One of the best ways to maximize space in outdoor kitchens is to build in your favorite grill. If the Big Green Egg is your go-to grill and smoker, you are already familiar with its unusual shape and components. There are many things to consider when planning an outdoor kitchen, and this article is full of Big Green Egg outdoor kitchen ideas and inspiration.
You will need to consider the height of your counters, the placement of your appliances, as well as the addition of components and storage. Picking the best grill for your style of cooking is probably the most important consideration you need to make in building an outdoor space.
If you’re still planning your outdoor kitchen and consider grill options, the Big Green Egg is a very functional option. This avocado-shaped grill has the advantage of being an all-in-one cooking station, giving you the options to grill, bake, sear steaks, roast, and smoke. Plus, these kamado style grills come in a range of sizes to build into any outdoor kitchen layout.
With its unusual shape and green color, how do you build it into your space?
Below, you’ll find some of the best kamado grill outdoor kitchen ideas to get you started. But first, for those of you who are new to the Big Green Egg, let me tell you why it’s time you get one for your outdoor kitchen.
What To Love About the Big Green Egg
This green, unique egg-shaped cooker has gained a following not just for its design, but also for its versatility. It allows you to smoke ribs, roast meats, grill vegetables, and even bake bread and pizza. This classic ceramic cooker combines ancient cooking techniques with modern features.
First introduced in Atlanta in 1974, the Big Green Egg has grown to become the highest-quality ceramic cooking equipment available. And you can tell by its design and look, that it’s more powerful, more lasting, and has superior heat insulation than other models on the market.
It runs on wood, charcoal, or coal and is fired using a lighter or an optional electric ignition.
Ever wondered what all the buzz is about? Here are some of the things its proud owners love about the Egg:
- Easy to use
- Works well for both slow and quick cooking
- Airtight ceramic cooking chamber – distributes heat evenly while retaining moisture
- Can reach temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit and up
- Maintains temperatures for more than 18 hours without adding more charcoal
- Easy to clean and upkeep
- Available in a variety of sizes to suit any kitchen space
You may want to opt for additional “eggcessories” to fully benefit from its versatility. Don’t worry, whichever size you get, the Egg is a statement cooker that can be the focal point of your outdoor cooking space. It can exist on its own in terms of both aesthetics and utility.
Maximizing Your Egg: Kamado Grill Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
Want to integrate the Egg into your outdoor kitchen? Take cues from these kamado grill outdoor kitchen ideas and tips to build a functional yet lovely cooking space.
Build a Nest
Simple and easy, a nest is essential and it’s the most basic case for your Egg. Perhaps go for one with side tables for additional prep space.
A Bar Around
This transitional kitchen has everything a cook needs within reach while still being uncluttered.
Functional Olive Green Platform
You can simply make an outdoor kitchen functional while also keeping it clean. Take a cue from this steel olive green platform that goes well with the Egg. There are additional wood storage compartments beneath.
Two Is Better Than One
This Florida home’s outdoor kitchen has not one, but two Green Eggs—one smaller and the other larger. Sounds sensible if you’re a busy chef who loves to host parties with friends.
Egg in a Minimalist Patio
Another minimalist yet functional design. Besides adoring the greenery and the living, the Green Egg in tandem with the red pizza maker adds another pop of color to this patio. It provides plenty of prep space and loads of storage for everything you need to keep accessible.
Wooden Cabinets
And what even is an outdoor kitchen without cabinets?
The additional storage space allows you to cook outside while keeping all of your supplies and accessories within your reach. In this outdoor kitchen, the Egg sits on a sturdy counter with wooden cabinets. The whole arrangement is a spectacle.
Things To Consider
Before building your Green Egg into your outdoor kitchen, here are a few things you may want to keep in mind.
Choosing your Inserts
When building a cooker into an outdoor kitchen, it’s always almost common to add a modular expansion. The top-level insert serves as your worktop, while you can use the lower inserts for storing cooking tools or supplies, keeping it clean and organized.
As for the material, there are a few types to choose from. If you prefer something more modern, the stainless steel inserts are an excellent choice. The solid acacia wood varieties, however, make it simple to get a rustic vibe.
You may check here the different types of inserts that the Big Green Egg offers and pick what you feel is the most practical for you.
Materials
A high-quality grill calls for a durable enclosure. You can position your Egg on a natural stone. But if you want to opt for the frame and expansion modules, choose one that is made of powder-coated steel and aluminum. Steel makes a sturdy base while aluminum worktops are impervious to rust even when scratched.
In choosing between stone, metal, and wood for your worktop, there’s no right or wrong choice. But in terms of the convenience of cleaning and maintenance, I’d say stone and metal are the best.
Design and construction
If you have the skill to design and build your outdoor kitchen, then all you have to do is get the right materials and kamado grill outdoor kitchen ideas. But if not, you can always hire the expertise of a craftsman.
That said, the quality of the build or the craftsmanship that’s put into it is important. Make sure the base is sturdy, so I suggest going for steel or solid hardwood. When employing scaffolding tubes, make sure it’s welded or coupled.
For hardwood, you can pre-drill it with a hardwood drill bit that is thinner than the screws. Doing so reduces the likelihood of your stainless steel or galvanized screws falling off while attaching.
Green Egg installation
The iconic design of the Egg makes any outdoor kitchen stand out, so it’s important that you install it properly to maximize your cooker.
There should always be a hole in the counter near your Egg’s base. This allows for optimal ventilation and airflow control to regulate the temperature. If you have a small island, you can attach wheels to move the egg around. Refer to the outdoor kitchen designs above for inspiration!
Green Egg Outdoor Kitchen FAQs
Can you build a Big Green Egg into an outdoor kitchen?
Of course. Given the various sizes you can get, a Big Green Egg can work in any size of an outdoor kitchen. But if the Egg will be the only cooking station you’re planning to integrate into your outdoor kitchen, you may go for a larger size.
Is the Green Egg waterproof?
Though the Green Egg will still work in the rain or snow, it’s always best not to let it get in contact with water. The water might penetrate the ceramic and cause breakage if you leave it to freeze.
That said, the Big Green Egg ceramics will withstand very high temperatures and you can use them in any weather. You can use it in the rain, snow, and even in sub-zero temperatures.
How do I protect my Big Green Egg?
When you’re not using your Big Green Egg, make sure to keep it covered and the vent cap on. You can use the ceramic cap to cover the opening and put the adjustable metal cap within the EGG, protecting it against the elements.
Although your Egg can still work in the rain, you’ll want to keep water and moisture away from it.
Can a green egg sit on granite?
You can sit it on a granite tile, however, make sure that the stone is thick enough to provide adequate heat protection.
Let’s Get Cooking!
In building a Green Egg in an outdoor kitchen, it’s important to design it in a way that meets your needs. Make sure that you assemble the EGG in accordance with the model’s specifications. From there, you can securely install it in your new kitchen.
Once your Green Egg outdoor kitchen is ready, you can start cooking!
Good luck!
