Think Outside

Try something new this Thanksgiving.  Cook the perfect golden-brown turkey on the grill by following this simple recipe on a convection cooking grill (like the Cook Number Grills)

Simply Golden Turkey on the grill:

Start with a turkey of any size and follow cook times below.  If turkey is frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator (one day per five pounds).  Remove giblets from turkey and rub cavity with salt. Rub or brush turkey with olive oil or spray with PAM olive oil or similar product.  Rub turkey with favorite seasoning (or if you only have salt and pepper - that will work!)

For extra moisture and flavor place quartered onions, apples and/or oranges on the inside of turkey cavity.
To cook, set grill to convection mode, out of the wind and preheat to 325F (ie. cook number grill)
Place turkey on an elevated rack and put in a cooking pan (can be disposable aluminum pan)

To maximize flavor, add the following ingredients to the bottom of the pan:
2-3 cups of water (approximately 2 cups for a twelve pound turkey) OR in place of the water take 1 pint can of Guinness and pour into the bottom of the pan.  Open a second can and drink half (only if you are 21!), and place remaining contents with open side of can into the rear end of the bird.  Similar to beer butt chicken
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
½ teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon paprika

Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil which is removed for the final 1-1 ½ hour so the bird browns up
place the Cook Number Probe (set at cook number three) or cooking sensor in the thickest part of the thigh being careful not to touch a bone.

Grill the turkey approximately 1-1 ½ hours per five pounds of turkey.  Baste the turkey from the mixture at the bottom of the pan initially and approximately every 45 minutes. When the sensor pops or the bird reaches 165-180F the turkey is done.  Allow to rest and cool 15 minutes

To carve, open thighs and cut at the joint.  Slowly remove the turkey breasts, place on a flat surface and slice (Make sure to leave a little golden brown skin on each piece).

Enjoy your freshly grilled Thanksgiving turkey and serve with pride!

Cool Weather Campfires

Outdoor living is In; Indoor Living is Out!  As the seasons change, so do the trends, and the ongoing trend hitting homes all over the country is moving your indoor living room to the outside.  One of the key elements to this brand new ‘outdoor living space,’ especially in the cooler months, is a campfire or fireplace. Now, in places like the midwest we may have to take a few months off from enjoying our favorite spot outdoors while the snow settles, but we can still dream about that perfect space outdoors that will great us when the seasons change again!  For people in warmer regions, they are hitting the time of year when days are a moderate temperature with cooler evenings - perfect weather for cozying up around a campfire.   Think about it…what could be better than spending your evenings under the stars, talking with friends and family while sitting around the glow of a campfire?  Especially one that gives off plenty of heat and runs for many hours without having to chop wood (runs on natural gas or propane) so you can relax outdoors, without the distractions that may come from being inside (i.e. the television).  Living in the Midwest, we don’t get a lot of opportunities to enjoy the nights outdoors (in the summer there are always bugs buzzing in our ears or humidity that makes it too uncomfortable to be outside, and in the winter it’s just plain cold), so once the cool fall or spring night hit, it’s the perfect time to be outside and enjoy the weather!  In warmer areas, that time is now…  So turn off the TV, head outside, turn on the campfire, and take part in the newest fall trend to hit homes all over the place;  Outdoor Living!

* For those of you living in the midwest, learn how to winterize your outdoor grills and grill islands by clicking here

The Outdoor Greatroom Company will be adopting our third family for Christmas this year.  We feel that it is important to give back to our community, and current state of the economy there are even more families in need of our support and generosity.

This year our family consists of a mom, dad and 2 girls (ages 7 and 15) and they have only asked for a few basics.  We are glad that we are able to make a difference and share the spirit of the season with a family in need!

The arrival of Fall coupled with a challenging housing market, will give rise to the trend in consumer completion of home improvement projects.  In fact, a recent survey showed that one in four Americans will give some attention to their home improvement “to do” lists this fall.  Many consumers have found that the addition of Outdoor GreatRooms has resulted in additional value and enjoyment of their homes.  Fire Stone Home Products, manufacturer of stylish groupings of upscale weather-proof furniture, fireplaces, gas and electric grills, grill islands, campfires, heaters, and romantic lanterns, is expanding their current line of Outdoor GreatRoom products.

Fire Stone’s newest Outdoor GreatRooms include the Cape Cod Outdoor GreatRoom, the Tuscany Outdoor GreatRoom and the Patio Pergola.  These new GreatRooms stylishly complement the architectural style and design of today’s homes to create an outdoor oasis for family and guests.  These products result in an outdoor gathering place with the posh look and feel of a luxury resort — all in a homeowner’s backyard.  This private oasis creates a feeling of harmony and serenity no other home products provide.

The Cape Cod Pergola is made from durable all-weather fiberglass and features round columns and realistic arched beams.  The new model of the classic Tuscany Pergola is also made from durable all-weather fiberglass and features Roman Gothic columns and realistic wooden beams.  Its design is perfect for most outdoor applications.  The new Patio Pergola allows virtually anyone to add an instant outdoor room to their home.  By attaching two of the top beams to the home, it cane easily transform and extend the living space and is perfect for any style home.  It is made from Asian cedar and comes in a redwood finish.

Fire Stone is also launching the Sierra Outdoor Campfire as the latest addition to their line of outdoor accessories.   The beautiful stone complements the Sierra Outdoor GreatRoom perfectly with its ledgestone sides and proprietary supercast top.  The center can either be used with the crystal fire burning unit (flames burning on tempered glass) with the option to add gas logs on top.  Or, it can be replaced with a stainless steel bowl that functions as an ice bucket for drinks.

“The expansion of our product line is further proof that our customers continue to have a need to customize the outdoor living area in a stylish, upscale way,” says Dan Shimek, President and CEO of Fire Stone Home Products.  “We know that the outdoor living room is an extension of luxury living in the home.  These new collections give consumers a wider variety of options to complement their home’s indoor space and fit their entertaining lifestyle.”

As the Outdoor Room continues to growth in the American Home, the Fireplace still is a major Anchor of the Outdoor Room, same as it has been for decades inside the home.

There are certain Trends being seen in nearly every marketplace. The Homeowner wants more options in Free-Standing / Stand alone Fireplaces. The Trend appears to have swung in favor for Gas Fireplaces, not only because of the convenience factors, but rather due to Local Codes & regulations. In climates that experience Dry-Hot Summers, Gas Fireplaces have the ability to provide a controlled flame that prevents sparks from “pitch-pocket” explosions which can cause fires around the exterior of the fireplace.

The designs for Fireplaces are now coming in virtually every shape and form, to meet the demand for specific design requests. Listed below are some things to consider for various types of fireplaces for your Outdoor Room:

Masonry Fireplace is the so-called traditional fireplace. This is constructed by using bricks, stones and concrete blocks. In short, this kind of fireplace is tremendously heavy which typically weighs 5 to 7 tons. Because of the complex construction of masonry fireplace, it is usually built along with the construction of the actual house.

Patio Fireplace is a free standing enclosed fireplace that has an attached chimney to release the smoke being emitted from the fireplace. Such fireplaces make use of firewood or logs but modern construction of patio fireplaces is designed to produce fire using natural gas, propane or electricity

Outdoor Gas Fireplace is a fireplace that makes use of fuel instead of real firewood. Just like wood burning fireplace, this fireplace is capable of generating efficient heat minus the ashes and sparks that traditional wood burning fireplace produces.

The Gas Fireplace Insert is becoming very popular over the past several decades because of its convenience and efficiency. A fireplace insert is installed in a fireplace to produce a cleaner burning fire and a more efficient gas fireplace. If you are having difficulty maintaining a stable source of woods or logs to fire up your traditional fireplace, you may want to use a fireplace insert. Source; Outdoor-Fireplace-Home 2007©

If there is one part of your home that can significantly change your home’s ambiance; it will be your fireplace. And whether it is a traditional fire place or not, the fireplace decorating design ideas for your are simply numerous. Fireplace accessories are not just necessary to facilitate easier fire creation and fireplace maintenance. Nowadays, people buy fireplace accessories to complete the look of their fireplace to make it even more attractive. Having just a nice flame over your fireplace is not enough if you do not have any accessories around it.  The options seem to be endless for creating your perfect outdoor space!

Most of us like to relax and enjoy an evening in the great outdoors.  A perfect way to spend a cool fall evening could be sitting outdoors underneath a pergola, next to a warm fire pit. One of the great new looks for ‘09 is the Montana Pergola, which has a realistic wooden design, and a maintenance free upkeep.  With its fiberglass beams and easy assembly it’s a perfect addition for your backyard and is a great look for a cabin or by the lake.  And for warmth underneath the pergola, the Sierra Fire Pit is a simple coffee table with a cystal fire burning in the middle.  It’s easy to light and you don’t have the hassle of smoldering ashes.  Add in some Espresso outdoor wicker furniture, and you have a place to sit and enjoy a few cold ones with friends all night long!

Montana Outdoor Pergola with Sierra Collection

Outdoor Kitchens, also known as Grill Islands or BBQ Islands, are a great addition to anyone’s Outdoor GreatRoom or backyard. There are many options available for design and finishes, and just about every amenity that you could have in your indoor kitchen is available for the backyard. When considering this investment, it’s very important to determine what you’ll use your Outdoor Kitchen for most; grilling for family and friends, grilling and entertaining, entertaining for large groups, etc…  Once your main use has been determined you can think about design.  The Outdoor Greatroom Company’s St.Martin and St.Johns island are great for grilling and entertaining for small to large groups. With included options like their Cook Number Grills, you can entertain while your food is watched by the Cook Number System, which has a built in temperature probe system.  You can crank out your favorite music on the built in stereo, cool down your favorite beverages and condiments in the refrigerator, or heat up side dishes on the side burner. And when the sun goes down, turn on the under counter lighting for great nighttime ambience. With a new Outdoor Kitchen, your backyard will surely be the hot spot to enjoy.

With fall just beginning and winter upon us before you know it, now is a great time to clean and perform the required maintenance on outdoor grill islands. This holds especially true for those of us in cold climates but really applies to all outdoor environments. With tile and grout exposed to outdoor elements, it’s smart to protect your investment by re-sealing the grout.

1. To start, mix vinegar and warm water in a bucket. With a towel or brush, scrub the grout to clean the dirt and grime. You can rinse your entire island in this solution to clean.
 
2. While the grout is drying, it’s smart to clean out your grill to prevent maintenance issues and grease fires. A very good biodegradable degreaser, Simple Green®, can be sprayed thoroughly inside the unit. Let this sit to work its magic.

3. Be sure to clean out the vaporizer plate and drip tray of your cook number grill to keep its even heat convection capabilities working at its best.

4. Once the grout is dry, apply a silicone based grout sealer (you can find at any home improvement store) over the grout, wipe any excess and your grill island is ready to withstand the winter. 

* Note:  If you have a grill in your outdoor island, do not forget to cover  it.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is an important element for creating the perfect outdoor living space.  For example, a French Colonial Lantern can add beauty and elegance to an already existing Outdoor Greatroom.  It can be a great starting point for your new Greatroom, or be a strong compliment to add to your current outdoor area.  Outdoor lighting has changed from the old electric lights strung together by extension chords to new gas lights.  These lights are portable, efficient, and will set the mood in an outdoor room you’ll never want to leave.

An Outdoor GreatRoom not only adds value to your home, but gives you a great option for entertaining friends and family.  One consumer’s testimonial:

“Over Labor Day weekend, I entertained friends and family, and the event took place outside. The pergola was a great help in the afternoon, it was rather warm and the pergola helped shade the sun during the day. Dinner was made easy with the EZ-Island and a Cook Number Grill, the family was extremely intrigued with the grill and how simple it was to create a meal with the Cook Number technology.  And for the relatives that never leave, we sat by the Naples Coffee Table with the Crystal Fire - until I kicked them out! It was a great way to relax and end the evening.” - Renee

Sonoma Pergola - Outdoor Room