Get ready for the Barbecue Season!

Now that summer has finally arrived, its time to dust off the barbecue and get the party started outdoors! Inviting all your friends and family round and cooking a meal outdoors is the best way to spend an evening or weekend when the sun is shining and you want to make the most of the time off from work.

Gas Barbecue and Bottle Storage

Get the Barbecue party started!

A barbecue meal can be a refreshing change after spending the colder months indoors but during periods of hot weather, the London Fire Brigade has seen an increase in barbecue and grass related fires.

That is why they have put together these top tips on BBQ safety and fire safety outdoors.

BBQ safety tips:
  • Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies
  • Never use a BBQ indoors (yes, people do!)
  • Never leave a BBQ unattended
  • Make sure your BBQ is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste
  • Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area
  • Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If the ashes are hot they can melt the plastic and cause a fire
  • Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your BBQ, use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals
Gas BBQ safety tips:
  • Store gas cylinders outside away from direct sunlight and frost
  • Take care when turning bottled gas BBQs on and off
  • Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder
  • After cooking turn the gas supply off first and then the BBQ control. This will stop any gas from leaking
  • Change gas cylinders outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

For more fire and safety advice – visit the Hackney Council website.

Bottles gas barbecues are increasingly popular compared to Charcoal based barbecues – they can be more costeffective and less messy.  However, make sure you know how to store them safely and securely in a suitable bottled gas storage unit – such as the AsgasGas Bottle Storage Unit from Asgard.

Small Gas Bottle Storage

Store your Barbecue gas bottles safely with a suitable gas bottle storage unit.

The Calor Gas approved Small Asgas unit allows you to store up to 2 x 19kg gas bottles safely and securely when not in use.  The Unit is designed with special vents allow a free flow of air preventing a gas build-up in the event of a leak and the locking facilities keep your gas cylinders safe from tampering or theft.   For more information – visit the Asgard website.

BBQ sparks compost fire which destroys garden and shed.

While barbecues are a favourite part of summer life, the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is reminding Kent’s residents that barbecuing in the garden can be just as dangerous as  cooking indoors if you don’t cook with safety in mind.

Keep your BBQ party safe as well as fun!

Keep your BBQ party safe as well as fun!

This message follows an incident in Ashford last night (Saturday) when a man found that he had barbecued more than his food.  The man fromTadworth Roadhad enjoyed his evening meal and gone indoors, after disposing of what he thought were cool barbecue coals in his compost heap, which set fire to leaves and vegetation.  The alarm was raised by his neighbour who had reported a tree alight in the garden at8.10pm.  Shortly afterwards, fire crews from Ashford and Chilham arrived at the scene and quickly had the blaze under control using two hose reels. The fire destroyed two fences, a garden shed, a greenhouse and severely damaged a large oak tree.

Crew Manager – Jason Hills said: “Every summer firefighters are called to fires caused by barbecues that have either got out of control, been left unattended or discarded before they are cool.   Safety is a key ingredient if you want your barbecue to be a success. We want people to enjoy the opportunities the good weather brings, so follow our simple, common sense barbecue safety advice to avoid injury or damage to your property”.

Top barbecue safety tips from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service:

  • Make sure your barbecue is placed on level ground where it will not tip over.
  • Keep barbecues away from the house, sheds, fences, garden furniture and overhanging trees or shrubs. Don’t put the barbecue where people have to squeeze past it.
  • Never use petrol or paraffin. Only use approved barbecue fuel or fire lighters.
  • Keep children and garden games well away from the cooking area.
  • Never leave the barbecue unattended.
  • If you are the chef, don’t drink too much alcohol while cooking.
  • Watch out when you are cooking fatty foods. Lots of fat spilling onto the coals might make them flare up.
  • When you have finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.
  • Make sure the spent ash has cooled sufficiently before you empty it on to bare garden soil – never put it into a dustbin or wheelie bin.

Gas barbecues safety tips:

  • If using a bottled gas barbecue, make sure the controls and the cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.
  • Change the cylinder in the open air if you can, otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.
  • If you think there might be a leak in the gas cylinder connections or pipe, brush soapy water over all of the joints and watch out for bubbles. If you find a leaky joint, try to tighten it but don’t over tighten it.
  • When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls. This makes sure any leftover gas in the pipe is used up.
  • Store your gas cylinders outside and protect from frost and direct sunlight. Don’t keep more spare cylinders than you need.

We recommend the Asgas Unit – a gas bottle storage unit especially designed for the safe and secure storage of LPG and Propane Gas bottle.

The Asgas Bottled Gas storage container has been designed in conjunction with Calor Gas.

The Asgas Bottled Gas storage container has been designed in conjunction with Calor Gas.

The Asgas gas cylinder storage units are available in 3 sizes – Small (2x19kg), Medium (2x47kg) and Large (4x47kg).  All our gas cylinder storage units are made from weatherproof galvanised steel, making them secure, durable and great value.  They are suitable for a range of uses from home use, caravan sites and motorhome parks and various outdoor areas.

Not sure which unit is suitable for you?  Visit the Asgard website for more information.

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(Article Source – The Kent Fire & Rescue Service website.)

Will a shed increase the value of my house?

We stumbled across and excellent article on ezines – so here it is.

If you invest in a metal storage shed at one time or another and then you decide to sell your home, does your shed add to the resale value of your home? This is a question that looms on the minds of many homeowners who make such important investments throughout the ownership of a home. Sometimes homeowners choose to take their metal storage shed with them when they move. That’s if it is easy to move. Other times they decide to include it with the home, especially if moving it is going to be a daunting task. But does it add value if you decide to leave it there?

As far as monetary value, it does add some money to the resale value of your home. It could also be that factor that helps make up the mind of an individual who is trying to decide between your home and another home. People love the idea of having somewhere to store their belongings that they don’t use or won’t fit in the home. So you’re probably going to be a shoe in if you have that extra storage space and the other home does not.

Big Garden Storage is best

Big Garden Storage is best

Other advantages

If your metal storage shed happens to be garage size, that is another advantage. If there is not a garage on or next to the home, an individual may choose to turn the shed into a garage for their car. Otherwise the metal storage shed is going to be an excellent place to store outdoor furniture and toys in the winter, to store the kids’ bicycles, to store lawn equipment, and other outside tools such as gardening tools. Homebuyers like the idea of their outdoor items being protected within a metal storage building instead of on the back porch. First of all, all of these items on the back porch can be an eyesore. Second of all, items that are left out in the open are invitations for thieves to come onto the property and steal these items. This means that the metal storage shed is going to keep them from having to replace their outdoor items due to theft or damage from the elements.

There are just so many uses for a metal storage shed. Other individuals may find that the shed makes a great workshop for building projects or that it serves as a great place to store summer clothes during the winter and vice versa. There are so many uses for a metal storage shed that a person’s mind goes into overdrive when they see one. They begin thinking about what they can place in it or what they can use it for. Some people have always wanted a space that they could call their own and that metal storage shed could be it.

A great investment

Because your metal storage shed adds to the resale value of your home, that is further proof that investing in a shed is certainly worth the money. It helps you out while living in your home and helps you out again when you are selling it. Then again, it continues to serve those people who move into your home after you sell it to them. That just proves how durable a metal outdoor storage shed can be and they are also attractive, so that is another selling point when you put your home on the market. It looks strong, it is strong, and it is going to stay strong no matter how many people decide to move in and out of that home.

Make sure you have a good shed locking system

Make sure you have a good shed locking system

Article source: ezine articles

The Southern Motorcaravan Show and The Park & Holiday Homes Show (Newbury) 2011.

If you haven’t decided where to go caravanning or camping this year then there will be not one but two great Caravan Shows happening in Newbury this weekend!  Thousands of motorhome, camping and outdoor leisure enthusiasts are set to descend on the Newbury Showground from Friday 20th to Sunday 22 May 2011.

SouthernCaravanShow2011

The Southern Caravan Show 2011 in Newbury

The ever-popular The Southern Motorcaravan Show where you can spend a weekend away enjoying up to 4 nights camping, 4 nights of entertainment and 3 days shopping.  This well-established and popular motorhome and leisure event draws thousands of visitors and this year it promises to be an even bigger extravaganza of outdoor leisure excitement.

The Southern Motorcaravan show 2011

See over 150 specialist outdoor exhibitors at one venue and take your time to browse through a great selection of British, European and American motorhomes, both new and pre-owned. You can spend time comparing models and talking to different people about the benefits of each model.  Alongside a variety of motorhomes, you will also be able to shop for a range of outdoor leisure accessories, attend the Castle Rock mini-beer festival or a Dog Show scheduled to take place during the weekend.

Returning once again this spring and taking place at the same time is the Park & Holiday Homes Show where you can view a selection of park and holiday homes from major manufacturers who will be on hand to offer advice on the benefits of ownership.Park&HolidayHomesShow2011

Each year, hundreds of campers return to the show, however, don’t worry if you are new to the hobby or have never experienced an outdoor show before, you will find a community of campers who will be more than willing to share their experiences with you and help you enjoy the weekend.

For more information, visit the Southern Motorcaravan Show and The Park & Holiday Homes Show website.

Get your Garden ready for summer!

We have already had a taste of summer in the last couple of weeks over the Easter break, and most have us have been slightly unprepared for all the sunshine! Its tempting to spend more time outdoors in the warmer months and make the most of your evenings and weekends in your garden.

Get your garden looking great for summer!

Get your garden looking great for summer!

So if your garden needs sprucing up in time, we’ve put together a little checklist to make sure your garden is looking great, and is ready for you and your family to spend more time outdoors for gardening, bbq’s, parties and soaking up the sun.

Firstly, start of by making sure all gateways and entrances are clean and tidy – picking up any rubbish, weeds that may have cropped up.

After that, get your shears out and neaten up any hedges, pruning large plants and trees and repainting any boundary fences.  Remove branches that are crossed, preventing air from circulating, or casting deep shade into your garden. Newly planted trees may also benefit from the early removal of a few overcrowded branches.

If you have a lawn, or some grass, which hasn’t been mowed for some time, then you can also use your lawnmower to mow the area as well as tidy up the fringes of a lawn.

Another tip for revamping an outside space in readiness for spring is to plant some flowers bulbs or seeds.  To help you decide what plants grow best during early Spring, Alan Titchmarsh offers choosing the best spring flowers in his article – The First Bulbs of Spring.

Now is a great time to look at any garden building or sheds, either cleaning out your existing shed, or investing in a new garden shed for keeping all your gardening tools, equipment lawn mowers, bbq’s and any other items cluttering up your garden.  Not only will this keep them out of sight, but it will also keep them safe under lock and key.

Metal Garden Shed from Asgard

Metal garden sheds are gaining popularity in recent years.

Asgard, the experts in secure outdoor storage units have recently launched a new Flexistore Garden Shed range which have been very popular in gardens across the UK due to their stylish design, high quality build and the security it offers.

The Flexistore Garden Shed range is available in a number of different sizes and colours to suit your garden – for more information, visit the Asgard website at http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

Spring Clean your Garden

Spring is here!

As the first day of spring arrives, it’s a perfect opportunity to refresh your home and garden.  We can finally wave goodbye to wellies and gloves and get ready to spend more time in the great outdoors.  The sunny weather is the perfect time to get into your garden and spruce it up after months of neglect.

Spring Garden

Welcome Spring with a new look for your garden

Spring Clean your Garden!

Start with your garden with these top tips from the Style at Home Magazine,  but for an lasting improvement to the garden, why not upgrade your current garden shed? A new garden shed, such as the Asgard Flexistore Shed provides much needed organisation and secure storage for all your gardening tools, electrical equipment, lawnmowers, BBQ and grills, as well as any bulky patio furniture you have lying around.

Flexistore Metal Garden Shed

Swap your old fashioned garden shed for something bold, bright and secure from Asgard.

Measuring at over 5 ft wide by 10ft 11” deep, the Flexistore Garden Shed is a large garden storage unit from the acclaimed Flexistore range. With inbuilt structural strength and excellent security features, this outdoor garden storage unit is both stylish and very secure.  This great value metal shed really has a very generous capacity of 9.3 cubic metres – so perfect for all your large gardening equipment.   We would recommend this quality metal shed suitable for professionals and amateurs who look for quality in their garden storage.

For a range of secure metal garden sheds, visit the Asgard website at http://www.asgardsss.co.uk/

Guide to Gas Storage at your Caravan (Part 2)

In the first part of our Guide to Gas Storage, we gave a basic overview of the potential fire and security risks with bottled gas storage used for static caravans and mobile homes.  However, for many first time caravan campers, the decision to use bottled gas can be slightly confusing and daunting, and if you cant decide which type of bottled gas is suitable for you, then read on to find out more.

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Enjoy a relaxing weekend Caravan break in the countryside.

There are two types of gas used for caravanning in the U.K.: Butane and Propane.

Depending on your caravan gas storage arrangement and your own personal preferences, you can chose from a range of sizes of bottle too.

Most modern caravans have storage for two small or medium bottles in the storage compartment at the front of the caravan, having two bottles with you will often help ensure you never run out of gas, that is as long as you replace the empty one when you change onto the other.  Although most appliances run equally well on either type of gas there are a few pros and cons for each.

selection-of-gas-bottles-from-calor-gas

Choose the right type of bottles gas from Calor Gas.

Colour Coded bottles

Propane, which is found in a red bottle, is often best if you use your caravan in the winter months because Butane; found in a blue bottle, tends to freeze below zero degrees Celsius. Propane is also slightly the better of the two if you use any appliance that requires a large supply or if you use more than one appliance at a time.

The technical information

Your gas cylinder is connected to the caravan via a black gas hose and a regulator, make sure these connections are secured with a small jubilee clip and are airtight. Each type of gas needs a different type of regulator. Butane containers use a regulator for 20mbars that screws onto the bottle, and the on/off valve is located on the bottle itself, make sure that the valve is turned off when swapping over the cylinders and that you use a spanner to tighten the connection between the cylinder and regulator.

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Get cooking on your caravan holiday!

Propane on the other hand uses a universal regulator at 37mbars, this has the on/off valve on the regulator and this type clips onto the bottle. Usually you will find that the regulators are colour coded, you can also get many variations of regulator which can give you an indication of how much gas there is in the bottle or even ones that connect to two bottles and sense when one bottle runs out and automatically swaps over to the other full bottle.  You should also ensure that the bottles are stored upright and secured.  It is recommended to store all your full and empy gas bottles in a specially designed gas bottle storage unit, like the Asgas Unit for the safe and secure storage of propane or butane gas bottles.

The Asgas unit is ideal for Propane and Gas Bottle Storage for Caravan sites.

The Asgas unit is ideal for Propane and Gas Bottle Storage for Caravan sites.

The Asgas Gas bottle storage unit has been selected as a Calor Choice product.  All our gas units are built from thick, heavy gauge galvanized (weather proof) steel panels with a large, lockable single door access, the Asgas Gas Bottle Storage provides superb secure store for propane gas bottles.

For more information, refer to the Calor Gas website and this Caravanning Guide for Beginners before you plan your next Caravan Holiday!

The last of the Summer BBQs

With summer season officially drawing to a close in the next few weeks, if you have not had a chance to host your very own BBQ party by now, we recommend that you join in with this family friendly outdoor dining experience whilst you can…and to help you on your way – we’ve put together some BBQ basics to help you throw a party to remember!

Step 1 – Choose your BBQ

Essentially a choice between a Charcoal or a Gas powered barbeque – this will depend on which one you prefer.  Although charcoal barbeques may be the cheaper option, they are often messy and difficult to handle.  On the other hand, gas barbeques are quick, easy to use and fully controllable heat – it’s not difficult to see why so many people opt for gas barbecues

For more information on choosing the right BBQ Grill for you, as well as how to clean and maintain your grill, visit the Barbecue Party website.

iStock_000002972321XSmall

Serve up a BBQ burger bonanza!

Don’t forget – You will need to set up your BBQ with either gas or charcoal so stock up before hand and store them somewhere safe, ideally in well ventilated and dry area, such as a metal garden shed or a secure gas bottle storage, like the one pictured below, available from Asgard.

The simple, safe and stylish solution for gas bottle storage

For more information, visit the Calor Gas website on how to order the correct gas required for your equipment.

Better safe then sorry – check out the secure steel gas bottle and outdoor storage range from Asgard available to order from their website.

Step 2 – Choose your food!

Grilled Kebabs and burgers are the popular choices – quick and easy to make with little preparation required.  Depending on your tastes, you can go for all the traditional meaty BBQ favourites, spice things up with the tastes of Asia, or opt for some healthier vegetarian options and finally don’t forget drinks!

For a range of recipes, visit the BBC website for a range of tried and tested recipes.

Step 3 – Invite your guests!

Outdoor dining is a great way for friends and family to spend some time together, so it’s the perfect excuse to invite all the family round! Inform your guests well in advance and set out your garden with table, chairs and party decorations. Stack plates, napkins and utensils at one end of the food station.  And finally don’t forget the CD Player and a selection of games!

Outdoor dining is fun for all the family!

Forgotten something? Use this checklist before the party kicks of so that you and your guests can enjoy the BBQ Party of the year!

Asgard on the road at the 2010 HERCMA Caravan Exhibition!

Asgard will be attending the HERCMA Lawns and Beaulieu 2010 Shows on the 7-9th September 2010 in Hull, UK.  Company MD; Nick Hewitt and our Sales Team will be showcasing some of Asgard’s Caravan Site Storage unit range – the Addition Caravan Box, the Vangard Storage unit, the Under Caravan Storage Box and our Calor Gas approved propane Gas Bottle Storage Units and we will be there to answer all your questions about your secure caravan site secure storage options.

Asgard Caravan External Storage

The Addition Caravan Box is already installed in many Caravan Parks across the UK.

We offer a varied range of Metal caravan site storage units all of which are ideal for storing your equipment securely alongside your caravan or static home. Our practical and weatherproof storage units come in a range of sizes to suit your exact requirements.

Asgard is proud to be members of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association.  Many of our caravan site storage units can be seen throughout the UK on all major caravan parks and are the preferred product of Park Resorts.

More about the Show…

The Lawns trade show in Cottingham, near Hull, is Europe’s largest caravan trade show and generally features more than 120 new touring caravans and about 180 caravan holiday-homes, lodges and park homes from most of the major British manufacturers, as well as an ever-growing number of supplies and services exhibitors – showing everything from awnings to steps, security products to soft furnishings for static caravans and mobile homes.  The show attracts about 3,500 trade visitors from throughout the UK, and many parts of Europe and Scandinavia – and sometimes even further afield!

 

2010 HERCMA Caravan Exhibition

2010 HERCMA Caravan Exhibition

This show is open to the public during the weekend prior to the trade show.  The annual Caravan Extravaganza gives enthusiasts from all over the UK their first opportunity to see the new season’s models.

A massive accessory shop is set up within The Lawns Centre; there is a small funfair for children, hamburger and other food stalls, including ice creams, and all sorts of other entertainments to make this a fun day out for the family.

Want to come along?

If you’re a caravanning fan like us and would like more information about the exhibition and details of how to get there, visit the HERCMA website - We look forward to seeing you there!

Need secure Storage for your Caravan?

If you own a static caravan and would like more information regarding our storage range for caravan sites, please visit our website http://www.asgardsss.co.uk or call08456 580 730 and speak to our friendly Sales Team today!

Asgard launches the New Flexistore Metal Garden Shed range

The Wait is finally over…

Asgard unveils its latest high security metal garden shed range – The Asgard Flexistore Garden Storage Unit, in response to the growing demand for a good quality, secure outdoor sheds for multipurpose storage from our customers.  The Flexistore metal garden storage unit is a smart and stylish alternative to the traditional old wooden shed.

The new range was especially designed to provide secure outdoor storage as well as the flexibility of additional shelving space and storage.  The single door access offers convenient accessibility and features the same unique high security 3-point locking system as many of Asgard’s other security approved storage units.  With an enhanced integrated ventilation system and solid plywood flooring, the Flexistore Garden Storage Unitis ideal for storing gardening tools and equipment, lawn mowers, and patio furniture and bulky children’s play equipment – suitable for amateurs and professionals alike!

The New Flexistore Metal Garden Shed

Upgrade your metal garden shed with the New Flexistore Outdoor Storage Unit.

Especially for you

The Flexistore unit is manufactured at the company headquarters in Bradford, and can be personalized around your requirements, available in 3 sizes depending on the outdoor space required, with an optional ramp for accessibility, and comes in a choice of 3 colours to suit your garden in either Dark Green, Brown or Ivory.

“Interest is going through the roof as we are the UK’s only manufacturer of fully secure sheds that can be designed to order,” said Nick Hewitt, MD of office furniture manufacturing firm Flexiform who established Asgard in 2003.

“An Asgard shed is one of the heaviest and best quality on the market and so their self weight and goods stored within them often mean that anchoring the base is not required for sheltered locations”.  John - The secrets of shed building.com

The Flexistore range will be available to order from the 26th July via our website www.asgardsss.co.uk at Special Introductory prices for a limited time only– starting from just £399 with Free Delivery with the UK*, or to speak to one of our Sales Advisor call us now on 08456 580 730.

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