The barbecue is going upmarket, reports Cherry Maslen

Outdoor kitchens are free-standing or built-in units with a shiny domed barbecue at their hub, but they are more, much more than a barbie.

They have ice-cold drinks fridges, sleek teppanyaki hotplates, granite work surfaces, stainless steel sinks and elbow-height counters for guests to admire the maestro as he or she conjures up the feast.

 

You can order bar stools, and overhead canopies, or even Polynesian-style grass roofs, to keep the party going if the weather turns British.

"We've installed them for celebrities and premiership footballers," says Craig Ormiston, director of Fire Magic, which makes top-of-the range versions.

"It's still quite a new idea in this country but we've had double the inquiries this year as people spend money on their homes rather than investing it.

"Our outdoor kitchens range from £6,000 to £20,000 depending on size and extras, but you can buy the units separately and build one into your garden with bricks," Ormiston says.

The most basic version of the outdoor kitchen is a barbecue and storage space for equipment and a preparation area built into a wall (a competent DIYer could manage it).

A stainless steel barbecue with two cupboards either side for equipment and waste bin, with work surfaces on top, is yours for £2,295 from Barmans Ltd and can be delivered to your door, ready to use.

A pioneer of the outdoor kitchen in Britain is Spyros Sparsis, of Barbecue Island, who says he has installed them everywhere from large houses in the country to roof terraces in cities.

"We sell substantial ones with canopies, seating eight people around the counter, at up to £20,000 and small ones from £2,500 which fit on roof terraces," he says. "Some customers don't want to leave them behind when they move so we get asked to move about 10 a year."

At the upper end of the market, Harry Sheppard, of Strutt & Parker's country house department, has seen them as part of swimming pool and tennis court entertainment areas. "They're very glitzy, especially in elevated spots with great views," he says. "It's not that they add much monetary value but they make a house more saleable; they have a lot of appeal."

Outdoor kitchens will be on view at the National Home Improvement Show at London's Earls Court on October 2-4.

"Entertaining at home has become the new dining out, so making more of outside space is increasingly popular," says show spokesman and home improvement expert Michael Holmes.

But if you don't have a pool and tennis combo, isn't it a bit daft to have an outdoor kitchen just beyond the walls of the indoor one?

"Not at all," says Sparsis. "Imagine coming home from work and stepping straight outside to grill some prawns and have a glass of wine.

"Being outdoors is a different experience, more relaxing. The whole idea is that it should be simple and easy, with everything there ready for you."

 

• www.gardeneco.co.uk

Hot facts

• More men than women buy outdoor kitchens, but women like the concept (and the fact they won't be doing the cooking).

• Outdoor kitchens can be permanent structures or movable.

• Most are modular – you can add extras such as teppanyaki hotplates.

• They use Calor gas but can also run off mains gas.

• Costs are between £2,300-£20,000.

• Position outdoor kitchens where you do most entertaining, with a good view of the garden and not too close to neighbours.

• If the site is far from the house, you'll need an outdoor kitchen with fridge, sink and storage.

• Kitchens are built to withstand winter weather but protective covers are available.

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