Ensuring your barbecue facilities are ready for peak holiday season use is crucial as summer approaches. Assessing the condition of your barbecues will guarantee the best cooking experience for your residents and visitors. Here are some important considerations for getting your barbecues summer-ready:
Access for all
Ensure your barbecue facilities and pathways to them are accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users and elderly visitors. Cooktops and cabinets should provide universal access to both seated and standing users. Accessible options like Christie A-Series and ICON barbecue cabinets offer Disability Discrimination Act-compliant designs for safe and convenient use.
Hygiene and food safety
A clean barbecue encourages use, promotes better food hygiene, and provides an enjoyable cooking experience.
Warped and corroded hotplates may have cold areas that can harbour bacteria and pose food hygiene and health risks. Worn-out hotplates can also increase cooking times and use more energy. Ideally, hotplates should have a sterilisation cycle to ensure optimal food safety. Regular deep cleaning with non-toxic everyday cleaning products or enzyme-based cleaners will encourage barbecue usage.
Use stainless steel or other food-safe benchtops, as tiles may harbour dirt and bacteria. Regularly clean the cabinet interior and empty the grease and waste containers. Make sure to clean the entire cabinet to maintain their appeal. Regular cleaning of stainless steel will remove deposits that cause superficial corrosion, known as tea staining.
Proactive maintenance
Regular inspections of your cooktops, including temperature readings, will ensure optimum operation and extend their design life. Replace any damaged components immediately. Please get in touch with our Christie Barbecues Support team HERE for a complimentary technical inspection checklist.
Repair or replace
Operating and maintaining barbecues beyond their design life can be expensive. Moreover, finding spare parts for discontinued models can be challenging.
Upgrading to the latest energy-saving technology may be more cost-effective than repairing older assets. Contact our Support team and quote your cooktop’s serial number. We will review the history of the service and spare parts and advise you of the best action to save you money in the long term.
Clear and Up-to-Date Signage
As you prepare your communal barbecue for summer, it is essential to ensure that all signage is clear, current, and compliant with local regulations. Review your signage to confirm that it communicates necessary safety guidelines, usage instructions, and any relevant restrictions in an understandable way for all users, including children and non-English speakers.
Consider including visual aids or symbols to enhance comprehension. Regularly reviewing this information promotes safety and encourages responsible usage, ensuring an enjoyable barbecue experience. Take the time now to ensure your signage is clear and easy to understand, creating a welcoming environment for all visitors.
Environment
Barbecue facilities in unsheltered locations use more energy and require more cleaning and maintenance, which may reduce their popularity and overall use.
Whenever possible, install barbecues underneath a shelter to reduce users’ exposure to sun and rain. Also, consider installing a hood or lid for your barbecue.
The Australian summer is rightly famous for sunny weather and outdoor barbecues. A well-maintained cooking facility attracts visitors. Christie barbecue offers the latest energy-saving technology, a superior user barbecue experience, and unbeatable value for money.