Alfresco grills and appliances are the perfect equipment to complete your backyard oasis. Made in the U.S. with high commercial grade 18SR stainless steel, Alfresco appliance and grill properties include:

-High temperature resistance of about 2,000 degrees

-Unaffected by regular heating and cooling

- Rust and oxidation resistant

Whether you are looking to have a small or large outdoor kitchen, Alfresco and Dali Homes can help piece together all that you need to make it a dream come true. Call Dali Homes today or visit our showroom!

Alfresco – Designing the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen

There are many options one needs to consider when it comes to cooking appliances, especially for the outdoors. There are too many companies out there that compromise quality when it comes to their products. Instead of settling for an inferior product, consider a company who has created a complete line of quality grills and kitchen items designed specifically for the rigors of the outdoors. Alfresco does just that.

Alfresco’s number one priority is designing a professional level grilling & kitchen area. They have been building & designing commercial kitchen appliances for some of the country’s top restaurants & hotels for over 30 years. Now, the innovative creators have designed their product line to be part of your home – with the same features & efficiency. These include:

- U.S. made stainless steel materials

- Prep/waste center

- Food warmers

- Plating & garnishing center

- Bartending center

- Outdoor rated refrigerator/kegerator

Call Dali Homes Today!

At Dali Homes, we consider all your cooking needs to create a customized outdoor kitchen. You will truly love cooking in the fresh, open-air of your own backyard! Being stuck cooking indoors will become a thing of the past. So let Dali Homes, along with Alfresco, create a great outdoor getaway with a top culinary experience. Have a resort in you own backyard! Remember, there’s no place like home. Call us for a free in-home estimate at (713) 939-1934, or visit our showroom located at 13722 N.W. Freeway (290) Suite B. Houston, TX 77040.

 www.DaliHomes.com

 www.AlfrescoGrills.com

Weather can sometimes be hard to predict. But one thing is certain: Kitchens are taking the outdoors by storm.

“I’m certainly seeing an upsurge in requests for outdoor kitchens,” says Cyndi Haaz, a Montgomeryville, PA-based designer. “Five years ago, nobody even heard of an outdoor kitchen. Now, people realize that they can spend four or five months outside here–and it’s a lot more comfortable to entertain.”

Enlarge photo

The outdoor kitchen is all about lifestyle, allowing you to bring both comfort and design to a natural setting. And an ever-growing variety of fixtures and accessories makes it easy to create a convenient cooking space. Outdoor refrigerators, storage drawers, sinks and faucets allow you to spend your time outside rather than running back and forth from the house to the grill.

“Many outdoor living rooms include lounges or sofas, televisions and/or sound systems, fireplaces or fire pits, and a pool or game area” says designer Kim Sweet. “Even if budget doesn’t allow for these features now, proper planning can make them easier to add later.”

Weather Matters

When it comes to planning an outdoor kitchen, homeowners are wise to start by considering their local weather patterns. Wind, rain, and humidity all play a role in determining your kitchen’s site placement and design, whether you’re planning new construction or adding on.

Enlarge photo

In the hot and humid South, for example, it’s all about taking advantage of any and all available shade. “Consider shade cast by trees, buildings, or other structures/plantings,” says Susan Serra, CKD, author of The Kitchen Designer blog. “Note the sun’s exposure at your desired site … an optimum design would have the kitchen situated in a northern exposure.”

In Nashville, TN, comfortable outdoor living is limited to just a few weeks a year due to “bug infestation and high humidity,” says designer Deborah Burnett. Nevertheless, she says that outdoor kitchens are a popular feature in the region, especially among homes that are larger than 5,000 square feet.

Although its weather varies depending whether you’re in L.A. or Colorado, the West does have advantages. “The much lower humidity level is more tolerable and will allow a southern exposure in some areas that would otherwise be prohibitive in the deep South,” Serra explains.

Be sure to place grills out of the path of prevailing winds. This detail is often overlooked until smoke from the grill has already blackened nearby walls, seeped into the home, or bedeviled guests.

Enlarge photo

Location, Location

If you’re inspired to add an outdoor kitchen to your existing home, make sure it works with the home’s overall style.

“Site selection is an important part of planning an outdoor kitchen,” says designer Ann Porter, CKD. “The new kitchen should tie into the architecture and materials of the home. Careful planning and a little landscaping can make a new kitchen look like it’s always been there.”

Before you select your locale, think about how you will use your kitchen. Does your climate allow you to be outside frequently throughout the year? Do you plan to cook alone or will others help out? Do you need work stations for each stage of meal preparation? Answering these questions will help you determine how large your kitchen should be, and what to include in your plans.

Enlarge photo

Building onto an existing deck or terrace is an easy way to tie your kitchen into the rest of your home. Just be sure to keep the grill far enough away from the home to avoid smoke or heat damage. If you’re planning to build in a city environment, be sure to check your local building codes. “An outdoor kitchen can be on the deck/lanai of a high rise building if an exhaust hood with a fire suppression unit is installed,” says Porter.

If you plan on using your kitchen year round, you might want to consider an overhang to shelter the area from rain. Overhead lighting and a fireplace can create a comfortable atmosphere, even on chilly days.

Functional Features

Once you’ve chosen your location, it’s time to consider features. At its most minimal, an outdoor kitchen can consist of a grill, work surface, and dining area, but additional amenities can maximize its use and appeal.
An outdoor refrigerator allows you to keep cold food and beverages right next to the grill or pool area. A side burner is another handy option–you can grill kabobs and boil corn without having to run back and forth to the house. And when it’s time to fill pots or wash hands, a sink and faucet are welcome amenities–just be sure to accommodate water hookups.

When it comes to features, homeowners are tailoring their spaces to their lifestyles and including little luxuries. “Outdoor kitchens are becoming more personalized,” says Porter.

Enlarge photo

“Cooks are adding pizza ovens, teppanyaki grills and smokers. [Many] also have weatherproof televisions and speakers.”

Fancy features are great, but comfort is just as important. When considering seating and other amenities, think like you’re designing a living room where you want everyone to be comfortable and relaxed.

Whatever furniture you choose, just be sure to blend your outdoor dining area with the surrounding landscape, as well as your home’s interior.

Designing for the Outdoors

“Use durable, low-maintenance and weather-resistant materials” says Sweet. Stone, concrete, honed, stainless steel and solid surface or acrylic-based materials are both durable and easy to wipe down.

Enlarge photo

And don’t be afraid to use a bit of color. A sand-toned sink blends in better with the outdoors than stark white. But again, the most important thing is to match your fixtures with your existing home décor.

When it comes to the faucet, matte finishes like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze can help hide the natural collection of dust and debris that gathers in the outdoors.

The trend in outdoor kitchens is headed for “bigger, better and more of them,” says Haas. “People are realizing that they not only expand the size of the living space, but having two kitchens adds to the value of a home.”

In California, outdoor kitchens are so much the rage that realtors are factoring them into the square footage of houses, taking the notion of “bringing the outdoors in” to a whole new level.

View Full Article by Kohler