Get matched with top outdoor kitchen pros in Bunker Hill, WV

If you plan to have a refrigerator or other appliances that require electricity, you will need an electrical outlet in your outdoor kitchen. Be sure to comply with all National Electrical Code® (NEC®) codes for electrical wiring and outlets in kitchens. If you do not plan to install a refrigerator or any other appliances that require electricity as part of your outdoor kitchen features, then you do not need to install electrical outlets. However, it is a good idea to install at least one electrical outlet should you decide to use any appliances that require electricity.

You can call a second kitchen many different names—butler’s pantry, scullery, prep kitchen, working kitchen, dirty kitchen, or even just second kitchen. In modern times, however, second kitchens are almost always called prep kitchens or small kitchens. However, the purpose of a second kitchen remains the same—prepare food and clean items “behind closed doors.”

Whether or not it’s cheaper to build a pizza oven depends largely on what style you opt for and which tools and materials you already have. For example, having a surplus of leftover fire bricks from another DIY project will reduce the amount you need to build a new pizza oven and cut costs to boot. On the flip side, if you don’t have any of the required materials, buying a pre-made option will be cheaper and require far less work to set up—between just $300 and $1,000 for the best versions.

The least expensive way to build an outdoor kitchen is to start small and use an existing patio space as close to the house as possible. If you have access to appliances that you can reuse or have the carpentry skills for DIY outdoor kitchen cabinets, that will save the most cash. Otherwise, start with a few basics and work towards your dream kitchen by adding a little each year.