Care and maintenance
How to look after your Forge products
Forge products are built to live outside without a lot of fuss. The materials we chose, marine-grade aluminium and sintered stone for kitchens, cast concrete for fireplaces, are inherently low maintenance. A bit of regular attention will keep things looking right for years.
Outdoor kitchens (aluminium and sintered stone)
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.
Stainless steel sink and tap
Wipe with mild detergent and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth to prevent water marks. For limescale (which can be common in Auckland water), a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water works well. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
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 sealant around the sink and benchtop edges. 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.
BBQs, kamados, and other appliances
Built-in BBQs, kamados, fridges, and side burners are not supplied by Forge. Follow the care and maintenance guide from the appliance manufacturer for those. 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.
Outdoor fireplaces (cast concrete)
The fireplaces are a different product type with different care requirements. Cast concrete is forgiving and low maintenance, but the care approach is genuinely different from the aluminium kitchens.
Routine cleaning
Wipe loose ash and debris from the firebox and hearth between fires. For the exterior surface, a soft brush and warm water work for most things. Mild dish soap is fine for grease or food splatter.
What to avoid
- Acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon, citrus-based products). These can etch concrete over time.
- Wire brushes, abrasive scourers, or wet sandpaper.
- Pressure washing at close range. Concrete handles water but high-pressure jets can damage the surface texture.
Weathering and patina
Cast concrete is not a sealed factory finish. Expect marks, slight colour shifts, and softer edges over time. Some owners apply a breathable concrete sealer every few years to slow the weathering. Most do not. The choice is aesthetic, not structural.
The flue
The black powder-coated flue is steel and weathers slowly. Inspect annually for any signs of corrosion, particularly at joins. The internal flue should be cleaned annually if you are using the fireplace regularly. A registered chimney sweep handles this.
Ash management
Empty ash only when fully cold, allow at least 24 hours after the last fire. Use a metal ash bucket with a lid, kept on a non-combustible surface, well clear of the structure. Do not dispose of ash in plastic, paper, or near anything flammable.
Safety reminders
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Keep combustible materials at the recommended setback distance.
- Do not use accelerants (petrol, kerosene, lighter fluid) to start fires.
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.