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Hi, am looking at getting some units to build out an outdoor kitchen, to compliment the Kamado and stainless BBQ.
Was thinking of trying to source a second hand stainless catering unit, cupboards underneath with a prep bench on top. I’ve googled this and tried fleabay and haven’t really found what I’m after, as I don’t breed a Bain Marie, or a sink unit !
I don’t want to build it out of wood, as it’s all sitting on a large deck, so there’s enough timber there already !
Plus stainless would be great to just leave out all the time and only really have to wipe it down every now and then. I’m hoping anyway.
Does anyone know of a good place to source 2nd hand catering units ? I’d buy new, but I’m guessing these are chuffin expensive new.
If anyone has got any better ideas for an outdoor kitchen or inspiration, please chuck some ideas my way.
Depends on your budget but Ikea do an outdoor kitchen range.
Not used these people but I’m looking to do outdoor kitchen type thing so have been looking at stainless kitchen units.
https://www.empiresuppliesonline.co.uk/stainless-steel-tables
I've seen loads of s/h standard worktop stainless ones on eBay, maybe with shelves rather than cupboards underneath.
Not sure if the storage units are suitable for outdoors but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133862314412?hash=item1f2ad0d1ac:g:oCMAAOSwdRtg2JeJ
Bargain!
Or get one of the sink units and use the sink as an ice bath/cooler with worktop as a lid?
^ Agree - a sink unit with a chopping board cut to fit over it would be useful - you have all the work surface but you can quickly lift the chopping board part to bung scraps in the sink.
Like this
Not used these people but I’m looking to do outdoor kitchen type thing so have been looking at stainless kitchen units.
https://www.empiresuppliesonline.co.uk/stainless-steel-tables
/blockquote>Thanks those units look ideal, my budget “was” 4-500, but like those.
Or get one of the sink units and use the sink as an ice bath/cooler with worktop as a lid?
That’s a good idea, I’d prefer a full s/steel worktop, but if that helps my budget then worth doing. There are more secondhand units with sinks in than not.
What search terms are you using? Searching 'stainless catering table' on eBay brings up vast majority without sinks for me.
Searched eBay and the great interweb for prep worktop with cupboard, catering table with cupboard etc, stainless steel worktop etc etc
I’m not after just a table, closed in storage underneath is also what I need, as I’ve got too much stuff to store.
My vague plan was to just get one and build a wooden bar/facade type thing around it. It would be pretty easy just to screw some thin ply to make a shelved unit more enclosed and/or even put some doors on it. Could also just have stuff in plastic storage boxes on the shelves.
You are right that you don't see many with cupboards rather than shelves.
What you are describing OP is exactly what I want in my garden - when I move. I don’t want a bar type-thing that people seem to love, I find it naff, but want something with storage and and can be left out all weathers.
As someone that worked in professional kitchens in my youth, I’d love a stainless steel area in my home kitchen - bit industrial but brilliant.
I doubt stainless catering units are made to be kept outside.
The top may be stainless but the rest probably isn't and it's that which will rust/fall apart.
^ What I was going to say, that'll be buggered in no time. Plus stainless isn't actually completely rust free.
Ss catering units will def rust and fail after a winter or so - the bolts won't be stainless for a start and the cheaper you go the more likely the stainless with rust.
Id replace the bolts with stainless ones for a start, and poss the top with a reclaimed marble one over time.
stain less not stainless
cast your own concrete worktop
or https://www.diypete.com/how-to-make-concrete-counters-for-an-outdoor-kitchen/
Surely someone nearby is getting rid of granite or resin worktops in a kitchen refurb? Or hang around a worktop place on your local industrial estate and take some off cuts?
Bug-geration.
I can replace the bolts with rust free stainless ? Also If I covered the table with an old BBQ cover would that work in keeping it from rusting away quickly ?
To be clear I’m looking at sourcing a secondhand heavy duty stainless catering table unit. Would they be any better, or be subject to the same issues ?
As I didn’t want to make a table with cupboards out of wood, even with a granite worktop, as I thought this wouldn’t last as long as a stainless unit would ?
Ours is constructed of blockwork, and rendered/timber clad to match the rest of the garden.
Worktop wise, we have a mix of solid wooden worktop that gets oiled every year, and stainless steel. Can't see what advantage a full stainless worktop would give. Surely you'll be using a chopping board anyway if preparing food?
We've got an outdoor kitchen set up with a big BBQ, hobs, cupboards, drawers and a fridge. It was here when we moved in.
The fridge was more hassle than it was worth, lots of rusty bits and poor cooling - probably just a poorly specced fridge for the application. The walk to the kitchen really isn't that far. Not sure it would haven been worth running permanently just to keep stocked with drinks when we have plenty of fridge space indoors. For bigger events a small outdoor fridge was a pain you restock, rotate and keep cool, a container filled with iced water worked better.
When cooking, transferring food from indoor fridge to outdoor fridge, to BBQ/hob felt like an unnecessary step. Also a fridge hidden away in an outdoor cupboard soon becomes grotty, so you probably wouldn't want to use it for food without cleaning it beforehand. We got rid and use the space for a spare gas bottle.
Cupboards and drawers are useful, but again they turn in to spiders nests and collectors of decaying foliage very quickly. We don't really keep much outdoor kitchen related stuff in there other than the BBQ safe wire brush thing a and a bottle opener as we take utensils etc in to the house be cleaned properly, so may as well keep them in there to keep them clean.
As it was all here when we moved in, we didn't have anything to do with the design, but it seems to have been put together and materials selected by someone who knew what they were doing.
It would be good if it had a sink, but for the additional work required to get water in, waste away, and make it winter proof, it probably wouldn't be worth it.
From May to late September, we probably use it on average 2-3 times per week.
@peekay that sounds like quite the setup.
I’m not after a grand design outdoor kitchen. Just something about 1400-1800 long, 600 deep, weather resistant, with cupboards underneath (to store at least two 12kg bags of lump wood charcoal, my stainless bowls, knife set and some other bbq bits and pieces. As I cook a lot on the Kamado and it’d be handy to do the prep etc right by it. Ideally this unit would be on castors too.
That’s why I initially thought a secondhand catering table would be ideal and much quicker.
I’ve googled this and most outdoor kitchens are full on built in permanent, fixed to the floor etc and that’s not quite what I’m after. My Kamado has a great stand - so I don’t really want to build that in either.
Plus how good / weather proof is something diy made from 2x4, with a second hand granite style worktop going to be and I’ve certainly never cut granite before.
I don't really understand why you'd want to keep bowls and knives (that you obvs like) outside!
The only stainless that can survive outside {I think} is 306 grade and I'm not sure you'll find worktops made from this.
I'd be using s/h granite but its weight will make the idea of portability a pipedream.
Next door made his own kitchen surfaces of concrete polished up. Looks ace, but oh my god it was the heaviest thing in the world. Took 6 blokes to lift an 6ft by 2ft bit, and the fear of cracking...