Garland Design Group

INTERIOR DESIGN + LANDSCAPE DESIGN FIRM | BOULDER TO DENVER, CO AND BEYOND

Fire It Up, Outdoor Grill Stations You’ll Love

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Garland Design Group was named an expert in this recent article on the Redfin Blog – check it out!

“A great outdoor kitchen isn’t just about the basics: It’s about tailoring the space to fit how you love to cook. As the team at  Garland Design Group explains, a personalized grilling station starts with understanding the homeowner’s unique cooking style and preferences:

To make the best grilling station, I like to consider what the homeowner’s preferences are regarding what type of grilling they are comfortable doing (gas, charcoal, smokers) and if they’re open to exploring new tools like griddles or wok stations. With so many options out there, you can make your grilling station as complete as your kitchen. Pizza ovens have been gaining popularity, and it’s a great way to engage your guests (and kids!) to build their own pizza.”

Read the full article here.

Fire Pits for the Great Outdoors

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We at Garland Design Group love to incorporate fire pits into our landscape designs. Here is a breakdown of the different types and their pros and cons.

A propane gas fire pit shaped like a concrete bowl with lava rock.

Gas Fire Pits

Pros:

Convenience: Easy to ignite and control with a simple turn of a knob.

Clean Burning: Produces minimal smoke and ash, making it a cleaner option.

Versatility: Available in various designs, including tabletop and built-in options.

Adjustable Flame: Most gas fire pits allow you to adjust the flame height.

Cons:

Dependency on Gas: Requires a natural gas line or propane tank, limiting portability.

Installation: May require professional installation and a gas line connection.

Initial Cost: Can be more expensive to set up compared to some other options.

A large steel cauldron wood-burning fire pit.

Wood-Burning Fire Pits

Pros:

Authentic Ambiance: Offers a traditional and authentic campfire experience.

Cost: Typically less expensive to install initially.

Heat Output: Provides significant heat, especially with hardwoods.

Availability: Wood is readily available in many areas.

Cons:

Smoke and Ash: Produces smoke and ash, which may be a nuisance and require cleanup.

Maintenance: Requires regular cleaning of ash and debris.

Safety Concerns: Open flames can pose safety risks, and sparks may be a concern.

Effort to Ignite: Requires effort to start the fire and maintain it.

An image of a electric fire pit with glass pebbles and a glass surround.

Electric Fire Pits

Pros:

Clean and Smoke-Free: Produces no smoke, ash, or harmful emissions.

Safety: No open flames, making it a safe option, especially for enclosed spaces.

Convenience: Easy to start and control with a switch or remote.

Low Maintenance: Minimal cleanup and no need for fuel storage.

Cons:

Dependency on Electricity: Requires a power source, limiting placement options.

Heat Output: May not produce as much heat as gas or wood-burning options.

Aesthetics: Some people find the simulated flames less authentic than real flames.

Initial Cost: Electric fire pits can have a higher upfront cost compared to basic wood-burning options.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a fire pit. At Garland Design Group, we keep in mind your preferences, the available resources, and the specific requirements of your outdoor space. Whatever you end up choosing will be a wonderful addition to your landscape!

What to Consider When Selecting a Grill for Your Outdoor Kitchen

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With so many grills to choose from, which one is right for you?
Backyard hardscape entertainment area

Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching and like many Americans, we are excited to be hosting friends for a barbeque.

When we design outdoor kitchens for our clients, we like to understand their preferences, especially when it comes to grilling! Grill size and capacity will depend on the number of guests you’d likely host – no one wants to serve 4 people at a time when you’ve got a party of 30! Secondly, what do you want most out of your grilling – a nice smoky flavor? Easy cleanup? Set it and forget it? Each of these will weigh heavily on what you end up choosing for your grilling station.

For more detail on the different options, here are some pros and cons of each type of grill:

Charcoal Grills

Pros: Authentic Flavor and High Heat Capacity – The smoky flavor you get from a charcoal grill is hard to match on gas or electric. Charcoal grills can reach higher temperatures, allowing for excellent searing and grilling.

Cons: Longer to Preheat, Maintenance, and Temperature Control – You’ll spend more time preheating your charcoal grill than other options. Cleaning charcoal grills can be messy as you dispose of ash and clean the grates. Achieving precise temperature control can be challenging with charcoal grills.

Gas Grills

Pros: Convenience, Maintenance, and Temperature Control – Gas grills are quick to start and heat up, allowing for spontaneous barbecues. They offer precise temperature control through adjustable burners. Gas grills are generally easier to clean than charcoal grills.

Cons: Lack Smoky Flavor and Higher Cost – Gas grills may not provide the same smoky taste as charcoal grills, though some models have smoke boxes or flavor bars. Gas grills tend to be more expensive upfront, and ongoing gas costs should be considered.

Electric Grills

Pros: Simplicity and Easy Cleanup – Electric grills are easy to use and require minimal setup. They often have removable drip trays, making cleanup hassle-free.

Cons: Limited Flavor, Power Source Dependency, and Temperature Limitations – Electric grills may lack the distinct smoky flavor associated with charcoal grills. They require a power outlet to function. Electric grills can have difficulty reaching high temperatures needed for certain grilling techniques.

Pellet Smokers

Pros: Excellent Smoky Flavor, Versatility, and Set-and-Forget – Smokers are designed to infuse a rich, smoky flavor into the food. They allow for slow cooking and are ideal for smoking meats, fish, and even vegetables. Once set up, smokers require minimal monitoring, making them great for low-and-slow cooking.

Cons: Time-consuming and Limited Temperature Range – Smoking requires longer cooking times compared to other grill types. Achieving high heat for searing is challenging with most smokers.

Kamado Grills

Pros: Great Flavor, Versatile, and Even Heating – Kamado Grills give that great charcoal, smoky flavor. They are capable of grilling, baking, smoking, roasting, searing, and barbecuing. With its ceramic structure, temperature remains stable throughout the cooking chamber.

Cons: Need to be Hands-on, Somewhat of Learning Curve, and More Fragile Material – Unlike a pellet smoker, you will need to regularly check the temperature gauge and airflow to ensure correct heat levels. Kamado Grills are not entirely intuitive and require some practice to understand how to use the air controls properly. The ceramic material is more delicate and might not survive tipping or getting knocked around.

Hopefully this list gives you a better idea of what to consider in choosing a grill. In Colorado, where grilling is a year-round activity, a number of us have more than one type to fill all of our needs. You can’t go wrong!

Susan