Dan's Papers - Issue #4 - April 20, 2007

The Hamptons Expo Group will be holding the Hamptons Home and Garden Show at the Southampton Elks Lodge Fairgrounds from May 4-6. Sponsored in part by Dan's Papers the show is held as a way to provide home improvement solutions for homeowners and industrial professionals like builders, interior decorators and architects. The show was held for the first time in the summer of 2005 and proved to be a well-attended event on the East End. The Hamptons Expo Group plans on adding to the show each and every year for continued success.

The Expo is a source for finding new ways to enjoy outdoor space in the warmer seasons and to maximize your property's potential. One way to do that is with an outdoor kitchen, which has proven to be the latest trend in outdoor living. It is a great way to entertain and be entertained in an environment that is naturally durable, functional and beautiful.

The outdoor kitchen is growing in popularity because of its convenience to the homeowner. Barbeques and evening cookouts are one of the simple pleasures in the summer season. The smell of the food cooking on the grill is mouthwatering and everything seems to just taste better when it is grilled. Spending time outside is one of the true joys of being out here on the East End during the summer and it is hard not to have a good time - that is, unless you're the harried host running back and forth between the barbeque and the kitchen. Imagine having to run through the house to fetch the hotdogs and hamburgers, silverware, refreshments, and the ketchup and mustard. Then, when the night is over and everyone has headed home, everything must be lugged back inside. Outdoor kitchens make it easy to entertain and are also a great way to spice up your patio.

Having an outdoor kitchen will allow you to spend more quality time with family and friends, since it puts all the necessities for outdoor dining close at hand. An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a storage cabinet for cooking equipment or as ambitious as a full kitchen with a grill, refrigerator, sink and eating area. Either way, your backyard will gain an outside space that is sure to become a natural gathering spot for family and friends.

Outdoor kitchens can cost between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on the appliances and accessories that are on your budget. It will cost about $3,000 for an outdoor kitchen with a high quality grill and a six -foot long counter. Although it may be natural to compare an outdoor kitchen to the one in your house, there are a few key differences between the two. For instance, while a barbeque and counter space for preparing food are essential, a refrigerator and sink are not. Of course including them both can boost the value of your home, and may help the outdoor kitchen qualify as a second kitchen. Another key difference to keep in mind is that indoor kitchens, especially when remodeling, are designed to comply with a list of rules, regulations and warnings. Outdoor kitchens, however, are much more casual.

So how elaborate should your outdoor kitchen be? Again, it depends on what suits your family and budget. For example, if you barbecue only once a week in the summer, a good quality grill and a freestanding cabinet for storage would suffice. Most cabinet models are made with easy to clean surfaces like stainless steel because they are meant to hold up to the weather elements and corrosion. Grilling necessities can be stored in the cabinet until they need to be used. If you're the type who enjoys eating outside as much as possible, then you will probably want extra storage space such as an island or table for dining, If you're in the market for an outdoor kitchen, the Hamptons Home and Garden Show is the place for you to go. You can speak to professionals in the industry who can help you find exactly what you are looking for and will help you make your outdoor kitchen, the one you have always dreamed of.