The Outdoor Lifestyle Blog

So you’ve finally invested in a high-quality, backyard pizza oven. You’ve got so many delicious meals to look forward to (not to mention lots of jealous neighbors!).

Here are a few pointers for making the perfect pizza in your outdoor oven:

Master the dough

The last thing you want for your piping hot pizza is for the crust to taste something like cardboard. In most cases, a prepackaged crust just isn’t going to cut it. Learn to make your own dough so that you can really appreciate those delicious woodsmoked flavors, and enjoy the bubbly pockets the high temperatures bring out.  

If you’ve gone through the trouble of installing plumbing for your outdoor kitchen sink, you’ll want to keep everything working as well as possible. Caring for an outdoor sink isn’t quite the same as caring for an indoor one. After all, a sink in your outdoor kitchen will be exposed to the elements, as well as more drastic shifts in temperature.

Here are a few practical tips for keeping your outdoor kitchen sink in top shape:

If you’ve invested in a beautiful custom outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to enjoy it throughout the year—and the holidays are no exception.

Whether you’re having the whole family over or inviting a select few of your closest friends, why not take the party outside? It can be as small as enjoying coffee and marshmallows around your fire table, or—if it’s a mild San Jose day—hosting the entire celebration outdoors.

Here are a few ideas for hosting your holiday celebration in your backyard living area:

If you’ve purchased a top-of-the-line grill or designed your own custom outdoor kitchen, we know you want to use any excuse to make the most of it—even in the off season!

While we’re pretty certain no one will turn down a thick, juicy burger or perfectly cooked steak any time of the year, you can also cook up some hot, tasty dishes with the help of a cast iron skillet or pot.

When you invest in an outdoor kitchen, you want to keep it clean and beautiful for years to come. We’ve already covered keeping your grill grates clean and cleaning and maintaining your fire pit, so this week we’re going to look at cleaning your countertops.

Here’s a quick guide to special cleaning requirements for the most common types of outdoor kitchen countertops:

We love living in the San Jose area, but for some of us it means we’ve got pretty tiny backyards. (This trend is actually a fact of life for homeowners around the country, not just Californians.)

If you’ve got an itch to make your backyard into the ultimate place for relaxation and fun but feel like it’s just too small to work with, take heart! With some creativity and a few clever upgrades, you can make the most of your tiny backyard space.

Creative Landscaping

Have you ever seen an empty room and thought it looked cramped—until you fit your entire bedroom furniture set into it? Sometimes a blank, featureless space looks much smaller than it actually is. Adding a flowerbed, a garden path, or outdoor furniture can actually make your space look bigger, plus increase its usefulness.

Tired of mowing? Ditch the lawn all together in favor of a patio, deck, or even a rock garden, and use container-grown plants to add more interesting green spaces.

Autumn is here, with its many occasions to celebrate! Whether you’re planning a Halloween get-together, a football tailgate, or even a “Friendsgiving” feast, make the most of the weather and take the fun to your outdoor living area.

Here are some ideas for perfect fall fun:

Decorate with nature’s bounty

Autumn is when nature puts out her most beautiful show of colors. When decorating your patio steps, tables, or outdoor kitchen counter, take cues from Mother Nature and incorporate natural elements as possible. (As an added bonus, it’s an easy and nearly fool-proof way to add seasonal cheer!) Possibilities include:

Do you dream of having an outdoor kitchen, but are afraid your backyard is too small? You can still have a beautiful and functional kitchenette in your small yard if you plan carefully!

Pick what matters most

If you’re limited on space, focus in on only those appliances and tools that you really want. For most people, a high-quality grill is a must. (And keep in mind good doesn’t necessarily mean large—you can get a great grill that doesn’t take up all of your available space.)

Are you at the early stages of planning your outside kitchen? One of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself as you plan is which appliances you’ll want to include. Your outside kitchen should reflect your needs, so be sure to choose the appliances that fit your lifestyle and your cooking habits best.

You’ll also need to make sure you choose appliances that can withstand the rigors of the outdoors. Your outdoor kitchen is an investment, and you don’t want issues with rust or mold to shortchange you!

Here are some common appliances for outside kitchens, and some considerations for making sure they withstand the elements:

Maybe you’ve already mastered the perfect hamburger, the expertly prepared steak, and even gotten creative with your kebabs.

Ready for the next challenge? This week we’re talking about the process of grilling fish fillets.

Not only does fish have a distinctive and highly desired flavor, but it’s also one of the healthiest animal-based proteins available. Plus, fish is packed with essential nutritsn like vitamin D and omega-3s.

Let's get grilling!