Outdoor Kitchens

Most projects take a few weeks to a couple of months from first consultation to final installation, depending on the scope, cabinet lead times, and appliance availability. Challenger Designs cabinets ship fully assembled and ready for installation, which keeps on-site work short once everything arrives. We recommend starting the conversation in late winter or early spring if you want to be cooking by summer.

It starts with a conversation about how you cook and entertain, plus measurements of your patio, pergola, or deck. From there we work through Challenger Designs' Custom Kitchens program, which includes design services at no additional charge and a full 3D rendering of your kitchen before a single cabinet is ordered, so you know exactly what you're getting. Once you approve the design, our team coordinates delivery and installation here in the Inland Northwest.

We build with Challenger Designs cabinetry, which is constructed from aluminum in their Nappanee, Indiana facility. Aluminum is naturally rust-resistant, and every cabinet gets a rust-resistant powder coat finish top to bottom, with 304 stainless steel hardware, full-extension drawer slides, and integrated back panels. Unlike wood or steel, it won't rot, rust, or warp through North Idaho's freeze-thaw cycles.

Yes, a little prep each fall goes a long way in our climate. Shut off and disconnect gas or propane lines if the kitchen won't be used, drain any water lines to sinks or ice makers, empty and unplug refrigeration, and cover the grill and countertops. The good news is that powder-coated aluminum cabinetry handles freezing temperatures and snow load far better than wood or composite cabinets, so the structure itself needs very little attention.

It varies by jurisdiction and neighborhood. In Kootenai County and the Spokane area, gas line work typically requires a permit and a licensed installer, and larger structures like pergolas or roofs may need their own approval. Many HOAs in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls also have rules about permanent outdoor structures, so it's worth checking your covenants early. Our team deals with these questions regularly and can help you figure out what applies to your project.

Any grill designed as a built-in or drop-in unit, and we carry several strong options. The Napoleon Built-In 700 Series comes in 32, 38, and 44-inch widths with stainless construction and infrared rotisserie burners, and Delta Heat offers professional-grade drop-in grills plus side burners, power burners, and even a pizza oven for a fully built-out kitchen. We'll help you match the grill size and cutout to your cabinet layout.

Powder-coated aluminum cabinets clean up with mild soap and water - no sealing, staining, or repainting like wood. Stainless steel cooking grids and sear plates are virtually maintenance-free, and brushing the grids after each cook keeps them in top shape. Beyond that, an annual once-over of burner ports, ignition, and gas connections keeps everything running safely, and our service team can handle that for you.