IDC has worked with high-end stove manufacturer Chesneys on the development of one of the most inspired new products to hit the 'outdoor living' market. Called HEAT, the new Barbecues/Outdoor Heaters were designed to create a new niche market for luxury barbecues which provide dual functionality by also serving as outdoor heaters.
"Chesneys is internationally recognised as the leading luxury brand for contemporary stoves and fireplaces; with an emphasis on quality, beautiful styling and materials," explained Michal Uhman, one of IDC's design engineers. "So in designing a new range of products, first and foremost we needed to ensure that the barbecues sat within the styling of the brand."
With an emphasis on styling and shape, IDC's team came up with several concepts which defined the contemporary image that Chesneys products are associated with. The products all took their cues from Chesneys stoves, with a broad 'clear view' glass window to the front of the barbecue/outdoor heaters showing the beauty of the flames, and a solid steel lid over the grill at the top of the product. Four different models were developed, with all taking a sleek, modern aesthetic form.
IDC's industrial designers used a combination of different materials to create a sophisticated, luxury look. The main unit was made from painted steel and this was broken up by a stainless steel strip to the lid as well as a stainless steel base and log storage area. Rounded wooden work tops were added either side of the grill and elegant stainless steel handles completed the image of a luxury product.
Chesneys' design team was challenged to produce a barbecue/outdoor heater which delivered a first-class cooking experience. The product needed to have versatility of function that would suit both ambitious chefs and weekend barbecue enthusiasts. Chesneys used the award winning clean burn technology developed for its range of wood burning stoves to ensure that the glass panel to the front of the product remained clear of soot. A stainless steel chimney directed any smoke away from the barbecue/outdoor heaters and was designed to be an eye-catching feature in itself. The mechanism for controlling temperature was made so sensitive that the barbecue could be used to grill, roast, bake, smoke, and wok cook food as required.
Fulfilling the role of the product as a dual function barbecue and outdoor heater, the users can transform it from a barbecue into a heater by simply adjusting the position of the baffle, which delivers up to 700 degrees of radiant heat. This was made possible by a temperature control system which uses the baffle to direct the heat upwards for cooking and then allows it to radiate outwards in heater mode.