Outdoor Kitchens & Fire Pits for Bay Area Homes
The best outdoor kitchens and fire features feel like part of the house, not something parked on the patio. We plan and build outdoor kitchens, fire pits and fire tables across the Bay Area so the cooking, the seating and the fire all work together.
Because these features rely on gas, power or water, the plan matters more than the finish. We map where the utilities run, and how the structure sits on the patio, before anything is built.
Licensed, bonded and insured · CSLB #1138921 · Serving the Bay Area
Campbell, California 
Illustrative photo · Chad Populis / Pexels 
Illustrative photo · Al Garcia / Pexels
Planning an outdoor kitchen
- Where the cook stands, and where guests gather without being in the way
- The grill, counters, storage, sink and refrigerator you actually want
- Shade and ventilation, especially when the kitchen sits under a cover
- Utility runs for gas, power, water and drainage
- Countertop and finish materials that handle sun and weather
- A level, stable base under the structure
Fire pits and fire tables
A fire feature can be wood-burning or gas. Gas fire pits and fire tables light with a switch and give off no smoke, and they are allowed on the days when the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issues a Spare the Air Alert. Wood burning, including in outdoor fire pits, is prohibited on those days, which is a good reason to consider gas.
Whichever type you choose, the fire needs room. Keep it clear of the house, overhead covers and tree branches, and follow the manufacturer's clearances and your local fire code.
Permits and safety
Gas lines, electrical and plumbing connections have to meet code, and permits and inspections commonly apply to outdoor kitchens. Ask your city what it requires, and we will talk through what is likely to apply to your project when we visit.
What affects the cost
- The size of the kitchen and the appliances you choose
- Gas, electrical and plumbing runs, and how far they are from the house
- Structure and finish materials, such as stone veneer, block and countertops
- Whether the kitchen sits under a cover or next to a seating area
- The base underneath, which may need extra footing for a heavy structure
- Fire feature type: gas fire table, built-in gas pit or wood-burning pit
Part of a complete outdoor room
A kitchen or fire table is at its best inside a space designed for it: a paver patio built to carry the weight, a pergola for shade, lighting for the evening and turf or planting around the edges. Our Campbell project, with a lounge and fire table under a louvered pergola, shows how these pieces come together.
Projects with this kind of work
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a gas line for a fire pit?
Only for a natural gas fire feature. Propane models run on a tank, wood-burning pits need no fuel line, and electric options exist too. We will walk you through the choices.
Wood or gas fire pit?
Wood gives you the crackle and the smell; gas gives you convenience and no smoke. In the Bay Area, wood burning is prohibited on Spare the Air Alert days while gas is allowed, so many homeowners pick gas.
Can an outdoor kitchen sit on pavers?
Yes, when the base underneath is built to carry the weight. Heavy structures are best planned before the pavers are laid, so they can be given the support they need.
How close to the house can a fire pit be?
Follow the manufacturer's clearances and your local fire code, which can differ from city to city. We will help you place it safely.
