SUMMER VACATION & FUN IDEAS
Vacation and Fun
Your BBQ & Patio Ideas
At Summer Ideas we care about your outdoor entertaining. Are you thinking about buying a new BBQ because the old one is held together with rust? Want to learn some new ideas on what to BBQ and how? Is your patio chairs held together with duct tape and your worried if anyone will fall through them? How about a nice quiet, romantic evening out back with Tiki Torches lite and a fire going in your new patio fire pit? Here are some ideas:
The BBQ Essentials
The tantalizing aroma of sizzling steak fills the air. A gentle breeze stirs the umbrella, silhouetted under a cloudless summer evening sky. The first ice-cold beer slides down without touching the sides. Excited laughter echoes around the patio... The BBQ is under way!
A Barbecue according to Webster's is, "a metal frame for grilling food over an open fire" or "an open-air party where barbecued food is served"
BBQ's, the open air party, hasn't changed over the years and is still that very pleasant summer evening ritual in a huge number of places around the world.
On the other hand BBQ, "a metal frame for grilling food over an open fire" has undergone a huge changes in recent years. Yes, you still get the traditionalists who like to make a fire with either wood or charcoal and heat a plate or grill to put their sausages on. They just love the crackling of the fire, the smoke wafting through the air and the taste of a "real" barbecued sausage.
At the other end of the spectrum the hardware now available for BBQ cooking has evolved into what can only be described as a revolution. Whole kitchens situated outdoors on the patio, all running on clean burning, smokeless, easy-to-use, easy-to-control, non-smelling gas.
It is now absolutely limitless what you can have in the way of a BBQ setup on your patio. You have to ask yourself some questions:
How much entertaining are we going to do?
How many people?
How much do we want to pay?
Gas, electric or charcoal?
Do we need a stainless steel or ordinary steel?
Does it need to be portable?
Do we need a rotisserie?
Do we need a smoker?
Do we need a gas burner on the side for boiling or frying?
What accessories do we need?
The number of variables are almost infinite however the answers to these questions will direct you to exactly what you want.
With the advent of Chinese imports BBQ equipment can be obtained at very competitive prices. If price is a major consideration, search around, you will see some great deals.
A hood or lid is to keep the heat in is fantastic but only if you are going to be doing whole chickens, turkeys and such like with slow indirect cooking. Also a rotisserie would also be a huge advantage with chickens and turkeys as well.
A complete stainless steel BBQ has the benefit of not going rusty and lasting almost indefinitely. If you are close to the beach or a geothermal area, stainless steel would be a must. Either that or buy a cheap BBQ each year and then throw it away.
A gas hob on the side is very popular now for heating soup or boiling potatoes or frying vegetables.
You can get a smoke box also to inject your favorite smoke into your cooking to spice up the flavour.
Accessories
You are going to need some BBQ tools in order to cook the food.
You are going to have to keep the BBQ clean and maintained so that it will give you years of service. To protect your new BBQ you probably need a cover to protect it from the elements. In the winter it needs to be put away in covered storage.
Some evenings can get cold even in the summer. You may need to think about a Patio gas heater to keep your guests warm and comfortable.
If you live at the sea and catch lots of fish then a separate smoker is a great addition to your BBQ scene as well.
Barbecuing is a great summer pastime and any aspiring chef, with a little bit of time effort will be able to find the perfect barbecue for the job from the enormous range of options currently available.
Summer parties just aren't complete without a barbecue.
Patio Furniture Types
Patios are becoming a necessary part of the house. In fact, they are now included in the plans when a house is built. Once you have a patio the question quickly becomes, what do we do with it. When looking for patio furniture there are a wide variety of choices. There are about five different types and a wide range of colors to choose from. Let's explore the types of furniture and discover some of the pro's and con's of each:
Resin Patio Furniture - Resin furniture is very popular because of its low maintenance. It is lightweight so it is easy to move. It is also stackable. Resin furniture cleans easy and there is no need of re-strapping or refinishing. Modern colors and designs are very attractive. Be sure your resin furniture is made of "prime" resin material with commercial grade bracing and specifications.
Plastic Patio Furniture - Plastic furniture is also low maintenance and high durability. There are several different grades of recycled plastics. The material is almost indestructible and truly a long-term investment for a moderate cost. Any hardware should be stainless steel.
Aluminum Patio Furniture- Aluminum furniture is very popular because it is very durable, lightweight and comfortable. The Virginia vinyl straps have memory and do not sag or break for many years. This type of furniture does require the proper cleaning on a regular basis, but it is not too tough of a cleaning regimen.
Sling Aluminum Patio Furniture - Sling Aluminum furniture is growing in popularity because of its stylish look and comfort. It appears to have a cushion but it does not because cushions don't hold up in the weather. Look for high quality sling fabric. This furniture only looks good as long as the sling is tight
Pay special attention to the construction of the frame. The slings are held tight with bolts that should be stainless steel and the bolt should go all the way through the sling and the frame. This is a moderate to high maintenance product, which requires a regular cleaning schedule and a higher level of care than other furniture types.
Rattan and Wicker Patio Furniture - This patio furniture type is good if you are looking for the high style tropical resort feel. There are two types of wicker furniture. First, full exposure is suitable for the outdoors. It has a powder coating, and the all-weather vinyl is woven on the frame creating the wicker look. Second, limited exposure is made of real wicker on a real rattan frame. This furniture must be completely covered or used indoors.
Once you have chosen the right type of patio furniture for you and the area that you are looking to furnish, the next step is to choose a color. You should try to make sure the color of the furniture matches the color of the area you are using it in. Remember, you are working to make this a part of your home, an addition to the space. Make sure it blends instead of detracts.