The night is silent, but for the chirping of the insects and your wife’s soft giggle as you grab hold of her hand in yours and pull her through a maze of secluded pathways toward the cosy glimmering light of your secret garden room. As you reach the entrance to the outdoor dining room, you are greeted with flickering candlelight, the scent of blooming flowers, and a beautiful meal for two.

Sounds wonderful doesn’t it? While it may seem like something straight out of fiction, it doesn’t have to be. You can have the beautiful garden with the privacy you need to create a romantic atmosphere. And, it doesn’t require a concrete wall 5 meters high, either. All you need it the right plants.

Plants to Use Around Your Outdoor Dining Furniture

In an outdoor dining room, you want plenty of privacy for meals and special occasions, but building a wall to keep nosey neighbours from admiring your latest barbecue recipe isn’t always practical. There are natural solutions though, in fast growing and thick plants. They will not only provide you with a sense of seclusion, but will also brighten your backyard with a multitude of vibrant colours.

• Monarda- Also called bee balm, Monarda is a member of the mint plant family. All summer long, this plant’s flowers will bloom in colours like blues, pinks, and purples, while it foliage spreads quickly. This plant only grows to about 0.6 to 0.9 meters tall, so you may want to plant it front of taller plants to ensure the best privacy.

• Phlox- If you want to sit in privacy on your contemporary outside furniture, consider using Phlox. This plant grows to about 0.6 to 0.9 meters high when it is fully mature as a perennial, filling up any space you need to cover quickly and efficiently. As an annual, this plant is also fast growing, but does not grow as tall. To ensure the best growth, always make sure this plant has plenty of sun and air circulation to reduce the chance of diseases like powdery mildew.

• Bamboo- If you want the utmost privacy around your outdoor wicker furniture, look no further than bamboo. While this plant can be invasive if not controlled correctly, it is one of the best solutions for natural seclusion for your outdoor dining room. To control the spread of bamboo, use a clumping bamboo plant instead of a running bamboo. As the clumps on the bamboo grow, remove any parts that begin to grow in locations you don’t want them to. Also, regular mowing around the clumps and growing the bamboo in containers sunk into the ground can also help you control the area where the bamboo will grow.

• Clematis- Setting a trellis behind your Phlox or Monarda with a climbing vine like clematis is an excellent solution for additional thin layer of privacy. This natural fence can be as tall as you would like it to be, because the plant will grow all the way to the top of the trellis. Also called the virgin’s bower and the old man’s beard, this plant produces colourful blooms to brighten your garden and encourage the population of butterflies and birds.

You can have your own secret outdoor dining room, with as much privacy as you want, and you don’t have to build a tall concrete wall to get it. Use these natural solutions to create an intimate and secluded backyard space you will love.

During winter, there are certain steps you must take to prepare your outdoor living space for cold weather. Once spring and summer arrive however, it is important to take steps to ensure your patio, outdoor wicker furniture, and yard are ready to be enjoyed once again. The following are just a few tips that will help you prepare both your concrete patio and outdoor seating for the warmer months ahead so you can truly enjoy spending time in  your outdoor room.

Preparing Your Concrete Patio and Outdoor Wicker Furniture for Summer

• Before you bring your outdoor rattan furniture outside from storage, take a minute to look over your concrete patio. Check for any cracks that may have occurred during the harsh winter months and then take steps to fill in any cracks you find. You can do this by using caulk or epoxy. If you choose to use epoxy, fill in the areas and then sand down the epoxy to create an aesthetic appearance. This will ensure it matches well with the concrete and will allow you to smooth it over like you would if you were pouring concrete itself.

• After you are done filling in any cracks, use a concrete sealant on your patio. This will prevent any future crack from developing. Before you use the sealant, sweep the area thoroughly and use an acidic cleaning agent to remove any stains you might notice. If you don’t take these few steps before using the sealant, you will be stuck with the stain for the life of the patio.

• Bring out your contemporary outdoor furniture from storage and inspect it for any problems. You may need to hose the furniture down to remove any dust or dirt that has accumulated during storage and replace the cushions of your outdoor seating. Make sure the furniture is allowed to completely dry in the sun before you place it on your concrete patio.

• Take the time to consider what other types of wicker furniture and outdoor accessories you may want for your outdoor living space. Is this the year you purchase a new daybed or outdoor dining table? Do you want to spice up your space with a new grill or an outdoor fire pit? New additions to your space can greatly improve the look and feel of your outdoor living area and make it the place to be during the warm summer months. If you are having trouble deciding what new furniture or accessories to purchase, consider for a moment how you would like to use your backyard retreat. Think about whether you want to invite your friends and families over for barbecues, encourage your children to spend more time outdoors, or just relax on sunny afternoons. When you ask yourself these simple questions, you will easily be able to determine what type of accessories and contemporary wicker furniture you will need.

Make sure your concrete patio and outdoor wicker furniture is ready for summer by following these tips. Once you have all the cracks fills, your outdoor seating in place, and a few new additions to your living area, you will be ready to entertain and enjoy your backyard retreat.

Colour is a wonderful thing. It can inspire, be fun, and be exciting; each colour means something different to every person. When it comes to designing outdoor rooms, there are many reasons individuals choose certain colours for decoration and style. Some choose colours that will work well with their outdoor landscape, while others choose colours that will match their indoor decor. Some pick colours that will encourage fun and excitement, while others pick colours that will relax and soothe those who see them.

No matter what the reason, there is one certainty. Colour is important. If you are in the process of designing your outdoor room and aren’t sure what colours you should choose for your garden furniture and decor, consider the following tips.

Colours of Your Outdoor Room

When deciding what colours to use for your outdoor furniture and decor, it is essential to spend a bit of time considering how the space will be used and what you want to accomplish with its decor. Here are just a few questions you should ask yourself as you are choosing your colours.

• Do you want your outdoor room to match your home? If you want your outdoor rooms to look as if they belong with the rest of your home, you should consider using the same or similar colours and materials outdoors. By doing this, your decor will flow seamlessly from your indoor space to your outside one.

• Do you want to energize your room? Creating an exciting and fun space can easily be done with the right colours. If you want to increase the energy in your outdoor room, use colours like reds, oranges, and yellows in the flowers in your garden, on your patio furniture, and even on your outdoor dining dishes. These colours are known for increasing happiness and lifting your mood.

• Do you want a calm and relaxing space? If you are searching for colours that will make your space a more relaxing and calm place to be, consider using colours like blue, purple, and green in your decor. When individuals see blue, their heart rate slows down and they actually feel calmer. Purple stimulates the imagination, helping your creativity come out and inspiring daydreams. Green has been proven to help with concentrating, reading, and relaxing, and it is often considered a secure and stable colour.

• What is Your Focal Point in Your Garden? Every room, including outdoor rooms, should have a focal point, or the element in which your furniture revolves. If no natural focal point exists, you will need to create one of your own. Begin by choosing an object you want to be your focal point. It could be the weeping willow in your backyard, a bright blue and purple flower growing in your garden, or your green and yellow bird feeders. Whatever item you choose, make sure its colour is attractive enough to capture the attention of anyone visiting your outdoor room. After you have chosen the focal point, arrange your furniture so it faces it.

Colour is essential in any outdoor room. If you are interested in changing your decor and purchasing new plants and furniture, shop with colour in mind to make the most of your outdoor space.

As a parent, you try hard to drag your kids away from their television and gaming systems so they can enjoy time with the family. It isn’t always easy though, despite your best attempts.

If you have been thinking of creating an outdoor room in your backyard to attract your children to family gatherings and encourage them to spend more time with you, you are in luck. We can help you create a fantastic living space, full of beautiful outdoor wicker furniture, in five easy steps. This space can turn your backyard or deck into a fun place to be and a relaxing retreat, so continue reading for more information.

A Backyard Retreat for Young Families

• Safety First- While choosing the right outdoor wicker furniture and designing the best space are essential to creating your backyard retreat, if you have a young family, safety should always come first. You don’t want to overfill your space; make sure there is plenty of room for walking so your children don’t accidentally trip. Also, if you are using outdoor accessories like fire places or fire pits, make sure there is a protective ring around them so the flame is contained and your children are safe from being burnt.

• Choose Furniture- When choosing outdoor furniture, make sure you find materials that can stand up to harsh weather and environments. You don’t want your patio furniture to fall apart or become ruined during a simple thunderstorm. Rattan furniture is perhaps the best option for outdoor living. It doesn’t fade in the sun, withstands rain, snow, and wind, and is resistant to dirt.

• Choose Children’s Furniture- If you want your kids to be interested in the outdoor space, choose furniture just for them and provide them with their own space when they want to spend time outside. Purchase wicker outdoor seating, but allow them to choose the colours, fabrics, and type of outdoor seating they want.

• Make it Comfortable- Attracting the whole family to your outdoor room is simple, as long as you take steps to ensure it is comfortable and inviting. Use colour to give your room a furnished and finished appearance. You can become inspired by the colours of your garden, or you could choose to draw your indoor décor outside for an incorporated appearance. Use blankets, pillows, and cushions on your outdoor wicker furniture to make it inviting and comfortable to sit on.

• Carve Out Your Space- For many parents, a little solitary relaxation can be hard to find in a home full of rambunctious children. However, your outdoor room may be the answer for those forgotten spa appointments and cancelled get-a-ways with your spouse. Carve out a little space just for you, away from the main area. Here you could place a comfy loveseat where you can sit quietly, enjoying the sounds of the birds as you sip your morning cup of coffee or a daybed, where you can catch a quick catnap before the kids rush in from school.

An outdoor room is the perfect option if you want to bring your family together. Use these tips to begin designing your today.

As the weather grows warmer outside, you and your family are going to want to spend as much time as you can outdoors using your outdoor dining furniture. And who wouldn’t? Get-togethers with friends and family, cooking outdoors, and enjoying the sun are fun!

While you may be ready to have the time of your life this season, it is important to remember that cooking outdoors, while fun and exciting, can also be disastrous if you don’t take the time to consider food safety. Chemical, physical, and biological hazards can result in food-borne illnesses when grilling and eating outside. However, when you keep the three most important elements of outdoor grilling in mind- temperature, contamination, and time- you can ensure your outdoor dining experience is one you will remember fondly at the end of this summer season.

3 Elements of Food Safety for Outdoor Dining

• Contamination- Food can become contaminated when living organisms are allowed access to it and are given enough moisture, time, and oxygen to reproduce. This can occur in less than an hour when the bacteria are exposed to the certain temperatures. Whether you are grilling a hamburger or a big juicy steak, it is important to prevent contamination to ensure everyone is safe from harmful bacteria. You can do this by washing your hands before and after you touch any meat or its juices, washing knives, dishes, utensils, and cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water after they have been exposed to raw meat, storing raw meat in the refrigerator when not in use, away from other foods, and covering any surfaces outdoors with aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a clean cloth before placing food on them. This includes outdoor wicker like your outdoor dining table if you place raw meat on the table to prepare it for the grill. With these simple steps, you can prevent food contamination from occurring.

• Time and Temperature- Only remove food from the refrigerator if you are ready to work with it or serve it to your guests waiting outside on your contemporary outside furniture. Chilled food can last outside for up to six hours, as long as the temperature is lower than 21°C, but only two hours if the temperature is higher than 21°C. Frozen food should always be thawed in the refrigerator, never outdoors. While cooking your meat, always use a meat thermometer to ensure it has been cooked thoroughly. General guidelines state that steaks, fish, roasts, and pork chops should be cooked to 63°C, ground beef should be cooked to 68°C internally, and chicken should be cooked to 74°. Once served, foods that have been cooked to at least 57°C can be left outside on your wicker outdoor dining table for up to four hours. After the four hours have passed, the food should be eaten, thrown away, or refrigerated for future use.

With these helpful tips and guidelines, you can enjoy your outdoor dining room, spending time with friends and family, and cooking outdoors without having to worry about food borne illnesses interrupting your fun. Just remember the three key elements: contamination, time, and temperature.

When you are purchasing a new home, there are many factors you’ll consider to be important. Location, size, view, and exposure to the sun are just a few. When it comes to your new outdoor space, the two factors you will need to think about the most are the view and exposure. While they are both important on their own, these two factors must work together well if you are going to be able to spend quality time enjoying your outdoor furniture.

Take a good look at the direction your new home faces. If the front of your home faces the east, and the back faces the west you’ll have beautiful views of the sunset at night, but your backyard will be completely exposed to the sun during the hottest part of the day. Understanding how to create additional shade in your backyard can eliminate this disadvantage, so you can spend as much time as you want outside without being troubled by the sun’s harsh rays.

Creating Shade In Your Backyard

Sitting outside on your garden furniture isn’t any fun if it’s too hot and sunny. Even an eastern exposure in the backyard can prevent you from truly enjoying a cup of coffee on your back porch during the morning hours. Consider the following tips for introducing shade into your yard.

• Awnings- Adjustable awnings may be the perfect solution for your backyard space. These awnings can be extended when you need shade during a hot afternoon, but can be placed back in their resting positions when shade is no longer required. This will allow you to spend more time in your outdoor space, soaking up the fresh air.

• Shade Sails- Shade sails are similar to awnings, but are much more versatile. They can be attached to your home, patio columns, or even trees in order to provide you with shade. This allows you to enjoy your patio furniture, no matter where it is placed in your garden. Shade sails are attractive and stylish as well, adding to the unique decor of your backyard space.

• Umbrellas- One of the biggest advantages to using umbrellas instead of more permanent solutions like shade sails is you don’t have to commit; you can easily take them down on cloudy days and store them in your garden shed. Umbrellas have come a long way, as well. They no longer simply pop open to protect you from the sun and rain. They can actually be quite useful. For instance, some new umbrellas are solar-powered, allowing you to gather energy to use for your outdoor lighting or ceiling fans.

• Pergolas- A pergola is basically an arbour with columns that is used to support the growth of vines. During the summer, these vines cover the open areas in the top of the pergola, providing you with the shade you need to enjoy the outdoors. During spring and fall, however, the open slats in the pergola don’t offer much protection from the sun. For this reason, many homeowners install retractable canopies over the top of pergolas.

If you are looking for protection from the sun for yourself and your furniture, shop for these helpful shading options. They will allow you to spend more time outdoors in your beautiful backyard.

Are your patio and deck ready for summer fun? After being left alone all winter, there’s a good chance it may need some freshening up. While you are doing your spring cleaning for you house, you can clean up your back yard as well so it will be ready for the many outdoor dining events you want to throw this summer. Here are just a few tips to help you make your patio and deck sparkle and shine.

Spring Cleaning Tips

• Concrete- Do you have a concrete patio? Getting rid of the dirt and grime on concrete is simple. Just take ten parts of water and one part of an environmentally safe cleaner and mix the two together. Pour the solution over the patio and let it set for 15 minutes. You can then scrub it with a stiff broom and rinse it off with your garden hose. If you have hard-to-remove stains on the patio, add a cup of bleach to the solution as well.

• Siding and Steps- Even if you have the most beautiful outdoor dining space, it’s beauty can be ruined by dirt and mildew on your siding or steps. Power wash these areas, but be careful. If your steps have tile on them, the tiles could become loose under the pressure of the power wash.

• Outdoor Furniture- Wicker and synthetic rattan are the best options for outdoor furniture. Why? They resist dirt, mildew, and stains. This makes your spring cleaning a snap. Use a soft brush and some mild dish detergent to make your wicker shine like new and then rinse it off with your garden hose. Let it completely dry in the sun before you place the cushions back on the furniture.

• Lighting- Outdoor lighting can become dusty and dirty as well, so you will want to make sure to clean it. Take a soft microfiber cloth and gently dampen it with water; wipe down the lighting completely. Avoid using any type of chemical cleaners; they can often leave a thin film on the lighting. Also, be sure the lighting is turned off before you begin cleaning.

• Cushions- The cushions for your outdoor furniture may have been in storage all winter, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a good cleaning. If the cushions have removable covers, take them off and follow the directions on the tag for washing them in your washer and dryer. If the covers are not removable, use water, mild detergent, and a sponge to scrub them clean, then allow them to dry out in the sun.

• Umbrellas- Are you using an umbrella over your outdoor dining table? Umbrellas are an excellent way to block the sun and the rain, but they are often prone to the development of mildew. Use an environmentally safe cleaning solution and warm water to get rid of any mildew that is present, then rinse off the umbrella. Leave it open so it can dry completely.

Do you want your patio and deck to sparkle and shine this summer? With these spring cleaning tips, your outdoor dining space can be clean and ready for fun in the sun.

Summer is quickly approaching and there is no better time to get outdoors and have some fun. There’s just one problem: your kids are practically glued to the couch as they play video games, watch television, and surf the ‘net on their laptops. Don’t worry though; prying them out of the living room won’t be as hard as you might think. There are plenty of activities you and your kids can enjoy in your backyard that will quickly outrank any fun the indoors has to offer.

Fun Out in the Sun

• Scavenger Hunts- Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt? Make a list of several items your children like. You can use video games, movies, money, books, or perhaps toys. Hide them all around your yard, in trees, taped to the bottom of your outdoor dining table, under the cushions on your outdoor furniture, or hidden behind your hedges. Provide each of your children with a list and set a time limit on how long they have to find all of the items. Grab a stopwatch and let them know when to begin searching. To make the scavenger hunt even more fun, offer a prize to the individual who completes their list first. Perhaps the one who wins gets to keep the money they found? Or maybe they get a night off from doing the dishes?

• Plan a Meal- Outdoor dining is fun and exciting because it is different from a normal meal. Plan a meal each week where your entire family gathers around your outdoor dining table and eats together outside. Make it unique and special by using different table clothes for your wicker table, providing your children with their own hardy outdoor plates and cups, and preparing meals they wouldn’t normally eat at the dining room table, like grilled barbecue chicken or grilled corn-on-the-cob.

• Explore the Outdoors- Your garden is filled with a variety of plants, bugs, and wildlife. Why not enrich your children’s minds and have fun while exploring this bustling environment? Provide your children with their own wildlife journals, where they can tape samples of leaves and flowers and draw pictures of insects or animals they find. Bring your laptop outside, sit down with your children, and identify each animal, flower, or bug they discover.

• Have a Picnic- It’s summer and that means your children are out of school. Why settle for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of the TV? Pack a picnic lunch and turn your backyard into a place of adventure. Spread a blanket out of the grass, pass out the juice boxes, and watch them have the time of their lives.

• Outdoor Video Games- Who says your children can’t play their video games or watch their shows and still be outside in the fresh air? They can if you have an outdoor television. These TVs are made for the outdoors, as they are resistant to bugs, glare from the sun, dirt, and most weather. Invite your children’s friends over, arrange your outdoor furniture around the television, and let them play for a few hours. It’s a win/win situation.

Do you want to spend more time outdoors with your children? With these tips, some fantastic outdoor furniture, and a little imagination, you and your children can have fun in the sun.

Spring and summer are perfect times for outdoor dining and parties. They can be elegant and classy or whimsical and fun, depending on whom you are inviting and what the occasion is. Too many people make too much fuss over a planned event and do not enjoy themselves. Your guests will have a much better time if you are not stressed out and just have a good time with them. Plan everything you can ahead of time and the evening will go smoothly. It does not have to be perfect- your idea of perfect is different from everyone else’s anyway. As long as the dog doesn’t jump onto the table and eat dinner, it will all be fantastic.

Easy Foods to Serve for Outdoor Dining

Since this is to be a meal, plan what you are going to be eating and do your shopping ahead of time. If you will be serving foods that need to be fresh, pick them up the morning of the party. Try to plan the meal so most of the foods are eaten raw or chilled. This will allow you to have the foods prepped and on serving trays in the refrigerator. A fruit tray, a relish tray and a plate of cheese and crackers are perfect for on the table while grilling the meat.  Anything that needs to be cooked can be cooked ahead and put in a chafing dish. White rice or couscous are good choices as a side and will handle being cooked beforehand.  For outdoor dining, the meat should be cooked outside on the grill. This should be the only thing you need to take care of during the party.

Clean the Yard and Arrange the Outdoor Wicker Furniture

A few days before the party, get everyone in the family outside cleaning. Make sure any flower beds are weeded and the lawn is mowed. If you have a pool, have it cleaned so it is sparkling and inviting. Take the cushions off the outdoor wicker furniture and wipe them down, spray down the furniture if it is dirty as well. Set your furniture around the yard in small groupings and make sure there is a small table for each group. Set up any lawn games you will be playing and any lighting you want hung. The morning of the event, put up any decorations and bring out the tablecloths, plates and utensils.

The Final Hours before the Party

About two hours before your guests are due to arrive, fill the coolers with beverages, look over the children to make sure they are presentable and get yourself ready. With one hour to go, take a walk through the yard and pick up anything that might have gotten blown in, make sure the garbage is stored in the garage so it won’t smell up the area and set out clean garbage cans for the day. Thirty minutes before the party, start bringing out the prepared trays, set up the chafing dish, and make sure the dog is locked away somewhere and happy.

Step into your doorway and turn out to face your yard. Everything looks splendid. The outdoor wicker furniture adds a touch of class without being too snobbish, giving just the right feel to your get-together. The small seating arrangements look cosy and friendly. The yard is fresh, the table is set to tempt people to eat and the decorations make the day festive. Everything is in order. Greet your guests, laugh and talk with them as the meat is grilled, and enjoy your day with people you are glad to spend time with. No worries, no stress, just a nice afternoon and evening in your back yard.

Do you want to put your restaurant on the map? It may be as easy as providing your visitors with a beautiful outdoor dining area. This simple step will provide you with additional seating, while attracting both new and old customers to your business who enjoy dining al fresco. In order to increase your business, however, you have to understand the steps needed to create an outdoor dining room your guests will love.

The following are a few tips for creating a special room that will reflect your restaurant’s design.

Creating the Perfect Outdoor Dining Room

• Create a flat surface for your outdoor dining room that slopes gently toward the street. This will allow any rainwater to run off into the street instead of collecting and sitting on your patio. No matter what your patio space is made from, brick, wood, or cement, make sure there are no flaws or cracks that could cause your waiters or customers to trip and fall.

• Cover at least a portion of the dining area with an awning or permanent cover. For other areas, provide umbrellas or sun sails for you dining furniture. These covers will protect your customers from inclement weather and the sun while improving the usability of your outdoor space. If the area has a permanent covering, consider installing ceiling fans and outdoor fire pits to keep your customers cool during the summer and warm on crisp spring and fall nights.

• Purchase contemporary outside furniture that works well with the design of your restaurant and is durable enough to withstand sun, rain, and other types of weather. Outdoor wicker is best, as it is resistant to weather, stains, and dirt, but is extremely comfortable to sit in. Comfort is key, as your customers will be much more likely to use the space if they enjoy sitting in the furniture.

• Make sure your outdoor area is visible from the street. When potential customers walk by, they will more likely to stop if they can see the beautiful space. Keep it separated from parking spaces and the street with a wooden or wrought iron fence and plants that repel insects, like pennyroyal, lavender, and marigolds.

• Provide your guests with proper lighting for night-time dining. Use string lights, lamps, and even candles on the table to create a relaxing atmosphere perfect for casual dining or a romantic date.

• With outdoor dining, you may need to consider using different utensils and flatware than you normally use inside your restaurant. Choose shatter-proof flatware and glasses, especially if your patio is made of concrete or brick. While this may cost more initially, it will save you money in the long run as you won’t need to constantly replace plates and glasses that have been accidentally dropped on the tough patio. On windy days, napkins can quickly be blown away. Cloth napkins are heavier choices, and can be protected more by wrapping them around utensils and holding them together with napkin roll-ups.

An outdoor dining space can attract more customers to your business and provide you with the additional seating you need during your busiest times of the year. Follow these tips to ensure you create a beautiful and usable outdoor space for both new and old customers.

It’s finally that time of year again, time to drag out the potting soil, chase the butterflies, and gasp over the beautiful birds visiting your backyard garden. It’s also time to sit outside on your outdoor wicker furniture and enjoy the scent of your brand new burger recipe enticing your senses as it cooks on your grill.

With the sun shining, flowers blooming, and meat cooking, there is nothing that can wrong. Or at least you hope there isn’t. Just in case, though, we have a few of the most common grilling mistakes listed below and how to fix them. With this knowledge, you can always pull off the perfect barbecue or get-together.

Common Grilling Mistakes

• No Flavour- When your friends and family gather around your outdoor dining table, you want them to discuss your beautiful roses and discuss how comfortable and stylish your contemporary outside furniture is. You don’t want them to be sitting in silence as they quietly try to choke down your flavourless while simultaneously drowning it with a full bottle of ketchup. If you want your meat to sing, make sure you take the correct steps for adding flavour. To do this, start with a basic rub and complete it with a sauce when you have almost completed grilling the meat. This combination will produce the correct flavour and won’t leave your meat tasteless and dry.

• Sticking Meat- There is nothing more frustrating than meat sticking to the grill grates while you are cooking. Worse yet is when you try to use your spatula to loosen the meat and end up losing it through the cracks in the grill grates. There are a couple of methods to help prevent this. First, always clean your grill thoroughly when you are done using it and while it’s still hot. Second, for fish, pork, or steaks, brush the meat lightly with a bit of vegetable oil. This will keep it from sticking. Don’t add vegetable oil to chicken, however, as it already has enough fat in the skin to resist sticking. Third, don’t flip the meat too much. If it doesn’t flip very easily, it isn’t ready to be flipped.

• Marinade Problems- So, you have a new marinade you want to try on your friends. As they sit on your dining furniture, waiting patiently for their food to be served, you bring out a plate of marinated meat and throw it on the grill. Did you catch the problem? No? Before you put marinated meat on the grill, pat it dry. If your meat has been marinated for the correct amount of time, the marinade’s flavour will already be sealed within it. If you don’t pat the meat the dry, you won’t be grilling it, you will be steaming it. While it will still taste fine, it will not be the desired effect you or your friends will be expecting.

• Flare-Ups- It never fails, does it? Every time you turn on the grill, at least a third of your meat ends up with a nice black exterior. We’ve all been there, mumbling, “It’s okay, I’ll eat that one.” While you may think that it is just a unavoidable part of life, you can take steps to reduce and control flare-ups and their effect on your meat.

First, if you are using charcoal, set up two different layers of coals, one warm or cold and the other one hot. Next, raise the grill grate up a bit. If your meat is too close to the flame, flare-ups can occur. If you find that your meat is still being engulfed by flames, move your meat to a cooler part of the grill until the flames die down.

With these simple steps, you can ensure your outdoor dining experience is perfect. Your friends, neighbours, and family, will soon come to think of your as King of the Grill and will be able to relax on your outdoor furniture and enjoy each other’s company, instead of worrying about what you are burning.