rdsbucks
Well-known member
Hey guys been a while since I posted (I don't really have that many posts on here anyway so you may not have noticed :wink:.) I thought I would share my outdoor kitchen project with you. My space is about 10-11 feet linear. I don't need a sink and didn't want to mess with plumbing.
My requirements were:
-Built-in smoking option.
-Separate NG grill just for burgers, steaks, chicken.
-Fridge really just for drinks.
-Trash can
-Storage
-Counter for working space between smoker and grill.
-Under $10K
Appliances
Smoker decision: Kamado Joe Classic III
Grill decision: Bull basic 32" NG grill
Fridge decision: HCK 24" outdoor fridge
Appliance Total with tax/shipping: $3827.39
Cabinets
-Matchless aluminum cabinets and countertop, 126"
-Platform for Kamado
-NG grill cabinet
-Fridge cabinet
-Pull out trash can
Cabinet total with tax/shipping: $5526.97
Grand Total: $9354.36
Rationale: The smoker is probably of most interest here so I'll begin there. Because I wanted a smoker that worked in an outdoor kitchen, I certainly considered the built-in pellet grill options out there and almost chose the Recteq RT-1070. I have had two PGs at opposite ends of the spectrum (Traeger Tailgater and Cookshack PG500) so I understand them fairly well. I have just decided I prefer the taste of charcoal smokers with wood chunks over pellets. Whatever advantages pellets had in the end I am smoking meat for how it tastes more than any other factor. I also considered other charcoal smokers that could work in an outdoor kitchen like the Backwoods Chubby 3400 (I was going to put it on a kamado platform). In the end, the versatility of the Kamado Joe and legit smoking ability gave it the advantage. I also decided that if I ever sell the house, a buyer is more likely to appreciate a kamado than a pure smoker. With the KJ Classic III you also get the sloroller that improves the smoking quality of a KJ while also removing the hot spots on the edges of an egg that can over cook the meat. BTW, I did not go for the Big Joe Classic III because of the budget. The divide and conquer rack system in the regular Classic III gives it a lot of space and the sloroller gives me cooking more space on the edges than regular eggs that size.
Rationale on the other appliances: I only need a grill for quick grilling so infrared or rotisseries were unnecessary. 32" was enough for me and if I need more grilling space I have the Kamado Joe. The KJ is also an excellent searer. Concerning the fridge you can spend $3-4K on a Hestan or Perlick and I just don't see it. Besides I had a $10K budget and did not want to blow it on a fridge.
Rationale on the cabinets: With more money I would have used the RTA cabinets. They are beautiful and have the same DIY capacity. However, before I bought an appliance I was over budget with the RTAs so it made it easy. Big Ridge Cabinets was also a strong contender but I liked the look of the Matchless Cabinets. Jason, the president at MC reached out personally and he seems to offer a great product with slow closure drawers and cabinets. And the price may be the most matchless part of Matchless cabinets.
So when I get some pics I will share them. Feel free to tell me I am an idiot on any of my thoughts guys! -R.D.
My requirements were:
-Built-in smoking option.
-Separate NG grill just for burgers, steaks, chicken.
-Fridge really just for drinks.
-Trash can
-Storage
-Counter for working space between smoker and grill.
-Under $10K
Appliances
Smoker decision: Kamado Joe Classic III
Grill decision: Bull basic 32" NG grill
Fridge decision: HCK 24" outdoor fridge
Appliance Total with tax/shipping: $3827.39
Cabinets
-Matchless aluminum cabinets and countertop, 126"
-Platform for Kamado
-NG grill cabinet
-Fridge cabinet
-Pull out trash can
Cabinet total with tax/shipping: $5526.97
Grand Total: $9354.36
Rationale: The smoker is probably of most interest here so I'll begin there. Because I wanted a smoker that worked in an outdoor kitchen, I certainly considered the built-in pellet grill options out there and almost chose the Recteq RT-1070. I have had two PGs at opposite ends of the spectrum (Traeger Tailgater and Cookshack PG500) so I understand them fairly well. I have just decided I prefer the taste of charcoal smokers with wood chunks over pellets. Whatever advantages pellets had in the end I am smoking meat for how it tastes more than any other factor. I also considered other charcoal smokers that could work in an outdoor kitchen like the Backwoods Chubby 3400 (I was going to put it on a kamado platform). In the end, the versatility of the Kamado Joe and legit smoking ability gave it the advantage. I also decided that if I ever sell the house, a buyer is more likely to appreciate a kamado than a pure smoker. With the KJ Classic III you also get the sloroller that improves the smoking quality of a KJ while also removing the hot spots on the edges of an egg that can over cook the meat. BTW, I did not go for the Big Joe Classic III because of the budget. The divide and conquer rack system in the regular Classic III gives it a lot of space and the sloroller gives me cooking more space on the edges than regular eggs that size.
Rationale on the other appliances: I only need a grill for quick grilling so infrared or rotisseries were unnecessary. 32" was enough for me and if I need more grilling space I have the Kamado Joe. The KJ is also an excellent searer. Concerning the fridge you can spend $3-4K on a Hestan or Perlick and I just don't see it. Besides I had a $10K budget and did not want to blow it on a fridge.
Rationale on the cabinets: With more money I would have used the RTA cabinets. They are beautiful and have the same DIY capacity. However, before I bought an appliance I was over budget with the RTAs so it made it easy. Big Ridge Cabinets was also a strong contender but I liked the look of the Matchless Cabinets. Jason, the president at MC reached out personally and he seems to offer a great product with slow closure drawers and cabinets. And the price may be the most matchless part of Matchless cabinets.
So when I get some pics I will share them. Feel free to tell me I am an idiot on any of my thoughts guys! -R.D.