Central Oregon Exterior Design | Outdoor Kitchens

Kitchens al Fresco

OUTDOOR COOKING TODAY transcends the old Weber grill and charcoal briquettes. The longtime family tradition has been elevated to a new level: the outdoor kitchen. “Outdoor kitchens are becoming more popular in Central Oregon as people look for ways to connect their homes with the outdoors and extend their time outside,” says Greg Garrick, marketing and sales manager with Norman Building & Design in Bend.

An outdoor fireplace or chiminea can add warmth to cool summer evenings while extending the enjoyment of an outdoor kitchen from early spring into the fall and winter months. “With a fireplace or heater outside, guests can embrace the outdoors for cooking and entertaining even if there’s snow on the ground,” Garrick says.

An outdoor kitchen may be as simple as a patio table, a grill and a counter-high cabinet for storage and food serving. Or it can be as ambitious as an indoor kitchen, with a grill, a refrigerator, an oven, a sink and tiled countertops for buffet-style serving. What goes into an outdoor kitchen depends on your entertaining requirements, your budget and your space constraints.

The key factor in a successful outdoor kitchen of any size is location. It should be accessible and convenient to the house, placed as near as possible to the main kitchen. You can harmonize outdoor and indoor spaces by using the same masonry as in the home or by matching the exterior countertop with that of the interior kitchen (or even with pool tiles). If you can visually draw guests outdoors as part of the flow of the house, you’ll add a sense of space and create an airy “great room” for entertaining and relaxing.

“An island or bar turns the deck into another room,” says Tim Mageau, owner of Outdoor Kitchens of Bend. “It provides counter space for preparing foods and a place for guests to sit and gather while the host is cooking.” Mageau advises orienting the counter to face the grilling surface, creating an efficient mini-galley or U-shaped kitchen that is inviting for guests and a good barrier for children playing in the backyard. The addition of a sink is a wise choice, too; among other things, it helps with cleanup.

The grill is the anchor of an outdoor kitchen, much like the stove in an indoor kitchen. Charcoal or gas grills may be free-standing or built into noncombustible stone, brick or tile for more permanence. Choose a grill with ample surface and plenty of heat capacity. Adding a side burner or wok opens the door to a variety of cooking styles and enables you to heat sauces, boil corn or sauté onions. Position the grill to allow for easy access to other outdoor kitchen elements, as well as gas lines and propane tanks.

Refrigerators and icemakers, UL-rated and specifi cally designed for open-air use, add to the convenience of an outdoor kitchen, says Jim Chapel of Johnson Brothers Appliances in Bend. An under-counter unit is best: It is out of sight and handy for storage. What’s more, it limits traffi c to the indoor refrigerator to replenish beverages during a party.

“Determine the quality and durability of the appliance that is in your price range,” Chapel advises. “From there, it’s a matter of styling and the look you’re trying to achieve.” Other frills are worth considering. Tucked into a brick or stone island, an outdoor pizza oven can bring an Old World custom to a trendy new outdoor kitchen. Garrick also suggests “a built-in television in the outdoor kitchen. It’s a popular option and complements the outdoor greatroom appeal.”

Is the addition of an outdoor kitchen likely to increase the value of a home? “Absolutely!” says Garrick. “People embrace an outdoor living space that is well-designed and has purpose. It’s a main part of why many people move to Central Oregon and how they expect to live here.” Indeed, an outdoor kitchen enhances everyone’s pleasure in the casual Central Oregon lifestyle.

Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

Before you contact a builder or start to design an outdoor kitchen, give some thought to the following questions:

How big is the space you’ve allotted?

What is its proximity to indoor rooms, including the kitchen, bathroom and den?

Are you planning to use your outdoor kitchen to entertain large groups, to host small gatherings with friends or merely for an occasional family barbecue?

How often do you plan to use the outdoor kitchen? Is it weekly, monthly or twice a year for business purposes?

Do you want to entertain outdoors only during the warmer months or do you want to use the kitchen  yearround?

What types of foods do you like to cook? It makes a difference whether you’re grilling a quick steak or frying a whole turkey.