoal
- Wood / pellets
- What components would you like to add?
- Gas Grill – 30″ – 60″
- How many BTU’s?
- Smoker
- Kamado / Ceramic cooker
- Pizza oven
- Side Burner
- Refridgerator
- Sink (requires plumbing)
- Warming drawer
- Stainless steel storage
- Fire pit
- Gas fire table
- Gas Grill – 30″ – 60″
Contractors – Things to Consider
The last thing I want to touch on in our introduction article is contractors and landscape designers.
