Outdoor Grill Station Options

You can get by with a simple outdoor grill, but when you design a thoughtful outdoor grill station, you’ll get so much more out of the backyard BBQ experience. Ask anyone who’s tried to use a standard grill to smoke meat — you’ll get a lot of smoke in the face, and the resulting meal won’t be as delectable as when you use a real smoker. 

How can you set up your outdoor grill station for summer success, whether you’re grilling steaks, smoking brisket, boiling lobster, or oven-firing pizzas? Here are a few options to upgrade from a simple grill to a grill station worthy of a gourmet chef. 

Pick the Island for Your Grill Station

The place to start with any outdoor grill station is with a base on which to build your ideal setup. You can choose islands ranging from about five feet to over eight feet in length, or you can customize with a modular setup featuring multiple pieces configured to suit your space and house your preferred appliances.  

With options for storage and custom cutouts, it’s easy to create your dream kitchen with a layout and amenities that make your life easier and turn daily cooking into an absolute joy. 

Turn Up the Heat with Grills and Griddles

Summer salads featuring a rainbow of fresh produce are nice, but so is a juicy steak, and this is where your fully-equipped grill station comes in handy. Naturally, you’ll want to start with a highly-rated grill that delivers the controls and features required to perfectly cook meats, veggies, and other summer staples. 

From there, you can upgrade your station with extra appliances like a built-in griddle for items that need an unbroken cooking surface, such as shrimp, eggs, chopped meats, flapjacks, and more. A side burner is perfect for pots when you want to boil seafood or simmer sauces, and don’t forget a warming drawer to keep cooked items toasty while you continue grilling. 

You might also want a couple of specialty items. If you love the tender texture and essence of campfire that permeates smoked meats, then a smoker is right up your alley. A versatile kamado can offer grilling, smoking, or roasting capabilities for small backyards without a ton of space for extra appliances. 

Families who love a good pizza (who doesn’t?) are sure to appreciate the inclusion of a built-in or freestanding pizza oven that will cook up personalized pies in no time. With the right cooking appliances, you can please every family member and impress at backyard events. 

Keep Grilled Food Cool

No grilling station is complete without a way to safely cool food and keep beverages frosty, which is why you’ll want to include an outdoor refrigerator. Maybe you’re keen to keep condiments within easy reach and ensure that sides like potato salad, coleslaw, and sliced watermelon remain fresh and close at hand when your meat is ready to serve. 

With an outdoor fridge, you can conveniently store cold items at your grill station so that you don’t have to run back and forth to your indoor refrigerator. You can also keep beverages cool if you have the space.  

Don’t forget about drink-specific options like a wine cooler or beverage center to ensure you have plenty of refrigerated space for food and beverages. With the addition of a sink and bar setup, your drink needs are more than covered. 

Grill Storage Solutions

A good chef always keeps a cooking station clean and organized, and again, the right tools make a difference. Storage doors and drawers for cookware, dishes, and utensils are a great place to start. Make sure to set aside pantry space for dry goods and outdoor linens if you entertain frequently. 

A trash bin is another handy inclusion that will help to keep your counter space clean, especially when you drop a versatile cutting board and trash chute combo into your countertop for easy food prep and clean-up. Complete your setup with covers for your grill and other appliances to keep everything clean and well-maintained between cooking sessions. 

Grill Like a Pro with These Grill Station Options

The right setup makes a huge difference when it comes to convenience and cooking the way you want to. With an expansive grill station that features your preferred appliances, storage, and accessories, you can grill like a pro all summer long. We have many options available to help customize your grill. Head to our shop to find out more. 

Let the experts at Stono Outdoor Living help create your dream outdoor kitchen. Start building your kitchen with our 3D configurator; it's simple and easy to use. Or schedule a no-obligation design consultation to tailor a custom outdoor kitchen design that combines comfort, functionality, and style. We guarantee a perfect fit, free shipping, and easy assembly. Shop islands or schedule a consultation today.