Kitchen Renovation Tips: How To Survive Your Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen Renovation Tips: How To Survive Your Kitchen Renovation 

So you’ve decided to renovate your kitchen. Great! It’s time to ditch that drab splashback and replace it with a modern pop of colour. But don’t kid yourself – renovating is hard. Super hard. But it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. We’ve put together this handy guide so you can survive your kitchen renovation, and keep your sanity intact. 

Clean Up and Pack Up

Have a big clean out of your kitchen a few weeks before your renovation, and pack away any appliances you don’t use daily. Be ruthless - do you really need that second melon baller? Were you ever going to fix that broken blender? Not having to move all that extra equipment when your kitchen is finished will make your life a whole lot easier. 

Include Eating Out into Your Budget

Think about it – you won’t be able to use your kitchen, so how will you eat? Chances are there will be times when you and the family will just dine out, or order take away. So factor this into your renovation budget, and your wallet won’t take any more beatings. 

Think About Your Fridge  

You’re going to have to keep some essentials cold during your renovation – like milk or other dairy products. Can you make room for them in the outdoor fridge you use to keep drinks in? If that’s not an option, consider hiring a refrigerator, or even buying one-second hand. And remember to keep your new fridge out of the working zone – you’ll need to be able to access it freely. 

Make Your Own Kitchenette  

There’s nothing worse than stumbling out of bed and into the kitchen for coffee, only to realise that you’ve staggered into a gutted room and your coffee is nowhere to be found. Find a little nook out of the way and turn it into a kitchenette. Your kitchenette should have items you use every day like a coffee maker, electric kettle and grill, and a microwave. It will make your mornings a little more bearable. 

Need more advice about your next renovation? We’d love to help! Contact us here or read through our blogs to find out more.  

How Do I Clean My Outdoor Kitchen?

How Do I Clean My Outdoor Kitchen?

It’s the morning after the night before, and you’ve just hosted the best outdoor dinner party ever. Your once beautiful alfresco kitchen is now an absolute mess. It’s clean up time. But what’s the best way to do that? Read on to find out the best ways to tidy up your outdoor kitchen, and keep it as spotless as the day you got it.

Stainless Steel  

Just because it’s steel, doesn’t mean it should be treated roughly. Stainless steel is coated in a thin, protective film. If that film is scratched or damaged, your gorgeous outdoor kitchen becomes suppliable to corrosion. To keep your stainless-steel lush and shiny, never cut directly onto its surface, and clean it with soapy water and a soft cloth. Don’t forget to rinse and dry properly - or you may find some unsightly water stains.

If you really want to protect your stainless-steel kitchen from the elements, consider powder coating the surfaces. Adding this extra layer will prevent rust and keeps your kitchen easy to clean. Powder coating also comes in a variety of colours, so you can have a kitchen as unique as you.

READ: The truth about natural cleaning products

Appliances

Your appliances, like your barbecue, get the biggest workout after an outdoor party. So it’s important to keep them clean for proper maintenance. Wait until your barbecue has cooled down before you clean it, and then scrub the grill with a wire brush. Use soapy water and a cloth to wipe off any gunk. Use this time to check your barbecue’s other components – the burners, valves and hoses. A stiff brush and some elbow grease is the best way to keep these parts neat and tidy.   

Counter Tops

Your countertops are an essential feature to your outdoor kitchen’s look, so keeping them spotless should be a high priority. The way you clean your benchtop will depend on the material it’s made from – for example, a porous granite or stone top should be wiped down with soapy water to avoid any stains.

But the best way to keep your countertops in good nick is to add a roof over your outdoor kitchen. That way, your benches will stay clean all year round.

READ: BBQ cleaners you didn't know about

Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens love giving our clients useful tips and expert advice. Why not scroll through ourblog to learn more about what we can do for you.

Should I Powder Coat My Outdoor Kitchen?

Should I Powder Coat My Outdoor Kitchen? 

There’s an easier way to add a pop of colour to your entertaining area. Long gone are the days where powder coating was just for industrial factories – you can now have it in your outdoor kitchen! But is it the best option? We’ve pulled together all the benefits for powder coating your kitchen so you can make an informed choice. 

It’s Environmentally Friendly

Not only are you creating a fresh look by powder coating your outdoor kitchen, but you’re helping the planet as well! Powder coating produces less by-product waste than traditional liquid paint and doesn’t contain nasty volatile organic compounds (VOCs). And because it doesn’t give off any air-borne pollutants, it’s better for your health. Powder coating is also easy to dispose of because it doesn’t contain dangerous chemicals, so it complies with environmental regulations. 

It Protects Your Surfaces

Worried about your outdoor kitchen because you live in a windy, wet or even sunny area? Then powder coating just might be for you! Powder coating acts as a defensive layer between the elements and your surfaces, so your outdoor kitchen is protected from severe weather damage. It also safeguards any material that may otherwise breakdown when left outside. As a bonus, you’ll also be saving your outdoor kitchen from any chips, spills, stains and sticky fingerprints. 

It Looks Amazing

Your outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be drab – add some distinctive colours with powder coating! Traditional liquid paint can leave a ‘painted on’ texture and can droop if it’s too runny. Powder coating is applied via spray method and then cured in an oven, so it can be painted in much thicker layers. This means you get the smoothest possible finish.

Want a pop of colour? No problem! Powder coating is a combination of pigment and resin, so you have your choice of different shades. So chose a colour as unique as you, and give your outdoor kitchen some real personality!

Still need more convincing? Maybe you just want some colour advice? Call us on  0437 658 850 or email justin@adelaideoutdoorkitchens.com.au. We would love to walk you through your options.

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Kitchen – Tips for Designing the Ultimate Space

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Kitchen – Tips for Designing the Ultimate Space

Summer is here, a time to dust of the old BBQ and have your mates ‘round for a couple of snags. But why just stop there? An outdoor kitchen can turn a mediocre meal into an entertainer’s dream. So consider these easy tips when planning your outdoor kitchen, and impress your friends with your new space.

Where Should You Put It?

So you’ve finally decided to build your own outdoor kitchen – but where to put it? Maybe you want to look over your amazing view while you cook, but the wind blows smoke from your BBQ into your home. Or maybe you plan to have your kitchen away from the house, but your plates and platters are too heavy to carry all that way. Some research into factors such as wind conditions, distance and use of space can help you decide where your new kitchen will go.

Build from the Ground Up

When we think about outdoor kitchens, we think of BBQs, outdoor furniture and time spent with friends. But does anyone consider the flooring? The material used for your floors is just as important. What will the weather conditions be? How much will your appliances weigh? And what is the durability of the material chosen? Marble may be slippery during the winter, but timber can fade and crack in the summer. A little planning into what happens under your feet can change the way you use your outdoor kitchen.

Think About Your Appliances

Does your dream outdoor kitchen have a six grill BBQ? A refrigerator for all your beers? A pizza oven? Those appliances have to go somewhere, and that will take up space. When designing your outdoor kitchen, consider the size of your appliances and how they will work together. Don’t forget to allow room for platters and utensils next to your BBQ, or a place to keep your pizzas while waiting to be cooked. A well thought out plan for your appliances can create flow in your new kitchen.

Don’t Forget About Storage!

So you’ve got your appliances, your outdoor furniture and even your colour scheme. Could there be anything else? Of course – a place for storage! Just like an indoor kitchen, your outdoor kitchen is going to need room for your utensils and plates. So how much storage will you need? Will you be entertaining larges groups of people or just family? Will you use your kitchen just in the summer, or all year round? And of course, this storage is going to need to be water and weatherproof. As simple as it may seem, having the right storage can lift your new outdoor kitchen to the next level.