An outdoor kitchen combines cooking, grilling and enjoying yourself in one outdoor setup. Where a regular barbecue is mostly about grilling, an outdoor kitchen offers a complete outdoor cooking experience — including worktop space, storage, and often even a fridge. In this article, we explain exactly what an outdoor kitchen is, and what to look out for when buying one.
What is an outdoor kitchen?
An outdoor kitchen is an outdoor cooking setup that goes beyond a standalone barbecue. Besides one or more burners, an outdoor kitchen usually also includes worktop space, storage cabinets or drawers, and sometimes an integrated fridge. That way, you don't have to keep walking back inside while cooking, and you have everything within reach.
Why an outdoor kitchen? The key benefits
- Everything in one place: cooking, storage and sometimes cooling in a single setup
- Versatility: often multiple burners and cooking methods (direct grilling, griddle cooking)
- Social factor: you stay right in the middle of the company in the garden while cooking
- Atmosphere: an outdoor kitchen quickly becomes the centrepiece of your patio or garden
Buying an outdoor kitchen: what to look for
Number of people
Determine how many people you typically cook for. Larger outdoor kitchens offer a more generous cooking surface and more burners, suitable for large groups.
Storage space
Check whether there's enough cabinet and drawer space for tools, gas and other supplies.
Extra features
An integrated fridge, warming rack or temperature gauge make everyday use easier.
Mobility
An outdoor kitchen on wheels is easier to move around or push against the wall out of season.
The Boretti Luciano Nero: a complete example
The Boretti Luciano Nero Outdoor Kitchen shows well how extensive an outdoor kitchen can be:
| Specification | Boretti Luciano Nero |
|---|---|
| Burners | 6 (4 main burners, 1 infrared bottom burner, 1 infrared rear burner) |
| Grill grates | 3 cast-iron grates + 1 cast-iron griddle plate |
| Cooking surface | 90 x 44 cm |
| Fridge | Yes, integrated |
| Storage | 2 drawers + 1 storage cabinet |
| Extras | Temperature gauge, warming rack, wheeled trolley |
| Width | 152 cm |
| Height | 118 cm |
| Weight | 100 kg |
| Capacity | Up to 20 people |
| Fuel | Gas |
With these dimensions and features, the Luciano Nero quickly becomes the centrepiece of a large garden or patio. Also browse the full barbecue range or read our Keij vs Boretti kamado comparison.
Outdoor kitchen: is it right for you?
An outdoor kitchen is the next step for anyone who wants more than just grilling — a complete outdoor cooking setup bringing cooking, storage and sometimes cooling together. Consider beforehand how many people you cook for and which extra features matter to you, and browse the full barbecue range at Boender Outdoor.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an outdoor kitchen and a regular barbecue?
A regular barbecue is mostly focused on grilling. An outdoor kitchen also offers worktop space, storage, and often extra features like a fridge, making it a complete outdoor cooking setup.
Do I need a gas connection for an outdoor kitchen?
Most outdoor kitchens, including the Boretti Luciano Nero, run on gas via a gas bottle. A fixed gas connection isn't necessary.
Can an outdoor kitchen stay outside all year round?
With a suitable protective cover, an outdoor kitchen can winter outside just fine, though covered storage does extend its lifespan.
