Blog entries tagged with summer fun - The Great Escape Blog

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Gas Grill Maintenance

Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Tuesday Jun 28, 2011 9:46 am

Weber Gas Grill.jpg Particularly when the weather is mild (and even sometimes when it’s not…), many of us are firing up our Weber gas grills almost every day of the week. And with all that action going on, it can be easy to forget some of the most important parts of grilling: cleaning and maintenance. Luckily, a simple monthly maintenance plan is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your beloved Weber gas grills in tip-top shape.

•   Wipe the outside of the grill lid with a paper towel and cleaner (glass cleaner for porcelain-coated lids and stainless steel cleaner for stainless steel lids). If your grill is stainless steel, you’ll get the best results by buffing with the grain, not against, using a microfiber towel.
•   Clean side tables with a microfiber towel and stainless steel cleaner. Again, make sure to buff with the grain. If your tables are made of theromset plastic, use a mild dish detergent and warm water instead.
•   Cleaning a cook box may seem tricky, but it’s actually extremely simple and can have a big impact on the way your grill performs. When your grill is completely cool, carefully remove your cooking grates and Flavorizer bars. Then, using a stainless steel grill brush, brush all excess grease and debris from inside the cook box into the bottom tray. From here, it will be easy to discard.
•   It’s a good practice to burn off any food residue left on your grill by turning all your burners to high for 15 minutes before and after grilling. Note: If you have cast iron grates, remove them before doing so. When your grill reaches these high temperatures, food debris will turn to ash, and will then be easy to brush off using a stainless steel bristle brush.

And that’s it. Pretty simple, really. Just follow these five steps and your grill will be cooking strong for many years to come.

Benefits Of Owning a J-300 Hot Tub by Jacuzzi

Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Wednesday Jun 01, 2011 2:57 pm

Imagine the difference a Jacuzzi J-300 portable spa will make in your life. Find refuge from the pressures of work, take a break, or rejuvenate in the company of family and friends. Enjoy a spa-quality massage delivered by the numerous adjustable hot tub jets of a Jacuzzi FX10 Therapy Seat. Luxuriate in the unique feeling of water flowing over your shoulders from a Water Rainbow® waterfall. Listen to music generated by high-quality micro-speakers that are an integral part of Jacuzzi Hot Tubs' remarkable new AquaSound™ hot tub stereo option.

So, take a spa "wet test" at your nearest Great Escape location to feel, hear and see all a J-300 portable spa can do for you.

Direct/Indirect Cooking

Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Wednesday Jun 01, 2011 1:04 pm

Weber charcoal grills and gas barbecues give you great grilled results every time because they are designed to give you ultimate control of your grilling temperature and cooking method. Here we explain the secret to great grilling. (Remember, whether you're cooking by the Direct or Indirect Method, always grill with the lid on.)

Direct Method

The Direct Method is similar to broiling. Food is cooked directly over the heat source. For even cooking, food should be turned once halfway through the grilling time. Use the Direct method for foods that take less than 25 minutes to cook: like steaks, chops, kabobs, sausages and vegetables. Direct cooking is also necessary to sear meats. Searing creates that wonderful crisp, caramelized texture where the food hits the grate. It also adds nice grill marks and flavor to the entire food surface. Steaks, chops, chicken pieces, and larger cuts of meat all benefit from searing.

To grill by the Direct Method on a charcoal grill, spread prepared coals evenly across the charcoal grate. Set the cooking grate over the coals and place food on the cooking grate. Place the lid on the grill and lift it only to turn food or to test for doneness at the end of the recommended cooking time.

To grill by the Direct Method on a gas grill, preheat the grill with all burners on High. Place the food on the cooking grate, then adjust all burners to the temperature noted in the recipe. Close the lid of the grill and lift it only to turn food or to test for doneness at the end of the recommended cooking time.

Indirect Method

The Indirect Method is similar to roasting, but with the added benefits of that grilled texture, flavor, and appearance you can't get from an oven. Heat rises, reflects off the lid and inside surfaces of the grill, and slowly cooks the food evenly on all sides. The circulating heat works much like a convection oven, so there's no need to turn the food. Use the Indirect Method for foods that require 25 minutes or more of grilling time or for foods that are so delicate that direct exposure to the heat source would dry them out or scorch them. Examples include roasts, ribs, whole chickens, turkeys, and other large cuts of meat, as well as delicate fish fillets.

To grill by the Indirect Method on a charcoal grill, arrange hot coals evenly on either side of the charcoal grate. A drip pan placed in the center of the charcoal grate between the coals is useful to collect drippings that can be used for gravies and sauces. It also helps prevent flare-ups when cooking fattier foods such as goose, duck, or fatty roasts. For longer cooking times, add water to the drip pan to keep drippings from burning. Place the cooking grate over the coals and place the food on the cooking grate, centered over the drip pan or empty space. Place the lid on the grill and lift it only to baste or check for doneness at the end of the suggested cooking time.

To grill by the Indirect Method on a gas grill, preheat the grill with all burners on High. Then adjust the burners on each side of the food to the temperature noted in the recipe and turn off the burner(s) directly below the food. For best results, place roasts, poultry, or large cuts of meat on a roasting rack set inside a disposable heavy-gauge foil pan. For longer cooking times, add water to the foil pan to keep drippings from burning.

Woodplay Playsets- From The First, Built To Last

Posted by The Great Escape Blog on Wednesday Jun 01, 2011 12:45 pm

Since 1975, Woodplay has built a solid reputation for high-quality redwood playsets that perform beautifully, year after year.

Strong Joints- Triple-joint construction and more through-bolts ensure a rock-solid feel for superior safety and structural integrity, which also means less maintenance.

Bigger Beams- Begin with hand-selected, premium timbers that are sawn to be free of "heart center." This promotes stability and reduces warping, twisting, or cracking. Woodplay mills their own timbers to be bigger and stronger. Woodplay beams measure up to true construction grade dimensions.

Safe-. Safe ladder rungs exemplify their commitment to safety from head to toe. Non-slip flat steel safety rungs provide more surface area for sure-footed fun and are easy for little hands to grip. Non-skid coating enhances safety when rain or dew are present.

Long Wear Hardware- Their heavy-duty galvanized hardware is commercial grade for amazing strength and longevity.

Woodplay constructs its playsets almost exclusively (approximately 95 percent) from sustainable redwood. They also incorporate sustainable western red cedar and sustainable Cunninghamia. What makes these beautiful woods best for outdoor playsets? They are strong, dimensionally stable, and resistant to both insects and deterioration. And the exceptional strength of the woods they use make Woodplay structures safe for heavyduty use and kids of all sizes (even Dad). Your Woodplay playset will be enjoyed for years to come.