Modular Outdoor Kitchen: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

The island outdoor kitchen set has a cooking area in the center. The cooking space is surrounded by countertops on either side. The countertop provides ample space for all the prep required for your favorite dishes.

The island outdoor kitchen set includes a cooking stove, cabinets, sink, veneers that can be used outside pizza ovens and pull-out trash cans. You can change each of these components to suit your style.

The L-shaped outdoor kitchen can easily fit into a corner. It includes features like a sink, cabinets, a grill and countertops.

Stainless steel is a durable material and adds beauty to the backyard. With little maintenance, it can last for years. It is one of the most common materials for outdoor kitchen stainless steel sets. It can resist the wear and tear caused by extreme weather conditions. It will also prevent corrosion.

You can also customize your stainless steel outdoor kitchen. They are available in a variety of dimensions. You can choose to opt for different countertops, sinks and cabinets that go well with the set. 

Granite is a popular material for countertops. It is durable and remains in good condition in extreme temperatures. It can withstand heat while you cook and cold weather too.

It can resist all kinds of stains and is, hence, easier to clean. Granite countertops of mid-range colors are best suited for outdoor kitchens. This is because darker ones tend to get too hot when exposed to the sun.

Stone can give a traditional look to your outdoor kitchen. It is another highly durable material for your outdoor kitchen. Veneer stone is much more affordable as compared to real stone. These are popularly used for making DIY stone pizza ovens.

A grill is the most important outdoor kitchen component. To cook easily, opt for a grill with multiple burners. Depending on your taste, you can buy any of the following grills for your outdoor kitchen:

• Gas grill: Several outdoor kitchen sets come with a built-in gas grill. You may also install one in the space provided. They have a warming rack and rotisserie burner. You can opt for a gas grill fueled by liquid propane. You may also connect it directly to a gas line.
• Pellet grill: Pellet grills are one of the most common grills used in outdoor kitchens. They offer enough space to cook food. They are easier to use compared to other types of grills. Along with roasting and barbecuing, you can also bake in a pellet grill.
• Charcoal grill: Charcoal grills are more affordable and provide a unique taste to your food. These grills are simpler to use and portable due to their lightweight. However, you’ll have to put in extra time to clean them.
• Outdoor pizza oven: Consider buying an outdoor pizza oven for an amazing pizza party. You may select a wood-fired oven for that smoky flavor. However, outdoor gas pizza ovens are easier to work with.
• Flat top grill: It provides you with a flat-top grill cooking surface heated by burners below. You can prepare several foods on it in one go. You can opt for a grill with two or four burners, depending on your use. Flat-top grills are very easy to clean.

You can store all the necessary items for your outdoor kitchens in outdoor kitchen cabinets. These include your utensils, serving plates, gas cylinders and even trash cans.

If you need to store a gas tank for your grill, it's best to go for cabinets with cut-outs for airflow. They ensure that there is no build-up from gas leaks and prevent accidents.

A cabinet with a pull-out trash can will help you maintain a clean outdoor kitchen. Make sure that the cabinets used for storing utensils are waterproof.

While many outdoor kitchen sets already have cabinets, you can install more to increase the storage. Consider cabinets made from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). These can withstand all kinds of weather conditions.

You will need a mini-fridge if you want to keep your beverages cold in the summer. They have enough space for soda cans and water bottles.

For maximum storage, go for a fridge with removal racks. You'll be able to store cans and bottles of all sizes.

Sinks are an outdoor kitchen must-have for washing your hands, utensils and vegetables. In some kitchen sets, you get a pre-fabricated space to install a sink. For such spaces, stainless steel sinks are a practical option.

If you have a limited space, go for a space-saving workstation design. Such outdoor sinks kitchen allow you to cover the sink with a cutting board. This way, you can use the space for other purposes when the sink is not in use.

You can also choose to add a sink cabinet to your outdoor kitchen. It features a sink above and a pull-out trash can within the cabinet. Opt for a faucet that is outdoor-rated so that it’s durable.