Outdoor Kitchen Islands FAQ
Are you building an outdoor kitchen? There are a lot of great options to choose from, but the easiest by far is an Outdoor Kitchen Island. Outdoor Kitchen Islands are a fantastic solution for anyone looking to create a functional, stylish, and enjoyable outdoor cooking space without the hassle of hiring contractors or piecing together appliances. These ready-to-assemble islands come as a complete unit, making setup easy and stress-free — perfect for those who want a seamless installation and are ready to start grilling right away. Our experts have answered the most common questions about outdoor kitchen islands, from installation tips to customization options, to help you understand why this all-in-one outdoor cooking setup might be the perfect fit for your backyard.
Most Common Questions About Outdoor Kitchen Islands
What is an outdoor kitchen island or BBQ grill island?
Featuring a built-in grill, storage components, and often bonus appliances and a side burner, BBQ grill islands are an increasingly popular and highly economic option for installing an outdoor kitchen base. They offer incredible value, rapidly boosting your private hosting opportunities without the hassle of working with contractors for weeks on end.
Does adding an outdoor kitchen increase home value?
Yes. Outdoor kitchens increase the overall square footage of your living space, which raises your home’s value.
How much does a full outdoor kitchen cost versus building a custom outdoor kitchen?
Based only on the materials and structure itself, a modular outdoor kitchen will typically cost around $250 to $475 per linear foot. A completely custom-built outdoor kitchen will usually run between $320 and $670 per linear foot. This does not take into account labor, shipping costs, and other factors.
How long does it take to set up an outdoor kitchen island?
Ready-to-assemble barbecue island kits can take as little as two hours to put together with two people. Depending on the size and type of island, some can take up to a weekend’s worth of work to fully install.
Do these BBQ grill islands have to be permanently installed?
BBQ grill islands don’t necessarily have to be installed permanently. For instance, many of them can disassemble into their individual component pieces. These overlap with models on wheels or casters. Others are built to stay where they are. Ready-to-assemble islands aren’t made for the pick-up-and-go crowd, whereas a Blaze BBQ island can be easily broken down and rebuilt elsewhere.
What framing materials do your BBQ grill islands use?
Our grill islands are framed with stainless steel and aluminum. Stainless steel carries a known quality pedigree; aluminum frames have a similarly solid reputation — plus, they don’t rust and are lighter and easier to move.
Are all outdoor kitchen islands sold in complete sets, or will I need to purchase additional pieces separately?
These are complete islands that arrive with all components necessary. Now, one size doesn’t fit all, so we do offer upgrades — expect these to include covers, extended warranties, and grill accessories tailored to the specific grill included. Of note, warranties are usually offered per component, whereas the grill warranty covers the island.
Do I need an electrician or plumber to install an outdoor kitchen island?
Plumbers are a requirement for natural gas islands, but there’s no need for one if all you need to do is fetch a standard propane tank… well, with one caveat. If you want a sink — which means running water and drainage — then check out our Sink FAQ and get yourself a good plumber. Electricians aren’t usually necessary, but you should always check any installation documents.
Will all of my outdoor kitchen components arrive at the same time?
How many people are required to uncrate and set up an island?
Uncrating and setting up a BBQ island will always require at least one other pair of hands, but the exact number of friends you’ll need to bribe will vary on the brand. Some are simpler than others, but each component still arrives in its own box and needs assembly. With those heavier grills, you’ll absolutely need a solid lifting buddy.
Will the shipper deliver my grill island where I want, or will it be curbside delivery?
Every BBQ island we ship will arrive curbside. In most cases, the islands will be packed onto one or two pallets. You can expect those to be fairly heavy. Be certain to inspect all components for shipping damage — the last thing you want is to order a grill island in April, not get around to installation until August, and encounter an issue!
How heavy or hard to move will my complete outdoor kitchen island be?
Complete BBQ islands vary in weight and difficulty of maneuverability. What we can tell you is that this is mostly a materials situation: aluminum is light, whereas stone-faced isn’t. We list out the product weight in the shipping dimensions of every grill island we sell; some of them require serious heavy lifting. In rare cases, you’ll probably need a forklift. While we understand the thrill of opening boxes, we heavily recommend first fetching a friend to help move everything to the area where you plan to install your island.
Do grill islands built on casters have locking casters?
Yes, the BBQ islands on casters definitely lock into place. We don’t want those rolling off somewhere or taking a dip in the pool.
Are casters available for all BBQ islands?
Some BBQ island brands utilize normal feet for all models and don’t offer casters.
Do the BBQ island’s electrical components need to be hard-wired, or do they plug into an outlet?
We don’t carry any BBQ islands that require hard wiring — you can plug them all into any standard 120V electrical outlet.
Can I install an outdoor kitchen island against a wall or a fence?
If it complies with the required clearance to combustibles of the individual components, then you can install your grill island against a surface (for example. Blaze grills require a 16” clearance of open air from the grill back). It should come as no surprise that installing a gas grill up against anything combustible is a terrible idea in all cases. If there will be a structure overhead, you’ll need to follow your local code and regulations on vent hoods (and we can teach you how to buy a vent hood). The owner’s manual will list instructions for each of the individual components included in the island.
Does the countertop arrive sealed, or will it require sealing out of the box?
Any BBQ islands we offer with countertops made of materials that need sealing will arrive pre-sealed upon delivery. Most of our BBQ Islands on offer are made from materials that do not require sealing, such as stainless steel. Learning more about countertops for your outdoor kitchen can teach you similar pros and cons.
Do grill islands include leveling shims?
Generally, no, BBQ islands don’t include leveling shims. Refer to your owner’s manual, but most BBQ islands specify that they should be placed on level ground — which means no leveling feet or leveling shim.
Do all outdoor kitchen islands have floors?
While this depends on the brand — for instance, Blaze cabinets don’t, whereas Weber does — the models with casters are more likely to have a floor. You have to bolt the casters to something, right? Some models are designed to be purposefully open bottom.
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