Pizza Oven Types

Pizza has been a popular food since the 18th century when the people of Naples began adding tomato to flat bread. Since then pizza has become a well love food in most homes and a pizza oven has become the perfect addition to a BBQ or outdoor area. There are several pizza oven types that we thought we'd share with you in case you're thinking of getting one for your kitchen!

Conveyor oven

Typically bought for commercial use as they cook pizzas nice and fast and push them out in an orderly fashion which makes them suitable for restaurant owners. They're generally much larger than other pizza oven types.

Wood-burning oven

Our personal favourite! Pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven gives pizza that authentic, rustic, smoky taste that you can't seem to get from electric oven. These ovens contain wood or coal heated at high temperatures (around 1000 degrees) The oven is built in a dome shape which reflects and intensifies the heat. These ovens can be small or large.

Pizza deck oven

These ovens contain racks that can cook multiple pizzas at once. Because of this feature these ovens are also often used in restaurants, however mini pizza deck ovens can also be bought.

Convection oven

These are commercial or residential and are usually pretty cheap to run. They can be electric or run with gas. They tend to be a lot more energy and cost effective that some of the other ovens.

Countertop oven

These small ovens are perfect for the home as they are small and easy to store away.

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Jamaican Style BBQ

Most people's mouths start to water at the sound of jerk chicken - tender chicken dry rubbed or wet marinated in hot spices and ingredients like sugar, garlic, salt and thyme. This week's blog is on a Jamaican Style BBQ!

Jerk Chicken

Originally cooked in a fire pit, jerk chicken should have a smokey flavour. This used to be achieved by cooking the chicken in a smokey fire pit but in modern days people use wood burning ovens, oil barrels or steel drums.Here's a recipe for jerk chicken seasoning

Jerk Seasoned Corn on the Cob

Make extra jerk seasoning and rub it on some corn on the cob! Quick, easy and delicious! 

Jamaican Rice

Jamaicans call this "rice and peas". A simple side dish of long grain rice, kidney beans and loads of flavour from lime juice, ginger and coconut milk. See recipe here. 

Jamaican BBQ Sauce

If you like BBQ sauce you'll LOVE Jamaican BBQ sauce! This flavoursome sauce has a bit of bacon, jalapeño peppers, mustard and thyme - just to give you a bit of idea of the wonderful flavours this sauce has and it only takes about 20 mins to make! Recipe for Jamaican BBQ sauce.Don't know about you guys but we're feeling pretty inspired to host a Jamaican style BBQ this weekend! 

South African Style BBQ (braai)

It's been a while since we posted a foodie blog, so we thought we'd share some ideas for a South African style BBQ or braai (pronounced like fry)...The word braai comes from the word braaivleis which means "grilled meat" in Afrikaans. In South Africa it's common to have a wood braai as opposed to a gas barbecue. Braais are a big social happening in South Africa rather than just a meal. People make big efforts when hosting braais with all sorts side dishes and salads. They even have a National Braai Day!

Boerewors

Boerewors (farmer sausage) comes from an older Dutch sausage verse wosrt. It's a flavoursome sausage that can contain a mix of minced beef, lamb and pork with lots of spices! Boerewors is best braaid but can also be cooked in an oven or fry pan. Late nights out in South Africa usually end with a boerewors roll, served with fried onions and sauce on the street!Recipe for boerewors sausage

Pap

Also known as mieliepap (maize meal) is a porridge/polenta type food. Also known as putu. It can be served plain or seasoned and can be served in a dry or moist consistency. It is served as a side dish with meats, stews, vegetables and/or salads and goes amazingly well with an onion and tomato sauce!Recipe for pap or putu

Braaibroodtjies

This is basically a barbecued toasted sandwich and is a truly unique part of a South African braai! It contains tomato, cheese, onion, chutney, salt and pepper. The outsides of the sandwich are thickly coated in butter and placed on the braai.How to make braaibroodtjies

Brandy

South Africa has some amazing wine regions so wine at braais is common, however for a true South African experience brandy goes down best! You can even pair the different types of brandy with boerewors!

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.

Beverage Cooler Ideas

With Spring upon us and the weather slowly warming up we thought we'd post some awesome beverage cooler ideas so you can get yourself ready for the sunny season!

Cowboy Cooler

This beverage cooler idea is amazing! The creator has taken an old piece of furniture and turned it into an outdoor glass holder and beverage cooler. If you're into up-cycling and feel like taking on a project, why not try this.

 Custom Table with Beverage Coolers

We love these custom made tables with beverage cooler bottoms. Great for garden parties and small get-togethers. If you're planning a bigger party, a bigger cooling area would probably be required.

Picnic Table with a Gutter

Another really cool table meets beverage cooler idea. A DIY picnic table with a 'gutter' to cool drinks. The middle panel is remove and replaced with a steel 'gutter' to be filled with ice and chill your drinks! A genius beverage cooler idea perfect for any outdoor party or occasion.

Reclaimed Wine Barrel

Not only is a re-purposed wine barrel big enough to hold loads of drinks, but it looks really good. We've all seen bright coloured eskies laying around an outdoor area. This beverage cooler idea gives a rustic alternative that will serve a purpose and look good in your outdoor area.

Small Wine Barrel Cooler

For something a little less cumbersome you can opt for a smaller barrel and put some legs on it to make it waist height.

 Stay tuned for next week's blog on outdoor kitchen/bar fridges!

Must Have BBQ Accessories for your Outdoor Kitchen

Every outdoor kitchen should be equipped with BBQ accesories. Here are our top five must haves for your outdoor kitchen...

Barbecue Tool Set

If it's one thing an outdoor kitchen can't go without it's a barbecue tool set! The price range can vary between AU $12 to AU $200. A basic grill master set usually has tongs, a spatula and fork. A deluxe barbecue tool set can contain up to 24 utensils including a bottle opener, basting brush, skewers and a grill brush. Stainless steel is a recommended material for a set but they do also come in aluminium.

BBQ Grill/Cooking Thermometer

For perfectly cooked steak we recommend a thermometer. The doneness of the meat all comes down to internal temperature. So use a thermometer to ensure you're not over or under cooking your meat. You can buy digital thermometers or leave in oven proof thermometers. When your meat is done the internal temperature of the meat will be:

• Rare 60ºC
• Medium rare 60-65ºC
• Medium 65-70ºC
• Medium well done 70ºC
• Well done 75ºC

BBQ Firelighter

Whether you're using it for lighting a fire, your BBQ or candles, a firelighter is a very handy accessory to have in your outdoor area. Long stem lighters are generally safer to use as you keep a safe distance from the flame. These lighters are refillable and can be bought for as little as AU $3, however we suggest spending a bit more for a quality lighter that'll last.

BBQ Pizza Kit

The alternative BBQ. Grilling pizza is a popular barbecuing alternative. These are usually pretty low in  cost and typically consist of a pizza spatula, pizza wheel cutter and a pizza rack.

 

Non-stick BBQ Grill Mat

These aren't for everyone, but if you're looking to protect your BBQ these non-stick BBQ grill mats are a great solution! Avoid scrubbing and scraping your barbie after a cook up and use these re-useable non-stick mats. Using these mats is also a healthier way to BBQ. The non-stick surface means you use less oil. They can also be used in the oven. 

Gas For Your BBQ: LPG vs Natural Gas

Choosing the right gas for your BBQ is important. LPG and natural gas are used in various appliances within Aussie homes, but what's the difference?

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or bottled gas is propane whereas natural gas is methane. Although there are many scientific differences between the two, the main difference you need to know is that LPG is supplied in a bottle or tank and natural gas isn't!

Natural Gas

This comes from your local utility company . This would be the gas you use for your cooker or boiler for example. Having a natural gas source for your barbecue would simply mean you'd need a pipe directing the gas to your outdoor area or barbecue. One of the downsides to natural gas is that once it's installed it's difficult to move.

Some of the benefits of natural gas:

• affordable
• produces less emissions
• never runs out!

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

LPG gas comes in a bottle or tank. The main benefit of this is that, unlike natural gas, it can be moved around. Fittings and hoses for these bottles do differ, so we recommend you ensure you're buying the right hose from your supplier to fit your tank or bottle.

Some benefits of LPG:

• the bottle or tank is movable
• it doesn't pollute the ground or water sources
• its octane rating enables it to mix better with air

Heat Temperature

LPG has a higher flame temperature than natural gas, however this shouldn't affect your decision when it comes to picking the right gas for your barbie. The temperature for both these gas types will get the job done!

Cost

As we've already mentioned, natural gas tends to be more affordable than LPG, particularity if you use your gas frequently. If you don't use gas too often then the choosing LPG is okay.

Want to find out more about our barbecue installations? Get in touch here

Argentinian Style BBQ (Asado)

Argentinian BBQs or Asados have some unique and delicious dishes. A “traditional” Asado is a specific way of grilling meat. It involves using coals and firewood and tending to the meat to make sure that it's grilled to perfection. Here are some dishes to inspire your Argentinian style BBQ!

Chorizo

Chorizo can be eaten sliced, grilled, baked or fried. A tender and flavourful sausage made from finely chopped pork filled with garlic, chilli and smoked paprika. In Argentina a chorizo served in a bread roll is called a choripán.

Provoleta

Provoleta is trademark dish. It's essentially a disc of cheese, 2cm thick topped with chilli and oregano placed on an aluminium foil tin and grilled above the fire. Although probably not the most healthiest of dishes, provoleta is definitely one of the most delicious!

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is a garlicky, fresh herb sauce that goes well with just about anything. Here's an easy recipe to make the sauce yourself:

• 1 cup fresh Italian parsley, packed
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Puree all ingredients in a processor. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperature.

Malbec Wine

Today, Argentina leads with over 75% of all the acres of Malbec in the world (WineFolly.com) This smooth red wine is a must at an Argentinian style BBQ.

Feeling inspired? Like our post and leave a comment with the dish you're going to try at your next BBQ!