I'm getting a bid for an outdoor kitchen area with grill and fridge. I'm not very knowledgeable about grill brands as far as what's good and what isn't. It will be about 8' x 3' with a built-in gas grill and fridge. It will be on the corner of my patio so will get some rain so I want to make sure it won't rust or look like crap in a few years. The contractor said they do stone counter tops, but I'm concerned it will end up staining over time since it's porous, so was thinking a solid surface would be better.

Who all has done one? Any recommendations as to grill/fridge brands? What type of counter top? Approximate cost?

Pics always appreciated. Thanks!

Stone will look way better. It will look natural outside and is not porous as you think. I'll ask what my buddy did and it looks great still after 5 years. Even after me getting olive oil on it with a venison recipe. Everyone I know has stone actually. I will be hunting this weekend with buddy who does high outdoor living areas as well so will pick his brain on appliances. I am sure your contractor knows what they are talking about though. They should have pictures.

Could you do a stained concrete top?

I've done granite on most I've built.

You going to have natural gas piped to it so you don't ever have to worry about propane ever again?

This is what we did. Brick to match the house. I’m pouring concrete counter in place. I went with Blaze 32 inch grill. I liked the Blaze more than other in the sub $2,000 category due to the burner design and being 95% 304 Stainless. Our space is 10’2” long. We have double open door below the grill for propane tanks, we don’t have natural gas and I didn’t t like the idea of $800 to run a new propane line. Beside that is a double roll out trash can , one for trash and the other for charcoal storage. To the left of that is the opening for my current Weber charcoal grill,or could be used for a egg style down the road.

For good reviews, go to BBQguys.com they have very good videos that gives a lot of information and their opinions on each grill.

Robert Yuris posted one on the recipes several years ago. Dozens of pictures.

When we built the house we had a gas line ran to the patio so it's already set up for that.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Yours looks nice, ours will be very similar in set-up.

After some research, we went with Lynx for the new house we are building.

Grill


Hibachi Flat Top

We also added in some storage, refrigerator, sink, trash, etc.

We went with Lueder stone for our countertops. I had to seal them after install, but they look nice and I like them.

Baller money

I'd go granite. If you're talking 8' long, and part of that is taken up by the grill, then you're looking for a small piece of granite. Stop by a granite place and see what "scraps" they have and can cut for you. Much less likely to stain and easier to clean. They'll have something left over from a house build.

For a grill, get a Big Green Egg or the like. Propane is an outdoor oven.

Technically a BGE is an put door oven it just uses different combustibles for fuel.

I priced a granite slab for mine. Cut and installed was $1,750. It was a medium scale granite. The full slab was $495, the other $1,255 was for them to cut and install. Pretty pricey, but granite is the best stone for outdoors.

In progress now. Natural gas, no bottles.

Limestone top with 511 enhancing sealer. Will not stain.

Roof will be rough out cedar shiplap with canned recessed lights. I am also adding a small sunroof for morning sun, 24 x 24.
Should be finished by Wednesday next week.

Yup, that is where I bought my insert grill.

Looking good SuperDuty....

My outdoor kitchen about 20 years old. Also have sink and fireplace.
Sink gets water from sprinkler system.


Grill. Top of line is DCS.

Color? Lot of stone choices. My counter is Pennsylvania Blue Stone. I would try to get one solid piece. Some stone is more porous than others. Might need to seal.

BTW. Some really good ideas and nice pics in this thread.

Thank you Sir.

Looking good SuperDuty..

Looks good and that stone is what buddies have. That's what I would do and hopefully your contractor to. The flat top Goldstain mentioned is awesome. Buddy has the Evo grill and BGE. I love that combo. Flattop hibachi is so easy to heat and cook on. Grill on the BGE.

Ha! It does look outstanding!

Thanks a long way to go...

Doc, what did you decide?

I went to the appliance store today and looked at several options. For my use, which will be pretty basic grilling (hot dogs, burgers, chicken, and steaks), it seems like Blaze was the best option. Seemed to be nicer features than some of the others for about the same price. I also like the pull-out drawer fridge they have...we have one in our kitchen and love it. Just FYI, Texas Appliance has better pricing than BBQ guys.

The stone around our pool is chopped leuders, like Superduty's, so that will probably be the route we go with a smooth cut top. I guess I will have to look into sealing it.