If You Can't Stand the Heat Inside the Kitchen, Build One OutsideCopper sinks provide warmth and richness to outdoor kitchens

April, 2009 –One thing is clear about the housing market now; it's all about improving, not moving. A renovation project that is increasingly going from the wish list to the to do list is an outdoor kitchen. Backyards, decks and patios are being transformed with fully operational kitchens, adding immeasurable functionality and enjoyment to the space and good reason to stay put and stay at home. They certainly give new meaning to the phrase, "let's go out for dinner."

There are endless variations of the outdoor kitchen concept, but in its simplest form, an outdoor kitchen consists of a grill, a sink and a refrigerator. With the majority of grills and refrigerators sheathed in stainless steel, there is no better complement than a copper sink. "Every well-furnished outdoor kitchen should be using copper," says designer Michael Rank. "Copper creates a certain warmth and changes the overall makeup of the space – especially in the sunlight."

Native Trails

Native Trails, maker of handcrafted copper sinks, offers kitchen, bar and prep sinks of durable 16 gauge copper, well-suited to the task and the outdoor setting. Skilled artisans start with sheets of copper made from recycled electrical wire and pipes. Working over an open fire, they hand hammer the copper into myriad shapes. Native Trails sinks fit with a variety of decorative styles, from contemporary to traditional. The rich, warm patina that is created during the hand-crafting process helps to keep the sink looking good with just mild soap and water. Copper also has antibacterial qualities, another reason that a copper sink is a natural in an outdoor setting.

"Copper sinks work in a casual rustic installation and look equally modern on a stone or concrete counter," says Sandy Koepke, a noted designer of outdoor rooms, who always specifies copper for her outdoor kitchen projects."The combination of handcrafted character, texture and the deep color of copper is an eye-catching counterpoint tothe cold, sleek sheen of stainless steel," she adds.
"Copper is a rich, warm material compatible with nature from the first day of installation and yet it adds anundeniable note of luxury," Koepke says. "Best of all, copper gets better with age, developing a more beautifulpatina over time." What house wouldn't appreciate that?