Alfresco Appliances and the Environment

People have always enjoyed being able to spend time outside and modern LPG appliances such as barbecues and patio heaters contribute to this alfresco lifestyle. Whilst they are far safer and more environmentally sensitive than their solid fuel alternatives, it is still up to all of us to use our energy products in a responsible and efficient manner. The following are some simple guidelines to help you to enjoy an alfresco lifestyle whilst, at the same time, taking care of the wider environment:

• Turn your interior heating systems down whilst you are outside.

• Always position your seating close to the appliance.

• Barbecues and patio heaters should only be on full power during the initial minutes of use. Half power or less for the rest of the time will usually be sufficient.

• Wear sensible outdoor clothing; and turn your patio heater off if the weather warms up.

• Consider investing in a specially designed, flame retardant gazebo N.B. Never use a gazebo with a patio heater if it has not been specifically designed for that purpose.

• Position your patio heater away from strong winds.

Finally... When you have finished outside, remember to turn your alfresco appliances OFF!

 

IMPORTANT! Please read and follow these simple guidelines which will help you to use your alfresco appliance safely.

Patio Heaters

• Patio heaters are for outdoor use only, and should not be used with conventional awnings or gazebos, especially those made of plastic.

• Ensure that the products of combustion do not adversely affect people or property at burner level.

• Do not move a patio heater when it is alight.

• Ensure that children are kept away from accessible parts that may become hot during use.

• Patio heaters should be assembled and regularly serviced by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.

• Check the condition of the flexible hose connecting the regulator to the patio heater inlet every time the cylinder is replaced.

• Do not use your patio heater if a persistent gas smell is present, and ensure that the cause of the leak is investigated and rectified.
  

Cooking on the Barbecue

• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food, especially after handling raw meat and before touching salad items.

• Make sure all cooking equipment is clean, and use different utensils for handling raw and cooked foods.

• Never put cooked food on a plate or surface that has been used for raw meat.

• Don’t put raw meat products next to cooked or partially cooked meat on the barbecue.

• Cover all food to protect it from dust and insects.

• Defrost frozen meats and poultry thoroughly before cooking.

• Meats, salads and other perishables should be kept at a temperature below 8^oC until you are ready to cook them.

• Cook chicken drumsticks and large cuts of meat in the oven if possible, and then transfer immediately to your barbecue for extra flavour.

• Always ensure that chicken, pork, sausages, burgers, kebabs and other meats are piping hot all the way through and not at all pink before serving.

• Wash salads and raw vegetables well to remove all traces of soil and insects.

 

Happy (and safe) alfresco dining!