Outdoor kitchen planning · appliances
BBQ and appliance planning
Appliances dictate cabinet sizes, ventilation gaps and where trades trench. Choose your BBQ, fridge and sink models early — or allow adjustable rough-in — so the build is not reworked when the delivery truck arrives.
Built-in BBQ selection
- Fuel type Natural gas is common on Melbourne reticulated streets; LPG bottles suit sites without gas mains. Fuel choice affects regulator location, trenching and cabinet depth.
- Size and burners Match cooking habits — a four-burner with a side burner suits most families. Commercial-width grills need wider cavities and more gas supply.
- Clearances Manufacturer specs for sides, rear and hood height are non-negotiable. Combustible cladding too close to the grill is a safety and warranty issue.
- Hood and extraction Open-air cooking relies on breeze; under cover you may need a hood ducted away from timber and lined roofs. Check before structure is built.
Fridges and cold storage
- Use appliances rated for outdoor or semi-outdoor use where possible — kitchen fridges struggle in heat and cold
- Allow ventilation space behind and above the unit; tight boxes kill compressors
- Lock in width, depth and door swing before cabinetry is drawn
- Consider a drawer fridge for drinks and a separate upright if you entertain often
Sink and plumbing
A sink changes plumbing scope. Even a small bowl needs hot and cold supply, drainage and often a licensed plumber on the compliance paperwork.
- Location Close to prep bench but not directly above electrical outlets. Drainage should fall to an approved point — not across paving toward the house.
- Hot water Instantaneous units or extension from the house both work; distance from the hot water source affects wait time and trenching cost.
Gas, power and rough-in
- Gas lines Licensed gasfitter, pressure test and certificate. Route pipes before paving is reinstated. Allow isolation valves in accessible locations.
- Electrical Dedicated circuits for BBQ ignition, fridge, lighting and any induction hotplate. Outdoor-rated fittings and RCD protection per current rules.
- Access panels Fridges fail; gas valves need reaching. Removable panels or hinged doors behind appliances save cutting stone later.
- Future additions Conduit for spare power and a capped gas point cost little during the build and help if you add a pizza oven or wok burner later.
Common outdoor kitchen mistakes
- Buying appliances after cabinets are built — Cut-outs and depths rarely match; stone rework is costly.
- No access to the back of the fridge — Servicing means pulling the unit through the front or dismantling cladding.
- Undersized gas supply — Multiple burners plus side burners need correct pipe sizing; starving the BBQ shows up as weak flames.
- Power points behind the BBQ — Heat and grease destroy standard outlets; follow clearances and use appropriate fittings.
When it helps to bring in Made By Mobbs
Made By Mobbs Landscapes designs and builds outdoor spaces in Melbourne — paving, planting, structure and the services that sit underneath.
An outdoor kitchen works when bench levels, cover, drainage and appliance access are sorted before stone and cladding go on. That coordination is easier when one team is looking at the whole backyard, not just the BBQ cabinet.
This page is a guide only: practical ranges and checklist thinking before you commit. Firm pricing needs a walk-through of access, existing structures, gas and power routes, and how you cook and store on site.
Questions we hear on site
- Do I need natural gas for a built-in BBQ?
- No — LPG bottles work on many sites. Natural gas avoids bottle swaps but needs a licensed connection and trench from the meter.
- Can I add a fridge to an existing outdoor kitchen?
- Only if there is power, ventilation and cabinet space designed for it. Retrofits often mean new paving cuts and cladding changes.
- Who coordinates gas and electrical for outdoor kitchens?
- Licensed gasfitters and electricians each certify their work. A landscape builder or project lead should sequence trenching, slab and cabinet install so trades are not working blind.
Gas lines, slab falls and cover height are not details you add after the bench is drawn — they decide whether the kitchen is usable in winter and safe in summer.
Planning an outdoor kitchen in Melbourne?
Talk through layout, services and structure with a team that builds the paving and garden around the kitchen — not just the cabinet in isolation.
Speak with Made By Mobbs Landscapes