Outdoor Gas Grills

Before you head off to the nearest hardware store to buy a new outdoor gas grill, be sure to shop around first for the best price and the highest quality.

If you are fond of grilling hamburgers and steaks, then outdoor grills are perfect for you. You can find many gas grills in local stores, although some models may be harder to find. Try shopping at specialty grill markets for the best grills. Here are some things to look out for:

Price. Outdoor grills can sell for as much as $3,000 to as little as $100. Be practical – your grill stays outdoors, so there is no sense spending too much money for it. You may be better off spending your money on other more important kitchen appliances instead. A decent outdoor grill will probably cost about $300 to $500. A practical grill may not amaze your neighbors, but it surely does the same thing as the mega dollar ones.

Add-on features. Many outdoor gas grills have special features like side burners and rotisseries that may come in handy for more serious grillers. But before buying them, ask yourself if you really need the extra features. These models come with higher price tags, but if you often cook and entertain outdoors, then they may make for a good investment. If you just intend to use your outdoor grill to cook burgers and steaks, on the other hand, just keep it simple.

Material. Outdoor gas grills are typically made from aluminum, but the more expensive ones are made from stainless steel. If you can afford to spend a little more, then go for the stainless steel version – they are more stylish and provide greater versatility. Expect a stainless steel outdoor grill to last a good five to seven years.

Other options. Grill smokers are also available as another option in case you want to use grilling along with smoking as a method for cooking. The smoke comes through a smoker attachment added to the usual parts of the grill.

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Fire Hazard Alert – is Your Dryer Ready to Ignite

In recent years there has been many stories about dryers catching on fire*. Should we be concerned? Yes of course. We should take seriously anything that may put our family at risk.

Was the problem the dryer? Rarely.

After investigating it is usually determined to have been the venting within the home catching on fire, and not the dryer.

The drying process……

When clothes are being dried inside your family dryer there are two processes happening. Firstly, heat is applied to the air inside the dryer drum as it turns. This raises its internal temperature to approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit and causing moisture to be driven out of the clothes by evaporation. Secondly, a constant flow of air is passed through the clothes. Surprisingly, the real trick to efficiently dry clothes is not the heat, but rather this vast volume of air.

Most people think the purpose of venting is to push the heat and lint outside. Actually, its primary purpose is to dump the moisture outside the home. This job is accomplished easily when the dryer is near an outside wall.

The venting pipe……

In many new houses the laundry room is located in the centre of the home, close to the family room or kitchen. If located upstairs it is often between the bedrooms, to allow easier access to laundry. Easier access, but the distance from the dryer to an outside wall is substantially longer. This leads to the crux of our problem. The venting is either too long, or has become restricted.

It is more difficult to push air down a long venting pipe than a short one. When the venting is too long the excess air can cause the venting to misbehave. This results in the moisture and lint collecting in the venting, rather than being dumped outside.

Taken to extremes lint can block the venting closed. When this happens it can cause the dryer to overheat. The normal drum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly shoot up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It may even get hot enough to allow lint in the venting to ignite.

For this reason manufacturers now suggest a maximum venting length of 15 feet. Excluding the first two elbows.

True venting length……

If you want to know the true equivalent length of dryer venting, calculate the following:

1. Measure all the straight lengths and add them together

2. Count the number of turns or elbows, and multiply this number by 4

3. Add up the totals of steps 1 and 2

Example 20 feet of venting with 4 turns would actually be:

20 feet + 4X4 feet = 36 feet

Don’t be surprised by the true equivalent length of your venting. In modern homes it can be substantially longer than the manufacturers suggested maximum.

Watch for these signs……

If the blockage becomes critical the dryer will stop doing its job properly. As a homeowner watch for the following signs that the venting may be starting to block.

1 Clothes coming out wet
2 Excess lint left on clothes at cycle end
3 Inside of dryer feels wet
4 Taking too long to dry a load
5 Clothes very hot at end of cycle
6 Electrical consumption greatly increased

Since you can't move the laundry room the best thing you can do is be aware that the problem exists. Consider taking down the venting and cleaning out the lint buildup during your annual spring-cleaning. Also, regularly walk outside and check the vent cap where it exits your house. Remove any lint buildup and make sure the flap moves freely.

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