Outdoor Kitchens in Wayzata, MN

Outdoor Kitchens in Wayzata follow the lake's calendar. Wayzata sits on the northern shore of Lake Minnetonka, about 9 miles west of Minneapolis, and the lake runs the rhythm of life here. Ice on Lake Minnetonka has a median ice-out date of April 14, based on records kept since 1855, and winter ice is typically 12 to 18 inches thick. Between those two seasons are the months people wait all year for: boating, sailing, fishing and long evenings outside. A backyard kitchen should make those months better and come through the frozen ones without damage.

Cooking for the lake crowd

Lake days tend to end with more people at the house than planned. We design Wayzata kitchens for that:

• A grill station with landing space on both sides for platters coming off the heat
• Bar seating so guests can talk to the cook instead of crowding the grill
• A beverage fridge or ice maker so nobody has to run inside
• Shade from a roof or pergola for midday lunches after a morning on the water
• A fire feature for when the sun drops and the air coming off the lake turns cool

A town shaped by the shoreline

Wayzata is small, with 4,434 residents, 2,496 housing units and 2,206 households in the 2020 census. Lots near the lake can be tight or sloped, and the town's history is full of arguments about what belongs near the water. In 1883 the village council ordered the railroad tracks moved north of town; James J. Hill instead tore down the station and built a new one east of town, telling residents they could "walk a mile for the next twenty years." The two sides did not patch things up until a 1905 ordinance. Space near the shoreline has always mattered here, and we treat it that way: compact layouts that fit, rather than a design copied from a larger suburban lot.

Getting ready for ice

When the bay starts to freeze, the kitchen needs to be ready too. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet's guidance lays out a sensible routine: drain the sink and supply lines, open the drain valves and blow out remaining water with compressed air, winterize ice makers before outdoor temperatures drop below 45°F, and deal with refrigerators once daily lows reach 38°F. Grills, pizza ovens and smokers can stay outside, but if the kitchen will sit unused for over a month, the gas and power should be shut off and the units cleaned and covered. For owners who head south in winter, we make that routine simple enough to finish in one afternoon before leaving.

Structures that stay put

Wayzata is in Hennepin County, frost Zone II under Minnesota's building code, which calls for footings at least 3-1/2 feet deep. A roof over the kitchen, a pergola or a heavy masonry island near the lake needs a base below that line so it does not shift as wet soil freezes and thaws. For any trenching, Gopher State One Call must be notified at least 48 hours ahead, not counting the day of notice, weekends or holidays; we handle that.

Fire by the water

Under the State Fire Marshal's guidance, a recreational fire must stay 25 feet from buildings and combustible material, and a portable outdoor fireplace 15 feet. On a narrow lake lot, a gas fire feature placed to the manufacturer's clearances is often easier to fit. Cities may adopt stricter rules, so we check Wayzata's current requirements before choosing a spot.

Request an estimate

Call (612) 451-0418 or send photos of the yard and the view you want to keep. We will visit, measure and give you a free, written quote.

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