An outdoor kitchen needs three things to work: cabinetry that can take the weather, appliances built for outdoor use, and a worktop that will not fade or fail in sunlight and frost. We are premier dealers for Sub-Zero and Wolf, and we build the cabinetry around their outdoor range.
Below is how the three parts fit together.
Wolf Outdoor Kitchens at a Glance
A Wolf outdoor kitchen combines Wolf outdoor grills and warming drawers with Sub-Zero outdoor refrigeration, built into hand-made cabinetry and finished with a worktop rated for outdoor use, such as Caesarstone’s outdoor quartz. Appliances can be freestanding or built in, and fronts can be stainless steel or custom panels matched to the cabinetry. Outdoor kitchens work best under a roof, veranda or pergola, which protects the cabinetry and makes the space usable in more of the year. Handmade Kitchen Company design and hand-build outdoor kitchen cabinetry from our workshop in Essex.
The cabinetry
All three of our shaker styles can be built for an outdoor kitchen, hand-painted in a durable colour of your choice and made to order.
One point worth being straightforward about: hand-painted timber cabinetry is best used in a covered outdoor kitchen, under a roof, veranda, pergola or garden room, rather than fully exposed to the weather. Sun, rain and frost are hard on any painted timber. Under cover it will last and look like the kitchen indoors; standing in the open it will need far more maintenance. We will always talk this through before designing.
Classic shaker
Our classic shaker has in-frame construction, clean lines, a Georgian-style bead, recessed doors and an in-line or recessed plinth.
Traditional shaker
Our traditional shaker uses a deep-set, raised and fielded panel for a heavier, more opulent look.
Modern shaker
Our modern shaker is a cleaner take on the traditional, with two- or four-panel door and drawer fronts and a bead around the edge.
Sub-Zero and Wolf outdoor appliances
Beyond the performance, the Sub-Zero and Wolf outdoor range gives an outdoor kitchen the same finish as an indoor one, and the panels can be matched to our cabinetry.
Wolf outdoor grills
Wolf outdoor grills bring the same precision control as their indoor equivalents. The grilling surface is lit by halogen lights and the signature red control knobs are LED-lit so they can be read after dark.
Freestanding grills can simply be rolled into position, with an optional side burner for side dishes or sauces so you are not running indoors mid-cook. Built-in grills handle direct and indirect cooking, and smoking, and can take a burner module alongside.
Sub-Zero outdoor refrigeration
The Sub-Zero outdoor undercounter refrigerator keeps food and drink where you are cooking, with adjustable temperature control and removable dividers so it can be organised around what you are serving.
It is designed to coordinate with the Wolf outdoor grills, with a choice of stainless steel fascia panels and tubular or pro-style handles, or custom panels matched to the surrounding cabinetry.
Wolf outdoor warming drawer
The Wolf outdoor warming drawer holds dishes that finish at different times, keeping them warm and ready to serve together, so you are not going indoors repeatedly while everyone else is outside.
As well as the stainless steel front, it can take a timber panel, and the controls are concealed so the unit sits flush within the cabinetry.
Outdoor worktops
An indoor worktop will not do outside. Sunlight fades many surfaces and frost can damage others, so the worktop has to be specified for external use.
Caesarstone’s outdoor quartz collection is made for it, tested to stay UV and weather resistant and to hold its colour under long-term sun exposure. Three colours run through it:
- 515 Palm Shade: a white marble look with subtle warm veining, which sits well with stainless steel grills and timber butcher’s blocks
- 405 Midday: a white concrete look that suits tiling, stone and decking
- 406 Clearskies: a pale grey concrete design with black and brass metallic accents, suited to contemporary gardens
Outdoor Kitchen FAQs
Does an outdoor kitchen need to be covered?
It is strongly advisable, particularly with hand-painted timber cabinetry. A roof, veranda, pergola or open-sided garden room protects the cabinetry and appliances, keeps the worktop usable in the rain, and extends the number of months in the year you will actually use it.
Can you use normal kitchen worktops outside?
No. Indoor surfaces can fade in sunlight and be damaged by frost. Use a worktop specified for external use, such as an outdoor-rated quartz, porcelain or a suitable natural stone.
What appliances do you need in an outdoor kitchen?
A grill is the starting point. Refrigeration is the next most useful, since it saves the walk indoors for drinks, and a warming drawer matters more than people expect when several dishes finish at different times. All three are available in outdoor-rated versions from Sub-Zero and Wolf.
Can outdoor appliances match the cabinetry?
Yes. Sub-Zero and Wolf outdoor units take either stainless steel fascias or custom panels, so refrigeration and warming drawers can be finished to match the hand-painted cabinetry around them.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company build outdoor kitchens?
We design and hand-build bespoke outdoor kitchen cabinetry from our workshop in Essex, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London.
If you would like to know more about our outdoor kitchens, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
