Looking to build an outdoor kitchen on a budget? Here's how you can

With its extensive range of options, the outdoor kitchen is a few steps ahead of the typical barbeque experience. The added functions and sophistication mean less burnt food and a heightened culinary experience. In addition, an outdoor bbq kitchen enhances the value of a home. So, if you’re looking for outdoor kitchen ideas on a budget, you’re in the right place.

Outdoor cooking equipment can vary extensively in cost. You can pick up a simple charcoal barbecue for as little as $50, depending on where you buy it. Alternatively, a top-end built-in outdoor stove will set you back around $7,000, and that’s not taking installation into account.

While aesthetics are important, they are not an integral part of cooking. What’s needed is a high-performing cooking unit that can deliver. Budget at least $1000 for a good-quality appliance that cooks well and lasts longer.t

Outdoor kitchen units have several benefits. They have the functionality required of the outdoors, with the convenience of the indoors. If you’re looking to focus on optics, there’s plenty of outdoor kitchen ideas to choose from.

There are also outdoor kitchen units to complement the lushness of your yard. The seamless design flow from the interior to the exterior offers the ultimate in home-living.

You can run with all the inspiring ideas in your head and plan the perfect kitchen layout. Outdoor bbq area ideas can include pairing a stainless steel bbq island with outdoor kitchen cabinets to match. You also can’t go wrong with paved areas, attractive decking, and well-positioned plants.

If budget, space, and creativity allow, the world is your oyster. So, why not make your world your home?

This really just comes down to your budget. There are no real limitations and plenty of outdoor bbq area ideas to explore. Think of your outdoor bbq area as a blank canvas. You can bring it to life, add to it what you will, and create whatever your heart desires.

Here are a few options to help you enjoy the ambience of cooking.

A bbq island is a favourite, and this will not change anytime soon. Innovative outdoor bbq kitchens bring tradition, style, and functionality side by side. A standard and durable unit should not cost more than $1,000 and comes with additional features. However, there are different types that range from low to high-end.

For pizza lovers, outdoor pizza ovens create sumptuous quality meals right from home. No need for take-away or a trip down to the Italian restaurant. Other than baking a pizza, these ovens can be used to roast vegetables and produce bread from a single firing. You can build these from scratch or buy them for between $500 to $1,500.

Storage is an essential part of kitchen decor. However, they don’t just have to provide functional benefits. You can extend your cooking zone with great looking matching outdoor kitchen cabinets.

In particular, aluminium kitchen cabinets are a great option where the kitchen sits under a weatherproof pergola. The options don’t end there as you explore your outdoor cabinetry creativity.

There are a few essentials to bear in mind for building an outdoor bbq area:

• A built-in cooking appliance
• Food prep space of at least a metre in measurement

And, for added functionality:

• A sink
• One or two outdoor fridges
• Shelter from the harsh elements
• Storage for pots, pans, and utensils
• Lighting – both task-related and ambient
• A heater, for year-round comfort

The arrangement, layout and cooking units depend on what you plan to cook. For instance, if South Asian cuisine is your forte you will need to put in higher flamed cookers with deep woks.

With anything in life, you get what you can afford. It’s the same with an outdoor bbq area. Depending on your budget any stretch of your imagination can be achieved. What we have done is to break it down into 3 main cost categories.

For a kitchen that is both inexpensive but still trendy, you can invest in a good cooking appliance, and get help from friends or family to set it up. In this budget, it may not be possible to add sheltering but you can opt for a cooking unit that can be moved indoors.

A chiminea, freestanding gas heater, heating, or low-cost paving will work well in the outdoor area. For outdoor fridges though, you may need extra funds to get sufficient quality.

This budget can get you the convenience and comfort of a shelter (ideally with a pergola style) and paving or decking. This cost bracket is suitable for that added convenience of having heating for those chilly nights, a low-cost outdoor fridge, and an outside sink. Try to minimise the plumbing costs to make the latter option more budget-friendly.

Outdoor kitchen ideas don’t have to be limited by cost. An expansive budget gets you expansive luxury. A custom-made kitchen fitted with the most exquisite appliances, complete with shelter and decking is within your reach.

With this high-end budget, you can have quite a few outdoor kitchen units. You can go all out and have fridges with multiple purposes: one for drinks and the other for food and snacks. This can include one fridge for the drinks and another for the food. Sheltering can also be made as sturdy and as opulent as you wish.

If you have put in effort decorating your home you may have an eye on your outdoors too. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of outdoor kitchen ideas to help you. For added comfort and ambience, you can add plush cushions, lighting, and lanterns for great effect. These don’t have to be expensive either as there are plenty of budget-friendly options out there.

Also, with the placement of outdoor cabinetry, the layout can be more organised and structured. In winters, outdoor heating can truly elevate the outdoor space. On a hot summer day, Kiwi’s have never really required an excuse to BBQ. So a trendy unit with additional décor truly raises the bar.