Outdoor kitchen building: 3 Best Methods You Should Know

How to Build a DIY Outdoor Kitchen: An Overview

By

Lee Wallender

Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

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Updated on 06/21/22

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Project Overview

If you enjoy outdoor living, building an outdoor kitchen can be one of the best home improvements you can tackle. Having your food preparation dining spaces outdoors where you are entertaining or hanging out with your family is much more convenient than preparing food indoors and transporting it outdoors. With a full-featured outdoor kitchen, the chef can enjoy the company of others while preparing food, and dishes can be served immediately off the grill while they are still warm and delicious. And that’s not to mention the delicious smells that outdoor cooking brings to the landscape.

But if you tackle this project, go into it with your eyes open. A full-featured outdoor kitchen is a major project that will test your budget, your DIY skills, and your schedule.

What Is an Outdoor Kitchen?

A simple patio- or deck-based grilling area earns the right to be called an outdoor kitchen once it includes least some of the amenities of a basic indoor kitchen, especially cooking appliances, storage cabinets, and dedicated eating area. A true outdoor kitchen will usually be served by utilities, such as electricity or gas lines, and more elaborate outdoor kitchens will likely have sinks and running water. When compared to simple grilling areas, outdoor kitchens will be constructed with some degree of permanence, usually with appliances and storage features built-in.

What to Consider Before Building an Outdoor Kitchen

Budget, the layout of the yard, and your preferred style of outdoor activity will dictate what kind of outdoor kitchen you build. Frequent entertaining and large budgets may translate to full-scale outdoor kitchens, with an outdoor sink, countertops, stove and oven, refrigerator, a shelter for the area, and a built-in barbecue grill. If you throw just the occasional party or barbecue, it is more economical to retain some key items—cabinets, counter, and a cooking area—while putting the pricey, elaborate items on pause, at least for now.

You can expect to take two to three weeks to build your outdoor kitchen, and it’s important to keep in mind that if you really plan on doing all the work, this is a project that should be undertaken only by expert DIYers. And even the most skilled DIYers often need contractors for selected portions of the project, such as running plumbing, gas, and electrical service. In terms of cost, you can expect to pay between at least $3,000 on materials if you are building a very basic outdoor kitchen, and $10,000 or more for a full-featured outdoor kitchen with a full array of appliances.

Where do you intend to build the outdoor kitchen? Logistically, it makes sense to locate the kitchen relatively close to the house, especially if you are running electrical, water, and gas lines. The area should be dry, level, and stable. If the sun is a problem, look for leafy trees that can block the sun. If you want more sun, plan accordingly.

Are there any intervening yard elements such as pools, hot tubs, flower beds, fences, or buried lines? Septic tanks, whether active or filled, may pose a problem for burying utility lines. Check the home title for easements that might restrict how and where you can build.

Unlike indoor kitchens, which follow strict layout guidelines, outdoor kitchens afford you more freedom for planning. But there are some common sense rules. Situate critical services such as the sink, stove, oven, and barbecue grill on the side closest to the house. In most cases, you will be running gas, water, and electrical lines off of the side or rear of the house. And be aware that outdoor kitchens are still subject to building codes and other regulations.

Codes and Regulations

Be sure to speak to your local permitting department about building codes and any related permits. Running electrical and gas lines to the outdoor kitchen will usually trigger the permitting process. Any structure intended to cover the outdoor kitchen may also require permitting if it meets certain conditions—such as if they are anchored to the home, or if they require poured foundations. Before digging, always call 811 or your local utilities’ damage prevention hotline. Technicians will visit your property to mark gas, electrical, water, and other vital lines.

When to Build an Outdoor Kitchen

Provided you have a plan in hand and don’t have to wait on building materials or appliances, you can plan on one to three weeks of hands-on labor to build your outdoor kitchen—and maybe more if you need to prepare a patio slab or build a deck to hold your kitchen. For this reason, construction is best planned for a period when the weather in your region is predicted to be mild and dry. Precipitation and snow can hamper outdoor building, as can the intense heat of mid summer. If you plan on erecting a permanent covered shelter, you may want to do this first to make it easier to build the rest of the kitchen. If you live in a cold winter region, running underground gas and electrical lines is difficult when the ground is frozen solid; mid to late fall can be a great time for this kind of work. If you prefer the spring, wait until the soil has thawed before beginning, but try to complete work before the heat of summer arrives.

Your personal schedule—and those of any potential helpers—also plays a role choosing the ideal time to build your kitchen. This project is best done with at least one or two helpers, so try to schedule your project for a stretch of time when you can call in favors from good friends with DIY skills. Or you may need to hire a handyman or laborer to help you, which requires prior scheduling. And professional electricians and plumbers often need to be booked months in advance, so keep this in mind when planning construction.

Equipment / Tools

• Shovels, excavation tools (as needed)
• Assorted carpentry tools (as needed)
• Electrical tools (as needed)
• Plumbing tools (as needed)

Materials

• Deck or patio surface materials (as needed)
• Nails, screws, metal connectors (as needed)
• Electrical cables, conduits, GFCI outlets, and fixtures (as needed)
• Water supply and drain pipes (as needed)
• Pergola kit or lumber for shelter structure
• Weather-resistant cabinets (as needed)
• Weather-resistant appliances (as needed)
• Countertop rated for outdoor use
• Outdoor dining table and other furniture (as needed)

1. Prepare the Base

   The outdoor kitchen must be built on a suitable base that is dry, level, and stable. If you have a good sized existing patio or a sturdy deck, this may be the best place for your outdoor kitchen. But if you do not such a surface already available, you must create a patio or deck—or at least a firm, flat space—that is suitable for the considerable weight of a large grill and other outdoor appliances. Here are some options:

   • Elevate your outdoor kitchen with a ground-level or floating deck. One advantage of a wood-framed deck is that utility lines can be hidden below the surface decking and attached to the framing.
   • A basic patio made of poured concrete, brick pavers, or natural stone such as travertine or flagstone makes a rock-solid floor for an outdoor kitchen. For sheer durability and lifespan, a masonry base of this type is the best choice.
   • A basic and very inexpensive gravel patio made from a framework of 2 x 6 lumber and a layer of pea gravel over sheets of landscape fabric make a perfectly suitable surface for a simple outdoor kitchen, though it works best in informal settings.

2. Run the Utility Lines

   Next to purchasing the outdoor appliances, running the utility lines between the outdoor kitchen and the house can be the most expensive part of this project, as it often requires hiring professionals to do the installation. If you do decide to install a full-service outdoor kitchen:

   • Both gas and water lines, if desired, may need to be run underground below the frost line, if applicable to your area. This can be as much as 4 feet below the soil surface in far northern regions. Electrical lines must be run through conduit or laid underground with special direct-burial cable. The lines must be buried at the correct depth specified for your area.
   • It is highly recommended that you hire an electrician to run the power line, if any, to the outdoor kitchen. Don’t do this work yourself unless you are a very experienced and skilled DIYer, and only if local codes allow for homeowner installation of electrical service.
   • In most municipalities, gray drainage water from the sink cannot be expelled to the open ground. To meet the plumbing code, you must run a drain line from the outdoor kitchen’s sink drain back to the house’s main drain line.
   • A plumbing contractor can install water supply and drainage lines, as well as gas supply pipes. Gas work should never be done by DIYers.
   • All work will need to be inspected and permitted by your local building department.

   Tip

   The fewer dedicated service lines you run to the kitchen, the cheaper it will be. If your budget is constrained, consider using propane grills and stoves with refillable tanks instead of natural gas-powered appliances, which require extensions to the home’s gas lines.

3. Build a Shelter Structure

   It’s very common to build a shelter over and around the outdoor kitchen, though it is not always needed. A overhead shelter will be almost mandatory in very warm climates where direct sun in the summer can be unbearable, and in northern climates, a full enclosure with insect screens will make your outdoor dining area much more useable for a longer season. A shelter also helps define your outdoor kitchen and dining area within the overall landscape.

   Your shelter can be as simple as a fabric sailcloth suspended over a patio table, or as elaborate as a fully enclosed gazebo. Another popular option is to build a pergola, covered either with open latticework to break up the sunlight, or a retractable canopy.

   Construction of the shelter can be a major component of the budget and building schedule if you choose an elaborate form that requires a considerable amount of construction and carpentry work. But there are also simple pergola kits that are easy to assemble on a deck or patio.

4. Install Cabinets and Countertops

   An outdoor kitchen will be more versatile if you include ample countertop space laid atop permanent base cabinets for storing food preparation items, dinnerware, and grilling supplies. When laying out the position of the base cabinets, leave spaces for a grill and outdoor refrigerator, if you are including them. In certain layouts, it may even be possible to mount some wall cabinets on the outside wall of the home or in the sheltering structure to provide more storage.

   Cabinets used in an outdoor kitchen should be made of (or faced with) hardy materials such as stainless steel, natural or veneer stone, or even pallet wood treated with sealants.

   For tough countertops suitable for outdoor use, natural stone or quartz (synthetic stone), stainless steel, or solid surface material (such as Corian) are good choices. Or, you could make your own concrete countertops by pouring concrete into a mold and flipping it over to reveal the smooth top.

   Tip

   All items for an outdoor kitchen need to be weather-resistant, from the flooring and the cabinets to the counters, sink, fixtures, and all of the appliances and accessories. Materials that are normally used indoors may need to be treated with special sealants or paint to make them stand up to outdoor conditions.

   However, if your outdoor kitchen will be enclosed and weathertight (in an enclosed gazebo, for example) you can use indoor materials like butcher block for the counters and quality veneer-faced plywood for the cabinets.

5. Complete the Utility Work, Install Appliances

   If the outdoor kitchen has any electric appliances, such as a refrigerator or electric grill, the electrician should now come in and install the GFCI-protected outlets for plugging them in. Permanent outdoor lighting can be added at this point, too. In pergolas, you might want to consider having an overhead fan installed (make sure it is rated for outdoor use). The plumbing contractor should also complete any gas, water supply, and drain stub-outs.

   After the plumbing stub-outs and wiring fixtures are complete, you will need to have one last visit from the building inspector to review the work and close the permits. In some communities, this is done by two different inspectors—one for wiring, one for plumbing/gas.

   With the electrical, gas, and wiring complete, the appliances and sink/faucet can now be moved into place and plugged in or connected. In most cases, homeowners are allowed to connect the appliances and faucets, provided the stub-outs and outlets have passed inspection.

   If you choose not to run gas or electrical lines to your outdoor kitchen, alternate cooking sources include a pizza oven, a do-it-yourself island barbecue, a mobile gas barbecue grill, or a charcoal grill.

6. Create (and Accessorize) an Outdoor Dining Area

   Complete your outdoor kitchen by adding the tables, chairs, and other furniture needed for dining and socializing. This can range from a simple moveable patio table or picnic table, to a more elaborate setup that includes built-in seating areas, a code-approved fire pit, or patio heaters.

   Completing touches can include weatherproof floorcoverings, a planter for growing a convenient herb garden near the cooking area, weatherproof bluetooth speakers for background music, and solar-powered decorative lights. You might even include a weatherproof outdoor television.

When to Call a Professional

How much professional help you need will depend on your DIY experience and on what local codes allow you to do yourself. But it is likely that even the most experienced DIYers will call in pros for key portions of the project, such as pouring a concrete slab for the base, and running plumbing, electrical, and gas lines. And you may choose to have the sheltering structure built by a skilled carpenter.

For many people a “DIY” outdoor kitchen means really DIY general contracting—hiring and supervising several subcontractors to do various stages of work, while doing only the final hookups and finishing touches themselves.

8 Outdoor Kitchen Plans with Cost-Effective Accents

15 Amazing DIY Outdoor Kitchen Plans You Can Build On A Budget

My dream has always been to have an outdoor kitchen.

I love entertaining outdoors during the warmer months and an outdoor kitchen would just be perfect for summer parties and even intimate dinners with just the family.

Of course, having a professional contractor come out and build an outdoor kitchen can get very pricey.

So, I did what I always do and started looking for some great DIY ideas for my outdoor kitchen.

I found 15 amazing DIY outdoor kitchen plans that you can build yourself in just a few days and all of these are much cheaper than paying a professional to do it for you.

Jump to:

• 1. DIY Outdoor Deck Kitchen
• 2. DIY Stone Covered Grill Island
• 3. Outdoor Kitchen Bar With Pergola
• 4. DIY Outdoor Kitchen With Concrete Countertops
• 5. DIY Outdoor Kitchenette
• 6. DIY Concrete And Corrugated Steel Outdoor Kitchen
• 7. Upcycled Wood And Brick Outdoor Kitchen
• 8. DIY Poured Concrete Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
• 9. Super Easy 10 Step DIY Outdoor Kitchen
• 10. Simple DIY Outdoor Grilling Island
• 11. Repurposed Cabinet Outdoor Kitchen
• 12. DIY Portable Outdoor Kitchen
• 13. DIY Rustic Farmhouse Outdoor Kitchen
• 14. DIY Tiled Outdoor Kitchen
• 15. DIY Outdoor Kitchen With Food Fired Pizza Oven
• Conclusion

1. DIY Outdoor Deck Kitchen

This outdoor kitchen can be built right into your deck and it has everything that you need to entertain outdoors. You can of course, pick and choose what you include and the type of finish that you want – stainless steel, etc. This one is pretty quick and easy to build and if you don’t have a deck to build it on, you can build a small patio section pretty easily.

Plans: placeofmytaste

2. DIY Stone Covered Grill Island

If you have a space for it, this DIY grill island is the perfect outdoor kitchen. You can have this one built in a weekend, if you have a few friends that will help with the heavy work. It can be covered in stone when it’s finished, which gives it a wonderful appearance or you could cover it in brick or another material. This is a pretty simple one to build and is sure to save you a bundle over having one professionally built. There really are some great DIY stone and pebble projects for you to add beauty to your life.

Plans: thisoldhouse

3. Outdoor Kitchen Bar With Pergola

I love this outdoor kitchen! It has a gorgeous pergola overhead and although it may take you a week or so to build it, it’s not at all a difficult project. The pergola really gives it a relaxing Caribbean look, don’t you think? You could even put this one on the end of your deck or build is as a freestanding kitchen.

Plans: instructables

4. DIY Outdoor Kitchen With Concrete Countertops

This stainless steel outdoor kitchen has concrete countertops, which are perfect for the outdoors. With concrete, you don’t have to worry about the weather causing your countertops to buckle or crack. This one is pretty easy to build – you start with steel studs and then build it up from there. You can even add a lovely tempered glass inlay to your concrete countertops on this one.

Plans: instructables

5. DIY Outdoor Kitchenette

You can turn a plain patio or deck into a great little kitchenette in just a couple of weekends. This one takes a bit more time but you have so much more space in it than a traditional outdoor kitchen. It has so many cabinets! There is even a bar on one side that provides seating and gives you the perfect place to enjoy those summer evenings outside while you are dining.

Plans: remodelaholic

6. DIY Concrete And Corrugated Steel Outdoor Kitchen

This little outdoor kitchen was made with materials that were reclaimed from an old barn. If you have the boards and steel, you can construct your own outdoor kitchen without spending anything and then just add an off the shelf grill and maybe a small dorm fridge. This one is super easy to build and it’s one that you can have finished in just a weekend or two. Add this one to your list of creative DIY concrete projects!

Plans: oldworldgardenfarms

7. Upcycled Wood And Brick Outdoor Kitchen

You can build the perfect outdoor kitchen cabinets to surround your grill with some leftover wooden posts and a few old bricks or stones. I love the rustic look of this one and you can have it completed in just a weekend. Once it’s done, you just slide your grill into place and you have a lovely outdoor kitchen for just a fraction of the cost of having a professional build it for you.

Plans: manmadediy

8.

DIY Poured Concrete Outdoor Kitchen Countertops

With just a few bags of concrete, you can construct your own little outdoor kitchen. This project only takes a couple of days – including drying time for the concrete. Once you have the countertops completed, you just add your grill and other outdoor kitchen appliances. The concrete is perfect for outdoors because it won’t rust, crack or otherwise succumb to the weather.

Plans: homedepot

9. Super Easy 10 Step DIY Outdoor Kitchen

You can build your own outdoor kitchen in just 10 steps! And, the steps are all pretty simple. This one has a wooden base, that you make from plywood and you can easily adjust the plans to make it larger or smaller to meet your space and cooking needs. Add a rinsing sink and a mini fridge and you have everything you need for outdoor entertaining.

Plans: ronhazelton

10. Simple DIY Outdoor Grilling Island

If all you really need is a small outdoor kitchen, this little grilling island is for you. This one just has cabinets that surround your grill and you can easily build it in a weekend or less. The cabinets still give you plenty of storage space for your outdoor cooking essentials and they help to dress up your grilling area just a big.

Plans: diynetwork

11. Repurposed Cabinet Outdoor Kitchen

If you are really looking to build your outdoor kitchen on a budget, you can check with thrift stores or salvage yards to see if you can come up with some old kitchen cabinets. Then you just have to redo those and make them fit into your outdoor cooking space. Add some bricks or stones to dress them up a bit. This is a really cheap and easy way to create an outdoor kitchen, and you can have it easily completed in a weekend.

Plans: bhg

12. DIY Portable Outdoor Kitchen

If you don’t really have the space or the need for a full fledged outdoor kitchen, this little DIY portable outdoor kitchen is perfect. You can make this one in just a few hours and it has everything that you need for grilling season. Plus, it’s portable so you can easily move it in and out of the garage or gardening shed to save it from the weather and to keep it neatly put away during the colder months.

Plans: instructables

13. DIY Rustic Farmhouse Outdoor Kitchen

You have to love the rustic farmhouse look of this DIY outdoor kitchen. If the outside of your home is done in the farmhouse style, then this one is a must. You can build it in a weekend and it’s pretty simple. It includes a sink, bar and of course, a grill and fridge and it has a lovely pallet look that is sure to match your DIY outdoor farmhouse décor.

Plans:

14. DIY Tiled Outdoor Kitchen

Tile is a great choice for covering the wood on your outdoor kitchen. It is very versatile and you can find it pretty cheap if you shop in the clearance section of your local home improvement store. This DIY outdoor kitchen has stainless steel and tile and it couldn’t be easier to build. You just frame it in and then add your tile as a cover.

Plans: thisgreyhouse

15. DIY Outdoor Kitchen With Food Fired Pizza Oven

This DIY outdoor kitchen has a wood fired pizza oven! What could possibly be better than making your own pizza…outside? This one is actually pretty simple to build and the pizza oven fits in perfectly with the rest of your outdoor cooking essentials. If you have ever wanted your own pizza oven, this is definitely the outdoor kitchen plan for you.

Plans: popularmechanics

Conclusion

Whether you have a deck that you want to turn into the ultimate grilling area or you are starting completely from scratch, you will find the perfect outdoor kitchen for your summer grilling needs.

All of these are relatively simple to build and many of them can be done in just a weekend or less.

There is even a great little portable outdoor kitchen that you can build in a couple of hours!

And, you can customize these plans by adding whatever you want such as a gas grill, a rinsing sink and even a mini fridge.

Once you have your outdoor kitchen built, be sure to take a look at these 40 delicious grilling recipes that are sure to make you the most popular hostess on the block.

Some of these are going to cost a bit more than others and some will take more time to build.

However, all of them are cheaper to DIY than to buy and you can do some of them with reclaimed wood and other items, which makes them really cheap to build.

If you have ever wanted your own outdoor kitchen, now is the time to make your dream come true.

And, be sure to add some of these 35 DIY backyard games to make your summer even more fun this year.

Summer kitchen on the site, ideas and options for a summer kitchen.

With the phrase “summer kitchen”, some people associate with a hut designed for cooking and located on the estate. Such a structure is considered to be a “relic of the Soviet past.” Why couldn’t you cook in the house? Because for this it would be necessary to heat the stove every time, which looks absurd in the summer. Therefore, food was prepared in a separate building. Now the attitude to the summer kitchen is completely different. Because it can combine the functions of a kitchen, cellar, guest house and even a dining room. Moreover, the dining room is often taken out to an open terrace or veranda, closely bordering on the summer kitchen. By the way, the owners who build the house usually live in it!

What are summer kitchens like?

The summer kitchen is not always a separate building, because such an object can be an extension to the house. There are pros and cons to both the first option and the second. It is worth noting that summer kitchens are open, closed and combined. An open summer kitchen is a fairly simple building that looks like a gazebo, veranda or terrace. A brazier, tandoor or barbecue is often installed in it. This option is ideal for people who prefer food cooked on a “live” fire. Open summer kitchen can be considered:

1. Gazebo with virtually no walls. Often, the function of the only vertical structures is performed by supports. Between them you can find climbing plants or some kind of filling, for example, wooden panels.

2. Canopy. Most often, this is a frame structure with a roof. It differs from the gazebo in simplicity, lack of frills in the interior and exterior.

3. Veranda. This is a glazed extension to the house, with opening windows. Here, too, you can cook and eat, relax day and night.

As for closed summer kitchens, these are the same “houses”, only in a modern design. Often such facilities are combined with baths and saunas. The room is well protected from bad weather, insects and direct sunlight. And you can equip it at your discretion, equipping it with the necessary equipment and furniture. And if this building is insulated, then it can be used all year round, including as a guest house. Combined summer kitchens combine elements of open and closed. A classic example is a summer kitchen with a veranda or terrace.

Summer kitchen interior and exterior design

There are many interior styles that can be applied to summer kitchens:

1. Classic. Such interiors are characterized by an abundance of white color and the presence of massive furniture.

2. Russian. This is the same “hut” that can fit perfectly into the space of the site on which a wooden house and a typical Russian bathhouse are erected! The interior decoration is in keeping with the style. Also, you should think about the Russian stove!

3. Scandinavian. The dominant finishing materials are stone and wood. Scandinavian style is simple, concise and practical, but it has its own charm.

4. Mediterranean. The interior should be dominated by natural shades. The main element is the dining table, which must be placed in the middle of a spacious room!

5. Asian. You can make a summer kitchen in the form of a Chinese fanza, while the interior decoration simply has to match the exterior. There is also an oriental style and Japanese, and in such designs, a national flavor is also needed.

6. Ecostyle. Everything should be made from natural materials, even flower pots and dishes. Eco-style interiors look simple, but original.

7. Provence. A great option for those who have antique furniture, pillows with ornaments, landscape paintings and other vintage items in their country house.

8. American. Complex in execution, but easy to use. Because in such a summer kitchen there is always a bar counter. And the whole space is divided into functional zones.

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Selection of finishing materials for walls

Wall materials for interior decoration must be resistant to temperature extremes, high humidity, flying splashes of grease, kitchen fumes. The priority is environmental safety and the ability to endure frequent cleaning, plus ease of maintenance. The decorative component is of no small importance, because people will often be in this room. In addition, materials for wall decoration must comply with the chosen style direction.

Interior decoration of summer kitchens can be done with the participation of MDF panels, lining, drywall, wooden boards and panels, ceramic tiles. But the most budget option is coloring. Moreover, it is not necessary to paint the walls in one color, because you can always play on contrasts by correctly placing accents. By the way, some people bet on wallpaper!

Selection of floor materials

The floor in the summer kitchen must be non-slip, and at the same time it must meet the requirements for materials for wall decoration. Because the flooring in summer kitchens is subjected to serious operational stress. One of the mandatory requirements is fire safety, which is especially important for cases where the summer kitchen has a barbecue or oven of any instruction with open combustion. It is better to finish a particularly dangerous area with ceramic tiles, which definitely do not burn!

The flooring function for the summer kitchen can be performed by porcelain stoneware, linoleum, planed boards, natural and artificial stone. It is noteworthy that these materials are suitable for open and closed objects, with the exception of linoleum. At the same time, it is worth remembering the existence of a WPC decking board, which is ideal for arranging the floor in the summer kitchen! This material has a non-slip surface and is highly resistant to moisture. Just what you need!

What elements should be present in a summer kitchen?

Since this is a kitchen, there must be a cooking device in it. Previously, these were wood-burning stoves, electric and gas stoves. Now the list of such devices is much wider, and it includes barbecues, barbecues, tandoors, multicookers, ovens and microwaves. Of course, when installing such equipment, fire safety measures must be observed. If the summer kitchen is closed, then it is equipped by analogy with an ordinary kitchen, where there is a refrigerator, sink, cabinets for food and utensils, necessary household appliances. But in the open summer kitchens, the dining table and cooking equipment occupy a dominant position. The ideal option is a combined summer kitchen where you can cook any food and eat it in the fresh air!

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Summer kitchen: features, types of buildings and construction technology –

A place for cooking delicious meals and meeting friends are houses or gazebos with a summer kitchen – separate small buildings or extensions to the main house. This type of object protects from precipitation, while being characterized by comfort and the ability to spend more time outdoors.

Functions of the summer kitchen-dining room in the country house

The main purpose of the summer kitchen is to create an additional place for cooking, so the house or gazebo provides a barbecue area. However, it can perform other tasks:

• Used for overnight guests;
• Is a meeting place in the circle of loved ones, dining in the open air;
• Suitable for unloading the main kitchen in the house, such as storing dishes;
• The ideal solution for drying mushrooms, berries, storing preparations and pickles.

Types of summer kitchen projects

Summer kitchen designs differ in the presence and absence of walls. Depending on the type, they can perform different tasks.

Open summer kitchen-dining room

Consists of four pillars with a base and a canopy. As a rule, it does not have walls, or it provides one or two. It is not glazed, most of all it resembles a gazebo.

A summer kitchen with a terrace without a canopy, usually used for cooking on warm and sunny days. This type provides for easy installation of the grill without the need for an exhaust hood, gives a feeling of unity with nature. At the same time, outdoor summer kitchens with barbecues require less material and construction costs.

Closed summer kitchen

Small building with walls. Protects not only from precipitation, but also from the wind. When installing the heating system, the summer kitchen is used even in winter.

A small, separate house is suitable not only for cooking, but also for storing food – an enclosed space will protect food from insects and animals. In addition, closed summer kitchens can be provided for guests to spend the night.

Placement

A place for recreation and barbecue is often built on a separate piece of land. The summer kitchen project can also be an extension of the main house.

Attached summer dining room

This type of summer kitchen is combined with a veranda or terrace, or built close to one of the blank walls. A big advantage of the extension is the direct access to the house. Due to this, it is easier to get to the living space in bad weather. In addition, communications, such as plumbing or heating, can be quickly and easily connected to the extension.

Free-standing summer kitchen in the country house

It is made in the form of an open or closed gazebo, but it can be a small house. You can implement the construction of a freestanding summer kitchen project on the most beautiful, picturesque piece of land, for example, in the depths of a garden or next to a pond.

The main advantage of freestanding projects: the smells of food do not reach the living space. At the same time, if you choose to build a turnkey summer kitchen in the form of a small house, you can provide visiting relatives and friends with a personal, secluded space.

The main stages of construction

The construction of an open type summer kitchen is easier compared to a closed type, and consists of the following steps:

1. Site preparation. Having chosen the necessary territory for construction, the place is cleared of debris, the sod is removed. Marking is in progress. In the corners, pegs connected with twine are installed. Then you need to level the ground.
2. Foundation work. This stage of the construction of the summer kitchen is very important, because it depends on how high-quality the floor will be in the building. Formwork is placed, then the place is sprinkled with sand or gravel. Concrete is poured and left to dry for a period of 7 to 30 days.
3. Create structural supports. Equipment with reinforcing bars on which the frame of the summer kitchen is attached. Support racks, upper strapping beams are installed. After that jumpers are mounted.
4. Canopy installation. Since the roof is one of the most important parts, this stage involves not only a stable ceiling, but also the creation of waterproofing, laying corrugated board and slate.
5. Floor installation. It can be made of tiles or decking.

Production materials

Construction of a summer kitchen is possible from a variety of materials: wooden beams, bricks or stone, which are most often used for walls.