Outdoor Kitchen Fridges

With temperatures reaching as high as the forties in summer and chances of chilly winters it's important to find an outdoor fridge that can handle drastic temperatures (as well as frequent use during all your summer barbies!) We thought we'd take a look at some outdoor kitchen fridges and give some tips on how to go about choosing one...

What makes an outdoor kitchen fridge different to an indoor one?

Outdoor kitchen fridges need to maintain their temperature in various weather conditions. Because of this, a fridge usually requires a lot more insulation and requires more power than an indoor fridge. It needs to be resistant to all types of weather and waterproofed too.

Size

Obviously outdoor kitchen fridges are a lot smaller than indoor fridges as they are mostly used for stocking beer as opposed to large amounts of food. Typically a bar fridge is around 60 cm wide and 86 cm tall. Obviously the fridge you get will need to fit the space you have! Think about the kinds of things you would want to store in your outdoor fridge before committing to buy one. You might want to consider a fridge with a wine cooler too!

Built-in or free standing

We advise having your fridge built-in. Not only does it look better but built-in fridges have the vent in the front which means you don't need to account for extra space on the sides or above the fridge for ventilation.

Materials

We've already mentioned that your outdoor kitchen fridge needs to be weather resistant so it goes without saying that it needs to be rust resistant too! Stainless steel and glass are the most commonly used materials for outdoor fridges. Make sure you check the grading of the steel to ensure it is corrosion resistant!

Cost to run

sa.gov.au has a page where you can check estimated costs of running your house hold appliances. Make sure you check the Energy rating to ensure the fridge is energy efficient.

Fire Pit Building Materials

Picking up from last week, let's check out some fire pit building materials. Remember for all these options to contact your local utility provider to ensure there are no utility lines in the area you want to dig out for your pit!

Traditional Brick

Brick as a fire pit building material is not the prettiest but it works! Building a brick fire place is moderately complex as you'll require some brick laying skills to get it built. You're looking at anything up to AUD500*depending on how large you want the pit. Firebrick is preferred as clay brick can crack under high temperatures.

*this is only an estimation and this price should not be quoted

Stone

Although the core of the fire pit is usually built with brick, finishing it off with stone makes for a more homely fire pit. It's a little more work but is much easier on the eyes!  We recommend spraying the inside  with black stove paint.

Metal

These fire pit building material is great for that rustic look. There are loads of portable metal fire pits on the market - some simple and some lasered with beautiful designs. Metal can be a bit of a safety hazard as it gets exceedingly hot but this material does weather well and is very strong and relatively inexpensive in comparison with other fire pit building materials.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel fire pits can be more aesthetically appealing than a metal one. It's low maintenance and will only require occasional cleaning. It's also light in weight so can be moved around if need be.

We really love outdoor fire pits. Who wouldn't love these? But there are pros and cons to having a fire pit in your outdoor area...

Pros

• Attractive touch to your outdoor area
• Great for atmosphere (think wine and marshmallow roasting)

Cons

• Can be a fire hazard!
• If you have a gas fire pit you need to make sure you are stocked up with gas. (Warning: you'd need to call up your local council for gas fire pit approval)

Cooktop Types

No kitchen is complete without a cooktop that suits your cooking needs and style. But what cooktops are out there? And what's the difference between them? Here is a basic guide to cooktop types for your kitchen...

Gas Cooktops

The clue is in the name! These cooktops operate off natural gas or propane (check out our blog here if you want to know the difference between the two) Experienced cooks prefer gas cooktops as they are far more efficient than electric cooktops when it comes to heating up. They heat up quickly and that natural heat allows you to cook to perfection! They can be tricky to clean though and may take a while to get used to when it comes to controlling the heat.

Electric Cooktops

Come in a coil version or smooth surface version. Coil type cooktops are a bit more sturdy and traditional. Smooth surface cooktops can be pricey as the surface is usually ceramic glass. The main benefit of an electric cooktop is that you can control the temperature to the exact degree. But they take much longer to heat up and cool down which can be a pain. Some home owners agree that they can control the heat more with gas cooktops. Guess it just comes down to the chef's experience!

Induction Cooktops

These look like electric cooktops but work a lil' differently. They use electromagnets as cooking elements. These electromagnets generate resistance when electricity is passed through them which heats up the magnetic cookware. You'll need to have magnetic cookware if you choose this cooktop type which can be expensive.

Cooktops with Rangehoods

Most people opt for a rangehood and we recommend that you do! Rangehoods draw in fumes and smoke keeping your kitchen clean and safe! They do take up space but they are definitely worth having.

Downdraft Cooktops

These use counter-level exhaust fans that are installed in the cooktop (behind it, on the side or in the center) Downdraft cooktops mean you don't need a rangehood (if you don't have the space or simply aren't interested in the look of a rangehood in your kitchen!) The only downside to downdraft fans is that they don't seem to pull out fumes and smoke as much as a rangehood does.

Picking the Right Kitchen Sink

Finding a kitchen sink is easy. Finding a kitchen sink that's designed for the way you like to do dishes - not so easy. Here are some tips to help you pick the right sink for your kitchen...

Size

It's annoying trying to wash large oven pans and trays in a small sink. If you are low on space and can't afford to have a large sink, opting for a small one is fair enough but if you have the space, a decent large sink is the way to go! Think about your largest cooking tray and use that as a measurement guide.

Double Sinks

Double sinks are great for washing and rinsing so you aren't left with soapy dishes, but if you don't have the space single sinks will do the job. Consider getting a spray tap for rinsing. They are really handy for rinsing dishes and food as well!

Triple Sinks

This is a luxury but if you have the space three basin sinks are awesome for multi-tasking (washing, draining and rinsing)

Shape

This comes down to personal preference. A round shaped sink is good for kitchen tasks but is not very practical for cleaning dishes (particularly if you are cleaning large rectangular pans and trays.) Generally we install rectangular sinks for this reason. They are also more space effective.

Material

Stainless steel sinks are the most popular. They're durable, easy to clean and look good in any kitchen! It may get scratched but scratches aren't as noticeable on stainless steel as what they are on white porcelain for example. It's  also much cheaper than porcelain, granite and marble.

Above or Below

Top mount or drop-in sinks are a good DIY option. They're  easy to install and cheap, however they aren't as sleek and stylish as some other sinks. Top mount sinks can also collect soap scum between the sink lip and counter.

Under mount sinks are mounted beneath the counter. They collect less scum and dirt than the top mount sink and tend to look better too. They are a bit more costly to install as it needs to be glued to the counter.

Farmhouse sinks are specially designed so that the sink actually replaces part of the counter. They are generally quite deep and tend to look good in a more traditional style kitchen. Obviously installing a farmhouse kitchen is a lot more challenging than a top or bottom mount sink as it has to be fit to the counter.

Do you have any tips for picking the right kitchen sink? Leave a comment with your thoughts or ideas below!

Custom Made Furniture

Rickety tables, wobbly chairs, faded cushions, moudly wicker - all these things might ring a bell if you have furniture in your outdoor area. It's easy to fall into the trap of getting a cheap patio furniture set but how many times a year do you have to replace it? You want something that can handle all weather conditions, looks good and is built to last...

More and more people are investing in custom made furniture and here's why...

Custom Made

The main benefit of having custom made furniture is that it's made especially for you. This means it's designed and manufactured to suit your style, needs and space. You can spend hours in a furniture store looking to tick all the boxes you have for an outdoor suite but often people don't find exactly what they want.

One of a Kind

Having furniture custom made means that there is no other piece of furniture like it. A customer is treated as a unique customer rather than one of the masses. It's a lifestyle choice to buy a piece of furniture that is not only strong and durable, but has been made just for you!

 Quality

Custom made furniture is not only made to your desires and preferences but built with care by experienced crafts-man or carpenters who use only the best materials.  Reclaimed timber, polished concrete and corten or weathering steel are just some of the materials we use in our custom made furniture. Our building procedures and attention to detail give our furniture a quality finish.

Supporting Local Community

We've seen more and more people take great pride in supporting the local community. Supporting small and local businesses starts a cycle that has a positive effect on society culture, the environment and the local economy.

Environmentally Friendly

Typically, furniture designers and carpenters are environmentally conscious and endeavour to only use materials that don't exhaust the environment. We use salvaged or reclaimed timber in a lot of our custom made furniture, giving our pieces a unique and timeless look with a story to go with it.

Why not save money and buy something cheaper?

As home owners this is something that ofen crosses our minds. The answer is simple. Mass produced items of furniture are generally made with weak materials and constructed for the masses. The lifespan of discount furniture is short and often needs to be replaced as parts of the furniture come apart. Custom made furniture is something that becomes a special part of your home that can be passed down for generations. It lasts that long!

Take a look at some of our custom made furniture on our Showcase page or on our Houzz Furniture project page. See something you like? Leave a comment with your favourite custom made piece!

7 Great Splashback Materials

Picking the right material for your splashback can be overwhelming. So we've come up with 7 great splashback materials to consider for your kitchen...

1.Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is a sleek and unique material to use for your splashback. It's easy to install and works well in outdoor kitchens. Polished concrete can also be coloured which allows for a bit more variety. Unlike stainless steel and glass, concrete doesn't show marks easily which means it's low maintenance when it comes to cleaning.

2. Tiles/Mosaic

Tiles are highly resistant to chemicals and tend to suit a range of styles and budgets. One of the downsides to tile splashbacks is keeping the grout clean and also the process of waterproofing the grout. If you have the budget for it and want to bring some creativity to your kitchen you can use mosaic tiles.

3. Painted Glass

Glass as a splashback material is suited to most styles from modern to traditional. It's easy to wipe down but can get grubby looking if not cleaned frequently.

4. Pressed Metal

Pressed metal is attractive for several reasons. It's cost effective, quick and easy to install, easy to clean and comes in a range of designs and patterns that can be customised and painted too.

 5. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a beautiful, clean and modern choice. It does however have a tendency to get dirty quite quickly. Marks really stand out against the sleek, reflective surface.

6. Stone

Granite and Marble are some of the sexiest splashback materials out there. These smooth, easy to clean materials are good for a modern looking kitchen and eliminate those grout lines you'll get if you have use tile. They're also highly heat resistant.

7. Man Made or Engineered Stone

Stone as a splashback material is a good choice if you're looking to achieve a natural look in your kitchen. Caesarstone and Essastone come in a selection of colours and are also easy to clean and durable.

Do you have a splashback in your kitchen? Leave a comment with your ideal splashback material. To see more of our work check out our Houzz page or contact us here.

Kitchen Building Materials

Kitchen building materials aren’t just important for the look of your outdoor kitchen but for the longevity and durability as well.  Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens carefully selects high quality materials that have been tried and tested to handle all weather and heat conditions. We ensure a fine balance between beauty and strength. Here are some of the building materials we use for our kitchens.

Polished Concrete

We’ve built loads of kitchens using this material and consider the use of polished concrete our speciality.

• Cost effective
• Highly durable and requires low maintenance
• Solid and comes in a variety of textures, colours and shapes
• Suited to many kitchen styles from contemporary to modern and industrial
• Unique

Reclaimed Timber

We take great pride in the our use of salvaged timber as one of our building materials . This beautiful material has given our kitchens a distinctive and homey  feel .

• Eco friendly
• Recycled timber is more stable than old timber. New timber goes through a drying process to remove moisture, whereas recycled timber has just about 0% moisture
• The source of the timber makes it unique and makes for a great topic of conversation
• Gives your kitchen character

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is not only aesthetically appealing but is a strong and durable material.

• Durable and corrosion resistant
• Sleek look suitable for industrial and modern styles
• Highly heat resistant
• Hygienic due to its cleanability
• Cost effective due to its thickness and weight

 

 Check out our Houzz page to see more of our work or contact us here if you have any questions!

The Beauty of Polished Concrete

When thinking of outdoor kitchens and dining areas, concrete is the stuff you walk on to get to your seat. Right? Concrete is no longer the boring grey surface that you walk over and barely even notice unless it is missing. At Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens, we specialise in something known as GFRC (Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete). We have found innovative uses for this surprisingly versatile material, with everything from bench tops to furniture.Polished concrete is exceptionally solid and can be in a variety of textures, inlays, colours, shapes, and turns it into something truly unique - a real one of a kind, not run of the mill. Polished concrete can enhance any style - from country to contemporary, industrial and from traditional to modern. Glass fibre reinforced concrete is quickly becoming the product of choice when it comes to designers, architects, and home-owners. It is an incredible medium for architectural, visual and artistic expression.Because each piece is hand-crafted, the possibilities in terms of shape, size, colour, and texture are virtually endless. This makes it the perfect choice for outdoor kitchen bench tops and furniture. There are very few limitations to what you can accomplish with good design and sound fabrication techniques. If you can dream it, we can create it!Durability is a key factor in designing an outdoor kitchen, with everything being exposed to the elements in one way or another, you need a product that is going to take some punishment and keep looking good. Just a few of the benefits of using GFRC are... Highly durable and safe •Design freedom; •since GFRC is able to be moulded into almost any shape and colourRequires low maintenance • Installation is quick and cost effective •Weather and fire resistant • Polished concrete bench tops and furniture from Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens are built to your needs, around your existing, or planned, outdoor installation and to your complete satisfaction. Make your bench tops, and even whole pieces of furniture, something that is uniquely yours. Our polished concrete products are crafted in such a way to have such a certain ‘look’ so they could almost be mistaken for art installations - so much so, that it’s almost a shame to have to sit on our benches! Furniture made with this material is also incredibly strong, so there is no danger of breakage, and it would take dedicated and concerted effort to chip it. If furniture is going to be enjoyed outside, then it pays to ensure that the furniture you invest in is tough enough to take the punishment. Our polished concrete products certainly fit the bill, and then some.