A Stucco Outdoor Kitchen With a Crank Grill in California

Step 1 of 6

Block Island & Poured Concrete Countertop

The island went up in concrete block on the patio, with a lower section for the grill and a raised section for the oven. Wood forms went on top, and a dark concrete countertop was poured right on the block, with an open bay left below the oven for firewood.

“Had lots of fun building the outdoor kitchen... even more fun making pizzas!”

The Lopiccolo Family, California

Step 2 of 6

Firebrick Grill Pit & Firebrick Cooking Surface

The grill pit was lined in firebrick and trimmed in red brick. On the oven side, the firebrick cooking surface went down in a herringbone pattern, and a red brick arch was started over the firewood bay.

Step 3 of 6

Stucco Base, Brick Trim & a Plank Wood Door

The block got its stucco coat before the oven went up. Red brick trimmed the countertop edge, and a plank wood door with iron straps filled the firewood bay under the brick arch. Then the BrickWood foam form went on the hearth.

Step 4 of 6

Raising the Firebrick Barrel

The firebrick barrel went up course by course over the foam form, with the chimney form standing at the front. Once the last course closed over the top, the barrel was done and the form could come out.

Step 5 of 6

Crank Grill, Base Coat & Red Brick Arch

The crank grill frame went in over the firebrick grill pit, with a steel wheel to raise and lower the grate. The barrel got a gray base coat, then a red brick arch went around the oven opening, which also narrows the doorway to hold heat in.

Step 6 of 6

The Finished Stucco Outdoor Kitchen

The finished stucco outdoor kitchen puts the crank grill and the oven side by side on one concrete countertop, with firewood stored behind the wood door below. The last photos show the kitchen in a warm orange stucco, with a stainless chimney pipe, a black oven door and a cedar pergola overhead.

BeforeFinished

Drag across the photo (or just move your mouse) to go from bare concrete block to the finished grill and oven.

Plan Yours

Planning a Stucco Outdoor Kitchen: Tips From This Build

Build the island in block. Concrete block is cheap, strong and takes stucco well. One island can hold the grill, the oven and a firewood bay, so the whole kitchen shares one foundation.

Pour one countertop for everything. A single poured concrete countertop ties the grill side and the oven side together and gives you prep space right next to the oven.

Line the grill pit in firebrick. A wood or charcoal fire under a crank grill gets hot. Firebrick in the pit protects the block around it.

Stucco first, brick last. Stucco covers the block and the barrel, and red brick on the arch, the countertop edge and the firewood bay adds the detail. Want a classic all-brick finish instead? See our brick pizza oven lineup, or compare all of our pizza oven kits.

Good Questions

Stucco Outdoor Kitchen FAQ

What is a stucco outdoor kitchen?

It is an outdoor kitchen built from concrete block (or another solid base) and finished in stucco instead of stone or brick veneer. Stucco costs less, goes on in coats, and can be tinted or painted. This one pairs a stucco finish with red brick trim, a poured concrete countertop, a crank grill and a fire brick barrel oven.

Which oven kit did the Lopiccolo family use?

Mattone Barile · Foam Form. It is a fire brick barrel oven built over our foam form, with a 17-inch interior ceiling.

What kind of grill is next to the oven?

A crank grill, the style often called an Argentinian grill. A steel wheel raises and lowers the grate over a wood fire burning in a firebrick-lined pit.

Can you put stucco on a pizza oven?

Yes. On this build, the firebrick barrel got a gray base coat first, then a stucco finish, with red brick framing the oven opening. Follow the insulation steps in our plans before the stucco goes on.

Do I need masonry experience to build one?

No. The Lopiccolo family followed our FREE plans step by step, from the block island and concrete countertop to the firebrick barrel and stucco finish.