Stacking your firewood properly
The quality of firewood is not enough to optimize its efficiency. The place of storage and the way to store it also play an essential role. Here is how to do it in five points.
1- Ideally, we have the wood delivered in the spring or early summer, so that it has time to dry before the onset of the cold season.
2- The diameter of the logs must not exceed 150 millimeters (6 inches) for three reasons: faster drying, easier storage and better combustion efficiency.
3- The wood dries adequately if it is stack in the open air and in the sun. Placed in the north, it may remain wet for several years. Also, it should never be stored indoors, as there is no air circulation and fungi can form.
LITTLE ADVICE...
If you don't have time to stack up the lumber quickly after delivery, cover it with a tarp to protect it from the rain.
4- Once the location is defined, we create a base (with 2 x 4, for example) to insulate the logs from the ground and to avoid humidity. Then we stack them, being careful not to pack them too tight - so that the air circulates - and to balance the whole to make it strong enough. Once the wood is stacked, we cover only the top, not the sides, with a plastic tarp to prevent water from entering and seeping between each piece of wood.
5- In the fall, bring the wood needed for the winter closer to the entrance and eventually bring a small amount into the house. It's best to wait until the end of October, as the bugs will be less present and you will be less likely to bring them indoors.
Source: Magazine de l’Association des professionnels du chauffage (APC).
EPA certified, what does it mean?
You've probably heard that auxiliary heathers now need to be EPA certified. In fact, the term EPA is an abbreviation for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
When a device carries this certification, it means that it meets the standard aimed at reducing polluting emissions into the air, reducing them by almost 90% compared to a conventional device. In addition to being an environmentally friendly choice, it will save you up to 30% on fuel.
In Quebec, in certain provinces of Canada and throughout the United States, all devices sold must be EPA certified. This is why we only offer you stoves and fireplaces which comply with this approval.
Come see us in store, it will be our pleasure to show you our wide range of EPA certified auxiliary heaters.
The Maçonnex Experts of the Boutique Foyer
Source: Valcourt
Your barbecue must shine!
Who says frequent use of his barbecue, also says cleaning and maintenance strongly recommended. How do you know which brush or cleaner to use when the time comes to make your barbecue sparkle?
As for the brushes for the screens, there are several kinds available in the market. Depending on the type of grill your barbecue has, the correct brush for cleaning will differ. The brass brush is attributed to barbecues with a cast iron grill and the stainless steel brush for a barbecue with a stainless steel grill.
Once the choice of brush is made, you must now clean the grid in question. When and how? After using your barbecue, leave the fire on for about 5-10 minutes, then brush the grill. Leaving your barbecue on after cooking removes excess fat and makes cleaning easier and above all more efficient. You can also do this procedure before using your barbecue. All you need to do is preheat the grill beforehand and brush it afterwards.
When it comes to cleaning the interior part of the barbecue excluding the grill, so the inside of the lid and the rim, it is advisable to use specialized products for barbecue only. The majority of these have a citrusy smell and are very effective with the grease left over after cooking. The use of homemade products is not recommended, as they are not designed to come into contact with food. We are talking here about abrasive detergents like Vim, Old Dutch, Ajax, Fantastic, etc.
Finally, for the exterior of your barbecue, the use of a stainless steel cleaner and shine is recommended. The Napoleon and 3M brand products are a good example of this.
You are now in a position to do a thorough cleaning properly. To your brushes, to your cleaners, it has to shine!
- The Maçonnex Experts at the Boutique Foyer
