There is a particular kind of Australian summer evening I dread and love in equal measure. The thermometer has crept past 35, the house has soaked up the day like a brick oven, and friends are due in an hour. The last thing anyone wants is a dash to the servo for bagged ice.
Over the years I have learned that keeping cool is not about one big fix. It is a handful of small, smart moves that stack up. Here is how I approach a hot summer, whether the party is in the backyard or crammed into the lounge room.
Start With the Air
Before anything goes in a glass, sort out airflow. A room that moves feels several degrees cooler than a room that sits.
The Midea Circulation Turbo Fan is my pick for this job. Midea says its Turbo Air Acceleration System and bionic five blade design move air 113 percent more powerfully than a conventional stand fan, with a patented dual circle blade design to keep noise down. That matters when you are trying to sleep, work or hold a conversation.
What I like for entertaining is the flexibility. The adjustable stand works as a tall stand fan for the backyard or lounge, or drops down to become a table fan for the home office. Dual oscillation covers 85 degrees horizontally and 135 degrees vertically, so everyone gets a share of the breeze instead of one lucky guest by the window.
There is also a neat summer trick built in. The central tab pops out so you can add aromatherapy oil, or a mosquito repellent for balmy evenings, and the airflow spreads it around. Always follow the repellent’s own directions, but for a backyard dinner it is a clever way to keep the mozzies off the guest list.
Make Ice Your Secret Weapon
Ice is the unsung hero of an Aussie summer, and running out of it is the fastest way to end a party.
The Midea 12kg Bullet Ice Maker is the quiet workhorse of my entertaining plans. It sits on the bench, makes a batch of 8 ice bullets in roughly 6 to 9 minutes, and can produce up to 12kg a day. You choose between small bullets for fast chilling and large bullets for slow sipping cocktails, which suits everything from a spritz to a proper old fashioned.
A few things make it easy to live with. The 1.3 litre water tank and basket have digital indicators for “Ice Full” and “Add Water”, there is an auto shut off, and a one touch self clean mode keeps things hygienic. It comes with a removable basket and scoop, and the compact design fits neatly on any countertop, office bench or camp kitchen.
My tip is to start it early in the day and decant finished ice into an esky or insulated tub as you go. The basket is not a freezer, so moving ice into proper storage keeps the machine producing while your stockpile stays solid.
Backyard Barbecue or Indoor Party?
Backyard barbecue. Set the fan in the shade on its tall stand, aimed across the seating area rather than at the grill. Fill a large esky with ice and drinks, and keep a second tub of ice just for glasses. Set up a self serve drinks station so the host is not stuck behind a bench all night.
Indoor party. Crowded rooms heat up fast. Use the fan in table mode on a sideboard, close curtains or blinds on the sunny side, and keep the oven off. Plan a menu that needs no cooking at all. That is where the recipes below come in.
Even in a tech guide, food has to earn its place. These two are my summer go tos, and both lean on that ice maker.
Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad
Serves 4 to 6
- 1kg seedless watermelon, cut into bite sized cubes
- 1 Lebanese cucumber, halved and sliced
- 150g good feta, crumbled
- A generous handful of mint leaves
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Flaky salt and cracked pepper
Chill the watermelon for an hour. Toss everything gently in a large bowl, dress with lime juice and oil, and finish with salt, pepper and extra mint. Serve in a bowl nested over a larger bowl of ice from the machine and it stays crisp for the whole afternoon.
Mango and Lime Granita
Serves 4
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup small ice bullets
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar syrup
Blitz everything in a blender until thick and slushy. Spoon into chilled glasses and top with mint or a little lime zest. It is dessert and a cooling drink in one, and it uses ice you have on hand.
Other Gear Worth Having
A few extras round out a cool summer setup:
- An insulated esky or drink tub for the backyard, so your fresh ice lasts longer.
- A cooling towel for neck and shoulders, handy for anyone tending the barbecue.
- Blackout or thermal blinds to keep afternoon sun out of the house.
- A reusable spray bottle of water for a quick face and arm mist between conversations.
Insulated tumblers so drinks stay cold without constant top ups.
Practical Details
Midea 12kg Bullet Ice Maker (Black or White)
- RRP: $109.99
- Where to buy: Costco
- Output: up to 12kg per day, 8 bullets in roughly 6 to 9 minutes
- Ice sizes: small and large bullets
- Water tank: 1.3 litres
- Features: digital display with Ice Full and Add Water alerts, auto shut off, one touch self clean
- Includes: removable ice basket and scoop
- RRP: $119
- Where to buy: Bing Lee, Costco
- Speeds: 4 settings (Low, Mid, High, Turbo)
- Oscillation: 85 degrees horizontal, 135 degrees vertical
- Stand: adjustable height, works as a stand fan or table fan
- Extras: removable aroma tab for oils or mosquito repellent, detachable blades and guards for easy cleaning
Summer in Australia is not something to survive. It is something to enjoy, with the right breeze, a bucket of ice and a bowl of something cold. Get those three right and the heat becomes part of the occasion rather than the enemy of it.
