We entertain out doors on average about twice a week.
We have a barbecue area that never got used until we bought the outdoor heater, and a campfire area and a festival area which we only use in the winter for the winter solstice.
The barbecue area is a paved area under the shade of a big oak tree and is bordered by Cyprus pines, which provide a wind break when the westerly winds blow in, on one side with the bush behind them and pecan nut trees and apricot trees on the remaining sides.
It is a picturesque setting and the perfect spot to entertain, high on a hill over looking the vineyard.
We have invested in an outdoor heater to provide that extra warmth for when the sun goes down in the evening and the air chills.
It provides a sophisticated element to the occasions that we entertain outside, and heat of course for the courtyard in which it stands.
Everyone can enjoy the outdoor spectacle and atmosphere, as the sun goes down the sky’s colors change to orange red purple and deep blue, the birds go home to roost, owls begin to hoot, the kangaroos hop on by, stars come out and the possums and koalas call and forage. being out in the bush really is fabulous and sharing a dining experience is truly fulfilling.
What I like most about it is there is no dirt, soot, messy logs, or sparks that could ignite a bushfire, unlike the campfire area.
The campfire area we used all the time because the children would want to eat chips and steaks for dinner and I won’t cook them inside.
I would go out to the camp fire area and dig a pit and build a fire and we would all collect logs from the bush then light the fire, and while it was burning and we waited for the coals to be hot enough, the evening meal preparations would begin.
The big cast iron pot I use for deep frying on the camp fire and the cast iron steak plate for the steaks, were carried out to the camp fire , then the salads and the foods to be cooked.
All of this was time consuming, grubby, clothes staining work.
But the worst of it was the leaning into the fire to turn the steaks and lift the fries from the hot oil, it was no fun, smoke in my eyes and spitting fat and oil coupled with the odd gum leaf that would fall into the food as it cooked, hardly sophisticated dining.
When it was time to go inside for the evening the camp fire would have to be covered with dirt to make it safe, and all clothes would be removed at the back porch as they would be covered in smuts.
Not many people eat their steak and chips with a spade next to them to put out the oven! Very redneck!
When the outdoor heater arrived, we could use the barbecue area more often knowing we would be warm while we cooked the meal.
We can sit out in the courtyard and enjoy our meals under the stars by the warmth of the heater. The seating in the courtyard is safe from sooty hand prints and grubby clothes because we no longer cook there. It is a real pleasure for the guests who don’t have to worry about the smoky aroma pervading their clothes.
I don’t put out the barbecue with a spade, just turn the gas off, but we also don’t have to go inside the house as quickly as we did when we only used the campfire area. With camp fires once the fire is out so is the ambiance and heat.
No dirty smoke infested smelly clothes. The barbeque area is an extension of the kitchen and we are so glad we have the outdoor heater. The kids still like to ‘rough it’ with their friends’, but I like my court yard now that it has a pleasant temperature to eat our outdoor oven cooked pizza in and share a bottle of wine under the stars.
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Filed under: Patio heaters
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