DESIGN ESSENTIALS
All you really need for an outdoor kitchen is a grill and a countertop. More elaborate outdoor kitchens provide ample counter space for such amenities as sinks, plus side burners for simmering pots of chilli or searing tuna steaks, as well as enclosed storage areas below for cooking gear. And like a well designed indoor kitchen, they typically have a u-shaped or L-shaped layout that lets the cook move easily between preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning stations.
When deciding where to site an outdoor kitchen, convenience is key. "The further away from the house, the less likely you are to use it." We advice placing your outdoor kitchen near activity centers - midway between house and pool, for example, or on a patio off the main indoor living areas.
Before you build check local zoning laws, which may restrict the size and location of your structure. Fire laws also dictate clearance requirements between a grill's open flame and a combustible surface, which could be a problem if an outdoor kitchen is to share a wall with a wood-sided house.
Though many outdoor kitchens are open to the sky, adding an overhead structure, such as a canvas awning, porch roof, or slat-topped pergola, helps define the space and creates a welcome feeling of enclosure. A roof also has practical benefits, shading the cook and guests from too much sun, particularly if the kitchen is located on the south or west side of the house, or where the weather is frequently wet. It also provides a place from which to hang all-weather ceiling fans, overhead task lighting, and lanterns.
MATERIAL CHOICES
It is best to place your island on a level concrete slab.
Siding for your island can be stone veneer, stucco, tile or brick. Cement board is ready for tile. If you are planning on stone you will need to add wire lath siding. It is sold at home depot and is very inexpensive. We recommend you use a lot of screw, one very 6 inches to secure the lath to your islands cement board. Remember, your expensive stone will be secured to this metal lath so you want it very secure so your siding does not fall off in the future. If you plan on adding metal lath yourself please see Willie's Video where this entire process is demonstrated first hand.
For stucco, all you need is HB1C stucco adhesive, a j channel along the bottom of your island and corner lath pieces. You do not need lath siding as stucco and cement board bond well together with HB1C.
Countertops are usually poured concrete, tile or granite. Just remember that these materials need to be maintained on an annual basis with special sealers. Make sure your countertop is canted forward slightly - usually 1/8 inch per foot of depth - so rainwater doesn't puddle on top.
Stainless steel cabinets and sinks withstand the elements well.
LOOK FOR 304 grade, 18 - gauge steel.
FINISHED BBQ ISLAND PRICES
A 7 1/2 ft long unit with a drop in grill, sink, fridge, and undercounter storage cost about $4,100. at the Home Depot.
A similar size kitchen built by a contractor or mason will run about $6400 or between $750 and $900 per linear ft, not including appliances.
Building your own bbq island with a professionally constructed steel frame made by BBQ Coach.com will save you about 50% Off of retail and contractor prices.
Buiding Considerations
In deciding how simple or elaborate an outdoor kitchen to build, think first about plumbing, electrical, and fuel needs. You can avoid hookups altogether by choosing a grill that's fired by a propane tank and by opting for a dry sink rather than a plumbed one. Filled with ice, these basins are great for chilling beverages.
But for an outdoor kitchen that's loaded with amenities, such as an electric wok, infrared side burners, and a fridge, you'll need multiple gfci outlets. For ice makers, dishwashers, and plumbed sinks, water supply and waste lines have to be run out from the house or the street. And if you don't want the hassle of replenishing propane tanks, you'll have to tie your grill in to a gas line that fuels your indoor range. Just make sure the existing line can handle both; a seperate gas feed for the grill might be necessary.
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