Top 8 Things to Keep in Mind Before Planning an Outdoor Kitchen

The smokey aromas of burning charcoal and sizzling burgers seem to emanate from every backyard, park, and patio on warm summer evenings. The summer cookout is an American tradition. A standalone grill gets the job done, but you can take your cookout game to the next level with a complete patio kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens are worthwhile investments. They raise home values, make outdoor cooking more convenient and versatile, and relieve indoor spaces of pungent cooking aromas and aerosolized oils. Outdoor kitchens require a significant amount of planning, however. Whether you’re planning to install a permanent or portable outdoor kitchen, you will save yourself a substantial amount of time, money, and stress if you draw up a thoughtful blueprint and invest in the right appliances.

We’ve got you covered. Here are eight critical things to keep in mind as you design and build your patio kitchen.

1. Invest in outdoor-rated appliances.

Appliances rated for outdoor use are imperative for outdoor kitchens. Don’t assume you can save a few bucks by buying traditional appliances. They will fail sooner rather than later, and you will be compelled to purchase a replacement.

Outdoor appliances are fitted with insulation, weather-protective coatings, and materials that resist corrosion. They can better withstand direct sunlight, humidity, debris, and temperature swings, and they are more resistant to rodent and insect infestations. Indoor appliances don’t need to contend with these problems on the same scale.

Left outside, an indoor appliance will warp and corrode. Internal wiring and circuitry will quickly fail. Mildew and rust will take hold. It would be remarkable if an indoor appliance lasted a full season outdoors, and outdoor use almost certainly voids the manufacturer’s warranty.

On a related note, consider covers or overhead protections for your outdoor appliances. Even simple covers can moderate temperature swings and limit direct contact with precipitation. Appropriate coverage will extend your appliances’ lifespans and give you additional seasons of use.

2. Give yourself ample counterspace.

Plenty of counterspace is a desirable component of any kitchen. It is especially convenient in a patio kitchen because it eliminates the need to constantly run back inside to find a spot to place a cutting board or platter of food.

Consider the potential square footage of your patio kitchen and subtract the space that your appliances will occupy. Work with a contractor or home designer to maximize your counterspace in the remaining area. Depending on your available space, you may consider building or buying a central kitchen island. Remember that you want counterspace reasonably close to your cooking appliances too. It’s inconvenient, for example, to have the nearest counter some 15 feet from your grill.

3. Maintain space between your cooking appliances and refrigerators or freezers.

An outdoor kitchen with fridge units and cooking equipment must be arranged judiciously. Never install cooling appliances and cooking appliances next to each other. Ovens, cooktops, and built-in BBQ grills should not be placed next to refrigerators, freezers, and coolers.

There are some safety considerations for this guideline—a refrigerator placed adjacent to a grill or oven can create a burn hazard—but the risk of appliance failure is the primary concern. Cooling appliances, perhaps counterintuitively, generate heat. This heat is vented out through the rear or side of the unit. If the heat is not adequately vented—and if the appliance is subject to additional ambient heat from a cooking appliance—then the refrigerator’s compressor must work much harder to maintain a cooler temperature. As with any appliance, harder work means greater energy consumption and a much shorter lifespan.

Space constraints and logistics may limit where you can place your appliances, but be sure there is at least 12 inches of space between your cooking appliance and refrigerator or freezer.

4. Plan for adequate ventilation.

Refrigerators and freezers are not the only kitchen appliances that require adequate airflow. Built-in outdoor kitchen grills need to be ventilated as well. Gas grills and cooking appliances that are contained within unventilated enclosure cabinets are significant fire hazards. Propane or natural gas can build up within the cabinet, which can lead to an explosion if the gas ignites.

An enclosure cabinet should have vents installed every four feet along its length. This will provide enough airflow for gas to dissipate. Important to note is that your choice of fuel will inform the appropriate height of your vents. Propane is heavier than air, so it will sink to the bottom of a cabinet. As such, you should install your vents at the base of the unit if you use propane gas. If, however, you use natural gas, you should install the vents near the top of the cabinet. Natural gas is lighter than air and will naturally rise.

5. Install insulated grill jackets or liners around your cooking appliances.

A standard grill can easily achieve temperatures of 500°F or more. That level of heat has the potential to warp, burn, or even melt nearby components of your patio kitchen. You can avoid this damage or an outright fire by installing a grill jacket.

A grill jacket is an insulated metal box that inhibits the transfer of heat from your grill. It will protect adjacent structures and potentially reduce your grill’s fuel consumption. A grill jacket has the additional benefit of adding an extra layer of protection to the grill itself, limiting elemental exposure and reducing the risk of corrosion.

Not all built-in grills will necessarily come with an insulated jacket, so be sure to work with the appliance manufacturer or your contractor to ensure that you install an appropriate jacket. Bear in mind that the jacket’s dimensions may slightly enlarge your grill’s footprint, so plan accordingly.

6. Budget everything well ahead of time.

Before you hire a contractor or purchase any materials or appliances, commit to a budget that you’re willing to pay for your patio kitchen. On average, basic outdoor kitchens cost around $15,000. Some homeowners may keep their budget under $10,000 by limiting the number of appliances or taking a DIY approach. Others may spend well over $30,000 with custom masonry, high-end appliances, and expensive furnishings.

Make a list of the appliances and fixtures that you can’t do without. These will likely include a grill, cooktop, countertops, and cabinets or drawers. Think about the additional equipment that would be nice to have but not imperative, such as a refrigerator or freezer, sink, or pizza oven.

Tally your appliance and equipment costs, then consider additional expenses. These will include local permits, tools, and building materials. Unless you’re keeping things exceptionally simple, you’ll likely want the help of a contractor and designer or decorator. An outdoor kitchen with sink fixtures and electrical wiring will also require the help of plumbers and electricians. Finally, think of decorative accents—stone, tile, lighting fixtures, landscaping—and outdoor furniture.

The costs, of course, can quickly add up. Planning your expenses ahead of time can stave off sticker shock and prevent you from cutting corners or making poor decisions to save a few bucks before your kitchen is complete.

7. Consider local requirements and restrictions.

Prep for your patio kitchen by checking with your state, town, or homeowner’s association for any restrictions or necessary permits. In some locations, a simple patio kitchen will not require any kind of permit at all. Plumbing, electrical work, gas piping, and overhead structures, however, will likely require a permit, and such work will probably need to be completed by a licensed professional.

Neglecting your due diligence here can lead to fines, safety hazards, and inspection headaches when you eventually sell your home.

8. Commit to meticulous planning.

You have likely gleaned that a running theme in this list is the importance of planning. Before you commit to anything—appliances, designs, contractors—make a detailed plan for your patio kitchen. Know ahead of time exactly how large your kitchen’s footprint will be. Ensure that your kitchen and the placement of the appliances will not run afoul of your home’s plumbing and electrical infrastructure, local codes, and underground structures and materials.

As you research appliances, ensure that their dimensions as well as drawer and door clearance will not cause fit problems. And when it comes time to install your appliances and fixtures, follow the adage: measure twice; cut once. With an abundance of forethought, you’ll enjoy a beautiful patio kitchen season after season.