Outdoor Kitchen HQ

Let's Put Together Your Backyard Haven.

What You Need to Start Your Outdoor Kitchen Plus Checklist

14 Minutes Reading Time

Whether you're planning to install a simple built-in grill or a luxurious outdoor kitchen, the key to success is careful planning.

But don't let the planning process overwhelm you; our ultimate guide tells you what you need to start your outdoor kitchen. And to make things even easier, we've created a handy outdoor kitchen checklist for you to download and follow right now. So let's get started.

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST

Table of Contents

Planning the Framework for Your Outdoor Kitchen

When planning our outdoor kitchen, we took inspiration from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet and approached the design with a focus on creating four functional zones.

  • Hot zone: This is the heart of any outdoor kitchen where your cooking appliances go.
  • Dry zone: This includes the landing area, storage for equipment, and dry items.
  • Cold zone: This is the designated area for cooling, refrigeration, and freezing.
  • Wet zone: This area is for the sink as well are clean-up-related items.

So let's start with a basic setup, in the hot zone — where the bustling hub of culinary activity happens:

There are two ways to go with the most basic setup. Either you can opt for a standalone grill cart, or, you can go for a very simple built-in outdoor kitchen. If you are undecided, it's worth noting that some grill carts, like this one, have removable grills so that you can upgrade to a built-in kitchen at a later date — rather than having to start all over again with a new grill.

In our example, we will primarily be discussing a built-in outdoor kitchen.

The Simplest Setup Possible

Okay, let's look at an example of a super simple starter setup. All it is, is a grill, with some extra storage space for cooking equipment and utensils, etc. to keep everything within easy reach.

I've drawn an illustration for you to give you an idea of what it might look like:

Why the storage space? To avoid the hassle of traditional barbeques with the constant need to bring in and out equipment, utensils, and dishes. That's the beauty of having an outdoor kitchen: not having to go back and forth between your normal kitchen.

How Much Space You Need for This Basic Setup

For this example, we're going to pick our products from Amazon:

All that's left is to make it wide enough to have some nice counter space. After all, we've got to fit it all in and have enough room for food prep:

Grill: 32"
Right Countertop: 36"
Left Side of Grill Countertop: 22"

Total: 90" (7.5ft)

And there you go. It's that simple.

A couple of extra pointers to bear in mind if you're intent on customizing this basic setup:

1. You Do Need Space Around a Grill

It's widely recommended in the industry that a distance of 36 inches should be left between a grill and any other major appliances for safety and functionality. This allows for enough room to move around the appliances and also provides space for proper ventilation and access to the controls.

2. A Small Outdoor Kitchen Goes a Long Way

Even a simple setup like this will create a cohesive look to any backyard — a space that far exceeds the look of a tired old barbeque lurking messily in the corner of a patio and it could even add value to a property.

Let's Estimate How Much This Could Cost

So, as of the time of writing (and because I can't explicitly say the exact prices of these things on Amazon because of their TOS) we're looking at:

~$1,500 for the grill
~$120 for a set of double doors
~$80 for a single door

That's about $1,790 total.

Now here's where things come down to the look. What you choose for the countertop, brickwork etc. and whether you're a DIY legend or you hire a contractor will determine how much that part costs. I'd recommend getting a few quotes and shopping around to get an idea of how much that'll cost where you live.

Here are some other costs to bear in mind:

  • Building (and zoning compliance) permits and inspections required by local authorities.
  • A gazebo and/or windbreak to help protect your outdoor kitchen against the weather.
  • Energy / utility bills for gas.
  • Seating, if you don't have any already.

Recommended, But Optional Extra: A Side Burner

Within this space, I'd also recommend adding a side burner. If you are not familiar with them, these burners are designed for cooking or warming side dishes or sauces and can be used for a variety of tasks such as sautéing vegetables, simmering sauces, or even boiling water.

A side burner like this one from Amazon, for example, roughly costs ~$400-$500.

With a side burner, the new total for all appliances in our example setup is $2,160.

The Half Outdoor Kitchen

Here is another example (drawn to scale) of an outdoor kitchen layout —  this time with a few added features.

Here's our recommended configuration for this setup:

  • Grill: With multiple burners and even advanced features, such as a built-in rotisserie or sear station.
  • Side burner: Great for cooking sauces or steaming vegetables etc. Use it as you would the stovetop in your indoor kitchen.
  • Sink: A must-have for food prep and cleanup.
  • Refrigerator or a beverage center.
  • Storage cupboards and integrated trash cans to keep your outdoor kitchen clean and organized.
  • Plus any other optional appliances you wish to add.

How Much Space You Need for a Half Outdoor Kitchen Setup

In this example, we are going with the grill and double doors that we've already chosen for our basic set up and we've also chosen some extra products from Amazon:

Above
Left Side of Grill Countertop: 22"
Grill: 32"
Right Side of Grill Countertop to Sink: 72"
Sink: 21"
Right Side of Sink Coutertop: 21"

Below
Refrigerator: 24.63"
Storage Draws: 18"
Storage Cabinets x2: @31" each

Total 168" (14ft)

The Ready-Made Option

If you are not into DIY you could opt for a fully integrated island like this one for example if you prefer. Islands typically include two or three of the essentials and are great for those who want an instant kitchen without the hassle of a build-it-yourself. However, if you are building your own outdoor kitchen, you'll have more flexibility and choice both in the design as well as the features you want to include.

Either of these options would allow you to fully prep and cook meals outside, without having to run back and forth to the indoor kitchen.

Estimating the Cost for this Setup

Here's the complete list of the products we've included in this setup and the approximate costs for each:

~$1,500 for the grill
~$240 for two sets of double doors
~$2,000 for the refrigerator
~$420 for the sink
~$190 for the draw storage

That's around $4,350 in total

On top of this, you'll have to factor in the costs we previously listed in our basic setup section, but don't worry I'll cover them in more detail in the section The Hidden Costs of Building an Outdoor Kitchen below.

The Full, Modular Outdoor Kitchen

Here are the most popular appliances that people go for:

  • Grill: With multiple burners and advanced features, such as a built-in rotisserie or sear station.
  • Kamado Grill: This type of grill uses charcoal or wood as the fuel source, and has an egg-shaped design that is great for slow cooking and smoking. They are built with heavy ceramic and steel, which helps to maintain a steady temperature, and are great for cooking at low temperatures.
  • Side Burner: The outdoor equivalent of a hob or stovetop.
  • Outdoor refrigerator: Including features such as a built-in ice maker or beverage dispenser.
  • Pizza oven: A wood-fired or gas-fired pizza oven for creating authentic, wood-fired pizzas.
  • Outdoor sink: With hot and cold water for food prep and clean-up.
  • Beverage center: A built-in beverage center with a built-in ice maker, refrigerator, and/or wine fridge.
  • Dishwasher: An outdoor dishwasher to make clean-up easier.
  • Smoker: Smokers can be used to smoke a variety of foods, including meats, fish, poultry, Tofu, and vegetables. The process of smoking food can take several hours, depending on the type of food and the desired level of smoke flavor.
  • Outdoor kegerator: A kegerator is a refrigerator that is designed to hold a keg of beer, wine or other beverages.

For those who are looking to truly go all out with their outdoor kitchen, the sky is the limit in terms of options and features. But one thing is certain, your outdoor kitchen should have everything you need to fully host outdoor events and gatherings without ever having to step foot inside your home.

In addition to the essentials, the ultimate, fully complete outdoor kitchen will also include the following:

  • Custom cabinetry: Built to fit the specific dimensions of the outdoor kitchen and made with durable, weather-resistant materials.
  • Custom flooring: Durable and weather-resistant flooring materials such as tile, stone, or composite decking to provide a stable and attractive surface for the outdoor kitchen area.
  • Countertops: Stone or concrete countertops that can withstand the elements and offer a durable workspace for food preparation.
  • Lighting: Ambient and task lighting to create a comfortable and functional outdoor cooking space.
  • Seating: A built-in bar or seating area for entertaining guests.
  • Storage: Ample storage space for outdoor cooking tools, dishes, supplies, and most importantly, built-in trash cans.
  • Outdoor hood: A hood is a great addition for removing smoke and steam from the outdoor kitchen.
  • Cover: An outdoor kitchen cover or pergola to provide protection from the sun and rain.
  • Entertainment: A built-in sound system or outdoor TV to enhance the outdoor cooking and entertaining experience.

How Much Space You Need for a Full, Modular Outdoor Kitchen

In the example, illustrated above, we've included our previously chosen Amazon products plus the extra ones listed in the full setup below:

We've also added:

Based on the products we've chosen, here's how we calculated the length of our kitchen:

For the above counter:
Grill: 32"
Sink: 21"
Left Side of Sink: 22"
Right Side of Grill: 36"

The total is 111" or 9.25ft.

For the below counter:
Storage: (17"*3) + 20" + 32"
Refrigerator: 24.63"
Beverage Center: 15"

The total for this is 110.63" or 9.22ft.

So, the approximate linear feet required for this outdoor kitchen setup would be around 9.25 + 9.22 = 18.47 feet.

If you add other major appliances such as the wood-fired pizza oven and a kamado grill - leaving the recommended 36 inches of space between your appliances - you would require an additional 8.5 feet of linear space for these two appliances alone.

Estimating the Cost of Appliances for a Full, Modular Outdoor Kitchen

We estimate the total cost of our example outdoor kitchen as follows:

~$1,500 for the grill
~$460 for a side burner
~$2,000 for the refrigerator
~$700 for the beverage center
~$420 for the sink
~$590 for the storage doors and built-in trash can
~$2,500 for the wood-fired pizza oven
~$2,800 for the kamado grill

That's around $11,670 in total

Please note, all of our calculations are based solely on the examples shown. They don’t include accessories or other necessary items such as taps etc.

The Hidden Costs of Building an Outdoor Kitchen

There are a number of hidden costs that you should be aware of. Some of which can add unexpected expenses to your project. These may include:

  • Building permits and inspections required by local authorities.
  • Zoning compliance regulations.
  • Cost of services provided by contractors for gas, water, and electrical connections.
  • Accessories like taps, sinks, and lighting fixtures.
  • Custom flooring.
  • Seating and weather protection.
  • Entertainment options such as sound systems or outdoor TVs.
  • Cost of repairs, care, and maintenance, for the kitchen appliances and equipment.

These hidden costs can add up quickly and should be taken into account when planning and budgeting for an outdoor kitchen to ensure a successful and enjoyable outdoor cooking and entertaining experience.

Location and Necessary Services

What's the best location for your outdoor kitchen? Somewhere with easy access to the necessary services such as electricity, water, and gas.

It's almost always best to place your outdoor kitchen near the house so that you can easily access the indoor kitchen if you need to. You will first need the area to be level and try to make sure it is going to be located in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight but at the same time isn't going to get so bakingly hot that you'll feel uncomfortable spending any length of time there at all.

Don't worry there are solutions if the weather isn't favorable in your area and we'll cover them too, but it does help to optimize what nature throws at you if you can.

When planning an outdoor kitchen choose the location and orientation of the kitchen in relation to the following: 

  • The house
  • Proximity to amenities
  • Drainage
  • Security
  • Shading
  • Prevailing winds
  • Potential smoke from cooking appliances
  • Distance from neighboring houses

Now is the time to find out if there are any potential planning permissions or other requirements that may be necessary for your outdoor kitchen. Depending on your location, there may be specific regulations or guidelines that you need to follow in order to build an outdoor kitchen. For example, you may need to obtain a building permit or meet certain zoning requirements.

If you're not sure what kind of planning permissions or requirements you may need for your outdoor kitchen, reach out to your local building department or city planning office for guidance. They will be able to provide you with information on any necessary approvals or permits, as well as any other guidelines that you need to follow.

If you are going down the route of using a professional contractor or designer to help with the planning and building process now is the time to contact them. They can help ensure that your outdoor kitchen is built to code and meets all necessary requirements, while also helping you to create a functional and beautiful space that meets your needs and preferences.

Energy Supplies

Here are your energy supply options:

  • For those who already have a natural gas line installed in their home, running a gas line to your outdoor kitchen might be the way to go. It's a reliable fuel source and it's easy to control the flame on a gas grill or stove.
  • If natural gas isn't an option, propane can be a great alternative. Simply install a propane tank and connect it to any suitable outdoor appliances.
  • If you're looking to power appliances such as a refrigerator or lighting in your outdoor kitchen, you'll need an electricity supply. Just be sure to have a licensed electrician run an electrical line from your home to the outdoor kitchen.
  • If you want to be more environmentally friendly, solar power is an option to consider. The energy it creates isn't as powerful as other types of energy supply and it may not be suitable for your appliances but it's a good option for small appliances and lighting.

List of External Resources for Building a Self-Build Outdoor Kitchen

Scroll back to top ^