Teppanyaki Cooking

We’re always looking for new ways to make our kitchens unique and stylish and we found the perfect way to showcase this through our Teppanyaki grill installations. Teppanyaki grills are not only great for cooking steak but are a brilliant centrepiece  for entertaining guests!

What is Teppanyaki?

Teppanyaki (said teppan-yaki) is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food. In Japan, Teppanyaki grills are commonly used to cook steaks, shrimp okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake), yakisoba (fried noodles) and monjayaki (rice cakes).

Teppanyaki grills are ideal for dinner parties and offer versatility as you can throw just about anything on there. They are flat surfaced and usually gas heated. The large flat surfaced grill is perfect for collective cooking.

What can I cook on it?

Ingredients for more Western style Teppanyaki cooking include steak, lobster, chicken, shrimp, scallops and vegetables. Here's a quick and easy recipe for some Teppanyaki cooking inspiration!

Benefits of Teppanyaki grills

• Grill warms up quickly (usually around two to three minutes for a medium heat)
• Cooks multiple ingredients at a time
• Keeps food that is cooked warm when placed on the edges of the grill
• Easy to clean (the flat surface means it is easy to wipe up any residue. Check out our post on BBQ cleaners for tips on cleaning your Teppanyaki grill)

Recommended utensils and accessories

• It's best to use 'non scratch' utensils like wooden spoons and plastic or silicon coated spatulas and grill scrapers, however it's not uncommon to use stainless steel utensils
• Copper cap to keep cooked food protected and moist
• Bamboo skewers
• Squeeze bottles for oil and sauces

To find our more about our Teppanyaki grills contact us here. Or to view more of our projects visit our Houzz page.

Beer Tap Systems - How Do They Work?

If there’s one piece of equipment you need in your kitchen to impress your guests it’s a beer tap!

We offer beer tap and keg system installations so you can enjoy a freshly poured pint in the comfort of your own home. There's a large selection of draft beer dispensing systems on offer and this week’s post looks at how these beer tap systems work...

How draft beer tap systems work

The first piece of equipment needed for your outdoor beer system is a CO2 tank. These tanks come in different sizes depending on how much beer you want to dispense and also vary depending on what kind of beer you want to dispense. Guinness beer for example requires a hydrogen tank as opposed to a CO2 tank.

The second piece of the equipment needed is a regulator. This is used to regulate the pressure of your tank. The third piece is an air line – a PVC  tube that connects the regulator to the keg coupler.

The keg coupler takes in the CO2 to push air through the keg and beer through the beer line. MFAB and D Type couplers are the most popular in Australia. Here's a handy list of beers and their respective recommended couplers.

The beer line is the next piece of equipment needed for your system. Like the air line, the beer line is made from food and beverage approved PVC and usually runs about 152 centimeters but varies depending on the situation. It screws onto the top of the coupler and is then attached to the beer tower (the beer tower is what you’ll see on the surface of your bar or kitchen) Check out this article on how to clean your beer line, which should be done on a weekly basis.

A beer shank is a metal tube that runs either through your fridge or beer tower and is essential for attaching the beer line to the system. A straight beer shank is the most commonly used for fridge conversions. Nipple beer shanks are used for kegerators and can either be permanently attached or changeable.   The beer shank is also attached to the beer tap.

The final pieces of equipment are the beer font (also known as a tower) and tap (also known as a faucet). Beer towers come in different shapes, sizes, styles and colours and are screwed onto your worktop or bar. They are kept insulated to keep the beer line cool. The tap is where the beer comes from. It usually has a lever or handle that is pulled to release the beer. They come in different grades depending on the quality of the tap. We work with Andale Beer Dispensing Equipment who provide a wide range of services and beer dispensing equipment. Here are some of their fonts and taps. Andale also offers washout equipment for your system which is very important as taps should be cleaned regularly!

We hope you found this post useful (even if only to impress your mates the next time you have a pint at the pub!) Want to find out more about our outdoor kitchen beer taps? Contact us here or view more of our projects on Houzz.

BBQ Cleaners You Didn’t Know About

BBQ cleaners can be expensive and a lot of them are harmful for the environment so we're sharing our top five favourite BBQ cleaners that are cheap and eco friendly! Be sure to read point four if you have a stainless steel BBQ or grill...

1. Vinegar

The best BBQ cleaner around! Vinegar contains 5% acetic acid which kills bacteria and viruses, in other words, gets rid of grime on our barbie. Mix two cups of vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake it up and spray it onto your BBQ. Let it settle then use tin foil to wipe it down.

2. Baking soda

Baking soda is the miracle cleaner that every household should have! Mix a guesstimate amount of baking soda with some water to make a paste. Smear it onto your grill or BBQ and leave it for a couple hours. Wipe it down with a cloth or newspaper and you're left with a BBQ as good as new! Check out this article to find out more about why baking soda is the best cleaner you can have in your kitchen.

3. Lemon and salt

Not only for tequila! Lemon and salt is a great BBQ cleaner. Cut the lemon in half, rub it in some coarse salt and then rub it on your BBQ to scrub the grill.

4. Cleaning your stainless steel grill

Avoid using any brushes or materials that will scratch your BBQ (like steel wool or metal brushes) Clean your BBQ with warm water and soap (see soap recipe below). Use a soft cloth instead. Also remember to keep your BBQ covered! Exposure to moisture is not good for stainless steel.

5. Castile soap

Olive oil is another great BBQ cleaner and this recipe combines olive oil, lye and water to make an eco friendly soap to scrub down your BBQ.

Do you have any BBQ cleaning tips? Share our post or comment below with your ideas and spread the word on these cheap and eco friendly alternatives to clean your BBQ.

Kitchen Building Materials

Kitchen building materials aren’t just important for the look of your outdoor kitchen but for the longevity and durability as well.  Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens carefully selects high quality materials that have been tried and tested to handle all weather and heat conditions. We ensure a fine balance between beauty and strength. Here are some of the building materials we use for our kitchens.

Polished Concrete

We’ve built loads of kitchens using this material and consider the use of polished concrete our speciality.

• Cost effective
• Highly durable and requires low maintenance
• Solid and comes in a variety of textures, colours and shapes
• Suited to many kitchen styles from contemporary to modern and industrial
• Unique

Reclaimed Timber

We take great pride in the our use of salvaged timber as one of our building materials . This beautiful material has given our kitchens a distinctive and homey  feel .

• Eco friendly
• Recycled timber is more stable than old timber. New timber goes through a drying process to remove moisture, whereas recycled timber has just about 0% moisture
• The source of the timber makes it unique and makes for a great topic of conversation
• Gives your kitchen character

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is not only aesthetically appealing but is a strong and durable material.

• Durable and corrosion resistant
• Sleek look suitable for industrial and modern styles
• Highly heat resistant
• Hygienic due to its cleanability
• Cost effective due to its thickness and weight

 

 Check out our Houzz page to see more of our work or contact us here if you have any questions!

Outdoor Kitchen Design | Factors to consider

We specialise in outdoor kitchen design and construction and will get the most out of your outdoor area, but understanding what you want out of your kitchen is an important part of the process. Here are some things to think about to help you to decide how to design your kitchen...

How many people will you cater for?

When it comes to outdoor kitchen design it’s best to start with the number of people in your family and then add on extended family and friends to get a rough idea of how many people you'll have over for a BBQ or special occasion. There’s no point in getting a huge BBQ if you’ll only be cooking for four or five people.  We can fit BBQs of all shapes and sizes.

If you've got the space and plan on catering for lots of people we can build a kitchen with a bit more workspace, a bigger BBQ, a rangehood and maybe a beer tap or two.

What will you be cooking?

It’s always a good idea to think about what you’ll cook in your kitchen. Grilled pizzas have become rather popular so you might want to consider getting a BBQ that has a grill if you’re keen on cooking pizzas. Alternatively, there’s not much point in getting a pizza extension or grill if you prefer takeaway pizza.  We install charcoal, gas and electric cookers/BBQs. The only thing to consider when deciding which BBQ is best for you is convenience. There's not a huge difference in the taste of the food you're cooking, except for a slight smokey flavour you may get from a charcoal BBQ and of course gas is much quicker to start up!

Will you use a side burner?

Side burners are also becoming a popular extension to BBQs, but not everyone is sure of its benefits. Also known as a ‘wok burner’ this feature can be very useful if you want to avoid moving in and out of the house during your BBQ. You can boil potatoes, prepare a sauce or fry up some vegetables to compliment your BBQ’d meat using a side burner. It’s handy and doesn’t take up much space.

Do you drink beer?

It may seem like a silly question but if your friends and family aren’t big beer drinkers you can rule out a beer tap system in your kitchen and perhaps just go for a standard bar fridge for wines and cold drinks. Of course if you are beer drinkers we can fit a beer tap/keg system in your kitchen turning your outdoor area into the perfect entertainment area.

What will you store outside?

This all comes down to personal preference. If you like to use fine china when guests come over, storing it outside may not be the best idea. Ask yourself what you need to store in your kitchen. Think – BBQ and surface cleaner, dishwashing liquid, paper plates, pots and pans, cutlery etc. This will help you decide if and how many drawers and cabinets you’ll need.

What space do you have?

We’ll help you get the most out of your space. All you need to do is decide where you want it and we’ll help you build a kitchen that not only looks good but is functional and suits your needs.

Another thing to think about is what style or materials you would want in your kitchen. Visit our blog next week to read our post on the materials we use in our kitchens.

Check out our Houzz page for more outdoor kitchen design ideas or contact us here

Outdoor Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Here are our top 5 outdoor date ideas for the day of love.

1. Grill some pizza

BBQs aren’t just for steaks and burgers! Prepare some toppings and design your own pizzas for dinner. The hotter the oven, the better the pizza so popping it on a fiery hot grill will give you a perfectly cooked dinner. Try out some different toppings - roasted pumpkin, sweet potato, walnuts, caramelized onion and mustard are some of our favourites.

2. Beer tasting

South Australia has some brilliant craft beers. Fill up your outdoor fridge with some local brews and have a beer tasting in your backyard. We recommend Goodieson Brewery, McLaren Vale Beer and Swell Beer. If you’re more of the cider type we recommend The Hills Cider Company's range of ciders. The beers will go down well with a grilled pizza!

3. Roast marshmallows

No matter how old we get, roasting marshmallows is always fun. Make use of your BBQ or outdoor fire pit and roast some marshmallows. If you’re up for the challenge (and don’t mind getting sticky) try making some S’Mores. Sandwich pieces of chocolate and marshmallows between a flat biscuit of your choice, grab it with some tongs and place it over the fire until the chocolate is melted and the marshmallow is soft.

4. Outdoor cinema

You don’t need a big screen to call it an outdoor cinema! Grab some blankets, pillows, wine, popcorn and a laptop and watch some of your favourite films. If you prefer a bigger screen you can always bring your TV out. Check out our blog from last week if you need tips on how to get rid of bugs and insects so they don’t bother you during the film.

5. Double date

Invite some friends over for a designer BBQ. Prepare a variety of burger patties, sauces and toppings and enjoy Valentine’s Day with some friends! Here’s a great recipe for homemade tomato sauce.

Have you got some outdoor date ideas for Valentine’s Day? Share the love by sharing our post with your own ideas with your friends.

5 Ways To Keep Bugs Away From Your Outdoor Party

We love hosting outdoor parties and BBQs but they can be a real pest if they attract the wrong kind of guest. We want you to enjoy your outdoor area, so here are some environmentally friendly tips to keep bugs away from your barbie.

1. Catnip for Cockroaches

To keep cockroaches away from your BBQ, scatter bay leaves or catnip in the problem area. You can also make catnip tea, by placing catnip in some boiling water and then pouring the tea into a spray bottle to use as needed. Catnip is an organic insect repellent and will keep cockroaches away without killing them. Garlic and cucumber are also known to keep roaches away – but we’d stick to putting them in your salad.

2. Say No to Scented Candles

Wasps and bees are attracted to fragrance so try and avoid having scented candles or room sprays around your outdoor living area.

3. Coins in a Bag for Flies

The most simple and cost effective way to keep flies away! Fill a Ziploc bag with three or four coins. How does it work? The fly has a complex system of thousands of simple eyes that don’t move or focus. Flies base their movement by light and the refracted light that comes through the water and off the coins confuses the fly causing him to move elsewhere. Some say this technique is nothing more than an old wives' tale but we definitely think it’s worth a try!

4. Have a GnT

Tonic water contains quinine which repels mosquitoes. Be sure to drink lots of these on a muggy day if mosquitoes are around. Okay, so you don’t have to pour gin in there – but it wouldn’t hurt.

5. Homemade Bug Spray

DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the main ingredient of insect repellent which repels mosquitoes rather than killing them. Although effective, DEET is highly toxic and bad for the environment. We suggest trying out this recipe for home made bug spray instead.

Fresh or Dried Herbs Bug Spray Ingredients:

• Distilled water• Witch hazel or rubbing alcohol• Dried herbs: peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, catnip, lavender, etc. I recommend using at least one herb from the mint family.

READ: 7 ways to control Colorado bugs and beetles

How to Make Bug Spray From Fresh or Dried Herbs:

• Boil 1 cup of water and add 3-4 TBSP of dried herbs total in any combination from the above. I use 1 TBSP each of peppermint, spearmint, catnip and lavender, and also throw in a couple of dried cloves.• Mix well, cover and let cool (covering is important to keep the volatile oils in!)• Strain herbs out and mix water with 1 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Store in a spray bottle in a cool place (fridge is great because then its nice and cool!)• Use as needed. Added bonus: it smells great and is very refreshing to the skin!

Visit Wellness Mama for more insect repellent recipes.

Have you got some environmentally friendly tips to keep bugs away? Share this post along with your ideas and spread the word on how to keep your outdoor area bug free.

The Beauty of Polished Concrete

When thinking of outdoor kitchens and dining areas, concrete is the stuff you walk on to get to your seat. Right? Concrete is no longer the boring grey surface that you walk over and barely even notice unless it is missing. At Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens, we specialise in something known as GFRC (Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete). We have found innovative uses for this surprisingly versatile material, with everything from bench tops to furniture.Polished concrete is exceptionally solid and can be in a variety of textures, inlays, colours, shapes, and turns it into something truly unique - a real one of a kind, not run of the mill. Polished concrete can enhance any style - from country to contemporary, industrial and from traditional to modern. Glass fibre reinforced concrete is quickly becoming the product of choice when it comes to designers, architects, and home-owners. It is an incredible medium for architectural, visual and artistic expression.Because each piece is hand-crafted, the possibilities in terms of shape, size, colour, and texture are virtually endless. This makes it the perfect choice for outdoor kitchen bench tops and furniture. There are very few limitations to what you can accomplish with good design and sound fabrication techniques. If you can dream it, we can create it!Durability is a key factor in designing an outdoor kitchen, with everything being exposed to the elements in one way or another, you need a product that is going to take some punishment and keep looking good. Just a few of the benefits of using GFRC are... Highly durable and safe •Design freedom; •since GFRC is able to be moulded into almost any shape and colourRequires low maintenance • Installation is quick and cost effective •Weather and fire resistant • Polished concrete bench tops and furniture from Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens are built to your needs, around your existing, or planned, outdoor installation and to your complete satisfaction. Make your bench tops, and even whole pieces of furniture, something that is uniquely yours. Our polished concrete products are crafted in such a way to have such a certain ‘look’ so they could almost be mistaken for art installations - so much so, that it’s almost a shame to have to sit on our benches! Furniture made with this material is also incredibly strong, so there is no danger of breakage, and it would take dedicated and concerted effort to chip it. If furniture is going to be enjoyed outside, then it pays to ensure that the furniture you invest in is tough enough to take the punishment. Our polished concrete products certainly fit the bill, and then some.