An outdoor kitchen in Palm Beach, Jupiter or Stuart lives a different life from one on Long Island. It works hardest from Thanksgiving to Easter, then sits through a hot, wet summer and a hurricane season while its owners are back north. The materials, the schedule and the care plan all have to account for that.
We plan and install outdoor kitchens along the Palm Beach, Jupiter and Stuart corridor for clients who split the year between New York and Florida. Here is what we tell them before anything is ordered.
The short answer
On the water in Palm Beach and Martin County, choose a 316 marine grade grill, non-combustible powder-coated aluminum or marine grade cabinetry, and a breathable cover. Farther inland, 304 stainless from a brand with a strong housing warranty is sound if someone washes it regularly. Begin design by early summer so installation finishes before you arrive; in the Town of Palm Beach, seasonal construction rules begin the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Key takeaways
- Within sight or smell of salt water, 316 stainless is worth the premium. Among the brands we carry, Blaze and Broilmaster build true 316 grill heads.
- Fire Magic, Lynx, Twin Eagles and Hestan build their grills in 304 stainless. They remain excellent choices a few miles inland, with regular washing.
- Outdoor kitchens and gas lines need permits in Martin County, and most construction work needs one in Palm Beach County. Allow for that in the schedule.
- Owners away half the year need someone assigned to wash, check and storm-prep the kitchen.
In this guide
- Coastal outdoor kitchen choices at a glance
- Do you need 316 stainless in South Florida?
- Which grill brands offer marine grade?
- How do humidity and sun affect cabinetry and covers?
- What about hurricane season?
- When should you start so it is ready for the season?
- What changes when you are away half the year?
- Permits in Palm Beach County and Martin County
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
Coastal outdoor kitchen choices at a glance
Distance from salt water decides most of the specification.
| Setting | Grill | Cabinetry | Care rhythm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanfront or Intracoastal: Palm Beach island, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound, Stuart waterfront | 316 marine grade | Powder-coated marine grade aluminum or 316 | Fresh water rinse and wipe after use, plus a scheduled wash while you are away |
| Within about a mile of salt water: much of Jupiter, Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens east of the highway | 316 if the budget allows, otherwise 304 with a lifetime housing warranty | Powder-coated aluminum or 304 stainless | Wash at least monthly |
| Inland communities and golf properties | 304 stainless | 304 stainless or powder-coated aluminum | Wash monthly, more often near a saltwater pool |
Do you need 316 stainless in South Florida?
On the water, yes. The difference between the two grades is molybdenum. Grade 316 contains it and 304 does not, and that addition makes 316 far more resistant to the chloride pitting and brown tea staining that salt air causes. On an oceanfront terrace in Palm Beach or a dock-side lanai in Stuart, 304 can show tea staining within a season or two, even on a well-built grill.
A mile or two inland the picture changes. Salt still travels on the wind, but a 304 grill that is washed and covered usually holds up well, and the money saved is better spent on refrigeration or a better countertop. We explain the chemistry, the magnet test and the warranty differences in our 304 vs 316 stainless steel grill guide.
Count the pool as part of the coastline. A saltwater pool, or a chlorinated pool a few feet from the island, puts chlorides on the steel just as the ocean does.
Which grill brands offer marine grade?
Fewer than the marketing suggests. We checked each brand's specifications and manuals.
| Brand | Grill construction | Coastal note |
|---|---|---|
| Blaze | Premium LTE+ Marine Grade 32 in 316L stainless | Also offered inside prefabricated islands with marine grade aluminum cabinetry |
| Broilmaster | B-Series 32 Marine Grade: 316 head, 316 cast burners, 316 grids | Built-in or on a cart; not intended for boats |
| Fire Magic | 304 stainless housing and cast 304 burners | Lifetime coverage on housing, burners and grids, with monthly cleaning required near salt air or pools |
| Lynx | Welded 304 stainless, ceramic burners | Lynx Professional specifications list marine grade as "No" |
| Twin Eagles | Welded 304 stainless | No 316 grill line; welded seams leave fewer places for salt to collect |
| Hestan | 304 stainless body, 321 stainless burners | No 316 grill line in our catalog |
That leaves a clear rule. For a true 316 grill head on the water, choose Blaze or Broilmaster. If your heart is set on a Fire Magic, Lynx, Twin Eagles or Hestan for an oceanfront home, it can work, but budget for more frequent washing and accept that some surface staining is likely over time.
From our install team
Read the warranty as closely as the spec sheet. Fire Magic's manual asks for cleaning at least monthly near salt air or pools, and its warranty does not cover rust or discoloration unless the part stops working. Most premium brands treat cosmetic coastal staining the same way, so the care plan matters as much as the steel.
How do humidity and sun affect cabinetry and covers?
Cabinetry
Wood and wood-composite cabinet boxes have no place in a coastal outdoor kitchen. We specify non-combustible frames and doors in either stainless or powder-coated aluminum. Aluminum does not rust, and a quality powder coat handles sun well. The Blaze islands in our catalog, for example, use marine grade aluminum cabinetry with 304 stainless hardware. Our stainless vs aluminum cabinetry guide covers the trade-offs.
Countertops
Choose surfaces that hold up to strong sun, such as ultra-compact Dekton or dense granite, and ask your fabricator about sealing.
Covers
Sun breaks down cover fabric over time, and a cover that traps humid air against steel can do more harm than none. Choose a fitted, breathable grill cover, put it on only when the grill is clean and dry, and replace it when the fabric stiffens or fades. A cover protects between washes; it does not replace them.
Electronics and refrigeration
Igniters, lights and refrigerators need GFCI-protected circuits and, ideally, shade. An outdoor-rated refrigerator out of afternoon sun runs less hard. Our outdoor refrigeration guide explains what "outdoor rated" should mean.
What about hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts the peak around September 10. For a seasonal home, the kitchen spends the riskiest months unattended. Storm preparation deserves its own guide; these are the points that shape the design:
- Anything structural is engineered for wind. A pergola, roof or hood support over the kitchen is a structure under the Florida Building Code. Martin County's design forms cite the 2023 Florida Building Code and ASCE 7-22, with wind speed looked up for the specific property.
- Know where the gas shuts off. Every appliance should have an accessible shutoff, and whoever watches the house should know where it is and how to close it.
- Plan the propane. Many homes in the corridor run on propane. Decide with your propane supplier how a tank is secured, and keep portable cylinders outdoors, never in a garage or shed.
- Decide what gets stored. Covers, cushions, portable pizza ovens and freestanding carts become projectiles in high wind. Built-in appliances stay put; loose pieces need a home indoors.
Not sure what fits your space? Send us the address and a few photos of the patio, and we will tell you whether your location calls for 316 and how we would lay out the island, utilities and storm plan. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
When should you start so it is ready for the season?
Work backward from the day you arrive. Most seasonal clients want to cook outside by Thanksgiving:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late spring, before you head north | Site visit, layout, appliance selection and fuel decision while you can walk the patio with us |
| Summer | HOA or architectural review, permit applications, equipment ordered with confirmed lead times |
| Early fall | Gas, electrical and plumbing rough-in, island set, inspections |
| Before Thanksgiving | Final connections, startup and a walkthrough, in person or by video |
Two local realities make this timeline matter. Early fall is still hurricane season, so leave room in the schedule for weather delays. And in the Town of Palm Beach, Ordinance 7-2025 sets stricter construction rules for the season, which runs from the Monday before Thanksgiving through April: weekday hours only, generally no weekend work, and most construction prohibited from December 24 through January 1. A project that slips past Thanksgiving there can lose weeks.
A prefabricated island shortens the site work considerably, because the cabinetry arrives finished and needs no masonry. For owners managing a project from New York, that is often the deciding factor. Our outdoor kitchen planning guide walks through layout, and our outdoor kitchen cost guide covers budgeting.
From our install team
Make the fuel decision first. Whether the home has natural gas service or runs on propane changes the grill model you order, the line you run and the permit you pull. Ordering a natural gas grill for a propane house, or the reverse, is the most common way a seasonal project loses a month.
What changes when you are away half the year?
A kitchen that sits for six months needs a plan. Here is what we put in writing for seasonal owners:
- A wash schedule. Have your property manager or landscaper rinse the stainless with fresh water, wash with mild soap, dry it and re-cover it on a set rhythm, at least monthly near the water.
- Gas off, cylinders closed. Close appliance shutoffs before you leave, and close propane valves at the tank.
- Refrigeration on a decision. Either leave the outdoor refrigerator running and checked, or empty it and follow the manufacturer's storage steps.
- A storm checklist with names on it. Who removes the covers and loose items, who closes the gas, and who sends photos afterward.
- A startup visit. Before you arrive, have the grill lit, the burners checked for insects and debris, and the refrigerator cooled down.
Condo and HOA communities across Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Stuart often have their own rules on outdoor appliances, gas and alterations, and they can be stricter than the building code. Get those approvals before you order.
Outdoor kitchen permits in Palm Beach County and Martin County
We serve Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, Stuart and Hobe Sound. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so treat this as orientation, not a checklist.
- Martin County (Stuart area and Hobe Sound) lists outdoor kitchens, gas lines, electrical circuits and patio covers among the work that requires a building permit. Its gas permit checklist asks for a piping schematic showing appliances, pipe sizes and valves.
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County requires permits for most construction-related work and directs questions about anything not listed to its Building Division.
- Municipalities such as the Town of Palm Beach run their own planning, zoning and building departments, and visible exterior changes on the island may go before its Architectural Commission (ARCOM), or the Landmarks Preservation Commission for landmarked properties.
Confirm requirements with the building department for your exact address before work starts. We handle the coordination on the projects we install.
Outdoor kitchen islands Built-in propane grills Outdoor refrigeration
Our recommended models
We picked these for coastal Palm Beach and Martin County homes: true 316 where the water is close, proven 304 where it is not, and heat for the cool January evenings.
Shop Blaze Shop Broilmaster Shop Fire Magic Shop Bromic heaters
Which should you choose?
Choose a 316 marine grade kitchen if:
- The home faces the ocean or the Intracoastal, or sits on Palm Beach, Jupiter Island or the Stuart waterfront.
- The kitchen sits beside a saltwater pool.
- No one will wash the stainless while you are away.
Choose a premium 304 kitchen if:
- The home is a few miles inland or in a golf community.
- You want a specific Fire Magic, Lynx, Twin Eagles or Hestan feature set.
- A property manager will wash and cover the grill on schedule.
On the water, our recommendation is a 316 grill from Blaze or Broilmaster in powder-coated aluminum cabinetry, under a breathable cover, with a written care plan. Inland, put the budget into the 304 grill you will enjoy most and keep the same care plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is 304 stainless good enough for a grill in Jupiter or Stuart?
Several miles inland, yes, if it is washed regularly and covered. On the ocean, the Intracoastal or the St. Lucie waterfront, 316 resists pitting and tea staining far better and is worth the premium.
Which outdoor grill brands make 316 marine grade grills?
Among the brands we carry, Blaze offers the Premium LTE+ Marine Grade 32 in 316L stainless, and Broilmaster offers the B-Series 32 Marine Grade with a 316 head, burners and grids. Fire Magic, Lynx, Twin Eagles and Hestan build their grills in 304 stainless.
When should I start planning an outdoor kitchen for snowbird season?
Start in late spring or early summer, leaving time for HOA review, permits, lead times and a fall installation before Thanksgiving. In the Town of Palm Beach, seasonal construction rules begin the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Do I need a permit for an outdoor kitchen in Palm Beach County or Martin County?
Usually, yes. Martin County lists outdoor kitchens and gas lines among the work that requires a permit, and Palm Beach County requires permits for most construction-related work. Municipalities such as the Town of Palm Beach have their own departments, so confirm the requirements for your address.
How should I care for my outdoor kitchen while I am up north?
Have someone wash and dry the stainless at least monthly near the water and re-cover it only when dry. Keep the gas off and follow a written storm checklist during hurricane season.
Should I cover my grill in Florida?
Yes, with a fitted, breathable cover placed over a clean, dry grill. A cover over a damp, salty grill holds moisture against the steel. Remove and store covers before a storm.
Talk to a specialist
A coastal kitchen, ready when you arrive
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Tell us your address and your arrival date, and we will plan the materials, permits and schedule around both.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens. Our Greenvale, Long Island showroom at 13 Glen Cove Road opens winter 2026. Plan your visit.
Related guides
Browse all buying guides and expert advice →
Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: National Hurricane Center, tropical cyclone climatology, Martin County, Do I need a permit?, Martin County gas tank and gas line checklist, Martin County Form 100, Palm Beach County permit brochure, Town of Palm Beach Ordinance 7-2025, Town of Palm Beach development review, Blaze marine grade 316L, Fire Magic, Bromic US warranty. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.