Creating the Ultimate Outdoor Dream Kitchen

You’ve dreamed about it for years – your ultimate outdoor dream kitchen, fully equipped and ready for entertaining your friends on those long summer evenings.

You can almost smell the rich aromas wafting off the grill. The dream may seem out of reach, but it isn’t. With a few key pieces of equipment and a good plan, you can achieve your outdoor culinary wish for far less money than you would think. The following items and ideas are must haves for any outdoor dream kitchen.

Equipment:
Outfitting your ultimate outdoor dream kitchen can be a challenge. Outdoor entertaining has blossomed in popularity, and there are a variety of tools and products to help you do it in style. At the very least, you will need a decent barbecue. This is the centerpiece of your outdoor cooking wizardry, so choose well and don’t skimp. Look for an ample-sized grill (preferably gas), that has a large enough cooking surface to handle food for the size of group you envision entertaining. Your grill may be a stand-alone model that comes with a separate fuel tank, but if you can afford it, your outdoor kitchen will benefit from a more permanent built-in grill island unit that connects to a natural gas or propane line.

Other equipment you may consider for your outdoor kitchen includes a wood-burning oven for pizza or bread, a smoker, a fireplace, and a patio heater.

Seating:
Your outdoor kitchen should have a place for guests to enjoy the food you serve up off the grill. Designate a spot on your patio for an outdoor table and several chairs. If you can work it into your landscaping plan, a low stone wall can double as a bench for extra seating in a pinch. You may want to keep some colorful outdoor cushions on hand to keep your guest comfortable.

Atmosphere:
Wow your guests with a festive outdoor atmosphere. Ensure your outdoor kitchen and entertaining area are well lit with either permanent outdoor fixtures, or seasonal touches such as lanterns. Pots and patio planters filled with greenery and blooms also add a lush look to your kitchen without spending a lot of money. If you want your plants to do double duty, line your patio with borders of chives, parsley, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, savory and other herbs that you snip and add fresh to your dishes.

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