I'm a skeptic when it comes to outdoor kitchens (who needs anything more than a grill and a set of tongs?). I'm revising my thinking, however, after spotting—and swooning over—the ultimate setup from the Netherlands.
From WWOO Outdoor Kitchens comes the perfect combination of stylish design and Dutch practicality. Composed of modular components, WWOO kitchens offer systems that range from barely-beyond-basic to well equipped. Add-ons include a pizza oven, a steel fireplace, and a stainless firebox. WWOO Showrooms are located throughout the Netherlands, as well as in Paris, Stuttgart, and Prague.
Those of us who live in the US can recreate the look using a contractor and the products we've sourced below:
Above: The WWOO accessories range from wood storage boxes to cutting boards and Green Egg ceramic grills.
Above: The designer behind WWOO Kitchens is Piet Jan van den Kommer, who feels that many of the outdoor kitchens on the market are expensive, poorly designed, and require a lot of maintenance. His kitchen system is built for endurance.
Above: WWOO Kitchens are made of durable concrete requiring next to no maintenance. The concrete components are available in gray or anthracite (shown).
Above: The stainless steel sink is topped with a stainless faucet connected to a "fire tap."
Above: A modern version of a Japanese kamado cooker—a wood- or charcoal-fired earthen vessel capable of achieving both high and low temperatures for greater control—the Big Green Egg comes in five sizes, from mini to extra large. The Medium Big Green Egg is $850. No countertop to nest the egg? The Big Green Egg with a Compact Cypress Table on wheels starts at $1,175. Both at Big Green Egg Chicago.
Above: Pair a Key Stop and Waste Valve with female inlet ($41.03 at Wayfair) with a Chicago Faucets Rigid Gooseneck Spout with a male outlet and the necessary plumbing fittings (contact your plumber) to attach to the water supply.
Above: Simple 15-inch stainless steel Lenova Rim Series Single Basin Sink; $392 at Fixture Universe.
Above: For a flush counter grill, consider the Fire Master Classic Drop-In Countertop Charcoal Grill; from $137.70 to $681.70 depending on size from Seattle Luxe.
Above: For a countertop option, the stainless steel Kavkaz Mini Grill measures 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep (larger sizes available); $144.99 through BAS Metal. An optional top grate is available.
Above: Lodge Logic 6-Quart Camp Dutch Oven for campfire or fireplace cooking; $59.99 at Amazon.
Above: The Ratskeller Crate from Cenzo Design is crafted of pine and sized to fit 24 glass bottles, and is sturdy enough to carry them. Contact Cenzo Design for pricing and availability. Vintage wooden crates offered through a variety of Etsy sellers are another good option.
For more on outdoor kitchens, see "5 Favorites: Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens."
Inspired to fire up the grill? See our earlier post: World's Best Barbecue Grills.
N.B.: This is an update of a post published on August 14, 2012.