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
Increase the lifespan of your pellet stove
Interested in increasing the life of your pellet stove?
Wood pellet stoves like all other combustion heating systems must be checked annually by a professional during maintenance of the appliance. During the annual maintenance, the professional must clean and vacuum the dust on the exchanger and the crucible. The exterior parts should also not be forgotten.
A weekly maintenance
The burning of the pellets in the stove produces ash. This combustion waste ends up in an ash pan that must be emptied every week, especially during very cold weather. A visual check of the flame will also allow you to detect any anomalies. The use of quality pellets extends the life of the stove by limiting its clogging. In summary, the maintenance of a pellet stove is rather easy and non-restrictive for the users.
The steps to take during regular maintenance
First of all, it is important to turn off your stove before any maneuver. Once the stove has come to a complete stop, you can unplug it and begin maintenance. The easiest maneuver to perform is to empty the ash pan. You can then vacuum the perforated crucible, making sure that there is good air circulation. Visual inspection of the air intake tube and spark plug is imperative to ensure optimal combustion. Finally, clean the combustion chamber as a whole without forgetting the glass door. An ash sweeper can be very effective in performing these maintenance.
A little advice on maintenance and prevention for pellet appliances
Always install a container near the appliance, which can hold 2 or 3 bags of pellets. This results in a more sifted and less humid pellet, which ensures better appliance life as well as more efficient combustion.
Good heating!
The Maçonnex Experts at your Boutique Foyer
