Outdoor Kitchen Installation Cost and Planning for Chicago Winters

Outdoor kitchen cost by type of build

The type of build sets the budget range before any other choice. A grill island on an existing patio with existing hookups sits at the low end; a custom kitchen with long stone counters, masonry and new utility runs sits at the high end. These installed ranges are a starting point for budgeting, not quotes.

What drives outdoor kitchen installation cost

Beyond the size of the island, a handful of line items move the total most. Utility runs are the ones homeowners tend to underestimate, because their cost depends on the distance from the house and what lies between, not on the kitchen itself.

Planning an outdoor kitchen for Chicago winters

Freeze-thaw is the main enemy. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands and widens them every winter, so every design decision here starts with the base and the water lines.

A base that will not heave

An island here should sit on a stable base: either a reinforced concrete slab on a compacted gravel base, or footings below the frost line, which is about 42 inches in much of the Chicago area. Pavers set on sand can settle unevenly under a heavy masonry island.

Water lines you can drain

An outdoor sink should have a shutoff inside the heated house and a way to drain the line completely before the first hard freeze. A line that stays full over a Chicago winter can split, so plan the winterizing routine during design, not after the first cold snap.

1. Drain the water lineShut off the supply inside, open the outdoor faucet, and blow out the line if it cannot drain fully by gravity.
2. Close the gas and cover the grillClose the gas valve to the grill and use a breathable cover rather than a plastic tarp.
3. Store the refrigerator for winterCheck the manual; many outdoor units are not meant to run through freezing weather and are unplugged and left open.
4. Protect the topsSeal natural stone on the maker's schedule and clear snow with a plastic shovel.

Materials that hold up outside in northern Illinois

Indoor cabinets and untreated wood do not last outdoors here. We usually build the frame from concrete block or steel studs with cement board, then finish with stone veneer, brick or stucco. Doors and drawers in 304-grade stainless steel resist rust much better than lower grades, especially near the grill.

Permits: gas and electrical work needs one in most villages

Running gas and electrical service to an outdoor kitchen requires a permit in most Chicago-area villages, and the work is inspected. Plumbing for a sink often needs one too. Some villages also review pergolas, roofs and other structures, and many have setback rules for how close a structure can sit to the lot line. HOAs may require approval of the design and materials.

Rules vary by village, so check with your building department before you finalize the design. Before any digging for a gas line, a footing or a trench, call 811 so underground utilities are marked; in the suburbs that request goes to JULIE, and in the City of Chicago to the city's 811 center.

Layout, grill placement and the house

Most outdoor kitchens work best close to the back door, so food and dishes do not travel far, but not so close that smoke drifts into the house. Follow the grill maker's clearance requirements to the house wall, railings and any roof overhead. A grill under a roof or pergola may need extra clearance or an outdoor-rated vent hood.

• Landing space on both sides of the grill.
• A prep area near the sink, if you have one.
• A serving counter facing the seating rather than the house wall.
• A ventilated compartment for a propane tank if you are not on natural gas, never a closed cabinet.

Is an outdoor kitchen worth the money?

It depends on how often you cook outside. Chicago's outdoor cooking season is shorter than in warmer regions, though many people grill well into fall and even through winter. If you grill several times a week from spring to fall, a built-in island with counter space usually gets regular use. If you grill occasionally, a good freestanding grill and a simple prep cart may be the better value.

A modest island built well tends to serve better than a large kitchen built with indoor materials. Starting with a grill, counters and gas, and leaving room to add a fridge or sink later, is a common way to phase the cost.