A Guide to Choosing the Best Outdoor Kitchen for Your Backyard

March 11, 2025

What Is The Best Outdoor Kitchen? Our Top 3 Brand Recommendation

What is the best outdoor kitchen? The answer depends on your space, cooking habits, and budget. Outdoor kitchens have become a popular addition to gardens, providing a practical and stylish way to cook and entertain outside. While some kitchens focus on simplicity with a built-in grill and prep area, others include full cooking stations with refrigeration, storage, and seating. No matter the size, a well-planned outdoor kitchen can make cooking outside more enjoyable and efficient.

Defining "Best"

The best outdoor kitchen suits your lifestyle, withstands the weather, and fits within your budget. Some kitchens are designed for casual barbecuing, while others cater to serious cooks who want multiple appliances and spacious prep areas. Materials and layout greatly affect how well your kitchen functions over time. It’s worth considering what features matter most to you before making decisions. Considering all the factors, we have our top 3 outdoor kitchen brand recommendations for you.

Top 3 Outdoor Kitchen Brands

Established brands often offer higher-quality materials, better warranties, and more reliable customer support. They typically provide a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences, so without further ado, here are the top 3 brands for outdoor kitchens.

Norfolk Grills

Norfolk Grills is a top-tier choice for outdoor kitchens, offering exceptional durability, high-performance cooking, and innovative features. Built from premium stainless steel, these outdoor kitchens withstand the elements while delivering even heat distribution and fuel efficiency for perfect cooking results. Plus, their 10-year warranty ensures long-term reliability. Norfolk Grills offers style, performance, and durability—making it a standout choice.

A best-selling is the Absolute 4 Burner. This model is known for its high-quality stainless steel construction and powerful burners, making it highly durable and capable of withstanding various weather conditions. The stainless steel resists rust and corrosion and maintains a sleek, modern appearance over time, requiring minimal maintenance.

Additionally, the design includes thoughtful features like ample prep space, user-friendly controls, and sturdy shelving for easy storage, enhancing both convenience and efficiency in outdoor cooking.

Learn more here: Norfolk Grills Absolute 4 Burner

BeefEater

BeefEater is a premium outdoor kitchen brand known for its high-performance grills, durable stainless steel construction, and customisable modular designs. Designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, they offer powerful burners, even heat distribution, and precision cooking, ensuring perfect results every time. They also feature integrated side burners, storage, fridges, and sinks, making outdoor cooking seamless and stylish. BeefEater is an excellent choice for those looking to improve their outdoor entertaining experience with a professional-grade setup.

A best-selling is the Cabinex - Premium Series - 3000 Series. This series is built with marine-grade stainless steel that is highly corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor environments where exposure to moisture, salt air, and fluctuating temperatures can be challenging. This ensures the appliances retain their structural integrity and appearance over time, even with frequent use.

BeefEater Cabinex™ Premium 3000 Series - 4 Burner Full View

The BeefEater Cabinex Premium Series includes a variety of modular units, such as integrated grills, side burners, refrigerators, and storage cabinets, allowing you to customise your outdoor kitchen according to your specific cooking and entertaining needs. Additionally, the sleek, modern design complements a range of outdoor aesthetics.

Learn more here: BeefEater Cabinex - Premium Series - 3000 Series

Whistler Grills

Whistler Grills offers high-end, durable, and stylish outdoor kitchens with premium stainless steel construction, powerful burners, and precise temperature control for exceptional grilling performance. They offer full customisation with built-in grills, storage, sinks, and refrigeration, creating a seamless and efficient outdoor cooking space. With sleek designs, superior craftsmanship, and outstanding functionality, Whistler Grills is your go-to choice for improving your outdoor entertaining experience with a professional-grade setup.

A standout model is The Stroud Outdoor Kitchen. This model is a premium, pre-designed outdoor kitchen that blends durability, functionality, and style. Built from 430-grade stainless steel with a heat-resistant Laminam work surface, it includes ample storage, a sink, a gas bottle cabinet, soft-closing drawers, and a double-door fridge for seamless outdoor cooking. Available with a Cirencester 4 or 6-burner BBQ, it offers versatile grilling options while adjustable levelling castors ensure a perfect fit on any surface. With its high-end design and practical features, The Stroud is a top choice for anyone upgrading their outdoor space with a stylish, fully-equipped kitchen.

Learn more here: Whistler Grills Stroud Outdoor Kitchen

Whistler Grills Stroud 6 Burner Outdoor Kitchen

Choosing the Right Outdoor Kitchen for You

Selecting the right outdoor kitchen involves more than just picking appliances and materials. It's about understanding how the space will fit into your lifestyle. Think about how you plan to use your outdoor kitchen—your cooking style, the size of your outdoor area, and your entertaining habits will all influence the design and features you need.

Another key consideration is the environment where the kitchen will be located. Factors like local weather conditions, sun exposure, and the layout of your garden can affect the choice of materials and appliances. Planning for these details early on will help you create a functional, enjoyable space that meets your needs for years.

Assess Your Needs

Before you start designing your outdoor kitchen, it’s important to consider what you need from the space. How often do you plan to use the kitchen, and what meals do you enjoy preparing? Do you love hosting large gatherings with elaborate dishes, or do you prefer quick barbecues with family?

Understanding your priorities from the start will help you make decisions that match your needs, budget and space while creating a practical and enjoyable kitchen.

Cooking Style

If your outdoor cooking mostly revolves around quick barbecues with grilled meats and vegetables, a simple setup with a high-quality barbecue grill might be all you need. On the other hand, if you love experimenting with more elaborate dishes, consider adding extra features like side burners for sauces, a pizza oven for fresh, homemade pizzas, or a dedicated prep station with ample counter space.

It is also useful to include built-in utensil storage, a sink for easy clean-up, or even a small fridge to keep ingredients fresh. Tailoring your outdoor kitchen to your cooking style helps create a functional and enjoyable space.

Entertaining Needs

If you regularly host large gatherings, consider a spacious layout with extra seating, multiple preparation areas, and versatile cooking options. Incorporating features such as an outdoor bar, large dining tables, and ample counter space can help create a comfortable setting for socialising while food is being prepared.

If you prefer smaller gatherings, a compact design with efficient storage, a simple grill setup, and cosy seating arrangements might be better suited for a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.

Budget

Decide on a budget that allows for quality materials and reliable appliances, as these will have the biggest impact on the longevity and performance of your outdoor kitchen. Consider the initial costs and ongoing expenses like maintenance, potential repairs, and energy consumption. It might be helpful to break down your budget into categories—such as appliances, materials, labour, and optional extras—to see where you can allocate funds effectively. Start with the essentials like a solid grill and durable countertops, then add extra features like refrigeration units, storage cabinets, or speciality appliances over time as your budget allows.

Research and Compare

When planning your outdoor kitchen, taking the time to research and compare different options can help you make informed decisions. This step involves looking at various kitchen layouts, materials, appliances, and even brands to see what suits your needs best. Comparing features, warranties, and customer feedback will give you a clearer picture of what to expect regarding durability, performance, and value for money. It’s not just about finding the most expensive or feature-packed option but identifying what will work best for your outdoor space and cooking habits.

Read Reviews

Customer reviews can help you find durable, well-designed outdoor kitchens by offering real-life insights into how products perform over time. Look for feedback highlighting key aspects such as material quality, ease of use, and long-term performance, including how well appliances withstand outdoor conditions like rain, heat, and general wear. Reviews often point out issues that may not be immediately obvious from product descriptions, such as how easy it is to clean certain surfaces, how quickly grills heat up, or if there are any recurring maintenance problems. Pay attention to review patterns, as consistent praise or criticism can give you a more accurate picture of a product's reliability.

Visit Showrooms or Attend Outdoor Living Events

Landscape architects and kitchen designers can offer useful advice on the best layout and features for your space, considering factors such as the natural flow of your garden, the optimal placement for appliances, and how to integrate your outdoor kitchen with the surrounding environment. Their expertise can help you avoid common mistakes, like poor ventilation, inefficient use of space, or selecting materials that may not withstand local weather conditions.

They can recommend high-quality products, suggest cost-effective design solutions, and help you prioritise features based on your budget, ensuring you get functionality and aesthetic appeal without unnecessary expenses. For expert guidance tailored to your outdoor kitchen project, contact us at +44 20 3835 8311 or email sales@woodlarkgardenluxury.co.uk.

Conclusion

What is the best outdoor kitchen? The answer depends on your needs, budget, and available space. A well-planned kitchen should be durable, functional, and suit your cooking and entertaining style. Choosing quality materials and appliances makes a difference in how long your kitchen lasts and how enjoyable it is. With careful planning, your outdoor kitchen can become a long-lasting and practical extension of your home.