Upscale grills in the spotlight on high-style patios of today

Melissa Howell, OPUBCO Communications Group

Should it be a kitchen or a living room? That's what many homeowners wonder when it comes to planning the outdoor space that used to be just the backyard.

Today's patio can take on multiple personalities with furniture suitable even for formal entertaining and upscale appliances, including built-in refrigerators and wine chillers. Regardless of the design, the grill will occupy center stage.

Many of today's grills look as if they would be more at home in a high-end restaurant than out in the elements. And with their smoker boxes, electric rotisseries, high-temperature searing stations and LED lighting, these models might require cooks to get an advanced education to make the most of their food-prep potential.

But once mastered, today's grills create new cooking options that can be used all year long.

Sizzling sales The outdoor living trend has taken off in Oklahoma City for good reason.

"With a great climate almost year-round for outdoor entertaining, more people are seeing the benefit of adding to their home on the outside," said Scott Grigsby, owner of Everything Barbeque at 13833 N May, which recently expanded to include a barbecue "gallery."

People also are thinking larger, said Doug Mackey, sales manager at Rick's House of Fire, 333 W Britton.

"Outdoor kitchens are definitely getting larger," Mackey said. "People are doing more outdoors with their kitchens - using big grills, refrigerators. We're seeing warming drawers and icemakers become more popular, too.

"We've seen a 15- to 20-percent increase in business over the past couple of years," he said. "People are staying home more. Travel has changed. First it was 9/11. Now, it's fuel efficiency."

Many households own multiple grills with specialized functions, allowing adventurous cooks to go far beyond the basic burgers and brats.

"A house may have a regular grill and a smoker, too, for low-temperature cooking," said Leslie Wheeler, communications director for the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association. "That gives you more flexibility to cook outdoors."

With new features being added annually, it's not surprising that frequent turnover has become a fact of life in the backyard cooking scene. The latest association survey found that fickle outdoor chefs are holding onto their grills an average of only two to three years.

"People definitely are trading up," Wheeler said.

Shiny and new And, these days, there's a lot to trade up to. Homeowners' preference for top-line cooking appliances for their indoor kitchens has moved outdoors, and big-ticket appliance makers are following quickly.

For example, Viking Range Corp., the manufacturer of commercial-quality indoor-kitchen equipment, now offers a full line of outdoor-kitchen equipment, as well.

This includes a number of tricked-out grills starting at $1,600 and climbing to $6,000 and higher, all in a stainless steel finish.

Infrared "searing" burners also are becoming common for sealing in juices and creating restaurant-style char marks.

"Cooking on an infrared burner takes a little practice, because it's very hot and very intense," Wheeler said. "But they're wonderful, because they cook the food so fast."

Even midmarket mainstay Weber has gotten into the high-end act with its Summit line of stainless steel, four- and six-burner models topping out at $2,500. One model features a center "sear station" that reaches a temperature of 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

Looking to upgrade? If you're looking to trade up, Grigsby offers these tips.

If you're shopping for a patio island online or at a store, ask questions about the construction. Some manufacturers use plain mortar with no additives to fasten the tile. It doesn't hold up under extreme weather conditions, and, after a while, the tile will release from the mortar.

Check the frame construction. Some builders use thin, 20-gauge galvanized stud material. It is too soft and flexible over the long haul. Welded, painted, square tubing is about 10 times stronger. It will never bend or sag.

Make sure that porcelain tile is used on the surface. Porcelain's water absorption rate is only 0.03 percent, and it is frost-proof. Some vendors are using bathroom tile and slate. Neither are good choices for outdoor applications. They absorb a great deal of water and may fall off after a freeze.