This summer, don’t just plan on eating outdoors, plan on preparing an entire meal outdoors using an outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens rapidly are becoming the No. 1 item on homeowners’ wish lists. Just what is an outdoor kitchen, and what makes them so popular? Take a look at any indoor kitchen and envision the same design transferred to the outside. An outdoor kitchen consists of cooking space, food preparation space, storage cabinets, a refrigerator and a place to eat. And don’t forget the lighting, the sound system and perhaps the bug-zapper.

In the past, a backyard typically had a barbecue and picnic table. The food was prepared indoors and then taken outside to the barbecue for cooking. Several more trips in and out of the house were necessary to set the table and supply the side dishes and condiments. The concept of an outdoor kitchen adds the bells and whistles to create an ambiance for comfortable outdoor living and entertaining.

This trend is so popular that HGTV is airing its third version of “Sizzling Outdoor Kitchens” on June 23. Locally, Nampa Appliance is building an Outdoor Kitchen Showroom, which hopefully will be completed later this summer. And Tom Vaughan, owner of Patio Pleasures, Inc., in Boise, says the market is booming for outdoor kitchens. As one of the largest patio companies in the Northwest, Patio Pleasures sells prefabricated as well as custom-designed outdoor kitchens, including everything from a variety of grills to the furniture.

Several factors need to be considered for an outdoor kitchen: size, location, wind direction, shade and access to electric and/or gas hook-ups, just to name a few.

Utilizing an existing outdoor patio is the most cost-effective choice for size and location of a kitchen. If the patio is covered, you will want to pay special attention to wind direction so smoke from the grill won’t go into the house or blacken your patio cover.

Exhaust fans are available on many newly designed grills to help with this issue.

If the patio is not covered, steps should be taken to protect outdoor kitchen equipment during bad weather. If you want to build an outdoor kitchen on an existing deck, double-check the weight allowance and add more support to the deck if necessary. When you start planning for lighting, plumbing or gas lines for the grill, check with professionals for regulations, safety and possible building permits.

Outdoor kitchens usually consist of three design shapes. The island-shaped kitchen is compact and provides a grill, counter space for food preparation and a refrigerator. The larger L-shaped kitchen adds more counter space, storage space and seating. The U-shaped kitchen, being the largest design, provides ample space for preparing, cooking and serving food. The U-shaped and L-shaped kitchens have seating space — using bar stools — for two to six people.

The cost of an outdoor kitchen depends mainly on budget and talent. If you’ve got the talent and the time, an outdoor kitchen can cost roughly $3,000. If you’re lacking in the DIY category, plan on spending much more — possibly up to $30,000. If the sky’s the limit, go for the gusto and plan on $60,000 to $100,000 for a luxurious outdoor kitchen. The extravagance of the design and the selection of products used for the project will determine the final cost.

An outdoor kitchen can be a simple and somewhat portable creation, and products for it can be purchased almost anywhere patio supplies and furniture are sold. Or your outdoor kitchen can be a permanent structure that adds value to your home. Almost anything can be purchased or built to suit your style and budget. Enjoy the outdoors!