How To Maintain Your Outdoor Kitchen For Years

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Maintaining your Outdoor Kitchen 

The overall maintenance of your outdoor kitchen is something to think about before committing to certain materials and appliances. What you're willing to commit to and the amount of effort you can fit into your lifestyle can affect your choices. 

Outdoor Kitchen- BBQ

Benchtops, barbecues, fridges, and more are covered here, along with some of our recommendations. From general cleaning to the warranty and qualities of the appliance/material that will affect what will be required to maintain its performance and overall look. 
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Corian Bench Tops 

To clean your benchtops for most residues, all you'll need is warm soapy water or ammonia basked household cleaner. Harsh cleaners aren't necessary on a Corian benchtop. Because of the quality of the material, you aren't working to maintain the appearance of a freshly installed benchtop. With a Corian benchtop, you're more keeping up a hygienic standard.  Your benchtop can keep that just installed feeling with the proper care.

Corian's benchtops carry a ten-year Limited Residential Warranty. And, if you decide to sell your home, your warranty is transferable to the new owners. However, Corian's website advises against using window cleaners to clean your benchtop. It will leave a waxy build-up that dulls the surface. As well as water, if left to dry, can go into a film that builds upon the surface, numbing the look of the benchtop and making the finish appear blotchy and uneven. 

To avoid this, it's essential to wipe the benchtop completely dry after spills and cleaning.  Some Corian colours may require more frequent cleaning to maintain a uniform finish. Darker colours tend to require more attention than lighter colours. Over time, even with proper care, your benchtop will acquire a patina, changing the appearance of the finish. 

If your benchtop does acquire a blotchy appearance or minor scratches from a build-up of water or harsh cleaners, Corian's website has this solution: 

  • Pour a mild abrasive liquid cleaner on a damp sponge or cloth and rub over the area using small circular motions, from front to back, then side to side, overlapping the circles until the entire area has been cleaned
  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water and wipe the surface completely dry
  • Check to see if blotchiness is gone. If not, repeat the procedure by applying more pressure on the sponge or cloth
  • Continue over all affected areas until all film is removed

Corian Bench Tops

Beefeater Barbecue 

"Enjoy fast heat-up, superior heat retention and consistent cooking results with the cast grill and the cast hotplate. The cast elements are also simple to clean, so you can keep your barbecue looking its best for many years to come." A great way to cut your cleaning time in half is prevention. If you're diligent in keeping your grill as non-stick as possible, your grill won't need more than simple upkeep. The best way to stop food sticking to the grill is to ensure you've pre-heated your barbecue before use.

Never place food onto a cold grill, as this will cause food to stick. On top of this, using a light coating of cooking oil either on your food or on your grill adds an extra layer of protection against scraps of food sticking to the hotplate. However, spray your food or cooking surface before heating your grill if you're using a cooking spray. These sprays can be flammable and should never be used when the burners are alight. 

If stubborn fat does build up on your grill, a great solution, without using chemicals, is to heat the grill to high heat and half a lemon. Dip both sides in salt and rub the two halves into the grill surface. The acidity and abrasiveness in the salted lemons will break down any fat and grease. Cleaning the hood of your barbecue can be just as simple. Both stainless steel and vitreous enamel can be cleaned with soapy water and a clean cloth. Make sure you're not using harsh cleaners.

If your model has a glass window, make sure only to clean when the hood is completely cooled down. Coldwater will crack your glass if it's still hot. 

  • For stainless steel hoods, cleaning in one direction along the grain will produce the best results 
  • Light grease can be removed with warm water, soapy water, saltwater, and liquid cleaners. 
  • Removing heavy grease from vitreous enamel will require a concentrated detergent or domestic cleaning liquids 
  • Removing heavy grease from stainless steel, use a stainless steel cleaner. 

Beefeater Bar Fridge

Beefeater Bar Fridge

"The Beefeater cabinet has been tested to 43C in the shade and has a 304-grade stainless steel finish, making it ideal for usage in an outdoor environment." A Beefeater bar fridge is made for outdoor use, so heavy cleaning is not necessary to maintain its performance. As well as being well insulated, these fridges also feature heated doubled glazed glass doors. This prevents condensation from building up on the doors, which can drip down and potentially damage your floor. 

This simple method is enough to maintain the hygienic surface and performance of your fridge: 

  • Ensure you have turned the power off to your bar fridge. 
  • Remove all contents; you can temporarily place any drinks or foods that need to be refrigerated into your indoor fridge to be kept cool. 
  • Remove all shelves and any other divider so that the interior is empty. 
  • Add your cleaner choice, or you can use an at-home mix of bi-carb soda, white vinegar, and warm water to a clean cloth or rag. Thoroughly wipe down each shelf you removed prior. 
  • Rinse with clean water, leave to air dry for at least an hour
  • Clean the interior of your fridge with a clean cloth dipped in your choice of cleaner (e.g. dishwashing liquid and warm water). Use cold water when finished to remove any trace of your cleaner. 
  • Dry the interior of the fridge before you replace the shelving 
  • Re-stock your fridge and turn it back on

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Aluminum Composite Panel Cabinets

It's a good practice to wipe away any spills before they have a chance to dry. It'll reduce the time spent cleaning and stop you scrubbing at a dried stain. A wet cloth is usually all you'll need. A gentle cleanser can be added if necessary. Aluminium Composite Panel Cabinets are water-resistant and significant within an outdoor kitchen.

Not only will this resistance protect your cabinets from weather conditions, but spills meet this resistance before the material of your cabinets. They make cleaning up after dinner or accidents much more accessible and prevent stains. They have a ten-year colour warranty for their matte colours and a three year UV warranty. Both aspects ensure your cabinets maintain their appearance for your kitchen's lifetime.  

Wood Fire Pizza Ovens

Regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure that your oven works effectively and that the food you cook doesn't take on any unwanted smells or flavours. Before starting any cleaning, ensure that your oven has completely cooled down first. A range still maintaining some heat level presents a severe risk of burning yourself. For more information about owning a wood fire pizza oven, we have an ultimate guide to answer all the questions you may have.

Brick

  • Any food scraps or wood chips should be scraped or brushed off with a pizza brush or scraper.
  • Brush the floor of the oven and sides regularly to prevent the build-up of scraps and maintain cleanliness. 
  • Chimneys can develop a layer of soot that will affect the taste of the foods you cook in the oven. If left to build up, a chimney fire may occur. Make sure to have your chimney cleaned regularly. 

Stone

  • Due to the high temperatures a pizza oven reaches, most residual food within the oven is burnt off. 
  • You can scrape off extra food using a pizza brush or scraper
  • Clear the ashes out once the oven has completely cooled

Steel

  • Cleaning of ashes is required after use when the oven has cooled. 
  • Do not use water to clean the inside of your oven
  • The flue is recommended to be cleaned every three months
  • Lightly coating the outside of the stainless steel pizza oven with WD40 and wiping gently along the grain will provide a thin layer of protection on the surface that will help maintain its appearance. 
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