Preparing and sharing meals is about more than satisfying hunger. It's how people connect. Add the greenery and fresh air of an outdoor space and entertaining gets easier. If you're planning an outdoor kitchen this year, here are the options that turn a backyard into a place people want to gather.
Sizing to Suit Your Space
Practical concerns come first when choosing the island that anchors your outdoor kitchen. It has to fit your space.
If you're working with a small footprint, whether it's a tight yard, patio or deck, our compact 62″ island, the James, fits a built-in grill and still leaves room for counter space and storage. It's a solid place to start.
With a moderately sized yard, you have more room to work with. The 77″ Morris steps up to more storage, more appliances or amenities like a sink.
For spacious yards, the 119″ Wando or 140″ Cooper match the scale of your space and give you room to expand as your needs change.
Whether you're installing a small island or building out a full kitchen zone, accurate measurements and a clear plan for where it sits will get you the right design for your yard.
Collaborate on a Custom Design
Your outdoor kitchen should match how you actually cook and entertain. The best way to get there is to work with a design professional.
Working with an experienced designer means you end up with a kitchen built around how you cook, not a generic layout. You can choose pieces sized for your appliances and storage for dishware, utensils and foodstuffs, with everything within reach when you're grilling.
Building a Serious Grilling Setup
A built-in grill anchors the outdoor kitchen island. With dozens of models available, start by narrowing down the size that fits how you cook.
Grills range from 25″ 3-burner models up to 54″ 4-burner units with independent heat zones, infrared rotisserie burners and LED lighting on the control panel and interior.
A side burner handles tasks like boiling or simmering sauces. A built-in griddle adds pancakes, eggs and fried rice to what you can cook outside. For the chef who wants both, a breakfast club combo puts a griddle and side burner in one unit.
Succumbing to the Smoker Craze
If you've already mastered grilling and want to go further, smoking is the next step. Start by fitting your island with a stainless steel kamado sleeve, which adds support structure, a finished look and a drawer for storing charcoal or other smoking supplies.
From there, choose the kamado grill itself. Cast aluminum and ceramic models hold heat and hold up outdoors. Seals and hinges with lift assist make it easy to manage slow-smoked meats and seared vegetables.
Family Pizza Night
Whether you're cooking for one or feeding a whole family, planning a weekly menu takes real effort. A pizza oven gives you one dish everyone actually agrees on, and you can change the toppings every time.
Freestanding and built-in pizza ovens are showing up in more outdoor kitchens. Wood, natural gas and propane models cover different cooking preferences, and pizza stones or racks let you cook more than one pie at a time. It scales from a family dinner to a full backyard party.
Making a Kitchen Island Your Own
There's no single way to build out an outdoor patio, but it starts with choosing the kitchen island that fits your space, your needs and your taste.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size outdoor kitchen island fits a small backyard?
If you're working with a small footprint, whether it's a tight yard, patio or deck, our compact 62″ island, the James, fits a built-in grill and still leaves room for counter space and storage. It's a solid place to start.
What island works well for a moderately sized yard?
With a moderately sized yard, you have more room to work with. The 77″ Morris steps up to more storage, more appliances or amenities like a sink.
What island options work best for spacious yards?
For spacious yards, the 119″ Wando or 140″ Cooper match the scale of your space and give you room to expand as your needs change.
What grill sizes are available for an outdoor kitchen island?
Grills range from 25″ 3-burner models up to 54″ 4-burner units with independent heat zones, infrared rotisserie burners and LED lighting on the control panel and interior.
What features support slow-smoked cooking on an outdoor kitchen island?
A stainless steel kamado sleeve adds support structure, a finished look and a drawer for storing charcoal or other smoking supplies. Cast aluminum and ceramic kamado grills hold heat and hold up outdoors, and seals and hinges with lift assist make slow-smoked meats and seared vegetables easier to manage.
What fuel options are available for a built-in pizza oven?
Wood, natural gas and propane pizza ovens cover different cooking preferences, and pizza stones or racks let you cook more than one pie at a time.