Tag: BBQ

Reasons To Love Spring

20th March 2023 No Comments Blog, Fire Expert

It’s official, we have made it through the winter months and Spring is here!  We can now welcome longer days and warmer, sunnier weather. There are many reasons to love Spring, but here is what we are most looking forward to…

It makes you happier

It’s a fact! Sunlight increases the brain’s release of serotonin which regulates feelings of well-being and happiness.

It makes you healthier

Sunlight also provides us with more Vitamin D. This important vitamin helps with growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance to certain diseases.

Fruit and Veg is at its best

Springtime sees the return of bright and colourful fruits and vegetables like strawberries, kiwi’s, radishes and asparagus. Spring is a firm favourite with chefs as flavour and freshness is at it’s peak!

Flowers are in bloom and trees are turning green

You will already be reaping the benefits, and enjoying the daffodils and tulips popping up. Did you know, colourful plants and flowers increase positive energy? Plants and flowers oxygenate the air, boosting brain cells, which also improves memory and concentration.

We see more animals

When the weather becomes warmer, animals will make an appearance again. Many give birth in spring, and let’s be honest, we all can’t help but smile when we see baby lambs and calves running around the fields.

Evening walks

Now the days are longer we can enjoy the fresh air and take an evening stroll. A perfect way to unwind after a busy or stressful day.

Barbeques

With the extra warmth and light in the evenings, spring is the perfect time to get outside and have a barbeque! There is nothing more pleasing than the smell of food cooking on the BBQ drifting through the air. Did you know, you can use your Firemizer on barbeques and firepits? So you can continue to save money throughout the year!

 

Happy Spring 🙂

Summer Staycation At Home

25th July 2022 No Comments Blog

A staycation is basically taking time off, but staying at home. Lots of us are jetting off on holiday now that the covid rules and restrictions have eased. But many of us still prefer to wait for the chaos to subside before travelling again.

So if you’re leaving your passport at home and avoiding the hassle of the airport this year, we have some great ideas to ensure it’s enjoyable for all.

One thing we can’t guarantee is good weather, this doesn’t have to ruin your break, just be sure to always have a plan B.

It’s Summer, so of course you want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. The key is creating a space in your garden that is comfortable and inviting. You don’t want to be putting in too much work, that will just defeat the object. Choose your favourite spot and set out some comfortable seating and a table. An area in your garden where you can relax in the sun, read a book and a eat and drink until your heart’s content. Simply adding outdoor lighting, a few cushions and blankets give it the extra special touch.

If you like to cook, an outdoor kitchen or barbecue is a must during your staycation. Stock up your fridge and cupboards with your favourite food and drink so you have everything to hand when the mood strikes you.

A fire pit or a chiminea is a great addition to your garden space. If you don’t already have one, now would be a good time to invest. Not only will it keep you warm on those chillier evenings, the glow adds a visual warmth to your space.

Did you know Firemizer also works great on BBQ’s, fire pits and even pizza ovens?! It’ll get your coals hotter much faster, help them to burn more efficiently and last up to a third longer! Furthermore, it will reduce any harmful pollutants emitted by 72%.

Get £5 off with code: FIRE5

 

 

Charcoal BBQ vs. Gas

12th May 2022 No Comments Blog

We are well into BBQ season and the glorious smell of outdoor cooking is frequently wafting through the air, but which is best, Charcoal or Gas?

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference but here we go through the pro’s and con’s of both options.

A gas BBQ does offer convenience, although there are some things it just cannot replicate when compared to a charcoal BBQ. It is impossible to achieve that distinct flavour you get when cooking meat over real charcoal coals when using gas.

Gas barbeques will give you the benefit of firing up at the push of a button, making it instantaneously ready to grill your food. But doesn’t that take away the pride of attaining the perfect heat to cook upon?

Generally, barbequing with coal is cheaper than with gas and it is also an easier fuel to buy. However, it is a little messier as the ash left behind can be a hassle to clean up.

When it comes to temperature control and management, a gas grill is much simpler to use. A charcoal BBQ can take 15-30 minutes to get going, however it will reach higher temperatures which gives your meat that perfect brown, crispy exterior.

So which is better for the environment? Charcoal can produce a lot more carbon dioxide than a propane grill. However, there are a number of eco-friendly charcoal brands that you can buy made from 100% naturally occurring products.

Is the mess, difficulty of temperature control and emissions of coal swaying you more towards using gas for your outdoor cooking? Don’t make your mind up yet, Firemizer is a game changer! Simply place in your BBQ before adding your coals. It will get them hotter much faster, help them to burn more efficiently and last up to a third longer.

Not only that, it will reduce any harmful pollutants emitted by 72%. The benefits of Firemizer doesn’t end there! Maximizing the length and efficiency of the burn means less ash to dispose of after your BBQ.

The only way to BBQ is with Firemizer!

GET £5 OFF USING CODE: FIRE5

Celebrate Easter Outdoors

5th April 2022 No Comments Blog

Are you considering celebrating Easter outdoors this year? We have put together a few ideas to get you started.

Don’t let the weather put you off!

Unfortunately, one thing we can’t plan in advance is the weather. But, it doesn’t have to ruin your plans if the rain starts to fall, you just need to be prepared. Gazebo’s are a great investment if you don’t already have one. They can be used over and over throughout the year, and look great decorated with lights and garlands for celebrations.

Add a personal touch with hand made decorations

You will find hundreds of idea’s online for DIY Easter decorations, why not get the kids involved too?  Not only will this save you money, it keeps your children entertained during the holidays too! Your hand made décor is guaranteed catch eyes and strike up conversations between guests too. Give it a go, and have some fun with it.

 

Organise an egg hunt

Firstly, you will need to decide on whether you want to go all out, keep it simple or aim for somewhere in-between. Above all you want to keep it fun and not cause any unnecessary stress for yourself. As well as chocolate, it is a nice idea to place clues and riddles along the way too.

Go for the unexpected and get the BBQ out

Without a doubt, everyone loves a BBQ! If you haven’t already lit yours this year, then Easter is the perfect opportunity. Keep the traditional Easter theme with lamb and vegetable skewers or serve favourites, like sausages and burgers. Either way it will most definitely be a delicious treat for all.

Not only is Firemizer beneficial on your log burner, did you know it also works great on BBQ’s?! If you have some life left in your existing Firemizer, simply migrate the material into your barbecue and place your coals on top. It’ll get your coals hotter much faster, help them to burn more efficiently and last up to a third longer! Furthermore, it will reduce any harmful pollutants emitted by 72%. The only way to BBQ is a BBQ with firemizer!

 

 

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Host the perfect garden party!

17th June 2021 No Comments Blog

With Covid restrictions lasting a few more weeks, your original social plans may have had to be cancelled. Why not host the perfect garden party to lift your spirits?

It doesn’t have to be a stressful task, you can easily create a fabulous party for all to enjoy with a few of the following ideas.

Bar Area

There is no denying that outdoor bars look great! They have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. Best of all you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create your very own tavern. A simple shelf accompanied by a couple of stools looks the part, a potting bench can also easily double up as a stylish bar. Display your favourite beverages along with ice and glasses and hey presto – bar area complete!

Party Games

Undoubtedly getting out the games will entertain guests of all ages. Keep it simple by leaving out classics like Twister, Swing ball and Jumbo Jenga to get your party going. However, you can always make your own games out of things lying around the house. Ring toss and tin can bowling are really simple to create!

Photo Booth

Capture the fun times with a homemade photo booth. Leave out some props in a signed area and let your guests do the rest. Gardens provide the perfect backdrop for fantastic snaps!

Set the scene

Host the perfect garden party with a theme. Whether you’d like bright and colourful, comfy and cosy or sleek and sophisticated, setting the scene will certainly wow your guests. Textiles such as table linen, rugs, blankets and cushions are great way to make your garden inviting. Whether it be with candles or lights, you can’t go wrong with lighting and it makes a huge difference to the ambience.

Buffet or BBQ?

However you decide to feed your guests it’s always a good idea to check for any special dietary requirements of your guests. You don’t want anyone leaving with an empty tummy!

With all this in place who needs to go out-out?! 🙂

 

                                                                                                                                             

Chiminea Safety Tips!

7th July 2018 No Comments Blog

Chiminea Safety Tips!

The fourth and final outside fire-appliance is the beautiful chiminea! Chimineas have been found in gardens for nearly half a century. Mainly used for central heating, their early designs can be traced back to Spain or Mexico. Traditionally placed near a window, the long neck of the design prevented smoke from collecting inside. Here are a few more safety tips to make sure you have safe and soothing summer evenings.

Stability

First of all, make sure the chiminea is sturdy and not likely to tip over. Three/four legged stands are available, and a foundation of brick will decrease the possibility of fire spreading.

Location

Watch out for any low-hanging ornaments or branches. The chiminea should be in its own area, and a safe distance away from your home.

Preparation

When starting your fire, do not use chemicals like kerosene or lighter fluid to start the fire. In addition to the harmful gases they produce, but the fires are far more unpredictable and difficult to contain. Instead, use a firestarter and kindling, with newspaper balls to allow the fire to burn slowly downwards. Firebuilder is a firelighter and kindling-in-one, and does not use any chemicals. Made out of recycled cardboard, the unique airflow technology allows the fire to start at a quick but manageable speed.

Top-down Method

The Top-Down Method is the safest and most effective way to start a fire in a chiminea. For a step-by-step guide, refer to the Firemizer FAQs here.

Distance

Keep a safe distance between you and the chiminea as the outside surface is likely to get very hot. Also keep a watchful eye on any pets or young children that could accidentally come into contact with the structure.

Watch

Finally, don’t leave any fire unattended. Most of all, make sure the chiminea is always in view, and that you have a bucket or water or hose handy.

How to make the perfect pizza using your Pizza Oven!

7th July 2018 No Comments Uncategorised

This week’s focus is the mighty garden appliance – the pizza oven! If you’re lucky enough to have one of these incredible structures at home, now is the time to use it. Not only does it provide a great opportunity to invite friends over, it produces some excellent, restaurant-quality pizza. And really – who doesn’t love pizza? Make it as meaty as you like, smother it in veggies, give it a spicy kick or keep it simple. There’s a combination of pizza toppings for everyone out there. This week, we’re going to be giving you some simple steps to creating the perfect pizza with your pizza oven.

Get it hot!

Firstly, you need to make sure your pizza oven is at the right temperature to cook the pizza thoroughly, and since you’ll be cooking with wood traditionally, this could take some time. Using a Firebuilder will get your fire started easier and quicker, and doesn’t require the use of chemicals like kerosene. It differs from pizza oven to pizza oven, but generally it should be at about 300°C – 570°F.

Make the best base!

Regardless of if you’re using a pre-made base or have made your own from scratch, don’t smother it in sauce. Leave space at the rim for the crust to raise, and evenly spread the cheese and toppings. Have fun with the toppings too – try out interesting new combinations, you never know what could work!

Give it a spin!

Because of the dome-like structure of the pizza oven, a lot of the heat output is directed towards the back. While the pizza is cooking, make sure to spin the base by 180° every few minutes. This will ensure the pizza is cooked evenly, and you won’t be left with any raw dough or toppings. Make sure you’re using heat-proof gloves, safety first!

Timing is everything!

Unlike a gas oven, at the right temperature cooking in a pizza oven will only take up to five minutes. Check to see if the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned but not burned. The outside crust should be slightly brown and crunchy, but the inside should be soft and with a brown underneath. If you’re cooking multiple pizzas, make sure the oven stays at that perfect temperature. Placing a Firemizer on the base will help the wood to burn more evenly and efficiently, and keep that temperature higher for longer. It will also preserve the life of the wood inside the oven, meaning less trips back to the wood store.

Using your BBQ this Summer with Firemizer and Firebuilder!

7th July 2018 No Comments Uncategorised

Using your BBQ this Summer with Firemizer and Firebuilder!

Continuing our month focused on the furnishings that help enjoy the outside in Summer, this week it’s all about BBQs! Like the fire-pit, the BBQ is often the centrepiece of any outside gathering, as everybody loves party food. From burgers and hot-dogs, to corn and kebabs, and cheese and veggies, there’s nothing a BBQ can’t handle! Therefore, whatever your dietary restrictions, there’s food on offer from everyone – vegetarian, vegan or meat-lover. Here’s a list of some great vegetarian recipes if you’re interested in trying something different this summer – https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-barbecue

Using Firemizer and Firebuilder with your BBQ

Firemizer is a really handy tool to have beneath your coal BBQ. It’ll get your coals hotter much faster, help them to burn more efficiently and last up to a third longer, and reduce any harmful pollutants emitted by 72%. Simply place it on the base of your BBQ, place the coals on top, and start it like normal and see the different. In addition, why not use Firebuilder to start a perfect fire every time? With no kerosene, the food will be free from any harmful chemicals to keep your food tasting great. Just break the cardboard brick, light the edges, place it on top of your solid fuel and let the fire burn downwards.

JustAverageJen’s BBQ with Firemizer

Blogger JustAverageJen wrote about her experiences using Firemizer in her BBQ last summer, as well as other BBQ essential tips. Cooking for both vegetarians and meat-lovers, Jen’s advice is for anyone wanting to host a perfect BBQ this summer. She evens explains that Firemizer allowed her to “cook more items than normal as [the fire] was still hot so we cooked some food for the following day!”

Read the rest of Jen’s advice here at https://www.justaveragejen.com/2017/06/bbq-week-my-bbq-essentials.html, and read her blog for more excellent lifestyle and dietary advice.

Fun things to do around the Fire-pit this Summer!

7th July 2018 No Comments Uncategorised

 

Fun things to do around the Fire-pit this Summer!

Fire-pits are quickly becoming the centrepiece in any garden – just like the hearth, the fire-pit becomes a centralized meeting point. Now that the weather is beautiful once again, spending the days and evenings outside seems far less discouraging. An afternoon relaxing with a book, dinners outside, a drink with friends, the garden has much more room and ambience to offer than any inside room. If you’re planning a gathering of friends and family, try some of these fun activities to make the night memorable.

Sweets and Treats!

When hosting an outside activity around a fire, the go-to activity is usually centred around food. Hot dogs make a great savory treat when accompanied by ketchup and mustard, a BBQ classic! Nobody wants to wait around for food, so getting your fire started quicker and stronger is crucial. Using a Firebuilder makes starting your fire easier than ever – simply break the cardboard brick, light the edges, place it on top of your solid fuel and let the fire burn downwards. As a kindling-and-firestarter-in-one (with no added chemicals like kerosene) your fire will be roaring before you know it.

If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, there’s no fireside food better than the S’more. Here’s a simply recipe from Hershey’s themselves to make the perfect S’more this summer – https://www.hersheys.com/en_us/recipes/smores.html

Sing-alongs!

It might sound cheesy, but sometimes there’s really nothing better than a good group sing-along around the fire! Grab your guitar and strike a few chords, you’re bound to find a song that everyone knows the words to. You can even bring out some kitchen objects and get a full DIY orchestra going!

Stories and memories!

Whether it’s a spooky ghost story, or an embarrassing memory, stories by the fireside are a time-old tradition. With the added help of Firemizer, your solid fuel will last up to a third longer, meaning less interference and more time to share. Simply place a Firemizer at the base of your fire-pit, place your fuel on top and let the unique steel-alloy grid help your fuel to burn more evenly and efficiently (whilst also reducing any harmful pollutants by 72%).

 

Get the most out of your fire-pit this Summer with the help of Firebuilder and Firemizer, and make those summer nights last as long as possible.

Chimney Sweep FAQs

26th June 2018 No Comments Uncategorised

How often should I have my chimney cleaned and maintained?

This week’s blog topic is the importance of keeping chimneys well maintained and clean after continual use. A good rule of thumb is to have your chimney cleaned by a certified professional at least once a year. If it is more often than not the prime source of heating in your house, you might want to consider having it swept more. Ask your chimney sweep for their advice on how often it should be serviced. Do not ever attempt to clean the chimney yourself – you could end up doing causing damage to your chimney. It’s important to call a certified chimney sweep as they know the typical signs of creosote build-up and nesting wildlife.

 

Why is it important to have my chimney cleaned and maintained?

The continual maintenance of your chimney is central to its efficiency and heat output. The chimney sweep aims to remove all the creosote build-up on the inside of the chimney to prevent chimney fires. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that results from the regular burning of certain types of wood (especially pine). Using Firemizer with your solid fuel is proven to reduce creosote by 57% and helps your fuel burn 38% longer. By having your chimney properly maintained, it ensures that you’re getting the most out of your fireplace or stove. There’s no fear of chimney fires, a release of harmful gasses or any unexpected wildlife nesting inside. Animals like birds, squirrels or small insects can also cause long-term damage to the structural stability of the chimney.

 

When should I start thinking about servicing my chimney?

A year between each service is recommended, and the best time to get it serviced is before the burning season. Anytime during the summer or early autumn is ideal to make sure your chimney is in perfect shape once the weather turns colder. Seek out your local chimney sweeps and book in early to ensure you’re getting the most out of your chimney.

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