Cooking Outside Doesn’t Have to Stop in Winter: Build Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen Year-Round

Cooking Outside Needn’t Be Restricted To Summer Months. Set Your Outdoor Kitchen Up For Success All Year Round With Our Build Guide

Cooking outdoors in New Zealand doesn’t have to be limited to the warmer months. By designing a covered outdoor kitchen with features like a pergola, outdoor canopy, canopy awning, or retractable outdoor blinds, you can enjoy alfresco dining all year round. Whether it’s protecting your BBQ from sudden rain or blocking harsh sun rays, the right outdoor structure transforms your deck, patio, or backyard into a functional, weather-proof space.

1. What To Consider When Designing & Building An Outdoor Kitchen

Choosing the perfect location for your outdoor kitchen NZ is crucial. Your options include:

• Attached to your home – creates a natural, flowing extension of your indoor kitchen.

• Next to a pool – ideal for summer entertaining and easy snack access.

• Free-standing – allows privacy and makes the most of your backyard scenery.

Weather Consideration: For year-round cooking, a sheltered structure is essential.

Options include:

Conservatory

• Protects gas appliances and delicate equipment.

• Good for enclosed spaces, but ventilation can be limited.

Pergolas and Canopy

• Offers stylish shade and airflow in sunny weather.

• Ideal for deck shade canopies but may require additional covers in wind or rain.

• Works with outdoor curtains or blinds to block wind, rain, and 99% of harmful UV rays.

• Styles include free-standing, lean-to, or arch designs, making your outdoor kitchen independent or attached to your home.

3. Plan Durable Preparation Surfaces

The countertop is the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen. Popular options include:

• Concrete – durable, cost-effective, but best under a covered area to prevent fading.

• Granite – stain- and fade-resistant, perfect for high-use kitchens.

• Wood – requires regular treatment for weatherproofing.

• Soapstone – naturally sturdy, stain-resistant, and bacteria-resistant.

• Stainless steel – rust-resistant, ideal for both covered and uncovered kitchens.

5. Storage for a Functional Outdoor Kitchen

Storage is essential for a fully independent kitchen:

• Built-in cabinets or stand-alone units keep appliances, utensils, and ingredients secure.

• Ensure child-safe locks if you have young children.

• Sheltered storage works best under a pergola or canopy awning to protect from rain and sun.

You May Be Interested In: Dayal Canopy Case Study

7. Airflow and Temperature Control:

Whether keeping cool or cranking up the heat, you have plenty of options at your disposal when thinking about keeping you and your guests comfortable. Retractable blinds or outdoor curtains provide flexibility to add and remove walls as seasons change, keeping a steady airflow that comes in handy if embarking on aromatic cooking. For heating your outdoor space, a LPG patio heater is relatively cost effective if used infrequently, but a mains supplied gas or electric heater is a more cost efficient longer-term solution.

Related Post: 5 Practical Tips For Heating Your Outdoor Space This Winter

8. Don’t Forget A Cold One…

Nothing beats a chilled glass of wine or beer on a summer’s night (or any night come to think of it!). The cheaper, classic option is the bar fridge, a welcome oasis on a scorching summer’s day that doubles up as perfect storage for that steak (especially if you opt for that poolside kitchen/ bar). Alternatively if you are a craft beer connoisseur fitting draught taps is a must. Granted there will likely be a higher set-up cost, but ideally this is off-set by sourcing cheaper kegs from your local brewery (and supporting local businesses can’t be bad).

9. … Or Washing Up!

– Unless you want to lug all your dirty dishes and pans back to the house it makes sense to sort out a water supply and sink. We recommend fitting a dishwasher if you are entertaining large groups on a regular basis (if water supply and budget allows).