Outdoor kitchens are becoming a rave due to many positive reasons like maximized outdoor entertainment due to more space, extra saving on electricity bills, easy clean-up after cooking, and a great resale value! There’s a lot that needs to be done when setting up an outdoor kitchen like appliances and gears, flooring, cabinets, furniture, etc. But one unmissable thing is a BBQ island or a tabletop or a counter per se.
How to build a BBQ island is always the one question that crosses the minds of those who are gearing up to developing their kitchen outside. Either for their convenience or to treat their guests better, outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity! Finding the right, ideal, most-suited, long-lasting, durable, and less maintenance island material does like half of the work!
So if you’re also in a dilemma as to what all possible options are there which can suit your needs, requirements, personal style, and durability, then this guide is for you!
How to build a BBQ island in your backyard?
Well, the choices of countertop or island materials are listed below.
1. Granite
First in the list has to be any home owner’s favorite. This natural stone is not only resistant to any harsh conditions, but also mold, mildew, and stains. Though it is already easy to maintain, a proper sealant can help take care of it better! Due to the availability of numerous finishes and colors, it comes to one’s mind first when they think of how to build a BBQ island outdoors!
Note: Go for a honed finish over polish for near resemblance to nature. Also granite and other stones get heated very quickly, so keep that in mind.
2. Concrete
Yet again, highly durable material for a BBQ island/countertop, concrete comes in a variety of finishes, and one can embed stones or tiles on it for an eccentric look. But some colors might fade or turn yellow due to the sun’s exposure. Also, it can be vulnerable to stains and bacteria growth due to its porous nature if not sealed well during installation. But it’s again very easy to maintain, clean, and is highly resistant to harsh outdoor conditions.
Note: Natural earthy tones usually don’t suffer from the problem of yellowing or fading!
3. Wood or butcher block
It is a rather unusual choice for outdoor kitchen countertops. It is neither as highly durable as other choices, nor is it low-maintenance. You frequently need to apply food-grade oil to the surface to prevent it from moistening and rotting and also to prepare food safely. High upkeep, due combustion-related precautions, and frequent maintenance are what wood or butcher block demands. Fireproof metallic inserts like insulation jackets become a necessity.
So if these cons still work for you, go with a wooden BBQ island in your backyard!
4. Stainless steel
Sounds weird? Well, it is a thing when coming to building a BBQ island outdoors. Stainless steel has easy maintenance, after clean-up, practical appeal, capability of being loud, and not being cost-efficient at all. Though with continual usage, some wear might happen. But it purely depends on how you maintain!
Imagine having an all-in-one stainless steel-based outdoor kitchen base!
Also, you can find some high-quality stainless steel appliances and gears here for a ravishing and easy outdoor BBQ experience.
5. Tile
The tile itself is a great option for outdoor kitchens because of its high durability, easy clean-up, cost-effectiveness over a full slab, and an entire range of different stones to choose from like granite, marble, porcelain, etc. But proper installation with grout lines sealed needs to be taken into consideration as the entire grouting process might lead to a dirt build-up, staining, and breaking up earlier. So maintenance for sure is a thing with tile countertops.
Note: Take into consideration the material(s) of the tile to hold up well in your area’s climate and weather conditions.
6. Glass
It’s not just limited to the indoors but has managed to break through the walls into outdoor arrangements as well. When thinking of how to build a BBQ island with glass, keep in mind that it’s pretty durable (required you don’t throw anything on it), pretty easy to maintain and clean, can be customized concerning your needs for a more stylish and unique look, and also won’t fade or get damaged due to rain, wind or sun. But acidic foods and drinks still need to be kept at bay, or else use coasters if you don’t want to clean any spill ups quickly!
7. Brick
Last on the list on how to build a BBQ island with available material choices is brick. If you love that rugged, timeless, and rustic look and appeal of the brick, then maybe this could be your go-to choice. While installing a brick-based BBQ island is easy, it can become really hard to clean it and may even get weaker due to its great absorption capability.
It’s also not that cost-effective sighting the fact that you need sealants and much more special tools. But the brick countertop offers high durability and a more contemporary, old-worldly, and attention-grabbing look. The old rustic charm can make you fall in love with brick countertops if not anything else!
Note: Irrespective of the type of material, always go for a lighter color to keep the surface cooler and help reflect the sun’s heat, except for brick, and stainless steel.
There’s a variety of other stones as well that you can use when constructing your outdoor kitchen’s island like soapstone, slate, flagstone, etc.
So you see, there’s a host of BBQ island materials to choose from. But if you’re on the lookout for some other additions to your backyard kitchen, then BBQ Island has an entire range for you! How to build a BBQ island has been discussed, but there’s a lot more than you can find at BBQ Island!