Cooking
The grill is the focus of the outdoor kitchen. Traditionalists will insist on cooking with hardwood lump charcoal or manufactured briquettes. Most people will be happy with a grill that uses liquid propane or natural gas. Wood-burning ovens, open fire pits with hand-crank spits, and/or smokers are sometime included as well.

Dining
By far the most common and flexible dining arrangement for an outdoor kitchen is a freestanding patio dining set. Some also incorporate a built-in countertop bar that can seat a few diners. If you include one, keep it well away from the grill.

Cleaning Up
A good food-prep area makes cleanup easier. A large work surface gives you room to collect dirty dishes or package leftovers. A prep sink, though usually too small for hand-washing dishes, can be used to rinse the worst mess off plates before you bring them inside. Beyond these features, the two best cleanup elements you can include are space for a trash receptacle and a bin for recyclables.