The six DirectBuy franchises of the greater Washington DC/Baltimore area, the leading members-only showroom and home design centers, not only sell "outdoor kitchen" units and other accessories at manufacturer's low prices, but also offers some helpful pointers on selecting the right equipment and setup for your home.

For starters, when it comes to selecting a grill, DirectBuy recommends considering:

? Stainless steel gas or charcoal grills - outdoor kitchen means just that: outside! Your kitchen will be exposed to sun, rain, wind and even snow. Even covered, your grill will be exposed to the elements to a certain degree and you want a grill made of material that will withstand bad weather and corrosion.
? Free-standing or under-the-counter refrigeration units - help minimize trips to the "other" kitchen and gives you a place to store leftovers for the next cookout.
? Infra-red burners - make sure the grill you do select uses infra-red burners, which heat up faster.
? Storage - choose a grill with plenty of shelving and cabinets

"The beauty of the outdoor kitchen is it reduces trips to the real kitchen to get supplies. This means you can actually spend time with your guests while preparing your meal. That's why it's just as important when selecting your outdoor kitchen to not forget the comfort of your guests," said Lee Brown, co-owner of DirectBuy of Chantilly. "DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying furniture for their outdoor kitchen, directly from the manufacturer."

When it comes to selecting furniture for your outdoor "dining room," there are a number of options in terms of style-sling, metal, cushioned and strapped to name a few--and materials-aluminum, iron, resin, teak, wood, wicker, fabric and vinyl. More choices mean more decisions on materials, fabrics and colors. DirectBuy not only has great outdoor furniture at manufacturer-direct prices, but also designers who can help you make some of those decisions.

"One safe rule of thumb is unless you're planning to buy an entire set of outdoor furniture at once, stick with neutral colors like white, taupe or sandstone. Even if the shades aren't a perfect match, it won't matter if there's a little distance between items," said Brown.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. With six convenient locations in the Greater DC/Baltimore area, DirectBuy offers consumers an exclusive, comfortable environment, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on DirectBuy, you can visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members' hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy prides itself in providing excellent member service, access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection, all of which help make members' dream projects a reality. It's an exclusive, comfortable environment, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. There are more than 150 franchise locations throughout North America.

Locations of the six DirectBuy showrooms serving greater Washington DC/Baltimore are: DirectBuy of Chantilly, 14231 Willard Road, Chantilly, VA, 703-817-0220; DirectBuy of Woodbridge, 3320 Noble Pond Way, Woodbridge, VA, 571-288-0200; DirectBuy of Columbia, 9515 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD, 443-539-3289; DirectBuy of Metro Washington NW, 202 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD, 301-926-1116; DirectBuy of Baltimore North, 10950 Gilroy Road, Hunt Valley, MD, 410-316-9000; DirectBuy of Southern Maryland, 9700 Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy, Lanham, MD, 301-731-0600.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor's Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 1-800-218-5639. To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.