Whether you’re just window shopping or wanting to purchase an RTA outdoor kitchen soon… certainly, you’ll want to know how long it takes to make your outdoor kitchen. It’s a big part of your plans!
If you’re reading this in April, for example… you’ll probably want to know if your RTA outdoor kitchen will arrive in time for Memorial Day weekend. Mistiming your project because you didn’t know some key information (like lead times) would be frustrating, indeed!
At RTA Outdoor Living, we’re always keeping a close eye on production times, so we can provide the insight you need. In this article, you will learn how long it takes to make an RTA outdoor kitchen and how seasonality will affect your lead time. By the end, you will gain clarity on how long it takes to produce an RTA outdoor kitchen.
What’s the Total Time it Takes to Make an RTA Outdoor Kitchen?
From start to finish, an RTA outdoor kitchen can be produced and ready to ship within 7-10 business days. Since 99% of our outdoor kitchens are custom and made-to-order, there will be some variance depending on the complexity of your layout.
Below is a broad overview of the production timeline:
- Day 1-2: At this stage, your outdoor kitchen blueprints are sent to the Casting Department. The Casting Department will create your custom layout by inserting appliance cutouts into panel molds to match your specifications. Before the concrete is poured and the layout is “set in stone”, a Quality Control team member will verify the layout matches your blueprints. Once approved, the Casting Department will mix and pour the concrete in your desired color and reinforce the panels with aluminum channel and composite rebar. Your outdoor kitchen panels and countertops will be allowed to cure for 48-72 hours.
- Day 3-4: Your outdoor kitchen panels and countertops will then be removed from the molds, and transported to the Processing Department. Team members in this department will inspect each unit, confirm correct measurements, and trim any excess concrete that may have come from the casting process. Your panels will be subject to another Quality Control check, and if they pass, they will get sealed. Once again, the panels and countertops are inspected for correct coloration and consistency. After approval, your outdoor kitchen components will rest for another 24 hours to allow the seal to set in.
- Day 5-6: Your finished outdoor kitchen panels and countertops will then be transferred to the Crating Department to prepare for packaging. Your order is loaded into custom-made crates to sufficiently protect your panels/countertops during transit. Panels are secured into each crate by hand, and protective material is added between each layer. Before the crates are closed up, a Quality Control team member will ensure all the required components are present, in order, and properly protected.
- Day 7-10: Your crated and completed outdoor kitchen order will make its last stop at the Shipping Department. The Shipping Team reviews the order, ensures all your outdoor kitchen crates are there, and collects the appliances you ordered. A final Quality Control check is performed to ensure all pieces of your order are present and in top condition. Once approved, a Shipping Team member loads everything on a trailer destined for your backyard!
Does the Time Of Year Impact Your Lead Time?
Although it takes 7-10 days for our manufacturing team to produce an RTA outdoor kitchen… that doesn’t mean you can expect shipment a week after your order is placed.
At any given time, there’s a healthy queue of orders in front of yours, which impacts how quickly we can start production of your outdoor kitchen. During our busy season, you can expect lead times to be a lot longer. In general, here are the lead times you can expect to see throughout the year before your order goes into production:
May through October: 4-6 week lead time
November through April: 3-4 week lead time
Interested to See What it Takes to Make an RTA Outdoor Kitchen?
Now that you’ve reached the end of the article, you should have the clarity you need about how long it takes to make an RTA outdoor kitchen.
But perhaps… there’s something you’re still curious about. What if you want to see for yourself how an RTA outdoor kitchen is manufactured?
If that’s the case, you’re in luck! This video tour of our manufacturing facility shows you the ins and outs of what goes into producing an RTA outdoor kitchen… and you’ll get to see all the nitty-gritty details yourself. Check it out, and enjoy!
