The base structure of an outdoor kitchen — what the countertops, appliances, and veneer finishes are attached to — determines the build’s longevity, its ability to handle Oklahoma’s climate, and how well it holds up to years of use. Before you choose a countertop material or a grill brand, understanding the base construction type matters. Here are the three main approaches.
Concrete Block: The Oklahoma Standard for Good Reason
Concrete masonry units (CMU block) are the most common outdoor kitchen base material in Oklahoma, and the most appropriate for our climate. Concrete block doesn’t rot, doesn’t rust, doesn’t shift significantly with moisture cycles, and provides a rigid, heavy base that holds countertops without flex. A masonry base also provides the thermal mass that outdoor kitchen structures benefit from in Oklahoma’s temperature swings.
A properly built concrete block outdoor kitchen base — filled cores with vertical rebar, horizontal bond beam courses every few courses — is essentially permanent. It will outlast the appliances, the countertops, and possibly the owner. The masonry structure is the investment that everything else sits on top of.
Concrete block also accepts stone veneer, stucco, tile, and other finish materials cleanly. The base structure and the finish surface are independent — if the finish style changes in ten years, the base structure remains.
Steel Stud Framing With Cement Board: Lighter and Faster
Steel stud framing covered with cement board (HardieBacker or similar) is a faster and lighter alternative to masonry block. The steel frame is built like an interior wall on its side — galvanized metal studs with cement board screwed to the exterior. Veneer finishes adhere to the cement board surface.