Adding fire to the hub of backyard living - the outdoor kitchen - is one of the most wonderful decisions you can make to enhance your experience. Nothing provides a cozy ambiance and warmth like open flames. If you would like some ideas, here is how to incorporate an outdoor fireplace into your outdoor kitchen plans in Reading, PA.
Related: Hire a Landscape Contractor to Get the Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dreams in Allentown, PA
Why Choose an Outdoor Fireplace Over a Fire Pit?
Fire pits are great additions to a patio. It’s a place to gather and soak up the warmth. However, an outdoor fireplace allows you to create a more seamless integration between the cooking and lounging areas.
You can cook over a wood fire, whether it’s a fire pit or fireplace; but a fire pit does not hold heat, which means a less controlled cooking experience. Of course, you can cook traditional campfire foods like hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire pit; but an outdoor fireplace will allow you to cook bread, pizza, and even vegetables and meat, with one addition: a pizza oven.
The Versatility of a Pizza Oven
Some homeowners choose to add a wood-fired pizza oven as part of an outdoor fireplace for a vastly greater range of culinary possibilities.
Many wood-fired pizza ovens are installed directly over the main firebox. This transforms an outdoor fireplace into a very utilitarian feature, but this does take away somewhat from a more elegant look that fits into more of a living room experience.
Another option is to place the pizza oven on the side of the main firebox. This will require another firebox directly under the pizza oven itself; this is usually much smaller than the main firebox.
A side-by-side design helps bridge the gap between the outdoor kitchen and the outdoor fireplace. It allows for the placement of comfortable seating (or a dining area) in front of the hearth, creating more of a living room look that is still directly adjacent to the cooking area.
A Seat Wall
Another option to physically integrate the kitchen to the fireplace is to add a seat wall. This provides additional seating for entertaining - without creating a cluttered space - and it’s an opportunity to add seasonal decor such as colorful pots bursting with annual flowers or holiday decorations.
A seat wall is also a convenient way to add a container herbal garden within easy reach of the outdoor kitchen, to add the unparalleled taste of fresh herbs to your cooking.
A seat wall can help integrate the design of the kitchen and fireplace, especially if these two elements utilize different materials.
A Pergola or Pavilion
If you prefer that an outdoor kitchen and an outdoor fireplace remain separate, you can create visual integration by placing them both within the shelter of a pergola or pavilion - in effect, just like an indoor open concept kitchen/living area except without walls. Some homeowners attach clear polycarbonate roofing to the pergola to maintain the light and airy feel, but with protection from the rain.
A pergola will offer shade from the hot summer sun while allowing cooking smoke and heat to escape through the open roof. A pavilion will still let you enjoy cooling breezes, but the solid roof adds protection from the elements.
Whether you choose a pergola or a pavilion, you are adding a focal point to your backyard that signals, “This is where the fun happens.”
Related: Selecting Color and Materials for Your Outdoor Fireplace in Pottsville, PA
