When is the Best Time to Buy a Grill?

Most people think buying a grill around Memorial Day or Labor Day, but that isn’t necessarily the best time to purchase. Most stores charge full retail prices knowing how many people plan to cook out for these holidays. When is the best time to buy a grill and get amazing deals? The answer might surprise you! Share on X

Shop Grills this Fall & Winter

If you are looking to save money when buying your next grill, make sure you buy it at the right time. Summer seems to be the pinnacle of grilling season, but it certainly isn’t the best time to buy a grill. Once summer comes to an end, stores tend to mark down their prices to boost sales during the slower times. This is the perfect time to grab the grill of your dreams at a lower cost. If you want to be sure to get the best deal for your grill, make sure to:

  • Do some research on what you want in your next grill (charcoal, gas, size, etc.)
  • Check out reviews online about the various grills
  • Don’t wait too long…some stores start moving in holiday stuff
  • Ask about floor models. Sometimes you can get a great discount for purchasing a floor model
  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate a better deal–especially on floor models

ProTip: If you want to save money on your next grill, wait until fall or early winter to cash in on some great grill sales!

Best Time to Buy a Grill is NOW!

Whether you want to buy a stand-alone grill for under your patio or to add to your existing outdoor kitchen, a grill can transform your outdoor living space and make entertaining even more enjoyable! If your grill is old and rusty and you’ve been using it for years, now is the perfect time to go buy yourself a new one. You might be pleasantly surprised by the many new options available. Be sure to educate yourself on the difference between pellet, gas, smokers, and charcoal grills, so you can choose the best one for your grilling needs.

Contact us to learn more reasons why the best time to buy a grill is now.

Creekstone Outdoor Living - 2016 Outdoor Kitchen Trends 4

Amazing Outdoor Kitchen Products to Elevate Your Design

Nothing makes entertaining more effortless than when your outdoor kitchen is stocked and fully equipped. More than just a grill, your outdoor cooking space needs to have everything you need to cook for your family or friends. The right outdoor kitchen products can make your life easier and make entertaining even more fun.

Top Outdoor Kitchen Products

If you are looking for ways of elevating your outdoor living space, these 7 outdoor kitchen products can take your outdoor kitchen to the next level! Share on X  The outdoor kitchen has become an extension of a home’s living space. Make cooking and entertaining easy with these seven top outdoor kitchen products.

  1. Barbecue Grill
  2. Pizza Oven
  3. Ice Maker
  4. Side Burner
  5. Vent Hood
  6. Refrigerator
  7. Storage Drawers

1) Barbecue Grill

No outdoor kitchen is complete without a barbecue grill! Choose between a gas grill, a pellet grill, or even a charcoal grill, like the Big Green Egg, and you’ll be cooking with ease and creating new memories with friends and loved ones.

2) Pizza Oven

Another great option for escalating your outdoor cooking space is to have a pizza oven! Your family will never want a frozen or take out pizza again!

3) Ice Maker

Why keep running in and out of the house to replenish your drinks with ice? An ice maker is a perfect kitchen product that will make your life easier.

4) Side Burner

Grills are great, but a side burner will make your outdoor cooking much easier! Side burners allow you to cook up things that aren’t typically made on a grill.

5) Vent Hood

Without a vent hood, all that grill smoke is just going to hang around and linger. A Blaze vent hood is a perfect way to clear the air.

6) Refrigerator

There is no sense in cooking outside if you have to constantly be running in the house to get things. A refrigerator lets you keep foods where you need them–outside where you are making the meals!

7) Storage Drawers

Just like your inside kitchen, you need places to store things. By adding storage drawers and cabinets to your outdoor kitchen, you will have the plates, napkins, utensils, and everything else you need to have a great barbecue get together.

ProTip: Tired of running in and out everytime you need something at your backyard barbecue? With outdoor kitchen products, like a refrigerator, storage doors, and an ice maker, you can stop those endless trips and make your life easier.

Kitchen Appliances to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

With the right kitchen appliances, you not only make your life easier when it comes time to entertaining or preparing food outside, but you elevate your outdoor kitchen design and boost your home value, too.

Contact us to learn more amazing outdoor kitchen products to elevate your outdoor design.

The Best Barbecue Joints in Houston

If you live in Houston, chances are high you love Texas barbecue. In fact, Houston has some of the top barbecue joints around the nation. Whether you live in the loop, over in Katy, or up north near The Woodlands, you are sure to find an outstanding BBQ joint to relax, chow down on some smoked brisket or pork ribs, and have an ice cold beer. Hungry for some smoked meats and barbecue? Houston has some of the best barbecue joints around and here are 7 of the best. Share on X

Hot Houston Area Barbecue Spots

If you are looking for some astonishingly good barbecue, Houston is home to a plethora of top-notch barbecue joints. Here are seven must-try barbecue locations that will have your mouth watering from the moment you step in the door and smell the meat slowly cooking.

  1. Corkscrew BBQ
  2. Gatlin’s BBQ
  3. The Pit Room
  4. The Brisket House
  5. Tejas Chocolate Craftory
  6. Willow’s Texas BBQ
  7. Killen’s Barbecue

1) Corkscrew BBQ

They began catering, then moved to a small food truck off Sawdust Road, and now they are one of the number one barbecue joints in Houston. Located in Old Town Spring, owners Will and Nichole Buckman have created the perfect place to dine on delicious spare ribs, pulled pork, and a whole lot more. They even have a great yard for the kiddos to play in!

2) Gatlin’s BBQ

Gatlin’s began in 2010 and is owned by former Rice University football player, Greg Gatlin and his family. In 2015, they moved into their new 4,200 square-foot location in Oak Forest where they serve two kinds of pork ribs, three kinds of sausages, and a variety of Louisiana inspired side items.

3) The Pit Room

If you like your meat smoked low and slow, then you’ll love the Pit Room. Their menu hosts everyone’s traditional barbecue favorites, but they’ll also tempt your taste buds with their killer tacos with tortillas made from jalapeno brisket droppings, house-made jalapeno and vinegar potato chips, or their homemade chicharrones.

4) The Brisket House

This modest little restaurant set in a strip mall will surely surprise you with their big barbecue flavors. They smoke their brisket for 16 hours to make it pull-apart tender, and their peppery pork ribs are some of the city’s finest.

5) Tejas Chocolate Craftory

Don’t let the name fool you, the Tejas Chocolate Craftory crafts some of the tastiest barbecue around. They smoke their meats 12-16 hours over post oak and offer daily specials like: beef pastrami ribs or their delicious pastrami Reubens. Make sure to save room for their delicious sides, like their special carrot souffle!

6) Willow’s Texas BBQ

If you are ever in The Heights, make sure to keep your eyes open for Willow’s bright red food truck. Don’t worry–it’s kinda not hard to miss! They have some terrific menu options sure to make your mouth water, like traditional smoked turkey, pork ribs, and sausage. Grab your food to go, or enjoy the nice weather while eating at a picnic table outside.

7) Killen’s Barbecue

Killen’s takes barbecue up a few notches and has been visited by celebs such as J.J. Watt and Arnold Schwarzenegger. This upscale barbecue joint is located in Pearland, about 20 miles from downtown Houston. The Le Cordon Bleu-trained owner and chef, Ronnie Killen, brings his white-table-cloth background to his dishes. Enjoy wagyu brisket, beef ribs with crunchy black pepper bark, croissant bread pudding, and more.

Best Barbecue Joints in Houston

ProTip: If you don’t feel like going out for barbecue, find a good recipe, invite some friends over, fire up your Big Green Egg and grill up a fine meal of your own.

Needless to say, there is no shortage of delicious barbecue options in Houston. Give each of these hot spots a try and see which is your favorite!

Contact us to learn more of the best barbecue joints in Houston.

The Guide to Getting Your Home Ready for The Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner! Are you ready for guests (sometimes unexpected) and holiday celebrations? Is your house ready for the festivities or are you feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out how to get your home ready in time? If you are feeling anxious about getting your house ready for the holidays, have no fear. These 7 tips will help you get your home holiday ready in no time. Share on X

Getting Your Home Ready for the Holiday Season

Hosting guests or a holiday party at your home can be stressful and time-consuming if you don’t have a plan of action. Here are seven ways to get your home ready for the holiday season:

  1. Deep Clean
  2. Declutter & Organize
  3. Get Festive with Decorations
  4. Guest Rooms Ready
  5. Light Up the Night
  6. Elevate Your Outdoor Space
  7. Add a Spark

1) Deep Clean

Don’t just clean, give your home a deep clean. Clean up areas that are usually neglected, like the top of the refrigerator, the oven, the banister, ceiling fan blades, and anything else that hasn’t been cleaned regularly.

2) Declutter & Organize

If you have stacks of papers sitting around, go through them. Organize drawers and cabinets, and anything else that feels cluttered. This is the perfect time to simplify and get rid of junk that is taking up space and collecting dust.

3) Get Festive with Decorations

Now that you have deep cleaned and organized, spruce up your space with festive decorations. Add lights, fresh flowers, and other decorative holiday treasures around your home to make it feel welcoming and comfortable.

4) Guest Rooms Ready

Spend extra time making your guests feel special by getting the guest room and bathroom perfect for their stay. Make sure there is plenty of toilet paper, extra towels and blankets, and also other things they might need like soap, toothpaste, and tissue paper.

5) Light Up the Night

Invest in some inexpensive night lights and place them in the hallways and guest areas in case your visitors need to get up in the middle of the night.

6) Elevate Your Outdoor Space

What better way to entertain this holiday than by heading outside? Create a comfortable seating area under your covered patio, or spend an evening grilling in your outdoor kitchen. Everyone loves the brisk air while enjoying some hot, deliciously grilled vittles!

7) Add a Spark

Pro Tip: A perfect way to get your home ready for the holidays is to add an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit to your outdoor living space. 

Place oversized and comfy seating around your fire pit or outdoor fireplace for the perfect place for everyone to relax and create memories.

Getting Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Getting your home ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful when you follow the above tips. Once you have your home ready and cleaned up, you can relax and enjoy your guests and holidays without having to worry about a thing.

Contact us to learn more great ways to get your home ready for the holidays.

5 Mouthwatering Grill Recipes To Tempt Your Tastebuds

The sweltering summer heat has finally subsided and these fabulous fall temps are ideal for grilling out and inviting over friends and family. Looking for some new mouthwatering grill recipes? Here are 5 tasty recipes that will have your guests begging for seconds. Share on X

Fire Up the Grill

Are you bored with the same old recipes you’ve been grilling up for years? Don’t be afraid to try out some new recipes! Here are five amazing recipes that are worthy of a five-star rating.

  1. Asian Inspired Chili Rubbed Ribs
  2. Lemony Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
  3. Campfire Cobbler
  4. Grilled Pizza
  5. Cheesy Potatoes in Foil

Asian Inspired Chili Rubbed Ribs

Don’t go basic with store-bought barbecue sauce on your ribs, try this delicious recipe instead! Dry rub six pounds of ribs with:

  • 3 Tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp paprika
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt

After you apply the rub, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Wrap in heavy duty foil and grill over indirect heat for 1 ½ hours. In a large saucepan, make your glaze. Cook the following glaze ingredients over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes:

  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2-3 cup ketchup
  • 1-3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tsp fresh grated ginger

Remove foil from ribs and place over direct heat. Coat with glaze and cook 25-30 until browned.

Lemony Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

These super simple kabobs are easy and nutritious! Marinate one pound of shrimp, some cherry tomatoes, and onions in the following mix for 30 minutes:

  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp grated lemon peel

Once marinated, thread your shrimp, tomatoes, and onions onto skewers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 minutes each side, or until cooked. Get creative with your vegetables or use this marinade for some grilled chicken chunks, too!

Pro Tip: Tired of the same grilled chicken? Cube your marinated chicken, add some chopped vegetables  and make kababs!

Campfire Cobbler

Who says you can’t cook dessert on the grill? This campfire cobbler is so easy to make when you use your favorite canned fruit filling. Line a Dutch oven with foil. Add two cans of your favorite pie filling into the dutch oven. In a large bowl, mix together one package of yellow cake mix, 1 ¼ cups of water, and ½ cup canola oil. Spread this mix over the pie filling. Cook for 30-40 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and the cobbler crust is nice and brown. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Grilled Pizza

Grilled pizza is sure to become your family’s new favorite meal! These quick and easy pizzas are so yummy–you’ll never buy a frozen pizza again! Just purchase a package or two of Naan bread or whole pitas. Brush both sides of your flatbread with oil and grill 2 minutes on each side. Top them with your favorite pizza toppings and then return them to the grill until the cheese is melted.

Cheesy Potatoes in Foil

Who doesn’t love cheesy potatoes? Prepare your grill to medium heat. In a large bowl, toss together:

  • 2 ½ pounds of peeled and cut potatoes
  • 1 medium onion
  • 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Place this mix on a large piece of heavy-duty foil. Cover and fold the foil around the potatoes so they are sealed tightly. Cook 15 minutes each side. Carefully open the foil packet and place six slices of American cheese over the potatoes. Return to grill and cook one to two minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Grill Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Whether you cook over charcoal in your Big Green Egg, or you opt for a gas grill, the above recipes are perfect for a night entertaining friends, or just a quiet evening at home with the family.

Contact us for some more delicious and mouthwatering grill recipes to tempt your taste buds.