Stainless Steel Kitchen – How Rust Proof is It?

Stainless Steel – How Rust Proof is It?

We love the look of stainless steel, and it looks amazing in any outdoor kitchen. But is it as rust proof as you think? We’ve taken time to explain the pros and cons of stainless steel so that you can have a gorgeous kitchen all year round.

What is Stainless Steel?

We all know metals like iron and steel tarnish easily. That’s because they are what experts call ‘active metals’. An active metal is a metal that reacts strongly to other substances. In most cases, that reaction results in rust. Stainless steel is a ‘passive metal’, meaning that it’s mixed with other metals like chromium or titanium. So it doesn’t react to the elements like an active metal would. But does that mean it is rustproof?

So What Does that Mean?

Combining chromium with steel creates a thin film over the steel’s surface. It’s this layer that protects your stainless steel from eroding. So as long as that film stays intact, you should stay relatively rust-free. But remember, your stainless steel kitchen isn’t a get it and forget it deal – you’ll have to maintain it if you don’t want it to corrode.

Then What Makes Stainless Steel Rust?

If that film over your stainless steel breaks down, then you're going to get rust. Many things can damage that coating. Remember to:

• Avoid cleaning your appliances with steel pads or scrapers

• Not leave spilt water to stain – clean it up as soon as possible

• Keep anything with chloride, like salt or some household cleaners, away from your kitchen.

How Can I Stop It?

Your stainless steel outdoor kitchen is stainless, not stain proof. So you’ll still need to look after it if you don’t want it to rust.  Keep that protective chromium film over your kitchen’s surfaces by:

• Using only soft cloths to clean it

• Choosing cleaners with chloride in them

• Cleaning in the direction of the polish marks, and

• Air drying after cleaning

Following these simple rules will help keep your outdoor kitchen looking as good as the day you bought it.

Looking for more advice on what materials to use in your outdoor kitchen? Check out our online blog HERE.

How to Host the Best Christmas BBQ Brunch

How to Host the Best Christmas BBQ Brunch  So, you’ve put your hand up to host Christmas. You thought it was a good idea at the time. But now you need to put your money where your mouth is and actually do it. Overwhelmed? We got you! Your BBQ can be the ultimate tool for the best Christmas brunch, and we can tell you how.

Be Prepared We can’t stress this enough – planning ahead of time will not only make sure that the big day runs smoothly, but will alleviate any stress for you. So start early and give yourself enough time to get everything ready. Make a budget and stick to it. Write a list of all the things you have, like table settings, and what you need. Try not to stray off your list.

Keep It Simple Think Christmas is the best time to try out that complicated pork knuckle with all the trimmings? Think again. Your BBQ can turn the simplest dishes into a Christmas brunch without the effort. So choose meat that is affordable and versatile. A shoulder of lamb rubbed with rosemary is easy and delicious. And make as much as possible the night before, or even earlier. 

Delegate You’re going to be busy enough with Christmas brunch, so don’t be afraid to delegate jobs to your guests. For example, everyone can all bring a side dish to share. Not only will this lighten your workload, but will make the day more affordable for you as well. Don’t forget to ask each of your visitors to bring different things so you don’t end up with six plates of curried eggs.

Set Up a Kiddies’ Table Worried the little ones might be bored during Christmas brunch? Create a table just for them. Use craft paper as a table cloth and leave some coloured pencils. The kids can make art while the adults enjoy their meal. For something really fun, put some art and craft supplies on the table and let their imagination run wild.

Have Outdoor Games Take advantage of the Christmas weather and organise some outdoor games. Classic games like Jenga and Connect Four come in jumbo sizes and can be bought online. Or get everyone on their feet with an egg and spoon race. Just make sure to play before everyone starts on the Christmas wine!

The Clean Up Everyone wants to be the perfect host, and for some, that means dealing with the clean-up alone. Christmas is not that time. Some of the best memories can come from family and friends are working together. So accept your guests’ offers of helping with the dishes and get it done quickly. This will leave you free to concentrate on other things, like hosting the best Christmas ever.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff We know you want this Christmas brunch to be the most memorable one yet, but don’t let that stress you out. Your home and food don't have to be perfect when you’re surrounded by your closest loved ones. Remember to have fun and enjoy the day. And don’t worry about small mishaps - everyone will be enjoying themselves too much to notice. 

Outdoor Kitchen Design - Mistakes to Avoid

Imagine a warm summer’s evening, family and friends chatting and laughing around a beautifully set table in the garden. There are few things more homely and inviting than a gathering in an outdoor entertainment area. That is, unless your outdoor kitchen is poorly designed.

A costly disappointment like this can be averted by avoiding these 4 major mistakes when designing your outdoor kitchen.

Not considering kitchen functionality

An outdoor kitchen creates images of carefree relaxation; however, it is still a functioning kitchen. When designing an outdoor kitchen, the same attention must be paid to the layout of the space as you would to a kitchen inside your home.

You want to have enough countertop space to prepare your meals without obstruction. Then, of course, there is always the clean-up to consider. Make sure that there are sinks for rinsing and washing up, with efficient plumbing installed.

That said, you must consider that indoor materials and surfaces are not necessarily suitable or practical for outdoor use. Think about factors such as slippery surfaces, heat-absorbing surfaces and similar hazards that could turn out to be unwanted party guests.

Installing the wrong appliances

The first step in choosing your equipment is deciding whether you will cook with a good old wood fire, with gas or other cooking methods. For anyone you choose, you will need to ensure that the appliance is large enough to provide enough capacity.

If your outdoor kitchen design includes additional appliances such as pizza ovens, for example, be sure to leave enough space for moving around freely, working and placing items. Remember that appliances should be specified for outdoor use.

Ventilation is essential to a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Heat, smoke and gas must be allowed to escape through vents, preventing build-up in the entertainment area and also potential fire hazards.

Forgetting to include storage

You can’t entertain your guests very well when you’re constantly running into the house to collect dishes and items that you couldn’t store outside. Storage for utensils should be easily within reach and kept safe from rain. Include airtight storage for spices and sauces and consider space for cold storage of your meat, drinks etc.

Lighting

An easily forgotten element of outdoor kitchen design is the lighting. Very often, outdoor lighting is insufficient for cooking and working at night. As much as the right lighting affects the atmosphere, it also affects the cooking and eating experience!

There are a variety of options available that are aesthetically pleasing, functional and energy-efficient. Speak to your experienced builder or designer to make your dream outdoor kitchen an idyllic reality.

5 Ways to Make Your Apartment Look Bigger

I personally like the challenge of finding ways to make a space bigger, better, greener and after decorating spaces for the past five years I've found these 7 ways to make your apartment look bigger an absolute Godsend!

Natural light

My first and most effective tip is natural light! It's the best (and cheapest) way to make a room look bigger. Dark rooms with minimal to no light will always look dingey, stuffy and smaller.

Dark and light colours

Use dark colours on the bottom and light colours up top. In your kitchen for example, you can paint your lower cabinets in a dark colour and your upper cabinets and walls in a lighter colour. This contrast helps create depth which creates the illusion of depth.

Mirrors

Pop some mirrors on the wall! Putting mirrors up on your wall is the cheapest way to make a room loom bigger. Read: Kitchen Mirrors

Declutter

Minimalist homes always look like they have more space. Marie Kondo your home, tossing away all the things that no longer 'bring you joy' and watch your space transform into a spacious space! Read: Minimalist Kitchens

Furniture with legs

Find furniture with exposed legs. This is our favourite hack for making a space look bigger. Because the space around the legs of the furniture is exposed, it naturally creates the illusion of a bit more space.

Long curtains

Raise your curtain rail close to the ceiling and purchase long curtains that make your walls look longer.

Hidden storage

Use wall shelves and hidden storage to store your books, decor or every other day items. Find furniture ( couches or tables, that have storage built into them)READ: 5 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look AND Feel Bigger

DIY Outdoor Area Ideas

We love finding affordable DIY ways to upgrade your outdoor area. If you've got the space but don't have the budget, this blog is for you! Here are some DIY outdoor area ideas to turn your outdoor area into a space you want to be.

READ: Tips for making your outdoor area cosy. 

READ: Semi-permanent outdoor are decor ideas. 

Pallet day bed

Timber pallets are an absolute Godsend! They are versatile and can be turned in beds, coaches, tables and verticle garden walls. Did we mention they are FREE?! Check out Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace for free pallets to use for your outdoor area

Turn a pallet into an outdoor daybed. You can either stack the pallet beds on top of one another as is or for a more high-end look sand them down, nail them together and paint them. They make a great day bed/seating area for you and your guests. Top the day bed with pillows, cushions and rugs.

TIP: Add wheels to your pallet day bed to move it out the way or to a chase the sun!

Wooden Crate Side Tables

Upcycle old wooden crates into a table, side tables or storage boxes. The beauty of these is that they look great in a rustic style which means you don't have to sand, paint and/or varnish it if you don't want to.

Mason Jar Lights

Grab some fairy lights and place them in some old mason jars to light up your outdoor area. Cost effective and oh so romantic!

READ: Outdoor Kitchen Lighting Tips

Low Maintenance Pot Plants

Decorate your outdoor area with nature's beauty! Find some low maintenance pot plants or herbs to decorate your outdoor area. Pansies and violas, palms and herbs like mint and Rosemarie are easy to take care of. If you have some leftover pallets you can create a vertical garden wall.

Upcycled Furniture

Got any old furniture you were thinking of throwing out? Dust them off. Give them a wipe and chuck some chalk paint onto them. Chalk paint is brilliant. You don't need to prime or sand the wood beforehand which is great.

Unique Kitchen Islands - Adelaide Benchtops

Everyone loves an island and we don't mean the one covered in palm trees touching the ocean. Nope! We're talking about kitchen islands. Here are some of our favourite kitchen benchtops right now. If you're looking for Adelaide benchtops, we can help. Send us a message on Facebook or through our website for a quote.

Why a kitchen island?

A kitchen island is a great solution if you don't have a lot of benchtop space. It provides additional benchtop space you may not have. Kitchen islands also act as a dining area or breakfast bar for friends and family. Of course, a kitchen island can also accommodate an additional sink, rinse area or cabinets. Islands can be built in all shapes and sizes. If you're looking for a kitchen island or Adelaide benchtops, Adelaide Kitchen Outdoors would love to turn your kitchen dreams into a reality.

Unique Kitchen Islands

Polished Concrete

Polished concrete is one of the most durable building materials out. It can with stand accidental bumps, scratches and spill. It comes in a range of colours and is suited to industrial and/or modern kitchens. READ: The Beauty of Polished Concrete or Benefits of Concrete Flooring.

Quartz

Quartz as a building material has really stood the test of time. Used in outdoor areas, kitchens and bathrooms, its versatility is a major plus. The uniqueness and beauty speaks for itself. Each slab of quartz is unique and the patterns within the slab add interest. Quartz comes in black/brown or grey/white.

Timber

Another classic building material, that's not only suitable for many styles but is also eco-friendly if it's reclaimed. This particular island has storage space for just about anything. If you like the idea of an island bench but don't have space, you can also get one on wheels that you can use when it's needed and wheel away when you're done.

Colour Appliances That Make Your Kitchen Pop

Colour Appliances That Make Your Kitchen Pop

We all go through phases. And when the change isn’t in the haircut, it’s something we look for in the spaces we live in. Usually folk think that change in the kitchen requires costly and time-consuming renovations. To everyone’s relief, it is not.Here are a few ideas, design tips and appliance brands to consider when getting that change you’ve been wanting with minimal effort and just a pop of colour.

Start small

If you feel that there’s just a little something missing but you’re not ready for massive changes, look for smaller appliances that will give that colour pop. SMEG offers cheery, vintage-inspired appliances like kettles, toasters and traditional mixers in colours ranging from the traditional pastel colours to funky, vibrant colours. Not only will this particular brand provide what you’re looking for, but their quality and overall presentation is also a step above the rest.

Seasonal hues are in

Colours representing the seasons of the year have made their way on to kitchen appliances. There is something incredibly satisfying about walking into a kitchen that treats your eyes to the colours of your favourite season, even if the outdoors don’t match. BLUESTAR has over 759 colours available in their appliances, including refrigerators. They’ve also come out with their seasonal pallets, one being the Autumn Abundance pallet which sports colours of turmeric, spelt, bluefish and orange.

Build up the buttercup

A yellow on the walls can be a bit too loud for everyday space, and quite cliche for an area where you consume food. However, a soft buttercup yellow when used in the right way and with your appliances can give your kitchen the facelift it needs and bring in a warm and inviting light. The pastel yellow traditionally gives a 50’s look and appliances from NORTHSTAR provides a retro-inspired look. The overall feel is soft, cheerful and elegant. Match the buttercup appliances with some white cabinets and a colourful, loud backsplash wall and you’re in for business.

Mixing the old with the new

We’re big into the come back of the gorgeous olive green. Used frequently in the 70’s, this colour brings depth and earthiness to your space. Pair an olive green SMEG stove with white cabinets and silver or marble backsplash to give a very simple but very effective and classy pop of colour to your kitchen.Also fitting in with the retro-mod mode is the collection from Veronaappliances. Their burgundy duel fuel double oven range provides an entirely unique look with the perfect accent colors to up liven up your kitchen.

Trending with Citron yellow

If it’s in your blood, a more dramatic look can be obtained by using two contrasting colors. Again SMEG comes in with a citron yellow for its appliances. Pair this color with dark gray or midnight blue cabinets and walls to give a dramatic, artistic and vibrant finish.Colorful appliances are truly the perfect way to bring the change that you’re wanting. There are endless options of brands and colors to perfectly fit your needs and wants.

5 Kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

5 kitchen Cabinet Handles You Need to Know About

Kitchen handles and knobs and finding the right fit for your style and your home may be more important than you think. They’re about beauty and functionality and can provide the perfect finish to your kitchen space as well as make access to your cabinets and drawers effortless and convenient.With all the thousands of styles and materials used, there are 5 handles to look out for and consider adding to your kitchen.

Stainless steel bar pull

Great for a modern kitchen, the pull bar is sleek and may work perfectly for the minimalist. The round shapes of the bar give a contrast to the 90-degree shape of the cabinets and drawers. Easy to grab and soft to the touch. Be wary of the length of the pull- you’ll want something on the lengthier side, again for easy grip, this also lends itself to design.

Crisscross rope

A trend which has come about is the use of rope crisscrossed to shape a pull. The look definitely lends itself to a more rustic, earthy kitchen design. It provides a beautiful and original look. Bare in mind the grip may be a nuisance and depending on the finish/protectant on the rope, it may wear easily. Being rope though, it is easily replaceable.

The gold bar

Going gold can give your space elegance and class. The colour provides enough oomph to be the accent colour and can be used throughout the space, contrasted with more simple colours that aren’t loud. White cabinets with turquoise or periwinkle and gold accents work brilliantly. A gold bar may not be the best option if you have little ones running around. Being on cabinets and drawers, the sharp corners become a potential hazard for head bonks.

Don’t forget the knobs

Kitchen cabinet knobs are important to consider for your space. While some folk find them more of a hassle for everyday use due to a lesser grip (depending on the knob), there is a huge variety of styles and shapes that you may fall in love with. For a more artsy space, porcelain knobs with floral or abstract patterns can become the main attraction in the kitchen.  A square, wooden knob works for a more rustic or modern space.

The cup handle

Cup handles can come in various metals and materials. They provide an easy grip, give an aesthetic of elegance and work well with almost all kitchen styles. Take into consideration the hand to cup size ratio of the household. Sometimes they can be too small for some members of the house to grab on to so make sure they are a decent size. Copper cup handles to give your space an exquisite and unique touch.Figure out which pull or knob works best for your lifestyle and needs when considering functionality. Always remember comfort, finish and don’t break the bank getting the perfect look. There is more often than not something for you in all styles.