Best Outdoor Grill Station Options for Meat-Loving Homeowners

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If you are a longtime grilling enthusiast or just getting started, having an outdoor grill station makes a lot of sense. It will be the dedicated area where you can both relax and hone your grilling skills. But there are a lot more benefits to having an outdoor grilling station than what you may have realized, which is why it is important to get the right, most suitable one for your home.

Don’t worry, because, in this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about an outdoor grill station, including its additional benefits and some of the factors to consider. We’re also going to list 12 of the best outdoor grill station options on the market right now, so look no further and keep reading.

Why Have an Outdoor Grill Station

Convenient

Grilling or barbequing alone is a messy activity, but so is meat preparation. Defrosting, slicing, and seasoning meat takes lots of patience and focus, and you’ll also need many cooking utensils and condiments. Now, instead of doing the meat preparation indoors and going back and forth to get all the cooking supplies that you need, your outdoor grill station will become your one-stop cooking spot. You can simply place all of your grilling supplies in the built-in storage racks and prepare the food on the large tabletop or counter space. This reduces the time it takes to get from your indoor kitchen to your grilling station, making cooking faster and more efficient.

Consequently, doing the preparation and cooking in one area outside effectively helps to reduce clutter in your indoor kitchen. In fact, some grill stations include a built-in sink and faucet, allowing you to wash and clean everything that you’ve used with it.

Easily Entertains Guests

If you love hosting backyard and pool parties, an outdoor grill station is an effective tool to keep things fun. With it, you’ll be able to serve good food for all your guests while also engaging in meaningful conversations with them. Your grill prep station is also a cool hangout spot, which can help you start a conversation with everyone, particularly your fellow grill enthusiasts and meat lovers.

Perfect Addition to Outdoor Kitchen

A grill station is undoubtedly a practical and stylish idea for your outdoor kitchen. It’ll make your kitchen more convenient and appealing to use, fulfilling its function and purpose. The storage area in your grill station can also come in handy when your outdoor kitchen cabinets are full.

Outdoor kitchens, in turn, increase the value of your home. As it is not found in every home, having one raises the price of your home when you decide to sell it.

Encourages More Relaxing Time Outdoors

Knowing that you have a neat, easy-to-use grill station waiting for you in your backyard encourages you to chill and do what you love. As such, you get to spend more time outdoors cooking while also enjoying the beauty of nature (and your garden) around you. Cooking and having meals outside in your outdoor kitchen or station can also be a great way for your family to bond. Plus, you can choose a portable grill station to bring with you during outdoor family camping trips and tailgating with your friends.

12 Best Outdoor Grill Station Picks for Your Home

Whether you’re a novice griller or a certified pit master, the following outdoor grill station options might just be your next favorite cooking equipment for making delectable grilled meat recipes.

1. Giantex Folding Outdoor Grill Station

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Whipping out mouth-watering meat recipes in your backyard will be easier with this prep station from Giantex. Made from aluminum steel and engineered wood, this folding table is both sturdy and spacious. It has two side tables, one lower wire shelf, built-in hooks, and a paper towel holder, so you can store all the necessary grilling tools and condiments. The main tabletop also measures 26 inches by 16 inches, spacious enough for your portable stove or grill. You can also use the top to slice meat, veggies, and whatnot. Plus, this prep station folds neatly and even comes with a storage bag.

2. GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Grill Station

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Whether you’re going camping or planning a tailgate party with your friends, a portable and multifunctional grill station like this one from GCI is essential. You can take it anywhere with its sturdy slim-fold design (that folds about the size of a lawn chair). It also has generous space with its wide tabletop, a lower tray, and multiple plastic side racks. You can use it to not only place a tabletop grill but also to store all of your cooking equipment and even a small cooler on the bottom wire tray. Just make sure to place this table on a level surface for safer, easier use.

3. Happybuy Folding Outdoor Grill Station

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The Happybuy Folding Kitchen Table is another outdoor trip and RV home must-have grill station. It has everything you need in a portable grilling station, including a sturdy construction, a large tabletop, and additional compartments for cooking utensils and seasonings. This grill station resembles the Giantex model, except that it has zippered bags that can be attached beneath the side tables and on the bottom tray. The tabletop also has steel windscreens on three sides, making it ideal for fuss-free outdoor cooking. It also comes with a carrying bag for easy transport during picnics and fishing trips.

Read more: How To Build An Outdoor Grill

4. Suncast Outdoor Grilling Prep Station

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Want a mobile grill prep cart? This one from Suncast is perfect for you. It includes two locking casters and another two that are non-locking for more convenient mobility. In addition to that, you can guarantee that it is durable with its sturdy resin construction. It has lots of storage space for all your needs too, making it likewise excellent as a serving tray during backyard gatherings.

5. Royal Gourmet GD401 Outdoor Grill Station

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Looking for a grill and griddle combo with lots of space for cooking preparation? You’ll have it with this option from Royal Gourmet. Having two individual cooking zones, you can use this gas combo to fry patties and smoke your fave briskets. It also has fixed side tables and a lower hanging bar for your cooking utensils. Apart from ample storage and cooking area, there are also casters and a removable oil management system for easy cleaning and maintenance.

6. Blackstone 1554 Four-Burner Outdoor Griddle Station

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Versatile outdoor cooking is also possible using the Blackstone 1554 Gas Grill. Spacious, stylish, and portable, it is easy to use for both intimate and large garden parties. For instance, its wide cooktop has four adjustable heat zones so you can cook many foods at once to your liking. It also has spacious side tables for meat preparation and a lower shelf for cooking supplies storage. Not only that, but this grill has tank storage and a battery-powered push-button ignition, so just press this button and the grill is good to go.

7. Cuisinart Four-Burner Outdoor Gas Grill Station

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Isn’t it much more convenient to have an outdoor grill station that is not only sturdy and spacious for cooking prep but also features a lid for better heat retention? Take this gas grill from Cuisinart, for instance. Its steel lid is useful for smoking meat, ensuring that the meat is flavorful and evenly cooked. Simply rely on the lid’s built-in thermometer or use a Bluetooth meat thermometer to monitor the meat even with the lid is down. Add in its wheels, built-in bottle opener, and wide side tables, and you have one efficient outdoor grill station to use anytime.

Read also: 15 Amazing Grill Pans For Outdoor Grill for 2024

8. Weber Performer Deluxe Outdoor Charcoal Grill System

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When it comes to grilling products, one of the most reliable brands that you can turn to is Weber. Their products, like this charcoal grill station, are high-quality and well-made. Available with a built-in grill with a lid and a spacious work table, this outdoor grill station will make every cookout a piece of cake. It has a Touch-N-Go ignition system, which allows the propane gas to ignite the charcoal briquettes with the push of a button. This grill station also includes a timer, cooking grates, and a bottom shelf. The removable ash catcher also ensures a quick and easy cleanup with its “One-Touch” cleaning system.

9. Weber Summit Black Outdoor Propane Gas Grill Center

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You can never have too much prep space in your outdoor grill station, which is why you need a spacious and high-quality grill product, like this one. For starters, it looks just like a long kitchen island but with a built-in grill in the center. The grill box itself is convenient; it is spacious and equipped with a lid, allowing you to smoke, rotisserie, and barbeque meat, fish, and vegetables in it. Its lower cabinet is also where you can hook up the propane tank and drip tray.

Even better, this grill center also has a side stove so you can also boil meat or heat a saucepan when the grill is full. Adding to its helpful features are its side table, two lower side cabinets, and lighted control knobs. All these things make this product your one-stop grilling and cooking center for large parties and commercial cooking.

10. Mont Alpi 805 Outdoor Electronic Infrared Grill Station

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Grill to your heart’s content with the Mont Alpi Outdoor Grill Station. Bulky and spacious, it will make your outdoor kitchen more functional and effortlessly sophisticated. For example, it has an innovative design that rivals that of the previous item from Weber. It has shelving cabinets and drawers, a grill system in the middle section (with halogen lights), an infrared side burner, and easy-to-control knobs. Below the cooking zone is a drawer-like drip tray for easy cleaning as well. What makes it more convenient to use though is its caster wheels. Therefore, it is easier to move around despite its heavy weight and bulky design.

11. Brandman Grills Rustler Outdoor Gas Grill Station

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Want to improve your grilling and smoking skills? It is simple to do with this Brandman Outdoor Grill Station. This one features a large grill box that is equipped with a lid and durable steel burners. There are also cabinets to store cooking condiments and utensils such as trays, tongs, plates, and pans. You can also use its side burner for cooking other food recipes.

Read more: How To Clean An Outdoor Grill

12. SDI Factory Kitchen Island Outdoor Gas Grill Station

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Hosting outdoor grilling parties is fun, but it can also be exhausting due to all of the cooking and cleanup. An ultimate outdoor grill station, like this one from SDI Factory, can be of help. With its durable and high-quality grill box, a side burner, and shelving compartments, it’ll be a great appliance for quick cooking for all your guests. There’s no need to install a new sink and faucet too because this island already has them. As a result, you can just wash all the utensils and cookware used in your outdoor get-together with it.

Factors to Keep In Mind When Choosing an Outdoor Grill Station

There is no secret to picking the ideal outdoor grill station for your home other than carefully choosing one that best meets your needs. Here are several factors to consider to help you out:

Types

You can choose from several types of outdoor grills and cooking stations. There are grill prep carts, grill-in-tables, and grills with built-in storage compartments.

Grill Preparation Carts

Grill prep carts have a tabletop and cupboards or shelves for additional storage. These tables have no built-in grills; therefore, they function mainly as separate preparation carts and can be used as a side table or a serving cart when grilling. They are usually foldable as well. Depending on how sturdy and spacious it is, these carts can also be used as a rack for stovetop grill and burners.

Grill-In-Tables

Grill-in-tables, on the other hand, are tables that do not come with grills but are meant to be inserted with one. They are compatible with various grill models; with grill brands and manufacturers also producing them as separate or optional items when buying a grill.

Grill With Storage Compartments

The most popular type that you can get is the grill (or griddle) with additional storage compartments. With the extra space, some even resemble a kitchen island, and some even include a sink and faucet system for convenience. Such designs and features make them an all-in-one cooking station and would make an excellent addition to your outdoor kitchen and covered patio.

Size and Portability

Another essential thing to weigh is the size of the outdoor grill station that you want and need. This refers to the counter space of the station and the size of the grill’s cooking zone, as well as determining whether the station is appropriate for the space in your backyard.

Prep carts and grill-in tables, for instance, are typically small and foldable, making them ideal for small backyards. Make sure, however, that their tabletops are large enough to work on and serve as a rack for your stovetop grill. Extra side tables, shelves, lower racks, and a hanging bar give you more options when organizing your cooking gears as well. You can also buy a space-saving, little smoker grill to use with these tables and carts.

Meanwhile, grills or griddles with additional storage are typically medium to large. Their cooking zones are spacious too; sometimes even having two tiers and several burners in them.  You can also always get one that has a wide enough countertop or tabletop that has lots of storage compartments for you to use. Hanging bars are also a bonus and are ideal for a clutter-free cooking station.

Take note though that due to the bulky, island-like construction, these grill stations are less portable than the tables and carts. They cannot be brought to off-grid trips and are best as a fixture to your outdoor kitchen instead.

Features and Accessories

Pay close attention to the key features of the outdoor grill station as well. Is a basic working area sufficient or do you need and want one with roomy storage compartments and side burners? Would one with a built-in sink and faucet be more convenient for you, too?

Grill stations with useful accessories are not necessarily more efficient than those without, but having them does make them more appealing. Accessories such as hanging hooks, cooking utensils, extra drip trays, and wheels help save you time, money, and effort when buying such separately.

Material

All grill stations are constructed from a variety of materials, which influences their overall quality and durability. Metal and alloy steel are the most common materials used, but wooden (solid or engineered) and plastic parts are also available.

Metal and alloys are the most durable due to their natural strength and corrosion resistance. They are also the most secure option for grills due to their heat resistance. Wood, on the other hand, is mostly used on tables and carts as they are not fireproof. But they are durable and do not break easily with direct pressure and force. Even so, they tend to swell and rot when constantly exposed to water and humidity.

Plastic, like wood, is primarily used for grill tables and carts. They are simple to use due to their being lightweight, their waterproof properties, and lack of brittleness and splintering. However, their color fades over time and they may be toxic due to the chemicals used in their production. Regardless of the material, opt for one with thick, high-quality coatings/finishes. These serve as a protective layer, making your grill station more durable and long-lasting.

Aesthetic

Choosing an outdoor grill station for your outdoor kitchen will not be complete without inspecting its aesthetic quality. Remember that your grill station can become the focal point in your backyard, so it is important to choose one that matches the overall theme of your home.

With that, think about the overall appearance that may suit the aura in your kitchen, like colors, for example. Are earthy colors suitable, or should you opt for neutral colors instead? Are those with a flat, matte finish more attractive than those with a glossy coating?

Traditional and rustic interior designs favor classy, distressed furniture in wood so it’s best to get a grill station with the same designs. For modern and contemporary homes, it is easier to mix and match. You can use steel and metal grill stations, for example, as a sharp contrast to wooden flooring and furniture. Metal and steel grill stations also complement home furnishings made of the same materials as well as those made of stones, glass, and concrete.

Summing It Up

No matter the level of expertise you have when it comes to grilling, an outdoor grill station can make the task simpler, enjoyable, and more fulfilling. It also completes your outdoor kitchen; making it more functional, stunning, and the talk of the town. Choosing the best grill station for your home can be quite challenging, but the 12 products listed above are all of high quality so selecting one from them will leave you with no regrets. Pick one today and grill like you’ve never done before!

Want to prolong the lifespan of your grill? Know how to clean it properly to do so!