What Goes In An Outdoor Kitchen?

If you have a back patio area that you want to spruce up, then what better way to do that than turn some of your patio space into an outdoor cooking area?

But what exactly do you need to create a great outdoor kitchen? This will all depend on what you are looking for.

If pure grilling that is your top priority, then you’ll want a sizable cooker. If you want a fully integrated kitchen for entertaining, there are many more options and ideas out there.

So what should you be getting in an outdoor kitchen? What products should you be looking for and where should you be placing them?

We've created this guide to tell you which products go in an outdoor kitchen to hopefully inspire some ideas for your project.

What Type Of Outdoor Kitchen Do You Want?

First, you’ll have to think about exactly what you want from your outdoor kitchen before you decide to get all the right equipment.

Whether you just want beer storage or you want the full grilling apparatus, you need to determine your perfect setup.

Here are some of the main types of outdoor kitchens:

Prefab/Modular Kitchen

If you don't want to go through the trouble of hiring a contractor to install a custom outdoor kitchen, a prefab option is a great choice.

Most prefab islands come with a grill and a few other popular items, such as access doors, drawers, and/or an outdoor refrigerator.

With many prefabricated bbq islands, you have some degree of customization of finishes and countertop materials.

Modular outdoor kitchens have also become increasingly popular in recent years (see brands like Mont Alpi).  While you sacrifice customization options, a modular outdoor kitchen can be a cheaper, yet highly functional alternative.

Custom Kitchen

A custom outdoor kitchen can be perfectly tailored to your patio space and preferences. Typically you'll need to hire a contractor and potentially a designer to make sure you get everything right.

If you fancy a larger layout, then you’ll need to make sure that you space out all of your utilities in the right place.

You’ll need to be sure that you have room to maneuver, especially if you are entertaining a lot of guests.

Portable Outdoor Kitchens

This type of kitchen comes with plenty of portable elements, often on wheels, that will be great for adapting your patio to many different scenarios.

Now that we’ve looked at some of the types of kitchens on offer, we’ll have a quick look at what else you need to know before you splash out more money on your outdoor cooking station.

What Goes In An Outdoor Kitchen?

When it comes to outdoor kitchen equipment, there is an abundance of options out there to truly customize your space.  Here's a look at some of the options to consider.

Outdoor Kitchen Staples

• Grill
• Smoker
• Access Doors
• Storage Drawers
• Trash drawers

Great As A Centerpiece Or As A Secondary Cooker

• Pizza Oven
• Flat Top Grill/Griddle

Quality Of Life Accessories

• Sink
• Side burners
• Outdoor Refrigerator
• Wine cooler
• Ice maker
• Bar centers

Other Accessories And Extras

• Deep fryer
• Patio heater
• Vent hood
• Dry pantry
• Paper towel holder
• Trash chute
• Food prep station
• Warming drawer

What Do You Need For Your Outdoor Kitchen Before Building?

Most prefab kitchens won’t require planning beyond measurements, although you’ll want to make sure your gas lines are placed properly, if applicable.

You’ll also need to think about how you are going to run electricity to your grill, refrigerator and any other integrated or free-standing appliances that you’ll have.

These days, even the most high end appliances only require a standard 120V outlet, but it's a good idea to double check that you won't need to hard wire anything in.

If you're opting for a custom design, the checklist is a little bit longer before building.  You'll need to ensure that your plans are checked and double checked before beginning any installations.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, what goes in an outdoor kitchen is largely up to you and your wants/needs!

We hope this resource has given you a good list to start brainstorming what you'd like in your outdoor kitchen.

Need guidance?  Reach out to us, we would be happy to help.