Outdoor kitchens have now gone beyond grills and pergolas, expanding to include sinks, refrigerators, cabinetry, and marble counter tops. With waterfront property values soaring, and family time at a premium, people really want to maximize the investment in their homes and in their families. Why spend time on the road or in airports when you can savor leisure time at the lake with family and friends?

Keeping close ties to family and friends

Here in the Midwest people look for ways to extend the summer season, giving them more time to relax with family and friends. Chris Cregness, of Outdoor Kitchens, Inc., a company specializing in design, installation, and landscaping of outdoor kitchens, says that parents and grandparents are driving this trend. "We want our kids to bring their friends to our house. That gives us more time with them and we can supervise what they're doing. We also like to include extended family and friends. Our outdoor kitchen gives us a chance to be part of the party even when we're cooking."

Outdoor kitchens that stand up to Midwest winters

Freezing temperatures and piles of snow may create havoc in rush-hour traffic, but they don't pose a hazard to today's special outdoor appliances and furnishings. Rod Tuenge from LakeView Appliance Distributing, a Viking dealer, says that Viking outdoor appliances are marine-grade stainless steel with a special insulation that can withstand the elements all winter long. Along with recommended natural countertop materials such as slate, marble, and natural tile they give you maintenance-free surfaces that can easily withstand winter conditions.

How is the typical outdoor kitchen equipped?

Tuenge says, "It can be as simple as a cabinet for your grill, or as spectacular as a full kitchen with grill, refrigerator, stovetop, beverage dispenser, storage and eating area. An outdoor kitchen allows you to cook and entertain outside without having to run in and out for beverages, side dishes, condiments, bread and pots of food."

New outdoor products on the market:

Woks, griddles, and searing units for your grill Ice Makers Ovens Ventilation Hoods/Fans Grills refrigerators/ refreshment Centers Countertops stovetops sinks Cabinets warming Drawers smokers Pergolas/Awnings outdoor Furniture Planters Lighting Patio Heaters outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits Landscaping Components to consider: Don't overlook these extras: Lamps Refreshment Centers Sound Systems Kitchen Gardens; loaded with tomatoes, herbs, and salad greens to provide you with fresh ingredients all season long

Components to consider:

• Grills 
• Refrigerators/ Refreshment Centers 
• Countertops
• Stovetops
• Sinks
• Cabinets
• Warming Drawers
• Smokers
• Pergolas/Awnings
• Outdoor Furniture
• Planters
• Lighting
• Patio Heaters
• Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
• Landscaping

Don't overlook these extras:

• Lamps
• Refreshment Centers
• Sound Systems
• Kitchen Gardens; loaded with tomatoes, herbs, and salad greens to provide you with fresh ingredients all season long

New outdoor products on the market:

• Woks, griddles, and searing units for your grill
• Ice Makers
• Ovens
• Ventilation Hoods/Fans 

Designed to your specifications

Whether you prefer grilled, aged porterhouse or seafood sizzling with garlic and ginger, you can have your preferences designed into an outdoor kitchen. Special grills accommodate oversize woks; others have their own special smokers. Steak aficionados will appreciate grills with infrared searing panels that seal in juices before further grilling. Outdoor warming drawers are now available to keep it all hot until serving time.

Outdoor kitchens can be added easily to existing lake homes, without involving lake set-back restrictions. Without even drilling a hole you can add a portable refreshment center that provides cold water, drainage, and ice storage with just a simple hook-up to a hose. Many of the new outdoor appliance models can either be installed or used free-standing for extra flexibility. An added plus to some of the new outdoor built-in grills is that they are "zero clearance" so you can position them safely without cumbersome surrounds.

Stainless steel is a popular outdoor kitchen material because of its weather resistance, but other surfaces are also available. Special outdoor enamel finishes from Viking come in blue, forest green, and graphite gray to give you design options that will make the most of your home.

Working it into your landscape

It's important that your landscaping and your outdoor kitchen work together, if at all possible, and that it all works together with the style and character of your property. Ideally you will work with a designer who is familiar with the unique aspects of outdoor kitchens. A few key decisions can make a big difference in the usability of your new outdoor kitchen:

• Think about the view. Most people want a view of their guests and a view of the water from where they're cooking, so careful planning now will add to the cook's enjoyment later. You also need to think about concealing the unpleasant areas of your outdoor kitchen. Dirty dishes, trash receptacles and the like can be cleverly concealed by careful placement of cabinetry, overhangs and partitions.

• Keep an eye on air circulation patterns and set up your kitchen facilities so that smoke moves away from guests. Outdoor ventilator hoods are available, but the most effective mode is locating your grill to take advantage of wind direction to move smoke away from your party. Careful placement of trees, shrubbery, and trellises will help divert smoke and obscure everyday kitchen messes.

• Surfaces and foundations. Contractors recommend a solid, level surface for outdoor kitchens that include more than a grill. Pavers, cement, or stone on level ground are ideal. Raised decks will most often require added reinforcement when equipped with more than a grill.

• Don't forget the extra touches that pull it all together. A collection of sturdy outdoor furniture offers comfort and style. Trellises covered with vines, perennial borders, and trees add bold color and extra shade. Place pots of rosemary and basil near your grill to provide zesty last-minute additions to your dishes. The right lighting lets you party until the wee hours and adds a festive glow.

Keeping it comfy when there's a chill in the air

"You can really extend the season here in the Midwest if you have an outside heat source," says Cregness. Portable fire pits and heaters are available in many sizes and price ranges and can quickly expand your comfort options. Outdoor fireplaces, either gas or wood, are also becoming increasingly popular. The advantage of a gas fireplace is that you can flip a switch and have instant ambiance with time left over to sip a glass of Pinot Grigio. A wood fireplace challenges you to get a fire going, but you'll have the crackling embers, the spicy wood scent, and the chance to roast a few marshmallows if you like.

With an outdoor kitchen you can start your season early and keep it going into early winter. You can be a good host (and a good parent) and still have some fun yourself. And at the end of the day when the boats are docked, and the little ones are in their pajamas, you can savor extra time outside watching the sun go down. Just relax in front of the fire, knowing that your guests have easy access to food and beverages, and there's really no need to go inside-yet! 

Suppliers:

Hoigaards; 952-929-1351; Distributor of outdoor kitchen products, including outdoor fireplaces, portable heaters, gazebos, furniture, outdoor appliances and cabinetry.

LakeView Appliance Distributing; 952-934-5155; Distributor of Viking Products, including outdoor grills, warming drawers, ventilation hoods, refrigerated beverage centers, and stainless steel cabinetry.

Outdoor Kitchens, Inc; 952-476-1419; Designs and installs outdoor kitchens, including landscaping.

Warners' Stellian; 651-645-3481; Minnesota's Appliance Specialists have been selling appliances since 1971.

By Joni Danzl