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Al Fresco Dining
required to cook food properly.
If you ﬁ nd the whole process of lighting
charcoal and waiting for it to reach the right
temperature too time-consuming, perhaps a
gas barbecue would be the solution for you.
Fuelled by propane gas cylinders these offer
controllable heat at the press of a button and
are very reliable.
Regardless of which type you choose
look for sturdy construction: think about
safety – you don’t want a ﬂ imsy structure
that may easily tip over. Also invest in a
weatherproof cover to protect it from the
usual British summer weather.
Prior planning is just as important
when choosing garden furniture. Do you
want furniture that can remain outside all
year round or do you need foldaway items
to store in the shed, or both? It’s worth
spending extra money to buy good quality
items that will last for years.
Metal outdoor furniture is the most
practical and most common metals used are
iron and aluminium. Iron rusts quickly but
S
everal months ago weather
items to be used outdoors are coated in a
forecasters predicted what they
rust-resistant ﬁ nish. Wrought iron furniture
dubbed a “barbecue summer”.
can be ornate or minimalist, yet often rather
Hopefully they were accurate and we are
uncomfortable, so consider getting some
now in the middle of a “scorcher”. So let’s
cushions too. Its weight means it’s not very
plan for a glorious summer of eating al
portable but this also makes it unlikely to
fresco by looking at barbecues and garden
blow away in the wind, unlike furniture made
furniture.
from aluminium which is very light and not
There are a multitude of barbecues
suitable for leaving outside unattended.
to choose from so you should do some
Well tended iron furniture can last a
research to ensure you choose the right
lifetime. If it gets scratched or rusty deal
one for your needs. How much space do
with it immediately by lightly sanding with
you have available? How many people do
wire wool and then paint over the area with
you hope to cater for? And don’t forget to
several thin layers of metal paint.
consider where the barbecue will be stored
Aluminium furniture is usually coated
over winter.
with a special powder coating which can be
The main choices are between wood or
rapidly corroded by suntan oils, perspiration
charcoal burning and gas-ﬁ red barbecues.
and salt spray, so you will need to clean it
For most people a wood or charcoal burner
every couple of weeks with warm water and
is the most versatile when it comes to
mild detergent.
usability, shape and size. Try not to get
Finally, your barbecue and furniture
carried away so keep coming back to your
will probably need to be stored inside over
original research regarding your open-air
winter, so a good shed is a necessity. When
culinary requirements. Do you really need
choosing a shed, double the size of your
hotplates and a rotisserie or will a simple grill
ﬁ rst estimate because it will never be big
do the job? One main feature to look for is a
enough.
deep ﬁ rebox, where the wood or charcoal is
Buono appetite, and don’t forget to cook
placed, as this will help counterbalance the
your food thoroughly!
structure and provide a good amount of heat © Rose Henfrey 2009
To Advertise please call 01793 859604 or e-mail info@itsallabout.org.uk
Issue 5 West.indd 20 30/07/2009 17:02
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