Been hankering for an open-air cooking area? Here, a guide to the ingredients it takes to make a five-star space. Incorporate as many as you like—and as your budget will allow — then save the rest for summers to come.
Add a Countertop
Ready to upgrade a basic barbecue? Start by creating a place to slice tomatoes and plate burgers. A peninsula of tumbled cast-concrete blocks and a stone counter turns a freestanding grill into a built-in. DIY a setup for about $350 by stacking blocks on a bed of tamped drainage stone, securing each block with masonry glue. Incorporate blocks of varying sizes and recessed "panels" to make the unit look less monolithic, then top it off with bluestone stair treads for the counter.
Money-saving option:
Forgo a built-in and pull up a small table.
Light It Up
There's nothing worse than fumbling in the dark when it's time to see if the chicken's done. Task lighting takes care of that problem and can range from a basic miner's hat to the graceful gooseneck fixture. Keep in mind that running an electrical line will cost a minimum of around $400 to $600, but it offers the option of outlets for conveniences like a side burner or a blender.
Money-saving option:
An adjustable, battery-operated clip-on lamp.
Install a Sink and Appliances
When an outdoor kitchen is more than a few steps from the house, it may pay to install cold-water and waste lines for a sink, as well as a small fridge for cool drinks. Adding a hot-water line, too, and a dishwasher can make cleanup that much easier. Count on plumbing costs to start around $1,500 (even more if you're adding hot water). Outdoor-rated under the counter fridges start around $1,000, rust-resistant stainless-steel dishwashers at $750.
Money-saving option:
Look for a sink that hooks up to a garden hose and drains into the ground, Chill drinks in a tub elevated on an iron stand.
Too much sun? A pergola may be the answer. Made with treated lumber or PVC, a slatted structure can cost about $40 to $200 per square foot and can be tied into the house framing or secured to freestanding posts. For more protection from sun and rain, add a plexiglass or metal roof.
Money-saving option:
A market umbrella, such as Home Decorator's 11-foot version, which comes with a stand, can provide overhead shelter
Add a Hearth
The ultimate outdoor-kitchen accessory—a fireplace—comes at a price. It can cost from $10,000 for a basic block structure with a stucco finish to $25,000 and more for one made with stone.
Money-saving option:
A portable fire pit
Use Tough Surfaces
Use a granite surface dining table no need to seal it. Stone is made to weather,
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