DIY Outdoor Kitchen Guide: How to DIY Outdoor Kitchen

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, there's nothing better than building a DIY outdoor kitchen. It's a dining space where you can prepare food while hanging out with friends instead of preparing food indoors and transporting it outdoors. The dishes can be immediately served off the grill with a complete outdoor kitchen. One thing to remember is that an outdoor kitchen is a major DIY project that will test your DIY skills, budget, and schedule.

When executing the best DIY outdoor kitchen ideas, you need essential tools and a large power source like Jackery Solar Generators. These reliable solar generators are designed to charge a variety of electrical tools, such as impact drills, miter saws, and plumbing tools. The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro and Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus also have double wheels and a pull rod to move the battery backup generators anywhere.

What Are The Types of Outdoor Kitchens?

If you are considering an outdoor kitchen, it's much easier than ever to get a backyard grill station up and running. Here are different types of DIY outdoor kitchens you can consider:

Built From Scratch: Building an outdoor kitchen from scratch is one of the most complex methods. In this case, you'll need to build a kitchen from the ground up by choosing the frame material, building the frame, and installing the outdoor kitchen.

RTF (Ready-to-Finish): RTF outdoor BBQ kitchen kits have a metal frame wrapped in cement board. This DIY outdoor kitchen type offers more room for creative freedom—without any aesthetic limitations! You can choose whatever finishing material perfectly matches your outdoor space.

RTA (Ready-to-Assemble): The RTA outdoor kits come pre-finished with the appliance cutouts factored in. They are easy to assemble — without heavy equipment. To complete the installation, bolt the panels, slide kitchen appliances in the precut openings, and place countertops.

An outdoor kitchen in the backyard makes the place more usable and ideal for entertainment activities. You can cook alongside guests and reduce electricity bills.

What Tools & Materials Do You Need for a DIY Outdoor Kitchen?

Many pre-manufactured outdoor kitchen kits can be expensive and may not work in your backyard. If you want to design and build an outdoor kitchen with elements that fit your space, here are the essential tools and materials required.

Both electrical and plumbing appliances need power to work. If you are building a DIY outdoor kitchen where there is no nearby power outlet available, you'll need a portable power source like Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus or Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro. These generators have larger built-in batteries that can charge 99% of outdoor tools for long hours.

How to DIY an Outdoor Kitchen?

If you've planned to build an outdoor kitchen, here are the steps you need to follow.

Step 1: Design the Project

The first step is to create a rough design of how the outdoor kitchen would look. For example, determine the kitchen area, the placement of countertops and chairs, the appliances you would require, etc.

Step 2: Construct the Frame

Next, build the outdoor kitchen frame using concrete blocks, wood, or metal. For a DIY outdoor kitchen, constructing a frame with wood or metal is easier than constructing a concrete block.

Step 3: Cut & Frame the Metal Studs

Metal studs are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to work with. They are ideal for building an outdoor kitchen from scratch. Unlike wood frames, metal studs are light and easy to move around. Cut the metal studs depending on the needs, then assemble with the screws. You can also use locking pliers with a flat jaw face to keep the steel layers together.

Step 4: Install Electrical Conduit

The appliances used in the outdoor kitchen, such as grills and refrigerators, will need electricity. This means you need to install outlets on the exterior using outdoor-rated outlet boxes.

Step 5: Attach the Fiber Cement Board

Now, attach the fiber cement board to the steel frame with one-inch self-tapping screws.

Step 6: Choose Durable Cladding and Install Vents

Cedar wood is well suited for outdoor kitchens but will need maintenance. You can choose weathered wood grain to keep the island fireproof. Your outdoor kitchen is incomplete without proper ventilation to avoid the buildup of dangerous fumes.

Step 7: Add Additional Elements

Once the basic outdoor kitchen structure is ready, start adding the elements or appliances, such as a kegerator, grill, dishwasher, refrigerator, sink, and storage space.

Step 8: Consider Countertop Options

There are three types of countertop options available: wood, cement, and natural stone. The wood is beautiful but will require yearly upkeep. While cement countertop is fun, it is a heavyweight project. Natural stone is a long-lasting and durable outdoor countertop, especially for outdoor kitchens.

Jackery Solar Generators for DIY Outdoor Kitchen

The total wattage consumption required to charge electric tools and build an outdoor kitchen will depend on the wattage consumption of all the appliances you want to charge simultaneously.

Solar generators are reliable charging solutions that supply continuous electricity to the appliances. Jackery is a reputable solar brand that offers high-quality solar generators, power stations, and solar panels. Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to support the needs of a DIY outdoor kitchen. 

The solar panels have monocrystalline silicon cells that convert the sun's energy into DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter in the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations converts the DC to usable AC electricity to charge electrical appliances like impact drills, miter saws, etc. Here are the popular Jackery Solar Generator picks for DIY outdoor kitchens.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a large battery capacity of 3024Wh, which can power up to 99% of outdoor tools. It has pull rods and double wheels to move the solar generators to areas where there's no electricity available. It can charge most heavy-duty electrical tools, such as circular saws, electric drills, and miter saws.

Customer Review

"I just had this Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro for a month, and so far, so good. I was able to run every single appliance without any problem: the 4-door refrigerator, 4-in-1 portable air conditioner, electric fans, of course, the smaller TVs, laptops, tablets, and phones."—Jocarpo.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a battery capacity of 2042.8Wh and is designed to charge heavy-duty appliances up to 6000W. Its high output power offers continuous electricity supply to 99% of appliances like chainsaws, drills, etc. With the help of additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus, the battery can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh to charge high-end appliances for hours.

Customer Review

"Very good quality, the battery lasts a very long time. Very easy to move around with the built-in tires. Love the upgradeability. The best solar generator I have ever had." — Marc.

What Should Be Noticed After DIY An Outdoor Kitchen?

Once you've built the DIY outdoor kitchen, here are some factors to protect the investment.

Choose the Best Method of Outdoor Cooking

The cooking equipment for your DIY outdoor kitchen will depend on the food you want to cook. For example, you can enjoy a DIY outdoor BBQ island with a solar generator. Or, you can opt for a pizza oven to cook pizzas, roast meat, and bake bread. If you want to go for fine dining, install smokers, hobs, ovens, and rotisseries.

Dressing and Finishing Touches

Outdoor kitchens are a great way to improve the overall look of the backyard. You can even add the finishing touch that brings the look to life. For example, you can add garden furniture, rugs, water features, outdoor lighting, and garden ornaments to create a relaxing and beautiful space.

Protect Your Outdoor Kitchen From Elements

While the appliances, furniture, fixtures, and furnishings in the outdoor kitchen will be waterproof and weatherproof, you'll still need to protect them from rain or cold and long winters. Here are a few ways to protect the outdoor kitchen:

• Pergola: You can protect the kitchen from breeze and sunlight with a DIY pergola. It also has a mesh roof attached to offer extra protection from direct sunlight.
• Gazebo: An aluminum-framed gazebo protects the investment from rain and snow when air circulates. They also come with a nylon mosquito net to keep the harmful pests out.
• Umberalls: A sturdy market umbrella is an excellent way to provide shade for the outdoor kitchen area. It can protect the kitchen equipment from harmful UV rays.

DIY Outdoor Kitchen FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for a DIY outdoor kitchen?

The size of the solar generator needed to support the DIY outdoor kitchen idea will depend on the total wattage consumption of the appliances you want to power simultaneously.

Here's an example to understand what size solar generator do you need:

Let's say you are charging electric tools like drill (600W), chainsaw (1100W), and multiple lights (200W) at the same time. The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has an NMC battery of 3024Wh, and the working time will be:

Working Time = Battery Capacity * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of Appliances = 3024Wh * 0.85 / 1900W = 1.3H.

Here, we multiply by 0.85 as there is some power loss when charging the appliances.

Can you build an outdoor kitchen yourself?

Yes, if you are an experienced DIYer, you can build an outdoor kitchen. It's a large project that involves building the kitchen frame, installing the cladding, and adding a countertop or work surface.

What is the cheapest material to build an outdoor kitchen?

The cheapest material to build an outdoor kitchen is combining steel with reclaimed materials, such as stone or wood. If you want to reduce the overall cost, consider stucco. It's an inexpensive siding for DIY outdoor kitchens.

How much does it cost to build an outdoor kitchen?

The typical price to build an outdoor kitchen will vary between $300 to $2300 and even go as high as $17,000. Here's a table revealing the estimated cost of requirements:

Final Thoughts

Outdoor kitchens have become popular these days. They are a great way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying delicious food. Since the DIY outdoor kitchen project involves a considerable investment, it is essential to carefully research, gather the supplies, and invest in a portable power source. Jackery offers powerful solar generators designed for different appliances and needs. If you want a solar generator that can charge 99% of outdoor tools, consider the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro.