Enjoy the Great Outdoors

outdoor kitchen

Enjoy the Great Outdoors with a Stunning Alfresco Kitchen Makeover!

Information for when you add Blinds in the alfresco area the compliant BBQ solution

It’s time to bid farewell to the old, clunky trolley BBQ and embrace the incredible benefits of having a dedicated outdoor kitchen. Here’s why upgrading to an outdoor kitchen is a game-changer:

Elevated Cooking Experience: Say goodbye to the limitations of a trolley BBQ and welcome a whole new level of culinary possibilities. An outdoor kitchen provides you with a variety of cooking options, from built-in BBQs and smokers to side burners and pizza ovens. You’ll have the tools and space to explore your culinary skills, experiment with different techniques, and create restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of your own backyard.

Infresco BBQ is where Style and elegance are the statement barbecue, Infresco BBQs are always Australian made and leaders of sleek design and superior cooking performance. This Alfresco BBQ is perfect for all families or enclosed alfresco areas with attention to compliance and gas safety and will be a stunning centrepiece of any outdoor kitchen. Meticulously designed with a seamless finish, this marine grade quality stainless steel BBQ is sure to impress.

our plumbers ensure

• Robust manufacture
• Flame failure system
• Rigidly fitted at Installation (hoses not allowed) • Readily accessible isolation valve
• BBQ installed on a non-combustible surface

drop us an email at admin@oakm.com.au

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.

What is an interlocking device?

Outdoor Alfresco Kitchens Melbourne
timitch control interlocking


The Timitch interlocking controller is a unique electronic device designed to measure currents. It can sense when the motors on an exhaust hood/range hood are on, which then activates a relay that sends power down to the solenoid.

To have an indoor barbecue, you need to have the bbq and exhaust hood working together as a system to extract the fumes out of the room while the barbecue is working. That’s why an interlock system is created using our Timitch controller. It won’t let any gas into the barbecue unless the exhaust hood is on.

Please note that the barbecue must be correctly installed by a licenced plumber into the gas line with the isolation valve. The solenoid must be connected by a qualified electrician who connects this via a wire concealed in the wall cavity. Please ensure that your electrician correctly adjusts the electrical current so that the interlocking system is triggered by the fan of the exhaust hood, not the lights. This allows for the lights on the Exhaust hood to remain on or off as required without shutting down the bbq.

And that’s how the interlock system works on the exhaust hood. It will make it safe for you to have an enclosed room of the alfresco with an indoor barbecue that is compliant with state laws. 

Enclosed Alfresco example
Enclosed Alfresco Example
Information on Alfresco Rooms
Information on Alfresco Rooms

What is Gas Appliance Certification & Labelling?

♦ Gas appliances must be certified as safe for use in Australia.  

♦ It is illegal to offer gas appliances for sale or hire unless they have been safety tested and certified.

♦ Gas appliance manufacturers have to submit each of their models for testing.

♦ Testing is done by independent test organisations.

♦ The tests must be completed successfully prior to any sales.

♦ The Australian Standards specifiy the testing criteria.

♦ Amongst the tested items are emissions and energy efficiency.

The Testing Organisations

Gas appliances used in Australia must be tested and certified by a recognised testing organisation.  

These testing organisations include:

Australian Gas Association certification labelsThe Australian Gas Association: www.gas.asn.au  

SAI Global: www.standardsmark.com  

IAPMO R&T Oceana: www.iapmooceana.org  

Global-Mark: www.global-mark.com.au

Queensland Gas Association:  www.qga.org.au

What Do They Actually Test?  

The testing is based around compliance with the applicable Australian Standard for the type of gas appliance being tested.  

It involves the product as a whole plus the individual components within the product.  

This includes gas regulators and hoses.

How the Process Works

The testing organisations test products from manufacturers that submit their models for certification.  

The manufacturers must pay for this testing and it can take many months to complete the process.  

In addition, there is no guarantee that the product will pass.  

If it does not, the manufacturer must redesign the product and repeat the certification testing.  

The time and expense involved is why some importers try to cut corners.

Even products that are approved in other countries may not meet the requirements of the Australian Standards or be safe to use.  

Some of the issues include:

Emission Standards  

Australia has strict standards on combustion emissions that may be generated by gas appliances.  

Other countries requirements may not be as stringent or they may not have any at all.

Fittings 

In Australia, the standard valve connector is a POL fitting.  

Other countries use other fittings like QCC and OPD.  

The problem is that many of these may be incompatible with Australian gas fittings.

Banned Products 

Some products that are available in other countries are simply not permitted in Australia.  

Cabinet heaters are a good example.  Cabinet heaters are indoor heaters fuelled by a 9kg cylinder inside.  

While these are perfectly acceptable in NZ and various European countries, they are banned in Australia.

Energy Efficiency:  

Minimum energy efficiency performance standards must be attained.  

Unfortunately, many overseas products cannot perform at the required levels.

Differences in Gas:  

The composition, quality and combustion properties of Australian gas may be different to gas used in other countries.  

For example, LPG in Australia is Propane while, in other countries, it may be Butane or a Butane/Propane mix.

Insufficient User Documentation:  

The appliance must be accompanied by comprehensive installation instructions.

The instructions explain the use and maintenance of the product.

In addition, it contain any required permanent warning notices, which must also appear on the packaging.  

The instructions and warning notices must be in plain English and be supplemented by appropriate diagrams, pictures or drawings. 

Almost everyone has experienced the difficulty that some overseas manufacturers have in writing coherent English instructions for even simple products.  

While these can sometimes be humorous, there is nothing funny and no room for miscommunication when it comes to gas appliance safety.

What You Need to Do

The only way to ensure the safety of the gas appliance you are buying is to check for a certification label like the ones shown above.  

You can also check the certification number against the testing organisation’s database using their websites.

Please take special care if you consider buying gas appliances from individuals or unknown companies found online at auction and shopping website.  

We have seen any number of products being sold on these type of web sites that are uncertified and do not meet Australian Standards.  

This is especially true if the seller is shipping the product to you from overseas.

There are no ‘Gas Appliance Police’, so it is up to each of us to be vigilant and check for certification prior to purchasing any gas appliance.

Did you know that every state in Australia has its own Gas Safety Regulatory Body and its own set of gas laws?

Make sure you find out the gas laws of your state BEFORE you plan your alfresco kitchen.

In Victoria the governing body is Energy Safe Victoria and is located Level 5/4 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006 and phone number is (03) 9203 9700 and if you need to email info@energysafe.vic.gov.au. Energy Safety have strict laws which regulate the installation of barbecues in Victoria and Melbourne , particularly barbecues located in enclosed spaces such as alfrescos. Most people are completely unaware of these laws until they have an insurance claim knocked back, or a council inspection. It can be very costly to ignore these regulations.

What to look for when buying a gas appliance

The right appliances

To protect your investment and safety, choose gas appliances that have been certified by the Australian Gas Association (AGA), SAI Global, IAPMO, Global-Mark, BSI. Previously, appliances may have been certified by Vipac.

Look for the certification label that indicates the appliance meets certain safety standards in its design and manufacture.

Appliance retailers are required to sell appliances that comply with the relevant safety standards, and have been labelled or badged to indicate acceptance under current standards.

Compliance marks may look like the following:

Gas Complianc eMarks

The right gas

Check the identification plate to find out if the appliance is suitable for the available gas. If in doubt, check with the appliance retailer, your gas supplier or your licensed gasfitter.

Natural Gas and LP Gas (LPG) are not the same, and operating an appliance on the wrong type of gas can be hazardous.

If you buy a second-hand appliance, always check the identification plate to ensure it is a certified natural gas or LP Gas appliance, and have it serviced by a licensed gasfitter when installed.

Never connect an LP Gas appliance to a natural gas supply unless it has been converted to run on natural gas – not all LP Gas appliances can be converted to run on natural gas. Conversion of gas appliances at your home from one gas to another must be done by a licensed gasfitter who is endorsed for gas conversion work.

Vic: www.esv.vic.gov.au
WA. www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety
NT: www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/
SA: /www.sa.gov.au/OTR
QLD: http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/safety-and-health/petroleum-gas-safety.htm
NSW: http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
ACT: www.actpla.act.gov.au
TAS: www.justice.tas.gov.au

for more FAQ

Gas equipment and installations

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is also an energy safety regulator in Victoria. It is responsible for regulating domestic gas fitting installation work and the issuing of licences to gasfitters (as well as all plumbing and building work)