By michael vivar
Backyard cooking has changed drastically in the past two decades. It no longer revolves around a domed charcoal grill on a tripod.
Americans in certain economic strata are increasingly spending tens of thousands of dollars on outdoor kitchens with all the amenities of their indoor counterparts.
The choices of cooking features and accoutrements are vast. Here are some essential elements for versatile outdoor kitchen ideas.
A grill can be fueled by portable propane tanks or plumbed into a natural gas line. Before purchasing, confirm whether the model is freestanding or just the grill head that needs a kitchen island base.
While steaks and fish are cooking on the main grill, a side burner is a great accessory for preparing sauces or sautéing vegetables.
Any aficionado will swear there is a difference between barbecue and grilling. Smokers cook low and slow using indirect heat from wood chips that imbue complex flavor.
These are a more recent offering from high-end brands. Outdoor pizza ovens alone can cost $10,000 or more. Pizza making skills are essential, otherwise it's an expensive decoration.
Many outdoor cooks like the convenience of countertops that eliminate the need to run back and forth to the house for prep work. Quartz is a cost-effective alternative material to granite or marble.
Having cooking utensils and grill cleaning products close at hand precludes scrambling for them. Some brands offer refrigerated drawers for produce and cold beverage storage.
The phrase, "…everything but the kitchen sink" doesn't hold with outdoor cooking setups. There are inexpensive models available. The main cost for these is installing plumbing.
Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with an outdoor cook's schedule. Outdoor rated retractable umbrellas will protect against a sweltering sun or pouring rain.