Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets with a Countertop to Match

An outdoor kitchen needs two things that can stay outside: cabinets that won't rot or rust, and a countertop strong enough to hold the grill. Custom Marble Design can quote both. We carry Rock Run Cabinetry's aluminum Patio Line, and we fabricate the stone tops that go on it. Call (719) 849-3990 or stop by our Monte Vista shop to talk through your patio.

Why the countertop matters as much as the cabinets

This surprises a lot of people. Rock Run's own catalog says the top of a patio cabinet will not support the weight of a smoker or grill, and that a countertop must be installed on the cabinet. Their grill cabinet for built-in grills is the same story: it isn't designed for the grill to sit on a shelf, only for grills that are suspended from the countertop.

So the countertop isn't a finishing touch here. It holds the cooking equipment, it's your prep space, and it protects the tops of the cabinets. Planning the cabinets and the top together means the grill cutout, the overhangs and the seams are worked out once, not twice.

What's in the Patio Line

Rock Run designed the Patio Line specifically for outdoor kitchens. There are over 40 cabinets in it, and they're 28 inches deep, deeper than standard base cabinets, so bigger grills fit. Each one has a finished back panel, which looks cleaner when the back of an island faces the yard.

Pieces you can plan around:

• Grill cabinets for gas grills (with an LP tank option), for ceramic grills, and for built-in grills hung from the countertop
• Corner grill cabinets for L-shaped layouts
• Sink bases and drawer bases
• Bar cabinets that fasten to the back of the patio cabinets so you can add a raised, bar-height countertop on top, in six widths to line up with the cabinets below

Grill carts if you'd rather not build in

Not ready for a full island? Rock Run also makes aluminum grill carts sized for ceramic grills. They roll on 5-inch castors, two of which lock, and the doors and drawers close with compression latches and a rubber seal. Waterproof covers are available. A cart can go in the garage for winter and come back out in May.

Built for Valley weather

Rock Run builds these cabinets from aluminum with a powder-coated finish, and lists no rot, mold or rust and no warping with temperature changes among the advantages. The SALICE soft-close hinges, according to Rock Run, will not seize in cooler temperatures, and they name the outdoor kitchen as a place they suit. That counts for something at 7,600 feet, where cold nights show up early in the fall.

Care tips for an outdoor setup

A few habits from Rock Run's care guide will keep the finish looking good:

• Rinse off dirt, then wipe with warm water and a soft cloth and towel dry. Mild soap is fine.
• Keep stainless steel and appliance cleaners off the cabinets. Spray the cleaner on a cloth and wipe only the grill.
• Don't let hot ash touch the finish, and clean up wet ash, which can turn corrosive over time.
• Don't set hot pans on the cabinet finish. That's another reason to have a real countertop.
• Shade and dry storage help reduce fading, which the finish warranty doesn't cover.

Choosing the countertop

We make granite countertops and quartz countertops, among other materials. Ask us which of our materials we'd recommend for your patio, since sun exposure and freeze-thaw both play a part. If you want to see the rest of the aluminum line, including indoor and garage cabinets, start at our aluminum cabinets page.

Get your outdoor kitchen quoted

We quote every job, since no two patios are the same. Call (719) 849-3990, Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, or stop by the shop at 1040 Colorado Hwy 370 in Monte Vista. Bring a sketch of the space and the grill you plan to use, and ask us to quote your countertop and cabinets together. You can also send a note through our contact page or visit the Custom Marble Design home page.