Block for a simple grill island
For a straight run with a grill and one gas line, I usually lean toward block, because it's solid and we can leave each opening right where the layout puts it.
Outdoor kitchen masonry in Chino CA - an island built around your grill and gas
Cooking off a rolling grill in the yard? We build a block island with the grill, gas and power planned in from day one.
- Licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
What goes into an outdoor kitchen island
Outdoor kitchen masonry in Chino, CA means building the island your grill and counter sit in. We usually build it from concrete block mortared together and then face it with stone veneer, stucco, tile or brick, which one guide calls the most common way to build a custom island.
Most people who call me have a patio and a grill on wheels, and they want something that stays put and looks like part of the house. The price depends on how long the island runs, how many appliances and openings go in it, how far the gas and power have to travel, whether you want a sink, and the facing you pick, since stone veneer takes more labor than stucco. The schedule mostly turns on settling those choices, getting your grill's cutout size and any permit the city needs. I come out, look at your yard and write an estimate for your setup.
I write the estimate myself
I come out to your yard, ask plenty of questions about how you cook and where things sit, and write the estimate, so the person pricing your island knows how it gets built.
Our own crew does the building
Our own crew builds the island, and I check on the work as it goes. That way a problem gets caught while the block is still open and easy to fix.
Licensed, insured and in business since 2017
We've been in business since 2017, we're licensed and insured, and the work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, so you know who you're dealing with before you sign anything.
How we build an outdoor kitchen island
I start by asking which grill you want, where it'll sit, and whether you want a side burner, a sink or outlets. We work out where the grill, gas and any power will run before the first block goes down, because changing it later means tearing into finished work, and I'd rather spend an extra hour on the layout than chip out a counter. Before we dig, we call 811 to have the utility lines in your yard marked. Then our crew lays out the island, pours the pad, sets and mortars the block with the grill cutout and every opening left where it belongs, puts on the counter and the facing you chose, and cleans up the yard when we're done.
An island usually ties into the rest of the yard, so we often build the pieces around it too. A walkway from the back door keeps people off the lawn while they carry plates. A low brick wall can frame the cooking area or double as extra seating when it's faced to match the island.
Decisions that shape your outdoor kitchen
Steel framing when lines run inside
One guide says a steel stud frame with cement board is lighter, quicker to build and easier to change when plumbing or wiring runs through it, so it suits an island with a sink.
Vents on three sides
One grill maker requires vent openings on the left, the right and the back of the island so gas can clear out if a line leaks. Check that your plan shows all three before building starts.
Facing that suits your house
The facing goes on last, so we can match the island to your house's stucco or an existing brick wall, and it looks like part of the yard instead of something dropped there.
Get a free estimate on your outdoor kitchen
Send the form and we'll reply within one business day to set a time. I'll come out, look at your yard and write a free estimate, with no obligation.
Know which grill you want
Each grill has its own cutout size, so having the model picked out, even roughly, lets me lay out the island around it instead of guessing and fixing it later.
Rough yard size and spot
A quick measurement of the patio and where you picture the island helps me see how long it can run and how far it should sit from the house.
Your gas, power and plumbing plans
Tell me where your gas meter and nearest outlet are and whether you want a sink, because those runs decide where every opening in the block goes.
Masonry ideas for outdoor kitchens and patios
Examples of block islands faced in stone, stucco, tile and brick, along with walkways and low walls, to help you pick a look.
Questions about outdoor kitchen islands in Chino
Here's what homeowners in Chino usually ask me before they build an outdoor kitchen, from how long it lasts to who should build it.
How long does a concrete block outdoor kitchen island last?
One guide says a properly built block island can last 50 years or more. That long life depends on how it's built as much as on the block itself, which is why we don't rush the pad, the mortar joints or the openings. A rushed island can wear out long before its time.
Is a wood frame safe under a built-in grill?
Only with the right protection. One grill maker's instructions treat wood framing under stucco or tile as combustible and require an insulation jacket around the grill, because the wood could get hot enough to burn. If you're set on wood, plan for that jacket and check your own grill's instructions, since they decide how the job gets done.
Who should connect the gas line to my outdoor kitchen grill?
One maker's instructions call for a licensed gas fitter to install the grill, with every connection leak tested before you cook on it. It's fair to ask who will make and test that connection. Either way, we plan where the gas line enters the island before the block goes up, so nobody has to drill through finished work.
Who handles permit requests for an outdoor kitchen in Chino?
The city's Development Services Department processes building and planning permit requests in Chino. When a job needs a permit, we apply for it and plan the work around the city's inspections. If it isn't clear whether your island needs one, we check with the city before we start.
What license does an outdoor kitchen builder need in California?
The state license board's guidance says a masonry wall calls for either a landscaping contractor or a C-29 Masonry contractor, so ask which one your builder holds. A landscaping contractor can also contract for barbecue gas or power when it's part of a bigger landscaping job. Without a license, the job has to be under $1,000, need no permit and have no employees on it. We're licensed and insured.
Call about your outdoor kitchen island
Call (909) 479-6261 any day from early morning to 9 PM, or send the form, and tell us what you're picturing for the yard.