As outdoor entertaining and open-air dining continue to rise in popularity, so has interest in outdoor kitchens. By bringing preparation outdoors in addition to the party, outdoor kitchens increase cooking and serving efficiency by cutting down on trips into the house to grab ingredients, dishes, and utensils. They also prevent the host from missing out on any of the fun by keeping them engaged with guests during the cooking and cleanup stages of the gathering.
In addition to expanding living space, enhancing outdoor entertainment options, and allowing you to connect to nature, outdoor kitchens also increase home values. A study by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) found that on average, an outdoor kitchen project saw a 71% value recovery, making it a top improvement in terms of likely added value to homes for resale and appeal to buyers.
While enthusiasm for outdoor kitchens continues to build, ATBBQ Outdoor Kitchen Expert Ryan Marko is well-versed in helping people realize their ideal space, having designed over 1000 outdoor kitchens in addition to being significantly involved in many of the over 300 outdoor kitchens installed by ATBBQ. Here, you’ll find some of his insights on key features, design considerations, and a handful of fantastic outdoor kitchens from our design portfolio.
Key Features of an Outdoor Kitchen
While outdoor kitchens share many characteristics with their indoor counterparts, there are some unique features to consider in the design process. Some of the most important include:
1. Counter Space
“I consider counter space to be one of the most important features when designing an outdoor kitchen,” says Marko. “When I’m grilling, I usually have a plate in one hand and a spatula or tongs in the other. It will be a problem if I don’t have space to set things down.”
In addition to having adequate space for food prep, counter space also comes in clutch when serving food. This is especially true for larger gatherings where guests are spread out instead of gathered around a single table. And the most utilitarian designs incorporate bar seating, which is an incredibly versatile feature that opens up all kinds of seating, preparation, and presentation options.
2. Outdoor Kitchen Cooking Appliances
With the right appliances, cooking just about anything outdoors is possible. One of the first tasks in outdoor kitchen design is to figure out how much space and money you want to dedicate to ensure you have everything you need to cook memorable meals without making trips to your indoor kitchen.
“In initial design consults, many people want a grill, a smoker, a burner, and a griddle,” Marko explains. “And while griddles are popular now, they occupy a lot of space. So you have to really think about how much counter space you’re willing to sacrifice so you don’t regret not having enough space later on.”
A nearly all-in-one solution is the grill that was named:
- Field & Stream’s Best Smoker of 2024
- Food & Wine’s Best Professional-Grade Grill of 2024
- Wall Street Journal’s Best Luxury Grill of 2024
- Popular Mechanics’ Best Overall Pellet Grill of 2024
That grill is the Yoder Smokers YS640s. With both high-heat direct grilling and lower-temperature indirect cooking capabilities, it can handle everything from a perfectly crusted ribeye steak to classic barbecued pulled pork. And with the addition of the Yoder Smokers Wood-Fired Oven and the Yoder Smokers Cast Iron Griddle, you can easily cook an entire meal on the grill, thanks to its ability to easily handle multi-zone cooking.
That being said, there are plenty of other options for outdoor kitchen cooking appliances. Some of the most popular include:
- Grills and Smokers – In addition to pellet grills, gas grills, ceramic grills, and charcoal grills are all worthy of consideration for inclusion in outdoor kitchens. Space, cost, convenience, and preferred fuel source are all factors to think about when deciding which grill — or grills — to install.
- Pizza Ovens – Wood-fired pizza is all the rage and outdoor pizza ovens can be a fun and entertaining cooking tool.
- Warming Drawers – While a cool evening breeze makes for comfortable conditions, it can also torpedo food temps. Warming drawers can help ensure dishes that are done early stay at an appetizing temperature until they are served.
- Refrigeration – Provide convenient access to cold drinks and elevate your backyard kitchen from serviceable to optimal with this critical appliance.
Once those major elements are decided, you can consider possible storage solutions, the need for outdoor heaters if you plan to entertain throughout colder seasons, whether or not you are up to including the plumbing necessary for an outdoor sink, and entertainment options like a television or sound system.
Outdoor Kitchen Design Considerations
Nearly as important as the appliances you choose to include in an outdoor kitchen are the design elements that maximize the style, practicality and longevity of the space. By nailing these details, you can dramatically increase the odds that both you and your guests will fall in love with your outdoor kitchen and maximize the area to its full potential.
1. Layout
Depending on where you live, you may choose to include some walls, half walls or a roof that offer some protection from the elements. Think about different choices between open vs. enclosed spaces as well as covered vs. uncovered areas that will make your outdoor kitchen as comfortable as possible for you and your guests.
And if space is limited, get creative as to how to maximize the area for cooking, dining and lounging. If you can’t dedicate a separate space for each of those activities, then look into options like bar seating or easy to move outdoor furniture that can serve multiple functions.
2. Materials
The sun and moisture can be hard on appliances and building materials. This takes some materials that you might use for an indoor kitchen out of consideration since they are likely to wear out quickly.
“You don't want to use quartz for outdoor countertops, because that has resins in it and is not protected from UV rays,” he says, but quartzite and granite are very durable. We almost exclusively use granite because it can also handle heat if you're setting hot pans on it and does not require a lot of maintenance.
For cladding around grills, he recommends thin brick, tile, veneer stone, stucco or another similar non-combustible material. “You don't want wood around your grills, which is why we do all of our frames with galvanized steel tubing,” he explains. “It will last a long time and hold up to the elements.”
3. Functionality
While you might have a clear vision for what you want an outdoor kitchen to look like, it’s important to balance functionality in the design so that the space is easy and enjoyable to use. Marko suggests incorporating access doors under grills and sinks that make it easy to access shutoffs. He also encourages clients to think about the extent to which they will want to store dry goods outdoors and plan their drawers and cabinets accordingly.
“Simple drawers work fine for some people, but others will want to invest in sealed storage,” he says. “Dry pantries will have a gasket on the doors to make sure bugs, moisture and dust don't get into the storage area. But they can get expensive if you're really trying to manage the cost.”
Our Top 5 Favorite Outdoor Kitchens We’ve Built
1. Sleek & Modern Kitchen
Featuring black granite, stainless steel appliances and a glass door refrigerator, this is about as close as you’ll get to an outdoor version of a standard kitchen in an upscale new build. With a propane powered grill, burner and circular flat top, you’ll have enough efficient cooking power to easily whip up delicious meals for a crowd.
2. Scandinavian L-Shaped Kitchen
Open and inviting, this L-shaped outdoor kitchen and bar features warm, natural elements, with muted tones and a blend of textures that are hallmarks of Scandinavian style. The blended textures of white stacked-stone facing, new rough-hewn cedar pergola, and warm gray travertine floor really allow the grills to pop.
3. Pizza Kitchen
Reminiscent of an intimate Italian bistro, this outdoor kitchen maximizes usability. With a countertop pizza oven resting above a three-level dry storage pantry, pizza tools and seasonings are easily within reach in this single-wall cooking space. Not to be outdone, a powerful Alfresco 36” gas grill anchors itself over twin access doors that provide additional storage and keep the propane tank out of sight.
4. Small Kitchen Island Cooking Station
Built under an existing patio roof, this compact and efficient kitchen features a powerful Napoleon gas grill surrounded by a veneered, natural stone that matches the columns of the nearby pool house. Underneath the Napoleon grill is a 36” combo storage and propane rollout that helps keep things tidy before, during, and after the party, while an outdoor refrigerator keeps juice boxes, beer, and wine cold 24/7.
5. Kitchen Grill Station
Designed with family gatherings in mind, this clean, uncluttered design layout features both a Yoder YS640s pellet grill and an Alfresco ALXE gas appliance. The appliances share a common counter space, making it easy to utilize either one from the generous prep area. It’s all tied together with the existing house thanks to tidy brickwork that will make you wonder if it wasn’t part of the original design.
Hopefully this helps get your creative juices flowing as you consider how an outdoor kitchen can enhance your entertainment options while at the same time increasing the value of your home. For more inspiration, be sure to browse more finished outdoor kitchens in our full online gallery. And as you learn more about how you can start building your dream outdoor kitchen with help from our knowledgeable and experienced staff, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions that you might have on getting started with the process.
