Outdoor kitchen as a cooking island with a bar counter: grill at the front, sit at the back

BIO Stefan Outdoorküche als Insel auf einer großen Terrasse

Grilling and entertaining with one piece of furniture: the cooking island with bar

This outdoor kitchen stands as a freestanding island on the patio in front of the house. On the cooking side, three modules sit side by side: a cabinet, drawers, and a built-in stainless steel BeefEater Signature Proline grill with a hood. At the back, the countertop extends 30 cm beyond the island, turning it into a bar. The bar stools tuck underneath, so guests sit directly opposite the cook.

The fronts are finished in Champagne, while the countertop and side panels are made of HPL with a light stone look. The side panels extend down to the floor and frame the island, giving it the appearance of a single block. A beige cover is included with this kitchen for the winter months.

From a grill stored in the utility room to an everyday kitchen

Before, grilling for this family meant bringing the grill out of the utility room, setting up a table to use as a surface, and running back into the house for every glass. As a result, they grilled almost exclusively on weekends. Now the accessories and cutlery are in the cabinets right by the grill, food is prepared outside, and the kitchen gets used after work, too. The gas grill is ready as soon as it is switched on, and they have even made pizza with the hood closed.

The bar has become a meeting place. Two or three people eat right at the bar, while the whole family gathers at the dining table next to it. When they grill, someone often sits across from the cook at the bar, keeping the cook right in the middle of the conversation.

“I used to grill here on the patio with a charcoal grill that I had to put away each time. Since we got the outdoor kitchen from BIO Stefan, it has become the center of our grilling and socializing.”

From the idea to the finished kitchen

The family first researched online and shortlisted two suppliers. The deciding factors were value for money and two visits to the showroom. They also reconsidered where to put the kitchen while they were there; their original idea was for a completely different spot in the garden. The bar was also an idea that came up in the showroom, and it is especially important to the family today.

About eight weeks passed between placing the final order and delivery. An installer arranged by BIO Stefan assembled it in half a day. They grilled for the first time that same evening.

“The outdoor kitchen was absolutely worth the money. Great value for money, excellent support, and we’re really happy with it.”

Island configuration instead of wall mounting

BIO Stefan outdoor kitchens come in two mounting options: an island configuration with 360° access or a wall-mounted configuration with 270° access. A cooking island with a bar needs the island configuration, because the back is not against a wall but serves as seating.

How to plan an outdoor kitchen with a bar

Overhang: To make room for knees and stools under the bar, the countertop extends over the guest side. For this kitchen, the overhang is 30 cm. Check the depth with BIO Stefan before buying stools.
Grill on the cooking side: The BeefEater grill is on the cooking side, leaving the bar free for plates and glasses. Find more built-in grills at Built-in gas grill for the outdoor kitchen.
Storage: Drawers and a cabinet are located under the cooking side. Find more models with drawers at Outdoor kitchens with drawers.
Continuous countertop: In the configurator, you can choose a seamless countertop. For a bar, this is a cleaner solution because there are no joints between the modules.

Conclusion: the outdoor kitchen becomes a gathering place

A cooking island with a bar doesn’t separate cooking from sitting; it brings both together in one piece of furniture. If you don’t want to have your back to your guests while grilling, plan your kitchen as an island. Configure your own version in the Outdoor kitchen configurator to suit you. Find all models at Outdoor kitchens.

Frequently asked questions about outdoor kitchens with a bar

Can I configure an outdoor kitchen with a bar?

Yes, using the island option in the configurator. For this kitchen, the countertop is extended 30 cm at the back to create the bar. To find out what works for your kitchen, it’s best to speak directly with BIO Stefan.