How to Plan an Outdoor Kitchen: Space, Gas, Water and Planning Rules
Planning an outdoor kitchen: measure, plan the gas and water, then choose
An outdoor kitchen puts the BBQ, a worktop, storage and often a sink or drinks cooler in one run. Get the space, the gas, the water and the power sorted first, and choosing the kitchen is easy.
The short answer
Measure your space, decide on gas, charcoal or both, plan where the gas bottle, water and any power will come from, and check the planning rules. Then pick a kitchen that fits.
- 155 cmlong for our most compact kitchen, the Texas Slimline4
- 329 cmfor the Texas Premium Modular corner kitchen4
- 13kggas bottle recommended for most of our outdoor kitchens4
The picture above shows a 240 cm kitchen run drawn to scale against a garden wall: a sink unit, a four burner BBQ and a worktop, with the tape along its length and depth.
1. Measure the space
Measure the length and depth of the spot you have in mind, then compare it with the kitchens below. Leave room in front to stand and work, and room to open the BBQ lid and the cupboard doors.
| Outdoor kitchen | Width x depth | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Slimline, 6 burner | 155 x 52 cm | Sink and tap, chopping board, cupboard | £289 |
| Texas Outdoor Kitchen, 4 burner | 209 x 59 cm | Side burner, sink, chopping board | £419 |
| Boss Grill Outdoor Kitchen, 4 burner | 229 x 48 cm | Drinks cooler, sink and tap, side burner | £849 |
| Texas All Star Modular, 4 burner | 240 x 50.5 cm | Sink with pull tap, cupboards, drawer | £679 |
| All Star Pro Modular Dual Fuel | 320 x 48 cm | Gas and charcoal, fridge, sink | £999 |
| Texas Premium Modular corner | 329 x 55 cm | Corner unit, side burner, sink and tap | £679 |
Sizes and contents are from each product page.4
2. Choose how you want to cook
A complete kitchen
Most of our outdoor kitchens come with the gas BBQ built in, from a 4 burner up to a 6 burner. The All Star Pro Modular has separate gas and charcoal zones, so you can cook on both.4
Your own build
Building your own run in brick or stone? Drop in a built-in BBQ such as the Texas Lone Star 4 burner (£319, ready to install with no assembly), the Boss Grill 6 burner built-in (£579) or the Boss Grill built-in charcoal BBQ (£219).4
3. Plan the gas, water and power
Gas
Our outdoor kitchens run from a patio gas bottle, and most recommend a 13kg bottle. The Texas All Star includes a cut-out, vented single cupboard.4 If you would rather have a fixed gas supply run to the kitchen, that is gas work, and it needs a Gas Safe registered engineer.2
Water
The sink on the Texas All Star and the tap on the Texas Outdoor Kitchen Unit connect to a garden hose pipe, so plan the kitchen within reach of an outside tap.4 The Monster Grill Ultimate has a sink with running water and arrives 90% built.4
Power
A fridge or drinks cooler needs power. Outdoor sockets should be RCD protected and weatherproof (most are rated IP66), with covers that close tightly. Use a registered electrician: some garden electrical work has to be notified to building control under Part P, and a registered electrician can certify it for you.3
Light
Planning to cook after dark? Outdoor lights should be rated IP44 or higher.3 Some of our kitchens, such as the Premium Modular 6 burner, have LED control knobs.4
4. Check the planning rules
An outdoor kitchen that is not a permanent structure normally does not need planning permission. There is no permitted development right for outdoor kitchens as such, but a fixed one may count as an outbuilding, and most fall within the permitted development limits unless they are particularly tall or close to a boundary.1
Different rules can apply to listed buildings and conservation areas, so if your home is one of these, speak to your local planning authority before you start.1
Our outdoor kitchens
See all our BBQs and outdoor kitchens, or start with these.
Boss Grill Texas Slimline, 6 burner outdoor kitchen
£289
Six burners, a sink and tap, a chopping board, cupboard storage and open shelving, all in 155 cm. It sits on wheels and suits up to 4 people.4
Boss Grill Texas All Star Modular, 4 burner outdoor kitchen
£679
A 4 burner BBQ set into modular units you can reposition, with a sink and pull tap, two double cupboards, a cut-out vented cupboard, open shelves and a drawer. 240 cm long with a 93.5 cm cooking height.4
Boss Grill Outdoor Kitchen, 4 burner with drinks cooler and sink
£849
A 4 burner BBQ with a side burner, a drinks cooler, a sink and tap, a bottle opener and storage cupboards, on wheels. Suits up to 6 people.4
Boss Grill Texas Lone Star, 4 burner built-in BBQ
£319
A stainless steel built-in BBQ with a 63 x 40 cm split grill and searing plate, ready to install with no assembly. It also fits the Texas Outdoor Kitchen Unit if you want ready-made units.4
Outdoor kitchen questions
Open a question to read the answer. Ready to choose? Visit our BBQs page.
Do I need planning permission for an outdoor kitchen?
If it is not a permanent structure, planning permission is normally not needed. A fixed outdoor kitchen may count as an outbuilding, and most fall within permitted development limits unless they are particularly tall or close to a boundary. Different rules can apply to listed buildings and conservation areas, so check with your local planning authority if in doubt.
Do I need a gas engineer for an outdoor kitchen?
Our outdoor kitchens run from a patio gas bottle. If you want a fixed gas supply run to the kitchen, that is gas work and needs a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Can I wire power to an outdoor kitchen myself?
Leave it to a registered electrician. Outdoor sockets should be RCD protected and weatherproof, and some garden electrical work has to be notified to building control under Part P. A registered electrician can certify the work for you.
How much space does an outdoor kitchen need?
Our outdoor kitchens run from 155 cm long for the Texas Slimline to 329 cm for the Texas Premium Modular corner kitchen, and most are 48 to 62 cm deep. Measure the spot and leave room to stand and work in front of it.
Can I change the layout of a modular outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Modular kitchens such as the Texas All Star come in separate sections that you can reposition, and many units sit on castors so you can adjust the layout.
Sources
- Planning Portal, Outdoor kitchens: planning permission, accessed October 2026. Covers England.
- Health and Safety Executive, Gas safety: frequently asked questions, accessed October 2026.
- NICEIC, Garden electrics guide: regulations and requirements, accessed October 2026.
- Outdoor Living, product pages for the Texas Slimline, Texas, Boss Grill Outdoor Kitchen, Texas All Star Modular, All Star Pro Modular Dual Fuel, Texas Premium Modular, Premium Modular 6 burner, Monster Grill Ultimate, Texas Lone Star, 6 burner built-in, built-in charcoal BBQ and Texas Outdoor Kitchen Unit, accessed October 2026.
Paul Margerison
Managing Director & Founder, Outdoor Living
Put the tape measure down on the patio before you fall for a kitchen. The right one fits the space, the gas and the water you have.