What ingredients will give mealtimes a change of scene? Outdoor kitchens are trending and come in options that run from basic to super sleek. Which best suits your chef personality?
The ante has been upped on cooking al fresco.
Many covet outdoor kitchens complete with wine cooling fridges, freezer drawers for ice, sinks plumbed for hot and cold running water, and a barbecue that could compete with any of the stands at The Big Grill.
And then some of us just like the look and want to invest minimal time and money.
I just want to make some s'mores and order in the pizzas
You could buy a crème brulee torch for €23.99 at Lenehan’s, but you need real flames to turn this into an event.
Designed and manufactured in Niigata, Japan, Snow Peak’s pack and carry fire is made of sturdy stainless steel and is portable, which means you can use it in the back garden and take it camping, hiking or at the beach.
It folds flat for easy transportation and storage and integrates with a variety of cooking and grilling accessories for an all-in-one fire pit solution.
Available in four sizes, small for a solo camp, medium for a cosy couple, large (our classic size) good for groups of four and our extra-large for large gatherings.
Three sizes are available from Bergfreunde, the small, €154.95, is best for the solo chef, the medium, €259.95, for couples that cook, and the large, €329.95, is good for groups of four and upwards, two couples or a family.
I’m comfortable making pizza, but that’s about it
If you can do the dough faff, but that’s as far as your al fresco cooking skills want to stretch, the Gozney Arc XL can accommodate a 16-inch pie, which is done in jig time.
This is thanks to its lateral gas burner, which recreates a traditional wood-fired flame, giving high performance and precise control.
The built-in digital thermometer ensures you get the right kind of pie, be it thin-crust Neapolitan or deep-dish Chicago, cooked on a cordierite stone oven floor.
It costs €899 and comes in a bone colour as well as black, seen. The stand, also shown, costs an additional €599, all from North X South.
I cook, and want value outdoor kitchen vibes
The contemporary anthracite grey powder-coated galvanised steel Batskar is a new design from Ikea that features an integrated gas barbecue, with shelving, gas cylinder storage and a closed kitchen unit, that extends to 2.4 metres long, this is a smart set-up for those who’ve graduated beyond basic backyard cooking.
With closed storage, soft-closing hinges and sleek design. Invite family and friends to enjoy great flavours outdoors. It costs €1,250 from Ikea.
I cook and want to host in a space that has a fashion flavour
The fashion set may have fallen in love with the great outdoors, but they’d far prefer a decent cooling beverage than a dirty burger.
From a long drink like Palomo to a non-alcoholic elderflower fizz, all you need is good mixing skills, lots of ice, storage and access to running water.
The shroom-inspired B&Q Good Home Cucino comes in a powder-coated colour that is exactly the shade of portobello mushrooms and is as food adjacent as many fashionists ever want to get.
The steel outdoor kitchen cabinet unit with sink, which will need to be plumbed, costs €372 and is perfect for keeping a few bottles of rosé on ice.
I’ve earned a big bonus. I want to show off and have the gang over
At the top end of the market is Neptune’s Broadway, its first foray into this outdoor kitchen space.
Shown above and in the lead image, it retains the Neptune classic kitchen feel but has been re-engineered for the outside.
This means you can sync your interiors and exteriors to create a seamless transition from one to the other.
Available in its classic cactus shade of weather-proof and UV-resistant paint, with thermal-shock-proof Dekton worktop, the shaker design is made from marine-grade plywood and Accoya, a high-performance modified wood. It comes in seven cabinet styles.
Prices start from €14,000. Pre-order from Monday next, May 18th.
