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...