All of ACE Outer Banks Locations are wide open and here to help with your storm clean-up efforts! From generators, chainsaws, wet/dry vacs, fans, and more…We’ve got you covered!
Archive for month: September, 2022
Taking care of your lawn in the fall is one of the best ways to have a terrific looking lawn in the spring and summer. Here are some tips from our Ace Home experts.
by Lou Manfredini, Ace’s Home Expert
- In early fall I am a big fan of spreading an organic soil amender to the lawn. There are several products at your local Ace that will enhance the soil conditions and it’s a terrific way to boost the soil under the actual grass. Scott’s Foundation Soil Improver is a good option. It will help strengthen and improve your soil to give your lawn a solid base.
- After the above has been down for about 3 weeks, and all the leaves have fallen. Cut the lawn for the last time. Then, take the necessary steps to get the lawn mower stored properly for the winter. Start off by disconnecting the spark plug so it doesn’t kick on when you’re doing the next few steps. Start off by emptying the gas tank properly. Then, remove the blade and clean out the dirt and grass that has collected around the blade. A putty knife makes a great tool for scraping the under carriage. Check your owners manual for the frequency of draining the oil. Then, change the air filter. Add back on the spark plug and you will put your lawn mower away and be set for spring!
- Use a power rake or hand rake and pull all the thatch from the lawn and bag or compost it. Dehatching removes dead grass, leaves and other lawn debris so that water, nutrients and fertilizer you put down can reach the soil.
- Apply a winterizing lawn fertilizer to promote root growth and keep nutrients in the soil during the colder months of winter. Your lawn is about to be exposed to cold temps and needs some TLC to tackle winter.
With just a little bit of work in the fall your lawn will bounce back quicker next year and actually reduce the amount of work you have to do to get that lawn back in shape.
Make sure you check out our Red Hot Buys for Special Savings on Lawn & Garden
& Ask about our Grass Seed for the Outer Banks – We have specialty grass seed blends formulated for sand, sun, and the Outer Banks beach environment.
Oktoberfest is here so let’s fire up the Big Green Egg and have an amazing Oktoberfest menu for your backyard BBQ party!
Enjoy the video and recipe by Chef Jason from 5280 Culinary!
Yield: 8 people
Prep time: 20 Minute Prep
Cook time: Braised Cabbage – 55-65 Minutes
Cook time: Roasted Bratwurst – 25 Minutes
Cook time: German Apple Cake – 25-35 Minutes
Print Recipe: Oktoberfest For A Crowd
Ingredients
Measure Ingredient Prep Notes
BRAISED CABBAGE INGREDIENTS
6 slices Bacon, Applewood Cut into medium pieces
1 ea Onion, Yellow, Small Julienned
1 tbsp Garlic, paste
1 ea Apple, Red Colored and julienned
1 cup Carrots Shredded
2 cup Red Cabbage Shredded
2 cup Green Cabbage Shredded
2 tsp Caraway Seed
2 tbsp Rub-A-Dub, 5280 Culinary
3 tbsp Sugar, Dark Brown
2 cup Chicken Stock
1 can Beer, Amber 12 oz can
ROASTED SAUSAGE INGREDIENTS
8 ea Bratwurst, Fresh
GERMAN APPLE CAKE INGREDIENTS
1 cup Oil, Vegetable
2 ea Eggs, large
1 cup Sugar, White, Granulated
1 cup Sugar, Dark Brown
1 tbsp Vanilla, Paste or Extract
2 cup Flour, All Purpose
1 tbsp Cinnamon, Ground
½ tsp Allspice
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Salt, Kosher
4 cups Apples, Red Cored and diced
1 cup Walnuts, Candied Rough chopped
Preparation:
Wash all tools prior to use
Clean and sanitize all cutting boards and prep surfaces prior to use
Read all manufacturer’s instructions before using grills, or any cooking tools
Stir charcoal in the Big Green Egg and Top off with Fresh Charcoal if needed
Clean out ash pit if needed
Open Bottom vent and top vent for maximum air flow during startup process
Make a well in the center of the lump and ignite the charcoal using 1 speedilight starter or an EGGniter
Heat to temp of 200˚ and add the convEGGtor, Lower grate, eggspander and upper grate
Heat to temp of 350˚ and adjust lower and upper vents to hold at 350˚
While grill is heating up –load dutch oven (uncovered) onto lower grill grate, in center of grill
Make Apple Cake:
Spray a 9×13 pan (heavy) with non-stick cooking spray
Using a whisk, beat eggs and oil until creamy
Add both sugars and vanilla and mix well to combine
Add flour, salt, cinnamon, allspice and baking soda to a small bowl and mix well
Add this to the egg mixture and stir well to combine
Fold in the walnuts and apples and carefully add to the cake pan
Cover cake pan and hold for cooking at room temp
Prep All ingredients for braised cabbage, sausage and dessert
Open Big Green Egg and add bacon to dutch oven, break up any clumps, close the lid and cook for 10 minutes to render fat and start cooking
Open Big Green Egg and add caraway seeds, onions and garlic, mix all ingredients well
Close Egg and cook for 5 minutes
Open Egg and add apple, carrots and cabbage, mix all ingredients well
Close Egg and cook for 10 minutes
Open Egg and add seasoning, sugar, chicken stock and beer to Dutch oven, stir well
Add the sausage around the Dutch oven
Add the apple cake (uncovered) to the top shelf of the EGGspander
Close Egg and cook for 20 minutes or until sausage is done (165˚ F internal temp)
Check in after 10 minutes and flip sausage and check on apple cake, close dome and cook for 10 minutes longer
At the 20 minute mark…
Remove sausage if fully cooked to 165˚ F or place sausage into the braised cabbage to cook longer
Check on Apple cake to see doneness and color (doneness check with toothpick)
Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cake is done. Toothpick will be dry when inserted and removed. Dry meaning no raw cake batter stuck to it
Using heat proof gloves, remove the Dutch ovens and place in kitchen
Allow cake to cool and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar or serve with ice cream
BBQ Gear / Supplies:
- Big Green Egg, Large Ace SKU – 8797946
- Charcoal, Big Green Egg Ace SKU – 8697104
- Big Green Egg, EGGniter Ace SKU – 8695330
- Lodge Dutch Oven, 10.5in Ace SKU – 6220560
- Thermometer, Big Green Egg Ace SKU – 8025749
- Rub-A-Dub, 5280 Culinary Ace SKU – 8562050