Baseball, Apple Pie and... Outdoor Kitchens

    Americans have come a long way since the backyard barbeques of their childhood. Today, those simple, kettle-style grills have evolved into high-tech, multi-purpose cooking centers designed to draw huddled guests from a cramped kitchen to a redefined social environment – the outdoors. And you don’t have to go too far to get it. The new arena for cutting-edge dining and entertainment…is still in your own backyard.
   Outdoor entertaining in Alaska these days has the potential to be the ultimate in comfort and convenience thanks to a variety of new products on the market. New outdoor cooking centers can include cabinets, refrigerators, sinks and other amenities, as well as incorporate design elements to extend the time spent outside. Meals can be prepared, served and cleaned-up without leaving your patio or deck. Imagine spending more time with your family and friends instead of running back and forth between your kitchen and outdoor grill.
   Before investing the time and money into the planning and execution of a new outdoor kitchen, ask yourself the following questions to determine the size, scope and style of your project:

• What type of entertaining do you enjoy?
• What is the size of your family or social circle?
• What kind of cooking do you want to do and on what scale?
• How often do you grill or entertain outside?
• How much space do you have for a backyard cooking center?

   Once these questions are answered, you’re on your way to determining the scope of the project – from a simple patio grill station to a fully functional outdoor kitchen. Find out if the area is in proximity to existing plumbing, electrical and gas lines. Keep year-round weather conditions in mind. Then, move to the fun part of deciding what kinds of appliances and storage will be needed, and whether you want them built-in or moveable. Remember, the objective is to enhance the entertainment experience for both the host and guests by reducing the number of trips made inside the house.
   Manufacturers have responded to the increasing demand for dining “a la fresco” with appliances and materials that can live year round in the great outdoors. Common features and amenities found in outdoor kitchens include, but are not limited to: counters or “prep” stations, storage cabinets, grills, warming drawers, sinks, refrigerators and appropriate seating or dining areas. In addition to the basics, seriously committed outdoor chefs can design their outdoor entertainment space to include:

• Large woks
• Icemakers
• Wine coolers
• Ventilation hoods (for semi enclosed or covered areas)
• Outdoor sound systems
• Pizza ovens
• Fire pits
• Hot tubs, pools or Jacuzzis
• Insect control
• Electrical outlets – for small appliances
• Built in entertainment centers with TV or audio/intercom
• Dishwashers

   In Alaska, with shorter summers, the proper selection, maintenance and protection of your outdoor kitchen and appliances will help make the most of your leisure time. It’s especially important to use weather-resistant materials that do well when exposed to the natural elements. Teak is a good choice for cabinetry and seating or dining areas; stone or slate works well for countertops; stainless steel for appliances; and you can consider stone, copper or stainless steel for sinks. Although you only need a cold-water supply line (which, in warmer months, can be your garden hose), be sure to install a shutoff valve inside the home, so you can drain the line during the winter.
   Some outdoor kitchen designs call for partial overhead shelter or may even be housed in a gazebo. Trees, trellises or other landscaping elements add protective benefits as do bi-fold or sliding doors, screens or overhangs. Other ideas for winterizing your outdoor kitchen include insulating pipes and other lines and using frost-proof faucets. You can further extend the cooking season with a gas patio heater. Several of these outdoor heaters produce a 20-foot circle of heated air and are either portable or set in concrete. A 20-pound liquid-propane tank can provide up to 10 hours of heat on the highest setting and some models can even be hooked up to a natural gas line.
   The centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen is the barbeque or grill. The features, styles and reliability of grills have progressed, making them more than a place to cook simple meats. Gas-powered burners are combined with extra-large grilling surfaces that allow the simultaneous cooking of foods by different methods and at different temperatures. The main grill types are charcoal and gas (natural gas or propane) and the newest grills have the ability to switch between gas and charcoal-style cooking. Those at the high end include work shelves, charcoal or wood chip storage areas, and autoignition systems. Most grill systems come in either free-standing or built-in models.
   Wolf® Appliance Company, a leading manufacturer of luxury cooking appliances, offers 36-inch and 48-inch grill models to incorporate into your outdoor kitchen. Outdoor Wolf grills are constructed of heavy-duty stainless steel and are available as a built-in or freestanding grill cart. Features include a 115-volt rotisserie; an infrared rear burner for precise and consistent grilling; and optional side burners. The freestanding model requires very little in planning and placement, but keep the gas lines as short as possible. Always make sure there is sufficient fresh air for proper combustion and ventilation. The BBQ grill should not be exposed to the wind, but don’t locate the grill in an enclosed area.
   If you’ve already decided to go beyond the basic outdoor kitchen and add a few extras, Gladiator™ Garage Works by Whirlpool Corporation might provide a unique source for sleek, yet rugged; moveable, yet solid appliances. Don’t be fooled that the products offered are just for your garage. The Gladiator Series doubles easily to perform the duties required of your outdoor kitchen. The Series includes a Modular Garage Refrigerator, Garage compactor, Freezerator® Convertible Refrigerator/Freezer and a Chillerator™ Garage Refrigerator. The portability of these well-made appliances allows for moving them to the garage for continued use, when the outside entertaining season is at an end.
   Although fast becoming a trend, an outdoor kitchen has every possibility of becoming creatively and uniquely yours. The sophistication and versatility of today’s modern outdoor appliances and materials make the practical side of cooking and entertaining outdoors a snap. But outdoor kitchens serve as an aesthetic focal point as well. It’s the fundamental and universal appeal of good aromas and flavors combined with a relaxed and open dining style that will draw family and friends to an outdoor kitchen. So whether you choose an Italian, Southwestern, retro or a modern theme, stay true to your own personal style and needs. Then, then sit back, relax and remember – everything tastes better outdoors.