Industry Articles

9 Key Topics to Know Ensuring Gas Fireplace Safety For Your Home

Discover essential gas fireplace safety tips: from starters to logs. Learn about installation, operation, and potential hazards. Ensure a cozy, worry-free ambiance in your home! Discover essential gas fireplace safety tips: from starters to logs. Learn about installation, operation, and potential hazards. Ensure a cozy, worry-free ambiance in your home! Continue Reading

Creating a Safe and Cozy Home: Wood Fireplace Safety for Every Family

Discover fireplace safety tips for embracing warmth and comfort. Educate, equip, and maintain for worry-free enjoyment. Continue Reading

12 Essential Wood Burning Tips for Efficiency & Safety

Wood stove and fireplace enthusiasts cherish the warmth of a crackling fire, but safety is paramount when considering these cozy additions to your home. Whether you're already using a wood stove or contemplating adding one, prioritizing safety, equipment selection, and maintenance is critical. To help safeguard your family and home, here are 12 essential wood... Continue Reading

5 Challenges With Burning Wood And What To Do About It

In this article we’re going to discuss typical questions that come up regarding burning wood. Specifically, let’s talk about the efficiency of wood burning equipment, routine maintenance that’s necessary, safety concerns for you and your loved ones, sustainability and fuel costs. If you’re thinking about adding a wood-burning fireplace, stove or fireplace insert to your... Continue Reading

Should Natural Gas Be Banned?

The issue of a natural gas ban is certainly a hot topic issue in the USA and Canada that could affect millions of people. The entire premise behind this controversy stems from attempts to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and to improve public health. Some feel very passionate that there are compelling reasons to... Continue Reading

How to Measure Arched Fireplace Doors

We’ve explained how to measure for a new set of doors for your gas fireplace, a zero clearance wood-burning fireplace and a masonry fireplace. But what about a masonry fireplace that was made with an arched opening? Is there any way to have a new set of doors made, so you will be able to... Continue Reading

BBQ Sauce Safety: What You Need to Know Before You Slather

If you're like most people, you love a good BBQ sauce on your ribs, brisket, or pulled pork. But before you slather that sauce all over your meat, you should know a few things about BBQ sauce safety. Since BBQ sauce safety seems to be of great concerns to many, our experts are more than... Continue Reading

All About Gas Fireplaces: Buying Advice

ARE GAS FIREPLACES WORTH IT? Most people spend the majority of their time in only two or three rooms in their home. Here’s a question to ponder? Why run your furnace, that uses 80,000 to 100,000 BTUs of gas, when a gas fireplace will comfortably heat the area you’re normally in, using only 1/4 or... Continue Reading

BBQ: Delicious or Dangerous?

Are BBQ Ribs Healthy? Ah, BBQ ribs. The quintessential summer food. What's not to love? Tender, juicy meat, slathered in tangy, smoky sauce. But let's be real. BBQ ribs aren't exactly health food. They're high in fat and calories, and loaded with sodium. But don't let that stop you from enjoying them. There are ways... Continue Reading

The History of BBQ

Everyone loves to claim their ancestors invented BBQ. For example, American and BBQ are as “American as apple pie” neither of which was invented in the USA1. South Americans natives on the other hand, proudly proclaim the word Barbecue comes from ‘Barbacoa,’ a lattice used to cook and smoke meat. Polynesians will top it by... Continue Reading

All About Gas Fireplace Inserts: Buying Advice

ARE GAS FIREPLACE INSERTS WORTH IT? That old fireplace in your living room hasn’t cranked out any heat in years. The firebox is decorated with candles, baskets, mirrors and other creative craft projects. Maybe there’s a couch pushed up against it in an attempt to reduce the cold air spilling into the living room. Does... Continue Reading

BBQ: From Newbie to Pitmaster in No Time

So, you recently bought or received a new grill/charcoal BBQ*. You can't wait to slap meat on the grill and invite your friends. Unfortunately, your first attempts are 'Meh.' What went wrong? You followed the recipe, after all. * TERM EXPLANATION: Grilling refers to cooking at high temperatures or searing meat. A Grill is typically... Continue Reading

How to Stack Cordwood

If you have recently purchased a wood burning fireplace, stove or insert or if you’re a seasoned old wood tick, this article has important details regarding stacking and drying your fuel supply. It’s critical to burn dry wood, but is there a best way to stack and allow wood to dry? Please keep reading to... Continue Reading

Electric fireplace: How to?

The appeal of an electric fireplace is no surprise. The vibrant colors and lighting effects are truly astounding! They make a wonderful focal point to any room. And, they’re so easy to operate. There can be many questions that come up when discussing electric fireplaces. This is another article that is intended to answer more... Continue Reading

Buying Advice for Gas Fireplaces Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the differences between a zero clearance (ZC) gas fireplace, a fireplace insert and a gas log set. In this article, we’ll focus on specific questions regarding ZC gas fireplaces and practical tips along with solid suggestions when shopping for one. ARE GAS FIREPLACES WORTH IT? Both the... Continue Reading

How do I get rid of rust on my wood stove?

Whether it’s steel or cast iron, rust on a wood-burning stove can certainly be an eyesore in your home. Rust will detract from the beauty and attractiveness of the appliance. With a little time, a lot of elbow grease and the right products, you can restore that old wood burning stove into one looking like... Continue Reading

Electric Fireplace : How they Work

Electric fireplaces are more popular than ever. Their beauty, versatility, cleanliness, and performance are truly impressive. In this article, we’ll discuss several frequent questions that often arise when the subject of electric fireplaces comes up. How does an electric fireplace work? Do electric fireplace really heat? How to operate an electric fireplace? How long can... Continue Reading

Buying advice for gas fireplaces, gas inserts & gas logs

This is the first in a series of articles that will provide sound advice if you are planning a building or remodeling project and have plans to include a gas hearth product. To begin with, it’s important to know and understand the differences between a gas fireplace, a gas fireplace insert and a gas log... Continue Reading

Electric Fireplaces: Accessories

You've purchased an electric fireplace, and you're now wondering about options and accessories to enhance its look. These questions come to mind: What are the manufacturer's offers? Will it improve the appeal and looks of the fireplace? Would any accessories be worth spending a little extra money? This article will give you a perspective on... Continue Reading

How to build & install a fireplace mantel

Whether you have an existing fireplace that you’d like to update, or you’re installing a new fireplace as part of a remodeling or building project, a mantel gives that fireplace character and charm. It’s the main stage where precious family photos and mementos are displayed. It’s an extension of you and your lifestyle. Your WE... Continue Reading

General advice: electric fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are very popular, and for good reasons. The colored lighting effects, several different media options, super convenient and easy to use are just some of the reasons why electric fireplaces are so prevalent in homes today. If you’re thinking of an electric fireplace for your home, there may be some questions you’ve been... Continue Reading

How fireplaces work ?

There are two types of wood burning fireplaces: masonry and zero-clearance (or factory built) models. How they are built and the components used during installation are different, but the principles of how they work is the same. So, let’s discuss the basics of how a wood burning fireplace operates. THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAIL! Combustion air,... Continue Reading

What’s best … a fireplace, stove or insert?

If you are contemplating adding a new hearth appliance to your home, you have lots of options. Should it be a fireplace, stove or insert? You should also decide whether it’s going to be a wood, gas, electric or pellet model. Let’s talk about the applications of these three types of products, some of their... Continue Reading

Electric Fireplace: General Installation

Hello again, in this installment we will answer your questions about installing an electric fireplace. Can I install an electric fireplace in a wall? How to install an electric fireplace? How to install an electric insert? Where to install an electric fireplace? Where to plug in an electric fireplace? Who installs electric fireplaces? What about... Continue Reading

Are electric fireplaces energy efficient?

With energy costs going up, you may be wondering if an electric fireplace is a good fit for your family. If you’re thinking of an electric fireplace for your home, you undoubtedly have some questions you’d like answered before you buy. Questions like: Are electric fireplaces energy efficient? Are electric fireplaces expensive to run? Will... Continue Reading

Which hearth product is right for me?

If you’re thinking about adding a hearth product to your home, you have a few options to consider. There are advantages and disadvantages to a fireplace, stove or an insert. Likewise, pros and cons with the fuel you decide to use. Let’s spend a few minutes discussing what hearth product will suit your needs and... Continue Reading

Everything you ever wanted to know about charcoal BBQing but were afraid to ask… Part #2

Here is our second installment on your burning questions about BBQ charcoal. What Is The Best Method To Light Charcoal? We assume without chemicals, right? And by "best" it really depends on your definition. Cheapest method, how fast to ignite, the best value, etc. Here are some time-proven ways to light BBQ charcoal. Paper (newspaper,... Continue Reading

8 Signs That a Chimney Repair Is Needed

I’m too old to get on the roof anymore, so how do I know if any chimney repairs are necessary? Do you know if your chimney is in good condition? Whether you have just moved into your house or living there for a while, you should verify the condition of your chimney periodically. A nationally... Continue Reading

Everything you ever wanted to know about charcoal BBQing but were afraid to ask… Part #1

It seems a burning question on the interweb is all about charcoal BBQing, not about grills, accessories, recipes, etc. but about the charcoal itself. We are glad to edumacate you to make you learn stuff. But first, a tiny bit of history (not super boring): When gas grills started to gain popularity in the ’70s,... Continue Reading

Summer Fireplace Decor Ideas to Prepare for a New Season

The temperature is rising, which means saying goodbye to your beloved fireplace. It's kept you and your family warm and cozy all winter long, but you'll soon have no use for it, right? Wrong! Your fireplace can be the star of the room, regardless of the season. It's already the focal point of your space,... Continue Reading