An outdoor kitchen needs concrete that can carry a built-in grill, a counter run, and the daily wear of entertaining. Portland Concrete pours the level cooking-station pad and the solid concrete counters that anchor the outdoor kitchen, finished to match the rest of the yard and built for Oregon weather. Every project starts with a free written estimate.
A built-in grill weighs a lot, a stone counter even more, and an outdoor kitchen with a fridge, prep space and cooking surface adds it all up fast. The concrete underneath has to carry that weight, stay level under it, and survive Oregon freeze-thaw without spalling or shifting.
We pour the cooking-station pad on a compacted base with the slope, thickness and reinforcement the load actually needs, and detail the perimeter so the kitchen anchors properly. Counters are either cast in place over the pad or poured in a shop and installed, both built tougher for outdoor exposure.
An outdoor kitchen rarely stands alone. It ties into the pool deck, the patio or a fire-pit pad nearby, and the concrete is best designed and poured as one connected yard. See the wider outdoor living systems.
Recent work
How it works
How We Build an Outdoor Kitchen Pad in Portland
Design the counter and pad
We work out the kitchen layout with you, where the grill goes, where the counter runs, any prep or sink space, and design the concrete pad and counters to carry the loads and match the look.
Excavate and form station
The cooking-station area is excavated, a compacted base is built, and forms are set for the pad and counter at the finished elevations and slope away from the house.
Pour and finish outdoor counter
The pad is poured first, then counters are cast in place or installed pre-cast, with the chosen edge profile and outdoor-grade finish that resists weather and stains.
Cure and integrate utilities
Concrete cures to schedule, embeds for gas, water and electrical are coordinated with the trades doing the connections, and the kitchen is ready for installation and final hookup.
Part of a yard
Outdoor Kitchens Anchor the Outdoor Living Plan
An outdoor kitchen rarely sits alone. It ties into pool decks for poolside cooking and dining, into backyard patios for seating around it, and into fire pits for evening gathering.
Designing and pouring the concrete as one connected project means the finishes match, the slopes line up, and the kitchen looks like part of the yard rather than dropped in. The same approach runs through all our outdoor living work.
Counters, pads, weight, integration and outdoor-grade finish for Portland backyards.
Yes, when poured outdoor-grade and sealed properly. Outdoor concrete counters use an air-entrained mix, are detailed for water shedding, and get a sealer rated for UV, weather and food contact where needed.
Yes, usually. Built-in grills can weigh several hundred pounds before stone or counters, and the pad needs reinforcement and proper thickness for that load plus the people using the kitchen. We size it to the actual installed weight.
We pour the concrete and coordinate with the trades, plumber, electrician, gas fitter, who handle the connections. Embeds and chase routes are placed in the concrete before the pour so the trades can land cleanly.
Yes, when it is designed as part of the wider outdoor living concrete. Matching the finish, colour and elevations to the patio and pool deck around it makes the kitchen read as part of the yard, not a separate feature.
Yes. The pad and counter pour into or onto the existing patio with proper bonding and a separate footing for the heavier loads. We assess the existing concrete to confirm it can carry the addition.
Homeowner reviews
What Portland Homeowners Say About Their Outdoor Kitchens
Built-in grill on a level pad with a wrap-around counter. Two summers of cooking and entertaining and the pad has not moved, the counter has not stained, the sealer is still beading water.
B. W.
Portland
★★★★★
Designed the kitchen as part of the patio and pool-deck project. Everything matches, the finish reads as one continuous outdoor space, exactly what we pictured.
L. U.
Gresham
★★★★★
Coordinated the gas and electrical with the trades, embeds where they needed them. Trades had nothing to complain about. Kitchen runs perfect.
Y. A.
Lake Oswego
★★★★★
Counter cast in place to match the existing patio finish. The seam is invisible and the counter feels solid as a rock under the granite slab we put on top.
S. Y.
Vancouver
From the blog
Concrete Guides & Articles
Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Portland.
Tell us the layout you have in mind, grill, counter, prep, sink, and we will design the concrete pad and counters, coordinate with the trades, and put it in a written, itemised quote.
