7 Clever Covered Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

There’s nothing quite like entertaining from an outdoor kitchen. Fresh ribs off the BBQ, cold drink in hand and sparkling conversation is a fantastic way to while away the hours, if the weather plays nice. To help keep the good times rolling regardless of what Mother Nature has in store, a covered outdoor kitchen is a must. But what’s the best way to get that to work in your space?



Relax young Padawan, we’ve got you on this. We’ve put together seven clever covered outdoor kitchen ideas that are meant to tickle your inspiration bone (you’ve got one… really… buried way down deep inside you). Look at each of these amazing ideas and think of how they may fit in with your outdoor kitchen plans…

1. Working with small space? A Yakitori Grill on a small porch, covered patio, or covered balcony is the perfect way to grill

How great would it be to have a small, high-performance grill you could store on a shelf in your garage (it’s 10.3” x 17.7” in size) that still makes the most amazing food you’ve tasted? Handmade using clay, the Fire Sense Yakatori Grill radiates heat to produce juicier, more tender meals.

2. Add a vent hood over your gas grill for safety

Grilling without open air above your BBQ can accumulate grease and grime on your ceiling, not to mention the additional heat that may become a safety hazard. Add a small vent hood to your ceiling to keep it pristine… and don’t forget to add an infrared heater to your kitchen (like the top-quality Infratech heaters that are made in America).

3. Have your outdoor kitchen countertop double as a seating area for guests to eat

You’re building a countertop, anyway, extend it out a little to create instant guest seating! Getting your outdoor kitchen to pull double duty (cooking and entertaining) is a no brainer since all it takes is a slightly wider countertop. Here we have our guests warmed by the infrared heat from a Bromic recessed patio heater, allowing them to comfortably sit outside late into the evening!

4. For a more compact outdoor kitchen, keep everything to one side of your covered structure

If space is at a premium, once you’ve identified the structure’s size create your outdoor kitchen along one wall to maximize space. Here we’ve created a cooking area and full entertaining space in one small structure. It’s crucial to keep your guests comfy as the chillier days are upon us, so be sure to add just the right (American made) Infratech recessed heater to your design.

5. Build an outdoor kitchen that’s fully integrated into the structure

Since you’re planning your build, consider integrating your outdoor kitchen with an existing exterior wall (which makes electrical wiring, plumbing and venting easier) to decrease costs. Typically, this also means you’re keeping your kitchen on one side (see #4 above) to maximize space. In this shot, the homeowners have thought ahead and designed their ceiling with recessed Infratech patio heaters to keep their guests comfy with early morning coffee or late-night conversations.

6. Create an open concept floor plan for your outdoor kitchen that combines an outdoor living room, outdoor dining room, and outdoor kitchen all in one

Open floorplans aren’t just great inside your home, they make an outdoor living space multi-functional. Create groupings for conversation/relaxation, dining and cooking to section your open space and provide all the comforts of home to your guests. All of the guest areas are warmed by strategically placed Infratech infrared patio heaters, made right here in the good ole’ U.S.A.

7. Invest in a full, all-in-one outdoor kitchen kit with everything you need

When you’re planning your outdoor kitchen, you need all the inspiration you can get. We’re hoping that some of these ideas spark an amazing new idea to you that will work out perfectly in your outdoor kitchen space.