How to Build the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen: A Comprehensive Guide
There’s nothing like a Minnesota summer: sunny days spent on the lake, quality time with family and friends, and the smell of something on the grill. One way to make your Northwoods summer even sweeter? Adding a full-service outdoor kitchen to your home or cabin.
Outdoor kitchens let you maximize your time outdoors. No more wasting nice days cooking indoors or trying not to trip over lawn toys while carrying plates of food inside and out. With a backyard grill station, sink, dishwasher, and mini-fridge, your kitchen becomes the “hub” where meals are shared and memories are made in the open air.
In this guide, we’ll detail everything you need to consider when planning your own outdoor kitchen project. Knowing what’s ahead makes all the difference between an outdoor living space you love and one that costs you twice. At Schroeder’s, we’ve served the Brainerd Lakes area with experience-backed home services for over 60 years. We’ve learned a thing or two about making dream outdoor spaces a reality — here’s what you should know before starting yours.
Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen Design
Before breaking ground, you’ll need to make some decisions:
- Layout and traffic flow: Where does the kitchen sit relative to the house, lake, or patio? Do you prefer an open concept, L-shape, or straight-run island design?
- Size and prep space: Undersizing the counter is a common mistake. The counter should be 28” to 32” deep and at least 18” on either side of the grill and sink to be functional for cooking.
- Weather and orientation: In Minnesota, our hot and humid summers and cold, snowy winters can age outdoor appliances without careful planning. You’ll need to consider typical wind direction, shade, and weather exposure when determining where to place appliances.
- Access to utilities: Gas lines, outdoor plumbing, and electrical aren’t optional. You should know how and where they’re being installed — and by who — before you lay a single block.
- HOA or permit requirements: Working with an experienced local team (like Schroeder’s) ensures your project complies with local codes and permits. If you’re in an HOA neighborhood, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the guidelines or even get permission from the HOA board.
Choose Your Materials Wisely
Brainerd’s winter freeze/thaw cycles will work against the durability of your outdoor kitchen. Choosing the right materials for the weather conditions, along with your budget and desired amount of maintenance, is important.
- Frame materials: Common options include steel studs, concrete blocks, and aluminum frames. In Minnesota, concrete is the best choice for longevity and minimal maintenance, though it tends to be on the expensive side.
- Countertop options: Granite, porcelain tile, concrete, and stainless steel are all common in outdoor kitchens. Granite performs well outdoors, but it must be sealed regularly to prevent moisture-related cracking. Stainless steel is another great choice because it’s low-maintenance and holds up well over time.
- Outdoor kitchen cabinets: Marine-grade polymer is built to withstand extreme weather while requiring minimal maintenance. Stainless steel is great for cabinets, just like it is for countertops. Another option is teak or hardwood, which are visually beautiful but need to be oiled regularly.
- Grill surround and veneer: The veneer is the exterior of your outdoor kitchen. It’s what makes it look like a finished space rather than a construction project. Natural stone is a beautiful choice, especially for a lakeside cabin, and brick similarly offers a classic appearance. Stucco is a less popular option because it cracks easily and lets moisture in.
Building Your Outdoor Kitchen Appliance Lineup
Every outdoor kitchen starts with a grill. You can choose between a built-in or freestanding unit and a pellet versus a charcoal grill. The experts at SmokeStack in the Schroeder’s Appliance Center can help you choose the best grill for your needs and setup. We carry all the top brands like Yoder, Napoleon, Weber, and Traeger — some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the northwoods.
What you add from there depends on your cooking preferences, convenience, and budget. Popular options include smokers, side burners, and pizza ovens. Keep drinks and summer salads cool in a refrigerator — but be sure to choose an outdoor-rated model, as they’re built differently than indoor units.
An outdoor kitchen sink is one of the most underrated additions for making prep and cleanup easy. And storage is another practical consideration. Under-counter drawers and cabinets hide away grilling tools, outdoor dinnerware, tablecloths, bug spray, and candles when you’re not using them.
Utility Connections: Where Most DIY Projects Go Wrong
Gas and plumbing work in Minnesota requires licensed contractors — and a botched gas connection or improperly winterized line are expensive mistakes you won’t want to redo.
Gas Lines
Propane and natural gas lines power grills, fire pits, heaters, and side burners. Running a dedicated line means never running out of gas mid-grillout or during a night around the fire. Gas lines should be installed by an experienced professional who follows safety guidelines and knows building codes and the permitting process. Schroeder’s offers outdoor gas line installation as part of our suite of outdoor living services.
Plumbing
Outdoor sinks require a dedicated water line. Especially with Minnesota’s winter freeze, it takes a skilled installer to properly protect outdoor plumbing installations. But once you have plumbing outside, you can use it for water features and outdoor showers, too.
Electrical
Permanent lighting and refrigerators require electrical work. Electrical requires a licensed electrician familiar with GFCI outlets and outdoor-rated wiring — our team can connect you with trusted local pros.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Kitchen?
Costs vary widely depending on the scope of your project. Utility connections, luxury outdoor kitchen appliances, and permits will all drive the cost up. Modular builds, simple framing materials, and choosing only one or two appliances are all ways to stay within a more modest budget.
Here’s a rough outline of how much an outdoor kitchen installation can cost in Brainerd:
Tier
Description
Estimated Range
Basic
Freestanding grill, simple counter, no utility connections
$10,000 – $25,000
Mid-Range
Built-in grill, stainless cabinets, outdoor sink, gas line
$3,000 – $8,000
Premium
Full island, multiple appliances, plumbing, electrical, custom countertops
$30,000 – $80,000+
Common Outdoor Kitchen Mistakes
With a project as big as an outdoor kitchen, you want to make sure it’s done right the first time. Learn from the mistakes of others — avoid these common pitfalls:
- Skipping the permit: Gas lines and plumbing additions in Minnesota usually require permits. Skipping these can affect your homeowner’s insurance and resale value.
- Undersizing the grill or prep space: Build for how you actually cook, not how you think you cook.
- Using indoor-rated appliances: Using indoor-rated appliances outdoors is a safety hazard waiting to happen. And not only will they wear out faster in conditions they’re not designed for, but using them outside will void the warranty.
- Not accounting for winter: Outdoor kitchens in Brainerd need a winterization plan. Lines that don’t drain will freeze and burst, leading to an expensive headache come spring.
- Poor ventilation for built-in grills: Built-in grills require proper clearances and ventilation, or they risk a dangerous buildup of gas.
- Placing the kitchen downwind of the seating area: Smoke direction matters more than people realize. Dining with smoke in your face will ruin your new outdoor living experience, fast.
Ready to Build? Start With a Plan — And the Right Team
The difference between a project that turns out great and one that doesn’t usually comes down to planning and who you work with. Schroeder’s has both covered — from appliances at SmokeStack to installation and year-round home and cabin service by our Home Services team. Come into the showroom, see the grills in person, and talk through your layout with our team.
Call us to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
These days, many homeowners and cabin owners are opting for outdoor kitchens that compete with their indoor kitchens in terms of functionality and style. The more appliances — like built-in grills, pizza ovens, and dishwashers — the better. “Smart” devices, like app-controlled smokers and light fixtures, are also expanding beyond the home.
Another popular choice is to blur the line between inside and outside, with a patio leading to an outdoor entertainment zone that opens onto a kitchen and dining area. If the outdoor spaces mimic indoor design choices, it’s all the better.
In addition to appliances like a grill, outdoor sink, and fridge, consider practical accessories like dedicated outdoor cooking utensils, a dinnerware set, a bar set, a cutting board, kitchen towels, mosquito repellent, an ice bucket or cooler, and dishwashing supplies. All these additions make your outdoor kitchen truly functional as an all-in-one space, not just a nice-to-have stop-off between the lake and the indoor kitchen.
Yes. Modular outdoor kitchens come in interlocking partial sections, so you can easily pick and choose the features and layout you need for a small space. They can also be significantly more affordable than a full custom outdoor kitchen.
Choosing a grill is largely a matter of personal preference, like gas, pellet, or charcoal cooking styles. But the right size depends on how many people you’ll be cooking for:
- A 440 sq. in. cooking surface or below is a great choice for small families
- 450 – 550 sq. in. is a standard size accommodating 20 – 28 burger patties at once
- 550 sq. in. or above is recommended for grilling enthusiasts who frequently host large barbecues
If you’re unsure how to choose the best outdoor kitchen grill for your needs and preferences, stop by the SmokeStack showroom at the Schroeder’s Appliance Store in Brainerd, MN. You can see, touch, and talk through grill and smoker options with our expert grillers, including brands you won’t find anywhere else in the area.
