Everything you need to know about remodeling your backyard and building an outdoor kitchen, including a full review of our Hestan Outdoor Kitchen appliances – with photos and video!
Now that we’ve recovered from our kitchen remodel, we decided our next project was to transform our unfinished backyard into a peaceful oasis. The goal was a beautiful and FUNCTIONAL space that we will actually use on a regular basis!
One of my goals for this remodel was to take the power and flexibility of our indoor kitchen outdoors. We have Hestan appliances that we’ve been cooking on for the last two years so it made sense to use Hestan appliances for outdoors as well.
Hestan is known for innovative and high-quality kitchen appliances. They offer a range of outdoor kitchen appliances that are taking our grilling and outdoor cooking endeavors to a whole new level.
Read on for a full review and photos of all of the Hestan outdoor products we have in our backyard!
Before we begin, here’s what our backyard looked like before:
Pretty underwhelming and definitely in need of a transformation!
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Review of Our Hestan Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
The biggest part of the remodel was building an outdoor kitchen. Here are the Hestan Outdoor Appliances we have in our kitchen. All appliances have the Hestan signature Grove green color panels to add an extra pop of joy to the space!
1. Hestan 36″ Built-In Grill: Hestan’s 36″ built-in grill is the jewel of our outdoor kitchen. With its burly stainless steel construction, powerful burners, and precise temperature control, this grill is a dream. The diamond-cut grates ensure even heat distribution. The searing capability is exceptional, locking in juices and flavors while achieving a perfect char. We had a friend who is a professional chef test out the grill at a recent party and he commented on the amazing temperature control and heat range while making beef tenderloin. Whether you’re grilling burgers, steaks, or vegetables, this grill delivers professional-grade results.
The design details of the Hestan grill are unmatched. It has their signature beveled handle that is a true statement piece. It also has the same knobs as their indoor oven and they have sexy backlit lighting. When you open the hood of the grill it lights up for easy use at night. Add in the Grove green panels and it literally stops you in your tracks!
2. Hestan 24″ Power Burner: I didn’t even know the option to have a real stove burner outdoors existed until we started looking for backyard appliances! We use our Hestan 24″ Power Burner almost every time we use the grill. It’s perfect for cooking up veggies, boiling water for pasta, and anything else you would do with a stove burner indoors. With its high BTU output, it’s ideal for tasks that require quick and intense heat, such as boiling water, stir-frying, or searing a steak in a cast-iron skillet. I actually just canned up a batch of jam and it was so nice to be able to do this outside on a nice summer day thanks to the power burner!
The continuous grates provide a stable surface for cookware, and the simmer control allows for delicate tasks like melting chocolate or preparing sauces. Like all Hestan products, the durable construction ensures longevity and reliable performance (it’s totally overbuilt!). If you don’t already own a set, I highly recommend investing in Hestan nanobond cookware set. You can use them on the power burner, in the oven, and even on the grill! They are dishwasher safe which makes clean up easy.
3. Hestan 24″ Refrigerator Drawers: I knew having an outdoor fridge would be a luxury but I underestimated how much we would use it. It keeps beverages, ingredients, prepped dishes, meat, and condiments cool and accessible. We had a party last weekend and used one drawer for drinks and the other for food storage/condiments. People knew they could help themselves to beverages making it one less thing we had to worry about. It’s also so much nicer than having to dig through a cooler with ice with a wet can dripping on you when you are drinking. The dual-drawer design allows us to separate items for better organization, and precise temperature control ensures food stays at the perfect temperature. The stainless steel finish not only looks sleek but also withstands outdoor conditions.
The fridge drawers have the signature Hestan handle and a sleek design. As with all the other appliances, the fridge drawers are totally overbuilt. They have heavy-duty insulation and forced-air refrigeration to create optimum storage. The LED interior lighting and full-extension drawer slides make it easy to access everything. They are also eye-catching and fun thanks to the big pop of green they provide for the kitchen!
4. Hestan Campania Pizza Oven: If you’re thinking about buying a backyard pizza oven, the Campania pizza oven by Hestan is a game-changer. It brings the art of pizza-making to our backyard, delivering that unmistakable crispy crust with even cooking. The oven heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, allowing you to cook gourmet pizzas in minutes. Its elegant design and customizable color options make it a focal point of our outdoor kitchen. If you want to know more about things to consider when buying a pizza oven, check out my full blog post reviewing Hestan’s pizza oven.
5. 36″ Hestan Outdoor Kitchen Double Sealed Pantry: The 36″ Hestan pantry perfectly integrates underneath our 36″ built-in grill and looks awesome. It’s completely enclosed with a magnetic seal to keep out critters and keep our kitchen essentials secure. The soft-close magnetic door closure feels so satisfying to use and the enclosure lights up so we can see what’s inside even when we are using the kitchen at night. The drawers also have a soft-close design. The quality is just superb. You can tell Hestan thought of every detail!
6. Hestan 18″ Access Doors: We used two 18″ access doors, under the power burner and the sink, to allow access to water and gas. I love how they look seamlessly integrated into the kitchen and also give extra storage! We have our trash and recycling bins in one that can be pulled out if needed and have gardening tools under the sink! It’s definitely a smart space optimizer.
Final Thoughts – Hestan Outdoor Kitchen Appliances
In conclusion, Hestan’s outdoor kitchen products, including the 36″ built-in grill, 24″ power burner, 24″ refrigerator drawers, and Campania pizza oven, redefine outdoor cooking. With their exceptional performance, durable construction, and thoughtful design, these products provide the tools you need to create unforgettable culinary experiences in your own backyard. Whether hosting a summer barbecue, experimenting with gourmet recipes, or enjoying a family dinner, Hestan’s outdoor kitchen appliances are a worthy investment for your remodel.
Where to Buy a Hot Tub in San Francisco
We bought our hot tub at Creative Energy. They have multiple locations in the Bay Area. Pat did extensive research comparing hot tub brands before we were ready to buy and the one that stood out is Hot Springs Spas. Creative Energy is a dealer for this brand and actually has Hot Springs Spas hot tubs on site that you can actually get in and test out! Here’s a video so you can see what I mean:
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The folks at Creative Energy were amazing! They are so knowledgeable and have a big selection on site plus can order even more options. If you’re like us and have yard access only through the house, they also do a site visit to make sure the hot tub will fit through! That way there are no surprises on delivery day. They don’t just drop the hot tub off in your driveway. The team takes it all the way to where you want it – even up on a balcony! They also hook it up and make sure it’s working before they leave. The whole process was completely stress-free and having it for those misty San Francisco evenings has been a game changer! We’ve used it almost every night since it was installed. We did the salt water upgrade and it really makes a huge difference.
I would follow them on Instagram because they usually have good sales around the holidays! They also carry things like plunge pools and swim spas as well.
To finish it off, I added a cedar arch with some climbing plants that will fill in and make it feel lush and private!
Where to Buy Custom Outdoor Planters in San Francisco
Located right in San Francisco, A. Silvestri Co. has a legacy dating back to 1900. This three-generation family establishment has become synonymous with unmatched quality and imaginative designs, with its array of outdoor planters in so many shapes and sizes! At their showroom, you can see examples and finishes and then have something completely customized and made to order. The prices are surprisingly reasonable – even cheaper than the big box home decor brands. From classic to contemporary, they have something for every backyard. They also carry outdoor furniture, fountains, and so much more! When you’re there, don’t forget to check out Urban Concrete, located within the showroom. They have a huge assortment of gifts, indoor planters, and handmade candles. It’s so fun to browse!
Buying Stone Quartzite Slabs for Our Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
Just like our kitchen, we bought the stone slabs for our outdoor kitchen counters Integrated Resouces Group (IRG) in Brisbane, California (15 minutes south of San Francisco). They have an enormous warehouse and it’s literally my happy place. I love browsing all the slabs as much as going to any museum! For more about buying stone slabs in the Bay Area, read my full blog post! The stone we chose for this project was Taj Mahal Quartzite. Quartzite is a natural material that is more durable and stain-resistant than marble. We love the Taj Mahal quartzite because it has some visual interest but is still neutral. It’s also busy enough to hide stains that will inevitably occur.
Best Outdoor Fire Pit – Travertine Fire Bowl from Kindred
I looked everywhere for a fire bowl that looked like natural stone, especially travertine since that’s what we decorated our patio with. I even briefly explored getting one custom made but it would have been enormously expensive. I’m so happy I found Kindred. They make a concrete fire pit that looks exactly like natural stone! You can choose from an assortment of colors as well as a smooth or travertine stone texture. We went with the Infinite shape. Putting a fire pit in your backyard is a big investment but this fire bowl was 100% worth it! It also works great, with 65,000 BTU. It also uses half the fuel of conventional fire rings, yet produces higher flames, and a brighter appearance.
Our Backyard Design – Working with Yardzen Review
We used Yardzen to create our backyard design. They are an online landscape design company that really helped take our project to the next level. We have the typical size constraints of a city backyard and they helped us fit an entire outdoor kitchen, fire pit area, and hot tub into it but still somehow make it feel spacious! It actually feels bigger than before our remodel which is an unexpected bonus.
You can see our Yardzen renderings here:
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Isn’t it just incredible!? It was amazing to have this visualization of what the final product would look like as we were making design and material choices. It definitely eased our minds to have an idea of what the final design would look like in advance.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of our backyard and Hestan Outdoor Kitchen! Let me know if you have any questions or want sources for anything we used.
San Francisco Outdoor Contractor and Landscape Designer
We used Mejia Landscaping for this project. For the concrete work and building our outdoor kitchen they used Sili-Con Concrete. I give both of these small businesses our highest recommendation in terms of ease of working with them, professionalism, and beautiful results!
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