Extend your kitchen - outdoors. Photo: Getty
There's a rising trend in outdoor cooking. No, it's not another grill with gadget attachments. It's the outdoor kitchen! Most people will purchase a grill and a patio set and call it an outdoor kitchen, but the kitchen I'm talking about has got it all, from the bells to the whistles. Let's take a closer look at the specific ingredients you will need to recreate the heart of your home outdoors.
BBQ islands come in a variety of sizes. Photo: Outdoor Kitchen Depot
1. The first item is, of course, a grill, but this ain't no ordinary grill. I'm talking about a big mamma jamma -- preferably a fixed or built-in BBQ is best. If you are handy, you can create your own built-in station or you can buy a ready-made station. They come in lots of sizes from a plain old grill to practically an entire kitchen. You can even buy them with built-in seating areas and cabanas.
2. Storage, storage, and more storage! Just as you do with your indoor kitchen, you will need places to store barbecue tools, pans, attachments, plates, cups and just about anything else you might use outside. You want these to be easily accessible -- you don't want to have to carry everything outside when you're ready to cook and then back in again. If you're lucky, your grill island will come with built-in storage, but they don't all come with the essentials. Be sure to consider working this into your plan or you'll regret it later.
3. Outdoor sink. Burned your finger? Need to wash you hands after touching that chicken? Got some dirty dishes? Having a sink might seem like an outdoor luxury, but it's very practical. Just think about how often you use your sink when preparing dinner indoors. Imagine having to open the back door and go into the kitchen to access the sink -- you'll quickly find out that an outdoor sink is almost a necessity for frequent grillers.
Treat your guests to a wide variety of beverage options. Photos: Choose Outdoor Kitchens
4. Beverage cart or refrigeration station. Part of every backyard summer barbecue is the drinks! With a backyard beverage station or a refrigerator, you can store the party drinks outside so that they don't take up lots of room in your inside fridge. For the hardcore party-people, options include a built-in blender, martini bar or even a beer or wine cart.
5. Work surface. Having counter space in your outdoor kitchen is just as important as it is inside. Where else do you chop veggies for kabobs or put those frozen burger patties?
6. Extras. There are lots of add-ons for those of you who wish to cook out in the fresh air. From outdoor fireplaces to pizza ovens to rugs and lighting. Have fun with it!
Ready to start creating your dream outdoor kitchen? Check out this handy outdoor kitchen design guide. Also, check out our post on cooking up an outdoor kitchen.