"Grilling takes the formality out of entertaining. Everyone wants to get involved."
"I love the culture of grilling. It creates an atmosphere that is festive, but casual."
Bobby Flay

When my husband, my chocolate dachshund, and my cockatiel made the long trek from snowy, windy Boston in January of 1999 to Arizona to join my family, they promised that we would have a BBQ celebration when we finally arrived. We laughed and played along.

During the enlightening, yet arduous trip to the Southwest, we encountered many surprises. Even my dog who was wearing snow booties just a week earlier, was shocked when he got out of the car in New Mexico to take care of business and there was not even a patch of grass in sight. He somehow found burrs in his paws, and refused to leave the car until we got to our final destination. One of our surprises was when we actually joined our family, we realized that they were serious about the grilling party.

As Arizona residents, we realize that our grilling season doesn't begin on Memorial Day and end on Labor Day. But do we take full advantage of that fact (other than to show off in front of visiting friends and family)?

One of the greatest lifestyle investments an Arizona resident can make is to build an outdoor grilling area. This is more than just rolling a grill outside to an unused portion of your yard. A well-planned, well-equipped outdoor grilling kitchen will actually beckon to you ."Come cook outside .plan an outdoor party!"

The investment will be more than just a lifestyle investment. "It has been reported that outdoor grilling areas, dollar-for-dollar, have better resale value than a kitchen or bathroom in your home," says Jason Carpenter, Anthem resident and co-owner of White Elephant Custom Landscapes, along with brother Brian Miller. "One needs to be careful, however, not to go overboard, though. Stick with natural materials in neutral colors. Keep it simple, with timeless materials and styles."

So if you are in the position to create an outdoor grill kitchen, and you are so inclined, read on before you make any concrete plans. You'll be glad you did!

Hot Off the Grill

The age-old question among people who participate in the act of grilling is "Charcoal or Gas?" While some people swear by the taste of a good, charcoal grilled steak, most amateur grillers as well as professionals will concur that the ease and practicality of being able to walk out to a gas grill and turn the knobs to fire it up is undeniable. Let's face it, superior taste or not, what good is a grill if you don't use it?

The other issue to consider is the actual control you have over the cooking process.

"I love using gas grills because they are easier to heat and it's much easier to control the flames with a gas grill than with a charcoal fire. Grilling is not just about lighting a fire," shared Bobby Flay. Assuming that a gas grill will be the more popular choice, a griller-to-be will want to make the best choice for his money. Mark Keogh, owner of Boyd's, formerly Maricopa Spas & BBQ explains "While grills like Viking get a lot of name recognition, there are other grills that perform as well or better that aren't as expensive." Keogh puts his money on Capital grills. "They're a good quality grill, they are competitively priced, come with a strong warranty, and allow commercial-quality cooking." Carpenter shares the same sentiment, but his favorite is American Outdoor Grill (AOG), which he calls a "staple grill". Both are sold at Boyd's, which also offers front yard as well as backyard design services. There are many "extras" that a prospective buyer can become preoccupied with, such as the option of a side burner, rotisserie, and smoker. Before making a final decision, ask yourself, "Have I ever used this before?" and "Will I use this on a regular basis?" Unless you hear yourself answer both questions with a resounding "yes" skip the extras!

Step by Step - Flooring & Countertops

Most of us do not build an outdoor grilling area while we are having our house built. It is usually an afterthought .the trick is not letting it look as though it was an afterthought. "If you have more than two types of flooring in your backyard, you are in danger of encountering the "bad remodel" look," said Carpenter. Carpenter even went as far as to say that one should blend style for both indoor and outdoor areas.

Countertops present the same design issues, but they also serve a very functional purpose. While you may be doing most of your preparation in your indoor kitchen, you may still use countertops to cut, slice, and hold the food you will be grilling. Things you should consider include using a material that is relatively easy to keep clean, and resists chipping.
"Flagstone is a popular choice, because it can also be coordinated with your flooring, however you need to keep in mind that there is a certain amount of upkeep involved, including sealing the stone on a regular basis," advised Carpenter. Carpenter said that other popular materials include granite and tile, however granite is very porous and is more likely to chip. Tiles tend to attract dust and dirt. "If you're adamant about granite, get tiles, and buy extra," suggests Carpenter. Keogh suggests having edges chisel-cut so that it looks more natural.

C'mon Baby, Light My Fire

When planning an outdoor grilling area, especially if it will be on the far side of a yard, lighting is always a question. Undoubtedly, you will be entertaining into the nighttime hours and visibility for both the griller and the dinner guests may be an issue.

There are a number of possibilities for your outdoor grill, including gooseneck deck-mounted lights for the grill itself, small sconces, and recessed lighting on the floor or ground.

"The main concern with lighting is trying to keep the lighting from being too bright. We live in Arizona , and bright lighting attracts all of the bugs we have here!" said Carpenter.

Baby, It's Cold Outside -- Refrigeration

An outdoor stainless steel, top-of-the-line refrigerator .it would be the ultimate high end accessory for your new outdoor kitchen, right? As long as you don't mind a few extra friends!

Outdoor refrigerators, no matter how nice, are notorious for attracting and housing rodents and other unwanted critters. Think about it .it is cool inside for critters looking for a cool place to retire to in the unrelenting Arizona summers, and it's warm underneath for nights and winter days.

There are a couple of alternatives that work very nicely in an outdoor grilling area. Both are considered "ice coolers", one is a drop-in cooler, the other, is contained in a pull out drawer. Either one will give you the convenience of cooling your food, without the added worries of high electric bills and unwanted visitors!

Moving to Arizona and not using an outdoor grill is like moving to Florida and not buying a bathing suit! But don't jump from the frying pan into the fire! Before heading out to purchase a grill and flagstone, work with a professional on the overall plan and incorporate it into a greater design scheme. Before choosing a professional contractor, know who they are, and what they have done in the past.

Once you have a strong, well-built, well-equipped outdoor kitchen, you and your loved ones will reap the benefits for years to come!

Info>

White Elephant Custom Landscapes 623.810.1830; www.whiteelephantcustomlandscapes.com

B.O.Y.D's (Backyard Of Your Dreams; Formerly Maricopa Spas & BBQ's)
42407 N. Vision Way #115
Anthem , AZ 85086
Across from Wal-Mart; On the west side of I-17

Outdoor Grilling Tips

• If you haven't grilled for a while, examine hoses and valves for cracks and leaks.
• Install or place grill on level ground at least ten feet away from a house or any other structure.
• Make sure the area near the grill is free from an combustible materials
• Never use a grill indoors or in any enclosed area, including a garage, because dangerous carbon monoxide gas can accumulate to unhealthy levels
• When lighting a gas grill, always keep the lid open
• Always follow the manufacturers instructions that accompanied the grill