Outdoor kitchens continue to be one of the hottest trends in home décor, but not all of them are created equal.

Here are some things to consider when evaluating the safety and durability of this attractive yet vulnerable feature:

• Is there adequate ventilation? Extensive outdoor cooking spaces should be carefully designed to keep smoke and odors away from dining spaces.
• Was the installation done by licensed and insured installers? If something does goes wrong — even years later — these professionals will stand behind their work.
• Are the cabinets, countertops, and appliances really weather proof and likely to hold up?

Source: The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), Roxanne Washington (07/01/2010)