Of EGGS, EGGheads and EGGcessories
A Glossary
EGG— It’s a grill, smoker and oven made out of space-age ceramics, shaped like a very large egg and green in color. It turns out the juiciest, most flavorful food you’ll ever taste.
EGGtoberfest — an annual migration of EGGheads to Atlanta, Georgia, the original home and current World Headquarters for the Big Green Egg®, where hundreds and hundreds of EGGheads gather for a weekend of camaraderie, cooking incredible food and sharing it and their many recipes, EGGsperiences, and EGG tales with each other. It’s an EGGstraordinary event that attracts EGG owners from all over the U.S. and Canada. 2007 will mark the 10th Annual EGGtoberfest, which is always the third Saturday in October.
EGGmates— the wooden side shelves that attach to the EGG to provide handy work space.
EGGcellent — what you will say when you taste food cooked on an EGG.
EGGmania — what happens when you get a bunch of EGGheads together to EGGschange ideas and recipes.
STAYCATION
Vacation season isn’t complete without a backyard “staycation” and HPBA is spreading the word and offering advice to make everyone’s staycation a success.
OUTDOOR ROOM BASICSAnyone can easily create an outdoor room. In general, the concept encompasses a grilling and eating area, pulled together with a hearth product, such as a fireplace, firepit or chiminea. Some outdoor rooms are similar to indoor kitchens, with expansive counter space and full food preparation areas complete with sinks and plumbing. It’s even possible to add a dishwasher and a refrigerator to make trips inside to clean up or grab cold drink a distant memory. Other outdoor rooms take the concept further with the addition of pizza ovens, cocktail bars, fountains, trellises, patio heaters, spas and pools. Landscaping, lighting and sculptures are additional elements that can help create a cohesive feeling within an outdoor space.
Pulling together an outdoor room is less about the quantity of product and more about creating an outdoor living area that meets a homeowner’s idea of comfort and relaxation. Here are some simple steps to help create the perfect outdoor room: DETERMINE THE IDEAL USE OF THE OUTDOOR SPACE.
Use a notepad to jot down ideas about how the space will be used in all of its applications, from entertaining to relaxing.
CREATE A WISH LIST.
The increase in the number of magazine and newspaper articles has created an abundance of information on outdoor rooms or outdoor living spaces. Clip or print pictures and put them into a notebook.
REVIEW THE HOME’S STYLE.
It’s important to have an understanding of a home’s architectural style when creating an outdoor room so that the outdoor spaces accentuates the home’s indoor spaces. There are products available for every taste and style.
VISIT A SPECIALTY RETAILER.
Take the notebook and wish list to a specialty retailer that sells hearth, barbecue and patio products. A specialty retailer can help determine the materials and outdoor room products available in an area and guide the final plan, as well as coordinate installation.
RESEARCH THE PRODUCTS.
After obtaining the details from a specialty retailer, go online to review products and manufacturer information.
CONSIDER FIRE AND FOOD.
These are key elements in every well-designed outdoor room. Position the fireplace as the focal point, blend in the cooking and eating areas and then consider additional features.
THINK FOUNDATION.
Stone patios, retaining walls, fences and decks are basic foundation elements.
DRAW A PLAN.
The best way to achieve the desired end result is to sketch out a plan. Don’t worry about picture-perfect drawings – it’s the general idea that counts!
BUILD THE SPACE.
Have fun putting the space together. Consider multiple conversation areas for enhanced functionality and interest.
USE LANDSCAPING AS AN ACCESSORY.
Carefully placed trees and shrubs can add important texture and appeal to an outdoor room. Select plants that change with the season, offering different colors, blooms or scents depending on the time of year.
ADD THE FURNISHINGS.
Select comfortable patio furniture that invites people to settle in for an extended period of time. Regardless of style, outdoor furnishings are available to add beauty and character, creating the atmosphere of a lush oasis. In addition to tables and chairs for the eating area, consider chaise lounges, couches and side tables.
CONSIDER LIGHTING.
To extend the amount of time spent outdoors, consider lighting for pathways, around pools, or to accentuate landscaping.
DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS.
After all is said and done, there is always still more that can be added.
DECORATIVE DETAILS
An attractive table or a favorite work of art can help turn a backyard patio into a stunning outdoor room.
GETTING STARTED WITH A PROFESSIONAL
A specialty retailer is a key partner in creating an outdoor room. In addition to expertise and products, a specialty retailer can offer key insights about what’s available in a particular area and what works best in a certain climate.
EGGFEST 2009
We took our family camping in Oklahoma City, OK for a weekend in April. Eight of us in a pop up camper. But, the reason we went was for the Eggfest that Everything BBQ was hosting. OK, so what is an Eggfest? It is simply a bbq. The Eggheads (people who love the Big Green Egg) get together to cook and teach others about the Big Green Egg. The Eggheads want you to love the egg. It is not a competition, but an opportunity to taste food cooked on the egg. They held classes about how to cook a perfect brisket, ribs that fall off the bones, and Egg 101. We recently became an authorized dealer for the Big Green Egg, so we went to learn the basics that we will pass on to you. If you ever have an opportunity to attend an Eggfest, we recommend that you do so. The Big Green Egg website has a list of events that you can attend. Every Saturday in May, come by Campell’s Stoves in Butler, MO and we’ll cook up something special for you. Below are some pictures of the fun we had, and the food we ate.
- An oversized version
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Lil Smokies
- Brats and Vegetables
- The Mini Egg
- Turkey
- Missouri Gator Tail
- Rum Cake
- The Crowd
EGGstraodinary
EGGcited
EGGxecutives
EGGsperts
— retailers who can tell you all about the EGG, sell you one of the five sizes that are available, and assemble and deliver it for you.— the men and women who manage the Big Green Egg Company.— how a new EGG owner will feel the first time he/she cooks on the EGG.—what family and friends will decree after enjoying the meal you prepared on your EGG.EGGspendable— the gas grill that may be sitting in your yard. The EGG does it all so— retailers who can tell you all about the EGG, sell you one of the five sizes that are available, and assemble and deliver it for you.— the men and women who manage the Big Green Egg Company.— how a new EGG owner will feel the first time he/she cooks on the EGG.—what family and friends will decree after enjoying the meal you prepared on your EGG.
Hi!. Thanks for the info. I’ve been digging around looking some info up for shool, but i think i’m getting lost!. Yahoo lead me here – good for you i suppose! Keep up the good work. I will be coming back in a couple of days to see if there is any more info.
We are heading cook outside on tuesday, my family must be crazy. Totally not my idea of fun.