GE is taking note of the popularity of outdoor kitchens. The company is marketing its GE Monogram line of appliances at high-end landscapes.
“As more and more people make the hub of their home’s social activities outdoors, they want the convenience of having everything they need to entertain outside with them,” says Valinda Wagner, Monogram Experience Center manager. “They want to do it all outside, including preparing the food, serving beverages and keeping items fresh, hot or cold.”
The company promises that its Monogram outdoor/indoor refrigerators maintain optimal temperature for food preservation regardless of external conditions. UL-approved for outdoor temperatures ranging from 45° F to 120°F, they feature 5.4 cu. ft. of storage encased in durable stainless steel.
Features include:
- Two adjustable beverage racks and an overall capacity to fit 146 12-oz. cans or 10 wine bottles and 126 12-oz. cans
- Spillproof, removable glass shelves for easy cleaning
- Retractable QuickSpace shelf for tall containers and oversized dishes, such as salads and side dishes for the backyard barbeque
- Cooling temperature range from 34°F to 45°F
- Door locks to keep contents safe
- Digital controls and interior lighting
- Models can stand alone or be used in built-in installations. They retail for a suggested $2,599.
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association claims that an 85% of consumers prefer to cook outdoors during warmer months. Grills were ranked as the most popular outdoor living design feature by 97.4 percent of respondents in the 2012 American Society of Landscape Architects Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey.
GE offers Monogram grills in built-in and free-standing models, in sizes starting from 30 in. to a 54-in professional grill, which offers more than 1,500 sq. in. of surface space. It features an ignition, 125,000 BTUs, and integrated illumination.
Other Monogram grill features include:
- Three-speed rotisserie cooking: A ceramic-infrared rotisserie burner slow-roasts lamb, pork and other meats to succulent perfection.
- Radiant heat: The stainless steel Gourmet Radiant baffle system above U-tube burners is designed to sustain even heat distribution across the entire grilling surface and reduce flare-ups from dripping juices.
- 1,400 degrees of searing power in approximately four minutes: GE says the 23,000-BTU ceramic infrared searing burner produces an intense, even heat that flash-caramelizes the outside of foods, searing them fast to lock in the most moisture and flavor.
- 30,000 BTUs on the side: A pair of 15,000-BTU side burners offers additional space for preparing side dishes.
- Outdoor living accessories: Enhanced Monogram professional grills offer a stainless steel smoker box, removable cutting board, basting pan, stainless steel burner covers and a vinyl cover for weather protection. Free-standing models also include storage space.
Prices begin at $1,099 for cooktops, and from $3,499 to $8,299 for free-standing models.
