Outdoor kitchens

What is an outdoor kitchen?

An outdoor kitchen can be anything from a simple barbecue set-up to an elaborate counter with cupboards, bar stools, a grill, sink, refrigerator and a canopy. It is exactly what you want it to be and can be tailored exactly to your size and shape of garden. If “outdoor kitchen” sounds too fancy for you, just call it a barbecue; because that’s ultimately what it is.

Sounds expensive – isn’t it a huge waste of money?

It depends entirely on what you want. The DIY enthusiast could knock up a highly functional, attractive brick barbecue station and spend very little on the grill and utensils and call it an outdoor kitchen. Or you could spend thousands on an ultra-luxury dream facility to stand beside your pool. Neither will add value to your property, but both could add a lot of appeal to your home.

If I store equipment and food outdoors, won’t they get wet?

At the expensive end of the market, your kitchen could include a fridge and cupboard space. All outdoor kitchens are designed to withstand winter weather, but waterproof covers are also available.

Won’t an outdoor kitchen take up too much garden space?

Yes absolutely, if you get carried away and buy a space station for your two foot patio. But the options are plentiful and with some careful measuring your outdoor kitchen should enhance your outdoor space, not take it over.

Does it come with utensils?

Probably not. Many outdoor kitchens are modular with the customer able to build it up and change it over time. Grills, sinks and utensils are usually available separately.

Can it stand on grass, or does it have to stand on concrete?

Again it depends on the scale of outdoor kitchen, but given that the barbecue is either gas-fuelled or charcoal-burning safety is paramount. Grass would be a bad idea, as would decking unless it is reinforced. A flat, smooth concrete patio is best.

How much should I spend?

Nothing, if you don’t want an outdoor kitchen. Seriously, this is a key question and should be decided before you start looking. It is all too easy to get carried away with an outdoor kitchen because the options are so varied and the expensive end of the market can be extremely tempting. If the idea of spending four figures on something like this makes you laugh, then think simple barbecue, not outdoor kitchen. The higher end of the market easily strays into five figures.

What should my outdoor kitchen include?

The best way to answer this question is to imagine a summer party in your garden. Who does the food preparation and where? If your indoor kitchen is fine for this, then you don’t need worktop space for chopping outdoors and you certainly won’t need an outdoor sink. Are you guests happy with an ice bucket for cold drinks or do you need an outdoor fridge? Start with the very basics, a grill and some tongs and take it from there.

Get ideas for which cooking essentials you might need for your outdoor kitchen.