SALT LAKE CITY — If you have ever gone to a home show and thought, "How cool would it be to decorate my place like that?" — here's another version of that idea. This week, Salt Lake City will host the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo at the Salt Palace Convention Center, highlighting the latest innovations in inside and outside living.
The annual trade show — put on by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association — will feature 288 exhibitors and more than 7,000 attendees for largest indoor-outdoor living show in North America. The three-day event runs March 3-5 and is only open to association members.
The expo shows off the coolest and hottest soon-to-be available barbecue grills, fireplaces, patio furniture and accessories on the market.
Take for example, the Element grill by San Francisco-based Feugo. The circular, stand-alone gas-powered grill is designed to fit in smaller spaces such as apartment balconies with the same functionality as a traditional grill, using propane or natural gas.
The company also markets the Element Portable gas-powered grill that can be carried by hand for trips to the beach, camping or tailgating. Prices for the Element will range from $399 to $599, while the portable model will retail for $149.
Just as hot was the array of choices for outdoor patio and lounge areas, everything from monster grills to water features to fireplaces and fire pits. It was enough to make Tim "The Toolman" Taylor grunt with glee.
"From the grilling novice to the most seasoned chef, new innovative accessories and all-purpose add-ons give cooks more options to enjoy outdoor cooking throughout the year and for any occasion," said Leslie Wheeler, HPBA communications director.
She was not kidding. One Canadian manufacturer, Napoleon Products, showed off more than a half-dozen different styles of just heating devices, including a 6-foot stainless style gas-powered model and several granite-laden, luxury fire pit designs. Prices ranged from about $500 to about $4,000.
Not to mention the customizable design options for outdoor kitchens, along with numerous impressive fire and water features on display from Outdoor Entertainment Designs of Cerritos, Calif.
One setup, which could only be described as the ultimate gourmet outdoor kitchen, retailed for about $45,000. It included everything from a high-end grill, custom granite and stone, and even a margarita bar. It was enough to make a grown man feel like kid in a candy store.
While the expo isn't open to the public, the products on display will be well worth waiting for if you're interested in creating your dream backyard or enhancing your indoor space.
"If you can dream it, we can build it," said Lupe Estrada, vice president of Outdoor Entertainment Designs. Yes, a man can dream, can't he?
e-mail: jlee@desnews.com