AOS COMMUNITY

Choosing the right BBQ for your outdoor kitchen can be challenging, with plenty of options available. Whether you’re after convenience, smoky flavour, or versatility, each type of grill has its own strengths. We’ll break down the benefits and potential downsides of wood pellet, gas, and charcoal BBQs to help you decide which one best suits your outdoor cooking style! 🔥 Wood Pellet Grills Wood pellet grills are a great all-in-one option for those who want the convenience of a gas grill with the added benefit of smoking capabilities. Instead of having both a gas grill and a smoker, wood pellet grills do it all. They produce a delicious smoky flavour, with a variety of pellet types to choose from, allowing you to experiment with different flavours. Some Traeger pellet grills even come with an outdoor induction hob, making them perfect for searing or boiling alongside grilling. Another major advantage is how easy they are to use – many pellet grills have digital controls, so you can set the temperature and leave it for hours, just like an oven. All Traeger pellet grills (except the portable Traeger Ranger) can also be controlled via an app, letting you monitor and adjust the temperature from your phone, meaning you can spend more time hosting, entertaining, and spending time with loved ones. 🍻 However, pellet grills do require electricity to operate, so you’ll need to ensure you have access to a power source. They also take longer to heat up compared to gas BBQ grills, which may not be ideal if you’re looking for a quick or spontaneous cook. ⚡️ Gas BBQs Gas grills are the go-to option for those who want a quick, easy, and convenient outdoor cooking experience. They ignite instantly and heat up in minutes, making them the perfect choice if you enjoy a spontaneous grilling session. They also produce less ash than charcoal and pellet grills, making cleanup easier. Many gas BBQs also come with additional features, such as rotisserie attachments or side burners, expanding your outdoor cooking options. 🧑‍🍳 One potential downside is that gas grills don’t add as much flavour to BBQ food as charcoal or pellet grills. While you can buy smoker boxes to enhance flavour, they don’t naturally create the same smoky taste that most people associate with barbecuing. 🍔 Charcoal BBQs Charcoal grills are a favourite among those who love that classic smoky BBQ flavour. They give dishes a rich taste that gas BBQs can’t replicate. Their heat retention is also excellent, making them ideal for both high-temperature searing and low-and-slow cooking. They are also relatively easy to clean and maintain, especially compared to pellet grills. 🤩 However, controlling and maintaining the temperature can take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. Another thing to consider is that charcoal ovens tend to have less cooking space than gas or wood pellet grills, but there are plenty of attachments available to increase capacity. 🥘 Each type of BBQ has its own unique benefits, so it really comes down to what suits your cooking style best. If you love the convenience of a grill you can leave alone that has a delicious smoky flavour, a pellet grill is a great choice. If you prioritise speed, ease of use, and minimal clean-up, a gas BBQ might be the best fit. And if flavour and versatility are your top priorities, a charcoal grill is hard to beat. 👍 If you have any questions or need help picking the right BBQ for your garden kitchen, feel free to get in touch - we’re happy to help! 📲 Sizzle on, Team AOS

Thinking about a brick outdoor kitchen? A brick garden kitchen is a great choice if you’re after a durable and timeless design. In this post, we’ll go through different brick outdoor kitchens we designed and built! 😁 The U-shaped kitchen seamlessly integrates with the client's house, as the same bricks are used for both, making the kitchen feel like a natural extension of the home. One side of the U layout helps define the space, creating a designated cooking area that's subtly separate from the garden. With two cooking appliances, a fridge, sink, storage, and barstools, the design is both functional and perfect for entertaining in a defined area. 🔥 Featuring: • Beefeater 1600S Series BBQ • DeliVita Wood Fired Pizza Oven • Beefeater Double Outdoor Fridge • Stainless Steel Sink and Tap • Brick Build • Granite Worktops • Stainless Steel Doors and Drawers • Bar Area This outdoor kitchen places the Kamado oven at the heart of the space, making cooking the main focus of this lively garden kitchen. The large double fridge provides plenty of storage for food and drinks, while barstools lined along the sides create a seamless flow, allowing the client to entertain and socialise with guests while cooking. The layout ensures a perfect balance between functionality and socialising, making it ideal for hosting. 🍻 Featuring: • Monolith Classic Kamado Oven • Beefeater Double Fridge • Fossil Dekton Worktops • Stainless Steel Doors This BBQ kitchen blends bespoke and modular elements, with a brick exterior that adds rustic charm and a timeless appeal. Two sides of the kitchen are dedicated to outdoor cooking, with three outdoor kitchen appliances, while the other side features barstools for socialising, making it easy to cook and entertain simultaneously. The combination of materials and design creates a kitchen that’s both functional and full of character. 🌿 Featuring: • Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 BBQ • Gozney Dome Pizza Oven (Olive Green) • Monolith Classic Pro Series 2.0 Kamado Grill • Beefeater Double Fridge • AOS Range Outdoor Kitchen Units • Traditional Brick Exterior • Dekton Ceppo Worktops The L-shaped brick kitchen sits next to the house, with bricks that match the home's exterior, creating a seamless transition between the two. Equipped with two cooking appliances, ample storage, and barstools, it’s designed to be both practical and perfect for socialising, offering a smooth extension of the indoor living space. 🏡 Featuring: • Beefeater 1600S Series BBQ • Monolith Classic Pro Series 2.0 Kamado Oven • Brick Finish • Polished Dark Granite Worktops • Bar Area • Stainless Steel Doors The garden kitchen features a built-in BBQ alongside a freestanding barbecue, providing lots of cooking options for outdoor gatherings. With plenty of prep space and storage, the outdoor kitchen design is ready to handle any BBQ feast. The red brick contrasts beautifully with the dark worktops, and the louvred pergola above adds a touch of elegance while offering shade and protection. ☔️ Featuring: • Beefeater 1600S Series BBQ • Brick Build • Stainless Steel Cupboard Doors • Granite Worktops • Powder Coated Aluminium Louvred Pergola The U-shaped kitchen features a dedicated seating and bar area on one side, with space for barstools, making it a perfect spot for entertaining. The red brick of the kitchen mirrors that of the house, tying the two together effortlessly. With two cooking appliances, a double fridge, and a sink, it’s a functional and stylish outdoor cooking space. 🧑‍🍳 Featuring: • Beefeater 3000E BBQ • Big Green Egg • Stainless Steel Sink and Tap • Beefeater Double Fridge • Bar Area • Dark Granite Worktops • Beefeater Stainless Steel Doors This L-shaped outdoor kitchen features striking red brick, creating a bold contrast with the surrounding wall and drawing attention to the kitchen itself. The warm red tones of the brick complement the sleek black outdoor kitchen worktops, giving the space a modern yet timeless feel. Positioned centrally, the Gozney pizza oven becomes a standout feature, while the Beefeater BBQ and fridge on either side complete the functional layout. 🤩 Featuring: • Beefeater 3000E BBQ • Gozney Dome Pizza Oven • Beefeater Double Outdoor Fridge • Absolute Polished Black Granite Worktops Brick is an excellent material choice for an outdoor kitchen, offering both durability and timeless appeal. As shown in these examples, brick can be used to create a variety of layouts, and can suit different styles of gardens. Whether matching the bricks of your kitchen to those of your house or opting for a different colour or texture, brick is versatile enough to suit any design. Even if the bricks don’t match, they can still add character and charm to your outdoor space, making your kitchen stand out. 👍 We hope these projects have sparked some ideas for your own outdoor kitchen design. If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out our Instagram (@aos_outdoorkitchens), where we share plenty of our latest work. Whatever style of kitchen you’re planning, we’ve got loads of examples to help bring your vision to life! 👀 Sizzle on, Team AOS

When it comes to designing an outdoor kitchen, selecting the right worktop is crucial. The material you choose will not only impact the look of your garden kitchen but also its durability, maintenance needs, and how well it performs outdoors. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through our top four worktop options for outdoor kitchens, highlighting their benefits and potential drawbacks. We’ll also cover a couple of materials we tend to steer people away from, so you can make an informed decision about what's best for your outdoor living space. 🤩 Granite Worktops Granite worktops are one of the more popular choices for outdoor kitchens, and for good reason. They’re easy to clean, heat-resistant, and incredibly durable, making them a reliable option for outdoor cooking and food prep. Granite also stands up well to the elements, offering solid weather resistance. For better UV protection, we recommend opting for a darker granite, as lighter tones can be more prone to fading under direct sunlight. One thing to keep in mind is that while granite is heat-resistant, it can get quite hot in the sun, which might not be ideal if you’re working on the surface in high temperatures without a shelter. The maintenance for granite is relatively low, with just an annual sealant application to keep it in top condition. 🔥 Polished Concrete Worktops Polished concrete worktops are a great choice for those looking for a stylish and durable outdoor kitchen worktop. They’re highly heat-resistant and scratch-resistant, which means they can handle outdoor cooking with ease. Another big advantage is that concrete can be cast into a wide range of shapes and sizes, allowing for custom designs that fit any outdoor kitchen layout. However, one downside to polished concrete is that it does require regular resealing to prevent moisture, oil, and other liquids from being absorbed into the surface. If you’re prepared for the upkeep, concrete worktops are a fantastic option that can last for years. 👍 Dekton Worktops Dekton worktops are a top-tier option for outdoor kitchens, offering incredible durability and a range of colour choices. They are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and UV rays, making them a fantastic low-maintenance option for outdoor cooking spaces. Plus, Dekton is non-porous, so there’s no need for sealing beyond regular cleaning. However, the major downside of Dekton worktops is the price—these can be quite expensive compared to other materials, so they might not be the best choice if you’re on a budget. If you’re looking for something that will stand the test of time and don’t mind the investment, Dekton is an excellent choice. 🥂 Porcelain Tile Worktops For those seeking a more affordable outdoor kitchen worktop, porcelain tiles are a great option. These are the most budget-friendly of our four recommendations and are designed specifically for outdoor use, making them perfect for a BBQ area. Porcelain tiles are durable, hard-wearing, and come in a wide range of colours and designs, so you can find a style that matches your outdoor space. They are also resistant to stains and scratches. However, the downside is that porcelain tiles require grout between each tile, which means there will be visible joins where the tiles meet. While this can create a more segmented look, it’s a minor trade-off considering the price and durability of porcelain tiles. 😆 What to Avoid: Marble While marble is undeniably beautiful and adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor living area, it’s not the best choice for outdoor use. Although it’s heat-resistant, marble is extremely porous and prone to staining and scratching. To prevent stains, marble worktops need to be sealed frequently, which makes them higher maintenance than other materials. For those seeking a low-maintenance option, marble can be more trouble than it’s worth in an outdoor kitchen environment. 🌿 What to Avoid: Quartz Quartz worktops are durable, non-porous, and resistant to staining. However, they are not as tough as other materials like granite or Dekton, making them more vulnerable to scratches. One of the biggest downsides of quartz is its sensitivity to UV exposure—prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the colour to fade and the surface to degrade. Quartz is also not as heat-resistant as some of the other outdoor kitchen worktop options, which means it may not withstand hot pans or outdoor cooking conditions as well as other materials. 🧑‍🍳 Choosing the right worktop for your outdoor kitchen is essential. Granite, polished concrete, Dekton, and porcelain tiles all offer excellent performance with varying levels of maintenance and cost, so it’s important to consider your priorities when making a decision. While materials like marble and quartz may look great, their maintenance needs and vulnerability to weather conditions often make them less suitable for outdoor use. 🍔 If you have any questions or need more information on selecting the best worktop for your outdoor kitchen, feel free to drop a comment below! We’re here to help you make the best choice for your space. 👇 Sizzle on, Team AOS