Outdoor Kitchen in Los Angeles, CA

BBQ island frames and outdoor kitchen cabinets

Most backyard kitchens start as a BBQ island: a solid base that holds the grill, a counter, and some storage. The structure can be built several ways, and the choice decides which finishes it can take.

Stainless access doors and drawers set into a masonry island give storage for propane, tools and trash without exposing wood to the weather.

Signs an old BBQ island is past saving

Many Valley and foothill yards already have a 1990s or 2000s grill island, usually tiled on top. Sun, sprinklers and winter rain wear them out in predictable ways:

• Cracked or loose counter tile with grout stained dark by grease.
• Rust streaks below access doors, or doors that no longer latch.
• Stucco or veneer separating at the base where sprinklers hit it.
• A grill that no longer fits the old cutout, since sizes vary by brand.
• Water pooling against the island after rain because the patio slab has settled.

Cosmetic problems can be fixed with a new top and face. Settling, rot in a wood frame or a gas smell call for a contractor first.

Which outdoor kitchen countertops handle Los Angeles sun?

Ultraviolet light, heat and grease are what wear out an outdoor counter. Natural stone and porcelain handle sun best; engineered quartz is a common indoor favorite that often isn’t meant for outdoor use.

A dark polished granite in full afternoon sun can get uncomfortably hot to the touch, so a honed or lighter stone is worth considering on a west-facing patio. Browse the granite countertops and countertops pages for the stone range.

Tile for the backyard kitchen floor and island face

The patio floor around a grill sees grease, water from hoses and pool feet, and hard sun. Choose tile its manufacturer rates for exterior wet areas, with a textured or matte finish for grip; polished stone is slippery when wet. Porcelain in a wood or stone look stays color-stable, and natural stone tile such as slate or travertine gives a classic backyard look but needs sealing.

• Island face: ledger-style stone veneer, porcelain or mosaic tile set over cement board.
• Backsplash behind the grill: tile that tolerates heat and wipes clean of smoke and grease.
• Floor: exterior-rated porcelain or textured stone, laid with slope so water drains away from the house.
• Grout and setting materials rated for exterior use, with movement joints where slab sections meet.

See tile installation for how exterior tile goes down.

What permits does a BBQ island with gas and power need?

A built-in grill on natural gas, a side burner, outlets, lighting or a sink in the island all bring trades and permits into what otherwise is a masonry and finish project. In the City of Los Angeles, those permits are issued by LADBS; unincorporated areas are permitted by LA County Building & Safety, while Calabasas, Burbank and Pasadena each run a building division of their own.

How a backyard kitchen comes together

1. 1

   Pick the grill first

   The grill’s cutout dimensions and clearance rules drive the island size and layout.

2. 2

   Sketch the island

   Decide on counter length, bar seating, storage doors and where utilities enter.

3. 3

   Choose surfaces at the showroom

   Compare granite and other outdoor-suitable tops, island face tile and patio floor tile together.

4. 4

   Build the base and run utilities

   The base, footing, gas and electrical are completed by the appropriate trades under permit.

5. 5

   Template and set the counter

   The top is measured off the finished base, cut for the grill and sink, and installed.

6. 6

   Tile and seal

   Island face, backsplash and floor tile go on, followed by sealing of stone and grout.

Outdoor kitchen cost in Los Angeles: what moves it

• Island length and shape: an L with bar seating needs far more counter and base than a straight grill station.
• Utilities: running natural gas, power and a sink drain across a yard adds trenching, trade work and permits.
• Counter material and edge: a full granite slab with a finished edge costs more than tile over cement board.
• Cabinet type: stainless or polymer outdoor cabinets cost more than stainless access doors set into masonry.
• Cover or pergola: shade protects the counter and cook but is a separate structure with its own rules.
• Floor area: retiling a whole patio versus only the area around the island.

For how kitchen budgets break down overall, read our kitchen remodel cost guide for Los Angeles.

Caring for an outdoor kitchen through LA seasons

Cover the grill and counter during long dry spells, when wind carries dust and ash onto every surface, and rinse the counter before cooking after a Santa Ana event. Reseal granite and natural stone on the schedule its fabricator recommends, and clean grease off grout lines regularly before it bakes in. After winter rains, check that water drains away from the island base and that stainless doors still close cleanly.

Why plan outdoor kitchen remodeling at Adcom

• Stone and tile in one place. Granite countertops, natural stone and porcelain tile are on display, so the counter, island face and patio floor are matched in one visit.
• Choices at many price points. Slab or prefab counters and tile from budget to premium.
• Installation on request of the counters and tile you select, coordinated with the trades building the base.
• Residential and commercial work, so the same materials can be sourced for a home patio or a business.

Backyard kitchens are a natural fit for larger lots in Calabasas, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and the hillside and Valley neighborhoods of Los Angeles.