These are the published head-to-head comparisons from the outdoor kitchen trade, set out as guidance for choosing. Every row is quoted as published. We do not test materials, we do not install anything, and no row here is an endorsement of a product or a provider — it is the published trade position on what each option is, what it costs, and how long it takes to build.
Granite vs. concrete outdoor counters
| Granite | Concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat | Handles hot pans | Sealed, heat-safe |
| Weather | UV-stable, stain-resistant | Cracks possible, needs sealing |
| Cost | 40–80 per sq ft | 30–60 per sq ft |
| Look | Classic stone | Modern custom shapes |
The countertop service page names granite as the most popular option, with concrete in a custom colour or aggregate and porcelain tile as the alternatives, and states the requirement that applies to all three: the surface must be UV-resistant and handle thermal shock from hot pans.
A separate published figure for stone counters installed outdoors — granite and quartzite together — is 60 to 120 per square foot, with the note that quartzite is the better choice because granite can absorb oils and stain in exposed settings, and that both should be sealed. That band and the 40–80 per sq ft row above come from different published pages and are quoted as published rather than folded together.
Stainless vs. built-in gas grills
| Stainless | Built-in | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Rust-resistant, commercial-grade | Varies by brand, some rust |
| Power | 20,000–60,000+ BTU | Comparable |
| Cost | 1,500–6,000 | 800–3,000 |
| Install | Trim kit required | Drops into counter |
Published sizing guidance sits alongside the row: for most families, a 3 to 4 burner grill with 30,000 to 40,000 BTUs is plenty, and massive BTU numbers matter less than even heat distribution and stainless burners. On how long the hardware lasts, budget grills use thin steel that rusts through in 1 to 3 years outdoors, while 304 stainless burners and fireboxes add cost but last 10 to 15 years.
Built-in vs. portable outdoor kitchens
| Built-in | Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 10,000–40,000 | 500–3,000 |
| Durability | Permanent, weatherproof | Stored or covered |
| Value | Adds resale value | — |
| Use | Daily cooking, entertaining | Occasional grilling |
Separately, the budget framing published for the category runs from $5K for basic grill setups to $75K+ for full luxury kitchens with pergolas, pizza ovens, and bars.
Grill station vs. full outdoor kitchen
| Grill station | Full outdoor kitchen | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Grill + counters | Grill, fridge, sink, storage, pizza oven |
| Cost | 3,000–8,000 | 15,000–40,000 |
| Build time | 1–2 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Use | Backyard grilling | Outdoor living room |
This is the pair that most often decides the budget. The build-time row is worth weighing against the household calendar as much as against the price.
Built-in vs. prefab outdoor kitchens
One comparison in the published set carries a summary rather than a full table: Built-in: custom design, permanent. Prefab: faster, modular, lower cost. No cost rows were published with it, so ask for both options itemised rather than comparing headline numbers that may not describe the same scope.
How to use these rows when you choose
Prices vary by 30 to 40 percent for the same layout based on appliance brands and stone selection, so the row that matters is the one for the option you are actually having priced. Put these questions to each professional you speak to:
- Which option performs best in Charleston's climate and soil conditions?
- Can you show me recent Charleston projects with this option, with photos?
- What does the warranty actually cover — materials, labor, or both?
- What is the realistic timeline and total installed cost for my property?
- Do you pull permits, and does the final work pass inspection?
Then set the answers beside the rows above. A quote that beats the published cost band is usually beating it on scope, not on price.
Frequently asked questions
Granite or concrete for an outdoor counter?
The published row: granite handles hot pans, is UV-stable and stain-resistant, costs 40–80 per sq ft and reads as classic stone. Concrete is sealed and heat-safe, cracks are possible and it needs sealing, costs 30–60 per sq ft and allows modern custom shapes.
Stainless or a built-in grill?
Stainless is published as rust-resistant and commercial-grade, with 20,000–60,000+ BTU and a cost of 1,500–6,000, and it needs a trim kit for the install. A built-in grill is comparable in power and costs 800–3,000, dropping into the counter, but its durability varies by brand and some rust.
Is a built-in kitchen worth it over a portable one?
Built-in runs 10,000–40,000, is permanent and weatherproof, and is the option published as adding resale value. Portable runs 500–3,000, is stored or covered between uses, and suits occasional grilling rather than daily cooking and entertaining.
Grill station or a full outdoor kitchen?
A grill station is grill and counters, built in 1–2 weeks at 3,000–8,000. A full outdoor kitchen adds the fridge, sink, storage and pizza oven, takes 4–8 weeks and runs 15,000–40,000, and it is used as an outdoor living room rather than for backyard grilling alone.
