Jacksonville's holiday season is one of the best times of year to cook outside. The summer heat is gone, and a sunny afternoon or a cool evening by the grill beats a crowded kitchen. A Paradise outdoor kitchen turns the backyard into a second kitchen and the place everyone wants to be. Here are ideas for each holiday, using what Paradise actually builds.
Thanksgiving: free up the oven
The oven is the bottleneck on Thanksgiving. Move the bird outside and the indoor kitchen is free for pies, rolls and casseroles.
- Rotisserie turkey. The Hybrid X Rotisserie Conversion spins chicken or turkey up to 15 lb over the grill's infrared back burner, with a counterweight for heavier cuts. It runs on a 120V motor, so plan an outdoor outlet nearby.
- Smoke or sear. The Wood Chip/Charcoal Smoker Conversion adds smoke to a turkey breast or ham. The IR Sear Conversion handles steaks for the crowd that skips turkey.
- Sides at the island. A side burner (15,000 BTU) or the double side burner (25,500 BTU) keeps gravy and green beans going next to the grill.
All Hybrid X conversions fit the GS-32, GSL-32 and GXL-45 grills, so you can add them to a built-in grill you already own. See them on our appliances page.
Seafood boils for a crowd
Cooler months are a classic time for a shrimp boil on the First Coast. The GSL Professional Power Burner (60,000 BTU) goes from a gentle simmer to a hard boil for big pots of shrimp, crab or a low-country boil. The Fryer/Steamer Conversion fries fish and fries, then swaps to a steamer plate for shrimp and crab, right at the island.
Christmas morning: breakfast on the griddle
Pancakes, eggs, bacon and hash browns for the whole family need a big flat surface. The HSL-32 hibachi griddle station puts 39,000 BTU under an oversized, heavy-duty stainless griddle, and it comes built in on the GX-9 Double grill island and the St. Croix 9 + GX9. If you already have a grill, the Hibachi Griddle Conversion drops in a 252 sq in flat top.
New Year's Eve and game days
- Pizza night. The Professional Pizza Conversion turns the grill into a pizza oven, with a stone and peel.
- Drinks without the ice runs. The CSL-32 cocktail station has a 60 lb ice chest and garnish trays, and the outdoor-rated ice maker makes up to 110 lb a day.
- Lights and music. Paradise G.I. smart-app control runs the LED bar lighting, grill lighting, pergola or tiki shade lighting, the marine stereo and the TV from your phone or by voice. Short winter days make good lighting count.
Bar seating keeps everyone together
The best holiday layouts let guests sit with the cook instead of hovering. Island bars put a stone bar top in front of the grill. Paradise lists the St. Thomas 7 + GX5 and the Maui 10 + GX10 as seating eight, and the Maui line goes up to the Maui 14 + Maui 14 for the biggest families. For the full island-vacation look, put the kitchen under a Tahiti or Abaco thatched roof, or a Monaco pergola.
Staying warm on cool evenings
A fire feature gives guests a warm spot to gather after dinner. Paradise offers a stainless fire pit insert and the Glass Crystal Fire Pit, and a covered spot under a pergola or thatched shade keeps the bar area comfortable. Ask us which fits your layout.
Plan now, host this season
- Measure and photograph your patio, lanai or pool deck.
- Get a free 3D design so you can see the island in your yard before you buy.
- Line up gas and power. Natural gas and outdoor circuits should be installed by licensed professionals, and every Paradise base needs a 1" gap off the ground on a level pad.
- Check your local and HOA rules before you order. Our HOA and permits guide explains the basics.
- Walk the floor models. Our Jacksonville showroom floor models are priced to go for a limited time. Once one is gone, it is gone.