Honest Review: Are RTA Outdoor Kitchens Worth It?

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Hey, I’m Cameron Coffee, designer here with RTA Outdoor Living. And today we’re going to give an honest, no fluff review of RTA outdoor kitchens. What they do really well, where they might not be the right fit, and who should actually consider buying one. One of the biggest

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advantages of RTA outdoor kitchens is the durability. These kitchens are built using structural concrete panels that are designed to hold up in pretty much any climate. Whether you’re dealing with extreme heat, freeze and thaw cycles,

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or coastal humidity, unlike systems that rely on metal framing, or cement board, this approach avoids a lot of long-term issues like rust, warping, or moisture breakdown. Another major pro is how

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simple the installation process is compared to traditional masonry builds. RTA kitchens are panelized and prefinished, which means they arrive ready to assemble and typically go together with standard tools, often in just a single day. For homeowners or

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contractors, that can save a lot of time, labor, and unpredictability compared to building from scratch on site. A third benefit is design flexibility combined with guidance. You can create layouts like straight runs, L-shapes, or U-shapes, and there’s a

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guided design process to help you get it right. That’s important because a lot of outdoor kitchen mistakes happen in spacing, appliance placement, or workflow. And having expert input helps avoid that. Now, let’s talk about the cons because no product is perfect.

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First, this isn’t the cheapest option on the market. If you’re comparing it to big box prefab kits or DIY builds, RTA will typically be a higher upfront investment. The trade-off is durability, materials, and long-term performance,

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but it’s important to know that going in. Second, while installation is simpler than masonry, it’s still a project. You’ll need a proper foundation, you’ll need to follow layout plans, and depending on your setup, you may still want to have a contractor

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involved, especially for gas, electrical, or plumbing. So, it’s not exactly plug-andplay. Third, RTA is best for people who want a long-term built-in outdoor kitchen, not something temporary or ultra lowbudget. If you’re just

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testing the idea of an outdoor kitchen, or you want something that you can easily move or replace in just a few years, this probably isn’t the right fit. So, who is RTA a great fit for? It’s ideal for homeowners who want a durable, permanent outdoor kitchen, who

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care about design and longevity, and who want a more predictable build process without the complexity of full custom masonry. And who is it not for? If your priority is the lowest upfront cost or a quick temporary setup, there are better options out there. If you want to see

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what your outdoor kitchen could actually look like, try our free outdoor kitchen design tool or book a call with one of our design experts.