When planning an outdoor kitchen project, of course you’ll want the end product to be as functional as possible.
The outdoor kitchen appliances you choose are a primary player here… As is how well they suit you and your families’ tastes.
But if you’ve never ventured beyond cooking in your indoor kitchen… We know how overwhelming selecting the right outdoor kitchen appliances can seem.
That’s why today, we’re here to show you how to identify high caliber outdoor appliances that flawlessly fit your al fresco kitchen ideas.
(Spoiler alert, there’s a wide selection beyond just built-in gas grills!)
With years of experience designing outdoor kitchens under our belt (and a partnership with esteemed appliance brand Coyote, besides)… We consider ourselves experts on the topic of outdoor kitchen appliances.
So allow this article to act as your personal reference guide when deciding which components deserve real estate in your outdoor grill island.
Ready to start cooking?
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What Appliances Should You Include In Your Outdoor Kitchen? Top 7 Options
We know why you’re here… So we won’t tiptoe around the point.
Buckle up, and let’s take a closer look at all of the different outdoor kitchen appliance options.
1. Built-In Grill
A built-in grill is for: Anyone with an outdoor kitchen.
Grills are the most well-known and loved outdoor cooking appliances… And built-in grills make it possible to include that tried and true cooking power right within your outdoor kitchen.
Because it’ll be the centerpiece of your summer kitchen, the type of built-in grill you choose may very well be the toughest decision you have to make.
There are seemingly limitless options for built-in grills… Varying in size, style, quality, fuel type, cooking power, and flashy add-ons.
On one hand, such a huge variety of options pretty much guarantees that there’s a built-in grill for you out there…
But it also means that narrowing it down to the perfect built-in grill may be quite the tricky task.
So, allow us to help you clear the air.
Selecting The Right Grill Size
30" Coyote SL-Series
42" Coyote SL-Series
When it comes to grills, size matters.
How do you make sure the grill you choose will easily accommodate your outdoor cooking needs?
Thankfully, it’s not as tough as you’d imagine. Our Design Experts always recommend about 100 square inches of grilling area per person.
So, think about how many friends and family you’ll be serving food to time and time again.
If you host a neighborhood-wide cookout once (or twice) every single week, a larger 600 – 1,000 square inch grill is most certainly in order.
But if your circle is small… Conserve some counter space on your grill island with a compact 200 – 500 square inch grill.
When in doubt, size up. It’s always better to have too much room than not enough.
What Type Of BBQ Grill Should You Go For?
Once you’ve established how spacious your grill should be… It’s time to decide what type of grill you’ll be cooking with.
In this day and age… Your options go far beyond just natural gas, propane, or charcoal grills.
You’ve got high-tech pellet grills… Kamado grills… And flat top griddles to sift through, as well.
Our team here at RTA is made up of a mixed bag of gas, charcoal, pellet, kamado, and flat top grill owners… All of whom would tell you that their go-to built-in grill is the overall best choice.
But how do you decide what type of grill works for you?
In part, the fuel type you choose comes down to your budget…
Not to mention, the amount of effort you’re willing to expend either running utility lines, refilling propane tanks, or hauling around bags of pellets or charcoal.
But most importantly, the grill you select should directly speak to your personal cooking style and flavor preferences for your bbq food.
To better wrap your mind around the different types of grills… Take a peek at the chart below.
(Note: This is intended to provide a rough overview of each type of built-in grill, and is based on general averages and popular opinions. This is by no means an exact science, and the categories are subject to change on a brand-by-brand basis.)
All in all, when selecting a built-in grill for your outdoor kitchen… Trust your gut, and select the option (or options, we won’t judge!) that most closely aligns with YOUR ideal cooking style.
And don’t forget… If a built-in grill alone doesn’t tick off all your boxes, you can always upgrade with fancy grill gadgets. (Rotisserie systems, sear burners, smoker boxes, and infrared heat panels come to mind.)
Or, you can up the ante in your outdoor living space with other types of built-in outdoor kitchen appliances.
2. Outdoor Kitchen Burner
An outdoor kitchen burner is for: Creative home cooks who are after extra functionality and increased cooking versatility.
Along with a built-in grill… Outdoor kitchen burners are another must-have for many backyard BBQ fanatics.
Including a built-in burner in your grill station is a superb way to upgrade your experience.
They add working space… Make multitasking multiple food dishes possible… And most importantly, enhance versatility.
Simmering sauces, boiling water, sauteing veggies, and even stir-frying become possible with an outdoor kitchen burner.
But as with built-in grills, you need to decide which type of burner belongs in your outdoor living space.
What Type Of Burner Is Right?
There are only two main outdoor kitchen burner options… Both of which are natural gas or propane powered.
Side burners are essentially the outdoor equivalent of your indoor stovetop.
They may not put out a ton of heat… But they’re still handy for making sauces, reductions, boiling pasta, or sauteing.
Power burners are your other option. These are like an outdoor kitchen side burner, but dialed up to eleven.
These larger built-in burners provide all the same benefits as an outdoor side burner, but with plenty more power.
You can do large stockpot boils and deep fries…
And many models also support wok or teppanyaki attachments to take your outdoor food cooking escapades even further.
All in all, side burners are better suited for:
- Those who think simple cooking is better cooking.
- People who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on another accessory.
Power burners are perfect for:
- Home chefs who are always trying to cook a cut above.
- Hosts who need more cooking power to feed more guests.
3. Pizza Oven
An outdoor pizza oven is for: Homeowners who love to host… And leave their friends and family coming back for more authentic, charred, cheesy pies.
In recent years, pizza ovens have become quite the hot commodity in the outdoor living scene.
You can probably guess why. We all love sinking our teeth into cheesy dough… And an outdoor pizza oven gives you around-the-clock access to fresh pies.
As with built-in grills, the type of pizza oven you end up choosing mainly has to do with:
- Your budget: High quality pizza ovens tend to cost a pretty penny, but will have superior insulation, hotter temperature outputs, and better cooking efficiency. Larger pizza ovens will also be more expensive, but will allow you to cook more.
- Your cooking style: Again, pizza oven size comes into play here. A larger oven will enhance versatility, allowing you to bake casseroles and breads, roast meats, and do more than simply sear pizzas. If you’re cool with cooking just pizzas, a smaller oven will suffice.
- Level of convenience: Generally, outdoor pizza ovens are available in three main fuel types — propane, natural gas, and wood-fired. Though not as authentic as wood-fired pizza ovens, gas-powered models are much quicker and easier to use (but you will have to run gas lines or refill propane tanks).
- Your taste preferences: Fuel source also influences flavor output. Wood-fired pizza ovens will have a much richer, more distinctive profile… While gas pizza ovens don’t bring as much tang to the table.
Again, listen to your heart (and your stomach) when buying an outdoor pizza oven… And chances are, you won’t be disappointed.
4. Outdoor Refrigeration
Outdoor refrigeration is for: Anyone who wants a full-on bar, chilled beverage center, or cold ingredients within an arm’s reach in their outdoor kitchen.
With plenty of cooking power… What else could you possibly need in your outdoor kitchen area?
Well, picture your indoor kitchen. You may spend most of your time at the oven and range…
But your refrigerator is also a key player.
So, why should your outdoor cooking space be any different?
Including an undercounter refrigerator in your grill island will give you easy access to cold ingredients, condiments, and chilled beverages.
And if you’re after something more specific… Different fridge types are available for different needs.
You’ve got kegerators to store and dispense ice cold brews…
Wine coolers for, well, wine storage…
Outdoor fridge & freezer combos…
And for those who’d prefer a more analog refrigeration option, drop-in coolers are another worthy contender.
But when deciding on any type of fridge, there’s a big question that must be answered…
Is It Rated For The Outdoors?
This may not seem like a big deal, but trust us… If the refrigerator you choose isn’t outdoor rated, it simply won’t cut it.
Indoor refrigerator insulation, compressors, vents, and wiring are not designed to deal with radical temperature changes or extreme outdoor weather conditions.
If used outside, these probably won’t make it through even one grilling season. That’s a lot of money lost for very little payoff.
Outdoor refrigerators, however, are designed with heavy duty insulation, compressors to tackle temperature fluctuation, and weather-resistant wiring.
So if you’d fancy an outdoor fridge… Make sure it’s ETL, UL, or CSA certified before you buy. These certifications are given to products that have passed a series of rigorous tests, including outdoor performance, leak testing, and safety trials.
5. Outdoor Sink & Faucet
An outdoor sink & faucet is for: Home bartenders… And cooks who like to keep their kitchen & cookware clean as a whistle.
As much as we may hope for one… Self-cleaning kitchens aren’t a real thing (at least not yet).
But with an outdoor kitchen sink and faucet… Cleaning up doesn’t have to be such a treacherous task.
With the right sink in your summer kitchen… Keeping hands and cookware clean is simple.
But, cleanup isn’t the only thing an outdoor sink is good for…
If you’d rather worry about mixing drinks at your outdoor bar than doing the dishes… There are many outdoor sink options that double as refreshment centers.
In addition to a small sink basin and faucet, these will feature integrated drop-in coolers or cutting boards for efficient drink-making.
But no matter which type of outdoor sink you opt for… Be prepared to install plumbing.
If you plan ahead… This isn’t as tricky as it may seem.
And for a little extra effort up front, the long term payoff is more than worth it.
6. Outdoor Kitchen Storage
Outdoor kitchen storage is for: Hosts who want to simplify outdoor entertaining and keep their go-to grill gadgets close by.
Storage products are often an overlooked outdoor kitchen appliance… Despite being equally important to every other component on this list.
Think about it for a moment. It simply makes sense to store all of your utensils and grilling supplies in one place.
So, let’s break down your outdoor kitchen storage options a little further.
Perhaps you want to keep spices, paper plates, napkins, and other hosting supplies and accessories at your outside kitchen. This is where dry storage products come in. (Look for options with sealed gaskets to lock out moisture!)
And what about utensils? Surely, you’ll want to keep those handy. For these, we suggest adding a combo drawer and access door beneath your grill.
This convenient outdoor kitchen cabinet setup allows you to store your utensils… While giving you easy access to the inner workings of your island.
At the very least, access doors are essential for you to perform maintenance and repairs in your outdoor kitchen if need be.
But if you truly want to go all out with storage products… You can factor the following cabinetry options into your outdoor kitchen layout.
Pull-out trash/recycling to keep your kitchen clean (& deter pests).
Warming drawers so your carefully-cooked cuisine doesn’t go cold.
Spice racks to hold row upon row of your favorite spice blends.
Paper towel storage (this one’s pretty self explanatory).
7. Vent Hood
An outdoor vent hood is for: Individuals who are planning to build their outdoor kitchen below or beside combustible materials.
Outdoor kitchen vent hoods aren’t a must-have appliance for every BBQ kitchen…
But if you’re building an outdoor kitchen under cover or in a semi-closed-off area, they’re worth some serious consideration.
If your other outdoor cooking appliances are in close proximity to combustible structures (like the side of your house) or overhead roof structures (such as a pergola or pavilion)… A vent hood can filter away smoke and keep your space feeling safe.
Depending on your setup, vent hoods can be suspended from a roof structure or directly attached to the side of your home… And are all in all a small price to pay for your family’s continued safety.
And with that, our list of outdoor kitchen appliances comes to a close!
give your appliances a dream home
Outdoor Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide
So you’ve seen all the different outside kitchen appliance options… But you’re not in the home stretch, yet.
Before you cherry pick appliances for your outdoor kitchen design… There are a few more key points for us to cover.
Consider Your Outdoor Kitchen Needs
Before we get to the brass tacks of this buyer’s guide segment… Let’s take a minute to reflect.
We just ran through a lot of different appliance options.
If your head is still spinning, we can’t say we’re surprised!
Though the option is certainly there, you shouldn’t feel obligated to squeeze every single outdoor kitchen appliance we listed into your grill island.
There’s a fair chance that you don’t actually need all that cooking power…
And why dish out dough on appliances you’re not dying to have?
As pro golfer James Ross said, “stay true to yourself and listen to your inner voice. It will lead you to your dream.”
So with that sentiment in mind, ask yourself:
- What are you planning to cook most often?
- How many people are you going to cook for?
- How spacious will your outdoor grill island be, and how much of that real estate are you willing to spare?
- What’s the intended purpose of your outdoor kitchen?
Mulling over these questions should make it easier to narrow down your selection… And lead you right to your ideal outdoor appliance spread.
Keep Material Quality Top Of Mind
You may have heard the quote “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
Well, the same idea holds true when talking about outdoor kitchen appliances.
Just as you’d don a raincoat on a stormy day… Outdoor appliances need to be properly outfitted to tackle all that mother nature throws their way.
Without quality materials… Your treasured appliances will take on rust or corrosion within just one grilling season.
And the secret ingredient to ensure that doesn’t happen… Is none other than 304 stainless steel.
We’ve harped on about why this is in countless other articles… Because it’s the truth!
Appliances made with lower quality steel, such as grades 430 or 201, aren’t designed to withstand the outdoors. Over time, they will tarnish, rust, and corrode.
On the other hand, 304 stainless steel appliances are well-suited to withstand the elements. They will stay shiny and rust-free, year after year. It’s a beautiful thing!
Look For A Lifetime Warranty
On top of quality materials… We’d strongly suggest identifying outdoor appliances backed by a lifetime warranty.
An outdoor kitchen done right should be built to last for a lifetime… So the best outdoor kitchen appliances will follow suit.
If the appliances you select don’t boast a lifetime of coverage… Here’s what you’re in for.
- The appliance will eventually malfunction.
- You’ll have to replace it on your dime.
And that’s not all.
If the manufacturer no longer makes that specific model anymore… You’re then left to alter your island or deal with unsightly gaps.
All in all, consider longevity when investing in outdoor kitchen appliances… And any future hassles like this will fall to the wayside.
What Brand Should You Buy?
Finally… Where are you actually going to get all of these outdoor kitchen appliances?
Well, remember that you’re after 304 stainless steel appliances with a lifetime warranty. This alone will quickly drop a lot of brands out of the running.
Appliances built with lower caliber materials and backed by lackluster warranties are what we’d refer to as “economy” options… And though these may be the easiest to find at your local box stores, we wouldn’t suggest building them into an outdoor kitchen for the reasons above.
The brands that are left, then, will fall into two categories: premium or luxury.
Generally, you can expect a lifetime warranty and 304 stainless steel construction from premium appliance manufacturers… Which can be purchased online or at speciality shops.
The same goes for luxury… Though these high-end appliances will also bring on fancier features, flashier add-ons, accessories, and more eye-catching designs (albeit for a bigger buck).
If you have the finances to do so, splurging on luxury appliances will rarely lead you astray.
But for the average homeowner, premium appliances are the more practical pick.
Luxury outdoor kitchen appliance brands include:
Wolf
Alfresco
Premium outdoor kitchen appliance brands include:
Fire Magic
But before you settle on a brand, we just have one final tip…
Find A Knowledgeable Source For Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
When choosing which outdoor kitchen appliance brand to work with… It’s important to find a source that’s knowledgeable on both outdoor kitchen appliances AND construction of your outdoor grill island.
It’s quite common to find an expert in one category or the other… But rarely both.
You can’t have a good outdoor kitchen design without a firm understanding of appliances and why you chose them… And the right manufacturer will be able to seamlessly set you straight.
So with that said, who do we recommend?
A First-Rate Outdoor Kitchen & Appliance Recommendation
For a one-stop-shop outdoor kitchen and appliance solution… Look no further than RTA Outdoor Living and Coyote.
Why?
First, Coyote offers a complete line of outdoor appliances to fit your needs.
They’ve got a full suite of built-in grills… Outdoor kitchen burners… Fantastic outdoor refrigeration options… Grill exhaust hoods… All the storage you could ever need…
And we’re just scratching the surface.
Now, Coyote doesn’t only offer a complete line of outdoor kitchen appliances…
Their premium grade selections are incredibly cost-effective, as well. Consider it affordable luxury.
What’s more… Coyote stands behind their 304 stainless steel outdoor appliances with a lifetime warranty, so they’ll last as long as even the toughest grill islands.
And that’s where we come in.
At RTA Outdoor Living, we’ve partnered with Coyote as the exclusive provider of our outdoor kitchen appliances… Allowing for a completely seamless project from start to finish.
It begins with our free online design tool, where you can select your ideal layout and desired appliances in under five minutes…
Then, you’ll be paired up with a Design Expert to talk through the details…
And once your custom outdoor kitchen kit is crafted and crated… Your island, countertops, and appliances will be shipped straight to your door.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Coyote and RTA, consider our website your personal learning center.
And if you have more specific questions about your outdoor kitchen project, we’d love to speak with you!
still not sure?
FAQ
Every good outdoor kitchen needs a built-in grill… But as for the other appliances you include? That’s totally up to you!
Options include outdoor kitchen burners, pizza ovens, sinks, refrigerators, vent hoods, and more.
Including a variety of outdoor kitchen appliances in your design is the best way to give your al fresco cooking setup all the functionality of your indoor kitchen. (And then some.)
