5 facts on fridge frame supports

fridge frame supports

Here are 5 reasons why you need a fridge frame support underneath your stone benchtop in your outdoor kitchen:

1. Weight distribution: Stone benchtops can be quite heavy, especially when they have appliances such as fridges mounted under them in a void. A fridge frame support distributes the weight evenly and prevents the stone from cracking or breaking under the weight.

2. Durability: An outdoor kitchen is exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as rain and heat. The constant exposure to these elements can cause the stone benchtop to expand and contract, which can cause cracks or damage to the benchtop over time. A fridge frame support can help to mitigate this risk and increase the longevity of the benchtop.

3.Structural support: A fridge frame support can also provide structural support to the benchtop, ensuring that it remains level and in good condition over time.

4. Aesthetics: A fridge frame support can also help to improve the overall appearance of your outdoor kitchen. It can provide a clean, streamlined look that complements the design of your space, and helps to create a cohesive and polished look for your outdoor entertaining area.

5. Compliance: Some outdoor fridges have strict ventilation codes and regulations require that a fridge frame support be installed to ensure that the outdoor kitchen is safe and compliant with the relevant air clearances . By installing a fridge frame support, you can ensure that your outdoor kitchen meets all the necessary requirements and is safe for use.

Overall, a fridge frame support is an essential component of an outdoor kitchen with a stone benchtop, as it provides stability, weight distribution, protection, structural support, and compliance with building codes and regulations.

Outdoor Kitchen Tips

Outdoor Kitchen Advice

With the warmer months approaching you want to maximise your alfresco entertaining area and the outdoor kitchen is great addition to build into the space under your alfresco area. But where do you start? We have some great tips to save you time and money before you start your outdoor kitchen project.     

where to start

Plumbing:

Before the kitchen is installed, waste and water pipes should come up from the floor below the sink location (see diagram). After the kitchen has been installed, a plumber will need to come back to connect the sink and tap to the pipes.

Electrical:

Before installing the exhaust hood, arrange an electrician or your builder to install a loose plug type 

power point in your ceiling above where the exhaust hood will go (see diagram). 

When we install and flue the exhaust hood, we will be able to plug it in at the same time, so the hood is ready to use. 

If you will install a fridge or other electrical appliance, ensure that electrical power points are in place. If you require a splashback, make sure that all wall power points are completed, so that the splashback cut-outs are correct. 

You may require an electrician to return to attach face plates to power points after splashback installation. Some clients prefer a remote switch for their fridge; otherwise, they must pull out the fridge to turn it on or off. 

Gas Fitting: 

Before the kitchen is installed, gas pipes must be in the correct position (see diagram). Please do not have the gas pipes come out directly behind or beneath the BBQ. 

The gas pipe must be fitted with an isolation valve (for you to turn off gas in an emergency) and a regulator. These need to be easily accessible. Behind the BBQ is inaccessible. At the back of a drawer is also inaccessible in a hurry. Therefore, we install them in a door cupboard beside the BBQ. We punch holes in the cabinet so that the gas pipes can be connected to the BBQ (or other gas appliances). 

After the kitchen has been installed, a gas fitter will need to come back to connect the BBQ (or other gas appliances).

After the services are in place the first requirement is space and what you are going to incorporate.

custom made bbq

The BBQ is at the heart of most outdoor kitchens, but not all barbecues are the same a basic mistake people have made is to take the trolley BBQ a place it into cabinetry this is not only a logistic problem but a major fire risk. 

The BBQ must have ventilation and most hang on the stone benchtop on wings this allows the gas to flow freely and safely through the hose with no chance of bends and kinks.

Next is the quality of BBQ a stainless steel built in BBQ should have a minimum of 15-year warranty and a heavy duty stainless steel shell with strength behind it so it doesn’t flap around in the wind ,when you build an appliance it you want it to be durable and have a long productive service.

Outdoor sink and taps are a great feature if have access to hot and cold water not only making the alfresco area stand alone with connivance, practicality and functional without all the trips running backward and forwards to the main kitchen. 

The convince of washing your hands before and after cooking and removing sticky marinates from your fingers or scrubbing dishes or pots that could chip the underslung sink inside your kitchen or even the diet and sand when returning from working in the garden. 

The nifty attachments of strainers for sinks and even the advantage of a chopping board wider than the sink opening to keep the sink sealed and for the customers needing extra bench space this is a game changer for preparing dinner area and maximising space. 

The Outdoor Fridge there are a few important features you need to look for when shopping for an outdoor beverage fridge, it should be rust resistant and rated for outdoors with a double glazing as a must.

It should be designed to be not to be tightly built-in to prevent overheating and incorporate a fridge frame for strength no weak spots under the stone bench-top if installed into an outdoor kitchen cabinet you must also be aware of the ventilation requirements not to void warranty. Also be mindful that most beverage fridges are not food safe you can however enjoy ice cold beers and pool side drinks and the convince of a built-in bar fridge 

Pizza Ovens 

Pizza ovens are a wonderful addition to any alfresco kitchen.
With a gas-fired pizza oven, you can be catering for a horde in just 15 minutes flat. With pizzas only taking several minutes to cook, many of our clients use their pizza oven more often than their BBQ!
Wood fired pizza ovens are a stunning feature in your outdoor area. Once alight it gives the ambiance of a traditional wood fired pizzas and a great talking piece.
Before choosing a Pizza Oven, there are important points to consider, regarding space do you have enough? and time how much do you have for heating and then cooking. 

Gas fired and woodfired pizza ovens caters for all requirements. We have a range of small to extra-large pizza ovens.

The Exhaust hood or Rangehood

1. Do I have to install an exhaust hood above my barbecue?

If your alfresco area is classed as enclosed (i.e., more than 50% enclosed) then you must install an exhaust hood 

above your barbecue which complies with Energy Safety laws. Even if your alfresco is not classed as enclosed, 

many clients choose to install an exhaust hood to extract fumes and fat and grease and to protect cedar lined ceiling.

2. What are the Energy Safety laws that apply to alfresco areas?

First, you must determine if your alfresco area is classed as “enclosed” or “outdoors”. 

See The Energy Safety website

In a nutshell, if your alfresco area is classed as “enclosed” you must comply with the following:

I. Your BBQ must have flame failure devices fitted to every burner and be licensed for indoor use (be aware that there 

are some BBQs on the market that have flame failure devices fitted but they are NOT licensed for indoor use).

II. Your BBQ must have a commercial grade exhaust hood that moves a minimum of 2000 cubic metres of air per hour.

III. Your barbecue must be installed on a non-combustible surface

3. What size exhaust hood do I need to install?

For sufficient ventilation, you need to install an exhaust hood that is as wide or wider than your barbecue. For 

example, if your barbecue is 900mm, then you require an exhaust that is 900mm wide or greater. If you have a 

separate wok installed in your cabinets, then you should ensure that your exhaust hood covers the wok area as 

well as the barbecue. Also, if you have a pizza oven that is not separately flued, then this should be placed under 

the exhaust hood.

We hope this helps for the start of your project to create the ultimate outdoor alfresco kitchen, with many 

happy customers and over 40 years in the outdoor kitchen industry with knowledge and experience 

the next step is to set your budget and chose your appliances.