Too many cooks in the kitchen? Go outside.
Backyard cooking has been popular since the conception of, well, backyards. If you want to expand past your BBQ, you should consider building an outdoor kitchen. Although they can be as simple or elaborate as you like, a cooktop other than a grill, refrigerator, wine cooler, and sink are the most common features of an add-on like this.
You can hire a professional to construct one for you, but building your outdoor kitchen DIY style can save you a lot of money in labor costs. Read on to learn how to build an outdoor kitchen, as well as how much it will cost you and the maintenance required.
Before drawing up plans or gathering the necessary tools and materials, first figure out what kind of effect you’re trying to achieve with your outdoor kitchen. There are so many fabulous set-ups, from covered, smokehouse-style builds to L-shaped grill arrangements that center larger elements, like a made-from-scratch pizza oven. Take inspiration from outdoor kitchen ideas that others have executed with success. You don’t have to build a replica of any one, but note what you like about each to assemble your dream system.
For example, if you want the cooking area to be a watering hole where guests can gather, consider placing an appliance-equipped island in the center of your dining and prep areas. Set up some benches along the island where others can watch the magic happen or where you can sit down with a glass of cold rosé when you can’t handle the heat any longer.
Before starting your project, check with your municipality to determine the need for a building permit and obtain one if necessary. Your kitchen likely needs an electrical source. We recommend hiring a licensed local electrician for that part. Hiring a nearby plumber to run supply and drain connections and a gas line to your new space is not uncommon either.
Other plans for an outdoor kitchen include installing frost-depth footings for weighty kitchen components such as concrete block structures or a pergola to house the kitchen and building or repairing a patio if that’s part of your vision.
Building an outdoor kitchen is just as (if not more) complicated as renovating the one inside of your home. You’ll need to plan out what kind of features you want to include, the materials you intend to use, like workstations, cabinets, and countertops, and where you will put it all. Find out what every station will need below and how to prepare for building each one.
In general, an outdoor kitchen will need at least one or two countertops for all your slicing and dicing needs. Some opt to build a grill top that connects to an island, while others prefer to keep it traditional with the kind of wall-facing set-up you’d find inside a home. You can build such workstations yourself with lumber, mortar, and stone or opt for pre-made or ready-to-build varieties to reduce your workload.
While you can add as many appliances as you like to your outdoor cooking zone, there are only a few that you can’t skip: a sink, a cooktop or grill, and a small fridge. These three elements will also need to be serviced with electricity and plumbing lines, so consider whether you can do it yourself or if you’ll need the help of some local pros ahead of time.
While this part is optional—after all, you can turn any spot in your backyard into a place to eat with a foldable table and chairs—it may be worthwhile if you foresee eating outside often.
Once you’ve figured out what you want your outdoor kitchen to look like and include, gather all the necessary tools and prepare to break ground.
Jot down the dimensions of the appliances you’ve purchased to reference while building things like workstation inserts. That way, you won’t have to undo your hard work because something doesn’t fit.
If you don’t already have a stable base to build upon (like a patio or deck), you’ll need to construct one first. Recruit friends and family to clear an already level plot of land, lay down gravel, compact, and finish with a layer of concrete. Use a level throughout the process to ensure everything is as it should be.
As soon as your base has had enough time to cure, you can move on to the next step: building the kitchen itself. Start by building a frame for your workstation with plywood boards. Include cut-outs for where you’ll place cabinets and appliances during construction. Finally, sheath it with builder’s felt and wire lath before coating it with mortar and decorative cladding.
You’ll want to do this step before installing cabinets and appliances so that you (or your hired pros) have plenty of space and wiggle room to attach wires and pipes. In general, electrical and plumbing projects are better left to the pros because of all the safety hazards and particular tools involved with each.
Next up, build cabinets and countertops separately and place them into inserts and on top of your workstation towards the end of a project like this. If necessary, you’ll be able to make changes to these elements without reconstructing your entire base.
At last, it’s time to install the appliances. Start by setting up the basics, like a sink, fridge, and cooktop, and save extra add-ons for a later date. Doing this will help you stay within budget and give you space to adjust it for things like the cost to build an outdoor pizza oven later on.
Although not necessary if your appliances, cabinets, and worktops are weatherproofed, adding coverage to your outdoor kitchen can give you relief from the brutal summer sun. There are more ways than one to add a feature like this to your setup, so peruse some covered outdoor kitchen ideas for inspiration.
The average cost to build an outdoor kitchen is $13,600, but it can cost as low as $1,000 or as high as $40,000. The price variation depends on several factors, including the space size, the number and type of appliances, and customizations. For a vast, deluxe outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, some homeowners may pay as much as $100,000.
A DIY outdoor kitchen project can be as simple as assembling a few cabinets or as complex as an entire kitchen remodel. How much time and money you’d like to invest is entirely up to you.
The typical outdoor kitchen cost if you hire someone to build it for you ranges from $1,000 on the low end to up to $40,000 if you go all out. If you DIY, you can save an average of between $1,500 and $6,000—or 20% to 40% of the total cost—to build an outdoor kitchen. Those savings are equivalent to what an outdoor kitchen builder near you would charge for their labor.
Deane Biermeier contributed to this piece.
The least expensive way to build an outdoor kitchen is to start small and use an existing patio space as close to the house as possible. If you have access to appliances that you can reuse or have the carpentry skills for DIY outdoor kitchen cabinets, that will save the most cash. Otherwise, start with a few basics and work towards your dream kitchen by adding a little each year.
In general, the best types of wood for outdoor kitchens are naturally resistant to elements like water and heat and the damage they impart, like fading and mold or mildew development. For the best results, opt for teak, mahogany, and oak, and make sure they're pressure-treated for extra protection.
Yes, if you’ve got the skills and patience, you can build your own outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchen kits are available in various levels of completion. You can build your own outdoor kitchen simply by matching your DIY skill level with an appropriate kitchen kit, or if you’re already a pro, you can create a complete custom design from your imagination.
