Everything you need for the best outdoor kitchen, tried and tested by the GHI
There's nothing better than cooking and eating alfresco on warm summer days (and not just because of the novelty factor for us Brits). The option to cook over fire also means you can pack plenty of unique flavours into your meals, and it can be a more relaxed way to dine, making it ideal for entertaining guests, too.
It's no surprise then that more and more of us are looking into creating entire outdoor kitchens for feasting and hosting. “Everyone loves the theatre and thrill of live fire,” Ben Forte, International Marketing Director at Kamado Joe, tells us. “Eating hot, juicy food with your hands makes it infinitely tastier too.”
What is an outdoor kitchen?
An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as having a BBQ with somewhere to place your cooking utensils; however, the best outside cooking spaces include everything from surrounding units for food prep, to fridges, and even built-in sinks for cleaning up afterwards.
And while the idea of an outdoor kitchen may seem a tad optimistic for people in the UK, if created under cover (with sufficient ventilation in place), they can be used all year round to cook, grill and barbecue.
According to Forte, barbecuing isn’t just about the food, either. “It provides a centrepiece; it’s multi-sensory, communal, and draws people together,” he says. “With the right equipment, the possibilities are endless.” Opt for an outdoor oven or a BBQ with teppanyaki plates (flat, iron plates), for example, and you can take alfresco dining to a whole new level.
Of course, you’ll want your garden to look guest-ready too. Some well-placed solar lights or fairy lights will give the space a lovely warm glow on long summer evenings, while a cosy garden sofa with outdoor rugs and lamps will help bring the inside out. Just add a fire pit for cooler nights.
There are many different routes you can take when it comes to units and decking. However, here we've focused on the best appliances to invest in for grilling alfresco, starting with how to find the right BBQ for you.
How to choose your BBQ
Choosing the right BBQ isn't a simple task. From gas to charcoal and electric, each model has different features, price points, sizes and benefits to consider. Luckily, the GHI has tested a whole range of grills to find the very best on the market. We've highlighted the pros and cons of each type below.
Gas BBQs
Gas BBQs are popular thanks to their quick and easy ignition that gets you grilling in no time. As they are powered by a propane gas cylinder, you’ll also have a constant flame, so there’s less risk of the temperature dropping and ending up with raw sausages.
Many models also have multiple burners so you can create different temperature zones and some even come with a side burner, which is ideal if you want to cook different meats, sides or veggies separately.
Electric BBQs
Electric BBQs are relatively new to the market, but their convenience and simplicity may just win you over.
They don’t require any gas tanks, charcoal or lighter fluid; all they need is a handy plug socket. Simply plug in, turn on and start grilling. This makes electric grills easy to store and, depending on their size, ideal for taking on your travels.
Charcoal BBQs
When you think of BBQs, you probably think of hot coals and delicious smoky flavours, so it’s no surprise that the charcoal BBQ is still a popular choice.
They tend to be more versatile thanks to their radiant warmth. The coals in the bottom of the BBQ emit heat consistently, meaning you can sear meats quickly at high temperatures in the centre of the grill, while smoking and slow cooking others around the outside or on a raised rack.
Other outdoor kitchen appliances
Outdoor cooking isn't limited to the traditional BBQ though. With the likes of pizza ovens, teppanyaki grills and rotisserie accessories proving increasingly popular, you can open up your alfresco meals to lots of new dishes and flavours. Below, you'll find the GHI's top-rated buys.
Outdoor ovens
If you’re serious about taking the kitchen outdoors this summer, it’s worth considering an outdoor oven. These are the big boys of the BBQ world, combining the likes of a BBQ, smoker, pizza oven and grill into one handy appliance.
They’re certainly a luxury addition to your patio, so we put a couple to the test to see whether they’re worth spending money on. The answer? If you have the funds, yes.
Pizza ovens
The best pizza ovens make cooking restaurant-quality pizza easy; they're the perfect, crowd-pleasing addition to summer garden parties and family gatherings.
Just add your favourite toppings and an Aperol spritz.
Alternative grills and extra features
If feasting on slices of pizza isn’t quite your thing, or you just want to expand your outdoor cooking repertoire further, consider appliances that have different grill designs and additional features.
Typically, most of these appliances are actually BBQs, but they come with add-ons or removable parts that make them a lot more versatile than a traditional model.
BBQ tips and tricks: How to get the most out of your outdoor kitchen
We turned to Chef Vadim Rachok for his tips and tricks for mastering your grilling technique.
First up, you need to prioritise preheating. “Preheating your grill every time you turn it on is crucial,” says Rachok. “[It] consumes little energy but reduces cooking time significantly.” It can improve hygiene, too – preheating your grill can help kill any residual bacteria lurking on your grill plates, so there’s less chance of any nasties getting on your food.
Next, Rachok suggests using the “Two Zone Grilling technique” to achieve the best results when barbecuing meat. This involves dividing your grill into two: one side for high temperatures (or the direct zone) and another for lower temperatures (the indirect zones). This will give you better control over how evenly your food cooks and allows you to perfect those all-important char marks.
“When grilling beef, I recommend cooking it over high heat to sear the outside and lock in the juices,” Rachok says. “However, avoid placing it directly over the flame to prevent burning.”
It’s a similar situation with sausages. Cooking them over a high heat will cause the skin to burst and could leave your sausages burnt on the outside but raw on the inside.
“Rotate sausages regularly to ensure they cook evenly,” Rachok advises. “If you regularly use a gas grill, you can place the sausages on the side so they’re not directly over the burners, allowing them to cook slowly and more evenly.”
What BBQ tools do I need?
Having the right tools is another important step to delivering a top outdoor feast. You need to be able to flip and turn your meats without burning your fingers, so your normal kitchen utensils likely won’t fit the bill. These haven’t been tested by the GHI, but we’ve curated our pick of the best BBQ utensils below.
How to clean your BBQ
Whether you’re cooking indoors or outdoors, cleaning your appliances is always an essential, if unexciting, job. While the heat from your BBQ does a good job at killing bacteria, cleaning the grill is best practice. Plus, keeping your BBQ in pristine condition helps it last longer.
Special BBQ brushes help loosen food residue from the grills while they’re still hot. But to give them a thorough clean, wait for it to cool down before giving the grills a scrub with hot, soapy water. Check out our full guide on how to clean your BBQ here.
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