Drink Station Options For Your Outdoor Kitchen

by admin | Sep 6, 2018 | Blog

Backyards are for entertaining, relaxing and playing game. No matter what you are doing, you want your outdoor space to have all of the necessities covered. Nothing is less convenient than having to run inside every time someone needs a drink. But every outdoor kitchen doesn’t look alike, and yours should fit your specific needs and desires. The drink station you select is going to be dependent on your backyard activities as well as your specific style and taste. Here are some different options to consider when picking out the drink station for your outdoor kitchen:

Beverage refrigerators are smaller in size than standard kitchen fridges and can hold anywhere from 80 cans to more than 150. Mini-fridges, as they are sometimes called, can be free standing and placed in a corner next to an outlet or they can be built into a kitchen space. Standard options include solid doors with stainless steel coatings or glass doors where you can showcase the beverage options.

Coolers submerged within a counter space or in the center or a table are great for easy drink access when hosting parties. Fill up the cooler with ice and let your drinks sit within arms reach of the grill and your guests. Submerged coolers look sleeker than your standard ice chest, don’t take up valuable space on the ground and keep you and your guests from having to bend down to grab a drink. These coolers can also be outfitted with covers if you are wanting to keep them cool for longer periods.

If you plan on entertaining guests in different areas of your outdoor space, maybe a movable drink station is the best option for you. Sleek carts outfitted with wheels provide ample space, convenient access, and a modern touch to your drink station. Carts can be outfitted with cooler space for ice, flat table space for placing drinks or even extra shelving.

Whatever type of drink station you choose, you want to make sure that it matches the aesthetic of your whole outdoor space. Stainless steel is a traditional choice for its easiness to clean and sleek, modern style. Coolers and fridges that are built into spaces can be outfitted to match the style that they are surrounded by – such as faux wood or stone tiles.

Now that you know the style you are dreaming of, ask the pros at Outdoor Hardscapes for help in selecting the perfect drink station for your outdoor space.

Give Outdoor Hardscapes a call today at (251) 214-9166! We will help your hardscape dream ideas come to life. We have the experience and know-how to create amazing outdoor spaces and we will take your outdoor living to the next level. Visit our website at www.outdoorhardscapesgroup.com or email chaves716@gmail.com.

How to Care for Your Paver Patio

by admin | Aug 16, 2018 | Blog

A paver patio is a beautiful addition to any outdoor landscape. It’s the focal point of your outside entertainment space and a properly maintained patio can add value to your home. Pavers made of concrete, stone or brick are very low maintenance and with proper care will last for many years.

Clear the Weeds
Just like your lawn and garden, your patio is susceptible to weed growth especially if you use regular sand in the joints. These little green intruders sprout up in between the cracks of your pavers. This will make your patio look neglected, but it is a simple fix. Make it a routine to remove weeds or moss anytime you see growth.

If you don’t want to spend your weekends pulling weeds, then use polymeric sand when you initially install your patio. This unique sand hardens when moistened, to prevent weed growth and to ensure pavers are kept in place. Discuss this option with our professionals at Outdoor Hardscapes during the consultation.

Give it a Good Washing
While a paver patio can add a stylish update to your landscape, it doesn’t come without succumbing to the elements. Over time mud, dirt and dust collect on the flooring and can easily be tracked inside your home; making another mess for you to clean. Sweep regularly and invest in a pressure washer or rent a device from your local hardware store. The key thing to remember here is to not spray directly into the joints. This can disrupt the sand between the pavers.

You may also use a mixture of mild detergent and water to clean your patio. Sweep the ground thoroughly and use a wire brush, rag or sponge to remove stains. Test the application for damaging effects on a hidden area before cleaning the entire visible space. Rinse the patio thoroughly after cleaning.

Replace Damaged Stones
Not only do cracked pavers make your patio look unsightly, a tender barefoot can get hurt very easily. Replacing damaged or stained stones only take a couple of hours and can be done without disrupting the other pavers.

Apply a Sealant
Sealing your pavers every two to three years will protect your patio from environmental conditions. A sealant designed for pavers will prevent dirt from settling into the bricks and causing stains. Apply the product according to the directions to ensure correct application.
Properly caring for your patio will save you from replacing cracked or stained pavers in the future. Regular maintenance will also add years of use and enjoyment. Outdoor Hardscapes is there to help bring your vision of your outdoor patio to life. We offer several paver options and our professionals can help you select and design the ideal patio for your needs.

Different Types of Outdoor Pizza Ovens

by admin | Aug 3, 2018 | Blog

I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t like pizza. There’s a style of pizza for everyone – New York, Neapolitan, Neo-Neapolitan, Deep Dish, the list goes on. No matter what your style, you’ve got to have a way to cook it. Different pizza ovens lend themselves better to different styles of pizza. Read on to find out about coal, wood, and gas pizza ovens.

Coal
Cooking pizzas over coal work best for old-school New York and New Haven style pizzas. A coal-fired oven typically heats up between 800 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though these ovens heat to a higher temperature, the pizzas have a longer bake time because the coals create a lower flame than a wood-fired oven. The coals slow bake the crust until it is charred with a slight crispness and good stability. Pizzas from a coal oven are not going to flop over and let your toppings slide off. A benefit for coal is that it is readily available year-round. You can fire up that oven after a heavy spring rain, on a nice summer’s day, or even in the middle of winter if you should so choose.

Wood
Thin pizzas, such as Neapolitan pies, are best in a wood-fired oven. These ovens typically heat between 650 and 900 degrees Fahrenheit. A pizza can cook in as little as 60 to 90 seconds if baked at 900 degrees. Due to the short baking time, thin crusts work best and large amounts of vegetable toppings are not recommended. Wood-fired crusts become charred but they do not hold their crispness for very long. The choice of wood used for burning can impact the pizza’s flavor. The best options are oak, apple, cherry, maple, and ash. The wood needs to be fully dried or cured which may make wood-fired ovens harder to be used in the winter and after heavy rainfall.

Gas
Gas ovens allow for more control over cooking temperatures. They also increase efficiency as gas ovens can also burn wood allowing them to heat faster. The learning curve on a gas oven is also typically less than that of a wood- or coal-fired oven making them easier to learn.

When deciding on an oven, there are a few quality assurance factors to look for:
Dual layered insulation of the dome and hearth to keep max temperatures inside while protecting from burn hazards outside
Professional-grade refractory brick to create a convection system for even heat distribution
High-grade stainless steel to withstand extreme internal temperatures
A traditional flue to minimize heat loss.

If you’ve got dreams of adding a pizza oven to your outdoor living area, give Outdoor Hardscapes a call today at (251) 214-9166! We will help your hardscape dream ideas come to life. We have the experience and know-how to create amazing outdoor spaces and we will take your outdoor living to the next level. Visit our website at www.outdoorhardscapesgroup.com or email chaves716@gmail.com.

Ways to Keep Your Pool Childproof

by admin | Jul 19, 2018 | Blog

What better way to cool off in the summer than with a dip in the pool? If you think so, your kids probably do, too. While a pool can be fun and relaxing, it is also a safety hazard to children when not properly protected and cared for. While there is no fail-proof system when it comes to protecting your children, especially when it comes to the dangers of water, there are extra safety precautions you can put in place to help keep your children protected.

Put a Fence Around Your Pool

This doesn’t just mean your privacy fence around your yard. Put another fence around the pool itself. Make sure to leave adequate room between the fence and the edge of the pool (roughly three feet) so that you can safely walk around the pool when using it. The more barriers between your children and the pool the better.

Be sure to keep furniture and other objects that can be used for climbing away from the fence so as not to encourage children to go over the fence. Keeping all toys in general away from the pool and fence area is a good rule of thumb. Anything that might entice children to play near the pool needs to be put away when not heavily supervised by an adult.

Remove Access to Pool When Not In Use

For in-ground pools, you can use a motorized cover. The cover should be able to support the weight of an adult and be sure to remove any water build up on top of the cover after rainfall because even a few inches can become a drowning hazard. As an extra precaution, pool alarms can be purchased that notify you of underwater movement so you will know if your child (or anyone for that matter) has entered your pool unexpectedly.

Place extra locks on doors and windows that provide access to the pool. Locks should be high out of children’s reach and locked when the pool area is unsupervised by an adult.

Pool Safety During Use

Hanging a rope with floats where the deep end begins is a good way to create boundaries and keep children and poor swimmers in the shallow end. Always have life preservers handy and keep a first-aid kit near the pool. Taking a CPR class at your local hospital is a great way to be prepared in case of emergencies. Keeping a phone outside allows you to call for help without having to run inside.

There is no system that can take the place of careful adult supervision, but these precautions can help keep children safe in unforeseeable cases.

Give Outdoor Hardscapes a call today at (251) 214-9166! We can help with child proofing your pool. We have the experience and know-how to create amazing outdoor spaces and we will take your outdoor living to the next level. Visit our website at www.outdoorhardscapesgroup.com or email chaves716@gmail.com.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Clean

by admin | Jul 5, 2018 | Blog

When the summertime temperatures start going up so does the heat of the outdoor grill. This is the time of year to maximize the use of your outdoor kitchen. But with all the cooking and hosting you’ll be doing, it’s important to keep a clean space that you can enjoy for years to come.

The Grill

You will use your grill almost every weekend during the summer and therefore it will likely have more buildup of grease and grime. Not keeping your grill cleaned regularly could end up affecting the performance and possibly the taste of your food. Depending on the type of grill you own (charcoal, propane, or natural gas), each will have its own cleaning requirements.

First, turn off the gas and disconnect your grill if it is connected to a built-in natural gas line or a propane tank. A solution of hot water and mild detergent is all you need to clean your grill racks and heat plates. Use a grill brush to scrub off cooked on food from grates. If the grill grids are porcelain coated, do not use an abrasive cleaning tool because it may chip or crack the grids. Instead, use detergent and hot water and gently scrub. Next, use a rag with mild detergent and hot water to wipe down the exterior of the grill. Scrub any food particles off, rinse off and let dry before you use it again.

The inside lid of a grill is one of the most overlooked parts of the grill. Over time, grease can build up. Make it a regular habit to clean inside the lid with a product specifically made to cut through grease. Rinse and dry before next use.
Cleaning the grease cup regularly is also beneficial. Read your grill’s instruction manual to remove the grids, heat plates and burner. Clean the burner inlet with a small brush and remove any food or debris around the burner. Use a stiff wire brush to remove clogged grease. Finally, protect your grill with an all-weather cover when not in use.

Appliances and Counters

Stainless steel is a popular choice for outdoor appliances. It is less prone to rusting and gives a sleek look to your space. Use a cleaner specifically designed for use on stainless steel appliances and wipe down with a soft rag. Clean your countertops after each use to prevent the build-up of food and stains.

If you have an outdoor refrigerator, clean the inside as you would your indoor one. While outdoor refrigerators are weatherproof, remember to bring indoors during wintertime as they do not need to experience temperatures below 40 degrees.

Furniture

Cover your outdoor furniture with vinyl coverings to protect them from the rain and snow, or if possible, store indoors during bad weather or the winter months. A roof structure over your patio is the perfect addition and will help protect your outdoor kitchen from the elements.

« Older Entries