The outdoor entertaining season has begun! Warm days and longer evenings mean that we are spending more of our time with family and friends out on the deck, patio or porch. But this year you’ve promised yourself something better than the same old patio furniture and creaky umbrella. It’s finally time to create that outdoor room you’ve been dreaming about.

“We’re seeing a huge interest in outdoor rooms,” says Ty Miller, co-owner of Heat Wave Stove & Spa in Boulder, referring to the trend of creating outdoor environments with many of the comforts and amenities that in the past were limited to the indoors. Today’s outdoor living spaces are home to elaborate cooking islands with built-in barbecues, hot tubs equipped with inboard stereo sound, hearths and heat lamps to keep the party going when the evenings turn cool.

There’s no better way to get started than to visit the local experts at Heat Wave Stove & Spa, family owned and operated for more than 20 years. “We love to talk about our products,” Miller says. “Come in and visit; you’ll leave here more knowledgeable than when you came in.” Indeed, every visit to the showroom turns up a new experience. A wall-to-wall collection of grills, smokers, stoves, pergolas, fireplaces and hot tubs await your discovery. Check out the live cooking demonstrations on the weekend – there’s even a wet room where you can test soak a working hot tub (bring your own swim suit).

The centerpiece of any outdoor cooking area is its grill, and you’ll find an exciting collection of top-name gas and charcoal models here. A quality grill can last a lifetime, Miller says. “We just want to sell you your last grill.”

One of the most popular is the Traeger pellet grill. You fill a compartment with “flavored” pellets (hickory, mesquite or oak, for example) and the clean-burning fuel is fed evenly into the fire, eliminating the need to monitor the grill as you go. “A lot of people have never heard of pellet grills,” Miller explains, “but they are one of our strongest sellers. You can use them just to grill up a couple of steaks, of course, but these grills offer one of the easiest ways to do a longer, slower item, like a 16-hour brisket.” Heat Wave is proud to carry the Traeger line of pellet grills, used locally by professional chefs. Pellet grills start as low as $699.

Another popular innovation is the gas-fired infrared grill, which uses radiant heat to quickly produce a high, uniform temperature, taking the guesswork out of perfect grilling. Start with a high heat to sear the juices in, then go to a lower setting to finish your masterpiece. Infrared grills cook your food in half the time, too.

A third option is a smoker, which uses “low and slow” indirect heat to do the cooking. Heat Wave carries several versions, including the “kamado” cooker, an egg-shaped unit with thick ceramic walls that trap heat, making them inexpensive to use. Kamodo cookers start at around $1,000.

Okay, dinner’s over and it’s time to kick back in the hot tub! Heat Wave carries two of the best: Dimension One Spas and Beachcomber Hot Tub. Models range from a compact two-person tub (perfect for smaller spaces or decks) or the executive models that fit the whole family. An array of lights, massage jets and surround sound options let you customize your spa – you can even add exercise equipment from Aquatic Fitness Systems to turn your soak time into a workout.

So, pull yourself out of that funky folding patio chair and get into Heat Wave Stove & Spa. Your outdoor lifestyle is about to change for the better!

Your HQ for BBQ – and more!

The experts at Heat Wave can work with you or your contractor to plan and create an outdoor room that will be the talk of your neighborhood – and they service what they sell.

To learn more about Heat Wave Stove & Spa’s products, visit www.heatwavestoveandspa.com, call 303.442.7980, or visit the showroom at 2840 28th St. in Boulder. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday).