In this economy there's not much leftover spending money, backyards are the vacation of choice for many. Just open the door and there you are!
How to make your backyard a relaxing and fun refuge? The experts say good lighting, fire pits and good seating and/or dining spaces are essential. Don't forget the grill.
Making the backyard a fun place to relax will cost some money, but it will always be there, so it is an investment.
Is there space in the backyard for a mini-kitchen? A complete outdoor grilling area where you can cook a full meal is the new hot item in homes; entertaining and cooking while you and your family and friends are enjoying your wonderful backyard.
How about patio furniture? For a comfortable outdoor space, get rid of the old folding patio chairs. OutdoorSeating that is comfortable, and that you like, not seating that is on sale, is important if this is to be your new vacation spot. Buy patiofurniture that is waterproof and won't need sanding and staining or painting on a regular basis.
Even some summer evenings can get cool so fire pits are a great investment. There's nothing like a controlled fire in your backyard to enjoy on a regular basis. An in Massachusetts, gas fire pits are easy work and they extend your summer into the cooler nights of fall.
If you need help deciding what will work for your space, visit us at The Fireplace and Grill Shop at West Sport, conveniently located near Natick, Framingham and Marlborough. We can help you with ideas and design, and we’ll come to your home to measure too.
With the arrival of summer’s sultry days, grilling season is fast upon us.
Everywhere you look there are great new grill recipes, grilling gadgets, grilling sauces and, of course, the grills themselves. But none of these will do us any good if we have no idea how to use them.
So we talked to grilling expert Jamie Purviance and asked him for some tips.
Over the past few years, he's noticed some big changes in the way we grill.
``The repertoire's expanding quite a bit,'' he says. ``It used to be that the focus was on the meat and the main course, and the deserts and appetizers and side dishes were done in the kitchen. Now people are trying to do more and more of that kitchen stuff on the grill.''
We're grilling more ethnic foods and more vegetables, and we're using the grill more than ever for all sorts of entertaining. And that ties into the fact that grills, especially gas grills, are changing. They're practically outdoor kitchens, with rotisseries, extra burners and built-in refrigerators.
Along with the sophisticated grills are a whole bunch of sophisticated toys, such as silicone basting brushes, grill pans, griddles, smoke boxes for fragrant wood chips and the very handy Looftlighter. Charcoal purists will love this gadget, which blasts charcoal or wood with air heated to more than 1,000 F, igniting it in seconds without the need for lighter fluid.
In fact, charcoal is another big trend, especially with smoking food.
“Grilling is as thrilling as learning a new sport.''
Charcoal Purists
"If you're a charcoal purist, it's only a matter of time before you're going to get into smoking,'' Purviance says. "Think about getting a smoker or a Kamado Joe.'' The advantage of a smoker is that it maintains a low temperature for a really long time without the need to feed the fire. Also, get to know your charcoal - briquettes give you consistent, long-lasting heat, while lump charcoal has a more natural aroma and higher heat, but is more erratic and faster burning. The best results are if you use both.
One of the hottest trends in grilling these days is going meatless.
Where not so long ago lighting the grill meant steak or burgers, now it can mean anything from salad to dessert. After all, our grills are becoming outdoor kitchens, so why couldn't you cook anything on them you'd cook inside?
The demand for outdoor kitchens is heating up as the sluggish economy forces families to spend more time entertaining at home.
Five years ago, outdoor kitchens were rarely heard of here. But over the past year, the demand has skyrocketed.
People are spending more money on their homes rather than taking elaborate vacations. They want to make investments in their homes that will increase the resale value later on when they can sell.
At its most minimal, an outdoor kitchen can consist of agrill, 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.
When it comes to features, homeowners are tailoring their spaces to their lifestyles and including little luxuries. Cooks are adding ice-makers, pizza ovens, ceramic Japanese style grills, outdoor rotisseries, and smokers.
Another popular item is a 'kegerator,' ( by Twin Eagles) a cold tap for a beer keg, and granite is the top choice by customers for countertops.
If you plan on using your kitchen year round, consider an overhang to shelter the area from rain. Overhead lighting and a firepit can create a comfortable atmosphere, even on chilly days.
When entertaining a big crowd, outdoor kitchens allow you to keep everyone outside, and let you to mingle with your guests while cooking, to be a part of the party.
Homeowners are also spending on decks and stone paver patios.
West Sportin Sudbury works with grill manufacturers, paving companies and contractors to help you design the best outdoor kitchen and living space for your needs and your yard. Complete with a stone patio, outdoor kitchen, deck, firepit and landscaping, West Sport can also help incorporate furniture placement.
Drive by West Sport on route 20 in Sudbury and see the beautiful built in grill by Twin Eagles on our newly built patio.
Your second home, that summer place, is no farther away than the backyard. And where better to spend an evening as the sun sets and a breeze cools down the overheated city?
Rachel and Joe Allen are in the process of turning their backyard into a suburban oasis. They’re putting in a swimming pool and adding a patio and outdoor kitchen, along with new landscaping. They’ll bring in deck furniture to sit beside the pool, casual seating pieces and a new gas fire pit.
“We’re looking to create an outdoor-living environment and expand our livable space,” Joe Allen said. “We had a nicely landscaped yard, but there was no feature to draw you outside.”
High gasoline prices and a halting economy may have some families rethinking their vacation plans for this year and instead investing in new patio furniture and other accessories for at-home leisure and dining.
Patio-furniture manufacturers have improved on recent trends. And, people are extending their homes by bringing more seating outside.
Outdoor living is definitely on the rise. Global Industry Analysts Inc. predicts that, by 2015, U.S. consumers will spend more than $4.4 billion on outdoor furniture.
Americans have long loved to picnic in their backyards, adding outdoor kitchens and barbecue islands to the landscaping. But more and more, they’re making the great outdoors their summertime living room, as well.
Another trend that continues to gain traction is the fire pit, a perfect gathering spot for chilly evenings. They’re fueled by wood or propane and are turning up in both coffee and dining tables.
And many outdoor-furniture manufacturers are going “green.” Telescope Casual Furniture has a line of outdoor furniture made from marine grade polymer (MGP), which is completely recyclable and quite durable.
Backyard grilling is an American pastime. Choosing which grill to buy can be a challenge, and it is true: you get what you pay for.
Today’s most popular and versatile gas grills have lights, accessories, side burners and different fuel options: gas, propane and charcoal. Stainless-steel grills are also the most popular.
But buyer beware. Stainless steel is a process not a product. Many grills look alike when they are new, but over time, and not that much time, it is very obvious which is the better grill. So shop with a magnet because actual stainless steel isn’t magnetic. If your magnet sticks to the grill, keep on shopping.
High end outdoor grills
Grill technology makes a difference whether you’re looking for a backyard grill for minimal grilling or a professional-gradegas grill.
When you are talking about high grill temperatures, good materials are essential. That’s why better grills cost more, $600-$1500. Higher heat means better cooking, grilling, searing and more consistent temperatures, but it also means the grill needs to be built better. In high end outdoor grills, customers will begin to find American-made products. There is a resurgence in American-made grill products. American consumers are growing more wary of manufacturing and quality-control standards.
The costlier the grill, the more it has to offer. When you start looking at grills around the $2,000 range, they are even better, heavier and hotter, around 1,000-degrees. These grills will often last 20 years or more, and customers that buy these grills love their grill. Food tastes better when it is cooked on more expensive grills.
There is a definite difference in the flavor and juiciness of the food; and if you are building a built-in grill, you must consider higher end grills. In Massachusetts we have seen an increase in outdoor entertainment areas and built-in grills are back. Many homeowners in the Metrowest area are putting in full-size outdoor kitchens. The best grill for an outdoor kitchen is based on your needs, how often you grill, and what you grill.
Home and gardening experts are seeing increasing trends that are integrating outdoor living spaces more and more into daily life. This is mainly due to the increase of "staycations" due to the sluggish economy. Locally, there is a growing demand for outdoor living areas. Homeowners are adding outdoor living spaces such as outdoor kitchens and patios, with all weather furniture and fireplaces. Outdoor fire pits are big now, and so are Kamado Joe and Primo Smokers.
A week-long family vacation for four to Walt Disney World can cost $5,000 or more. Instead, homeowners are opting to increase the functionality and value of their homes with outdoor living areas. These spaces also provide relaxing backdrops for time with family and friends.
This type of project can be easily budgeted as well. Homeowners can put in the patio and outdoor grill area first, and then add the sink and counter space or the more expensive furniture later on. As long as it's well planned, it won't look piecemealed together.
West Sport in Sudbury specializes in upscale exterior living spaces and can handle everything from helping with grill styles and needs, to cabinet and counter configurations, to outdoor kitchen plans and installation. Larry, the owner of West Sport says "You should have an idea of what you want in your outdoor living space and to be sure to make the area big enough to handle it. Often people want to fit a table and chairs, a grill and a fire pit, but then they don't have room to walk around."
West Sport prides themselves on their breadth of products and new showroom. It provides an area where customers can visualize and touch the products. The showroom features many components of an outdoor kitchen, fireplaces and fire pits; and a new patio is being built in order to showcase pavers and patio benches.
"Bring us a general idea of what you want or would like to have," Larry says. "Come on in and look at the stuff; touch it, feel it, and see what you like and what will work for you."
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In this economy there's not much leftover spending money, backyards are the vacation of choice for many. Just open the door and there you are!
With the arrival of summer’s sultry days, grilling season is fast upon us.
The demand for 
Your second home, that summer place, is no farther away than the backyard. And where better to spend an evening as the sun sets and a breeze cools down the overheated city? 
Backyard grilling is an American pastime. Choosing which 
