Our Company Blog
Safety around the Fire Pit
A fire pit is an excellent addition to your outdoors. Just make sure you know the basics in fire pit safety so that there won’t be any accidents.
Fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years—they’re the #1 requested backyard design feature according to the American Society of Landscape Architects—and the trend shows no signs of losing steam. The warmth and joy that radiates from the open fire can make parties, intimate gatherings, and simple marshmallow roasts the most sought-after and enjoyable activities of the spring, summer, and autumn months. However, fire pits are wrought with dangers, and to ensure everyone’s safety, there are important safety tips every fire pit owner should know.
Fire Pit Basics
As with any situation involving fire, there are many safety measures homeowners can take to ensure that you and yours remain safe. The following safety protocols are a good jumping off point:
- Always keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Keep a first aid kit on hand for any accidental burns.
- Don’t light a fire in windy conditions. One stray spark can cause a large fire in no time.
- Don’t light a fire if a fire warning has been issued in your area.
- Don’t allow children to light or play near the fire. Closely supervise children at all times around your fire pit.
- Always use seasoned wood and kindling to light your fire. Avoid using soft woods (e.g., pine or cedar) because they can pop and throw sparks. Do NOT use accelerants (e.g., gasoline, lighter fluid, or alcohol) or trash to light a fire.
- Put out the fire completely before leaving the pit unattended or before going inside for the evening. Even the smallest fire can become a large fire quickly; as such, embers should be completely extinguished.
- Safely dispose of all ashes.
Fire Pit Positioning
You should set up your fire pit in an area that is well away (at least 10 feet) from adjacent walls or building overhangs. You’ll also want to make sure the area is free of combustible materials and on a noncombustible surface. Move all outdoor furniture at least 3 feet away from the fire pit as well. Keep an eye out for low-hanging branches and drooping power lines overhead, and place the pit well clear of them.
Fire pits are very popular, but you need to keep fire pit safety in mind when using one. The tips listed in this blog will help you get the most out of your enjoyable outdoor addition and reduce the likelihood of injury and/or damage to your property. The professionals at IBD Outdoor Rooms are ever ready to meet and exceed your expectations. Give us a call (704-960-4530) or contact us via our website to see how we can assist you with all of your outdoor living projects.
Considering an Outdoor Kitchen?
Have you been dreaming of the perfect place to entertain guests, cook, and just relax while you enjoy the outdoors? Make your dream a reality and have an outdoor kitchen island installed.
One of the hottest trends in homes, outdoor kitchens have transformed from a basic charcoal or gas grill on the patio to elaborate rooms with appliances, sinks, countertops, and cabinets. You will be surprised with how many different options you have when planning an outdoor kitchen. An entertainer’s dream, all of your friends and family can gather together while you prepare the food; they can even help you with certain dishes if they want. Another advantage of having an outdoor kitchen is the money you will save on your electric bill because the outdoor cooking lessens the heat buildup that occurs inside the home when you cook inside, making your air conditioning unit work overtime. If you are considering an outdoor kitchen, call IBD Outdoor Rooms today for a outdoor kitchen consultation as we have six different kitchen island layouts from which to choose.
6 Kitchen Island Layouts
Our first kitchen island design is the Santa Fe Straight Design, the smallest design. With two standard cut-outs for appliances, this island can be as small as you need, but it can also extend to any length you would like. Other options for this design include dining ledges, cabinet liners, electrical boxes, and backsplashes.
The Versailles V Shape Design with two standard cutouts is our second luxury outdoor kitchen island design. This island is made to fit into a corner and comes in two different versions: one has corners that extend towards the edge and the other’s corners turn back to the unit. You can also get backsplashes, electrical boxes, and cabinet liners with this design.
Our third design, the Lexington L Shape Design, is angle-shaped (like an L – 90-degree angle, or whatever size angle you wish) and is measured from the dimensions of where you like to cook, making this design custom-fit for you. Four appliance cut-outs are standard, but you have the option to have as many cut-outs as you want.
Our most popular design is our fourth, the Tremont Tri Shape Design includes six standard cutouts and includes all options available and listed. One reason it is so popular is its flexibility as the angle can vary. If you would like to use multiple grills in your outdoor kitchen, this island design would be your choice, thanks to its six cutouts.
If you entertain on a large scale, you may be interested in our fifth design, the Ultimate U Shape Design. Like the Tremont, this design comes with six standard cutouts and all listed options. A large island, you will have lots of counter space for serving food and drinks, making it the perfect outdoor kitchen island for entertaining large groups.
For those who like a more custom look, our sixth design, the Concord and Serpentine Design, is a completely customized outdoor kitchen island. Shaped in a C-curve, this is one of our most popular choices because you can easily add ceramic grills and beverage stations. When you select this custom design, it involves more detail as you will be required to speak with one of our experts to get a quote. A complete one-of-a-kind custom creation, you have an unlimited variety of length and radius options, allowing you to build whatever size outdoor kitchen island that fits your needs.
Start planning your outdoor kitchen with IBD Outdoor Rooms today by contacting us for a consultation and let us help you design the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
Tell Me About Wood Fired Ovens
Give your taste buds a treat. Get wood fired oven installed in your outdoor kitchen.
Whenever we meet a food-loving client who’s interested in creating or updating their outdoor room, our first thought is: Wood Fired Oven. If you’re really into cooking — or eating — a wood fired oven not only gives you a whole new world of culinary options, it makes your outdoor living space that much more beautiful and functional, too.
At IBD Outdoor Rooms, we specialize in installing and designing unique and custom-completed wood fired ovens that suit our clients’ preferences, space and plans to the letter. We start with factory-built modular components, completing a basic size and shape that meets your taste and needs, go through add-ons that made your oven that much more fine-tuned to what you like and how you plan to use it, and then we finish it to become a gorgeous (and durable) part of your home. We absolutely love to design and install outdoor fireplaces, but if you really want to stretch your gastronomic legs, a wood fired oven brings warmth and charm with flexibility to make tons of amazing meals as a bonus.
What Kind Of Cooking Can We Do In A Wood Fired Oven?
Lots of folks think wood fired ovens are specifically for pizza. That’s partially true — you can make some amazing pizza in your oven, since the best pizza crust really needs to be cooked up crisp quickly and at super high heat, which a wood fired oven does exceptionally well. But your cooking options certainly don’t stop at pizza. Bake bread, roast vegetables and meats, make salmon steaks that’ll wow dinner guests, stews, sandwiches, desserts… Just about anything you might make in your regular oven can be made in your wood fired oven, and we might be biased, but we think everything comes out even better. Plus, when you’re entertaining, you don’t end up running in and out while everyone’s enjoying each other’s company in your outdoor room.
Can My Wood Fired Oven Serve As A Fireplace Too?
Absolutely — you don’t have to cook in it to enjoy it. You can still circle around and enjoy the warmth and ambience, maybe make some s’mores if you felt moved to. A wood fired oven is kind of like having the best of both worlds — a fireplace when you want it, an oven to cook in when you want that too.
Can A Wood Fired Oven Be Part Of An Outdoor Kitchen?
Your wood fired oven can be the centerpiece of a complete outdoor kitchen, absolutely — and we also specialize in designing and building outdoor kitchens at IBD. We can help develop a kitchen island that perfectly suits your needs, whether that’s really basic or just as fleshed-out with amenities as your indoor kitchen. Just tell us what your vision for an outdoor kitchen is, and we’ll help make it happen!
Do you have any questions about wood fired ovens or how they might fit into your outdoor-room vision? We’d love to talk you through it. Just give IBD Outdoor Rooms a call!
The Science of Combustion
In order to have combustion, you must have three main elements: oxygen, fuel and heat. If there is too much or too little of any of the three, the process will be ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst.
Maintaining proper draft is critical for safe and efficient burning.
What is a Quick Chase?
Do you want a quick fix to your unattractive, plain, existing chase? A quick chase system is your answer to that.
Question: What is a quick chase system?
At IBD Outdoor Rooms we often get this question from customers and dealers. That’s because the two-part quick chase system is a concept we developed ourselves in response to the need for a factory built chase that could accommodate a new construction as part of an appliance retrofit application. In other words, if you want to conceal a not-so-attractive existing chase—which is essentially a metal chimney attached to a prefabricated fireplace or stove—or to replace a rotted or otherwise damaged chase, you may want to consider our quick chase system, which carries a limited lifetime warranty
A quick chase system is a great solution for a customer who wants an attractive, durable, and safe chase that can be installed quickly. The quick chase is a much higher quality product than the average field-constructed chase and can be finished with weatherproof material like veneer stone, veneer brick, stucco, siding, or other material deigned to weather the outdoor elements and match the materials used on your home or outdoor structure. These materials will conceal your metal chase, making it virtually indistinguishable from a masonry chimney.
In order to make installation of these coverings an easy process, the concrete board used for the exterior of the quick chase is adaptable for veneer stone, veneer brick, or stucco—so that any of these materials can bond directly to the chase without your installer having to use a lathe. This eliminates a step in the normal veneer process. Now you may be able to see why we decided to name this system a “quick” chase. It’s a far easier and faster process for all involved. To bond material to the quick chase, we recommend that installers use a mortar cement manufactured by Brixment that’s called “Stone Hold Cement For Stonework.”
Our quick chase has numerous benefits over field-constructed units. Unlike units that have been built with regular framing, the quick chase is impervious to rot and is made of a non-combustible material, which does away with concerns regarding clearance factors. All metal chimneys and vents should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Contact us to find a dealer or installer near you or if you’re interested in becoming a quick chase dealer yourself.
Lots of Quick Chase Choices
We have two options for our quick chase systems; You may choose a quick chase made of 22-gauge galvanized metal framing that’s covered with ½” concrete board or 22-gauge stainless steel, which is the more costly option. Stainless steel flashing is built into our quick chases, attached to the framing members, and inserted behind the exterior concrete board.
We can also provide custom quick chases, which will address unusual roof pitches and accommodate the outside dimensions, projection, chase height, and size of the top band built into the chase. If you have no need for a custom quick chase, each of our quick chase systems comes wit a “pitch adaptor” that can easily be bolted to your chase to work with common roof pitches, including 2/12 4/12 6/12 8/12, and 10/12 roof pitches.
In addition to the quick chase, IBD also designs chase covers specifically for our quick chases. These are available in hot dip galvanized, paint grip galvanized, stainless steel and copper, and may come with a powder coating of exposed metal. Read more about our quick chases and see photos here.
Our quick chases are but one of the products that make IBD Outdoor Rooms special. We specialize in islands, firepits, fireplaces, wood fired ovens, and timberframe systems, and stand behind all of our products. Check out our selection of outdoor fireplaces today.
