BBQ Huts vs Outdoor Kitchens: What’s the Better Choice?

Transforming your garden into the ultimate spot for cooking and entertaining comes with exciting decisions to make. Among the most popular options are bbq huts and traditional outdoor kitchens, both of which offer unique benefits to elevate your hosting game. The choice between these two depends on your lifestyle, space, and how you envision your ideal outdoor experience. Continue reading our blog to discover the features, functionality, benefits and drawbacks of each to help you decide which one aligns best with your needs.

Barbecue huts vs outdoor kitchens

Taking cooking, dining and socialising outside into the garden is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space, no matter the season. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or enjoying a cosy winter meal by the fire, an outdoor cooking setup can transform your garden. But should you opt for an outdoor kitchen or a BBQ Hut? Let's begin by considering the features and functionality of both BBQ huts and traditional outdoor kitchens..

Features and Functionality 

Bbq huts are designed for year-round use. Since they are enclosed spaces and very durable structures, they are perfect for unpredictable weather. A bbq hut's central grill creates a social hub for cooking and dining, and our Arctic Cabins bbq huts in particular offer a unique 'smoke-catcher' central flue, ensuring ventilation. Barbecue huts often include built-in seating, wooden interiors, and a rustic charm ideal for cosy gatherings. An Arctic Cabins bbq hut offers bench seating and an entire Finnish accessories pack too! Made from sustainable Scandinavian redwood, you get the full Scandi experience with spruce aromas too. 

As for traditional outdoor kitchens, they are typically open-air set ups. They might include modular grills, countertops and sinks. They offer the alfresco dining experience. While they’re great for summer entertaining, they are highly weather-dependent and lack the year-round usability of BBQ huts.

What are the benefits of bbq huts?

• Year-round use: Fully enclosed, they are perfect for grilling and entertaining even in the coldest months. BBQ huts provide shelter from the elements, so you can flame grill your favourite foods come rain or shine. 

• Cosy atmosphere: The rustic Scandinavian vibe creates a unique dining experience and enhances every social gathering or time spent together with loved ones.

• Low maintenance: Built to withstand the elements, BBQ huts require minimal upkeep. Our Arctic Cabins BBQ huts even come with a 10 year manufacturer's guarantee.

• Increased privacy: BBQ huts provide more privacy than open-air outdoor kitchens. If you've got nosy neighbours or prefer a more cosy, intimate feel, opt for an enclosed bbq hut. 

• Barbecue huts offer more versatility than outdoor kitchens. When you’re not cooking, you can use the space for hobbies, chilling out, working, the list goes on! They really are a multifunctional investment. Find ideas in our blog: How to spend time alone in a wooden hut.

You can also choose to have a bbq hut with a built in bar extension! Enjoy two socialisation spots in one: drinks at the bar and food at the grill. There's just so much scope for gatherings and special occasions, as well as for quality time spent between just yourself and your partner.

What are the benefits of outdoor kitchens?

• Open-air appeal: Ideal for summer parties, they offer expansive cooking areas and fresh air.
  
  
• Customisable features: You can add luxury touches like wine coolers, fire pits, or even outdoor televisions.
  
  
• Integration: A well-designed outdoor kitchen seamlessly extends your home’s living space.
  
  

What are the drawbacks of bbq huts?

• Bbq huts may not offer as much variety in cooking equipment as a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. 

What are the drawbacks of outdoor kitchens?

• Outdoor kitchens are hugely weather-dependent, often requiring additional investments like pergolas and heaters.
  
  
• Outdoor kitchens may have both higher initial costs and maintenance costs, especially for high-end designs.
  
  
• Open outdoor kitchens face exposure to the elements which can cause grills and other appliances to deteriorate faster.
  
  

What are the cost considerations?

A good thing to think about when comparing bbq huts and outdoor kitchens is the maintenance costs. Traditional outdoor kitchens may result in high maintenance costs due to long term exposure to various weather types, in particular the rain. This means that owners of an outdoor kitchen should prepare for periodic repairs. Our Arctic Cabins BBQ huts reduce this need for costly seasonal maintenance. Our bbq huts offer long-term value as we manufacture them with high-quality, durable materials which stand both the tests of time and weather conditions. We even offer a 10 year guarantee and aftercare service, so you can have full peace of mind.

So... bbq huts vs outdoor kitchens: what's the better choice?

After weighing the features and benefits of both options, a BBQ hut stands out as the perfect choice for creating a cosy, all-weather space that brings people together. With its charming design, year-round usability, and ability to offer a unique dining experience, a BBQ hut is more than just a cooking area—it’s a place to make memories.

Choose a BBQ Hut if:

• You want a versatile, all-season space with a cosy, intimate feel.
• Your focus is on creating a unique gathering spot for friends and family.
• You prefer a low-maintenance option that doesn’t depend on good weather.

Whether you're hosting a family gathering or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the grill, a bbq hut combines functionality with ambiance like no other. Choose an Arctic Cabins barbecue hut and turn your outdoor space into a warm, inviting retreat.

The Arctic Cabins Difference

At Arctic Cabins, we design, manufacture and install our Arctic Cabins all over the UK, with our own skilled team of employees - a 'turn-key' project from start to finish. We are so confident that we offer a no-quibble 10-year manufacturer's guarantee giving you complete peace of mind.

With different sizes of Arctic Cabins bbq huts available (from 7m² to 25m²), we can help you create a perfect, cosy, intimate and fun environment for your family and friends to enjoy.

Come and see our Arctic Cabins barbecue hut quality for yourself.  Our show site in Nottingham is just a few minutes from J25 of the M1, you'll find us at many national home and garden shows and events throughout the year and you can call to find out more on 0115 932 8888.