It can be said that one of life’s great joys is sharing a meal with family and friends. We believe that the experience is even better outdoors. Having the right outdoor cooking space - one that’s designed for the way you cook and entertain - can make all the difference. And the happier you are cooking outdoors, the more you will enjoy your outdoor space, and use it more than in just the balmy days of summer. In fact, here are 5 ways an outdoor kitchen can extend the use of your outdoor spaces in Cortlandt Manor and Peekskill, NY.
Related: 5 MASONRY IDEAS FOR MAKING YOUR NEW OUTDOOR KITCHEN THE BEST ONE IN YOUR YORKTOWN, NY, NEIGHBORHOOD
1. A Warm Place to Gather
The key here is to provide a heat source for your guests while you cook them a feast. This could come in the form of a patio heater; but, you could go the extra mile and add a gorgeous masonry fireplace as part of your cooking space. Positioning the fireplace so that it warms the dining area (there’s typically more heat in the kitchen itself) will keep your friends and family toasty warm while they enjoy this special time together.
2. A Delicious Surprise
If you’re already adding an outdoor fireplace to your alfresco cooking area, why not incorporate a wood-fired pizza oven into the design? This way, you could feed more people. Who can resist the aroma of freshly baking pizza, after all? As well, a wood-fired pizza oven puts out a fair amount of heat, which will contribute to the already cozy atmosphere.
3. Cooking Out of the Heat
Installing a pergola or a pavilion over your outdoor kitchen is a way to enjoy the experience of cooking without baking in the blazing hot summer sun. A pergola, with its open sides and open roof, will provide cooling shade and plenty of air flow. If you would like to continue enjoying your outdoor living spaces later into the year, consider a pavilion. Like a pergola, it has open sides but a solid roof which will provide shelter when it’s raining. Both pergolas and pavilions can be any size you like. This means you could provide shelter for the outdoor kitchen only (perfect if your outdoor kitchen has bar seating) or for a dining and seating area as well.
4. Bar Seating
One of the most fun ways to enjoy cooking for friends and family is if they are part of the action (but not in the cook’s way). Adding bar seating to your outdoor kitchen could be the ideal solution. Even if you have a simple grill station, adding a bar peninsula will provide additional prep space as well as a place for guests to sit. Most, but not all, full outdoor kitchens already have bar seating; but if yours doesn’t, adding bar seating could open up your patio by eliminating the need for a traditional dining table.
5. Fire Table
Combine the best of both worlds (sharing meals with friends and family) and the comfort of fire, with a gas-fueled fire table. The fire acts as a centerpiece, and there’s plenty of space for full place settings all the way around. Your fire table could be dining table height, or bar height. It’s the ultimate in sophistication if you love to entertain often! While a fire table won’t put out the same amount of heat as a fire pit or outdoor place, it’s enough to take the chill off and extend your outdoor entertaining season.
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