by Sam Hickey | Dec 18, 2020 | Creekstone Outdoor Living, Holiday Season
Most of us can agree 2020 was not a very pleasant year. But as the year draws to a close and the holiday season continues, it’s time to look toward 2021 with hopes for a better future. In the meantime, we should all take a moment to enjoy our time off with loved ones and reflect back on how the year went, not just for the world overall, but for us personally. Here’s a look back at 2020 with Creekstone!
Backyard Builds
We’ve created plenty of Backyard Build videos this year, transforming outdoor living spaces into entertaining living experiences. Sam and his team have done many top-notch backyard transformations which continue to improve with each and every project. We’re grateful for every one of our clients who has had a backyard build or is planning one for 2021!
Pro Tip: Check out the Sterling Creek Project, Creekstone’s Hickey Project with a built-in bar, and the beautiful Miller Project with a resort-style pool.
Creekstone Cookouts
This year, we’ve had many delicious dishes on the Creekstone Cookout video series. Check out our mouthwatering holy voodoo shrimp dip, grandma’s apple pie, and grilling favorite Philly cheesesteak. All of these Creekstone Cookouts are complete with recipes for you to try at home with your family and friends!
Conclusion
2020 was a mixed bag for all of us. However, the best thing to do as the year comes to a close is to look forward to the future and commit to making things better. In the meantime, enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our plans for 2021.
by Sam Hickey | Dec 11, 2020 | Man Card
Make your next special occasion the best one yet by creating your very own Creekstone gift registry! From premier grill sets to bbq accessories and sauce/seasonings, choose your favorite items to add to your personalized man card.
A special person in your life can get the following outdoor living accessories from Creekstone Outdoor Living with the Man Card! Browse our online catalog to find the next perfect gift for the man in your life.
Charcoal, Gas, & Pellet Grills
Creekstone Outdoors is proud to sell the highest quality gas grills, pellet grills, and charcoal grills. Make outdoor cooking easy with our Big Green Egg or Yoder Smoker grills. Our grills make a great year-round gift for any holiday.
Outdoor & BBQ Accessories
We provide everything from food prep accessories, ice makers, side burners, vent hoods, to refrigerators. Keep your drinks and food ice cold in the outdoors throughout the harsh weather with our outdoor refrigeration accessories. Speak with one of our experts to find the best accessories for your outdoor kitchen!
Rubs, Sauces, & Seasonings
Make delicious meats with our Hardcore Carnivore rubs, Meat Church rubs, and gourmet Duck Fat cooking spray. We’ve made plenty of Creekstone Cookout videos in the past for you to learn new recipes and try our rubs with.
The Perfect Gift for Men
Creekstone’s Man Card is the perfect gift for that special someone or for yourself. Whether it’s for Christmas, Father’s Day, birthday, or just because, Creekstone is the perfect gift shop for all things outdoor living. Visit our store today to get started!
Get connected with Creekstone Outdoor Living to learn more.
by Sam Hickey | Dec 4, 2020 | Home Improvement, Maintenance, Outdoor Accessories, Outdoor Kitchen
A majority of stainless steel outdoor kitchen equipment owners never know how to protect stainless steel outdoors. Some ignore, assuming that the outdoor equipment will still corrode even when protected. However, that’s not always the case. You can learn and implement simple ways of maintaining a shiny and bright surface on your stainless steel kitchen equipment.
How can you keep your outdoor stainless steel looking new?
The solution to spotless stainless steel surfaces are never far from what you can readily access or what you already know but not applying well. To keep your stainless steel outdoor kitchen equipment spotless, you’ll need to follow the simple steps listed below.
- Use the Right Tools
- Clean with the Polish Lines
- Use Alkaline Containing Cleaners
- Rinse Well
- Restore Stainless Steel
1) Use the Right Tools
Non-abrasive tools like microfiber, sponges, or plastic scouring pads are ideal for cleaning these surfaces. While they clean perfectly, they minimize scratches on the surface. Scrapers such as steel wool, wire brushes, or anything that might scratch the surface are not ideal for cleaning a stainless steel surface.
2) Clean with the Polish Lines
Stainless steel possesses a grain that runs in one direction or another, defined as lines. When cleaning, it is best if you wipe or scrub along the lines. This is particularly important to consider when you are using something more abrasive than a soft cloth..
3) Use Alkaline Containing Cleaners
Alkaline is the best cleaner for stainless steel. A cleaning solution containing a mixture with traces of alkaline, non-chlorinated chemicals, or chlorinated alkaline solutions will work perfectly to clean these surfaces. You should, however, avoid cleaners that contain quaternary salts as they cause rusting and pitting.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure of what alkaline solution to use, get stainless steel cleaners specifically designed for stainless steel surfaces.
4) Rinse Well
If you used chlorinated cleaners, you should rinse and wipe the kitchen surface and equipment immediately. You should wipe off the standing water mostly if it contains chemicals you used to wash the surface. However, if you use sanitizer to clean and disinfect the kitchen surface, do not wipe off or rinse the surface after cleaning.
5) Restore Stainless Steel
After all cleaning and scrubbing, you can restore the shine of your stainless steel with lemon oil or food-grade mineral oil. You can apply the polish in line with the grain’s direction using a lint-free cloth. You can as well dry it using another lint-free cloth.
Use These Tips to Refresh Your Stainless Steel
You now perfectly understand how to protect stainless steel outdoors without too much trouble. When you use these tips effectively, you end up preventing rust and corrosion, maintaining a sparkling surface for your outdoor kitchen equipment.
Contact us if you need help with your outdoor kitchen surfaces.
by Sam Hickey | Nov 20, 2020 | Latest News
Whether you’re new to Creekstone Outdoor Living or you’ve been with us for a while, we want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving! It’s time to take time off work, enjoy a great meal, and spend time with your family. What are you thankful for this year? Here’s what the team at Creekstone is celebrating this Thanksgiving!
Curbside Pickup & Home Delivery
Creekstone Outdoor Living now offers curbside pickup and home delivery. It’s been a great help for customers during the quarantine and staying safe from coronavirus. We’re grateful for innovativeness and the ability to keep things moving forward during hard times.
Our Hardworking Team of Designers
We’ve made great progress on backyard builds and outdoor kitchens this year. We are so thankful to have a team of designers who take pride in their work. From concept to completion, our staff strives to meet the desires of each client throughout the design process.
Our Dedicated Customers
There’s not a day that goes by that we aren’t thankful for our customers. Between the design consultations and construction process, our team loves getting to spend time with each of our clients. By the time the project is completed, we’re proud to call every client a new member of the Creekstone family.
Happy Thanksgiving
As the holiday season begins, we hope you can take the time to be with your loved ones and enjoy Thanksgiving. Those of us at Creekstone look forward to helping you make this busy season an enjoyable and safe one!
by Sam Hickey | Nov 13, 2020 | Custom Features, Home Improvement, Maintenance, Outdoor Lifestyle, Patio Covers
If you love spending most of the time outdoors, especially in summer, it’s essential to learn how to clean a patio umbrella. It can accumulate a lot of grime and dirt if exposed to the elements for a very long time. Not to mention, the bird droppings can worsen the situation. How do you clean your patio umbrella after using it outdoors for a full season?
Cleaning and maintaining your patio umbrella regularly will make it look fantastic all the time. You have to ensure that the umbrella is super-clean before storing it away during off-seasons. The good news is, it’s easy to clean and maintain. In this guide, we’ll look at the tips of cleaning and maintaining a patio umbrella.
Cleaning the Canopy
Cleaning an umbrella’s canopy can be pretty simple if it’s detachable. Here are the tips on how to clean an umbrella’s canopy.
- Remove loose dirt on the canopy using a sponge or a soft, bristle brush to prevent the soil from getting deeper into the fabric
- Using a cleaner or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, scrub the canopy in circular motions
- After scrubbing the canopy, let the cleaning solution stay on it for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly to remove stains and mildew
- Leave the canopy open until it’s completely dry
Some fabrics like Sunbrella require a quality fabric protector to restore its UV inhibitors and improve water repellency.
Cleaning the Frame
The method you’ll use to clean an umbrella frame will depend on the nature of its material. Here is how to clean both wooden and aluminum frames.
a) Wooden Frames
You can clean most wooden umbrella frames with a mixture of water and mild detergent and a soft brush. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions if available. However, you shouldn’t oversaturate the frame’s surface. Allow it to dry after cleaning.
b) Aluminum Frames
Wipe the frame using a soft towel and a mixture of mild detergent and lukewarm water. If there are build-ups or water spots, mix one part of white distilled vinegar with nine water parts. Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wipe down the frame. You can then rinse the frame with clean water and dry it using a towel.
Patio Umbrella Maintenance
Maintaining a patio umbrella can help to keep it in great shape and extend its lifespan. Here are some of the maintenance tips to practice.
- Always ensure that the umbrella is clean before storing it
- Don’t force the umbrella to close or open as that could destroy its functionality
- Add a cover on the patio umbrella to protect it from adverse weather conditions
- Store the umbrella indoors when there’s an impending storm or strong winds
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners on the umbrella’s frames or canopies
Pro Tip: You can clean fabrics such as Sunbrella using bleach solutions, and it won’t fade. However, it’s imperative to check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm that.
Keeping Your Patio Umbrella Looking Like New
Now that you know how to clean a patio umbrella, you can make yours look super-clean without struggles. Ensure that you follow the patio umbrella cleaning and maintenance tips we’ve shared in this guide. That way, you’ll keep your umbrella in excellent condition.
Connect with us to learn more about patio umbrella cleaning.
