There’s a good chance that cabinets take up some real estate in your indoor kitchen.
So when planning an outdoor kitchen… Outdoor cabinetry may seem like an obvious choice.
Not only will it provide a solid structure for your grill and appliances… But you’ll also gain valuable outdoor storage space for your go-to BBQ tools.
Sounds like an excellent solution, right?
But there’s just one problem.
Due to a lack of resources on the topic… You probably don’t know the first thing about outdoor kitchen cabinets, let alone how to choose the best ones.
That’s why today, we’re laying out all the important details.
We’ve been in the outdoor kitchen industry for quite some time… And we’ve become very familiar with this solution.
So from what they are… To how they’re made… To the most popular outdoor kitchen cabinet brands… Let’s get the conversation started.
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What Are Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets?
It seems like a silly question to ask… Of course you know what a cabinet is.
But when it comes to outdoor kitchen cabinets… There’s a bit more to the story.
One thing’s clear: a cabinet is a structure built specifically for storage.
And when used in an outdoor kitchen… These storage cabinets double as the framework of your BBQ island.
They can hold a countertop, house your outdoor grill, and support your other appliances.
Essentially, they eliminate the need for a more traditional framing solution… While maximizing kitchen storage space. (You may also see outdoor kitchen cabinets referred to as “modules.”)
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What is the Best Material for Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets?
Moving right along… What are outdoor kitchen cabinets made from?
When you’re planning a new outdoor kitchen design, researching materials is a critical part of the process.
Unlike indoor kitchen cabinets… Outdoor cabinetry will be exposed to the elements day in and day out.
So at the very least, you’ll want weatherproof outdoor kitchen cabinets.
With that in mind… Let’s see how some common outdoor kitchen cabinet materials stack up.
Wood
If you’re thinking of donning your DIY-hat and building outdoor kitchen cabinets from scratch… Wood is probably the material you had in mind.
It’s a popular choice for indoor kitchen cabinets… So why not use it to build outdoor kitchen cabinets, too?
The pros and cons below will shed some more light on outdoor kitchen wood cabinets… And whether or not they’re a good choice.
PROS
- Wood has an undeniably appealing look. Its natural aesthetic and visual versatility will complement practically every outdoor space.
- Wood is by far the easiest material to work with for DIY outdoor kitchen cabinets.
- Wood is moderately inexpensive.
CONS
- Wood outdoor kitchen cabinets have poor weather resistance. Since these aren’t waterproof outdoor kitchen cabinets, you’ll quickly find yourself dealing with cracking, warping, swelling, rotting, or fading (or all of the above).
- If you live in a place like Texas, your outdoor cooking space will become a termite hotspot.
- Wood is high maintenance. It needs to be resealed every few years… And even this extra effort won’t give your cabinets much more durability.
- Wood is a combustible material. Unless you want to invite a safety hazard to your backyard… It’s not the best idea for your grill cabinet.
(IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re dead-set on wood cabinets, invest in insulated jackets for your outdoor kitchen appliances. This will make your grill island safer to use.)
So there you have it. There are some serious drawbacks to outdoor wood kitchen cabinets… And the cons far outweigh the pros.
Whether or not wood is a no-go is ultimately up to you… But personally? We’d strongly advise against it.
Let’s talk about metal cabinets for outdoor kitchens.
Powder-Coated Stainless Steel
Powder-coated stainless steel cabinets are quite common for outdoor use.
These are stainless steel cabinets with a dry powder fused to the surface to provide some extra durability.
304 stainless steel outdoor cabinets are the best option. This grade of steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust.
On the flip side, avoid cabinets constructed with 201 or 430 stainless steel. These don’t have great weather resistance, and are more prone to rust and corrosion.
With that in mind, let’s look at some more potential ups and downs.
PROS
- If you can find high quality 304 stainless steel outdoor kitchen cabinets… This is a great material for outdoor use. It’s corrosion and rust resistant.
- The powder coating adds an extra protective layer.
- Powder-coated finishes come in many different colors… Ranging from wood tones to metallics (and even eye-catching hues like blue and green).
- Powder-coated stainless steel is easy to maintain. You don’t need to reseal anything… And stainless steel cabinets can simply be sprayed down with a hose.
- Metal is non-combustible, making it a safer choice than wood. You won’t need insulated jackets.
CONS
- While it’s difficult to damage the powder coating… It’s not unheard of. If the coating does chip, it can start to peel like an egg shell.
- If your cabinets are a lower grade of stainless steel, rusting can occur where the powder coating has peeled away.
- Powder coating is not easy to repair.
- Although it is generally a durable material… Most powder-coated stainless steel cabinets are made very thin. This can leave them prone to denting.
As you can see, powder-coated stainless steel cabinets aren’t without their faults… But this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a bad choice for your outdoor kitchen.
As long as you can identify 304 stainless steel cabinets…. Everything should be a-okay.
Powder-Coated Aluminum
Powder-coated aluminum outdoor kitchen cabinets are another popular choice.
Unlike stainless steel, aluminum isn’t prone to rust… But it’s still able to corrode.
That said, marine grade aluminum cabinets will have better corrosion-resistance… So this’ll be the best choice.
Aluminum is a lighter alternative to stainless steel… But the powder-coating functions the same way.
We’ll give you a quick refresher.
PROS
- The powder-coating protects the surface from corrosion with a durable, aesthetically appealing layer.
- Powder-coated aluminum cabinets are easy to clean and maintain.
- Aluminum is non-combustible… So it’s safe to place a BBQ grill on aluminum cabinets.
CONS
- If the powder-coating chips, it’s extremely difficult to repair.
- If your coating chips… Your aluminum cabinets can corrode. (That’s why opting for marine-grade aluminum is key!)
Polished Stainless Steel
Polished stainless steel is the last metal outdoor kitchen cabinet material we’ll discuss.
Remember, grade 304 is the supreme choice for outdoor kitchen stainless steel cabinets. Especially with no protective powder-coating… You’re going to need that excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.
Unlike the powder-coated metals we’ve discussed… Polished stainless steel cabinets will be much shinier and slicker looking.
Let’s run through some advantages and disadvantages to see how else it stands apart.
PROS
- Polished stainless steel has a refined look that can match your built-in grill and outdoor appliances.
- 304 stainless steel cabinets will effectively stand up to the elements.
- It’s non-combustible.
CONS
- Polished stainless steel gets hot and reflective in the sunlight. As you can imagine… This can drastically reduce the functionality of your grill station.
- Polished stainless steel needs to be cleaned and maintained more regularly than the previous choices.
All in all… This material is better suited to your outdoor cooking appliances than it is for your cabinets.
It’s also a superb choice for outdoor cabinet handles and hardware… But it’s up to you to decide if it’s the best material for the cabinets themselves.
HDPE
Though they’re certainly popular, metal outdoor kitchen cabinets aren’t the only option out there.
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is another weather resistant outdoor kitchen cabinet material. It’s impervious to rust, corrosion, rotting, and other environmental damages.
This tough, synthetic resin can be found in all kinds of things… From outdoor furniture, to boat decks, to your outdoor kitchen cabinets.
PROS
- HDPE is known for its strength-to-density ratio… Which makes it a great choice for outdoor kitchens. It’s highly durable.
- HDPE is resistant to most chemicals and solvents… So it won’t absorb oils or grease from your cooking.
- HDPE comes in a variety of colors and unique finish styles.
- Best of all… HDPE outdoor kitchen cabinets are super easy to maintain. Because it’s a waterproof material, just grab a hose or power washer and go to town.
CONS
- HDPE is more susceptible to high heats. Like wood, HDPE cabinets will require an insulated jacket for your grill insert.
- Another downside is that the sun may cause color fading over the years. To prevent this, you’ll have to look for outdoor kitchen cabinets with UV inhibitors.
PVC
We’ll wrap up with polyvinyl chloride/PVC cabinetry.
Though not as commonplace as the others… You may still stumble upon this outdoor kitchen cabinet material.
Often, PVC is used as a decorative laminate over a light-weight resin foam backing.
In many ways, HDPE and PVC are quite similar.
So, let’s see how PVC compares.
PROS
- PVC won’t rust or corrode when left outdoors.
- PVC is easy to keep clean. All you need is a hose or pressure washer.
- PVC comes in many attractive finishes… As well as a wide variety of colors. We’ve even seen PVC cabinets that mimic the look of real wood.
CONS
- Unfortunately, PVC is a weaker material than HDPE. It’s a durable vinyl polymer… But it’s more prone to fade and warp with exposure to heat/sunlight.
- Like HDPE… PVC outdoor kitchen cabinets need to be used with insulated grill jackets.
- PVC laminate cabinets can expand and contract in seasonal climates… Which can lead to issues with delamination. In other words, the PVC laminate can start to fall off.
As with all of the other materials… PVC has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and only you can decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
But now that you have an idea of what materials are out there… Are you ready to review some brands?
Top 5 Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Brands
There’s no shortage of outdoor kitchen cabinet brands out there.
It’s enough to make your head spin!
To cut through some of that noise for you, we’ll be focusing only on the most popular names.
In other words — The outdoor kitchen cabinets that are most likely to crop up in your search.
Here’s what we’ll be covering:
- Danver
- NatureKast
- New Age
- Thor
- Urban Bonfire
1. Danver
Key Specs
Cabinet Material: 304 or 316 Stainless Steel with Optional Powder-Coating
Customizable: Yes
Appliances Included: Yes
Countertops Included: No
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: Approximately $13,000.00 – $19,000.00
Danver was one of the first companies to start selling high quality modular outdoor kitchen cabinetry.
To this day… They remain one of the most popular.
Since their grand opening in the ‘90s… Danver has continued to design their outdoor grill station cabinets right here in the USA.
Danver is also the brains behind Brown Jordan and Trex outdoor kitchen cabinets. If either of these brands pop up in your search… Know that you’re actually dealing with Danver cabinetry.
Each Danver outdoor kitchen cabinet is built-to-order to meet your specifications, giving you some creative wiggle room.
Available Cabinets
- Base Cabinets with Drawers or Doors
- Kitchen Sink Cabinet
- Trash Cabinet
- Outdoor Grill Cabinet
- Pizza Oven Cabinet
- Power Burner Cabinet
- Kamado Charcoal Grill Cabinet
- Bartender Station Cabinet
- Warming Drawer Cabinet
- Wall and Tall Cabinet
- Corner Cabinet
They offer countless finishes, colors, cabinet styles, and sizes… All of which are meticulously built to endure the elements.
Danver also supplies appliances from a few well-known brands for a “one-stop-shopping” experience. These include Al Fresco, Coyote, Lynx, Evo, and Big Green Egg.
Despite this, Danver isn’t really a one-stop-shop. They don’t supply countertops… So you’ll be left to make or source your own.
Aside from this snag… Danver is a solid outdoor kitchen cabinet brand with a seriously impressive lineup.
2. NatureKast
Key Specs
Cabinet Material: HDPE, PVC, Polyurethane Resin, or High-Pressure Laminate
Customizable: Yes
Appliances Included: No
Countertops Included: No
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Price: Approximately $15,000+
Though newer to the outdoor cabinetry scene than Danver… NatureKast is another big-name in the industry.
Like Danver, NatureKast constructs their custom outdoor kitchen cabinets to order… Which grants you a bit more creative leeway to bring your unique vision to life.
NatureKast cabinets are made with a handful of different synthetic materials… Including HDPE and PVC.
If you want more specifics on the different materials… We go into further detail in our full NatureKast review.
Available Cabinets
- Base Cabinets with Drawers or Doors
- Trash Cabinet
- Corner Units
- Outdoor Kitchen Wall Cabinets
- Tall Cabinets
- Outdoor Grill Cabinet
- Side Burner Cabinet
- Kamado Charcoal Grill Cabinet
- Flat Top Grill Cabinet
- Kitchen Sink Cabinet
- Home Bar Cabinet
In any case, NatureKast cabinets are available in a variety of door styles and colors. Whether your outdoor living space is rustic or modern… Naturekast has an option for you.
As for appliances, NatureKast says that their cabinets are fully adaptable. They can make accommodations to fit any brand.
But you will have to source all appliances yourself.
Countertops are also not included… So that’ll be in your hands, too.
It’s also worth noting that NatureKast outdoor cabinets aren’t quite as DIY-friendly as the other options we’ll discuss.
You can’t simply order off-the-shelf and assemble yourself… You need to find and work with a verified NatureKast dealer throughout the entire process; from initial purchase through installation.
If that’s not a dealbreaker for you… NatureKast outdoor kitchen cabinets may be a superb choice.
3. New Age
Key Specs
Cabinet Material: 304 Stainless Steel or Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Customizable: No
Appliances Included: Yes
Countertops Included: No
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Price: $719.00 to $1,539.00 per Cabinet
New Age sells all kinds of prefabricated outdoor kitchen cabinets and more.
You can purchase individual modules to complete your outdoor kitchen, or select from their pre-designed outdoor patio kitchen cabinet bundles.
For the most part, these sets feature faux wood, aluminum, or stainless steel doors. New Age also has a handful of cabinet sets finished in stacked stone.
Unlike Danver and NatureKast, New Age actually manufactures their own line of outdoor kitchen grills and appliances.
Available Cabinets
- Base Cabinets with Doors or Drawer
- Outdoor Grill Cabinet
- Side Burner Cabinet
- Pizza Oven Cabinet
- Fridge Cabinet
- Kamado Charcoal Grill Cabinet
- Wall Cabinet
- Kitchen Sink Cabinet
- Corner Cabinet
While their gas grills and other accessories come standard with the Signature cabinet series… You’ll have to buy their appliances separately if you opt for the Classic modules.
The same is true for New Age countertops. Their Signature Series cabinet sets come with stainless steel countertops… But countertops are not included with the Classic Series cabinets.
From finish options to customizability… New Age may not bring as much to the table as the other brands we’ve discussed. That said, New Age cabinets may appeal to those after a simple, no-frills outdoor kitchen island solution.
4. Thor
Key Specs
Cabinet Material: 304 Stainless Steel
Customizable: No
Appliances Included: Yes
Countertops Included: Yes
Warranty: Two Years
Price: Approximately $7,000.00 for the Full Suite
Thor may be better known for their indoor kitchen appliances… But they recently added prefab outdoor kitchen cabinets to their product lineup.
Currently, Thor supplies just one outdoor kitchen suite in a simple stainless steel finish.
This can be purchased as one complete set… Or you can mix and match their five freestanding outdoor kitchen cabinets as you see fit.
Available Cabinets
- Outdoor Grill Cabinet
- Pizza Oven Cabinet
- Kitchen Sink Cabinet
- Fridge Cabinet
- Corner Cabinet
Thor’s outdoor BBQ cabinets are undeniably the most functional straight out of the box. Each module comes equipped with Thor’s own outdoor kitchen appliances and stainless steel countertops.
While this does make for limited customization… It also means that Thor’s outdoor kitchen cabinets kit is extremely simple to order, set up, and start cooking.
If you don’t mind the look of full-stainless outdoor kitchen cabinets… Thor’s solution is by far the quickest.
But while it’s a good way to dip your toes into the outdoor cooking lifestyle… Just know that the Thor outdoor modular kitchen cabinets aren’t intended to last you a lifetime.
5. Urban Bonfire
Key Specs
Cabinet Material: Powder-Coated Marine Grade Aluminum
Customizable: Yes
Appliances Included: No
Countertops Included: Yes
Warranty: 10 Year Limited
Price: Approximately $20,000.00 to $25,000.00
Lastly, let’s take a look at Urban Bonfire’s modular outdoor kitchen cabinets.
If one of Urban Bonfire’s 50 pre-configured layouts doesn’t appeal… They also offer a custom option which’ll allow you to mix and match modules.
Like many other brands… The grill and appliances are sold separately. The brands compatible with Urban Bonfire’s pre-designed cabinet sets include luxury names like Hestan, DCS, and Lynx.
Available Cabinets
- Base Cabinets with Doors or Drawers
- Refrigerator Cabinet
- Outdoor Grill Cabinets
- Kitchen Sink Cabinet
- Kamado Charcoal Grill Cabinet
With a custom design, you can factor in more budget-friendly appliances from brands like Weber, Coyote, Bull, or Blaze, to name a few.
This company also gives you the option to choose one of their countertops or source your own.
If you do go for an Urban Bonfire counter… They supply Dekton countertops. (Dekton is a durable material composed of compressed quartz, porcelain, and glass.)
As for the aesthetic, Urban Bonfire’s powder-coated modern outdoor kitchen cabinets come in a variety of neutral, grayscale shades. They’ll look absolutely striking in a contemporary backyard space.
Before we wrap things up, we must say that Urban Bonfire’s warranty doesn’t do much to impress compared to other similarly priced options. Though not a dealbreaker, this is worth taking note of.
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The Overall Best Outdoor Kitchen Cabinet Kits
It’s clear that outdoor BBQ kitchen cabinets have a lot of benefits.
There’s a wide variety of types, configurations, and materials… And they’re often a simple solution to round out your outdoor living space.
So after seeing some of the top brands… You’re probably curious which one is the best.
We won’t beat around the bush… There is no overall “best” choice.
The best outdoor kitchen cabinets to you boils down to your personal preferences, budget, and outdoor cooking needs.
The five brands we discussed all have their own pros and cons. Considering things like customization options, longevity, and aesthetic should help lead you to your final decision.
But what if none of the outdoor cabinet brands look appealing to you?
Whether you’re not into the aesthetic…
If you want even more room for customization…
Or even if you just aren’t 100% sold on using plastic or metal for your outdoor kitchen…
Don’t worry. There’s another outdoor kitchen option that may appeal.
An Alternative Approach to Cabinets
If outdoor kitchen cabinets aren’t doing it for you…
Try RTA Outdoor Living!
Our high-performance composite concrete outdoor kitchen panels are the perfect mix of beautiful, functional, and durable. (Plus, they’re backed by a lifetime warranty.)
Unlike many outdoor kitchen cabinet brands… We’re truly a one-stop-shop.
Your high quality Coyote appliances, countertop, hardware, and storage are all included in the box… So you’re never left to source anything on your own.
For those who value speed and convenience… We offer a wide array of pre-designed Quick Ship kitchen kits…
Or, you can easily piece together a fully custom configuration through our free design tool.
With RTA… You can select your own layout, finish, appliances, size, and accessories.
And as with cabinets… There are plenty of storage options. Pull-out spice racks, dry pantries, access doors, drawers, and so much more are at your disposal.
Whether you’re after a traditional look or more of a modern outdoor kitchen… We have a whole team of experts ready to help you design your dream outdoor living space.
So what are you waiting for?
Schedule a design consultation to see what’s possible… Or check out the Quick Ship kitchen kits we have in stock.
We look forward to talking!
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FAQ
Popular outdoor kitchen cabinet options include HDPE, powder-coated stainless steel, powder-coated aluminum, and polished stainless steel.
The only material we’d outright advise against using is wood. This will rot, swell, warp, crack, and fade when left in the open air. Not to mention, it’s combustible… Which means it’s far from the best choice to pair with a piping hot gas grill.
Yes, there are cabinets specifically designed to be used outside! We would recommend making sure that any cabinets you use are actually rated for outdoor use… As they will constantly be exposed to the elements.
Outdoor kitchen cabinets can be made with a variety of materials. A good choice is HDPE (high-density polyethylene) for its durability and versatile aesthetics.
