Cal Flame’s Friday Motivation

Posted on August 26, 2016 by admin

It’a the last Friday of August 2016, and it’s the last weekend before we’re officially in back-to-school mode. It’s time for one last final summer send off before returning to our normal day-to-day routine, and there is no better way to do so than with a one last summer cookout.

For some Friday Motivation, look forward to having a cookout this weekend to celebrate the final days of summer. One last hoorah if you will, but of course you will still catch us grilling up a storm in the middle of a storm so no promises this is our last BBQ of the year. *wink*

Find more Cal Flame BBQ products such as state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens, fire places and fire pits to create a comfortable outdoor ambiance, as well as BBQ hardware and parts at www.calflamebbq.com.

Grilling in Winter

Posted on January 28, 2016 by admin

El Nino has complicated things a little bit for us barbecue lovers. Heavy rainfall, heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and a little wind can be troubling when trying to enjoy a barbecue cookout that is OUTSIDE. But, there are some things you can do to try to enjoy some grilling in winter.

The Globe and Mail have written up a little guide of things you can do to make your outdoor party a little more enjoyable this winter, amidst all of the craziness El Nino has brought us:

Here are some dos and don’ts for how to get started with hosting your own outdoor party this winter:

Do keep it simple.

For winter cooking outdoors, Rose suggests meals that lend themselves to slow cooking, like barbecue. “The longer, the slower, the better,” he says. Whether you’re using your grill, an outdoor oven or an open fire, he suggests dishes like roasted pork butt or brisket and adding wood chips to enhance flavour. “If you start early in the morning, then there’s little work to do when guests arrive,” Rose says. Add simple vegetable sides like roasted potatoes, mushrooms and cauliflower – ideally also cooked over the fire – and you’ve got an impressive and satisfying meal.

Don’t complicate beverages.

Dark spirits are made for winter drinking by the fire, both inside and out. Just one bottle of highquality whisky and a few glasses are all you need. It’s warmth in a bottle – and it’s also one of the easiest ways to serve drinks. Ron Swanson would approve.

Click here to read entire article.

For more information about Cal Flame, please visit www.CalFlameBBQ.com.

Tips for Grilling in Winter

Posted on December 14, 2015 by admin

Cal Flame wants to ensure that you enjoy grilling all year long, including Winter! In some areas of the United States, extreme weather conditions can make grilling outdoors more difficult. Follow these tips for grilling in winter:

1. Cal Flame Grills are Built to Last
The porcelain-enamel is glass fused to high-quality steel, and it is baked on at an estimated 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. This superior quality that means that your grill will hold in heat well during the colder weather, and keep you grilling through the winter. Cal Flame BBQ grills are built to last and have been rigorously tested for performance.

2. Cover Your Grill
Cal Flame BBQ Grill Covers are a must-have not only during the colder winter months to protect your grill from snow, but also during summer and fall to keep your grill scratch free and debris free. During the winter, your grill may be covered in snow so we suggest dusting snow off with a shovel.

3. Keep it Charged
It’s a good idea to keep an extra tank of gas next to your grill for extra power. During the colder winter months it will take more gas to keep your grill hot how you want it. Having an extra tank will keep your grill going and prevent the need for returning to the store.

4. Don’t Open Your Grill
It is cold outside, opening your grill will reduce your grill’s temperature and extend your cooking time. Instead of peaking inside your grill to check on your food, get your grill to the desired temperature, set your meat, set your timer and close the lid. Keep the lid closed! Once your timer goes off, check on your meat.

5. Stay Warm, Stay Safe
Make sure to keep yourself protected. Wear your protective grilling gloves and warm gear to protect yourself from extreme weather conditions. A Cal Flame outdoor fireplace or firepit also makes a great addition to your patio.

Cal Flame has a grill or outdoor kitchen perfect for your backyard or patio. Find it here: www.CalFlameBBQ.com

Healthy Grilling

Posted on December 8, 2015 by admin

Millions of Americans promise themselves on January 1st to live a much happier and healthier lifestyle in the New Year. Most of those New Year’s resolutions involve either becoming wealthier or losing weight. Though, wealth is contingent on several other factors, did you know an efficient grill is an effective way to help you achieve your fitness goals? As a rule of thumb, weight loss is generally 75 percent diet and 25 percent exercise. Which means, its more important to watch what you put in your body than what you do to your body.

Unlike cooking on a conventional stove top, grilling gives you the versatility to cook with more flavors while excess fat drips right off. Additionally, choose lean meats to cook to reduce fat intake, or trim any skin or visible fat to reduce fat. Marinade meats before cooking to transform recipes into a flavorful dish ready to be enjoyed. Some favorite marinade ingredients include wines, vinegars, lemon or lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, garlic, onions, herbs, and spices. Grills can also be used to cook vegetables and fruits to prepare healthy and delicious side dishes.

Meal Preparation – Instead of having a cookout for a single day, have a cookout for the week and retain your meals in containers to be enjoyed throughout the week. This way you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious homemade meal that can be reheated and consumed at your convenience. This will save you money and will save you the extra calories by practicing portion control.

Cal Flame BBQ also offers convection grills that allow you to bake your favorite meats and vegetables without any extra calories. Find the prefect grill for your home today at www.CalFlameBBQ.com. Make your resolution and keep it this year, with Cal Flame and healthy home grilling.

Find your local Certified Cal Flame Dealer, here.

Stay Warm Outdoors This Winter

Posted on December 1, 2015 by admin

You’ve created an outdoor Home Resort for you to enjoy and relax year-round, but it might be a little too brisk to enjoy a backyard barbecue cookout this time of year. Don’t get frost bite, you should be allowed to enjoy baby back ribs anytime you want! Stay warm outdoors this winter with Cal Flame’s fireplaces and fire pits.

Create an enjoyable year-round resort by implementing a hearth centerpiece for your family and friends to gather round on those chilly days. Essentially, it is necessary to place your Cal Flame Fireplace or Fire pit in a location that is not susceptible to incremented weather. When installing your new fire piece, pay attention to the direction the wind blows and choose a spot where winds may be blocked.

Same concept applies to grills, if you own a portable grill or thinking about installing a barbecue island, choose a location near the entrance to your home. The easier the access to your kitchen, the easier it will be for your guests to enjoy a barbecue cookout in winter. Remember, you never want to barbecue in an enclosed area, and you never want to place a firepit under a short roof which might cause a fire hazard.

The very best thing about Cal Flame fireplaces and fire pits is the ability to customize to your liking. First you’ll begin with the size best suitable to your area, then choose from 8 Culture Stone colors and from 5 different Ameristone stucco colors to match your outdoor decor and home. Cal Flame also offers modern stainless steel fire pits that add a touch of elegance to your backyard or patio.

Find the perfect heat feature for your home by visiting www.CalFlameBBQ.com. To find your local showroom, click here for pricing and availability information in your area.

Stay warm this Winter with Cal Flame BBQ!

Grilling Thanksgiving Day Turkey

Posted on November 16, 2015 by admin

The big day is upon us, Thanksgiving is only a few short days away. Many of us may have tucked our grills away from the remainder of the year, but there are some true barbecue enthusiasts who insist on grilling their Thanksgiving Turkey!

Grilling a turkey doesn’t sound too bad, right? I mean, a chicken is a bird, a turkey is a bird, there aren’t many differences, right? Wrong!

Beside being much larger than a chicken, whole turkey must be paid close attention to while grilling (you only get one shot a year to make this scrumptious perfection).

Butterball has got the perfect step-by-step guide on how to grill a Turkey on a Charcoal and Gas Grill this Thanksgiving:

OUTDOOR CHARCOAL GRILLING

Charcoal grilling can give you an amazing flavor when you use the right technique. For tasty results use these instructions:

Prepare charcoal-covered grill by removing cooking grate and opening all vents.
Position drip pan in center of charcoal grate and place 25 to 30 briquettes along each side (lengthwise) of drip pan. Burn briquettes until covered with gray ash, about 30 minutes. Place cooking grate in grill over coals.
Prepare fresh or thawed turkey by removing giblets and neck, draining juices and patting dry with clean paper towels.
Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place and tuck legs. Brush or spray entire turkey with cooking or vegetable oil.
Place turkey, breast up, on cooking grate over drip pan. Cover grill, leaving vents open.
Add 6 to 8 briquettes to each side every 45 to 60 minutes.
Using meat thermometer, cook turkey to internal temperature of 180° F in thigh and 170° F in breast.
10 to 16 lb. turkeys will take 2 to 3 hours to grill. When done, remove and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

For the gas grill directions, click here.

To give the gift of a perfect grill this season, shop Cal Flame BBQ to find grills, island, firepits and fireplaces to extend your outdoor living space.

Find a local certified Cal Flame BBQ dealer near you, click here.

Enjoy Patio Season

Posted on October 29, 2015 by admin

When cooler nights begin to creep in, it’s a sign that Patio Season is coming to an end. However, an outdoor fireplace and/or firepit is a great way to enjoy patio season for much longer than the allotted 5-6 months given to enjoy the great outdoors. Adding a fire, whether place or pit, is a rather inexpensive way to create a warm gathering space outside. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are now the most requested design features of yards.

Before implementing a hearth product as such to your backyard, it’s important to note the following safety, liability and legal considerations:

It’s important to check with your homeowner insurance policy to make sure it allows for outdoor fires. Check your local fire ordinances for guidelines to avoid potential fines for noncompliance. Rules state that no permit is required for recreational firepits less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, but they must also be 25 ft. away from any structure and 10 feet away from burnable material.

The end of summer brings with it the end of enjoyment from summer activities. Relaxing outside does not need to be one of them. Create a glowing focal point with an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, and add year-round enjoyment to your deck, patio or porch.

www.CalFlameBBQ.com

Grilling Orange

Posted on October 8, 2015 by admin

The season of orange is here. No, not the fruit, the color! Leaves change to different shades, pumpkins grow and, of course, pumpkin spice! This sort of fascination with the color not only gets us ready for the holiday season, but it also brings back memories of Autumns past. Why not incorporate the color orange into you home grilling this Fall?

Fine Cooking has a delicious Honey-Glazed Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Peach Skewers recipe ready to enjoy on your Cal Flame barbecue grill. Check it out below:

Juicy chunks of chicken, sweet potatoes, peaches, and onions are grilled with a sweet-tart glaze, then sprinkled with crunchy grilled spiced pecans. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 medium sweet potato (about 3/4 lb.), peeled and cut into sixteen 1-1/2-inch pieces
1 cup sherry vinegar
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs. honey
2 Tbs. canola oil; more for the grill
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 16 pieces
4 small ripe but firm peaches, quartered and pitted (about 1-1/2 lb.)
1/2 small sweet onion, cut into 1-1/2-inch chunks, layers separated (about 4 oz.)
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions: Prepare a medium gas or charcoal grill fire. Soak eight 12-inch wooden skewers in water.

In a 4-quart saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch of water to a boil over high heat. Steam the sweet potatoes until nearly cooked but still a bit firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool slightly.

Put the vinegar, 1/2 cup of the honey, 1 Tbs. of the oil, 2 tsp. salt, and 3/4 tsp. pepper in a 3-quart saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 2/3 cup, 13 to 15 minutes. (The glaze should brush on easily but be thick enough to coat the chicken. If it’s too thick, add a few drops of hot water.) Meanwhile, thread the onion, chicken, sweet potato, and peach onto the soaked skewers.

Reserve half the glaze. Brush the skewers with the remaining half of the glaze. Thoroughly oil the grill grate. Arrange the skewers on one side of the grill grate and grill, covered, until well marked on one side, 4 to 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the pecans in a small bowl with the remaining 1 Tbs. honey and 1 Tbs. oil, the cumin, pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper. Put a large piece of foil on the other side of the grill and scatter the nuts on the foil. Flip the skewers. Grill until the chicken is cooked through and the nuts are bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes more. (Keep a close eye on the nuts; stir if they threaten to burn.) Transfer the skewers to a serving platter, brush with the reserved glaze, and sprinkle with the pecans.

Delicious!

www.CalFlameBBQ.com

Win tickets to LA County Fair!

Posted on August 31, 2015 by admin

It’s that time of year again, the LA County Fair is back in town from Friday, Sept. 4 – Sept. 27, 2015. Win a Family 4-pack of tickets to the Los Angeles County Fair from your friends at Cal Flame and join in on the MIND BLOWING FUN!

“Like Us” on Facebook, and enter to win, now through Sept. 8th to enjoy thrills and chills on the luscious Pomona Fairplex where you can find just about anything deep-fried. Enjoy thrilling carnival rides and watch pigs go snout-to-snout at the famous pig races.

→ ENTER HERE ←

4 Winners will be chosen on Sept. 8th and tickets will be mailed out to winners once mailing addresses have been confirmed. Only one (1) Family 4-Pack of tickets per household.

Don’t forget to visit the huge Cal Spas and Cal Flame booth and say “Hello!” and check out our DEEP discounts. The LA County Fair is your only opportunity to buy-direct from the manufacturer and save big dough on the barbecue island you have always wanted.

The LA County Fair is open on Select Days and runs through Sept. 27th. Visit www.LACountyFair.com for more information.

For more information about Cal Flame, please visit www.CalFlameBBQ.com. To find a local show event near you, please visit our Events Page, here.

Orange County Fair

Posted on July 27, 2015 by admin

If you are looking for a barbecue grill or island, and if you are in the Southern California area, stop by the Orange County Fair and visit our stand to save big on Cal Flame products! We have tons of products on display, including full-sized outdoor kitchens and barbecue islands, and stand-alone grills.

Summer is not over yet! Stop by the OC Fair and shop Cal Flame!

Make sure to visit www.CalFlameBBQ.com for more information and to find a dealer near you!

Cal Flame Blog

Category Archives: Holidays