Care and maintenance

How to look after your Forge outdoor kitchen

Forge kitchens are built to live outside without a lot of fuss. The materials we chose, marine-grade aluminium and 20mm sintered stone, are inherently low maintenance. A bit of regular attention will keep things looking right for years.

Cabinet body (powder-coated aluminium)

Routine cleaning

Wipe down with warm water and a soft cloth or microfibre. For grease or food splatter, a small amount of mild dish soap is fine. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots.

What to avoid

  • Abrasive scourers, steel wool, or scouring pads. These can scratch the powder-coat finish.
  • Bleach, oven cleaner, ammonia-based cleaners, or any harsh solvents.
  • High-pressure water blasters aimed directly at the cabinets.

If the powder coat gets scratched

The aluminium underneath does not rust, so a scratch is cosmetic, not structural. For deep scratches, get in touch and we can supply touch-up paint matched to your colour.

Sintered stone benchtop

Routine cleaning

Sintered stone is one of the easiest surfaces to clean. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth handles almost everything. For dried food, give it a few minutes to soften, then wipe.

Heat, stains, and scratches

Sintered stone is rated for direct heat. Hot pans straight off the BBQ are fine. It is highly stain resistant, so red wine, oil, marinade, and citrus do not need to be cleaned up immediately. It is also harder than granite, so daily scratches from prep work are not an issue.

That said, for cleanliness you still want to wipe down regularly. Food residue left in the sun for days can attract pests.

Sealing

Sintered stone is non-porous and does not need to be sealed, ever.

Hardware (hinges and screws)

All exposed hardware is stainless steel and does not require ongoing care. If you notice a hinge becoming stiff over time, a single drop of light machine oil on the pivot point will sort it. Wipe off any excess.

Seasonal checks

Twice a year, give the kitchen a closer look:

  • Check that adjustable feet are still level. Settling can shift things over time.
  • Check the sealant along the benchtop edges, and around your sink if your layout has one. If you see any gaps forming, get in touch and we can re-seal.
  • Check that drainage around the kitchen is still working. Water pooling under cabinetry shortens the life of any outdoor furniture.

Appliances, sinks and tapware

Built-in BBQs, kamados, fridges, pizza ovens, sinks and tapware are supplied by you, not by Forge. Follow the care guidance from those manufacturers. The Forge cabinet they sit in does not change those instructions.

Coastal sites

If your kitchen is within a few hundred metres of the coast, salt aerosol is a constant. The cabinet itself is built to handle it, but more frequent rinsing with fresh water (every couple of weeks during summer) will keep the finish looking pristine. Wipe down stainless hardware with a damp cloth at the same time.

Questions or issues

If something is not behaving as expected, tell us. Email hello@forgeoutdoor.co.nz with photos and a description. We will work out whether it is a simple care fix, a warranty matter, or something we can come and look at.