22 September 2010
With winter comes that familiar dry New England air. Indoor air quality suffers with the house buttoned down tight. For the health of both your family and delicate wood, think now about how you will keep your home humidified. Introducing one of THE most practical fireplace accessories on the market today, Wood Stovetop Steamers. The Fireplace Showcase steamers come in many shapes and sizes; teapots, animals and other shapes. They are also quite easy to...
15 September 2010
The Fireplace Showcase offers a wide range of fireplace accessories that add to luxury, convenience, and economy to your life. One of the hottest product lines on the market today is Skytech System's fireplace remote control units. Skyteck products put constant control of your fireplace in the palm of your hand. The concept of fireplace remote control is years old but only recently became affordable an affordable fireplace control option. Indeed, you can control the...
10 September 2010
Fireplace mantels are arguably the centerpiece of any fireplace in your home. The mantel is used to store antiques, collectibles, or other personal memorabilia that you would like to share with friends and family. With today's fireplaces, many people opt for a custom fireplace mantel. Here's a look at some of the things you will want to know about a mantel before making a decision. One of the first things you will want to decide...
3 September 2010
For some gas fireplaces have increasingly become a favored choice over traditional fireplaces. They are easy to turn on with the flip of a switch, making them far more convenient to use than wood burning fireplaces. Many gas fireplaces are also available with remote controls and wall thermostats. Gas fireplaces do not require the purchase of wood nor the labor associated with purchase and storage. Avoiding wood piles means avoiding the termite risk that accompanies...
30 August 2010
Our blog generally has a lot of different safety tips or information about stoves and chimneys. You can never be too careful with fire, although the fire is in a controlled environment with our fireplaces or chimneys, accidents can happen. In this blog we'd like to share with you some great information about fireplace screens. They are an essential and important fundamental part to any lovely fireplace you have inserted in your home. Screens...
23 August 2010
A great addition to any family home is a jungle gym. The Fireplace Showcase's "Fantasy Jungle Gyms" offer great opportunities for children to gain confidence, increase strength, mobility, and coordination. A jungle gym creates the opportunity for children to learn how to make use of the different spirals of the body. Spirals are muscle movements that are contracted (rotated inwards) or expanded (outward rotation). Spiral movement maturity is one of the main differences between clumsy...
17 August 2010
In this blog post we will share some safety tips on using your gas grill. Even if you do not own a gas grill it is still a good idea to read on as you or your family inevitably will find yourself in close contact with a “griller”. You would be surprised at the dangerous things people do around flammable gas. When you are barbecuing, only open the propane tank valve half-a-turn. This supplies enough...
13 August 2010
Thinking Of Cleaning Your Chimney Yourself? Read This first. It's important to clean your chimney after a long winter of using your fireplace. If you don't want to have it done professionally, we do offer chimney sweep kits to do-it-yourself. The task of cleaning your own chimney can be a very long and tedious one, it is recommended that you hire the professionals here at Fireplace Showcase, however if you insist on doing it yourself...
6 August 2010
There's really no general rule to how often chimneys should be cleaned, however a thorough chimney inspection will help determine if chimney cleaning is to be done. This should be done once a year in general. After a while creosote, the residue from burning wood, will start to form around the interior walls of the chimney, a build up of 1/8 of an inch or more requires cleaning. It's important to keep your chimney...
2 August 2010
Outdoor grillers look no further for the perfect grill. Fireplace Showcase has what you need. Whether you like to smoke your meats or cook your food at a high heats, the Big Green Egg has the best of both worlds. It is arguably the best outdoor grill on the market in terms of flavor and versatility. Here are some facts about the Big Green Egg to convince you: Porcelain Glazed Ceramic Construction - The Big...
27 July 2010
Regular cleaning of your fireplace is essential if it is to effective and safe. It doesn’t matter whether you have a wood-burning or gas-burning unit. Here at Fireplace Showcase we recommend getting your fireplace cleaned once a year. Our professional chimney sweepers will check all parts, including the chimney draw, fans, pilots, burners, ignition, combustion and vents. Actually, the chimney is one of the most important parts that need to be inspected because it can...
23 July 2010
Yes more and more people in America are buying vent free gas fireplaces. In fact, there are over eight million who prefer vent free gas fireplaces to any other supplemental gas-heating device. This is because of the ease and convenience provided by a vent free gas fireplace. When it comes to appearances, one of the most attractive vent free gas fireplace motifs is Fireplace Showcase’s peninsula design. It offers three viewing surfaces and releases heat...
20 July 2010
Your wood burning stove is the primary heat source for home heating. The catalytic combustor in your wood stove is the heart of your wood stove. Keeping your wood stove operating at its optimum efficiency increases the stoves performance. Installing a catalytic combustor in the wood stove forced all smoke to be re-burnt before it entered the chimney. This resulted in cleaner emissions in the air. The most surprising result of adding the catalytic...
14 July 2010
Some people neglect their fireplace or chimney and figure it cleans itself and nothing bad could ever happen. However, this kind of behavior can end up costing you more than you would pay to have it professionally cleaned. If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your chimney it might be good to contact Fireplace Showcase to schedule an inspection. Here are some tips on how to prevent chimney disaster. Unseasoned wood is...
7 July 2010
Ever wonder how some chimneys stay so intact and clean? The answer is simple -- chimney caps. What are chimney caps? Chimney caps serve a number of purposes, including home safety, preventing disruptive occurrences and avoiding costly repairs. Chimney caps usually are made of aluminum, copper, galvanized or stainless steel. Metal chimneys commonly have caps when purchased, while masonry chimneys may need one added. Your fireplace will be complete with its fresh new chimney cap....
1 July 2010
The increase in greener supplies and appliances is greater than ever now. With the pollution of the air and Earth itself, old traditional appliances are going more environmental friendly. And here at The Fireplace Showcase we strive to satisfy our customers to the fullest. Our pellet stoves are relatively versatile appliances. They are self-igniting and cycle themselves on and off via thermostat. Some of our stoves, with automatic ignition, can be equipped with a remote...
28 June 2010
New England Wood Pellets are in stock now at The Fireplace Showcase. Priced at $259 per ton supply will not last long. Quick delivery is available. New England Pellet is the most experienced and largest pellet manufacturer in the northeastern United States and takes great pride in the quality and craftsmanship that we put in to making our premium-grade pellets. Our stringent quality standards apply to every pellet in every bag and exceed industry standards....
23 June 2010
There is a Big Green Egg to fit everyone's outdoor cooking needs with five sizes ranging from Mini to Extra Large. You can use the EGG® year around in all climates, even in freezing temperatures or during pouring rain. You will find it more versatile than any outdoor cooking appliance on the market, whether comparing it to gas, electric or another charcoal grill, because the EGG is a smoker, a grill and an oven all...
15 June 2010
There is a real school of thought out there with the hard-core grillers especially, that charcoal grills produce far better tasting food than gas grills. There simply is nothing better on a hot summer day, than sitting in the backyard grilling over charcoal. The charcoal itself gives the food a distinct flavor. And there are a few different smoke flavored charcoals to choose from. If you go into any home improvement store or grill supply...
10 June 2010
Do I Need to Have My Chimney Serviced? Chimneys are an integral part of a home-heating system, and they require regular evaluation and maintenance. Most homeowners have little working knowledge of chimneys and venting systems. The fact that faults, damage, and problems are rarely visible to the casual observer further complicates the situation. The threat of chimney fires and unsafe indoor air quality can be greatly reduced, perhaps even eliminated, if homeowners only...
3 June 2010
Wood Burning Stove buying tips Interest in wood burning stoves has jumped recently due to their environmentally friendly reputation and for their “green” selling point for homes. In order to make the right buying decision, you have to do a bit of homework first. You will have to measure both the room in which the stove will be placed and where the stove itself will be located in that room; length, depth and height. There...
26 May 2010
A grill topper is one of the newer tools available to outdoor chefs. It consists of a metal plated bottom with four slanted (45 degree +/-) sides. All sides contains 3/8 inch holes spaced approximately 1/2 inch apart. The surface is coated to help prevent sticking. The topper is used for grilling smaller portions of meat or vegetables. Think of it as a 'grilling wok'. The topper is placed directly over the heat and the...
17 May 2010
With your purchase of a new Swing Set or Jungle Gym comes the comforting reassurance that your new equipment is built to exacting safety specifications. We encourage all of you to give detailed attention to the "Safe Use" section of your owner's manual. Refer to it early and often. Also, strongly consider formalizing and enforcing (from day one) the playground safety rules that both your children and your guests are to follow. Good common...
11 May 2010
There are many things to consider when purchasing a storage shed for your backyard. Vinyl or wood, size and style; what will you be using it for? Garden supplies, junk storage, bicycles and other seasonal toys for the kids? Every homeowner has a certain amount of tools and equipment to keep their lawn looking great, or toys to keep their children entertained, but keeping all of these things in your garage can take up too...
5 May 2010
Catalytic Versus Non-Catalytic Heating When choosing appliances for your new home, you’ll ultimately ponder this question: “Should we go with a Catalytic or Non-Catalytic stove”? The answer of course is, “It depends”. Let’s first give a high-level definition of both then discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Catalytic Combustion In Stoves – Heat produced primarily from smoky exhaust gases that are passed through a catalyst-coated ceramic honeycomb buried deep inside the stove where they ignite and...
28 April 2010
Grilling is quite a bit different from barbecuing. During the grilling process you are cooking at high temperatures, often in excess of 700 degrees, directly over the heat source. In barbecuing, the heat is not directly affecting the meat. The heat is raising the temperature in the cooking chamber where the meat resides. Proper barbecuing temperatures are 210 degrees to 225 degrees. This is the optimum temperature for prolonged barbecuing. It also produces the most...
24 April 2010
The American tradition of barbecuing always seems to generate the age-old debate over which type of grill is the best ... a charcoal grill or a gas grill. Both types of grills have their advantages and disadvantages and you should choose a grill based on your own tastes and needs. When picking a grill, consider your budget, your planned grilling location, your taste preferences and even your schedule. A charcoal grill is simply the more...
15 April 2010
Gas grills use lava rocks, which come with the grill. The rocks are heated by the gas flame and cook like charcoal. Keeping the rocks clean is about the only task you'll have with a gas grill. If there is a buildup of grease on the rocks you will have flare-ups during cooking which can burn the food. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning or replacing the lava rocks. A good habit to develop is...
7 April 2010
Did you get water in your fireplace with all of the rain this past month? Don't let it happen again. We can provide you with a stainless steel chimney cap that will prevent both rain and critters (wildlife) from coming into your home. We can provide you with the right chimney cap for a "do it yourself" project or we can do the entire job for you. Chimney caps come in galvanized steel, painted galvanized...
30 March 2010
A barn style storage shed is often called a garden shed. A shed, which is typically simple, single-story structured and in the back garden or back yard is the garden shed. It is a slight structure built for shelter or storage. It is used as a workshop and can be attached as a 'lean-to' for a permanent building or separate. It is often with open front or sides. Sheds can be of various types depending...
24 March 2010
If you are currently in the market for a wooden swing set, one thing has probably become evident - these products bear no resemblance to the swing sets you grew up with. The models available today are less like an old-time swing set and more like a playground, complete with slides, ladders, forts, and more. With so many variations to choose from, it can be difficult to make the right decision for your children. To...
18 March 2010
Beware of Pellets ...Low priced wood pellets can sometimes cause unexpected problems with your pellet stove. Or even worse. Our service technicians have been sent out to service stoves with auger problems. Just a few items we have accumulated......nuts, bolts, crayons, small toys, a spoon, and fishing twine. If you make the investment in a beautiful efficient pellet stove or insert don't skimp on the pellets.
17 March 2010
Enjoy Your Beautiful New Fireplace – SAFLEY! Keep a fire extinguisher handy….Year Round! Maintain a clutter-free boundary around your fireplace. To be safe, make it at least two foot “clutter free” zone. Keep your fireplace grate closed when in use. Liquid accelerants (gasoline, lighter fluid) can be disastrous. Never use them! Have your fireplace chimney inspected annually by a qualified chimney service provider. Consider doing this in the spring so your fireplace will be...
13 March 2010
Save up to $300 NOW on Vermont Castings stoves, inserts and fireplaces.
12 March 2010
Tax Credit FAQ Fact Sheet What is the Biomass-Burning Stove Tax Credit? This federal tax credit encourages people to make energy-conscious purchases that improve the energy efficiency of their home. It is an up to $1,500 credit you can get for buying a qualifying biomass-burning stove or fireplace insert between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Biomass simply means the stove uses wood or pellet fuel. What is the difference between a tax deduction...
5 March 2010
Pellet Stoves and inserts are probably the easiest wood burning stove to operate. Typically, they only need to be loaded with wood pellets 1-2 times per day depending on the size of stove. Loading the pellets is a matter of pulling out the hopper and pouring the pellets from a bucket into the hopper area. Pellet stoves do not produce any smoke so you do not need to worry about "smoking out" a room and...