With temperatures soaring and summer upon us, now is the perfect time to update your outdoor space and transform it into an entertainer’s paradise.
First of all, dedicate part of your garden or patio to designing an outdoor kitchen (or a summer kitchen)—cooking outside is a wonderful way to enjoy the warm weather and spend more time with your family. Once you have the basics covered, such as high-end appliances, you can start thinking about adding all the necessary cooking tools and utensils that will help you prepare and serve some delicious food.
First of all, let’s talk drinks—whether you opt for an outdoor bar cart or simply a beverage tub (or both), you’ll definitely need something to keep your refreshments chilled and in close proximity—there is nothing more annoying than having to go indoors every time you need a glass of water or a beer.
There are also a lot of outdoor kitchen tools you’ll need while preparing the food—from grill grids to a barbecue tool set and a heavy-duty apron. And having a beautiful tabletop is part of an enjoyable al fresco experience so investing in a nice melamine dinnerware set is a must. So, without further ado, here are the best outdoor kitchen products to add to your outdoor entertaining space.
Bella Grande 32-Inch Outdoor Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Any foodie would love to add this ultimate outdoor cooking gadget to their collection. Coming in a range of sizes from 28 to 40 inches, and in both red and black, this wood-fired pizza oven can cook up to four 12-inch pies at a time. The oven also comes with a starter kit including gloves, stainless pizza peel and wooden pizza peel, so the only thing you'll need to bring is your pie.
To buy: $3,445, bbqguys.com
Williams Sonoma Pizza Stone
This pizza stone is designed to replicate the cooking surface of a traditional brick oven, insuring that heat is evenly absorbed and distributed for the perfect pie. And it's not just for pizza, the stone can be used to cook bread, flatbread, and pastries as well.
To buy: $25.95, williams-sonoma.com
Weber Summit S-660 Built-In Propane Gas Grill
For any outdoor grill master, not any ordinary grill will do. The Weber Summit S-660 has a rotisserie, a sear station burner, an a stainless steel smoker box. And with six burners packing 60,000 BTUs of heat, this grill can do some serious cooking.
To buy: $2,999, bbqguys.com
Traeger Ironwood 650 Wi-Fi Controlled Wood Pellet Grill
With 650-square-inches of cooking space and a downdraft exhaust system, you're ensured to cook a family dinner to just the right temperature. And for the tech-savvy foodie, you can monitor your grill wirelessly with the Traeger smart phone app, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa, and there's even a built-in pellet sensor so you never run low.
To buy: $1,199.95, bbqguys.com
Alboldus Steel Wood Burning Fire Pit
What better way to finish a nice dinner than by toasting some marshmallows by the fire and enjoying a s‘more or two? This wood-burning fire pit will not only allow you to do that but it will also set up the mood for a relaxing, camp-inspired evening. And we’re sure the kids will absolutely love that.
To buy: $200, birchlane.com
BK Black Steel Barbecue Skillet
Ideal for grilling shellfish or more delicate fish, this skillet is made from sturdy black carbon steel that’s lighter than cast iron. The skillet has been naturally pre-seasoned and coated with a layer of glaze wax to prevent oxidation.
To buy: $60, surlatable.com
Serena & Lily Wells Outdoor Bar Cart
Keep the drinks flowing with this beautiful Art Deco-inspired outdoor bar cart. It’s made from natural wicker and has three shelves including a wine glass rack.
To buy: $998, serenaandlily.com
Indio Metal Outdoor Kitchen Island
With all the meal prep and ingredients you’ll likely have around you, an outdoor kitchen island is a must. This one is made from rust-proof aluminum and has a stainless steel countertop as well as plenty of storage for ice and dinnerware.
To buy: $2,499, potterybarn.com
Glass Beverage Dispenser
Perfect for lemonade, water or your refreshing drink of choice, this beverage dispenser is definitely an outdoor kitchen essential. It has a capacity of about 2.6 gallons and sits atop a metal rack.
To buy: $39, birchlane.com
Williams Sonoma Wood Bread & Pizza Peel
This alder wood pizza paddle is not just ideal for placing pizzas, bread, and calzones in your outdoor pizza oven but also for slicing and serving them. It has beveled edges and can easily fit a 14-inch pie.
To buy: $45, williams-sonoma.com
Safe Scrape Grill Brush
Prep your grill for cooking with this stainless steel brush with sturdy palmyra bristles. Unlike most brushes that have wire bristles and may damage your grill, this one is safe to use on any surface and will cut through caked-on grease and oil.
To buy: $25, surlatable.com
All Clad Stainless Steel Barbecue Tool Set
Designed for professional use, this heavy-duty BBQ tool set is made from polished stainless steel that is dishwasher-safe and comes in a metal storage case. The set includes a two-pronged fork, a boar's head brush, locking tongs, and a slotted turner.
To buy: $120, surlatable.com
Brickhouse Beverage Tub Set
Keep beer, coke, and other refreshments chilled in this rustic beverage tub made from stainless steel. It has a condensation tray that will ensure your patio stays dry while the bottom tray is perfect to store glasses.
To buy: $142, birchlane.com
Sur La Table Stainless Steel Grill Grids
Make sure you always have multiple grill grids at hand—they are ideal for cooking veggies, shellfish, or smaller cuts of meat that may otherwise fall between the grill grates. These come in three sizes and are made from stainless steel that’s dishwasher safe.
To buy: $50, surlatable.com
Nambe Harmony 3-Piece Salad Set
This beautiful acacia wood salad bowl is perfect for outdoor entertaining. It comes with a pair of uniquely-shaped tongs for easy serving.
To buy: $79, perigold.com
John Boos Maple Butcher Block
This butcher board is a must-have for any steak aficionado. The ridges hold the meat steady while you slice it and the juice rim and drip tray will ensure the surface around it stays clean. The best thing about this board is that it’s reversible so when you’re not carving or cutting meat on it, you can use it as a regular cutting board.
To buy: $206, perigold.com
Juliska Melamine Dinnerware Collection
Al fresco dining is all about enjoying nature and the outdoors and this beautiful melamine dinnerware collection fits the bill. The dinner and salad plates come in three eye-catching patterns that will brighten up your tablescape. They are all made from sturdy melamine, ideal for outdoor use.
To buy: from $20, bloomingdales.com
Cedar Grilling Planks
Up your fish grilling game with these cedar planks perfect for smaller fish like trout or cooking salmon fillets. Cedar planks not only serve as a barrier between the fish and the hot grill (so they prevent it from falling apart between the grates or burning) but they also infuse it with a deep, wood-smoked flavor that improves its taste.
To buy: $11/a set of two planks, surlatable.com
BergHOFF International CookNCo Grill Press
Whether you want your meat leaner or your burger patties to cook faster, this cast iron press will definitely come in handy in your outdoor kitchen. It’s made from heavy-duty oil-coated cast-iron and has a bamboo handle for easy handling.
To buy: $33, wayfair.com
OXO Flavor Injector
Make your steak juicier and full of flavor with this marinade injector. It has two stainless steel needles—for thick and thin marinades—and a large handle for a comfortable grip.
To buy: $16, williams-sonoma.com
Hedley & Bennett Brown Waxman Apron
Outdoor cooking and grilling require a heavy-duty apron and this one fits the bill. Made from water-resistant waxed canvas, it will keep your clothes splatter-free. It also has two convenient pockets for storing cooking tools or utensils.
To buy: $120, hedleyandbennett.com
