Outdoor kitchens take the heat

Things heating up in the kitchen? Go outside.

More folks than ever are turning decks and patios into outdoor kitchens, according to Clay Dennis, president of Southern Hearth and Patio.

The trend began in the 1990s when homeowners began to build use-specific rooms, such as home theaters, bars and gyms, Mr. Dennis said.

“Now people have realized that a fully equipped grilling area can be just as useful,” he said. “Instead of dad grilling while kids play and mom cooking indoors while guests are split all over the place, everyone can enjoy each other’s company.”

Robert and Boots Holcombe built their Cummings Cove home three years ago. At the time, it had a multilevel patio extending from the kitchen in the back of the house. It was perfect for entertaining, but it didn’t take long for the couple to think about extending the kitchen outside.

So work began, and now the Holcombes use the patio kitchen more than they do their interior kitchen.

“I don’t cook anything inside anymore, except for cakes and bread,” Mrs. Holcombe said. “And I could do my bread on the top warmer of the grill, but it’s just easier to pop it in the inside oven. I cook year-round out here. I can walk out of my kitchen into my kitchen.”

The design is such that the outside kitchen appears as an extension of the inside kitchen,

with only a floor-to-ceiling window separating the interior granite countertops to the matching countertop outside. Cabinetry is identical in both kitchens as well.

Certain details are necessary to fully realize an outdoor kitchen, Mr. Dennis said. Among them are a water source and a cooktop. The Holcombes have both.

Their state-of-the-art Fire Magic gas grill is the largest the company makes, Mrs. Holcombe said. It’s perfect for entertaining on a large scale, as they often do. Overhead, an exhaust fan was installed beneath cherry cabinets.

Other appliances and construction details that make this kitchen more than just a grilling station include a double-gas burner next to the grill sink with soap dispenser; an under-counter, pullout garbage can; commercial ice maker; small refrigerator; and side bar that seats four. Additional seating is a few steps down on a ground-level patio.

“Outdoor kitchens are so convenient,” Mrs. Holcombe said. “I love being able to simply walk outside and start cooking. And I can enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains.”