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.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Kitchen in 2020 - Outdoor Kitchens

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Kitchen in 2020 

It’s the start of a new year, so you must be well on your way to achieving those New Year's resolutions, right? Of course not! We won’t judge you. But the new year is a great excuse to start sorting things out in your kitchen. We know you’re busy - so we’ve thought up five new year resolutions that you can start in your kitchen today. 

Use Less Plastic

Ditch that cling wrap and plastic straws – 2020 is all about being green! Stock up on beeswax wraps and metal straws for your kitchen. Don’t forget your reusable bags when you’re at the shops. And start shopping at places that have bulk bins – you can bring your own container and save on packaging.

 Save More Water

Your kitchen is one of the rooms that use more water than any other place in the house. So start your water-saving resolution where it counts. Try the ‘eco’ option on your dishwasher, and only turn it on when it’s full. Use that old cooking water from your pasta or boiled veggies to water the garden. The environment, and your wallet, will thank you!

Be More Organised

Things getting messy in the kitchen? Use 2020 as the year you get your kitchen organised! Start with one drawer at a time whenever you have a spare ten minutes. Move things you don’t regularly use to a more out of the way spot, or throw them out altogether. Buy organisers for your pantry so you can always see what’s in there without rummaging around.

READ: Tips for organising your kitchen

Eat More Healthy Foods  

We know that eating healthy gets on the list every year, so why not make it easy in 2020? Steaming nutritious foods like vegetables or fish is a quick and convenient way to eat well. So consider buying a steam oven to make your meals as healthy as possible. Don’t have the room? Microwave streamers are far more compact and cost-effective.

Save Money for the Future

How many times have you bought a small fortune in groceries only to have them waste away before you can use them? Invest in a quality refrigerator in 2020 to keep your food fresher for longer. You may have to shell out initially, but you’ll save on your shopping bill all year round.   

READ: How to make your kitchen look and feel bigger!

Looking to renovate your kitchen in 2020? Get in touch with Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens for a FREE quote.

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. 

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for Outdoor Living

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for Outdoor Living

Need to get the perfect Christmas gift for the outdoor lover in your life? Completely stumped on ideas? Don't worry – we got you. We've scoured all the corners of the internet to bring you the ultimate Christmas gift guide for the outdoor cook. We’ll even let them believe it was your idea.

PARA’KITO Mosquito Bands

What ruins a family BBQ faster than burnt sausages? Mosquitos. But put away that smelly bug spray – PARA'KITO has created a natural alternative to keep those mozzies at bay. Available in several fun prints, PARA'KITO has designed a wrist band that uses pleasant-smelling essential oils to keep you bug-free. The bands last up to fifteen days, and the repellent pellets inside them can be easily replaced.

BBQ Wood Chip Smoker Box

Does the BBQ enthusiast in your life need help taking their cooking to the next level? Get them a BBQ Woodchip Smoker Box. Simply fill it up with wood chips and place on the BBQ to give the meat a rich, smoky favour. And being made from stainless steel, your loved one can pop it in the dishwasher when they’re done.

Casamigos and William-Sonoma Cocktail Collection

Maybe you're looking for something a little fancier for your gift? Well, no one is classier than George Clooney! His cocktail company, Casamigos, has teamed up with American label, William-Sonoma, to create the ultimate cocktail collection. Not only is it very fancy indeed, but it comes at a surprisingly affordable price.

Giant Inflatable Unicorn Yard Sprinkler

Have you ever thought to yourself, ‘sure, this outdoor party is great, but it needs more unicorns?’ We hear you. Get your outdoor entertainer a Giant Inflatable Unicorn Yard Sprinkler to spice up their next BBQ. Even at 2 meters tall, the unicorn is easy to inflate and deflate. It’s also made from strong vinyl so it’s tough enough to handle the kids. Unicorns not your thing? Opt for the dinosaur option instead.

Custom BBQ Branding Iron

Let your outdoor fanatic get in touch with their inner cowboy with their very own Custom BBQ Branding Iron. With 52 interchangeable letters, your loved one can brand their own steaks with their very own customised message. Never get the medium-rare steak confused with a well-done one again! And being made from stainless steel means that the Iron is durable and easy to clean.

Lodge Cookware’s Blacklock Skillet Pan

An oldie but a goodie, a skillet is in every home cook's wish list. Why not consider one for the chef in your life? Lodge Cookware has been selling skillets since 1877, and have released the Blacklock Skillet Pan just in time for Christmas. Made from triple seasoned iron, this skillet is naturally nonstick and designed to last for years. And don't forget that it's oven safe too!

2 In 1 Electric BBQ and Indoor Grill

Does your significant other love a classic cookout, but doesn't have space for a BBQ? A 2 in 1 Electric BBQ and Indoor Grill could be the perfect Christmas gift. Small in size, the 2 in 1 Grill cooks your meal without the smoke – making it ideal for small spaces like balconies or courtyards. Take your party inside or outside! And its non-stick surface makes it easy to clean. 

Green Kitchens - 50 Shades of Green

The colour green first and foremost means life, nature and harmony. Green is a refreshing colour that represents growth, safety and fertility. It's no wonder people are choosing green as a colour to paint their kitchens. Did we mention that green paint names are AWESOME?!

Here are 5 green colours you need to consider for your kitchen's next facelift!

Forest Green

This colour lends itself to a modern and traditional style kitchen. When paired with white and stainless steel, forest green will turn any kitchen from drab and outdated to fab and on-trend!

Cape Verde

Did you know that Verde means 'green' in Spanish? Cape Verde mixes a forest green with a deep teal making for a surprisingly fresh colour for kitchen cabinets. Light timber furniture and gold taps or appliances are the perfect pals for this colour.

Green Verditer

A fresh, modern and trendy green. Green Verditer is totally timeless too. Compliment the green with white or pops of yellow or salmon pink.

Mint Green

This pale tint of green was a popular choice in the 1990s and is slowly making its way back into the trends. The soothing colour tends to remind me of dusty love heart candies or the 'Black Mirror' episode 'Nose Dive'. Mint green is one of the few colours that works incredibly well against loud patterns. Take the below, for example, a black and mint green kitchen with a chessboard floor - modern, fresh with an artsy, vintage feel!

Sage Green

We're big fans of Sage Green! It got a shout out in our last post - 4 on-trend paint colours right now. Sage green is another calming colour great for a feng shui kitchen.READ: How to feng shui your kitchen

Looking to revamp, renovate or rebuild your kitchen? Get in touch with Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens! We're a local business who love creating timeless, stylish and longlasting kitchens for South Australian homes. Contact us here.

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 Shower Ideas

Outdoor showers remind me of holidays. This got me thinking. Could having an outdoor shower at home make me feel like I'm having a mini-holiday every morning? If there's any truth in this madness, it's worth trying it out! If you've been thinking of creating a magical outdoor shower in your garden or home, here are some DIY outdoor shower ideas to inspire you.

Simple DIY outdoor shower

The quickest and easiest way to whip up an outdoor shower = one tree + one hose + one shower head. Attach your garden hose to a showerhead. Here's a video on how to connect a garden hose to a showerhead. For privacy, create a makeshift encloser using two hula hoops and some waterproof fabric. This trick also makes a fun tent for the kids.

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Creative DIY outdoor shower

Create an outdoor shower using a can or bucket. A resourceful and creative alternative to a 5-star outdoor shower.

DIY outdoor shower with pallets and/or tin

Create an enclosure for your shower using old wooden pallets. These are easy to find and are usually given away for free! You'll just need a handyman or woman with the tools to cut, nail and sand them for your encloser.Nothing beats the water drops on tin! Calming and romantic.  A little more handy work, but another cool DIY shower to consider is a corrugated iron and timber shower.

Freestanding outdoor shower

This couldn't be easier to put up. Freestanding outdoor showers come in a range of sizes and styles. Most freestanding showers can be connected to a garden hose.

Can't get enough of these outdoor shower ideas? Keep an eye out for our next blog. There's plenty more outdoor shower inspiration to come!

The truth about natural cleaning products

The truth about natural cleaning products

With society becoming more aware of the positive impacts of choosing green at home and in the workplace, it’s no wonder ‘natural cleaning’ has skyrocketed in popularity. While it may have joined the rank of ‘clean eating’ and ‘clean beauty,’ it’s certainly not just a buzzword. Natural cleaning is a mainstream alternative for everyone from every-day families to mindful office cleaners wanting to avoid the harmful consequences of traditional products. If you’ve ever wondered if natural cleaning is for you, then read on as we dish up the truth.

Natural cleaning can be less expensive

Contrary to popular belief, natural cleaning doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of reasonably priced natural cleaners in your local Coles and Woolworths that are giving traditional cleaners a run for their money. Alternatively, you can scour the online world for discounts or flash sales from stores like biome and flora&fauna. If you want to take things into your own hands, you can even DIY your own natural cleaning products from home!

You can make it yourself

You can make your own natural cleaners using common supermarket ingredients like bicarbonate of soda, castile soap, white vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, essential oils, salt and more. All-purpose cleaner can be made by combining equal parts white vinegar and water, toilet cleaner can be made with bicarbonate of soda and a few shakes of essential oils, water and lavender essential oil can be combined to make air freshener, and white vinegar can be used on its own to tackle mould and mildew.

Natural cleaners are better for the environment

When you use traditional cleaning products, harmful chemicals are being released into the environment. But something you may not know is that these products are often manufactured in such a way that hurts the environment as well. On the other hand, most natural cleaning companies seek to make their products in a way that benefits the environment. They also often use recyclable packaging to minimise waste.

You can enjoy better air quality

There’s nothing worse than cleaning your house or office with chemical-filled products only to have an unpleasant odour hang around for the rest of the day. Not only is this uncomfortable but it’s also harmful to your health. Natural cleaning products are often made with essential oils that are not only safe to breathe in, but can also be really good for you! These products leave your home or office feeling fresh and you breathing easy. Of course, great air quality shouldn’t just be reserved for the home. If you work full time, it’s likely that you spend most of your week in an office. If your workplace uses commercial cleaners, it might be well worth asking them to get on board with natural cleaning products too.

You can be confident in the ingredients

Ammonia, chlorine, perchloroethylene, triclosan and phthalate - these are all names of traditional cleaning ingredients that are extremely harmful to your health. These chemicals can cause irritation, respiratory issues and interfere with your hormones, eek! The worst part is that manufacturers don’t always disclose all of the ingredients that they include in their products. Unlike traditional products, natural cleaning solutions steer clear of these harmful toxins. When you choose natural cleaning products, you can be confident knowing that you’re not using any of these nasties in your home or workplace.

There are fewer risks

When using conventional chemical-filled cleaning products, you run the risk of getting toxic ingredients in your eyes, lungs or on your skin. It’s important that you wear protective gear, including a fask mask, long gloves and appropriate clothing to keep yourself safe. However, you won’t run into the same risks with natural cleaning products, because they aren’t harmful to your health.

You’re protecting those you care about the most

If your family members or colleagues have a tough time with allergies, sensitive skin or asthma, you might find that you’re continually running into problems with traditional cleaning products. But by making the switch to natural cleaning products, you’re choosing a solution that’s free from toxic dyes and fragrances. Most importantly, you can clean confidently, knowing that you’re looking after everyone’s health.

There are certainly some strange misconceptions about natural cleaning products that are floating around the web. But we hope that by revealing the truth, you understand that there is so much more than meets the eye. Natural cleaning certainly isn’t a hippy term or buzzword, but it’s truly a lifestyle that benefits the world around you and those who matter the most.