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Special BBQ Constructions: The Complete Guide to Outdoor Kitchen, Grills, Parilla, Robata Grill, Antikristiera & Kontosouvliera
Jul
There’s a question we get asked frequently by our customers — whether they’re a restaurant owner looking to impress their guests or a BBQ enthusiast dreaming of the perfect outdoor space: “What can you actually build?”
The answer is: almost anything.
BBQ Specialist is not just a hardware store. It’s a custom-built store that designs and builds from scratch any type of grilling space — home or professional, small or large, Greek tradition or international culture.
1. Outdoor Kitchen: The Outdoor Kitchen That Lasts a Lifetime
The Outdoor Kitchen is much more than a grill on a bench. It is a fully equipped outdoor cooking space that incorporates everything you need for independent operation: grill, sink, refrigerator, storage, work surface and lighting.
Why choose a custom-built Outdoor Kitchen from BBQ Specialist:
The ready-made systems on the market cover spaces of standard dimensions and standard needs. Special Structures, on the other hand, are designed around your space and your way of grilling. If your veranda is L-shaped, if you want a built-in smoking system, if you need to place a built-in Parilla next to the built-in grill — only special structures make it a reality.
Ideal for: Homeowners, villas, hotels, restaurants with outdoor spaces.
2. Grills: Constructions for Every Type of Grilling
The title “grill” covers an incredibly wide range of appliances and constructions. Choosing a grill without knowing the grilling method that suits you is like buying a car without knowing whether you need a sedan or a truck.
What We Build
Built-in Grills: The foundation of every Outdoor Kitchen. We manufacture custom bases and framing to fit premium gas or charcoal grills from leading brands (Napoleon, Broil King, Weber). The result is a single, aesthetic construction and not a “truck” grill that stands on the side.
Heavy Duty Charcoal Grills: For those who refuse to compromise on taste. They are made of INOX or Corten Steel at least 4-6mm thick, with adjustable grill heights, ash management system and the ability to incorporate wood for a smoky effect.
Who serves: Individuals who want the “right” grilling, grill shops, butcher shops with live cooking displays, steakhouses.
3. Parilla (Parrilla): Argentine Art in Your Own Space
The Parilla (or Parrilla) is perhaps the most sought-after custom build for those who love premium cuts of meat. Its origin is Argentine, but its philosophy is universal: absolute temperature control through distance.
How the Parilla Works
The Parilla’s signature feature is the wheeled grill mechanism (la cruz or rueda). The griller raises or lowers the grill inches above or below the coals, adjusting the heat intensity without touching the fire. There is no “low and high zone” — there is precision in every inch.
The result: a Ribeye or Tomahawk that doesn’t burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside — but cooks slowly and evenly, developing a rich Maillard crust without losing its juices.
Why Custom-Made Parillas Are Superior
The ready-made Parilla models on the market are fixed in size and often lighter in construction. A custom Parilla from BBQ Specialist:
- Made to the exact dimensions of your space
- Uses INOX or heavy-duty cast iron for even heat distribution
- Integrates harmoniously into an Outdoor Kitchen or in a standalone position
- Can have a side fire system for traditional Asado (grilling from a side fire)
Ideal for: Steakhouses, grilled meat restaurants, homes where premium steak is a ritual.
4. Robata Grill: The Japanese Technique in Custom Construction
A completely different philosophy, a completely different result.
What makes the Robata Grill unique
The Robata operates at very high proximity — the heat source (traditionally Binchotan charcoal, known for its clean burning) is placed very close to or at the same level as the food. The food is not “grilled over the fire” — it is grilled next to it.
The classic design is long and low, with multiple food placement levels (steps) that allow simultaneous grilling at different heat intensities.
What is grilled on the Robata: Yakitori (Japanese chicken skewers), seafood (shrimp, octopus, calamari), vegetables (leek, broccoli, Shiitake mushrooms), and lean meats.
The Special Robata Grill Construction by BBQ Specialist
Due to its unique design (long length, low height, special air management), a Robata Grill cannot be replaced by any standard grill on the market. The special construction is essentially the only way to get an authentic Robata setup:
- Dimensions specifically for your restaurant or Outdoor Kitchen
- Integration of a special ventilation system to control the heat of the Binchotan
- Possibility of counter-top or built-in placement
- INOX exterior coating for easy cleaning
Ideal for: Japanese restaurants, fusion cuisines, high-end Outdoor Kitchens with an international character.
5. Antikristiera: Tradition with Professional Specifications
The “antkristiera” is one of the oldest grilling techniques in Greece — and one of the most impressive. The meat (usually goat or lamb) is placed vertically around the fire, cooked with the infrared radiation of the coals, without direct contact with the flame.
What Makes a Good Antikristiera
It is not enough to place the meat around a fire. A good Antikristiera needs:
- Proper installation geometry: The angle of inclination of the skewers regulates how close the meat is to the coals. Wrong angle = uncooked interior or burnt surface.
- Proper “well” construction: The shape and depth of the hearth determine the airflow and heat distribution. Many amateur setups “go out” because the fire does not breathe properly.
- Heavy INOX skewers & adjustment mechanism: Meats weighing 15-25kg require skewers that do not bend and a mechanism that allows tilt adjustment during operation.
Our Antikristieres constructions are intended for both domestic use (large yards, livestock farms) and professional catering (grills, restaurants with live cooking, taverns).
6. Kontosouvleria: From Kokoretsi to Spales
The Kontosouvleria is the rotating spit mechanism for short pieces of meat — kontosouvlia, kokoretsia, shoulders, legs. If the spit is for a whole lamb, the kontosouvleria is for multiple portions at once.
Professional Shoe Polishers — What Makes the Difference
A professional shoe polisher is not just bigger than a home one. It is radically different:
- Heavy-duty motor: Withstands 8-12 hours of continuous operation without overheating. Cheap motors “die” under intensive use.
- Multiple parallel spits: We manufacture mechanisms with 4, 6 or 8 spits operating simultaneously for high productivity.
- Adjustable height of relation to the burner: Each type of meat requires a different distance from the coals — the mechanism allows it.
- Fat drainage system: The correct design prevents fat from falling into the flame and causing flashes.
Ideal for: Grill houses, butcher shops with live demos, traditional Greek cuisine restaurants, event catering.
Why Custom Made and Not Off-the-shelf?
Off-the-shelf products have their place: they are great for those who want an instant solution, standard needs and mobility. Choosing the right ready-made grills (BBQ Specialist has the largest catalog on the market) is an equally smart choice for many.
Custom construction is the right choice when:
✔ Your space has special dimensions or morphology
✔ You want a combination of multiple grilling techniques in a single setup
✔ The use is professional or intensive (HORECA)
✔ Design and aesthetics are just as important as functionality
✔ You are looking for equipment that will last for decades and not just for seasons
Contact BBQ Specialist
Every custom construction starts with a communication. You tell us your space, the way you love to grill and your budget. We design, build and install — with a quality construction guarantee and technical support after delivery.
Visit our showroom or contact us today to see sample constructions up close and discuss the possibilities for your own space.