How to Choose the Perfect BBQ Hut for Your Backyard

There’s something about a BBQ hut that just works. Rain hammering the roof, fire going in the centre, your friends squeezed around the grill with drinks in hand. It’s one of those experiences that’s genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else in your garden.

But before you get to that point, you need to pick the right one. With sizes ranging from compact 4.5 m² models to sprawling 25 m² cabins, plus a whole range of styles, grill types and add-ons, the choice isn’t always obvious.

Here’s what actually matters when choosing a BBQ hut for your backyard. No fluff, just the things that will make or break your decision.

How to Choose the Right BBQ Hut Size

This is where most people go wrong. They either buy too small because they’re trying to save money, or they overestimate how much space they actually have.

A good starting point is to think about the largest group you’ll regularly host. Not your once-a-year Christmas party, but your typical Saturday night. Six people? A 7 m² hut is plenty. Ten to twelve people gathering regularly? You’re looking at a 9.2 m² model. If you’re planning to use it for larger family events or even semi-commercial purposes, the 14.9 m² or 16.5 m² models start to make a lot more sense.

BBQ Hut Size Guide by Group Size

• 4.5 m² – ideal for couples or small families of 4 to 6 people
• 7.0 m² – comfortable for 6 to 8 people, good for most average gardens
• 9.2 m² – the sweet spot for most buyers, seats 12 to 15 people
• 14.9 to 16.5 m² – serious entertaining space, suits larger gardens
• 25 m² – essentially a dedicated outdoor dining room

Also think about your garden layout. A hexagonal hut sits differently in a space than a rectangular structure. Most BBQ huts have an external footprint of roughly 3.5 to 5 metres across, so measure your available area before you fall in love with a particular model.

Standard, Exclusive or Open BBQ Hut – Which Type Is Right for You?

Once you’ve settled on a size, the next decision is the type of hut. This matters more than most people expect.

Standard BBQ Huts

Standard BBQ huts use the classic hexagonal or octagonal shape with straight pinewood walls. They’re robust, traditional-looking, and come fully equipped with benches, cushions and a central grill. If you want something that looks like it belongs in a Scandinavian forest and does the job brilliantly, this is your starting point.

Exclusive BBQ Huts

Exclusive BBQ huts are the same footprint but with a modernised roof design. The difference is visible immediately. The roofline is more refined, which suits contemporary garden aesthetics better. They cost around 500 to 800 euros more than their Standard equivalents, but if your garden is well-landscaped or you’re particular about how things look, it’s worth it.

Open BBQ Huts

Open BBQ huts have no solid wall on one side, giving you a more connected, al fresco feel. They’re cheaper too. A 9.2 m² open model starts at 3,630 euros versus 4,800 euros for the enclosed version. They work brilliantly in summer, but the trade-off is that they’re less comfortable in cold or wet weather. Worth keeping in mind if you’re in Northern Europe and planning to use yours year-round.

Should You Add a BBQ Hut Extension?

One of the most underrated decisions when buying a BBQ hut is whether to add an extension from the start.

Extensions attach directly to one wall of the main hut, adding between 3.3 m² and 5.85 m² of covered space. People use them for storage, as a prep area, as a changing room if the hut is near a pool, or simply as an overflow seating zone when the main hut fills up.

The key thing is that ordering with an extension from the beginning is significantly cheaper and cleaner than trying to add one later. If there’s even a chance you’ll want more space in a year or two, factor it into your initial order.

There are also models that combine a BBQ hut with a sauna extension. If that’s on your radar at all, it’s far easier to plan it in from day one.

How to Choose the Right BBQ Grill Setup

The central grill is the whole point of a BBQ hut, so don’t just accept the default without thinking it through.

Most huts come with a standard 6-corner or 8-corner BBQ set, which works well for grilling meat, vegetables and fish. If you cook more seriously, think smoking, slow cooking or open-fire baking, the Premium or Flame BBQ sets give you more control and a more impressive result.

A smoke extractor is worth adding if you have guests who are sensitive to smoke, or if you plan to use the hut in warmer months when you’ll want the windows open rather than relying on the chimney to draw everything out.

If you’re buying a Double Grill Cabin, note that BBQ sets and benches are sold separately. They’re not included in the base price, which catches some buyers off guard.

BBQ Hut Customisation Options That Actually Matter

The cosmetic options like roof colour, cushion colour and accessories are fun to choose, but the structural options matter more for how much you actually enjoy the hut day to day.

Wall Height

Wall height is one people overlook. The standard is 120 cm, which is fine, but upgrading to 133 cm or 146 cm makes a noticeable difference to how spacious the interior feels. Especially if you have tall guests or want to hang things from the walls.

Floor Options

The standard 18 mm floor is functional, but the 28 mm premium floor feels substantially more solid underfoot. If you’re in a colder climate, the insulated floor option is genuinely worth the extra cost. Cold floors make the whole experience less enjoyable from October onwards.

Roof Insulation

Roof insulation is the upgrade that makes your hut a true year-round space rather than just a summer one. Without it, the hut gets cold quickly in winter. With it, a small fire in the grill keeps things comfortable even when there’s frost outside.

Roof Colour

Black is the most popular choice by a significant margin and suits almost any garden. Green blends into natural settings well. Red and grey are more personal choices and both look great, but they work better with specific garden styles.

BBQ Hut Delivery and Assembly – What to Expect

A BBQ hut arrives on a single pallet. The 9.2 m² model, for example, comes on a 1.2 x 2.45 x 2.6 m pallet weighing around 1,100 kg. You need to make sure a delivery vehicle can access your property and that you have somewhere to unload it.

Standard delivery does not include unloading, so arrange that in advance. Assembly is DIY-friendly and detailed instructions are included. Most people with basic practical skills can manage it, but it’s a full weekend job for two people, not an afternoon task.

Before the hut arrives, your foundation needs to be ready. Concrete slabs, compacted gravel or a timber frame base all work well. Don’t underestimate this step. A poorly prepared base causes problems with the floor and door alignment that are frustrating to fix after the fact.

How to Maintain a BBQ Hut

Pinewood is a beautiful, natural material that ages well if you treat it properly. The main things to stay on top of:

• Apply a quality wood oil or exterior wood stain once a year, or at least every two years. This protects against moisture and UV damage and keeps the wood looking fresh. Untreated pinewood will grey and crack over time.
• Check the roof shingles annually. Finnish bitumen shingles are durable and weather-resistant, but it’s worth looking them over after a hard winter.
• Clean the grill and chimney regularly. Grease and ash buildup is the main cause of smoke problems and in serious cases, fire risk.

Which BBQ Hut Should You Buy?

The best BBQ hut for your backyard is the one that matches how you actually live, not an idealised version of how you think you might use it. Buy for your real group sizes, your real climate and your real budget, then add the upgrades that will genuinely improve your experience.

If you’re still deciding between models, the 9.2 m² Standard BBQ Hut is the most popular choice for good reason. It fits most gardens, seats a proper group and hits a price point that feels reasonable for what you get. From there, the Exclusive upgrade and extension options let you build up as your budget allows.

Browse the full BBQ hut range here

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a BBQ Hut

What size BBQ hut do I need for 10 people?

A 9.2 m² BBQ hut comfortably seats 12 to 15 people, making it the right choice for groups of 10. If your gatherings are usually smaller, around 6 to 8 people, the 7.0 m² model is sufficient and easier to heat in winter.

Can a BBQ hut be used in winter?

Yes, but the experience depends on how it’s equipped. A hut with an insulated roof and insulated floor stays warm with the central grill burning. Without insulation, it’s usable in mild winter weather but gets cold quickly. If year-round use is important to you, insulation upgrades are worth the investment.

Do I need planning permission for a BBQ hut?

It depends on your country and local regulations. In most European countries, a BBQ hut falls under permitted development as a garden outbuilding, meaning no planning permission is needed as long as it stays within certain size and height limits. Always check with your local planning authority before purchasing.

What is the difference between a Standard and Exclusive BBQ hut?

The main difference is the roof design. Standard huts have the classic traditional roofline while Exclusive huts have a more modern, refined roof profile. The interior dimensions, wall thickness and materials are the same. The Exclusive range costs roughly 500 to 800 euros more per model.

How long does it take to assemble a BBQ hut?

Most people complete assembly over a full weekend, typically 1.5 to 2 days for two people with basic DIY skills. The hut arrives as a kit with detailed instructions. Having your foundation prepared beforehand makes the process significantly smoother.

What foundation does a BBQ hut need?

Concrete slabs, compacted gravel or a timber frame base all work well. The foundation needs to be level, stable and large enough to match the hut’s footprint. An uneven base causes door and floor alignment issues that are difficult to fix once the hut is assembled.

Can I add an extension to my BBQ hut later?

Technically yes, but it’s much easier and more cost-effective to order with an extension from the start. The extension is designed to integrate seamlessly with the main structure, and ordering together ensures everything arrives at the same time and fits perfectly.