APPLIANCES AND OTHER OPTIONS FOR OUTDOOR KITCHENS

Grilling in the backyard on a summer day for your family or guests is a great tradition. Having to go back and forth to your indoor kitchen to get food, utensils, and other things isn’t fun. That’s why many people prefer to have a kitchen in their backyard. Is an outdoor kitchen right for me? If you answer “yes” to any of the following, an outdoor kitchen may be right for you:* You grill often* You grill large amounts of food* You have a deck or patio that you want to get more use out of* You want to grill more elaborate or sophisticated food* You cook so much in the summer time that it heats up your house, even with the air conditioning on Flexibility or Permanence? If you want the flexibility of rearranging things on your patio, get a grill with wheels. If you want a permanent place for the grill, you can add cabinets and counter space around it. You, of course, will need a weatherproof cover for the cooking area. What are some options to consider for an outdoor kitchen? Many options are available for outdoor kitchens. The Viking Craftsman can help you decide which ones to select.* Devices to control insects and keep birds away* Electrical outlets for music players and small appliances* Exhaust hood to control grill smoke* Food thermometers to check the various temperatures needed for foods* Grilling baskets for vegetables and other food* Ice machine — no need to go back into the house to fix that drink* Lighting, including direct light for the grilling area and clip-on lighting for the grill itself* Oven — can be gas or electric — for baking such food as pizza, or for warming food prepared earlier* Patio heaters — very useful if you have cookouts during cooler months* Side burner — to heat water or sauces while you are grilling* Sink with water coming from a connected hose* Small refrigerator to keep food until it’s going to be grilled* Well-designed tongs for turning food over without breaking it