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Gas? Wood? Or Electric Fireplaces?

July 25, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Whether you have recently moved into a home without central heat and air or are looking to switch to a fireplace, there are different types of fireplaces available on the market. Choosing between a gas, wood, or electric fireplace can be challenging and intimidating. Below, we will look at the pros and cons of the different fireplaces so you can make a well-informed decision regarding the best fireplace for your property. Pros and Cons of Gas Fireplaces Natural gas is a heavily relied on source of energy and heat around the world. It is used by central heating systems, kitchen stoves, water heaters, and more. Gas is also a popular heating source for fireplaces. If your home already has natural gas installed, installing a gas fireplace is relatively easy. With a dial, you can control the heat output of the appliance, which means you can control the amount of gas that is being burned at any given time. Therefore, when compared to a wood fireplace, a gas fireplace offers more control. Gas tends to burn cleaner than wood, with no risk of soot buildup. The maintenance is minimal for this same reason. Unfortunately, the cost of having a gas fireplace installed... View Article

Gas or Charcoal?

July 11, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Nothing brings the family together quite like an outdoor barbeque. In decades past, cooking outdoors was not quite so glamorous; today, we have options galore to help make our cookout the best. Every good outdoor cook knows that the real question when it comes to cooking outdoors is charcoal or gas? Although this decision has a lot to do with your particular style of cooking, there is also, today, the question of sustainability. Is propane or charcoal better for the environment? Propane You might automatically assume that charcoal is the less environmentally friendly of the two options. After all, charcoal puts out more matter into the air while also putting out double the carbon dioxide fumes. If you are looking at this simply from an environmental standpoint, then maybe propane is better, but there are two parts to any sustainability question. First, how does this activity or product directly affect the environment? Second, how much impact does sourcing this material have on the environment? Propane gas is created from fossil fuels. As you know, fossil fuels are not renewable. These types of fuels are created through a process that takes millions of years. Humans use fossil fuels far faster than the earth... View Article

Essential Tools for Your Fireplace

June 27, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

A fireplace is a great addition to any home or business. The right tools will keep your fireplace in great shape and ensure that each fire that you start is going to work well. There are some tools that are a must that can make a huge difference in your home. What Tools Do You Need for Your Fireplace? When choosing the right tools for your fireplace you do need to keep in mind what type of fire you are going to be burning. If you are burning a gas fireplace, for instance, you are not going to need a lot of tools as you are not burning anything — you are using a burner. With wood fireplaces, you do need to keep in mind what tools you need to move the wood around, to clean up and to keep the fire going. With a wood-burning fireplace, you want tools to move and reposition the wood both before the fire starts and while burning, and you also need to consider what you need to keep the fire going. You can get great put-together sets that are easy to use and that contain much what you are going to need. Basic tools... View Article

How Often Should a Fireplace Be Serviced?

June 13, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

While it certainly is delightful to move into your new house where a cozy fireplace sits in the den, you must also be wondering how often should you have your fireplace serviced. This is actually one of the things you should not forget to deal with, otherwise, you’ll be left wondering how you can even use it. After all, it does take a lot of work, and you definitely would need to call in a professional for it. If this is your first time dealing with a fireplace, here are some tips you can check out, especially if you want to be ahead of the preparations for winter.  A Question of When According to professionals, the question “how often should fireplace be serviced” is a very practical and important one. Ideally, you should get it serviced and cleaned once every year. Even if you don’t frequently use it, you still need to keep it well-maintained to prevent build-up within, which can become a fire hazard. Some wait a while longer, until it reaches the three-year mark, before getting it cleaned again. This is probably more likely if your fireplace is roomier, and so it wouldn’t fill up with debris and buildup... View Article

Go Green! Compost Your Ashes

May 23, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Many people assume that the ashes from their wood stove or fireplace are waste and have no use anymore; thus, they dispose of them. However, this is not true. Ashes contain nutrients that were present in the original wood, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients can significantly benefit the plants in your farm or garden. This is why you should consider adding your ashes to your compost. Additionally, wood ash has zero nitrogen and will not burn your plants. Are Fireplace Ashes Good for Compost? Adding fireplace ashes to compost is an excellent way of counterbalancing the green nitrogen-producing components in the compost, such as grass clippings. The ashes will provide the compost with a brown carbon-producing component. The dominance of nitrogen-producing components in compost can make it somewhat acidic. Wood ash counterbalances this acidity thanks to its alkaline nature. As a result, the compost will be better positioned to maintain a neutral condition.  Can Ashes Be Composted?  Yes, ashes can be composted, but there are some considerations that you have to take into account. First, add wood ash to your compost in moderation. Additionally, only use ashes of 100% natural wood for your compost. This is because the chemicals... View Article