Outdoor Kitchens in Woodbury, MN

Outdoor Kitchens in Woodbury are often a second-generation project. Woodbury more than doubled in the 1990s, going from 20,075 residents in 1990 to 46,463 in 2000, and kept growing to 75,102 by 2020. Many of the backyards built in that boom started with a deck, a patio and a cart grill. Decades later, owners want a real cooking area: a built-in grill, counters to work on, storage, maybe a roof. Our job is to fit that into a yard that was not originally designed for it.

Start with what is already there

Before we draw anything we look at the existing deck or patio and ask some practical questions: 1. Can the deck carry it? Stone counters and built-in appliances are heavy. Some decks can be reinforced; on others the kitchen belongs on a new pad at grade. 2. Is the patio base sound? A patio that has settled or heaved over the winters is not a good foundation for a masonry island. 3. Where are the gas meter and electrical panel? A short, clean utility route keeps the project simpler. 4. How does the family move through the yard? The kitchen should sit on the path between the back door and where people sit, not block it.

Options for a Woodbury upgrade

• Grill island next to the existing patio. A natural step up: a built-in grill, counters on each side, and outdoor kitchen cabinets underneath.
• New kitchen pad below the deck stairs. Moves the heat and smoke off the deck and opens up the deck for dining.
• Pergola or covered roof over the cooking area. Shade in July and shelter during June storms.
• Fire feature as a second gathering spot. A gas fire table or outdoor fireplace sited away from the kitchen so two groups can use the yard at once.

Weather to design for

Woodbury's averages run from a July high around 83 degrees to a January low around 6 degrees, and the city gets about 32.6 inches of precipitation a year, with June the wettest month at nearly 5 inches. That means materials that tolerate freezing, counters and cabinet tops that shed water, and a base that drains. It also means scheduling: we plan concrete and masonry work around the wet stretch of early summer whenever we can.

Footings and permits

Washington County is in Minnesota's frost Zone II. Minnesota Rule 1303.1600 sets the minimum footing depth there at 3-1/2 feet, and we follow that for roofed structures and anything attached to the house. Gas piping, new electrical circuits and plumbing are generally permitted work, and we list which items need permits in your quote. Digging for any of it begins with a Gopher State One Call locate, requested at least 48 hours ahead, not counting the day of notice, weekends or holidays.

A note on parks and trails

Woodbury has 63 parks covering about 3,600 acres and roughly 180 miles of trails, and its northeast corner drains to Valley Creek, one of the few remaining trout streams in the Twin Cities area. If your yard borders a trail or open space, we think about lighting, smoke direction and keeping runoff from the new patio area going where it should.

What we build

Custom outdoor kitchens, outdoor kitchen countertops, grill islands and BBQ stations, outdoor kitchen cabinets, covered outdoor kitchens and pergolas, and outdoor fireplaces and fire features.

Call (612) 451-0418 to set up a free visit. We look at the deck, the patio and the utilities, then give you a written quote that covers the work in plain terms.

Call (612) 451-0418