The most popular questions we get asked here at our Nottingham HQ are: How do you look after your BBQ Hut once it’s been installed, and what do you use to treat your cabin to keep it looking as lovely as the day it arrived? Well, gang, in this blog, we're going to cover just that.
When we come out to you and install your BBQ Cabin we will give it a coat of Sovereign wood treatment which is trade-only at present, but there are plenty of great options out there that you can use to keep your cabin looking amazing, year after year.
We recommend treating your building at least twice in the first year (including the initial treatment by Arctic Cabins), and at least once per year thereafter on its birthday. We suggest making a note of when your Arctic Cabin was installed so you can throw a (painting) party every year! Each BBQ Hut is made using tanalised timber which means it’s been pressure-treated (or impregnated) with a timber treatment under high-pressure. This process ensures that your cabin has an extra level of protection from moisture and rot. To keep on top of this, make sure you’re treating your cabin annually.
There’s a lot of choice out there, but No Nonsense Wood Treatment from Screwfix is by far the most popular option among our cabin owners and the most readily available too. It's available in 3 shades: clear, light brown and dark brown. We advise opting for the clear or light brown, and we always recommend trialling whichever treatment you choose on a hidden part of your cabin beforehand to make sure you’re happy with it. Make sure you treat every part of the exterior wood, including the eaves.
If you want to go for something a little different rather than natural wood, some of our owners choose to add some colour when treating their cabin. Cuprinol Garden Shades are extremely popular for this.
Lots of our BBQ Cabin owners choose to treat the floor and tray tables with clear yacht varnish to keep the wood protected and make cleaning them easier. We advise against treating the walls inside the cabin or its roof. This is because the wood needs to stay breathable so that moisture can escape through the timber to prevent condensation and mould. If you’re using your cabin grill regularly, moisture inside the cabin shouldn’t be an issue, as the heat inside will keep the wood mould-free. We advise using the cabin at least weekly during the colder, damper months. Also, try not to leave your windows open all the time or for long periods of time, as due to the timber moving, the windows may change shape and become difficult to close.
Should you get a build-up of moss on your cabin roof, you will want to remove this. The moss, along with any debris, will retain water and over time could cause dampness and damage. Again, this can be removed using a solution of bleach and water (50/50). The moss will turn brown and fall off naturally.
Our cabins are made from Scandinavian Redwood, which is a slow-grown, dense timber and so there are some natural occurrences which you might spot and mistake as faults. For example, you may find that your door begins to stick/swell, which is due to the building settling and the wood moving. Although we know this could be frustrating, it will correct itself once it’s had time to settle. Due to timber being a natural product, it is affected by the natural conditions around it. This can cause a natural defect such as ‘shakes’ which customers commonly mistake for cracks in the wood. Many people assume that this means the wood has become damaged and that the timber is defective. However, this is not the case. It is simply the natural product adjusting to its environment!
Our locks are provided by the manufacturer with the latch disabled. We often get a lot of questions wondering why we do it this way. The reason is to ensure your safety and your family's safety while using the barbecue building. Having the latch disabled eliminates the risk of accidentally becoming locked out of your cabin with the fire still going. When your cabin was installed you will have received two sets of keys. We advise that one of these keys is kept in your home at all times. However, should you accidentally lock yourself out of your cabin, please contact our team and they will assist you.
Please ensure that the ashtray for your barbecue is shut before use. If you do not shut this, ash will fall onto your cabin floor which could burn it. All of our cabins come complete with a CO monitor inside, so for your safety, please check the CO levels regularly. You should light your BBQ at least once a month or expose your cabin to a heat source in order to prevent any dampness or mould.
For the safety of your cabin, we advise that you do not leave your cabin unattended until your fire has completely gone out. Our BBQ hoods are adjustable if you wish to lower the hood for cooking or raise the hood to allow a clear view of all your cabin guests. It’s also very important to take care of the BBQ unit after each use. We suggest that the ashes/embers are removed from the grate. If marinades, fats, or oils have been used, the unit should be cleaned with a mild detergent to dissolve the remnants. There are some food-approved sprays which you can use for the grate provide protection from corrosion. You should also remove any charcoal/wood debris after each use of your barbecue to avoid dampness and rust.
Some people choose to cook directly onto the cast iron grill arm over their barbecue, however, we would suggest cooking on the stainless steel rack, as this is much easier to remove and clean. Read our blog for recommendations on what to burn on your grill fuel-wise here.
So that’s it…your how-to guide about how to look after your Arctic Cabins barbecue building. Don’t forget you can come and see the cabins in person 10 am-4 pm 7 days a week at the Nottingham Show Site, where we have all 4 sizes of our incredible BBQ Cabins on show for you to have a look around, plus our 2 Arctic Bars. Looking forward to seeing you soon!