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 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.

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 Sport in 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.

Original article on SiLive.com by Sharon Cohen

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.

Original article by Dixie Reid

As Father's Day quickly approaches, many will search for the perfect gift to show their father just how special he is. As most people know, the "Gift for Dad" mission can be quite a challenge, it’s hard to find a gift for the one person who never asks or needs anything.

But no one loves to grill and relax outdoors more than dad. So here are some perfect gift suggestions:

1. A new grill. If Dad’s favorite weekend past time is donning the chef hat and grilling up some steaks, than a brand new, shiny grill may be just what he is looking for. If he is a real grill aficionado, the Kamado Joe charcoal grill, which doubles as a smoker, oven and high heat roaster may be just the gift.
2. A grill griddle. If dad loves to grill for a crowd, or uses his grill for every meal. The Griddle Q may be the grilling accessory for him. The Griddle-Q is a 12 gauge stainless steel grill griddle that fits easily and securely on your outdoor grill, providing dad with a whole new world of outdoor cooking possibilities.
3. The perfect fire starter. Want to help dad light the fire? The Looftlighter  is the fastest, cleanest, safest, and easiest way to light your charcoal grill or wood fireplace. The Looftlighter ignites wood or charcoal in less than 60 seconds with its patented hot airstream process.
4. Skeeter Vac mosquito killer. Is dad a hammock guy? The Skeeter Vac will open up a whole level of enjoyment in the backyard, eliminating the mosquitoes and making the yard more enjoyable. Help dad relax when he comes home. With a Skeeter Vac he can enjoy more time on the hammock and less time swatting bugs.

At West Sport we have an outdoor fireplace and several fire pits for your outdoor entertaining. With the Oriflamme Gas Fire Pit, you have a fire pit, ambiance, conversation piece, and serving table all in one. With various styles and designs, Oriflamme firepit tables combine sophistication and ambiance. These gas fire pits complete the setting in your outdoor room.

These gas fire pits are the first ever designed fire. Choose from Tuscan stone or granite, square or round, with 24 choices of colored fire glass; these fire pits are fully customizable. But even the fire can be designed as you can see from the video. Your fire can take the form of a sun, a school logo,  yin and yang or it can have no design at all. You have to see it to believe it. Oriflamme fire pit tables are cleaner, less expensive, and safer than other fire pits on the market; they are all handcrafted and made in the USA. Because they are fueled by propane, they are very easy to use. There is no need to worry about smoke, ashes or burning embers, the fire pits are self contained with a 2.5 gallon propane tank included.

At West Sport, we would be happy to show you how easy these firepit tables  are to assemble and light. But, they are so intriguing; we wanted you to see it right now.  

Memorial Day is the official kick off to the summer grilling and BBQ season. We celebrate the start of summer as we celebrate our nation’s heroes. But, are you still looking for the perfect Memorial Day menu?  You know you can cook every part of your meal on your grill, including dessert! Here are a few of the best grilling recipes from The Grill and Fireplace Shop at West Sport.

Side Dish: Grilled Garlic Parmesan Zucchini

• 3 zucchini
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
Cut the zucchini in half crosswise, then slice each half into 3 slices lengthwise, making 6 slices per zucchini.
Mix the butter, garlic, and parsley in a bowl, and spread the mixture on both sides of each zucchini slice. Sprinkle one side of each slice with Parmesan cheese, and place the slices, cheese sides up, crosswise on the preheated grill to keep them from falling through.  
Grill the zucchini until the cheese has melted and the slices are cooked through and show grill marks, about 8 minutes.

Main Meal: Blue Cheese Burgers

• 3 pounds lean ground beef
• 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup minced fresh chives
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 12 French rolls or hamburger buns

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, blue cheese, chives, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, and mustard. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Preheat grill for high heat. Gently form the burger mixture into about 12 patties. 
Oil the grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until well done. Serve on rolls.

Dessert: Grilled Peaches and Cream

• 4 peaches, halved and pitted
• 2 tablespoons clover honey, or brown sugar and cinamon
• 1 cup soft cream cheese with honey and nuts
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preheat a gas or charcoal grill for medium-high heat.
Brush peaches with a light coating of oil. Place pit side down onto the grill. Grill for 5 minutes, or until the surfaces have nice grill marks. Turn the peaches over, and drizzle with a bit of honey (or brown sugar and cinnamon). Place a dollop of the cream cheese spread in the place where the pit was. Grill for 2 to 3 more minutes, or until the filling is warm. Serve immediately.

We’ve had a hard spring her in Massachusetts. There has been far too much rain. But soon enough the weather will improve, right? And we will be able to enjoy our back yard again. But, what about those mosquitoes? They have started coming out at night already, believe it or not. As more and more nights stay around 40 degrees and above, the mosquitoes will hatch. So if you are anxiously waiting those mild, dry spring nights, you need to figure out how to kill mosquitoes so you can truly enjoy it. After all, we deserve a nice night in the yard.

The Skeeter Vac. This propane mosquito killer helps you rid your backyard of flying pests -mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums, biting midges, and sand flies.

Biting insects need blood and they get that blood from us and our pets. They are attracted to us by sensing the carbon dioxide, moisture and heat from our breath, body odors and color contrasts. SkeeterVac mosquito exterminators create this type of environment to attract the  mosquitoes and trick them into thinking the trap is a person.

Once they are attracted to the exterminator, they are captured on the sticky trap or sucked into an enclosure by a powerful vacuum fan. Once trapped, they quickly dehydrate and die.

The Skeeter Vac Assembles in minutes - no tools required. Just place it in a shady spot close to the area where the insects live. Trapping will begin as the mosquito exterminator operates 24 hours a day. Within 4-6 weeks you should realize a significant reduction.

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-grade gas 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.

Many of us in the Boston Metro West area are excited about getting outside. What better way to enjoy a beautiful spring evening than with a gas fire pit. It is time to relax on the patio and shake off those winter cob webs. Invite the family and friends, because with this Oriflame fire pit table everyone can enjoy themselves.
 
With the Oriflamme Fire Pit Table, you have a fire pit, conversation piece, ambiance and serving surface all in one. These gas fire pits are the first ever designed fire. Choose from Tuscan stone or granite, square or round, with 24 choices of colored fire glass; these fire pits are fully customizable. You have to see it to believe it. Cleaner, less expensive, and safer than other firepit tables on the market, they are all handcrafted and made in the USA. No need to worry about smoke, ashes or burning embers, the fire pits are self contained with a 2.5 gallon propane tank included.

The Oriflame gas fire pit completes your outdoor setting. Come in to West Sport in Sudbury and see how you can design your outdoor gas fire pit today. We always have one burning.

Nothing says warm weather better than sitting around in the yard grilling up a hamburger or delicious steak on an outdoor gas grill. Gas grills, fueled with either propane or natural gas, have become the grill of choice not only because of their convenience, but because they are efficient. Today’s gas grills are even more convenient and user friendly than in days past. With side burners, automatic ignition, infrared burners and other amenities, grilling on gas is better than ever.

Among those who love to grill food there is a great deal of utility in gas grills. But gas grills are also great for the novice or weekend griller. They heat up extremely quickly, and there are no messy coals to deal with. Better yet, the temperature is so easy to control, just turn the knob for a high or low flame. Because they are so easy to light, you can light the grill when you are ready to begin grilling, rather than waiting until it heats up.  This makes it much easier to make the decision to have a healthy grilled meal for dinner.

Enjoy the convenience of a new, updated gas grill. If you’re cooking for the family, or if you love to entertain with friends and neighbors in the backyard, with modern gas grills, you can use your grill to sear meat, use it as an oven, or a slow roaster, and cook any food you’d like. At West Sport we assemble, service and deliver every grill we sell.

OK, the Red Sox are starting to get it together, but a little more team spirit wouldn’t hurt! For all you sports fans out there who spend more time tailgating in the back yard rather than in the lot, have you seen the team grill? Route for Red Sox by outfitting your back yard patio with a team grill. Just in time for spring, you’ll be the talk among fans.

The Team Grill is a high-end gas grill designed specifically for sports fans. Combining professional-grade cooking capabilities with officially licensed logo and colors of your favorite team, Team Grill creates a one-of-a-kind grilling experience for game day and every day. The finish cleans easily with soap and water and is designed to withstand the high-heat of the grill as well as the weather.

Team Grill is the premier manufacturer of professional-quality gas grills for sports fans. These gas grills combine the cooking capabilities of high-end grills with the look of your favorite sports teams, so you can show your team spirit on game day and every day. Team Grills are available through the Grill and Fireplace Shop at West Sport. Call or visit us today.