Transform your drafty, inefficient fireplace into a powerful heating machine by installing fireplace grate tubes—hollow steel tubes that sit beneath your burning logs, capture rising heat, and circulate warm air back into your room using simple convection. These ingenious devices can recover up to 40,000 BTUs of heat that would otherwise escape up your chimney, ... Read more
Position your new vent fan directly above the cooking surface, ensuring the exhaust duct runs the shortest possible route to an exterior wall or roof vent—this maximizes airflow efficiency and reduces cooking odors, steam, and grease buildup that can compromise your home’s air quality. Turn off power at your circuit breaker before beginning any electrical ... Read more
Choose stainless steel burners if you’re prioritizing longevity and corrosion resistance, as they withstand moisture and temperature extremes far better than cast iron alternatives. Inspect brass components regularly for signs of wear, particularly around valve connections and orifices where gas flow regulation occurs. Clean burner ports monthly using a wire brush and compressed air to ... Read more
Fill the W&P popcorn popper bowl halfway with kernels, add your preferred oil or butter, and secure the silicone lid with the stirring handle inserted through the center opening. Place in your microwave for 2-3 minutes, using the handle to stir every 30 seconds to ensure even heating and prevent burning. Listen carefully for the ... Read more
Look inside your firebox for these telltale signs: a floor made of firebrick or refractory panels (often reddish-orange or tan), a damper handle or chain hanging in the throat of the chimney, and most importantly, the complete absence of gas logs, burners, or gas line connections. Wood-burning fireplaces have a distinctly rustic, masonry interior with ... Read more
Inspect your chimney and fireplace annually for nests, droppings, and entry points where pests commonly infiltrate homes—birds, squirrels, raccoons, and insects frequently use these warm spaces as gateways into living areas. Seal gaps around the damper, install a sturdy chimney cap with mesh screening, and repair any cracks in masonry or mortar that could serve ... Read more
Your B-vent flue system quietly works behind the scenes to safely exhaust combustion gases from your natural gas or propane fireplace, but when problems arise, they can threaten both your comfort and safety. This double-walled venting system draws air from inside your home for combustion while expelling exhaust through the space between its inner and ... Read more
Stop before you toss that leftover 2×4 into your fire pit. While it might seem like a practical way to dispose of construction lumber, burning treated or painted wood releases toxic chemicals including arsenic, chromium, and copper compounds directly into the air you and your family breathe. Even untreated dimensional lumber from big-box stores often ... Read more
Choose fireplace logs made from recycled materials like compressed sawdust, coffee grounds, or agricultural waste rather than cutting down trees. These manufactured alternatives burn cleaner, produce less creosote buildup in your chimney, and transform what would otherwise become landfill waste into cozy warmth for your home. Look for logs certified by the EPA or labeled ... Read more
Choose infrared heaters rated at 1500 watts or less for typical room heating, as they convert nearly 100% of electricity into direct warmth without wasting energy on heating air that escapes through drafts. Position units 3-6 feet from your primary seating areas to maximize the penetrating warmth that heats people and objects rather than empty ... Read more
