What Is a Ready to Finish Outdoor Kitchen? The Complete Guide
By the Big Ridge build team, Athens, Tennessee · Updated November 2026
A ready to finish (RTF) outdoor kitchen is a factory built island that arrives with its steel frame and cement board done. Packages with appliances also arrive with the appliance openings cut. You apply the final finish: stone veneer, tile or stucco. Big Ridge calls its line Design Ready. It gives you the look of a custom masonry kitchen without weeks of block work in your backyard.
What arrives, and what you add
| Arrives from Big Ridge | You add |
|---|---|
| Fully welded, triple galvanized steel frame with integrated floors | Finish materials: stone veneer, tile or stucco |
| Exterior cement board, factory installed on all sides | Time to apply the finish |
| Appliance openings cut to fit (packages with appliances) | A level, solid base to set it on |
| Required venting for gas appliance modules, factory installed | |
| Granite countertop and appliance package (Complete Kitchen Kits) | |
| Hardware, fasteners, leveling feet and assembly tools |
How RTF compares with other outdoor kitchens
| Custom masonry | Design Ready RTF | Fully finished | Modular cabinets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it's built | Block and mortar, built on site | Steel frame and cement board, built in the factory | Built and finished in the factory | Stainless or powder coated cabinets |
| Time on site | Weeks | Easy bolt together assembly, then finishing | Assembly only | Assembly only |
| Who finishes it | Built and finished on site | You | Done at the factory | No finish step |
| Look | Fully custom | Fully custom: any stone, tile or stucco | Choose from the maker's finishes | Fixed cabinet look |
| Best for | Unlimited budget and timeline | A custom look on a set budget and timeline | Fastest path to cooking | Contemporary, stainless look |
Who a Design Ready kitchen is for
You want your kitchen to match your house or patio, and you're comfortable with a weekend project. The island arrives built and square, and packages with appliances arrive with the openings already cut. Assembly is easy: the modules bolt together with the included tools. Stone veneer and tile are well within reach for a handy homeowner, and because the frame and board are already done, you skip the slowest part of the build.
Why choose ready to finish over finished
- Match anything. Use the same stone as your house, pool deck or fireplace.
- Use local materials. Buy finish materials from your local stone yard and pick them out in person.
- Control the cost. Finish it yourself and skip weeks of on site block work.
- Keep the custom look. No one can tell a finished Design Ready island from a custom masonry build.
How it works in 5 steps
- Choose your layout and appliances. Pick a Complete Kitchen Kit (6 to 12 feet, Linear, L shape or U shape) or build your own from Modules & Frame Kits. Not sure? Use Design My Kitchen.
- Prepare your space. Set a level, solid base where the island will sit.
- Receive and assemble. In stock Quick Ship kitchens ship in 3 to 5 business days, and freight takes about 2 to 5 more. The modules bolt together easily with the included tools.
- Finish it. Apply stone veneer, tile or stucco directly to the factory installed cement board.
- Seal and enjoy. Seal your stone and countertop, and you're ready to cook.
Questions people ask
Can I finish a ready to finish outdoor kitchen myself?
Yes. The cement board is installed at the factory, so you apply stone veneer, tile or stucco directly to it. A handy homeowner can do stone veneer or tile over a few weekends.
What finishes can I use on a Design Ready kitchen?
Any finish rated for exterior use over cement board: thin stone veneer, natural stone, porcelain tile or stucco. Considering something else? Ask the Big Ridge design team before you buy.
Is a ready to finish outdoor kitchen cheaper than custom masonry?
Usually, yes. The frame, board and venting are built in the factory, so you skip weeks of on site block work. Your total cost depends on the finish you choose.
How long does it take to get and install?
Quick Ship kitchens leave our warehouse in 3 to 5 business days and all other kitchens in 7 to 10 business days. Freight then takes about 2 to 5 business days. The modules bolt together easily, and finishing takes a few days depending on the material.
What's the difference between Design Ready and a fully finished Big Ridge kitchen?
Design Ready arrives with cement board ready for your finish. A fully finished kitchen arrives with Big Ridge's stone or plank finish already applied. Both use the same welded steel frame.
Can I get a custom Design Ready layout?
Yes. If none of our standard kits fit your space, the Big Ridge design team will create a fully custom Design Ready layout made exclusively for your backyard. Contact our team at 866-635-5487 or start with Design My Kitchen.
Don't see the layout you need?
Our standard kits are just the start. The Big Ridge design team creates fully custom Design Ready layouts, built exclusively for your backyard: your size, your shape, your appliances. Tell us about your space and we'll design a ready to finish kitchen that fits it. Custom builds ship in 3 weeks.
Start your custom design or call our design team at 866-635-5487.
Start your Design Ready kitchen
Not sure where to start? Design your kitchen or call the Big Ridge design team at 866-635-5487.
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