Outdoor Kitchens with a BBQ: A UK Planning Guide
Planning an outdoor kitchen with a BBQ? The short answer: start with where it will go and how you like to cook, then choose a freestanding unit or a covered pod that copes with British weather. Plan the prep space, not just the grill. Here is how.
Why an Outdoor Kitchen?
A BBQ on its own is great until you need somewhere to put the plate, the tongs, the sauce and the person who keeps asking if it is ready yet.
An outdoor kitchen gives you a proper cooking station with worktop space, so the chef stays outside with everyone else instead of running back and forth to the house.
Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen
Location
- Close enough to the house for carrying food, far enough that smoke does not drift indoors.
- On a firm, level surface such as paving or a concrete base.
- Well away from fences, sheds, hedges and overhanging branches.
- Somewhere you can see the rest of the garden, so the cook can still keep an eye on the children.
Layout and Work Zones
Think like a chef. You want a space to prep, a space to cook and a space to serve. Even a compact setup works better with worktop on both sides of the heat.
| Zone | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Prep | Worktop for chopping and marinating |
| Cook | Grill, plancha or both, with clear space around it |
| Serve | Somewhere to put plates and finished food |
| Store | Space for tools, fuel and covers |
Freestanding or Built In?
Freestanding outdoor kitchens are ready to use, need no building work and can move if you change your garden. The HEAT Trolle is a mobile kitchen with a plancha, and the HEAT Kjøk gives you a plancha with worktop space. The BonFeu BonBiza Island is a larger island kitchen with a plancha and room for a crowd.
Built in kitchens with brickwork, sinks and fixed gas lines look stunning, but they need groundworks, trades and a bigger budget.
Designing for British Weather
Let us be honest. The great British BBQ is often cooked under an umbrella held by a loyal family member. Planning for rain means you will use your kitchen far more.
Materials
Choose materials made to live outside. Corten steel builds a protective rusty patina and is designed for all weather use. Stainless steel and stone worktops cope well too. Covers help everything last longer.
Shelter
A covered outdoor kitchen means you can cook in drizzle without sacrificing a family member to umbrella duty. The BBQ Grill Pod is a UK made outdoor kitchen pod with an electric canopy, so you can cook and gather whatever the forecast says.
Never cook under a low, enclosed roof without proper ventilation. Smoke and fumes need somewhere to go.
Choosing Your BBQ
| Fuel | Flavour | Convenience | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Smoky, real fire | Takes time to get going | Needs dry, seasoned logs |
| Charcoal | Classic BBQ | Medium | Messy but much loved |
| Gas | Clean | Quick and easy to control | Fixed supplies need a Gas Safe engineer |
Plancha Cooking
A plancha is a thick steel cooking plate heated from below. It is brilliant for vegetables, seafood, eggs and anything that would fall through a grill. Many of our wood fired kitchens and fire pit BBQs come with one.
Add a Pizza Oven
A pizza oven turns your outdoor kitchen into a takeaway with no delivery fee. The HEAT Ovnhus is a wood fired pizza oven with its own stand. See our pizza ovens.
Budget and Planning Rules
What to Budget For
- The kitchen or BBQ unit itself
- A firm, level base if you do not have one
- Covers and accessories
- Fuel
- Any gas, electrical or plumbing work by qualified trades
Do You Need Planning Permission?
A freestanding outdoor kitchen on your patio does not usually need planning permission. Permanent structures such as roofed kitchens, pergolas or garden buildings may fall under the same permitted development rules as other outbuildings. If yours is larger, close to a boundary or your home is listed or in a conservation area, check with your local council first.
Safety Essentials
- Keep the cooking area clear of anything flammable.
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for fixed gas and a qualified electrician for outdoor power.
- Keep a fire blanket and heat resistant gloves within reach.
- Keep children and pets out of the cook's zone.
- Let the fire burn out and cool completely before covering the BBQ.
This is general guidance only. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your fire pit, chiminea or BBQ, and check any local rules before you light up.
Conclusion
A great outdoor kitchen with a BBQ starts with the right spot, a sensible layout and materials that can handle the British weather. Freestanding units get you cooking straight away, while a covered pod keeps the party going whatever the sky does.
Browse our outdoor kitchens and fire pit BBQs, or call Warren or Leanne on 01249 588853 for friendly, honest advice.
Have you checked out our other posts?
Garden Furniture with a Fire Pit: A Buyer's Guide
Can You Put a Fire Pit on Decking?
Gas vs Wood Burning Fire Pits: Which Is Best for Your Garden?
Chiminea vs Fire Pit: Which Should You Choose?
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