HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
and bar height. The homeowner also has the option of selecting
wood‑ or gas-burning fire pits.
OUTDOOR KITCHENS –
FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T STAND THE HEAT
When the summer heats up, the prospect of slow-cooking
a roast or searing some ribs is just not as appealing when you
know it’s going to heat up your house and drive up your air
conditioning bill. Take a tip from our pioneer ancestors who
baked their bread and cooked their meats outdoors in the
summer in order to maintain a cool house. This simple idea can
really help keep your home cool during the dog days of summer,
while saving you money on energy costs.
With an outdoor oven and grill, barbeques can be a
spontaneous dinner idea, rather than a major event that must
be planned days in advance. The grilling process gives steaks,
chicken, fish and pork a wonderful smoked flavor, while reducing
the overall fat content.
And it’s not just meats that can benefit from grilling. Bell
peppers, onions, zucchini and tons of other vegetables take on a
wonderful flavor when tossed lightly with olive oil, wrapped in
foil and cooked on a grill.
With an outdoor kitchen, grilling is not just for summer either.
With a covering for rainy days and outdoor heating available, it
can be used virtually year round. Although just a simple oven and
grill can change the way you live, a sink with running water and
an added fridge can really make cooking outdoors convenient.
For entertaining, the outdoor kitchen offers a way that you
can spend time with your guests while preparing the meal.
There’s also an entire line of in-ground sound equipment and
specially made outdoor TVs for entertaining. The televisions are
completely waterproof and three times as bright as a normal TV,
so they can be viewed even in strong direct sunlight.
IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES
If your family always seems to be darting about in different
directions, perhaps a game room might entice them to spend a
bit more time at the old homestead.
A ping-pong table is a great way to get some exercise on rainy
days and evenings, and a Wii will also get your family off the
couch for a workout. If you’ve always thought you didn’t have
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