Whether searing steak or slicing veggies to sauté, cooks are finding a range of outdoor kitchen amenities to meet their needs. Pictured here, the ProSear infrared burner by Lynx.

Temperatures in the desert Southwest may be cooling down, but interest in amenity-rich, entertainment-friendly out-door kitchens is heating up. Spaces with free-standing single-burner charcoal grills have evolved into multifunctional areas that can be used to whip up everything from wood-fired pizzas and rotisserie chickens to teppanyaki-style meats and fresh-baked breads.

To find out the latest trends and in-formation homeowners should know before planning an alfresco kitchen, we talked to Wayne Bergin, territory manager for SunWest Appliance Distributing and a barbecue amenities specialist; builder Melinda Chipley of Chipley Luxury Homes Inc.; kitchen designer and space planner Mary Fisher Knott of Mary Fisher Designs; and designer Teri Mulmed, co-owner of DODAZ al-fresco Inc.

A cart fitted with Viking’s C4 Cooker and side burners

TAKE IT OUTSIDE


Think about designing an outdoor kitchen like planning an indoor kitchen without walls, suggests Knott. With this advice in mind, here are a few of the hottest trends and points to ponder.
• Restaurant-quality designs. “You have the tools available to cook on par with a chef,” says Bergin, explaining that many manufacturers offer top-of-the-line outdoor appliances, cabinetry and tools that rival those made for indoor use. “Get the biggest bang for your buck that’s in your price range,” he counsels.
• Work stations. Thanks to the diverse range of appliances and storage designs available for outdoor kitchens, Mulmed finds that separate work stations (i.e., an area for a smoker, space for a beverage center, etc.) help create a functional, well-planned kitchen. “Tailor it toward your lifestyle and what you’re comfortable with,” she suggests.
• Storage. Chipley notes that cabinetry and under-counter storage units are adding to the comprehensive nature of kitchen designs, and singles out Viking’s line of outdoor components as an example.
• Details. Remember that water, sewer, gas and electric lines will need to be accessible and that the space will need to be lighted properly, whether fixtures are mounted on a backsplash or in a range hood. In addition, be sure enough outlets are installed to plug in such countertop appliances as blenders and mixers.