FOOD BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

Having family and friends come for dinner is very much the American dream. You can make it so much easier if you have an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens and barbeques do not need to be expensive. A small grill on wheels is less than $250. On the other hand, if you want to impress, a custom build outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles can cost $50,000 or more. Perhaps a more modest approach would be to buy a pre-fabricated outdoor kitchen and have it professionally installed, this would cost anywhere from $2000 to $30,000 Why is there such a huge range in price? Outdoor kitchens have many components and each component can be upgraded. Here are some considerations:

• Size: bigger outdoor kitchens and grills will cost more.
• Materials: countertops made of marble will cost more than those made of tile. Similarly, cabinets made with engineered, high-density polymer will cost more than those made of stainless steel.
• Appliances: A simple barbeque grill with a roll-away table will be cheaper than an outdoor kitchen fitted with a refrigerator, sink, grill, and stovetop burner.
• Flooring: Outdoor kitchens are not set on top of dirt: there is flooring. And, like indoor flooring, there are many choices of materials for your floors. Each type has its virtues (durability, ease of maintenance, style, color, and cost).
• Shade: Be kind to the chef by including a form of patio covering to provide shade. An umbrella is cheaper than a pergola or ramada.