Turnkey vs custom vs freestanding outdoor kitchens
There are three main ways to get an outdoor kitchen: buy freestanding units, commission a custom masonry build, or choose a turnkey kitchen delivered and installed as a finished product. They differ enormously in cost, installation time, durability and the amount of project management they ask of you. Here is how they compare — and how to choose.
Freestanding outdoor kitchens
A freestanding outdoor kitchen is made of separate, movable units — a grill cart, a sideboard, perhaps a small cabinet. It is the most basic and lowest-cost option, and the easiest to start with, because you simply buy and place the pieces. The trade-offs are coherence and durability: the units rarely line up into a single worktop, materials are often entry-level, and many need covering or storing over winter. Freestanding setups suit small budgets and occasional use rather than a permanent second kitchen.
Custom (masonry) outdoor kitchens
A custom outdoor kitchen is built on site, usually in masonry or rendered blockwork, and tailored precisely to your space. Done well, the result is durable and bespoke. The cost is time, budget and risk: design and construction can take days or weeks, the site becomes a building project with dust and trades, and prices commonly run beyond €30,000 once design, materials and labour are included — with real potential for overruns. Custom builds suit those who want a one-off layout and have the budget and patience for a construction project.
Turnkey outdoor kitchens
A turnkey outdoor kitchen is engineered and assembled in advance, then delivered and installed as a single finished unit — with no on-site construction. You choose from a configurable range rather than a blank sheet, but you avoid masonry, curing time and weeks of disruption entirely. A turnkey kitchen is typically craned into place and connected in a single day, ready to cook the same evening. It combines much of the durability and design coherence of a custom build with the speed and price certainty of a finished product.
Comparison at a glance
| Freestanding | Custom (masonry) | Turnkey (Baxalt) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it's built | Separate movable units | Built on site | Finished unit, configured in advance |
| Installation time | Immediate | Days to weeks | One day |
| On-site construction | None | Significant | None |
| Customisation | Limited | Fully bespoke | Configurable range |
| Durability | Varies | High if well built | High |
| Price predictability | Low entry cost | Variable, overrun risk | Fixed, no construction cost |
| Typical price | A few thousand € | €30,000+ | €14,000–€24,000 |
Which is right for you?
Choose freestanding if you want the lowest entry cost and only cook outdoors occasionally. Choose custom if you need a fully bespoke layout and have the budget and time for a building project. Choose turnkey if you want a premium, permanent kitchen without the cost, mess and risk of construction — installed in a day.
Where Baxalt fits
Baxalt is a turnkey range, positioned between basic freestanding grills and costly custom builds. Each kitchen is built from a galvanised steel structure with 304 stainless steel cabinets, weatherproofed to stay outside all year, and configured in real-time 3D before it is delivered and installed in a day. Recommended retail prices typically range from €14,000 to €24,000 depending on model, finish and configuration. Explore the range or read more about turnkey outdoor kitchens.