Years ago cooking outside meant throwing a few briquettes in the grill and tossing on a couple of burgers.
But today outdoor kitchens can make your open-air cooking experience feel like you're in a gourmet kitchen.
Join the thousands of Americans who have taken their backyard to the next level with outdoor kitchens.
According the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA), "[outdoor living] no longer means just a few folding chairs, a picnic table, and a hibachi.
It means bringing all the comforts of indoor living to the outdoors.
" Today outdoor living is less like camping out and more like relaxing in your family room-except that family room is outside.
So why not take the kitchen into the yard as well.
Initially limited to the ultra-rich, outdoor kitchens are now available at a wide variety of price points and have expanded into the yards of middle-class Americans.
With advances in all-weather technology, outdoor kitchens are equipped with all of the amenities of your typical indoor cooking space.
Most standard open-air kitchens include a built in BBQ (usually with one or two side burners), drawer-style ovens, full-size sinks, and small refrigerators.
But as with all kitchens, outdoor kitchens can be upgraded with numerous add-ons.
Want to cool off on a hot day? Just grab some ice cream from your outdoor freezer.
Want to enjoy crisp, fresh pizza? Add a pizza oven to your outdoor kitchen.
For the ultimate luxury, why not include a wine chiller...
Some outdoor kitchens even have built-in stereos to serenade you while you sauté! Installing an outdoor kitchen not only gives you a space to cook and enjoy nature, it also adds interest to your yard.
Think of your outdoor kitchen as an element in your landscape design.
It can be built into an existing patio or deck, as an extension off your home, or as a freestanding unit.
Choose from brick, stone, or slate to construct the base of your outdoor kitchen and you'll have a handsome landscape feature as well as a completely functional cooking space.
With your new outdoor kitchen, cooking will never be a stressful chore again! Grill steaks and boil corn on the cob conveniently and easily all in the space.
Listen to birdsong as you chop vegetables.
Watch the kids play tag as you do the dishes.
Why let yourself be chained to the indoors when you can enjoy the breeze, benefits, and beauty of nature and the amenities of a gourmet kitchen at the same time! Contact your local home improvement contractor or stone landscaping specialist to learn more about installing an outdoor kitchen on your property.
They'll be able to design your space, create plans, and install your open-air kitchen to have you cooking al-fresco in no time!