11 fabulous outdoor kitchens

In the old days, summer kitchens allowed for cooking meals without heating up the house. Outdoor kitchens like this one keep the heat outside without having to have duplicates of everything. It sits right outside the home's kitchen, so there's no need for a bunch of storage, a fridge, or plumbing.

If you have an overhanging porch or deck, the space underneath may work well for a mini kitchen. You'll be protected from the elements without the expense of building a new structure.

This mega brick barbecue includes two grills: one for meats, and one for vegetables and side dishes. The homeowners ran a natural gas line to the barbecue, allowing easy starts for wood fires.

This outdoor kitchen is separated from the dining area by a bar with a concrete countertop. This layout hides clutter but still lets the cook see what's going on in the rest of the yard. The bar can be used as a place to sit and eat, or as a serving buffet for food.

The lovely arched roof on this outdoor kitchen provides protection from the elements, and a place for a ceiling fan and lighting. There's room inside for a bar-height table for two, and doors in the back lead to a patio with more seating. The cement floor has a drain in the middle.

A stone fireplace is the focal point of this rustic outdoor kitchen, topped with a rough-hewn pergola. The cabinets to the left of the fireplace include built-in storage for firewood.

Exposed beams support the roof over this kitchen, which includes a built-in grill, sink, and plenty of cabinets. Keep in mind if you run plumbing to an outdoor kitchen, you may need to shut the water off and protect your pipes in the winter. Even a small bar-sized sink can save trips inside for washing hands and vegetables, filling pots, and washing dishes.

This amazing outdoor kitchen includes three separate cookers: a smoker, gas grill, and ceramic grill. Stainless steel appliances and cabinet doors are durable but don't take away from the natural feel of the space. Make sure all appliances and materials are rated for outdoor use.

This grilling station is a step up from a basic grill, and doesn't break the budget. It's made from simple concrete blocks, then finished with stucco and capped with brick. This grill came with a side burner and a rotisserie. The stainless-steel storage drawers hold the grill's propane tank and grilling essentials like pans and utensils.

These rock-faced cabinets and concrete counter are a nice contrast to the stainless steel drawers and vents in this kitchen. A covered outdoor electrical outlet is included right below the grill. Make sure to include outlets throughout your space for blenders, toasters, a radio, and other gadgets.

This three-season gazebo is home to a complete outdoor kitchen. It includes a barbecue, bar, buffet, cabinetry, sink, dishwasher, and seating.