my parents are in the process of redoing their 34 year old wooden deck... it's going to be a complete tear down and they're going to build a new deck with trex transcend. in addition to the deck, they want to add a ground level patio area with an outdoor kitchen.
we spoke to the contractors doing the work and they said it would be far more cost effective to order a pre-made kitchen island rather than have them build one from scratch. they sent several links as suggestions, but I was wondering if anyone here had some ideas for a mid to high-end kitchen island you can order.
here are the examples they sent us:
Coyote Outdoor Living
Challenger Cart Modular system
Grillnetics
Does anyone have any thoughts on these? Or is there something else we should be looking at? They would like both a gas grill and a BGE integrated into the island. Storage space would be nice... we're going back and forth on refrigeration... sounds like a nice idea but we're wondering if that's going to be a pain to maintain over time, will it rust, etc.
any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Comments
nice products IMO. I have no familiarity with the other product. Good luck!
https://newageproducts.com/outdoor-kitchen-cabinets-stainless-steel/
One of our layout options includes a 45 degree corner in our base cabinet area - so options that include a 45 degree wedge in their product line has also been a consideration (which Challenger does not).
I built a simple outdoor kitchen.. meaning no running water.
1 - They don't make a wedge base cabinet for a 45 degree corner (envision a "V" where the axis is a 45 degree angle). Our most efficient layout currently has a bank of cabinets along a railing for one leg of the "V" (where the grills will be) and then serving and storage along another leg of the "V" that has a privacy wall.
2 - They don't make curved end overhang countertops- so we'd have to order our eating bar area without a top and have one added locally (we are hoping for a 15" overhang along the back, and a semi-circle overhand on one end). Not a deal breaker if we could do the 45 degree wedge for the other area
This is our preferred layout option. The deck with the table and grilling area is being built. The green shaded area represents the covered area of the new deck. The two yellow appliances are a kegerator and fridge.
When we worked with a local store for our Torch cart 8+ years ago - we had all sorts of options in regards to pull out drawers, pull out bottom shelves, etc. And we love how it's performed, as well as the awesome service we got directly from Challenger for some minor issues with the design on our model (there was just enough of a space under the top that mice found their way into the drawers).
But, we've now learned that the Torch line now comes "as it is" other than your finishes and there was no options for continuing the countertop over that 45 degree area - so I'm not sure how much custom work they are accommodating any more.
2 LBGE, 1 Mini-Max
Up until this season, we've typically prepped in the house, taken out to grill, and then brought back in to setup and serve buffet style where folks make up their plates and head back outside. However, with social distancing a focus this grilling season - we are entertaining way less, and very cautious with how we do, to include among other measures keeping everyone outside that doesn't reside in our household. And as a result - we have way less serving area than we need with just the cart.
Point being - year around storage for items only used with the grill(s) and counter space for serving should be items considered essential to get the most out of the outdoor grilling/kitchen area.
I can also share that Challenger can put caster bases on their custom cabinet bases, allowing them to be mobile (this is true with most base cabinet manufacturers). But if Challenger carts or Challenger Coastal items meet their needs, they are cheaper than building out the same size set of base cabinets from their custom line (also true with other manufacturers - items pre configured are less expensive than putting modular pieces together).