As the days grow longer life calls for some fun in the sun, right? There’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather than with a backyard barbie, we reckon.
The classic outdoor barbecue is a quintessential celebration of the Aussie way of life and the great outdoors.
As long as you have the right ingredients – friends, food, family and sunshine – an outdoor shindig generally goes off without a hitch. That said, having the right setup can certainly help aid the experience.
We asked Karl Wood from Adbri Masonry for his top tips on how to create the ultimate outdoor barbecue area at your place.
Start from the ground up
Is your backyard a bit of a blank canvas? Or maybe there’s an existing space that you feel needs some love?
What says summer more than a backyard barbie? Picture: IXL
Reclaiming some of your grassed area to pave a small courtyard is a great way to create a defined dining and entertaining area. Karl suggests selecting a zone that is far enough away from your doors and windows to avoid smoke from the barbecue drifting inside.
A solid ground , such as concrete pavers, will mean the area will tolerate heavy foot traffic and be hardwearing to the elements.
Consider a paver with a smooth surface like Adbri Masonry’s Euro Classic – they’re easy to seal, clean and maintain over time.
Consider what cooking needs you require
If you already have a barbecue that fits within your designated outdoor barbie zone, great! If you need to reconsider it or invest in a new one, the first thing you need to do is bear in mind the space you have to work with.
“If you have a small garden or courtyard, consider the scale of what you’re putting in it,” says Karl. “If your garden is small, then it might benefit from having the barbecue tucked away in a corner or against a wall.”
Your choice of grillers can make or break the space. Picture: Adbri
“If you’re lucky enough to have a large backyard – and the cash! – opt for the complete outdoor kitchen experience, featuring a built-in barbecue. Ensure there is plenty of space for prep work, cooking, serving and cleaning. Installing a range hood or fan is also a good idea to avoid annoying the neighbours.”
Get creative with built-in furniture
If your space is limited then consider multi-functional ways to use it – think built-in seating and bench seats with storage.
“Garden walls can double as bench seating using Adbri Masonry’s AB courtyard blocks – they’re suitable for gatherings of all sizes,” says Karl.
Built-in furniture means you don’t have to worry about extra furniture cluttering up the space. Picture: Adbri
Turn up the heat
Sure it’d be nice to think it won’t rain on your barbie’s parade, but that’s not always the case, as we know too well – and it’s very hard to enjoy the party when your guests are shivering.
Your options? Portable gas heaters are handy, but they’re hard to store and can become an eyesore, says IXL Marketing Manager Malcolm Russell.
These days you can get heaters that double as mood lighting. Picture: IXL
“For a more modern approach, consider opting for a ceiling-mounted heating and lighting option.”
“For true style, check out a two-in-one solution like the IXL Fresco Aurora Outdoor Heater, which combines heating and lighting into the one unit and can be controlled by your smart phone.”
This article was originally published on 21 Sep 2018 at 9:00am but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
article by domain.com.au