Everyone loves pizza and with the summer fun months approaching it is certain that this late night favorite is going to be on the menu in homes all across the country. Why not have the best pizza kitchen ever, one that is outdoors? An outside kitchen was something of a novelty, but now more and more people are capitalising on any outdoor space they have to use as another area. You too, can have the best pizza kitchen - the complexity is really is only limited by your budget.

The first thing you must have is a covered area in which you can set up your outside kitchen. You can use a covered patio, deck, and porch or build a brand new area if your home does not already have a covered area. When using a pre-existing structure you should be aware of a couple of important safety issues.

A wooden covered area such as a deck, must be well supported. It must hold the extra weight of all the furnishings you will be using. This could include gas grills, ranges, refrigerators and even the cabinetry you'll install in an outdoor kitchen. Secondly, be wary of where you place your grill and or range. Siding and wooden rails are highly flammable, so you will need to keep heat and flame shielded from them. Also check that you have an air vent or ventilation hood above your grill for smoke to exit.

What About a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven?... Of course, a pizza kitchen needs a wood-fired oven which you can keep loaded with wood to build up to the correct temperature for your beautiful Italian pizza recipes. You can build one yourself, if you are a home handyman, or you could get it done by a contractor. Either way, you'll love the opportunity it gives you for cooking pizzas and other lovely recipes, and also as a focal point for your outdoor kitchen. It will also be wonderful for keeping everyone warm on cooler nights.

Consider the types of appliances you will want. Some people will just opt for a grill alone, while others prefer a range with oven included. The options are endless and your choices should be based on preference and, of course, budget.

A refrigerator is another example of optional equipment and if you are on a tight budget it is the one piece that you can dispense with, as you can always depend on your regular indoor appliance for storing food. However, you should look at the line appliances created especially for outside use. Coleman, Franklin and Danby all make an outside refrigerator with prices ranging from $200 to well over $1000.

An outdoor kitchen grill is something that can be freestanding or built into an island formation. A grill can be very up-market with all sorts of additional appliances included, such as a wok burner or a rotisserie. You can get one to suit your needs. Consider the amount and frequency of cooking you'll be doing as well as the style.

Having an outdoor kitchen necessitates an oven and you can really splash out here! Build an authentic pizza brick oven and wow your guests, or go look at one of the outdoor ovens available from Coleman and other companies. Think about what your cooking needs are, and the type of oven best suited not only for pizza cooking, but also for other types of food that you'll want to cook for family and friends.

You can build an outdoor kitchen that is as elaborate or simple as you wish. Include things like palm leaf ceiling fans, electric tiki torches, a sound system and even a big screen television if you have adequate protection from the elements. The bottom line is to provide a great setting where you can relax and entertain, in your stunning, new, pizza outdoor kitchen!