Explore the top questions to ask when planning your outdoor kitchen to ensure that functionality, design, and budget meet your expectations.
Having served as grilling and outdoor cooking specialists for nearly 15 years, people are increasingly turning to ATBBQ for expertise in designing and constructing outdoor kitchens. In addition to his involvement in over 300 outdoor kitchens installed by ATBBQ, our Outdoor Kitchen Expert, Ryan Marko, is credited with over 1,000 designs that clients have chosen to install themselves.
“I always start by asking people what they have in mind and exact dimensions for how much space they have available for an outdoor kitchen design,” Marko says. “Sometimes I’ll also have them send me inspiration photos to use as a reference, which will help me put together a 3D rendering. And from there we can get a good estimate for what a design would either as drawings for a client to put together themselves, as something we could ship out in parts for the client to build, or a full-scope project that we fully manage.”
To get a jump on the design process, there are some questions you can think about ahead of time that will start you out on the same page as the designer. Here are ten of the most important aspects to consider with any new outdoor kitchen build,
1. What Is My Outdoor Kitchen Budget?
Providing a designer with a budget will save time and heartache for everyone by setting helpful parameters before you become too deeply involved in the process. A designer with a clear budget can help establish priorities, prevent costly mistakes, and ensure the project gets completed. Costs for specific items can vary, but here are some of the big-ticket items to consider when allocating available funds:
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Appliances
- Grills and Smokers ($300 – $3,000+ each) – Whether you opt for a gas grill, a pellet grill, or a charcoal grill — or multiple grills — there are plenty of options to choose from, each with their strengths and weaknesses. One significant design cheat code is to opt for the Yoder YS640s pellet grill due to its versatility and convenience. It can handle both direct-flame cooking at high temperatures and the low-and-slow barbecue methods. And with accessories like the Yoder Smokers Wood Fired Oven and Cast Iron Griddle, you can save money by cutting down on the number of grills in your outdoor kitchen.
- Outdoor Fridges ($500 – $3,000+) – In addition to keeping chilled beverages handy, an outdoor fridge also reduces the number of trips you need to make into the house to grab ingredients.
- Pizza Ovens ($300 – $6,000+) – Wood-fired pizza is incredibly popular, and allowing people to build their own pizza adds a fun element to any outdoor gathering.
- Installation
Any outdoor kitchen you don’t install yourself will probably cost between $50 and $150 per hour for labor. Ensure that you clarify with contractors whether they bill by the hour or by the job, as well as who is responsible if the installation takes longer than initially estimated.
- Materials
Outdoor kitchen materials can be more expensive than indoor options because they require greater durability and weather resistance. For example, stainless steel withstands the elements well, but this quality comes at a cost. Countertops, cabinetry, and flooring are all additional categories to budget for in any outdoor kitchen.
When trying to stay on budget, remember that you don’t have to build your dream kitchen all at once. By focusing on key features and prioritizing functionality, you can establish a strong foundation for future expansion down the road. And finding aspects of the project that you can complete yourself is always a great way to control some costs.
2. What Appliances Will I Need for My Outdoor Kitchen?
The most essential appliances for an outdoor kitchen are grills and refrigerators. Compact refrigerators are great for outdoor spaces because they likely won’t be a full-time home for food. With few exceptions, it’s far more common to load them up with whatever you’ll want on hand for a single meal.
Your grill of choice will essentially be a matter of personal preference, depending on how you intend to use it. Gas grills and charcoal grills are both popular options for outdoor cooking. Still, it’s tough to convince us that there’s a better option than the Yoder Smokers YS640s, as it can cook the widest array of foods. It features temperature control, which takes some of the stress out of outdoor entertaining, allowing you to spend more time and energy enjoying the company of your guests.
3. How Do I Build an Outdoor Kitchen That Fits My Space?
Understandably, many people begin the outdoor kitchen design process with a specific look in mind. And while you want to end up with a visually appealing design, prioritizing space considerations and an efficient layout will help ensure you end up with a space that’s enjoyable to use.
“I see a lot of people who emphasize equipment over counterspace come to regret that decision later,” Marko says. He encourages people to consider how they can combine counter space and bar seating to maximize space, as well as to install ample counter space around grills, allowing them to manage ingredients, dishes, and utensils effectively.
4. What Type of Plumbing Does My Outdoor Kitchen Need?
An outdoor sink sounds great in theory and provides tremendous convenience. But it can also be a significant added cost if water supply and drainage aren’t already roughed in to your outdoor space. And depending on the climate where you live, winterizing any outdoor plumbing can be a bit of a hassle.
Nevertheless, many people utilize their outdoor kitchen sinks enough to justify the installation and maintenance costs. One way to keep plumbing costs down is to forego a hot water line and just use cold water for rinsing. Alternatively, leave space for a sink, but consider whether you can live without it. Then, revisit the issue after you’ve had the opportunity to live with your outdoor kitchen for a couple of seasons.
5. How Do I Choose the Right Outdoor Kitchen Grills?
The primary factors to consider when selecting the right grill for your outdoor kitchen are how you intend to use it and how highly you value convenience. Additionally, look for a grill that suits the capacity to accommodate the amount of food you typically cook. Built-in grills are an excellent option for outdoor kitchens because they allow you to maximize both storage and counter space.
For more in-depth breakdowns on shopping for the right grill, check out the ATBBQ expert guides 10 Steps to Choosing the Gas Grill of Your Dreams and Five Things to Look for When Buying a Pellet Grill. If you live near Wichita, KS, be sure to swing by our showroom where you can check out dozens of grills in person. We are always more than happy to answer any questions you have and share our experiences with you.
6. What Are the Key Features I Should Include in My Outdoor Kitchen?
We’ve already emphasized the need for counterspace for both cooking and entertaining, but storage is also a key element in the functionality of any outdoor kitchen. “We usually recommend a dry pantry, or some kind of sealed storage if you want to leave food items out all season or all summer,” Marko says. “A dry pantry is going to have a gasket on the doors to make sure bugs and dust don’t get in there. They’re more than twice the cost of a regular three-drawer stack, so you probably won’t install them exclusively. But it’s nice to have some available.”
Warming drawers, wine coolers, and fire pits are also elements that enhance the outdoor dining and entertaining experience when space and budget allow.
7. How Much Space Should I Allocate for My Outdoor Kitchen?
In addition to the space available for an outdoor kitchen, the size of your gatherings will also determine how much room to allocate for the project. Here’s a helpful guide for recommended square footage:
- Small Gatherings (2-6 people)
- 50-100 sq ft
- Medium Gatherings (6-12 people)
- 100-200 sq ft
- Large Gatherings (12+ people)
- 200-400+ sq ft
8. How Do I Protect My Outdoor Kitchen from the Elements?
Without proper planning and precautions, the weather can wreak havoc on an outdoor kitchen. Marko suggests the following tips to preserve and maintain your space as best as possible.
- “With outdoor plumbing, a good plumber will install a shutoff valve and a drain valve indoors in a heated space to guard against the cold. A lot of times, they’ll also want to blow any water out of that line with an air compressor before cold weather sets in.”
- “We try not to use a whole lot of tile outdoors. You’ll have a lot of grout to clean, and if it’s not done right, water can freeze behind the tile and pop them off. So stone is the more common durable material to use.”
- “We use granite for countertops, but you could also use quartzite. You don’t want to use quartz because it contains resins and is not UV-protected. However, quartzite is a natural form of granite, which is extremely durable. It can withstand heat if you’re setting hot pans on it or similar items.”
- We construct all of our frames with galvanized steel tubing. It will last a long time. It will withstand corrosion due to the galvanized layer.
9. What Outdoor Kitchen Flooring Options Are Best for Safety and Durability?
While concrete is a durable and affordable option for outdoor flooring, its aesthetic can sometimes leave something to be desired. Brick threads the needle of affordability and durability, but you may decide to upgrade to natural stone tiles depending on your desired look. Regardless of which option you choose, all three are surfaces that provide solid footing and are easy to clean and maintain.
10. How Can I Stick to My Outdoor Kitchen Budget Without Sacrificing Quality?
If you can’t fit all of the elements of your dream outdoor kitchen into your initial budget, consider the following:
- Start by prioritizing must-have items and wait to purchase decorative elements and non-essential appliances until you’ve had the chance to save up for those components.
- Consider whether there are any parts of the project that you could DIY.
- Discuss with your designer alternative, less expensive materials that share some of the same qualities and characteristics of your top choices.
- Look for opportunities to find repurposed materials like countertops or furniture.
These aren’t the only questions you’ll need to answer when designing and building an outdoor kitchen, but they will get you off on the right foot. It’s understandable if it all feels overwhelming, which is where the ATBBQ team can be helpful. With extensive expertise and experience in outdoor kitchen design and construction, we would be delighted to partner with you to bring your outdoor kitchen dreams to life. So don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
