Outdoor Kitchen Ideas That Work
Creative Design Solutions for Outdoor Kitchens

Introduction:

Do we really need another kitchen? Admittedly, more than one person posed that question when they heard I was writing a book on outdoor kitchens. But these folks obviously haven't had the pleasure of preparing and cooking food in a thoughtfully designed outdoor kitchen or relaxing and entertaining in a cozy outdoor room.

In truth, we probably don't need outdoor kitchens. But I have met homeowners who would gladly give up their indoor kitchens before parting with the one on their porch, patio, or pool deck. These homeowners are spending more time at home with their families and friends than ever before because they've discovered the joy of cooking and entertaining outdoors. And for me, that's the bottom line. An outdoor kitchen is about more than cooking food. It's about spending time with those we love, having fun preparing the food we eat, and rediscovering the natural world that's as close as our own backyards. Besides, you've heard it before--food just tastes better when it's cooked outdoors.

An outdoor kitchen doesn't have to be elaborate. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money. And it probably shouldn't look just like your neighbor's outdoor kitchen. That's because it should be designed based on the way you entertain as much as the way you cook. It may be as simple as a cozy grilling and dining area on a small deck or as complex as a custom-built kitchen with cabinetry and appliances in a poolside pavilion. As long as you use it and enjoy it and it meets your needs, that's all that matters.

Traditionally, the grilling season lasted from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But thanks to the interest in outdoor living and an onslaught of new products from manufacturers, it's not unusual for folks to grill out year-round now. What we're cooking outdoors has changed, too. It's no longer just burger and hot dog fare. These days, you'll find friends and family roasting chickens, deep-frying turkeys, smoking ribs, simmering a pot of stew, stir-frying vegetables, baking pizzas, and flipping flapjacks outdoors. And rather than retreating to the house when the food is ready, homeowners are spending their evenings under the stars, beneath a fragrant, rose-draped pergola, or gathered around an outdoor hearth.

In this book, you'll find ideas to help jump-start the planning process for your own outdoor kitchen. But even more important, we hope you'll gain a better understanding of the design process, because every outdoor kitchen really is different. We also hope the book will help you become a better shopper, and that if you team up with a designer or contractor, a better understanding of the design process will lead to a more collaborative relationship. In the end, we hope you'll keep in mind that it's really all about relaxing and having a good time with those you care about most.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Chapter 1: Planning an Outdoor Kitchen

Design for the Way You Live
Putting It All Together : Adding On an Outdoor Room
Create a Casual Environment
Putting It All Together: Backyard Family Fun
Choose the Right Location
Putting It All Together: Casual Poolside Entertaining
Consider Your Conditions
Putting It All Together : Weathering the Elements
Budget Realistically
Choosing a Design/Build Team

Chapter 2: Designing a Kitchen That Works

Visualizing the Space
Putting It All Together: Making the Most of a Small Backyard
Putting It All Together: Outdoors from Dawn to Dusk
Configuring the Kitchen Layout
Putting It All Together: Entertaining a Crowd
Addressing Practical Matters
Putting It All Together: On the Veranda
Drawing Up Your Plans

Chapter 3 Grills, Smokers, and Wood-Burning Ovens

Grills and Smokers
The Essentials: Grill Types
The Essentials: Fuel Options
Putting It All Together: A Versatile Outdoor Kitchen?Grill, Bake, or Smoke
Side Burners
Grill Accessories
Grilling Tools
Wood-Burning Ovens
Putting It All Together: Pizza Oven As a Small-Space Solution

Chapter 4: Cabinets, Counters, and Appliances

Design for Function
Putting It All Together: Adapting Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Putting It All Together: A Kitchen with Abundant Storage
Sinks
The Essentials: Sink Materials
Cold Storage
Cabinets
The Essentials: Built-In Cabinetry
The Essentials: Exterior Cabinet Finishes
Laying Out the Components
Counters
The Essentials: Counter Materials
Putting It All Together: A Rustic Retreat

Chapter 5: Eating Areas

Designing a Space for Dining
Putting It All Together: Craftsman-Style Pergola Complements House Renovation
Bar Seating
Covered Dining Areas
The Essentials: Shade Structures
Putting It All Together: An Attached Dining Arbor
Dining Tables and Chairs
Putting It All Together: A Tropical Dining Island

Chapter 6: Designing an Outdoor Room

Anatomy of an Outdoor Room
The Essentials: Floors
The Essentials: Walls
Putting It All Together: Almost Like a Day at the Beach
Lighting
The Essentials: Types of Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor Hearths
The Essentials: Outdoor Hearths
Putting It All Together: Fireplace Anchors an Outdoor Room
Outdoor Furniture
The Essentials: Outdoor Furniture Materials
The Essentials: Types of Outdoor Seating
Accents and Accessories
Outdoor Media

Resources
Credits

Index

Soft-cover, 9 x 10-1/2 in., 224 pages, with color photos throughout
Published 2008

ISBN: 978-1-56158-958-6