Kalamazoo Outdoor Kitchen System Design Basics

The Custom Outdoor Kitchen Collection by Kalamazoo eliminates many of the challenges inherent to designing the outdoor dream kitchen. Not only does the collection include every imaginable option for outdoor cooking and entertaining, the modular engineering makes design and installation easier.

Free-Standing Outdoor Kitchen Design or Masonry Integration

A Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen is fully-finished in hand-rubbed stainless steel. There is no need to specify or order finishing panels to complete the look of a free-standing kitchen design. Each Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen cabinet is a complete unit with finished front, sides and back. The system is also fully compatible with masonry, stucco or other surrounds while reducing the labor required from these trades.

Uniform Depth

All cabinets are 30" deep, including base cabinets, sink bases, appliance cabinets and accessories like the end cap shelves, 45-degree inserts and umbrella inserts. This depth allows the cabinets to clear the depth of the largest Kalamazoo grills. All back filler panels are designed to support the countertop behind system components that are less than 30" deep such as the grills and undercounter appliances. With a 1" overhang on all sides, the counter depth for a standard Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen is 32".

Adjustable Height

All cabinets and grills stand on stainless steel leveling legs. These legs compensate for uneven surfaces and allow a range of finished counter heights. The system is optimized for 1.25"-thick solid surface counters with a counter height of 36". Cabinets have a range of adjustment of plus or minus 0.75". Grills can adjust plus or minus 1.5" to allow for higher or thicker countertops.

Grill Options

Kalamazoo grills for use as built-in grills or in conjunction with Kalamazoo outdoor kitchen cabinets are available in two sizes, 864 square inches and 432 square inches. The installed widths are 38.3" and 26.87". These grills all include cabinets underneath for storage and hassle-free cleanout access. Kalamazoo does not make a “drop-in” grill. All grills stand on their own adjustable stainless steel legs.

Outdoor Refrigeration Options

Kalamazoo offers a full range of outdoor refrigeration for undercounter installations in four widths: 15", 24", 48" and 72". The line includes wine chillers, keg tappers and beverage centers plus the only outdoor-rated freezers available and the only refrigerators suitable for food storage.

Outdoor Appliance Cabinets

All appliance cabinets include GFCI electrical outlets inside to supply power to the appliances. The outlets must be hard-wired according to local codes. Appliance cabinets are available for 48", 24" and 15" appliances. Two 24" appliances can be installed in a 48" appliance cabinet. Additionally, new units are available for 30" and 37" appliances (two 15" appliances together or a 15" and a 24" together, respectively). All appliance cabinets measure 9" wider than the appliance size (the appliance surround for 48" appliances is 57" wide). Appliance cabinets create an insulating air gap for appliances to be installed next to a grill.

Appliance Back Filler Panels

All appliance back filler panels include GFCI electrical outlets to supply power to the appliances. The outlets must be hard-wired according to local codes. Back panels are available for 24" and 15" appliances. A back panel can only be used between a pair of cabinets. The panel mounts to these cabinets. Any two Kalamazoo cabinets can be used to flank the back panel, including base cabinets, sink bases, appliance cabinets or corner units. End cap shelves can also be used. Because a back panel is supported by the cabinets to either side, two back panels may not be used adjacent to each other. Back panels may not be used adjacent to a grill or the umbrella insert.

Counter-Height and Bar-Height Seating

Counter overhang brackets are available to support a 10" to 12" counter overhang from the backs of Kalamazoo cabinets. Bar-height counter risers are also available as a custom order to create bar seating as part of the kitchen.

Corner Options

Kalamazoo corner options include: 90-degree corner base cabinets and sink bases with a single door set at a 45-degree angle; blind corners to create a 90-degree bend with appropriate clearances in a minimum footprint; and 45-degree inserts that create a 45-degree angle between two legs of a kitchen. The 45-degree inserts also may be used to flank a grill or other equipment, highlighting that equipment as an angled corner.

Toe Kicks

Optional stainless steel toe kicks are available for any or all four sides of the outdoor kitchen, including grills, base cabinets, sink bases and appliance cabinets.