Need a new grilling system for hotdogs, burgers and more? Our editors tested some of the best outdoor kitchen kits.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Need a new grilling system for hotdogs, burgers and more? Our editors tested some of the best outdoor kitchen kits.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Pros:
Cons:
If your idea of an outdoor kitchen is grilling, grilling and more grilling, then this Prokan Pro Elite 5-Burner Propane Grill may be calling your name. It features four powerful burners, an infrared rear burner, a stainless-steel refrigerator, drawer and cabinet space, and a custom-fit cover.
Content Director Nicole Doster tested the Prokan Pro Elite outdoor kitchen. “The kitchen kit came almost fully assembled with just a few parts, like the grill grates, to install,” she says. “It was simple: We only needed to unpack the grill and place the cooking rack, warming rack and flame tamers inside it. No tools were needed!”
While assembly was easy, moving the grill was tougher for Nicole.
“I’d check that the delivery driver is able to place the item where it needs to be. Otherwise, you will need 4+ people to move it,” she adds.
The cooktop measures 28-1/4 inches by 17-1/2 inches, allowing for plenty of cooking space. It also has a convenient warming rack Nicole likes to use for toasting buns. The grill has interior and accent lights around the controls, which are great for cooking at night. The kit also has a built-in cooler, two storage drawers and hidden storage for the propane tank. Plus, the grill has a rotisserie feature.
“The grill is stunning in person,” Nicole says. However, after exposure to the elements, there is already some slight rusting around the hinges and latches. Additionally, the grill gets very hot quickly, but it can be hard to control flare-ups.”
You can work with that feature if you don’t mind watching the grill. “Overall, the kitchen kit provides a great area for prepping food, and the outdoor fridge is very luxurious if you want to grab a cool beverage when enjoying the pool,” Nicole says. A faux stone finish and high-end hardware make this a great backyard addition.
Pros:
Cons:
This budget-friendly Amazon kitchen kit includes a large propane grill, prep area and side burner—everything you need in a basic kit. This pick requires self-assembly, so grab your power drill and a friend. Our Product Tester, Pamela Bondurant, assembled the Mellcom Grill in about an hour.
“This backyard grill comes at a fair price compared to others on Amazon,” she says. “Plus, this one has been exposed to the elements and still looks pretty good.”
“It works great for grilling vegetables and non-greasy things that don’t cause flare-ups. The grates are narrow enough to prevent most veggies from falling through the cracks,” Bondy says. “However, the burners are very close to the ceramic-coated grate, which can cause flare-ups.”
This propane gas grill has six burners and a quick-start control knob. The thermometer on the stainless-steel lid makes it easy to monitor the grill’s internal temperature. We love the side burner, perfect for sauces and side dishes or boiling water. When the side burner is unused, the lid folds to provide extra room for work or preparation. This propane gas grill is perfect for any outdoor space—backyards, patios, balconies and more.
Pros:
Cons:
While you can’t exactly load it in the car and take it to a local park, this island from Tytus is a portable gas grill with sturdy wheels that allow you to move it around your patio or deck. It’s more like an outdoor kitchen island with a grilling surface. The grill is fueled by propane and has no electrical parts, just a side sear burner and an ice bucket.
“You can’t beat the convenience of a propane grill, and this one looks great and has everything you need within reach,” says Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “It has a cooler compartment on the left for ice-cold beer and sodas and a burner on the right for warming beans and sauces. Its wheels make it super easy to slide around the patio or deck to make room for hungry guests on any occasion.”
“I don’t notice any flare-ups when using the Tytus Island Grill,” Mary adds. “I’ve always been able to achieve a nice even cook on meats using it. My partner, who does much more grilling and smoking than I do, loves this grill.”
You don’t need to carve out hours for Sunday grilling, either. Make a game-time decision to throw some brats and burgers on the grill, and the Tytus fires up instantly. Plus, concealed storage shelves let you keep all the tools and supplies you’ll need right at your cooking station.
Pros:
Cons:
If you want to customize your outdoor kitchen, check out this New Age Outdoor Kitchen, which has a propane grill and countertop workspace for prepping food. The grill is outfitted with three burners plus a fourth rotisserie burner. New Age has options for adding cooking accessories, appliances and even a second grill to your setup! The brand also offers built-in stainless steel pizza ovens, outdoor refrigerators, sinks and charcoal grills that you can add to your outdoor kitchen island.
This starter kitchen from New Age has a three-drawer countertop, grill cabinet and propane grill. It provides a base to which you can add whatever features you’d use most in your outdoor space. The 304 stainless steel is weather-resistant, and the cabinets include soft-close hardware.
It does require assembly, but the effort is worth it for a custom stainless steel outdoor kitchen. Uneven deck? No problem. The kitchen kit comes with adjustable levelers to accommodate uneven surfaces. With New Age, you can also pick which cabinet styles, systems and finishes you want.
Pros:
Cons:
If you already have a grill you don’t want to part with, consider this compact outdoor kitchen from Char-Broil. Though just 50 inches wide, it packs a lot into a small space—and it looks great in any existing outdoor setup, especially if you’re a proud Char-Broil grill owner.
This kit features a sink, ice chest, tucked-away garbage can, electrical outlets and counter space for small outdoor kitchen appliances, all with a nice granite countertop. It can be combined with other Char-Broil components to customize your outdoor summer kitchen to create the ultimate entertainment space.
This modular prep station has a cutting board insert along with the features listed above, so the preparation space is suitable for any outdoor cooking needs. The built-in outlet allows you to plug in small kitchen appliances (like a blender or electric knife) and charge your phone or an outdoor speaker. Simply slide out the trash can when you’re done for easy clean-up. Even without a grilling component, this compact outdoor kitchen setup is perfect for blending poolside drinks and refreshments. Plus, you can wheel it around the patio for different events and setups.
Pros:
Cons:
We love everything about Mont Alpi‘s four-piece outdoor kitchen. It’s a straight unit with a six-burner gas grill, sink, mini-fridge, side burner, cabinets and drawers! You can pick between two finish options: black and stainless steel. If you don’t want a refrigerator or as many burners, you can pick and choose what’s best for you and your wallet.
The infrared side burner is suitable for searing, pan frying and boiling. The grill is outfitted with LED knob lights that let you grill in the evening with ease. The knob lights are blue when off and red when on. There are also bright internal lights that let you see what you’re cooking with more precision.
The beverage center portion of the Mont Alpi kit includes an outdoor refrigerator, sink and faucet. The granite countertops not only look great but are also easy to clean. The grill on this kit is propane-ready but can be converted to natural gas with the Mont Alpi Natural gas conversion kit.
And as you would expect, the pride and joy of your backyard comes with a heftier price tag. But this splurge item arrives fully assembled and with a lifetime warranty, so you can feel confident about your purchase.
Pros:
Cons:
If you’ve got masonry skills, you can build an outdoor kitchen to your specs and install your appliances. This seven-piece kit includes everything you need to build a kitchen.
It consists of a 40-inch gas grill, a gas double-side burner, a 5.5-cubic-foot refrigerator, stainless steel storage doors and vents. The natural gas grill has an LED-lit control system and hood lighting for nighttime entertaining. Patented, triangle-shaped searing rods on the cooking space allow for searing the perfect steak while also keeping your veggies from rolling away. The removable warming rack keeps buns toasty while you finish cooking.
The double burners have red lights to provide nighttime visibility, too. Even the compact fridge has white LED lights for late-night use. Plus, it can hold 152 cans at once! The double-access door lets you build in storage wherever you need it, and the vents help prevent dangerous gas buildup. A grill cover is included so you can preserve your investment for the long haul.
All that’s left is building a frame and weather-resistant outdoor countertop around these components! Using a DIY kit like the Blaze Premium Kitchen Package grants you full control over your outdoor space. For instance, if you don’t want your grill and outdoor kitchen appliances all in one large modular block, you can separate each component and place it wherever you want.
Pros:
Cons:
Looking for a stylish yet customizable kit? These build-your-own metal kitchen kits from Pottery Barn allow you to design around as many components as your space and budget allow. With the Malibu Outdoor Kitchen, you’re not limited to one modular block. You can mix and match various cabinet styles, an island and a hutch to create the outdoor kitchen layout of your dreams.
Each piece can be ordered separately and looks stunning against any backdrop. These modular kitchen components are made of rust-proof aluminum and have a weather-resistant powder coating. This kit is made for open-air entertaining in a thoughtfully designed outdoor space. An anti-tip kit with safety-tested mounting hardware and nylon straps is also included to prevent injuries from tip-overs, so you can have peace of mind while entertaining family and friends.
This outdoor kitchen setup doesn’t include a grill, so it’s another great option if you already own the grill of your dreams. This modular set has space for an outdoor refrigerator and tons of shelves and drawers for outdoor storage.
Knowing how you want to use your outdoor space allows you to figure out the best kitchen kit configuration for your needs. Be sure to measure your space carefully to ensure your chosen kit fits comfortably and allows for easy movement and functionality. Look for kits made from durable materials that can withstand outdoor conditions. Stainless steel, stone and weather-resistant wood are good options.
Be aware of any local regulations or restrictions regarding outdoor kitchens. “Anytime there is sewer, water, electric or gas, a simple permit and inspection is required,” says Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design. He advises checking with local officials for permit requirements before you start your build. If you’re a member of a homeowners association (HOA), keep in mind there may be additional restrictions on outdoor kitchens.
Factor in installation costs when determining your budget. “Homeowners may find that it is more cost-effective to build their own outdoor kitchen rather than hire a contractor,” says Reeder. A full outdoor kitchen costs between $1,200 to $2,500 per linear foot to install, excluding appliances, he reveals. “Costs can vary based on several factors, such as framing materials (concrete block or aluminum framing), type of veneer (siding, faux or real stone), utilities (gas for the grill, water for the sink/refrigerator) and countertops (granite, concrete, etc.).”
We wrangled our expert shopping editors and product testers to cultivate this list of the best outdoor kitchen kits. Shopping Editor Mary Henn has years of experience researching and testing outdoor products, including outdoor cooking and grilling appliances. She and some of our other editors assembled and tested the kitchen kits for this piece.
We also consulted Michael Reeder, the Brand President of Archadeck Outdoor Living, a company specializing in deck and patio design and installation. Reeder worked in the hospitality business with Hyatt Hotels for 15 years before beginning his career as an Archadeck franchisee in Columbus, Ohio.
When selecting the best outdoor kitchen kits, we started by researching a wide range of options available on the market. We considered various factors such as size, configuration, materials and added features to ensure that each kit offers a comprehensive solution for outdoor cooking and dining needs. We also assessed ease of installation and maintenance requirements to find user-friendly options for different skill levels.
Next, we reviewed customer feedback and user reviews to gauge real-world satisfaction and performance. We then consulted with experts in outdoor living and design to gain insights into what makes a high-quality outdoor kitchen kit. Through this thorough process, we identified the best outdoor kitchen kits that excel in durability, functionality and value for money.
After that, we began sourcing, assembling and testing outdoor kitchens for ourselves. That way, we can tell you exactly what the buying process is like. While we’ve tried and tested nearly half of the kitchen kits on this list, we hope to continue testing outdoor kitchens so you can have more real-life consumer knowledge before purchasing.
Honestly, there’s no straight answer. The quality and amount of materials used to build your outdoor kitchen will determine the price, which may cost more or less than a manufactured outdoor kitchen. However, if you’re handy, you may be able to save on labor costs. Using reclaimed materials like recycled bricks can help cut costs, too.
Short answer: No. Anything exposed to the elements will show wear and tear quickly. Stainless steel is a great option, as it tends to hold up better in different weather like rain and heat.