Outdoor Kitchen Grill Setup Tips and Tricks
Summer barbecues with family and friends are an beloved tradition for many homeowners. But dealing with limited space on your patio or having to run back and forth from the kitchen can create headaches. Creating a dedicated outdoor grill kitchen right outside your house makes gatherings more fun by giving your outdoor cooking the upgrade it deserves.
Benefits of an Outdoor Grill Kitchen
An outdoor grill kitchen provides numerous advantages over traditional backyard grilling:
- Convenience of having a high-quality grill and prep space right outside your living area, so you don't have to run back inside as often
- Bring the joy of grilling outdoors by dedicating a permanent space for it in your backyard
- Saves indoor kitchen space and keeps cooking smoke, grease, and odors out of your house
- Makes entertaining guests outdoors easier with a full grill setup in your backyard
With your own outdoor grill kitchen, you can cook up sizzling burgers, steaks, ribs, kebabs, wings, and more for family dinners or when hosting friends. It creates an inviting backyard environment for memorable gatherings.
Planning Your Outdoor Grill Kitchen
Careful planning is necessary for an outdoor grill kitchen that perfectly suits your needs and backyard space:
Consider the Available Space in Your Backyard
Measure your backyard to determine how much area you can dedicate to the grill kitchen. Most backyards have room for at least a small setup with a grill and countertop. But if space allows, you can create an expansive outdoor cooking zone with cabinets, sink, prep space, and dining seating.
Think About the Features You'd Like to Have
Decide which features are most essential for your planned usage. For frequent use when cooking for large gatherings, you may want extras like side burners, prep sinks, refrigerators, and abundant counter space. For more casual usage, focus on the staples like a quality grill and cabinets for storage.
Design the Layout and Workflow
Map out appliance placement and counter space flow. Think about how you move through the space when cooking and serving. Islands and U-shapes often work well to delineate different functional zones.
Choose the Right Outdoor Kitchen Materials
Select durable, weather-resistant materials that will hold up outside. Stainless steel, stone, and tile make great countertop choices. Look for exterior-rated appliances, cabinets, and hardware materials.
Essential Components of an Outdoor Grill Kitchen
Well-designed outdoor cooking areas share several key components:
High-Quality Grill Station
The centerpiece of outdoor grill setups. Choose between gas, charcoal, and pellet grills based on your budget and cooking preferences. Look for durable construction from stainless steel and high-quality hardware. Consider handy features like side tables.
Side Burners and Prep Space
Convenient burners give you extra cooking capacity for sides and sauces. Generous countertop prep space lets you chop veggies, assemble kabobs or sides, and plate dishes with ease.
Ventilation System
Proper ventilation carries away smoke, grease particles, and heat from grilling. It may require upgrades to your existing exterior ventilation.
Durable and Weather-Resistant Cabinets
Provide storage space for grill tools, accessories, cookware, pantry items, and dishes/glassware. Made of aluminum, stainless steel, weather-resistant woods, or composites.
Countertops
Durable, stain-resistant surface materials like stone (granite, quartz), tile, stainless steel, and fireproof tiles handle heat, spills, and weather fluctuations well.
Sink With Running Water
A must for an outdoor grill kitchen setup, allowing for easy cleanup and lettuce washing. Look for hot and cold running water. Install drainage for the sink.
Lighting and Electrical Supply
Proper lighting lets you grill after dark. GFCI outlets allow using blenders, mixers, rotisseries, or other electric appliances outdoors.
Design and Layout Ideas
How you arrange your outdoor grill kitchen impacts functionality. Consider these potential layouts:
U-Shaped Design
Wraps counters and appliances around you for easy access from a central grill. Allows multiple cooks to work simultaneously.
L-Shaped Layout
Efficient use of space that still delineates cooking zones. One length houses the grill while the other offers counter and storage space.
Island Grill Station
Self-contained island just for the grill frees up more patio space. Easy access from all sides so the grillmaster can maneuver freely.
Integrate Seating/Dining Areas
Incorporate bar-height counters or an outdoor dining table and chairs so guests can hang out near the cooking action.
Use Pergolas or Shaded Areas
Strategically place under backyard pergolas or pavilions to allow air circulation while offering shade and weather protection.
Budget and Costs
Outdoor kitchen projects range widely in price. The main expenses typically include:
Grill Costs
Anywhere from $500 for a basic gas grill up to $10,000 or more for luxury brands with abundant features. The grill is generally the biggest individual expense.
Cabinetry Expenses
Outdoor-rated cabinets cost $100-500 per linear foot. Island shapes need cabinetry on all sides, exponentially increasing costs.
Countertop Materials
Materials like granite and stainless steel often run $50-200 per square foot. More budget-friendly options like wood or laminate are lower cost.
Ventilation and Electrical
Factor in potential ventilation upgrades to handle grill smoke and vapors. Electrical costs depend on if you need lighting, outlets, or hardwired appliances.
Sink, Faucet and Plumbing
Roughly $500-2,000 for the sink itself, $100-500 for the faucet, and plumbing expenses if you lack existing infrastructure.
Total Project Budget
In total, plan for a budget between $3,000-15,000+ for a complete outdoor grill kitchen buildout. Prioritize must-have features if working with a smaller budget.
Keep your outdoor cooking space looking great and functioning safely with regular maintenance:
- Yearly deep cleaning of grill, appliances, sinks, cabinets, and countertops
- Cover grill with weather-resistant cover when not in use
- Repair any damage to outdoor cabinets, countertops, or hardware as needed
- Check ventilation, outlets, lighting and appliances; replace old bulbs
- Drain sink pipes and winterize before cold weather sets in
You can create a sensational outdoor grill kitchen at home with strategic planning guided by your budget, backyard dimensions and entertaining needs. Spend summer days whipping up sizzling feasts with family and friends with your own dedicated outdoor cooking space.