Outdoor Kitchens
Best Outdoor Kitchen Islands and DIY Kits (2026), With Sizes
Quick answer
A good outdoor kitchen size is an 8 to 10 foot counter: enough for a 32 inch grill, a side burner, an under-counter fridge and landing space on both sides. The best complete island is the KoolMore Reserve with grill, sink and fridge; the best DIY kit is the Bullet by Bull set.
An outdoor kitchen island is a counter that holds a built-in grill and usually storage, a side burner, a fridge or a sink. You can buy one three ways: a complete island delivered as a unit, modular cabinets you arrange around a grill, or a component kit you drop into an island you frame yourself.
Our top pick, the KoolMore Reserve Outdoor Kitchen Island with 6-Burner Grill, Sink and Refrigerator ($4,799.00), is the most complete option that arrives ready to place. If you plan to build, start with the Bullet by Bull Outdoor Kitchen Set with 4-Burner Grill (Propane) ($1,697.00). Before buying anything, work through the outdoor kitchen planning guide and the outdoor kitchen size for entertaining page.
On this page
- What are the best outdoor kitchen kits for DIY?
- What is a good size for an outdoor kitchen?
- What is the average size of an outdoor kitchen?
- How do I plan an outdoor kitchen island step by step?
- Beginner pick: an outdoor kitchen without building an island
- Intermediate pick: modular cabinets and a real outdoor fridge
- Expert pick: a full island with built-in grill, sink and fridge
- How do the outdoor kitchen picks compare?
- Do I need an outdoor-rated refrigerator and side burner?
What are the best outdoor kitchen kits for DIY?
The best kits give you matched, published-cutout components so the framing is the only custom work:
- Bullet by Bull Outdoor Kitchen Set: a Bullet 4-burner built-in grill, a side burner and an access door in one order, from Bull, a long-running outdoor kitchen brand.
- Domi 5-Piece Modular Aluminum Kitchen: powder-coated aluminum cabinets with a stainless sink, corner bar cabinet and leveling feet that you arrange around a grill, no masonry. The sink faucet connects to a garden hose and drains to a tube you route to a pail or catch basin, so it is not plumbed like a house sink.
- Blaze components: a Blaze single side burner or LTE+ double side burner paired with a Blaze grill head from best built-in grills.
A fully complete island like the KoolMore Reserve skips framing entirely, which is worth the premium if you do not want a construction project.
What is a good size for an outdoor kitchen?
Size the island from its parts. A 32 inch grill head, plus landing space of at least 12 inches on one side and 18 inches on the other (a common kitchen-design guideline), is about 5.5 feet on its own. Every component adds to that. The widths below come from the product listings; landing space and aisle widths are planning guidelines.
| Layout | What fits | Counter length | Patio area needed (with cook aisle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grill-only island | 32 in grill, 12 in and 18 in landing | about 6 ft | about 6 x 6 ft |
| Grill plus side burner | 32.5 in grill, 12.5 in side burner, landing both sides | about 7 to 8 ft | about 8 x 6 ft |
| Standard entertaining island | Grill, side burner, 24 in under-counter fridge below landing space | about 8 to 10 ft | about 10 x 6 ft |
| Island with sink | Standard island plus a sink cabinet of about 30 to 33 in | about 10 to 12 ft | about 12 x 6 ft |
| L-shape with bar seating | 10 ft run plus a 6 ft return with an overhang for 3 stools at about 24 in each | about 16 ft total | about 12 x 10 ft |
Patio area assumes a 30 in counter depth and a 36 to 42 in aisle behind the cook. Add clearance to the house per the grill manual.
What is the average size of an outdoor kitchen?
There is no reliable published national average, so be wary of any single number. What we can say from the component math above: most prefab and DIY islands land between 6 and 12 feet of straight counter, because a 32 inch grill head with landing space, a side burner and an under-counter fridge adds up to about 8 to 10 feet. Islands with sinks and bar seating push toward 12 to 16 feet. Pick your size from the meals you cook and the number of people you host, not from an average; if the grill is the only appliance you will use, a 6 foot island or even a cart grill beside a prep cart is the smarter spend.
How do I plan an outdoor kitchen island step by step?
- Check rules first. Confirm HOA rules, setbacks, permit requirements for gas and electrical work, and any local fire code limits on grills near structures.
- Pick the location. Choose a level spot that meets the grill manual's clearance from the house, eaves and fences, with prevailing wind blowing smoke away from seating.
- Choose the fuel. Natural gas needs a line run by a licensed plumber or gas fitter; propane needs a vented tank compartment or a tank beside the island.
- Pick the grill head. The grill head sets the cutout and most of the island length, so choose it before framing.
- Decide on the frame. Wood framing is combustible and needs the grill maker's insulated jacket; steel studs with cement board or masonry usually do not.
- Add components and landing space. Place a side burner, fridge and storage so there is counter on both sides of the grill for platters and tools.
- Plan power, vents and shade. Run a GFCI-protected circuit for lights and a fridge, install vent panels in gas cabinets, and plan a vented grill gazebo or roof only if the grill manual allows it.
Beginner pick: an outdoor kitchen without building an island
You already own a good cart grill or griddle and want counter space, storage and shade without construction. This is the smartest first step for most homeowners.
Keter Unity XL Outdoor Prep Table and Storage Cart
$237.99A 52.7 inch resin cart with a stainless top, 78 gallons of storage, a spice rack, a bottle opener and two wheels. It puts prep and serving space next to any grill for a fraction of an island.
Best for: adding prep space beside a cart grill
Check price on Amazon
Sunjoy 8 x 5 ft. Double-Tier Grill Gazebo
$133.00A powder-coated steel grill gazebo with a two-tier vented fabric roof that lets smoke escape, built-in utensil hooks and side shelves over a 96 by 60 inch footprint.
Best for: shading a freestanding grill
Check price on AmazonIntermediate pick: modular cabinets and a real outdoor fridge
You want a kitchen that looks finished and adds storage, a sink and cold drinks, but you do not want to pour footings or frame walls.
Domi 5-Piece Modular Aluminum Outdoor Kitchen with Sink
$1,199.99Powder-coated aluminum modules with a food-safe countertop, an 8 inch deep stainless sink and faucet, a corner bar cabinet, leveling feet and a protective cover. Modules recombine to fit your patio around an existing grill.
Best for: a no-masonry kitchen around an existing grill
Check price on Amazon
Whynter BOR-327FS 3.2 cu. ft. Indoor/Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator
$772.84A full stainless 3.2 cu ft outdoor-rated fridge only 14.6 inches wide, with fan-circulated compressor cooling from 35 to 50 F, built in or freestanding.
Best for: narrow island bays
Check price on Amazon
Sunjoy 7 x 9 ft. 2-Tier Hardtop Grill Gazebo
$535.00A two-tier hardtop roof that vents grill smoke, with shelves and ceiling hooks, at about 107 by 84 inches and 105 inches tall.
Best for: a permanent roof over a grill or griddle station
Check price on AmazonExpert pick: a full island with built-in grill, sink and fridge
You are ready for a permanent outdoor kitchen and want either a matched component kit to build around or a complete stainless island delivered ready to place.
KoolMore Reserve Outdoor Kitchen Island with 6-Burner Grill, Sink and Refrigerator
$4,799.00A CSA-listed 304 stainless island with a six-burner grill, 15,000 BTU infrared back burner, side burner, cast iron griddle, sink, two cabinets, three drawers, a slide-out propane holder and a fridge rated for 68 cans.
Best for: a complete kitchen delivered as one unit
Check price on Amazon
Bullet by Bull Outdoor Kitchen Set with 4-Burner Grill (Propane)
$1,697.00A matched Bullet 4-burner built-in grill, side burner and access door from Bull for a new island you frame yourself.
Best for: buying grill, burner and door in one order
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Skip this tier if you have not confirmed permits, gas supply and clearances, or if you mostly grill for four. A complete island is heavy, needs a level, load-bearing pad and is hard to move, and a DIY kit still needs framing, a countertop, vents and a licensed gas installation. A good cart grill plus the Keter prep cart does most of the work for far less money.
How do the outdoor kitchen picks compare?
| Model | Price | Type | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keter Unity XL Outdoor Prep Table and Storage Cart | $237.99 | prep cart | 52.7 in |
| Sunjoy 8 x 5 ft. Double-Tier Grill Gazebo | $133.00 | grill gazebo | - |
| Domi 5-Piece Modular Aluminum Outdoor Kitchen with Sink | $1,199.99 | modular island | - |
| Whynter BOR-327FS 3.2 cu. ft. Indoor/Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator | $772.84 | outdoor refrigerator | 14.6 in |
| Sunjoy 7 x 9 ft. 2-Tier Hardtop Grill Gazebo | $535.00 | grill gazebo | - |
| KoolMore Reserve Outdoor Kitchen Island with 6-Burner Grill, Sink and Refrigerator | $4,799.00 | outdoor kitchen island | - |
| Bullet by Bull Outdoor Kitchen Set with 4-Burner Grill (Propane) | $1,697.00 | island component bundle | - |
Do I need an outdoor-rated refrigerator and side burner?
Use an outdoor-rated fridge in an island. Indoor mini fridges are not built for outdoor temperatures and humidity. The Whynter BOR-327FS 3.2 cu. ft. Indoor/Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator fits narrow bays at 14.6 inches wide, while the Whynter BOR-53024-SSW 24 in. Built-in Outdoor Beverage Fridge fills a standard 24 inch opening with 5.3 cu ft and a 32 to 64 F range. A side burner is worth it only if you cook sides outdoors; the Blaze 12,000 BTU Drop-In Single Side Burner (Propane) is the compact choice, and the Blaze LTE+ Built-In Double Side Burner (Propane) adds two 12,000 BTU burners with LED knobs that match Blaze LTE+ grills. Add shade over seating with the options in best patio umbrellas, and light the space with outdoor string lights.
How we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
How much counter space do I need next to an outdoor grill?
Plan at least 12 inches of counter on one side of the grill and 18 inches on the other, a common kitchen-design guideline, so you have somewhere to set raw platters and finished food. More is better if you prep outside. A standard island with a 32 inch grill, a side burner and landing space on both sides usually needs about 8 feet of counter.
Can I build an outdoor kitchen on a wood deck?
It is possible but needs care. A loaded island is heavy, so confirm the deck framing can carry it, ideally with an engineer or contractor. Wood decking is combustible, so follow the grill manufacturer's clearance and jacket requirements and place a non-combustible surface around and under the grill area. Many homeowners put the island on a concrete or paver pad beside the deck instead.
Are modular outdoor kitchens worth it?
Modular aluminum or stainless cabinet systems are worth it if you want storage and counter space without masonry, may move homes, or want to rearrange the layout later. They sit on leveling feet and install in a day. The trade-offs are that sinks often connect to a hose rather than house plumbing, and cabinets are lighter than framed islands, so anchor them in windy areas.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen?
Often, for parts of it. Running a natural gas line, adding electrical circuits and plumbing a sink commonly require permits and licensed installers, and some towns regulate structures like roofs and pavilions. A freestanding island with a propane tank and no utilities may not need one. Check with your local building department and HOA before you build.
Can I put a grill under a gazebo?
Only under a gazebo designed as a grill gazebo, with a vented roof, and only if the grill's manual allows its use under that kind of cover with the stated clearances. Standard fabric or hardtop gazebos not rated for grilling can trap heat and fumes and may catch fire. Keep the grill centered, never close in the sides, and never use a grill under a low solid roof.
What is the best countertop for an outdoor kitchen?
Non-combustible, weather-resistant surfaces work best: granite, concrete, porcelain slab and stainless steel are common choices. Granite and concrete handle sun and heat well but need sealing. Stainless steel is easy to clean but shows scratches and gets hot in direct sun. Avoid wood tops next to the grill. Whatever you choose, keep the area around the grill cutout non-combustible.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.