NaturalLiving - National Fuel Gas Company

naturalLiving
Spring/Summer
your home. your world.
The
Great
Outdoors
How to transform
your backyard into
an outdoor oasis
• Natural gas fireplaces
• Patio heaters
• Tiki torches
• Gaslights
• And more!
PLUS
Cool Tips for
Heating Your Pool
Delicious Recipes for
Cooking with Gas
presented to you by
INSIDE
FEATURES
08 An Outdoor Room for Every Style
Regardless of the size of your yard — or the
size of your wallet — there is an outdoor
room to fit your needs.
14 A Taste of the Outdoors
If you can dream it, you can cook it in your
outdoor kitchen.
In Every Issue
03 natural choices
Natural Gas to Go
Convenience outlets allow homeowners
flexibility when using natural gas.
04 a natural fit
The Lowdown on Outdoor Add-Ons
Spice up your outdoor living area with natural
gas items that combine beauty and functionality.
06 naturally better
Cool Tools for Heating Your Pool
Natural gas pool and spa heaters make
a big splash with homeowners.
15 naturally good
Grill This!
Recipes that will make your next
backyard bash a hit.
Photos on this page courtesy of Hearth,
Patio and Barbecue Association; Modern
Home Products Corp.; and IR Energy.
02 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
naturalLiving is a free publication brought to you by Energy
Solutions Center, published in cooperation with PRISM Media Group.
naturalLiving is published twice annually by PRISM Media Group, 1321 Valwood
Pkwy., Ste. 600, Carrollton, TX 75006. Visit PRISM Media Group on the Web at
www.prismb2bmedia.com. No part of this publication may be reprinted without
permission. Copyright 2008 Energy Solutions Center.
PRISM Media Group
President: Ray Larson
COO: Virginia Larson
Editorial Director: Mario Medina
Sr. Associate Editor: Haley Shapley
Production Manager: Anne Matthews
Graphic Design: Cindy Pater, Barbara Sutton
New Business Development–Custom Media: David Schwartz
Contributing Writer: Matt Bolch
natural choices Natural Gas to Go
Convenience outlets allow homeowners flexibility when
using natural gas.
A gas convenience outlet lets
you plug devices that run on
natural gas, such as grills,
directly into your home’s
natural gas supply. A flexible
hose attaches to the outlet
and the device, safely and instantly providing gas and
eliminating the need for
portable fuel tanks. Photo
courtesy of the Hearth, Patio
& Barbecue Association..
For more information on convenience
outlets, visit the following manufacturers:
• Burnaby www.bbymfg.com
• M.B. Sturgis www.mbsturgis.com
• Maxitrol www.plug1.com
utdoor areas designed for entertaining are finding their
way onto must-have lists for more homeowners. If your
home doesn’t have an outdoor kitchen, spa or cozy
seating area yet, you no doubt can envision the possibilities that outdoor entertaining represents. One way to turn that vision into reality on a patio or deck is by using an approved
convenience gas outlet — a relatively new innovation to the natural gas industry that ensures a steady supply of gas to fuel grills,
patio heaters, tiki torches, firepits and other devices that run on natural gas.
Much as an outside water faucet can be turned on by a knob,
and an outdoor electrical outlet provides power for electric appliances, a gas convenience outlet provides natural gas when it’s
needed. For additional convenience, safety and — quite frankly —
just to look better, there are now easy-to-use gas outlets available
for outdoor and indoor use. These gas outlets can be recessed or
mounted on a wall.
A gas convenience outlet provides the same flexibility as an electrical outlet, says Chris McConachie, president of Burnaby Manufacturing Ltd. “With a gas convenience outlet, you can plug directly into
your home’s natural gas supply without having to worry about lugging a propane tank around,” McConachie says. “This device is available in a single or double outlet, so you can run two natural-gasfueled devices, such as a grill and patio heater, at the same time.”
O
Safety features include built-in thermal protection to prevent gas
flow if the outlet is exposed to temperatures in excess of 200 degrees
Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius), and manual on/off and automatic
shut-off valves with safety interlocks to prevent connection or disconnection of a gas appliance when the outlet is in the “on” position.
Lengths of flexible hose up to 35 feet allow homeowners to
move the outdoor event to where it’s most appropriate. “They’re
easy to hook up, easy to swap out, and with long flexible hoses,
the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about running out of gas,”
McConachie says. “Most contractors will install a gas convenience
outlet on one or two sides of the house where they think the
homeowner will use them most. And with the option of a flexible gas pipe, there aren’t too many places where a homeowner
can’t bring the warmth of a natural gas fire or cook something up
on the grill.”
The gas convenience outlet is design-certified by a nationally recognized testing agency, such as CSA or IAPMO, and complies with
American and Canadian gas code standards. There are multiple models of approved gas convenience outlets to accommodate different
natural gas setups and finish options, including PVC and stainless steel
finishes, double outlets and outlets with regulators for systems with elevated gas pressures.
Consult a plumber or gas contractor about installation of a gas convenience outlet or talk to your builder for new construction.
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
03
a natural fit The Lowdown on
Outdoor Add-Ons
Spice up your outdoor living area with natural gas items
that combine beauty and functionality.
ny fashion aficionado will tell you: It’s the accessories
that make the outfit. Need to make an inexpensive
outfit from a department store look like high-dollar
threads from Rodeo Drive? Just add the right
belt and shoes.
Likewise, a well-chosen outdoor accessory, such as a gas firepit
or tiki torch, can turn even the most austere environment into an
inviting outdoor oasis. What’s more, you can add these stylish yet
practical flourishes for a surprisingly small cash outlay. Here’s a look
at some low-cost, high-impact options.
A
Firepits, Campfires, Fireplaces and
Patio Heaters
Natural gas firepits and fireplace sets have become a common
choice for outdoor warmth, bringing together the utility of a heating
appliance with the homey feel of a dancing fire.
“Beauty, realism and heat are all part of the package,” says Jerry
Scott, vice president of sales and
marketing at Robert H. Peterson Co.,
who’s been with the manufacturer
for two decades. “Gas logs are instant-on and instant-off, with no
wood to haul, no kindling to mess
with and no cleanup.”
Some local jurisdictions have
placed restrictions or prohibitions on
wood-burning appliances, but natural
gas products burn clean and don’t
produce the smoke or soot associated
with wood. You also don’t have to
arrange for wood delivery or chop it
yourself and haul it home. Additional
benefits: There’s no ash cleanup with
Natural gas firepits — such as
this $275 one surrounded by
bricks — provide warmth and
ambience for an affordable price.
04 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
natural gas products, you don’t have to wait for it to get hot, and you
don’t have to worry about sparking or popping embers falling onto
your patio or deck. Natural gas firepits are also safe to install and use
on a wooden deck because there are no glowing embers.
Outdoor gas logs are generally comparable to indoor log sets.
Log products can be put in prefabricated fireplace surrounds or
placed in a custom-built firepit, which Scott says is an increasingly
popular option.
Another popular heating option is the natural gas patio heater,
which can be installed just about anywhere to provide a 12- to 20foot circle of heat around a mushroom- or umbrella-shaped head that
radiates heat downward. With a quick disconnect, patio heaters can be
moved from place to place, but they also can be permanently installed
on a porch, deck or patio. Patio heaters are available in a variety of
colors to complement the décor of your outdoor room.
Some models of patio heaters can be mounted in eaves to direct
heat downward over a certain area while not taking up space on the floor.
Gas torches, commonly used
around pool areas, can be fitted
with automatic-ignition modules
that can turn them on and off at
the flip of a switch or in response
to a timing device. Photo courtesy
of Modern Home Products Corp.
Gaslights, Lanterns and Torches
tant to take into account the overall look you want — at the earThe growing popularity of outdoor entertaining, along with the liest stages — so you can install the necessary infrastructure to
desire to create just the right mood, has fueled interest in gaslights support it. While running gas lines for the grill, think about
and torches powered by natural gas, says Jeff Cunningham, where you might want a firepit, patio heater, gaslights or gas
president of Gas Light America West. Gaslights add charm and se- torches, and have those lines run at the same time. Then, when
curity to any home and are suitable to you want to add to your growing outdoor room, installation will
illuminate outdoor rooms, yards, be simpler and cheaper.
driveways, walkways, gardens and
“These days, you can practically build a living room outdoors
pool areas. “Gas torches are used without walls or a roof,” says Scott from Robert H. Peterson. “With
most commonly around pool a fancy fireplace and outdoor furniture, you can bring the converareas,” says Cunningham. “They create sation outdoors.”
a festive atmosphere and can be
seen from a few blocks away.”
Gaslights and torches can be fitted with automatic-ignition modules
that can turn lights on and off at the
flip of a switch or in response to a
egardless of how simple or
timing device. “One of the common
elaborate you envision your
questions we get is, ‘Do I have to
outdoor room, the basic elleave them burning 24/7?’ and with
ements should include a cookautomatic ignition, the answer is
ing/eating area, comfortable
no,” Cunningham says.
patio furniture and some way to
Gaslights recall simpler times,
keep warm on nippy nights.
and homeowners are opting to bring
These essentials provide a cozy
that decorating sense to the outdoor
outdoor area at an extremely
room, with such styles as Victorian,
affordable price.
Gothic and Colonial. Originally,
Leslie Wheeler, communicagaslights were constructed of cast
tions director of the Hearth, Patio
aluminum and were purchased
& Barbecue Association (HPBA),
mainly for security, but attractive
puts it even more succinctly: “You
looks in brass, copper and similar
need something to cook on,
materials have propelled gaslights to
Gaslights and torches add ambisomething to sit on and a hearth
new prominence, Cunningham says.
ence and help set boundaries
product to extend the season.”
Electric lights cannot duplicate
for your outdoor area.
Patio heaters and firepits
the soft glow of gaslights, although
can keep you and your guests
some gaslight models can duplicate
warm and cozy long after the sun has set or the seasons have
the brilliance of a 100-watt bulb.
changed. Gaslights and torches create an ambience and help set the
When considering an
boundaries of your outdoor entertaining area in ways that electric
outdoor room or upgrades to
lights cannot duplicate.
an existing area, it’s impor-
The Basic Elements of Your
Outdoor Room
Photo courtesy of Infrared Dynamics.
R
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
05
naturally better Cool Tools for Heating Your Pool
Natural gas pool and spa heaters make a big splash
with homeowners.
Natural gas heaters
hen all you want to do is relax in a toasty warm
spa or swim a few laps in the pool without shivering, a natural-gas-fired pool or spa heater can’t be
beat. A natural gas heater can bring a pool or spa
up to temperature more quickly than most other heating options —
and who wants to wait to swim?
“If you’re going to heat a spa, you want a gas heater to heat the
water in 20 minutes to half an hour versus two to three times that long
to days with an electric heater,” says Bruce Aubrey, product manager
of heaters at Hayward Pool Products. “And if you just swim on weekends, a gas pool heater can bring the water temperature up quickly
and relatively cost efficiently [compared with other heating options].”
More homeowners are opting to heat outdoor pools to extend
the swimming season and make pool activities more enjoyable at
any time of the year. Because of natural gas heaters’ quick heating,
reliability, low maintenance and long life cycles, nearly half (41 percent) of homeowners choose these heaters over other technologies.
While solar pool heaters are less expensive to operate, they’re
more expensive to install, take up a lot of space, and by their nature are dependent on the sun to work — which might not fit into
how you want to use a pool, says Rich Murphy, national sales manager of the pool division of Lochinvar Corp. Electric heat pumps
also are limited based on outside temperature and humidity —
W
06 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
can increase a
pool’s temperature
more quickly and
cost-efficiently
than most other
heating options.
drawbacks that gas heaters don’t have.
The size of the pool and climate dictate the unit’s size, measured
in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The higher the BTU number, the
more heat is produced. For the average in-ground residential pool,
Murphy recommends a heater with an output of between 250,000
and 400,000 BTUs. Above-ground pools require heaters with
150,000 BTUs.
Finding the right heater size for your pool is important. Smaller
gas heaters can cost less to purchase up front but will take longer
to reach the desired swimming temperature in your pool. A pool
professional or heater installer can help you figure out the right natural gas product for your needs, but you’ll need to determine the
square footage of your pool and how you’ll be using it.
“Many pool heaters these days feature electronic controls, which allow
precise temperature settings to prevent overheating.”
The National Swimming Pool Foundation recommends a pool
temperature of between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (25 and 27
degrees Celsius) for active swimming, such as water aerobics or
swimming laps, and 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 29 degrees
Celsius) for general use. Each successive degree in temperature can
cost an additional 10 percent in heating costs, so it’s wise to keep
the pool on the cool side.
The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends for maximum efficiency that pool heaters be turned down or off when the pool won’t
be used for several days. A little experimentation helps determine how
long it takes for water temperature to return to set levels.
After bringing the pool or spa up to the correct temperature,
a pool cover can reduce heat loss and evaporation dramatically
when not in use. According to the DOE, a pool cover can bring
down heating costs by an average of 80 percent, based on pool
size, region of the country, energy efficiency of the heating unit
and fuel costs. Heat loss is the obvious target of a cover, but a typical pool loses up to 1.5 inches of water a week through evaporation, and every gallon of water that escapes steals more than
8,500 BTUs of heat.
Speaking of energy, all pool heaters have to meet a minimum
efficiency rating of 78 percent, according to the DOE, but some natural gas pool heaters are up to 97 percent efficient. That means that
each $1 spent on natural gas brings 97 percent usable heat. Highefficiency natural gas pool heaters will cost more than similar
heaters with lower efficiency, but remember that high-efficiency
units cost less to operate.
Many pool heaters these days feature electronic controls,
which allow precise temperature settings to prevent overheating. “Electronic controls can detect the water temperature to
within a degree or two of where you want it, while electromechanical controls can only get within three to five degrees,”
says Aubrey. “The control also monitors various switches within
the unit. If your strainer basket is full of leaves, the heater will
turn itself off to avoid overheating and flash an error code with
likely causes.”
Proper maintenance will help the unit last longer and continue
to operate at high efficiency. Annual inspections by a qualified pool
service technician should help keep your natural gas pool heater in
working order for many years.
7 Ways to Take
Care of Your Pool
The following tips will help your household save energy and money, plus make
your life easier when heating your swimming pool with natural gas.
1. Keep a thermometer in your pool. This
will help you determine the perfect
temperature for you and your family.
2. Place your pool thermostat at the
lowest setting that still maintains a
comfortable swimming environment.
3. Mark the “comfort setting” on the thermostat dial to avoid accidental or careless overheating.
4. Lower your thermostat to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) when the pool will be unused for three or four days.
For longer periods, turn the pool heater off.
5. Guard your pool from the wind with a fence or hedge. A 7 mph wind at the surface of your pool can triple its heat loss.
6. Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. This can reduce its energy consumption by 50 to 75 percent.
7. Service your pool heater annually to keep it operating efficiently.
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
07
an outdoor roo
Regardless of the size of your yard — or the size of
your wallet — there’s an outdoor room to fit your needs.
08 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
Outdoor rooms range from affordable
yet entertaining backyard areas featuring gas grills and firepits to luxurious,
high-end cooking and dining rooms
replete with stainless steel cabinetry and
appliances. Photo courtesy of Viking
Range Corp.
ust because people are staying home
more these days doesn’t mean they’re
staying indoors. The concept of “cocooning” took hold in a post-9/11
world as North Americans began
spending more time at home with family and
friends, and investing in amenities such as
pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, comfortable
outdoor furniture and extensive landscaping.
This massive migration into the great outdoors has made the category a $6 billion industry, according to the Hearth, Patio &
Barbecue Association.
“There’s a diverse variety of products in the
outdoor category,” notes Leslie Wheeler, director of communications for HPBA. “It
includes everything from outdoor hearth products, grills and furniture to outdoor lamps and
rugs. The design of one’s home now flows
from the inside to the outside seamlessly.”
As vice president of sales and marketing
at Robert H. Peterson Co., a manufacturer of
hearth products and gas grills, Jerry Scott has
had a front-row seat during the transformation
of the North American backyard. “Ten or 15
years ago, I wouldn’t ever have thought about
some of the products that are available now,”
the 20-year veteran says of the expansive array
of outdoor kitchens and accessories available.
J
om for every style
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
09
Manufacturers of outdoor products have fully embraced the
cocooning trend, making it possible to bring nearly every aspect
of indoor living to the great outdoors, no matter your budget.
Creating an effective outdoor room requires a little forethought,
planning and research before you get started, but you’ll save
money in the long run while getting the look and functionality
that you desire.
Think Big Picture
The first step is to imagine the possibilities of your outdoor room.
Stop by local specialty retailers, buy a stack of home and garden
magazines, visit garden shows, hit the Internet and participate in
tours of homes to gather ideas of what your outdoor room will look
like and what features it should include.
Those big dreams, however, should be tempered by the size of
your backyard. While those on a budget can build their outdoor
rooms one section at a time, space limitations can severely hamper
what you can do, so ground those dreams in a little reality.
The main features of any outdoor room include a natural gas
grill, a set of casual furniture and a natural gas heating product, such
as a firepit, patio heater or a gas fireplace, to chase the chill from fall
evenings and create ambience. When you want to add a pool or
spa, the structural elements of those features must be taken into account to bring a uniform look to the environment.
“If you’re having a pool installed, talk to your plumbing, electrical or gas contractor about the entire outdoor room before you
start pouring concrete,” cautions Jeff Cunningham, vice president of
Cunningham Gas Products. “Your choices become much more lim-
10 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
ited or much more expensive once the slab is in.”
While water, gas and electrical lines are being laid for the pool
or spa, they can be plumbed for the rest of the outdoor room at the
same time. Even if you’re not ready to build out your entertainment
area, laying the infrastructure now will save you money in the future.
Make a Style Statement
Your outdoor room should be a reflection of your lifestyle. Start by
taking a look at the architectural design of your home. Is it Colonial?
Modern? Victorian? Craftsman? In order for your style sense to flow
from the indoor rooms to the outdoor one, the styles should be similar. That’s not to say that the outdoor room can’t have a theme of
its own; it could be more laid-back or whimsical, for instance.
The size and layout of your outdoor room also should be tempered by your house style, yard size and budget. Thankfully, anyone can afford to entertain outdoors, and improvements made
outside often more than pay for themselves when the home is sold.
Experts at HPBA recommend making a fireplace or firepit the
focal point of the outdoor room. Depending on the style you’ve
chosen and your budget, a mason can build your fireplace brick by
brick or stone by stone, but many manufacturers have developed
prefabricated hearth appliances that can be dropped into place easily. If you choose the custom route, get contractors to bid on stone
patios, retaining walls and other hardscape elements you might want
at the same time to save money overall.
A hearth product of some sort will keep guests comfy as long
summer days flow into cool fall nights, allowing you more enjoyment of your outdoor room. Patio heaters can cast heat in a wide ra-
Outdoor living areas are as
varied as the homeowners
who dream them up, but
many include a natural gas
grill for food preparation,
casual furniture for relaxation
and a natural gas heating
product — such as a firepit,
patio heater or gas fireplace
— which often acts as the
area’s focal point. All photos
on this page courtesy
of HPBA .
dius, but homeowners also are opting for prefabricated or custom
firepits to bring the warmth and glow of a fire outdoors. Firepits
can have a traditional wood fire appearance or can be as elaborate as having fire surrounded by a water feature.
Outdoor Kitchen Elements
An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a natural gas grill and
some furniture. However, outdoor kitchens have gotten upscale
recently, with a dizzying array of features and options.
Themes. Homeowners who choose custom fireplaces or
firepits can have a custom outdoor kitchen built at the same time.
However, modular outdoor kitchen units and prefabricated
kitchens (just add grill!) have expanded the choices that you have
to bring interior decorating themes outdoors. Stucco, tile, mosaics and stainless steel are popular finishes and can be purchased fully finished or partially so, depending on how much of
a do-it-yourselfer you are.
Even if you’re not the handyman type, prefabricated islands
can be built to your specifications, says Anamaria Bearden, director of marketing at Cal Spas. “A majority of homeowners start
out with a barbecue island and grow into other areas,” Bearden
says. “Or they start with a spa and discover the outdoor lifestyle.”
Grills. Before the outdoor kitchen can be built, you’ll need to
pick a grill for that space. You may think you’ll just be grilling brats
and burgers outdoors, but once you start enjoying the outdoor
lifestyle, chances are you’ll be bringing more of the meal prepa-
Furniture for Any Setting
Furniture prices can vary widely, so shop around to
find the right look for your outdoor room — and your
wallet. Quality furniture probably isn’t as expensive as
you think.
For poolside lounging, sling furniture remains your
best bet. Sling furniture is lightweight, comfortable and
available in a rainbow of frame finishes and fabric colors. Sling fabrics are designed to withstand repeated
use while retaining their shape and color. If you purchase quality sling furniture, the slings are replaceable,
so you can trade out worn slings or update the look.
Many outdoor kitchens feature bar-height countertops that scream for bar-height chairs where guests
can visit and watch the master chef at work. Higher
dining and conversation sets also work well in places
where railings, fences or balconies obstruct views.
Some in the industry refer to this as “vertical living.”
The focal point of many outdoor areas is the dining set, but even the table and four-chair setup has
undergone a dramatic transformation recently. Tables
have gotten considerably larger to accommodate
more chairs, but considerate hosts know to keep a few
extra comfortable folding chairs in storage for times
when additional seating is required.
Rectangular tables measuring 72 to 98 inches
wide replicate the formal dining room look outdoors,
although exterior dining chairs often rock or swivel —
options you won’t find in the house. You also can
choose among many different tabletop options, from
the formerly ubiquitous glass tabletop to faux stone,
tile, granite, wood, wicker, solid aluminum, and wood
and metal combinations
“Wicker is such a hot category right now,” says
Henry Vanderminden IV, president of Telescope Casual
Furniture. “Deep-seating pieces are popular, with a
wide range of cushion fabrics as well as cord and
fringe options.”
Kathy Haney, vice president of
Outdoor Lifestyle, notes that cushions can be eight inches thick,
twice as thick as exterior cushions
from a few seasons ago. “Sitting
down outdoors is often more comfortable than sitting on a living
room sofa,” Haney says. “Indoors,
the kitchen is the natural gathering spot when people are entertaining, so it makes perfect sense
that the outdoor gathering place
is around the outdoor kitchen.”
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
11
Locations Large and Small
In locations where the deck, patio or yard is
sufficiently large, the dining room table is supplemented by a lounging area where folks can
gather to relax and talk. This area is all about
comfort, with oversized sofas, loveseats and
sectional pieces positioned around large conversation-type tables that can be 5 feet wide.
Although the trend in outdoor furniture
definitely is toward larger pieces and more
expansive seating areas, those with small
yards and balconies haven’t been overlooked.
Bistro tables with complementary chairs will
fit perfectly on a small porch or in an out-ofthe-way garden spot to create the inviting,
elegant atmosphere that you crave.
Material options for casual furniture — which is
usually placed around a natural gas heating product, such as a fireplace — include teak and jarrah
wood, wicker and tubular and cast aluminum.
Photo courtesy of HPBA.
ration outside, which will necessitate a larger, more powerful grill.
New grills have more bells and whistles, including items like hotsurface ignition systems, built-in lights, infrared burners, rotisseries,
smokers and multiple styles of sideburners. At least one manufacturer even has a power hood that opens by remote control.
Furniture. Owning the hottest, best-looking outdoor kitchen
on the block means nothing if you don’t have comfortable places for
guests to gather, eat, converse and enjoy your hospitality.
The casual furniture you choose for your backyard, deck, patio
or pool area is an important consideration. Over the past few years,
the casual furnishings industry has embraced deep-seating collections, making outdoor furniture just as comfortable as its indoor
counterparts but durable enough to withstand the rigors of the
changing seasons. You have a wide array of options, including teak
and jarrah wood furniture, wicker, tubular and cast aluminum, and
even high-quality recycled plastic furniture that puts $5 grocery store
chairs to shame. You don’t have to blow your budget on furniture,
but you owe it to yourself and your guests to find the most comfortable furniture you can afford.
“The outdoors has turned into an extension of people’s homes,”
says Kathy Haney, vice president at Outdoor Lifestyle. “With such a
wide variety of frame finishes and fabrics, homeowners can make
their own style statement.”
You should provide guests with bar-height chairs so they can
relax around the island while you work, but you still will need to
provide comfortable dining and lounging areas. Choices in casual
furniture have grown with the outdoor category, giving you myriad
choices in furniture type, style, fabric and finishes. Don’t see what
you want at your local specialty retailer? Special orders are easy and
can help craft the perfect look for your outdoor living room. (For
12 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
more information, see “Furniture for Any Setting,” p. 11.)
Accessories. A wide range of complementary products will
help you imprint your sense of style on the outdoor room. To keep
the sun at bay, umbrellas in matching or contrasting colors are popular choices. Like tables, umbrellas are getting larger and are available in octagon, square and rectangular shapes. Umbrellas can tilt
to deflect the sun, and some even go up and down at the push of
a button. Screens and awnings over the outdoor kitchen or seating
groups can define the entertainment area.
Another relaxation option besides furniture is a hammock, with
an optional stand that allows you to rock gently in style virtually
anywhere. A water feature can add visual and aural excitement or
serenity to any setting, while gaslights and torches add ambience.
Wind chimes, gazing balls, statuary and extensive landscaping all
should blend together to create the mood that you’re looking for —
and a covered area can shelter you from the sun or rain.
Completing the look is extensive landscaping to help the pool
or spa flow to the outdoor kitchen, the outdoor dining room, the
cozy seating area and the indoors. Carefully planted trees and shrubs
can help create the illusion of a secluded environment, and plants
can add splashes of color as the seasons change.
Natural Gas Wins in the Battle
of the Grills
When it comes to grilling outdoors, you have five choices:
natural gas, propane, charcoal, wood or electric. But after
weighing the options, natural gas wins — naturally.
Natural gas grills are instant-on and heat quickly,
without charcoal, kindling or fire starters. Regardless of
whether you want the high heat of an infrared burner to
sear a steak, a large surface area on which to grill two
dozen chicken legs or the low temperature required to
smoke a perfect rack of mouthwatering ribs, gas grills offer
the widest range of temperatures and options.
Solutions
S
ollutiions for
for Every
Every Need
Need
d & Budget
Bud
dget
• Tankless hot water for endless comfort
New! • Low emissions natural gas water heaters
• Pool & spa gas water heaters for year-round relaxation
• Whole home standby gas powered generators for peace of mind
• Advanced high-efficiency heating & cooling systems
• Indoor air quality accessories for healthy living
A Taste of the
Outdoors
If you can dream it, you
can cook it in your
outdoor kitchen.
re you hungry yet? Although the outdoor room is a perfect venue for a wide variety of entertainment options,
from splashing in the pool to quiet conversation on a deck
or patio, the natural gas grill forms the centerpiece for
many of these events.
Outdoor grilling and barbecuing are more popular than ever, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. A record of
nearly 17.5 million grills were shipped last year, and more than 10.2
million of those were gas. The popularity of the outdoor room has
spurred intense interest in outdoor kitchens that range from affordable simplicity to lavish indulgence. Outdoor kitchens make food
preparation, cooking and serving pleasurable and fun without
homeowners having to venture inside the house for anything.
“People love to grill because the food tastes so good, and now
there are accessories and products that make it even easier to explore new menu ideas,” say Cheryl and Bill Jamison, authors of such
books as The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking & Entertaining and
Smoke & Spice.
A
appliances — including blenders and even a steam cleaner from
Cal Spas that can help clean the grill and the cooking island. Many
outdoor kitchens feature utilitarian, yet important, options like integrated cutting boards, drop-down shelves, towel racks, bottle
openers, pull-out storage drawers and access doors.
Keeping food and beverages cold is also an important part of
entertaining, and that’s why manufacturers have designed a wide
range of refrigerators, wine coolers, icemakers and beer keg refrigerators with taps to keep the festivities rolling along. And there’s no
need to blast the stereo from inside the house when you can have
a music system installed as part of your outdoor entertainment unit.
“More and more, people want everything they can have indoors
outdoors, too, and we’re about there,” says Taylor Calhoun, outdoor product manager for Viking Range Corp. “In the future, manufacturers will be tweaking their products to make life easier with
digital readouts and remote controls.”
A Range of Grilling, Chilling Options
If you haven’t visited a specialty grill retailer recently, you might
not be aware of the amazing range of options available for outdoor
kitchens, starting with the grill itself. Dual-fuel grills can cook with
gas or charcoal, and many high-end grills now feature an infrared
burner, which can sear a steak quickly for a taste that rivals a fine
steakhouse. Rotisseries allow you to cook a whole chicken, turkey
or roast, while smoke trays introduce the subtle flavors of your favorite woods to whatever’s on the grill.
A sideburner is a natural complement to the grill, allowing you
to prepare marinades or side dishes at the same time the entrée is
cooking. Single and double sideburners are common, and infrared
models are available. Other burner accessories include a wok option and a griddle for flat foods and weekend brunches.
Hamburgers notwithstanding, pizza also tastes great when prepared outdoors, and several manufacturers offer drop-in pizza bricks
or trays to help you make perfect pizza at home. True pizza aficionados can buy a separate natural gas pizza oven as part of an outdoor
kitchen setup. You even can buy a separate outdoor oven for baking.
Food preparation, serving, storage and cleanup are a snap with
such options as sinks, cocktail areas, warming drawers and outdoor
14 naturalLiving Spring - Summer
The 18th annual Weber GrillWatch Survey reveals that
23 percent of grill owners prepare the entire meal outside,
nearly triple the number just two years ago. It’s no surprise
that hamburgers are found on the grill most often,
followed by steak, chicken, hot dogs, ribs and bratwurst.
Photos courtesy of Fire Magic.
naturally good
Grill
This!
Recipes that will make your next backyard bash a hit.
Focaccia Crumbed Shrimp and
Scallops Drizzled with Sauvignon
Blanc Sauce
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
Large shrimp — ocean prawns, tails on
Large sea scallops
Pizzetta oil
Seasoned or focaccia bread crumbs
60 shrimp
30 scallops
1 cup
To sprinkle
Sauté shrimps and scallops in the oil until shrimp are just pink.
Sprinkle with crumbs after plating and drizzle on sauce.
Sauce Ingredients:
White wine
White wine vinegar
Shallot, finely chopped
Bay leaf
Cracked pepper
Cream
Lemon juice
Butter
Salt
1 cup
2 tbsp.
1 tsp.
1 leaf
1/2 tsp.
1/2 cup
2 lemons
1/2 lb.
To taste
Reduce wine, wine vinegar, shallot, bay leaf and cracked pepper to 1 tablespoon. Add cream and reduce to 1/3 cup. Reduce
heat. Whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time, until all is incorporated. Add one or two squeezes of lemon and salt. Taste for
seasoning. Sauce may be held up to a couple of hours in a
double boiler.
Mediterranean Pork and
Sirloin Burgers
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
Ground sirloin
Ground pork
Roughly chopped garlic
Finely chopped scallions
Basil
Parsley
Cracked pepper
Chili flakes
Dry oregano
Dry basil
Jarlsburg or quality Swiss cheese,
coarsely shredded
Olive oil
Salt
Water
3 lbs.
3 lbs.
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
1/4 cup
1/4 cup
1 tbsp.
1 tsp.
1 1/2 tbsp.
1 1/2 tbsp.
2 cups
2 tbsp.
1 tsp.
1/4 cup
Mix above ingredients well. Hand-form oval burgers, weighing
about 8 oz. each. Grill burgers slowly over medium-low heat.
Serve with thick sliced tomatoes, basil leaves, Romaine lettuce,
red onions and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Recipes courtesy of Robert H. Peterson Co.
naturalLiving Spring - Summer
15
Worry about running out of gas?
Not me.
Get your customers‘Hooked-up’
to one of our Gas Outlet Boxes now!
You’re nearest plumbing & heating wholesaler has one waiting for you.
TEL: 604.877.1599 • FAX: 604.875.6776 • WEB: WWW.BBYMFG.COM