A modular outdoor kitchen lets you build a complete cooking and entertaining area from ready-made units, without custom cabinetry or a builder. You choose a BBQ, add the modules you need, and line them up. Here is how to plan one properly.
Step 1: Choose your BBQ first
Everything else is built around the BBQ, so decide on it first. Coleman® outdoor kitchens are built around four BBQs:
- Revolution™ 4 Burner kitchens: the right size for most family backyards
- Revolution™ 5 Burner kitchens: more cooking space, with a split grill and hotplate cooktop
- Revolution™ Dual Fuel kitchens: gas and charcoal in one
- Pro Series 5 Burner kitchens: heavy-duty construction for serious cooks
Not sure which size? Read our guide to choosing a BBQ size.
Step 2: Choose a ready-made kitchen
The easiest way to get it right is to pick one of our ready-made kitchens. Each one pairs a BBQ with modules that are already matched, so there are no rules to work out about what goes on the left or the right. Once you know your BBQ, decide on your budget and your space, and whether you want a fridge, a sink or both. Then choose from the configurations for that BBQ. Here is what each module does:
| You want to… | Module |
|---|---|
| Rinse produce and wash hands without going inside | Sink Module |
| Keep drinks and food cold beside the BBQ | Fridge Module with Tropical Grade Fridge |
| Fit the cabinet now and choose your own fridge | Fridge Module Cabinet |
| Store tools, utensils and covers, with a drawer | Storage Module |
| Store larger items such as platters, trays and bags of charcoal | Cupboard Module without Drawer |
| Turn the run into an L-shape | Corner Module |
A good starting point for most families is BBQ, sink and fridge. Storage can come later.
Step 3: Pick a layout
- Straight run: BBQ with modules on one or both sides, depending on the BBQ. Best against a wall or fence line, with clearance as set out in the manual.
- L-shape: a Corner Module, placed between two modules, wraps the kitchen around a patio corner. It creates more bench space and a natural place for guests to gather.
Prefer to mix and match? You can build your own combination from individual modules, and it is easy to do yourself. Just follow three rules:
- The right-hand side of a Revolution™ BBQ. On the Revolution™ 4 Burner, 5 Burner and Dual Fuel, the Flare-Free grease cup sits on the right-hand side. The module on the right must be a Sink Module or a Cupboard Module without Drawer, which leave room for the cup.
- Nothing on the left of the Revolution™ 4 Burner or the Pro Series 5 Burner. Both have a side burner on the left, so no module can connect on that side.
- The Corner Module never connects to the BBQ. It always sits between two other modules, one on each side.
Everything else is up to you. All modules are sold separately in our Outdoor Modules range.
Step 4: Check the practical details
- Space: add up the widths of the BBQ and every module, then allow room to open lids, doors and drawers and to walk behind the cook.
- Gas: most kitchens run on an LPG bottle. If you want natural gas, choose a natural gas BBQ and have it connected by a licensed gas fitter.
- Water and power: a sink needs a water supply and drainage, and a fridge needs a power point suited to outdoor use. Plan these with a licensed plumber or electrician where required.
- Clearance and ventilation: the kitchen must be outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Follow the clearances in each assembly manual, available on our Support page.
- Ground: a flat, level, solid surface keeps the modules aligned and doors closing properly.
A note on the Dual Fuel charcoal lid. With the modules pushed back against a wall, there is about 15 cm of space behind the BBQ. That is not enough for the hinged charcoal lid, which needs about another 20 cm to open fully. Either allow the extra space, or use the charcoal lid without its hinge as a lift-off lid, and the extra clearance is not needed. Full details are in the Dual Fuel assembly manual: Black Matte or Black Gloss.
Step 5: Start now, add later
Because the system is modular, you do not have to buy everything at once. Many customers start with the BBQ and one module, then add more next season.
Before you order
- Measure the space and mark it out on the ground.
- Confirm your gas type.
- Check where water and power will come from.
- Choose a finish — Black Matte or Black Gloss — and keep it the same across the kitchen.
Need help with a layout? Send us your measurements and our Australian team will suggest a configuration.