A luxury outdoor kitchen is much more than just a grill, it\u2019s a dreamy cooking and entertaining space that lets you turn your backyard into an extension of your\u2002home. Love weekend barbecues or weekday grilling? Love entertaining on the beautiful deck\u2002or patio of your home? From\u2002keeping drinks cold to lighting up your night, these 5 must-haves are essential for any 2025 outdoor kitchen. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what your space is missing and how to fill\u2002it, with the help of Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center\u2019s expert guidance.<\/p>\n
No\u2002proper outdoor kitchen would be complete without cold storage. An outdoor beverage center<\/strong> or built-in outdoor fridge<\/strong> means fewer trips in and out and more time enjoying your space. Whether you are having a BBQ party, making dinner,\u2002or relaxing in the sun, cold drinks and fresh food as close to your BBQ as possible makes everything a whole lot easier.<\/p>\n High-end brands like Lynx, DCS \u00a0and Hestan, engineer outdoor refrigerators\u2002that not only look good, but take on a heavy workload. For instance,\u2002a Lynx outdoor refrigerator<\/strong> has insulated doors, adjustable shelving, and soft-close drawers. Various models also feature LED lighting, along\u2002with digital temperature controls, which keep your groceries and beverages perfect chill.<\/p>\n If you are designing a full space, don\u2019t forget about refrigeration, it\u2019s a functional and luxurious component of an outdoor kitchen. Discover\u2002premium Hestan<\/strong><\/a> refrigeration appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, and prepare your 2025 outdoor kitchen accordingly.<\/p>\n A grill can do a lot, but if you want to do more with your outdoor cooking space, adding an\u2002outdoor side burner<\/strong> is where the real magic happens. From boiling corn to sauteing veggies or stir-frying a quick side, with a dedicated burner, you can do it all without going\u2002back inside.<\/p>\n A power burner for outdoor kitchen<\/strong> set-ups will bring some real heat. These burners come with\u2002high BTU output to cook faster and produce better results. You\u2002can sear, simmer or even cook in a wok, right next to where you\u2019re already grilling.<\/p>\n Top brands such as DCS, Hestan and Lynx make it easy to complement your existing setup with side\u2002burners that coordinate with the look and performance of your main grill. A DCS side\u2002burner<\/strong>, for instance, features stainless steel finishes, easy-clean surfaces, and weatherproof knobs ready to take on outdoor elements.<\/p>\n Check out the newest DCS<\/strong><\/a> models at Universal Appliance and\u2002Kitchen Center, and find out how an added burner can give the look of your outdoor kitchen the finishing touch.<\/p>\n An outdoor kitchen sink<\/strong> is without a doubt one of the best things you can invest in for your\u2002backyard cooking area. It allows you to prep food, rinse vegetables, and wash hands\u2002without having to go back inside, saving time and effort. This keeps everything clean and close at hand, contributing to a smooth\u2002outdoor kitchen workflow from start to finish.<\/p>\n A prep sink for outdoor use<\/strong> provides both cleanliness and efficiency to outdoor food prep. Great for everything\u2002from marinating meat to chopping salad components, you can keep it neat and tidy, right where you’re cooking.<\/p>\n Lynx and DCS are premier\u2002brands that build sinks to last. A good-quality stainless steel sink<\/strong> is well-equipped\u2002to withstand the heat, humidity, and mess of outdoor cooking, if made with weather-resistant materials. Additional features you will find with some models include built-in cutting boards, a soap dispenser,\u2002or tall faucets for easy cleanup.<\/p>\n Discover Lynx<\/strong><\/a> luxury sinks available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, and pair your outdoor kitchen with the ideal sink and prep station\u2002for your outdoor living space.<\/p>\n Having all the right tools to work with in your outdoor kitchen is just as important as keeping your outdoor kitchen\u2002organized. Outdoor kitchen storage<\/strong> provides space for everything from utensils and spices to cleaning supplies and grill\u2002tools, all protected from the elements and easy to reach. Good storage design makes the\u2002space tidy, allowing you to fully enjoy outdoor time.<\/p>\n With weatherproof drawers<\/strong>, you need not to\u2002worry about rain, sun, and dust damaging your essentials. These drawers\u2002are constructed of rust-free material, and sealed to protect inside from elements. Plus, soft close hinges, and full extension glides allow the doors and drawers\u2002to open and close softly and quietly, even if your hands are full.<\/p>\n Brands such as Hestan and DCS offer heavy-duty storage solutions that blend with the appearance of your grill and outdoor island, and provide\u2002a seamless look. From a single drawer to a full cabinet system, these options are designed to fit directly in\u2002your setup and can handle outdoor environments easily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finish the look with Hestan storage accessories<\/strong> that are both durable and fashion-forward, keeping everything in its place and protected, so your outdoor kitchen stays clean, functional and ready to use all year round.<\/p>\n If you want to take your outdoor kitchen to the next level, don\u2019t stop at the essentials. Adding extras like an outdoor pizza oven<\/strong>, warming drawer for outdoor kitchen<\/strong>, and thoughtful outdoor kitchen lighting<\/strong> can make a big difference in how your space looks, feels, and functions, especially when entertaining.<\/p>\n A high-performance outdoor pizza oven lets you create crispy, fire-baked pizzas right in your backyard. It\u2019s a fun and practical upgrade that guests love, and it also works great for baking bread or roasting meats.<\/p>\n A warming drawer for outdoor kitchen setups helps you keep cooked food hot while you prep other dishes or wait for guests to arrive. It\u2019s also useful for warming plates, proofing dough, or keeping sides ready to serve.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t overlook outdoor kitchen lighting. Proper lighting not only makes cooking at night safer, but it also sets the mood. Choose from task lighting over prep areas or ambient LED strips around counters and cabinets to create a cozy, upscale look.<\/p>\n With these upgrades, your outdoor space becomes more than just a place to cook, it becomes a destination for relaxing, gathering, and making memories.<\/p>\n Creating a perfect outdoor living kitchen involves more than just picking a grill, it\u2019s about seeing how all the parts come together in real life. That\u2019s why visiting a Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center\u2019s outdoor kitchen showroom in Los Angeles<\/strong> can make a big difference. At our showrooms, you can explore complete outdoor kitchen setups in person, helping you make confident choices for your own space.<\/p>\n Each of Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center\u2019s Southern California showrooms, located in Studio City, Calabasas, Santa Clarita, Costa Mesa, Torrance, and Mission Viejo, feature live displays that showcase grills, islands, and accessories from top brands like Hestan, Lynx, and DCS. These realistic setups allow you to see how appliances and layouts work together, which is especially helpful when planning your own backyard design.<\/p>\n Alongside grills and islands, the showrooms are filled with premium outdoor kitchen accessories<\/strong> like pizza ovens, warming drawers, lighting, storage solutions, and beverage centers. Seeing and testing these items firsthand helps you find the exact combination that fits your cooking and entertaining style.<\/p>\n Plus, Universal Appliance and Kitchen\u2019s design experts are always available to walk you through the options and help you build an outdoor kitchen tailored to your space, needs, and budget. Whether you\u2019re starting fresh or adding upgrades, we\u2019ll guide you through each step of the process.<\/p>\n Explore what\u2019s possible, View All Locations<\/strong><\/a> today and discover how Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center can help you design the outdoor kitchen you\u2019ve always wanted.<\/p>\nKey features to look for<\/h3>\n
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2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Side Burners & Power Burners: Expand Your Cooking Capabilities<\/h2>\n
Why add a side or power burner<\/h3>\n
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3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Outdoor Sinks & Prep Stations: Hygiene Meets Efficiency<\/h2>\n
Benefits of adding an outdoor prep sink<\/h3>\n
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4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weatherproof Storage Drawers & Cabinets<\/h2>\n
Why invest in outdoor storage drawers and cabinets<\/h3>\n
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5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bonus Add-On: Pizza Ovens, Warming Drawers, & Lighting<\/h2>\n
Why these bonus features matter<\/h3>\n
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Visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to Design Your Dream Outdoor Living Kitchen<\/h2>\n
The Takeaway<\/h2>\n