Design/build decisions that matter in Northwest Indiana’s freeze–thaw climate A well-built outdoor kitchen should feel like a natural extension of your home—easy to use, comfortable for guests, and durable enough to handle Midwest weather. In Munster and across Northwest Indiana, the difference between a “nice patio grill setup” and a true outdoor kitchen usually comes down to planning: utilities, drainage, materials, and how the space functions when you’re hosting. This guide breaks down the real-world choices homeowners face when working with outdoor kitchen contractors, so you can design a space that looks sharp on day one and still performs years later. What makes an outdoor kitchen “done right” (not just installed) Outdoor kitchens are part hardscape, part mechanical, part lifestyle design. The best results come from contractors who think beyond the grill and treat the project like a system: Key system components to plan early: • Layout & zones: cooking, […]