Choosing the right builder for your outdoor kitchen
Cheap and easy DIY kitchen projects while you isolate
Update your outdoor kitchen with these cheap and simple tricks
Kitchen must-haves for busy mums – and dads!
How to make your kitchen more environmentally friendly
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
