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Storage Drawers
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Zephyr Outdoor
REAL FYREOutdoor Kitchen or BBQ Island? Which one should you plan for?
What is an Outdoor Kitchen or BBQ Island? How Much Are them?
It’s a question we hear all the time, and it’s the perfect place to start your backyard journey. You see the gorgeous pictures online, you hear friends talking about their new “BBQ island,” and you start to wonder: what exactly is an outdoor kitchen? What’s the difference? And what could it look like in my own backyard?
Outdoor Kitchen? BBQ Island? what does it mean
The Basics: BBQ Island vs. Outdoor Kitchen
Let’s clear this up right away. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they represent two different levels of backyard awesome.
The BBQ Island: Your Awesome Foundation Think of a BBQ island as the amazing starting point. It’s a sturdy, beautiful, permanent structure that houses your built-in grill. It immediately gives you dedicated counter space for platters and tongs—a massive upgrade from that wobbly grill on wheels you’ve been using. It’s the handsome, reliable workhorse of the backyard.
The Outdoor Kitchen: The Full-On Experience An outdoor kitchen takes that awesome island and evolves it into a fully functional, self-sufficient entertainment hub. It’s what happens when you add the game-changing extras that make life easier and more fun:
- A sink for rinsing veggies and easy cleanup (no more greasy tongs in the house!).
- An outdoor fridge so cold drinks are always within arm’s reach.
- Storage drawers to finally have a home for all your grilling tools.
- TV Media Wall to watch the games and the latest shows.
- And maybe even a pizza oven or side burner just for fun!
The bottom line? A BBQ island is where you cook. An outdoor kitchen is where you live outdoors.
how much is a bbq island compare to a outdoor kitchen?
Ballpark Figures for a Lasting Investment
It’s the number one question we get, and it’s often surrounded by confusion. This is your guide to real numbers, real value, and what you should expect to invest in a quality outdoor kitchen if you purchase through us or with a countractor.
First, it helps to understand the two general categories that backyard projects fall into.
The Classic BBQ Island
Picture this as your backyard’s trusty pickup truck—nothing fancy, just rock‑solid performance. You get a beefy built‑in grill, one access door for the gas line or propane tank, and a slab of countertop for all your slicing, dicing, and “just‑one‑more‑burger” moments. Because the layout stays simple, the price tag stays friendly. Most frames are galvanized steel, wrapped in porcelain tile or aluminum panels, then crowned with compact granite tops—think RTA Outdoor Living or Challenger Designs. It’s a massive leap from a wobbly cart grill, and the perfect launchpad if you want to level up without maxing out the credit card.
The Custom Outdoor Kitchen
Now we’re talking bucket‑list backyard. Imagine an L‑shape or U‑shape setup that feels like your own mini resort: sink for speedy cleanups, outdoor fridge for ice‑cold drinks, side burners for grandma’s secret beans, maybe even a pizza oven because… why not? These beauties are usually built on‑site (sometimes right alongside your new pool) so everything blends like it was always meant to be there. Prefer prefab? We can do that too—just dial in your dimensions, pick the finishes, and let the magic happen. From stacked‑stone fronts to glimmering quartz counters, every piece is handpicked by you, so the end result screams “your style, your rules” every time you fire it up for friends and family.
lets get into the numbers
The Classic BBQ Island:
Prefabricated & Modular Islands ($5,000 – $15,000): This is the most popular and straightforward approach. The price typically includes the finished island structure, a durable countertop, an access door, and a quality built-in grill. The final cost moves towards the higher end of the range based on:
Grill Quality: Upgrading to a premium grill is a primary cost driver.
Size: A longer island with more counter space will cost more.
Upgrades: Adding components like storage drawers or a drop-in cooler increases the price.
Basic Custom-Built Islands (Priced per Foot): For a more tailored size or shape, some contractors price the structure separately.
You can expect the foundational island structure to cost around $380 per Linear foot.
Important: This price is typically for the structure only. You must then add the cost of the built-in grill, doors, and any other components you wish to include.
The Financial Advantage: The BBQ island is a contained purchase. In most cases, it does not require extensive site work, utility runs, or building permits, which keeps the overall project cost and complexity low. It is a high-impact upgrade for a manageable, predictable price.
lets get into the numbers
The Custom Outdoor Kitchen
This is not simply an appliance purchase; it’s a full-scale construction project comparable to an indoor kitchen or bathroom remodel. The goal is to create a complete outdoor living environment, and the budget reflects this comprehensive scope. A project like this can start from $45,000 for a basic Patio cover and BBQ grill station with a media wall.
Why the Investment is Significantly Higher:
The $45,000+ price tag is an all-in figure that covers a multi-faceted project. The costs are driven by three main categories:
The Kitchen Appliances & Structure: This includes the custom-built cabinetry and countertops, plus a full suite of outdoor-rated appliances (grill, sink, refrigerator, side burners, ice chest, etc.). The sheer number and quality of these components form the core of the kitchen’s cost.
Essential Infrastructure & Site Work: This is the critical difference and a major cost center. A custom kitchen requires extensive preparation, including:
A Permanent Patio Cover: To protect your high-end appliances and create a usable space, a sturdy, permanent cover is essential and can be a significant part of the budget.
A Dedicated Foundation: You will need to pour a new, reinforced concrete slab to support the weight and ensure a level surface.
Professional Utility Runs: This is a major expense. It involves hiring licensed plumbers and electricians to trench and run dedicated lines for water (for the sink), natural gas, and electricity (for the fridge, outlets, and lighting).
Planning, Design & Permits: A project of this scale cannot be done without professional oversight. Your budget must account for:
Design Fees: Creating architectural and landscape plans for the space.
City Permits: Due to the structural, plumbing, and electrical work, you are required to obtain permits from the City of Riverside. This process involves plan submissions, fees, and inspections, adding to the total cost and timeline.
The Financial Bottom Line: While the initial investment is substantial, a well-designed custom outdoor kitchen creates a “resort-style” feel that fundamentally transforms your property. It adds significant lifestyle and resale value, but it must be budgeted and planned for as a major home renovation.
START YOUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN TODAY
Modular BBQ Islands
A modular pre‑built BBQ island is a plug‑and‑play outdoor kitchen: factory‑built steel or GFRC modules clad in weather‑proof tile or stone, pre‑wired and cut for your grill. Roll the sections into place, level the feet, hook up gas and power, and you’re cooking the same day—no messy construction.
Custom BBQ Islands By Best of Backyard
Dreaming of a one‑of‑a‑kind outdoor kitchen? Let Best of Backyard bring it to life. Tell us your wish list—layout, appliances, finishes—and we’ll send you a tailored, no‑obligation quote that breaks down every detail and cost.
Find a Contractor
Need a pro to make it happen? Click “Find a Contractor” and jump straight to our curated directory of trusted outdoor‑kitchen installers—ready to quote, schedule, and start building for you.
Shop for your Backyard
Find every backyard essential in one spot—grills, islands, fire pits, and more. Click to shop and start transforming your outdoor space today!
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Think of a BBQ Island as the powerful starting point. It’s a beautiful, permanent structure that houses your built-in grill and gives you essential counter space. It’s a massive upgrade from a standalone grill. An Outdoor Kitchen is the evolution of that island into a fully self-sufficient entertainment hub. It’s what you get when you add the game-changing amenities like an outdoor refrigerator, a sink for easy cleanup, and dedicated storage drawers.
Simply put: A BBQ island is where you cook. An outdoor kitchen is where you live.
For a professionally designed and installed outdoor kitchen built with high-quality materials that will last, most of our clients in 2025 invest between $15,000 and $35,000. The final cost is driven less by size and more by your choice of appliances and finishes. A smaller island with a top-of-the-line Lynx grill can easily be a larger investment than a bigger kitchen with mid-tier components. We provide a detailed, itemized quote so you see exactly where your investment is going.
For any project involving new gas or electrical lines, permits are required by law to ensure safety—that part is non-negotiable. However, the biggest headache is often the structural permit for the island itself, which can take months. Our modern, prefabricated building process often eliminates the need for this separate, lengthy structural permit, saving you significant time and money.
It comes down to three things: better food, lifetime durability, and peace of mind.
Performance: Premium grills like Fire Magic offer more powerful and even heat, giving you greater control for a perfect sear and more delicious results.
Durability: They are built with heavier, 304-grade stainless steel and superior components that are designed to last for decades in an outdoor environment, not rust out in a few years.
Warranty: You’re investing in a product with a lifetime warranty and a company that will have replacement parts available 15 years from now.
The advantages are speed, quality, and a better experience for you.
Speed: By building in our workshop and avoiding the structural permit process, we can finish your project months faster.
Quality: We build with machine precision in a controlled environment, free from weather delays and on-site errors.
Less Mess: Your yard remains clean and usable throughout the entire fabrication phase.
Cost Certainty: Our streamlined process has fewer variables, meaning fewer surprise costs and delays for you.
This is key to creating a cohesive oasis. Our design process begins with a full analysis of your entire backyard. We consider sightlines from your home, traffic patterns to and from the pool, and the architectural style of your house. We then use materials, colors, and textures—from the stone veneer on the island to the style of a new pergola—that complement what’s already there. The goal is to make your new kitchen look like it was always meant to be a part of your home’s original design. We do all this with a site visit and creating a 3D drawing.
That’s a great question, as they’re all excellent choices. We guide you based on your specific cooking style:
Fire Magic is for the pure grilling enthusiast who values raw power and intense, even heat. It’s an American-made workhorse renowned for its durability.
Lynx is for the homeowner who appreciates innovative technology and luxury design. They offer unique features like cast brass burners and a spring-assisted hood that feels effortless.
Coyote delivers the best balance of pro-style features and accessible value. It’s a fantastic choice for those who want a high-performance experience without stepping into the ultra-premium price tier.
We’ll have an honest conversation about how you cook to match you with the brand that fits you best.
It’s that we design for how our community actually lives. We know that a Saturday in July is for the pool, not for waiting on a contractor. We know that a cool October evening is perfect for a fire pit. We recommend materials and appliances that we know, firsthand, will stand up to our specific climate. As your neighbors since 2009, our reputation in this community is our most important asset. You’re not just hiring a builder; you’re partnering with a local expert who is committed to your long-term happiness.
