Outdoor kitchen ideas for alfresco cooking

Best outdoor kitchen ideas for your garden

by Arabella Horspool |
Published on

If you’re looking to make the most out of your garden, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition, particularly if you enjoy hosting, as you'll be able to prepare wonderful meals that will wow all of your guests. Plus, they can be used all year round!

A task like this may seem like a big challenge, but there are many simple and affordable ways you can create something to be proud of. From BBQs and pizza ovens to sinks, outdoor kitchen units and shed bar conversions, there are so many ways you can turn any-sized garden into an outdoor kitchen space that will not only look great but be fully functioning, too.

Editor's Choice:
Best portable outdoor storage: Keter Unity XL Outdoor Table and Cabinet - Buy now from Amazon
Best wood shed bar: Shiplap Pressure Treated Garden Bar - Buy now from Shedstore
Best family BBQ: 6+1 Burner Gas BBQ - Buy now from VonHaus
Best plancha: Argentine Iron Griddle - Buy now from Etsy

It doesn't need to be extravagant either; if you create a budget and a plan of pieces you like, you can easily make the outside cooking area of your dreams. Simply think about what styles, textures an materials you like and it will soon all piece together.

With a plethora of garden kitchen ideas to choose from, it can be overwhelming, so we've whittled it down to some of the very best for you to peruse.

The best outdoor kitchen ideas 2023

Outdoor cooking pieces

Best family BBQ

Outdoor kitchen ideas
Price: £249.99 (was 299.99)

www.vonhaus.com

Every outdoor kitchen needs a BBQ right? You won't be disappointed by the VonHaus burner as it has not one but six grill burners, meaning you can cook multiple meals and dishes at the same time. There's even a storage shelf and a side table where you can chop everything up before you barbeque it.

A reviewer called Martin C. said: "Excellent value for money on a top quality product easy to put together with step by step instructions and it's easy to use. It starts the first time and quickly comes up to cooking temp., plus it's easy to clean so I really can’t fault it... Far better than some that are over twice the price in my opinion."

Pros

  • Clear temperature display
  • Transportable via the wheels

Cons

  • Some say assembly can be time-consuming

Best multi-fuel pizza oven

Available in bone and olive colour options, this gas and wood fired pizza oven is stylish as well as practical. It reaches high temperatures which allow you to cook foods such as steak, kebabs, halloumi and veggies, as well as pizzas. Due to its shape, the heat retention and air ventilation are fantastic.

Our reviewer Oliver Birk said: "The Dome is a fantastic solution for outdoor cooking that perfectly combines convenience for residential use and professional quality. With this oven, you get a fine balance between the primitive feeling that comes with cooking outdoors using wood, and modern-day convenience due to the option of switching to gas cooking. So, despite the slight learning curve of getting a perfect pizza when cooking with wood, the challenge is what makes the oven so great. It’s fun and rewarding to cook outdoors using the Dome."

Read our full Gozney Dome Pizza Oven review here

Pros

  • Low maintenance and easy to clean
  • Safe-touch outer jacket

Cons

  • Cooking floor could be slightly wider

Best plancha

Outdoor kitchen ideas
Price: £149.23 (was 165.81)

www.etsy.com

Unlike regular grills, iron planchas are much more durable and are therefore suitable for outdoor use. You will be able to cook a whole range of dishes, from scallops and steaks, to cheese, fish and vegetables such as asparagus. Once everything's ready, you can chop it up directly on the griddle, which certainly saves on the washing up!

Ben reviewed this and said: "A well crafted piece of equipment that I cannot wait to start using. The care instructions included are a bonus."
Andrew said: "It arrived promptly and is of really great quality. It is ideal for smash burgers, tacos and anything you’d cook on a griddle."

Pros

  • Cover included
  • Durable and handmade with care

Cons

  • Quite low to the ground

Best for outdoor heating

Warm both your food and your garden space with this La Hacienda chimenea. Mad the traditional way from clay, it's great value for money as it comes with a stand and a log grate, as well as a rain lid, so you can stay outside and keep cosy even in harsh conditions.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • May have to top up regularly with wood

Best portable outdoor kitchen

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Not after anything permanent? Check out this Salamanca camping kitchen! It's easy to transport and it has four legs which keep it super sturdy, even on uneven ground. One of our favourite features has to be the windscreen which stops the flame from extinguishing as your cooking.

An impressed reviewer commented: "I bought this kitchen specifically because of the big splash back and it hasn't disappointed. Spaghetti meatballs and not a splat on the tent.... It's super sturdy, well made, very portable (for a kitchen) and the pack down is not half as bad as some camping kitchen set ups. I find the space behind the lid handy for storage boxes, cool bag and the dirty washing pile."

Pros

  • Sink included
  • Space to store gas bottle

Cons

  • Not designed to be a permanent fixture

Best wood shed bar

Become the "hostess with the mostest" when you install this brilliant bar in your garden. Made with interlocking shiplap cladding, it is pretty durable, plus the quarter of a century ant-rot guarantee is something to write home about. We personally love that you can choose where the door goes.

A reviewer said: "The measurements were excellent, true to order. We needed it to fit a specific space and it fitted perfectly. We are really delighted with the modular design and the flexibility of where the pieces can be placed. It is modern, stylish solid and good quality too. We bought it partly for privacy screening and it is perfect for our needs."

Pros

  • Thick frames
  • Never needs retreating

Cons

  • Shed installation is available, but costs more

7.

Xander - XL FridgeBar

Best bar for sheds

If you don't have much space in your home to store alcohol and soft drinks, it's worth investing in this FridgeBar by Xander as it will also keep your beverages cool. There are plenty of fun additions to choose from to suit your needs, including optics and LEDS, plus a sunken ice bucket. How trendy!

Gareth, a reviewer said: "We received our bar last week and it’s instantly transformed our garden cabin. It looks fantastic and is really well built. The customer service we received from Amanda was excellent throughout the ordering and delivery process. If you are looking for a quality bar, you really can’t go wrong by ordering this one - we love it and couldn’t recommend it enough."

Pros

  • Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
  • Can be built either front or backwards facing 

Cons

  • Fridge not included (only an in-built space for it)

The best outdoor kitchen storage

Best portable outdoor storage

Outdoor kitchen ideas

Rrp: $389.99

Price: $247.09
Alternative retailers
Overstock$222.29View offer
Wayfair$253.38View offer
Lowe's$269.33View offer

With a stainless steel surface and lockable storage space, this cabinet will become your go-to place for preparing food and keeping your outdoor cooking items safe. It has plenty of room for all of your herbs and spices, plus it even has built-in bottle opener and kitchen roll holder too.

One reviewer said: "I needed a good prep table for grilling and this is it. Assembly was very easy - in fact I was very impressed with the engineering of this unit. It's pretty hard to mess up on what goes where because it can only go together one way. It's not just a click and fit job, as it's also reinforced in a few critical spots with the supplied bolts and a few screws. It truly is solid as a rock and it looks great, so I highly recommend this prep table! You'll be happy you bought it. Enjoy!"

Pros

  • Adjustable legs
  • 54 gallons of storage space

Cons

  • Lack of colour options

Best outdoor kitchen equipment

Create the ultimate outdoor kitchen space with Draco Grills' fridge and sink combo. You'll be able to keep extra produce and snacks in the generous double fridge and then clean any fruit or veg and your hands without the need to keep going indoors. It's great that the tap can be plumbed into a hot and cold water supply.

One reviewer said: "Perfect in everyway. From ordering the product to the delivery of the goods I was kept informed and upon delivery the driver was extremely helpful and polite. Thank you once again for your service."

Pros

  • Rust-free surface
  • Easy to control through digital thermostat

Cons

  • Not the most stylish of drawers

Best outdoor kitchen accessories

Best garden lighting

When the time comes to complete your outdoor kitchen area, you'll want to add some fairy lights to the trees, bushes or hedges for a lovely finishing touch. We personally love these lights from Core Connect as you can between loads of bulb colours, plus there are clear and green cable options which allow them to blend in with their surroundings.

One reviewer said: "I am so pleased with my new lights. My patio looks like a fun party area now! This is the third set I have bought. They are easy to join up and are good quality. The colour is a lovely warm white and looks very classy."

Pros

  • Bright colours
  • Durable design

Cons

  • Have to buy the CoreConnect plug separately

Best for garden signs

best outdoor kitchen ideas
Price: $12.99

A fun gift for those who love BBQing. It can be hung outside and it has pre-drilled holes which make it much easier to put up. It will be the perfect final addition to their outdoor cooking haven!

A happy reviewer wrote: "Superb addition but please read other reviews regarding requiring additional fixings. This has made an excellent addition to the garden and have used additional fixings to keep product secure during winter months."

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Good size

Cons

  • No varying diameter/size options

How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?

This depends on what items you're purchasing and how much you're willing to spend. To make sure you don't go over your budget, it's important to plan. To save money, try incorporating pieces you already have into the kitchen, or have a go at some DIY and do up some old pieces or recreate some new ones from scratch.

Things to consider when making an outdoor kitchen

Plan - This is the most important aspect to consider when creating an outdoor kitchen. Conduct plenty of research into what products you could buy and take a peek at social media garden makeover accounts and other apps such a Pinterest too see what other people have done. You can make your plan as basic or specific as you'd like, with measurements, drawings and lists.

Budget - Once you have a rough idea of what items you'd like in your new outdoor kitchen, you need to work out how much money you're willing to spend on certain products. Bigger items such as outdoor ovens and patio heaters may cost a lot, but if you buy the right one and look after it well, it should last for a long time.

Size - Don't forget to take measurements of your garden before you go ahead and purchase products! Remember, online (and in this article) there are plenty of large and small outdoor kitchen ideas top suit every-shape and size garden.

Storage - So you don't have to keep traipsing in and out of the house, you may want to invest in some decent garden storage to keep all of your cutlery and utensils safe. It may also be worth investing in an outdoor fridge or freezer to store extra food and drink, or some spice racks too.

Usage - If you're having second thoughts about whether or not you should purchase something like an outdoor oven for example, think about how much you're likely to use it. If you'll fire it regularly, you're bound to get you money's worth.

Material - The type of material you choose will affect it's durability. Depending on what you're buying, there are different options to choose from including stainless steel and wooden options.

Style - To make your outdoor kitchen look super smart, don't forget to match it to your garden furniture, or purchase a new seating area so that you and your guests can sit down and enjoy your meal.

Installation - Some big-dollar pieces may need to be put together or wired into the electric and gas. If you don't think you're up to this, many products come with the option for installation, although this may cost extra. You could also employ someone in the trade to do it for you.

What material should I use for my outdoor kitchen surface?

Outdoor grills should be made out of something durable like stainless steel as it heats up quickly but takes longer to rust or stain. Don't use metal for the non-cooking surfaces as they may become extremely hot or reflect the light which can be dangerous.

Instead, opt for something like cement or a natural material like hardy stone, as it's resilient and shouldn't show up many knife marks or scratches.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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