Photo:: Ray Kachatorian
Photo: courtesy: Dacor
Photo: courtesy: Lakeside Manufacturing
Photo: courtesy: Marvel Industries
Photo: courtesy: Dynamic Cooking Systems
Photo: courtesy: Viking
Layout Pointers
Any good kitchen plan is configured to let the cook move effortlessly within the work triangle: in the kitchen shown above, from fridge to grill to pizza oven. (Many outdoor kitchens, like this one, don't have sinks due to the added expense of extending water and waste lines from the house.) This design also creates a path for transporting food from the work area to the dining table. In planning an outdoor kitchen, be sure to check local building and fire safety codes. Zoning laws may restrict size and location, and fire codes dictate clearance requirements between an open flame and a combustible surface.
The Extras: Sizzle Saver
This electric full-extension oven drawer keeps plates of food hot until ready to serve. Temperature settings range from 100° to 200° F; a built-in four-hour timer automatically shuts off the heat at a preset time.
About $650, from Dacor; www.dacor.com.
The Extras: Bus Stop
A rolling cart comes in handy for shuttling meal fixings or tableware outside or in. This one has three tiers of restaurant-quality stainless steel and ½-
inch casters. About $230, from Lakeside Manufacturing;www.elakeside.com .
The Extras: Drinks on Tap
An outdoor dispenser keeps draught beer cold, fresh, and within easy reach. At 34 inches high, this stainless steel unit holds half- or quarter-kegs.
It can be built in, so the tap protrudes from the countertop, or left freestanding. Casters optional. About $2,790, from Marvel Industries;
www.marvelindustries.com.
The Extras: Hot Idea
A portable patio heater lets you dine outdoors when the weather's cool. This stainless steel tower projects a 20-foot circle of heat; sturdy wheels let you roll it where you need it. Available with
gas or propane power, and in stainless steel, black, or dark- green finish. About $750, from Dynamic Cooking Systems; www.dcsappliances.com.
Where There's Smoke
This pro-style, stainless steel smoker looks like a gas grill but burns charcoal for authentic smoked flavor. The ceramic interior maximizes heat retention, and a thermometer on the hood allows for easy temperature monitoring. The unit can be built into a custom kitchen or set in a rolling steel cart (as shown here). This 41-inch cart has two fold-down side shelves, a storage drawer, a tool and towel rack, and two gas burners for a quick flame.
About $4,000, from Viking; www.vikingrange.com.
