Bring the sizzle

Barbecuing has long been a part of the Kiwi summer experience, but more and more people want to take their al fresco cooking to the next level with a built-in outdoor kitchen. So what elevates an outdoor space from basic barbecue area to kitchen status? According to James Higgins, general manager of Outdoor Concepts, it’s your cooking set-up.

“People who are shopping for outdoor kitchens are looking for the ability to cook outside in a more sophisticated way, not necessarily on your typical barbecue,” he says. “Although Kiwis are used to barbecue cooking, a standard barbecue doesn’t always create a great cooking dynamic. Low-cost models are prone to grease fires and they cook food poorly. Built-in barbecues look great and also create that smoky flavour and outdoor ambience you can’t get inside.”

Outdoor kitchens take the fun, open-air vibe of a barbecue and add the convenience and elegant cooking experience of preparing food indoors. If you have the budget to build one, they really are the best of both worlds.

The planning

Use these six questions to help you come up with a clear plan for your outdoor kitchen before