Natural Gas vs Charcoal Grills – Which one is right for you?Written by Nicole Martins
Barbequing outdoors is a pleasure that anyone can partake in and with so many types of grills available you can practically cook anywhere. One exception to list is a natural gas grill which needs a permanent hook up. Listed below are some of main advantages / disadvantages and suggestions for both natural gas and charcoal grills to help decide which one is best for you.Charcoal Grilling and Benefits The backyard chef's favorite challenge is to create perfect fire for grilling to produce that mouthwatering smoky taste! Most popular and with about 80% of all American households owning one, is barbeque grill. Approximately 47% of these bbq owners are cooking with good old charcoal. With brands such as Weber, clearly most popular charcoal grill sold, as well as a household name, one might dismiss other quality charcoal grillers. But brands such as Brinkman and Hibachi are sought-after as are lesser known charcoal grillers Arctic, Meco, Aussie, Texas Pit Masters, Uniflame, Capital and Thermos, Fire Magic and others. If you are looking to find right barbeque charcoal grill, you are in luck. Why? Charcoal grills can add an extra smoky flavor to your grilling that gas grills can’t! And, these grills are affordable to suit any budget. That said, if you buy a fancy one with deluxe features, price tag will be higher. However, compared to an outdoor gas grill featuring mechanical parts and a more complicated design, charcoal grillers are just more economical. Which charcoal barbeque to buy? Begin with a few simple questions. How many people will you be grilling for? Does bbq need to be a specific grill type such as: portable, stainless steel or cast iron? Are you looking for a particular brand: Weber charcoal grills, Brinkman charcoal grills, Hibachi, Arctic, Patio Life, Meco, Aussie or something else? With a charcoal grill, if you are going to be cooking for a lot of people or just a few people, size matters. A small charcoal grill is 300 to 500 sq. in. cooking surface; a medium charcoal grill is 500 to 700 sq. in. cooking surface; and a large grill is 700 sq. in. and up. So make sure you are getting size you that fits your needs. If you need something portable, take a look at brands Weber and Arctic. You will find these to be lightweight and easy to carry. A lock-lid is a convenient portable barbeques feature for camping and outdoor picnicking. (see: http://www.outdoor-fireplaces-and-patio-heaters.com/charcoal-grills.htm )
| | "Wow, You Have Amazing Woodwork!"Written by C. Hegler
Amazing Woodwork "Wow, you have amazing woodwork!" I hear it every time I take someone to visit my grandparent's centennial home. Built shortly after Civil War by a skilled trim and finish carpenter, my great-great grandpa, home boasts its original wood paneling; trim boards and solid wood doors. There is something more to this home than just space, shelter, and light... These friends don't have any sentimental attachment when they enter and utter now expected, "Wow! Amazing woodwork." Trim carpenters will tell you that great woodwork is not a thing of past. Restaurants know woodwork will set atmosphere in their dining rooms. Hotels use woodwork to enhance substantial feeling their interiors invoke. Homeowners can enjoy these same advantages. You don't have to live in a mansion to enjoy enduring beauty and atmosphere created by quality woodwork. Nor does great woodwork need to overburden your budget. You can enjoy beautiful woodwork right where you live. Trim is Everywhere Woodwork or trim is part of every home. Trimming doors, windows and around floors is not optional. Your option is trim you choose. Realizing that mouldings exist has forever changed way I look at rooms. I was shocked to see generic primed 2 1/4" colonial casing in a showcase home set in a beautiful and exclusive neighborhood. The home is beautiful. Almost no expense was spared. But I was left wondering how much nicer it could have looked, with little added effort, by choosing to upgrade mouldings. When I eat at a steak house I don't expect to be served a fast-food style sandwich, yet so many gorgeous homes of distinction are outfitted with 'fast-food' woodwork. The landlord needs to trim a door he just repaired; he buys cheapest trim to do job. The Do-it-yourself-er has only this afternoon available; he buys what is offered in stock. The contractor has a bottom line; he selects an economy grade because homeowners did not say selection mattered to them. The natural result is that rental, back closet and show house all have same trim. Strange, but very often true. Inside Information Nearly everyone would enjoy distinctive woodwork, but candidly, what does it cost to have it? These tips allow me to help clients upgrade without sticker shock. Fancy does not necessarily cost more. Millwork shops price mouldings based on type of wood selected and on size. The profile (design) does not generally factor into price at all. Some woods are more economical than others. Red oak (FAS or S&B grade) is hardwood standard for top quality moldings. But, most economical hardwood is poplar. Have you considered poplar? It's not just for painting; is humble and economical place in hardwood family has caused many to overlook poplar's appealing qualities. The common misconception that pine is “cheap” wood continues because stock pine trim often comes from offshore sources. Clear moulding-grade North American pine can cost more than oak. Hickory, beech, birch, maple and walnut are roughly double red oak rates. Cherry and mahogany are another step up. Specialty hardwoods can usually be quoted upon request. Selecting a high-end wood or a wider profile may not be as expensive as you fear. Matched patterns often come two widths. Use wide mouldings only where you want to draw attention, other area will coordinate well with narrower profile. For a tall base buy 1x board stock for height then use a decorative base cap. When you collect pricing information, ask for a comparison quotes for these possibilities. Lastly, order extra. It can save money by preventing “short-run” setup charges if you need more. Tuck extra pieces into a closet for future repairs.
|