Now You're Cooking
An outdoor kitchen is the hot new ticket in luxury
backyard living. From grilling to baking and chilling
out, you can whip up a feast without leaving your
patio.
Story by Karen Weir-Jimerson
Your 6-year-old learned to dive today—and
she’s gleefully flipping into the water like
a fish. It’s dinnertime, but you’re reluctant
to reel her in. “Just five more minutes, Mom?” she
pleads. What’s a mother to do?
How about popping a pizza into your outdoor oven,
pulling salad fixings out of the open-air fridge,
and topping both of them with fresh basil and thyme
clipped from a pot of herbs on the patio table. This “Robinson
Crusoe meets Martha Stewart” scenario can happen
in your backyard when you have an outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor kitchens are the newest trend in alfresco
living. A patio or poolside food prep area—complete
with stove, oven, refrigerator and bar—empowers
family and friends to spend more time under the sun
and stars. Geared-up grilling islands offer all the
features of a full-fledged kitchen.
“Demand has increased to the point that new
home builders are actually adding them to their plans,” says
Doug Rogers, President of Mr.
Appliance® Corp. “And
outdoor kitchens are becoming more and more elaborate.” That’s
because homeowners love the luxury of cooking outdoors—with
all the conveniences of their indoor kitchens.
Check out these options:
- Grills. Stainless-steel-clad
professional-grade grills stand up to weather and
can stand alone or be built into an island. Powered
by liquid propane, some models offer a grill range
that measures from 30 to 48 inches—that’s
a lot of red-hot real estate. Outdoor grills also
pack fun features you may not have in your own
kitchen, such as multiple burners for side-dish
preparation and rotisserie units for slow-cooking
meats.
- Warming drawers. Dinner guests
arriving late? It’s not a problem with
an electric outdoor warming drawer built into
your grilling island. A warming drawer from DCS
Appliances holds four dinner plates, and keeps
them warm from 170 to 230 degrees. Plus, you
can dial up the setting of your choice, moist
or crisp, so your food can remain just as you
prepared it until served.
- Refrigerators. Imagine hopping
off your riding mower to grab an ice-cold lemonade
without
having to go inside. With your own well-stocked
outdoor refrigerator, it’s not just a dream. DCS’s
24-inch, under-counter stainless-steel refrigerator
features 6.1 cubic feet of space—enough room
for every family member’s favorite beverage.
Plus, there’s room to cool marinating meat
and veggies, keeping them in launch position until
the grill is sizzling.
- Heaters. Imagine spending cool
April nights or October mornings on the patio!
You can extend the outdoors season with a built-in
or stand-alone heater. DCS’s 58,000-Btu built-in
unit and 40,000-Btu stand-alone warmer maintain
a 20-foot circle of warm com fort. Everyone gather
round!
- Fireplaces. Bask in a satisfying
wood blaze, or flick the switch for a gas- or
propane-powered fire. An outdoor fireplace yields
more than 65,000 Btus, warming family and friends.
It also provides the perfect focal point for your
open oasis.
Need it fixed? Find expert appliance
care and repair from Mr. Appliance®.
Karen Weir-Jimerson writes about outdoor living
topics for magazines including Horticulture, Country
Gardens and Country Home.