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Are Outdoor Kitchens Worth It? A Phoenix Landscaper's Honest Take
- Oasis Green
- Apr 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 19
I'll be straight with you – I get asked about outdoor kitchens more than just about any other hardscape feature here in the Phoenix Valley. And honestly? My answer has evolved quite a bit over my 30+ years in this business.
When I first started installing outdoor kitchens back in the late '90s, they felt like these massive luxury statements that only the wealthiest clients could afford. Fast forward to today, and I'm designing them for regular families in Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler who just want to make their Arizona outdoor living space work harder for them. The question isn't really whether they're "worth it" anymore – it's whether they're right for your lifestyle and budget.
The Arizona Advantage (And Why We Use Outdoor Kitchens More Than Anyone)
Here's the thing that sets us in Arizona apart from pretty much everywhere else in the country: our amazing weather actually lets you use an outdoor kitchen for about 8-9 months out of the year. I mean, come on – when it's 75° in January and you're grilling steaks while your relatives back east are shoveling snow, that's when you really appreciate living in the desert.
I remember this one project I did in the West Valley a few years back. The homeowners were transplants from out of state and loved the idea of an outdoor kitchen but weren’t sure if they would use it enough. Fast forward a few years later and the wife lets us know that they’re moving across town and want us to build another outdoor kitchen at their new home.
In fact, she said that, “Leaving [the outdoor kitchen] behind was one of the hardest parts of our decision to move! Your team building a new kitchen in our new home is the only thing that softens that for us.”
The numbers don't lie either. Many of my clients with outdoor kitchens will tell you they use them nearly year round and often, several times a week. I personally use my outdoor kitchen space every single month of the year. Compare that to someone in, say, Chicago who might get 4-5 months of decent outdoor cooking weather, and you can see why the ROI calculation works so much better here in Arizona.
What Actually Gets Used (And What Doesn't)
Now, here's where I have to get real with you about outdoor kitchen features. After installing hundreds of these setups, I've learned there's a big difference between what sounds cool and what actually gets used regularly.
Most-Used Outdoor Kitchen Features (in order):
Built-in grill – an absolute must-have, everyone uses this regularly for meats, veggies, even pizza can be made on a grill.
Counter space with storage underneath – more valuable than you'd think, especially if you plan to host meals with more than a couple people.
Smoker or griddle - there are so many uses beyond just cooking meat; pizza and bacon just to name a few!
Sink – makes cleanup so much easier, especially if you have a longer trek back to the inside kitchen sink.
Beverage fridge – huge convenience factor for entertaining.
Features That Sound Amazing But Get Mixed Use:
Pizza ovens – don't get me wrong, when my clients use them, they create these incredible restaurant-quality meals that would cost $200+ at some fancy Scottsdale spot. But they're pricey (usually $6,000-10,000 for a custom build-in) and require some skill to master.
Side burners – these are perfect for keeping sides warm or boiling corn but many people find they just don't use these as often as their other appliances.
Ice makers – although the concept is great, I've actually installed very few of these as most people find them to be more pricey than they're worth.
In my early days it was easy to get caught up in a client's enthusiasm and design these massive outdoor kitchens with every bell and whistle. One project in Scottsdale had a wood-fired oven, smoker, wine fridge, and warming drawers. Beautiful setup, don't get me wrong, but after the first summer they realized they were really just using the grill and the ice maker regularly.
These days, I always ask my clients to think about how they actually cook and entertain, not how they imagine they'll cook and entertain. There's usually a big difference.
The Real ROI Picture in Phoenix
Let's talk dollars and cents because that's what you're really wondering about. A quality custom built outdoor kitchen in our market typically runs anywhere from $7,000 for a basic setup to $50,000+ for something really elaborate. I know that sounds like a wide range, but there are so many variables – appliances, countertop materials, storage options, and especially the existing condition of your outdoor space. Add on upgrades like stacked stone facing or a custom ramada covering and it can quickly add up.
From a resale perspective, outdoor kitchens in Arizona typically return about 60-70% of their investment, which honestly isn't terrible for a home improvement project. But here's what I tell all my clients: don't build an outdoor kitchen primarily for resale value. Build it because you're going to love using it and it's going to change how you live (and maybe even work) in your outdoor space.
There's something pretty amazing about hosting a dinner party where you're serving restaurant-quality steaks, perfectly grilled vegetables, and maybe even wood-fired pizza – all while your guests are enjoying the gorgeous Arizona sunsets. When you think about it, a nice dinner for four at one of Scottsdale's upscale restaurants can easily run $300-400. With an outdoor kitchen, you're creating those same memorable dining experiences at home for a fraction of the cost, and you get to do it year-round during our perfect weather months.
For some of my clients, their outdoor kitchens even double as a work space. One client started a sourdough business using her outdoor pizza oven. Boy, was that bread amazing! A husband and wife duo used theirs to host regular gatherings for their real estate clients. A third client was able to host several large wedding receptions for using the outdoor kitchen for the food serving area.
Design Mistakes I've Learned to Avoid
As a rookie, I made my share of design mistakes. But those mistakes taught me what actually works in our Arizona climate.
No Shade Structure
This is a big one. I used to focus so much on making these entertainment spaces beautiful that I didn’t really give much attention to the shade element overhead.
Years of experience have taught me however, that during those 5ish months where it’s regularly over 100°, having some protection from the sun is a must. Now, I always recommend some kind of shade – whether it's a pergola, ramada, or even just a large umbrella setup.
Inadequate Storage
Arizona dust is real, folks. If you don't have covered storage for your outdoor dishes, utensils, and equipment, everything's going to be covered in a layer of dust every time you want to use it. I learned this lesson the hard way at my own home when I first built my outdoor kitchen.
Poor Lighting
Task lighting is important if you plan to cook at night. I can't tell you how many times I've been called back to add more task lighting because homeowners didn’t originally want- they quickly changed their tune when they realized they couldn't actually see what they were cooking after sunset.
Other Common Issues:
• Not planning for electrical needs upfront - On new projects I always try to get my clients to plan ahead for what types of appliances they intend to use in their outdoor kitchens. It’s a lot more cost-effective to get the electrical done right in the beginning, rather than trying to add it in after the fact.
• Not allowing for proper ventilation when placing the grill - I learned about the importance of proper ventilation years ago when a client opted not to have vents on his unit and ended up putting himself in the hospital. (see my post How To Design the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen for the full story).
• Underestimating counter space requirements – In my opinion, you can never have enough counter space. When you cook for a large group or like to incorporate a lot of sides or items into your menu, you’ll be grateful for every inch you’ve got.
• Not considering the location from the inside kitchen – The placement and position of the outdoor kitchen is more important than many homeowners realize. Years of experience have taught me that if the outdoor cooking space is too inconvenient or too far from the inside kitchen, it simply won’t get used.
Making the Decision That's Right for You
So, are outdoor kitchens worth it? In Arizona, for the right homeowner, absolutely. But "right homeowner" is the key phrase there.
If you love entertaining, enjoy cooking, and want to maximize your outdoor living time during our amazing fall, winter, and spring weather, an outdoor kitchen can be transformational. If you're someone who barely uses your indoor kitchen and isn't really into hosting people, then maybe that money would be better spent on other landscape features.
I always tell potential clients to start by honestly evaluating how they currently use their outdoor space. Do you already spend time on your patio? Do you find yourself wishing you could prep food or keep drinks cold without running back and forth to the house? Do you actually enjoy cooking, or do you just think you should enjoy cooking?
The families who get the most value out of outdoor kitchens are the ones who were already trying to live outdoors but felt limited by their setup. The outdoor kitchen just removes those barriers and makes the experience more enjoyable.
If you're considering an outdoor kitchen for your Phoenix area home, my advice is to start with the basics – a good grill, some counter space, and storage – then add features as you discover what you actually use. It's a lot easier to add a pizza oven later than to remove one that's not getting used.
After all these years designing and installing outdoor living spaces, I've learned that the best projects aren't the ones with the most expensive features. They're the ones that actually get used and loved by the families who live there.
Thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen to your Arizona landscape? I'd love to chat with you about what might work best for your space and lifestyle. Click the button below to schedule a free consultation – after 30+ years in the industry, I'd love to share some of my best recommendations with you!
