You don't have to build an outdoor kitchen all at once. In fact, we think there's a lot to be said for starting with what you know you'll use, then adding to it when you've worked out how you like cooking outside.
That's the thinking behind Charlie's modular outdoor kitchens. Good-looking cabinets, useful storage and plenty of preparation space, arranged around the most important part: the oven.
What makes a kitchen modular?
Rather than building a permanent run of brickwork, you choose individual cabinets that work together. An island gives you room to chop, plate and rest dishes. Drawers put your tongs and serving tools where you need them. A sink can be added if it makes sense for your garden and services.
You can start small and build up. You can also change the arrangement of suitable units instead of starting again, subject to safe positioning and any plumbing connections.
Start with the cooking, not the cabinets
If you're roasting a chicken and potatoes, you'll want somewhere to rest hot trays. If pizza is your thing, think about how much space you need for shaping dough and topping pizzas. And if you regularly invite friends round for steaks, leave a surface clear for serving while the next batch cooks.
One good worktop close to the oven is worth far more than cupboards you rarely open. It's worth measuring the space, walking the route back to the house and making sure guests can gather without standing right in front of the oven door.
Why Charlie works at the centre
Charlie is a charcoal-fired oven, built for more than grilling. You can roast, bake, smoke and cook pizza using lumpwood charcoal for heat. The front-opening door and different rack positions mean you can use the space inside for several dishes, and you're not tied to a single style of cooking.
That changes how you plan the rest of the kitchen. You don't necessarily need separate appliances for every meal. You need enough preparation space, sensible storage and a layout that makes cooking enjoyable.
Design it for your garden
A run of cabinets can feel neat and architectural. An island can make cooking more sociable because people can gather round without getting in the cook's way. Or you might prefer a couple of units close to the house where they're handy in winter.
Then there's colour. You might choose a softer tone that sits with the stone and planting, or make your kitchen a real feature with one of Charlie's stronger colours. The choice should feel like yours, not something copied from a showroom.
Can you add to it later?
Yes. You might begin with an oven and an island and add a drawer cabinet or sink once you know what's missing. That said, think through drainage, water connections, ground conditions and the oven's installation clearances before you buy. A modular kitchen is flexible, but it still needs a safe, practical place to live.
Build a kitchen you'll actually use
Our advice is simple: choose the oven you want to cook on, give yourself enough room to work and make sure your favourite tools are close at hand. Everything else can follow.
Explore the Charlie modular outdoor kitchen range, or take a look at the cabinets to see how you could put your own kitchen together. If you'd like help with a layout, tell us what you cook and the space you've got. We'd love to hear about it.