In the UK, the garden has been changing. Since we were all cooped up in our homes in 2020, people have started to want to make their gardens more than just a leisure space. They now want a place that makes everyday activities a social occasion, a pleasure amongst the picturesque natural haven of your backyard, and for the best of times.
Creating an outdoor kitchen is a brilliant way to transform your garden into a vibrant space for both everyday activities and social gatherings. Imagine cooking up a feast while chatting with friends, similar to a BBQ get-together, but with the ability to prepare a smorgasbord of meals and small eats, not just the juicy, chargrilled meats.
Watched the Beckham documentary on Netflix recently? Then you’ll have seen David Beckham using it in action: a lavish, beautiful space for solo endeavours to whip up breakfast for the family, or a hybrid space for cooking and social engagement in a way that an indoor kitchen rarely is.
Your outdoor kitchen setup does not have to be as flashy as the multi-millionaire footballer, however. An outdoor kitchen can range from a simple BBQ setup to a fully equipped culinary haven with food prep units, cupboards and even drinks coolers. It can even be a covered space for those sceptical about the UK’s unpredictable weather, so you can make outdoor cooking a year-round adventure.
If you want to build a BBQ area or any outdoor kitchen setup, here are some ideas and a guide to making it. This guide will inform you of all the essential aspects to consider, from planning and budgeting to selecting the right equipment and materials. Whether you want to create a simple grill station or a comprehensive outdoor kitchen, you’ll find the information you need to make your very own grill island for the best of times.
How to Build an Outdoor Kitchen
Before you start diving into your new kitchen space, it’s vital to consider a few aspects to avoid problems later down the road. Here is what you need to know:
Assessing Your Budget
The first step in creating your outdoor kitchen is to set a budget. Any outdoor kitchen plan should prioritise the budget to ensure that the project remains affordable.
At Kettler, our modular outdoor kitchen stations are perfect for this, as they allow you to expand your kitchen over time seamlessly. This flexibility ensures that you can start small and add more features as your budget allows, making the process both manageable and means it will become more enjoyable as time goes on, not less.
Factoring in Your Garden Size
Shape your outdoor kitchen around your garden, not the other way around. Outdoor kitchens work well when placed against a wall, offering protection from the elements and freeing up more floor space for tables and chairs. Depending on the available space, you might opt for an L-shape or galley-style design. It’s also wise to position the kitchen relatively close to your indoor kitchen as you’ll be heading in to grab ingredients and crockery often, though this isn’t strictly necessary. The size of your garden will greatly impact the layout of your outdoor kitchen, but even a modest garden can accommodate a wealth of cooking riches.
Storage Options
Storage is a crucial element of an outdoor kitchen, especially if you plan on using a gas BBQ which will need a gas bottle attached. You’ll also need space to store utensils, cooking ingredients, and perhaps even outdoor crockery.
At Kettler, our outdoor kitchen stations come with built-in cupboards, offering ample storage solutions that keep your space tidy and organised. The sheer amount of utility of this outdoor cooking station will continually offer convenience when you need it. Its ultra-wide countertop makes for robust preparing, cooking and serving of pizzas, meat, or a free choice of dishes. These stations come in single, double, and triple-door modules and can be wheeled and locked into place.
Each station is fitted with a premium-quality stainless steel table top suitable for a pizza oven, electric grill, or plancha grill, making it a culinary powerhouse. There is also a specialised cabinet for stowing away the gas bottle discreetly, and the larger cabinet can hold two gas bottles, allowing you to create more advanced dishes such as curries, stews, stroganoffs, and more on the grills. A built-in waste bin lets you quickly throw any rubbish away, and you can hang your cooking utensils and cleaning cloths inside the door, keeping everything neat and accessible. Best of all, this is done discreetly so that you and your guests can put full focus on the food.
Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen
When designing your kitchen, consider whether you’ll keep it under a canopy or pergola or leave it open. While a canopy provides protection and allows for use in any weather, an open setup offers a more spacious feel. Either way, we recommend using tailored protective covers to preserve the quality of your equipment.
When planning your layout, consider both functionality and aesthetics. Typically, the cooker is positioned in the centre with side panels for easy access to all workspaces, ensuring that you can move between spaces fluidly without having to move far away from the BBQ or cooker. A three-bay setup is ideal for this, and even our one-door kitchen stations have fold-out tables that give you a space-conscious three-bay setup. There’s no setup required, simply roll it out to where you need it to prepare meals just as you would in the house.
Building Your Kitchen Area
If you are looking to build an outdoor kitchen with a wood frame, brick, or cinder blocks, you should get a quote from a professional to ensure that the job is done to a good standard. If you prefer to leave it open or have a simple canopy, then this can be done by hand. To set up an outdoor kitchen canopy using one of our panalsol pergolas, consult the assembly guide. We recommend that it requires four people.
The best way to build an inexpensive outdoor kitchen is to have a simple canopy, use recycled materials such as wooden pallets, old decking, bricks or stone, or leave it to the elements. The good news is that even if you build a canopy, you typically won’t need planning permission as it is not considered a permanent structure, so you can get to the building straight away. You should check your local area’s height restrictions and structure rulings, though.
The construction of your outdoor kitchen can be straightforward with the right materials and planning. Using durable materials that withstand the elements is essential. For instance, stainless steel is an excellent choice for outdoor kitchens due to its robustness and resistance to rust. There is an alternative option which avoids any construction – buying the Cozze Outdoor kitchen units, which can provide you with your very own workstation in the garden with no construction needed.
If you’re planning on having a cooler or electric BBQ, you will need an appropriate power socket outside. Contact an electrician about placing an outside outlet. We offer a range of energy-efficient electric pizza ovens, grills and planchas.
What Can You Cook With In Your Outdoor Kitchen?
When planning your outdoor kitchen, consider the various cooking options available, such as BBQs, Planchas, or pizza ovens. Here are some popular choices:
BBQ
Building a BBQ area is a classic choice for any outdoor kitchen. The signature smoky taste of BBQ is something we all aspire to create. Whether you prefer charcoal, gas, or wood-fired options, a quality BBQ will serve as the centrepiece for grilling everything from burgers to skewers and vegetables. These BBQs pair exceptionally well with our outdoor kitchen tables.
Plancha
For those with limited space, a Cozze Plancha grill is a marvel. Quick to heat up, easy to manage and perfect for searing everything from meat to veggies, it keeps the cooking casual but the flavours intense. Crafted with an enamelled cast iron grill plate, it’s a portable, versatile grill that allows you to create meals from breakfast fry-ups to dinners with fish and burgers. It’s compact size and efficient heating make it an excellent choice for any outdoor kitchen area, and is ideal for our outdoor kitchen tables with wheels.
Pizza Oven
Our tabletop pizza ovens are more versatile than meets the eye. With its rotary pizza stone and powerful heating quality which can bake a pizza in two minutes, you can also cook fish, steak, vegetables, and even bake bread. It comes with a front door that slots in to cover the heat and fire inside, just like the master pizza crafters in Italy do it. Plus, their sleek letterbox-like design is easy on the eye and equally easy to place on top of a small outdoor kitchen table with wheels. These ovens provide a unique cooking option that goes beyond just pizza.
Additional Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
It’s the finishing touches that really bring an outdoor kitchen to life. Fixed lighting, especially if it’s undercover, can create a welcoming atmosphere for evening gatherings. Add decorations that you couldn’t in an indoor kitchen to place in the garden, such as plant pots on the floor on either side of the workstation, garden ornaments, and water features. These additional elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor kitchen but also make it a more functional and enjoyable space.
Make Your Cherished Garden Space with Kettler
If you’re looking to upgrade your garden space to make this summer one to cherish, our dedicated team is here to assist you in creating an outdoor kitchen for the best of times.
Our customers and fans love the way products like our pizza ovens look incredible atop our kitchen workstation, allowing them to bask in glorious weather and cook delicious meals with a drink in their hand. Creating moments like this has been Kettler’s mission since it was founded in the 1960s, and it still fuels us today. We provide expert advice and support throughout your decision-making process. Explore our store or contact us today for more advice and information.
