Outdoor Kitchens in Orono, MN

Outdoor Kitchens in Orono can be bigger projects than in most of the metro, because the properties are bigger. Orono is the largest municipality by area on Lake Minnetonka, covering more than 23 square miles, about a third of it water. It is largely residential, and about 20.5% of residents lived in areas the 2020 census classed as rural. Census estimates put owner-occupancy at 90.9%, and 89.5% of residents were in the same home a year earlier. On properties like these, a backyard kitchen is often part of a larger outdoor living plan with dining, lounging and fire areas, not a single grill.

Think in zones

A large layout works best when it is broken into areas with clear jobs:

• Hot zone: the grill, side burner, smoker or pizza oven, with heat-safe counters and clearances set by each appliance's installation manual
• Cold zone: refrigeration, ice and a sink, kept apart from the heat and grouped so winterizing happens in one place
• Serving zone: a bar or counter between the cook and the guests
• Gathering zone: covered dining and a fire feature set back at a safe distance

Households in Orono average 2.67 people, larger than in many nearby cities, and big gatherings are common, so we size counters and seating for the crowd you actually host.

Long runs and careful trenching

When the kitchen sits out near the water or a far patio, utilities have to travel. Gas piping, new electrical circuits and plumbing are generally permitted work, and longer runs need more planning for size, depth and access. Before any digging, Gopher State One Call must get at least 48 hours' notice, not counting the day of notice, weekends or holidays. As the contractor, we make that call and plan the trench path around the features already on the property.

Footings for roofs and pavilions

Covered dining and cooking pavilions are popular on larger lots, and every one of them needs a proper foundation. Orono is in Hennepin County, frost Zone II under Minnesota Rule 1303.1600, so footings must go at least 3-1/2 feet deep unless a soils engineer approves less. A roof that heaves in spring can rack its posts, crack connected masonry and strain gas lines, so we design the structure and its base together. Roof and louvered-cover snow ratings vary by product, and we choose ones with published ratings suitable for a Minnesota winter.

Fire features with plenty of room

Orono lots often have the space to place a wood-burning fire pit properly. The state fire code requires a recreational fire to be 3 feet or less across and 2 feet or less high, at least 25 feet from buildings and combustible material, and at least 10 feet from LP-gas containers filled on site. Someone must attend the fire until it is out, and an extinguisher or a charged hose has to be on hand. Cities may adopt stricter rules, so we confirm Orono's current requirements before finalizing the plan. For a fireplace attached to a covered area, a gas unit installed to the manufacturer's clearances is usually the better choice.

The winter side

A large kitchen has more to shut down in fall. Grouping the sink, ice maker and refrigeration in one cold zone means one set of valves and drains to manage, so the seasonal shut-down stays quick. Grills and ovens can stay out under covers.

Plan it with us

Call (612) 451-0418 to set up a site visit. We walk the property, talk through zones and phasing, and give you a free, written estimate.

Call (612) 451-0418