A common problem for customers using popular gas barbecue grills and high-end solid stainless models is the worry over stains, drips, and grease and their impact on a deck, porch, pool surround, patio and dock. Being able to prevent these stains is something customers should take seriously.

The Gas Grill Splatter Mat from DiversiTech

The Gas Grill Splatter Mat from DiversiTech may be the solution for many gas grill owners. It protects the surfaces under gas grills, covers existing stains, and is easy to clean. It is also reversible and will not harm composite decking. The standard 30×40 inch size enables it to fit under most gas grills on the market.

The Christmas Tree Stand MAT from DiversiTech

Capitalizing on the success of their grill mats, DiversiTech has also introduced their Christmas Tree Stand MAT that will help solve one of the problems that holiday enthusiasts encounter every year: how to keep the tree fresh and green while avoiding water stains and spills. The 30 inch, lightweight, long-lasting round tree-stand mat is something that no tree owner can be without this holiday season.

DiversiTech

Quadra-Fire’s 5700 Step Top from Hearth & Home Technologies

The weak economy is causing homeowners to look for ways to slash their heating bills. One trend that has sprung up is using wood-burning stoves as an alternative to using furnaces or other heat sources. Wood-burning stoves are particularly efficient when heating one room or specific areas of a home.

A stove’s heat comes from radiation, so it is important that the stove be made of a metal (like Cast Iron) with a high conductivity rating and be a color that will help radiate the heat.

If one is looking to heat larger rooms, Hearth & Home Technologies’ Quadra-Fire 5700 Step Top would be a great choice. As the company’s largest free-standing wood-burning stove, the 5700 Step Top heats up to 3,700 square feet.

Napoleon's Timberwolf

For an affordable and smaller option, Napoleon’s Timberwolf line is perfect for those who have never used a stove before or don’t have big rooms to heat.

As with any appliance that uses fire, there are safety precautions that homeowners need to aware of when using a wood-burning stove.

Pay special attention to:

• sparks that could fly out.
• heat conducted from the chimney into a flammable or combustible material.
• hot ashes or flame coming out of the chimney.
• excess heat radiating from the stove.

Most of the above problems can be avoided with proper installation and maintenance of one’s stove. And remember, each manufacturer provides detailed instructions on the maintenance and safety that should be followed for that stove
type.

Hearth & Home Technologies

Napoleon

Ashmost Deep Seating Collection from Agio

With the quality of outdoor furniture on the rise, some consumers are starting to move it indoors. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed the trend of people using outdoor furniture for rooms under the roof. Families especially find the easy maintenance of outdoor fabrics an important feature with kids spilling drinks and food.

Bob Gaylord, president of Agio, commented on this trend: “When the full-time furniture industry found out how high-up outdoor rooms are on homeowners’ wish lists, quite a few added Agio collections. Now, any of our specialty and full-time retailers are seeing just what the Wall Street Journal article pointed out. Consumers find that what works outdoors on a deck or patio can be equally, even beautifully, at home in a sunroom, porch or great room.”

Agio’s Ashmost Deep Seating collection is an example of an outdoor furniture collection that is suitable for a sunroom or other interior room. Cast aluminum frames feature graceful, artisan-inspired design work, while truly deep-seated cushions invite family and guests to linger and relax.

Outdoor furniture can help bring affordability, versatility and durability inside the home as well as outside.

AGIO

Big Pig and Little Pig Cabinet Smokers by Stone Age Manufacturing to meet all your smoking needs.

Getting tired of the same sweet potato casserole served every Thanksgiving? Why not spice it up with this recipe, Tequila Sweet Potatoes.

 What you’ll need:

1¼ lbs. sweet potatoes

¼ cup butter

¼ cup tequila

3 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons lime juice

¼ teaspoon salt

 What to do:

Grate sweet potatoes.  In a smoker safe cooking dish melt butter.  Add grated potatoes and press down into an even layer.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and salt. Place in smoker at about 200 degrees F.  Let cook for an hour.

Add half of the tequila and lime juice, stir and press down again.  Return to smoker and continue smoking until the potatoes are tender and starting to brown around the edges.

Remove and add remaining tequila and lime juice.  Stir and serve.

Serves 4.

The Big Pig and Little Pig Cabinet Smokers from Stone Age Manufacturing featured above provides maximum thermal efficiency from thick insulating walls and a unique venting system for complete temperature control.

Stone Age Manufacturing

Sectional or modular furniture (for both the indoors and the outdoors) has risen in popularity over the past few years. With its smooth geometric forms and versatility, it is the perfect solution for those with big families or those who like to entertain. Younger consumers are also attracted to sectional and modular furniture because the designs are frequently more contemporary and offer more possibilities.

The Malibu Grande from NorthCape International

One well-respected maker of these popular collections is NorthCape International. The Malibu Grande, which is part of their Malibu collection, is a crest shaped sofa and wedge shaped end table that can be arranged by itself or with pieces from the collection.

The Malibu Grande is made of a lightweight aluminum frame, durable UV protected PE woven resin and features plush deep seating for added comfort. The Java Flat weave style and unparalleled durability makes a great addition to the Malibu collection or for those looking for an updated look.

Sectional furniture allows consumers to get creative with their outdoor patio seating and can make entertaining even more fun and comfortable.

NorthCape International

Cast Travertine Mantel from Buffalo Architectural Casting

A fireplace can bring a room together or it can hold a room back. Homeowners who are stuck with the stiff dark brick fireplace of the 1980s can breathe new life into their hearth and living space by some simple updates to the mantel and surround.

Lightweight and easy to install, the Cast Travertine Mantels by Buffalo Architectural Casting complement any wood-burning or gas fireplace. Made from cast travertine, they only weigh a few hundred pounds and do not require any additional support. Customized designs are possible and both the height and length can be adjusted to
fit any project.

MLW Stone’s StacKIT Natural Stacked-stone Fireplace

MLW Stone’s StacKIT Natural Stacked-stone fireplaces have the look and workmanship of authentic, natural stacked stone. Most stack-stoned fireplaces are cut and installed in individual pieces, but StacKIT surrounds are prefabricated into panels that are cut to standard fireplace-kit sizes. It significantly reduces the cost of installation.

Whether it’s a new mantel or surround or both, an updated fireplace will generate more use and warmth to any room.

Buffalo Architectural Casting

MLW Stone

While many families will stick with the standard baked turkey and stuffing, others have become creative with their holiday cooking. From smoked turkey to grilled cornbread, people are using alternative cooking methods for their Thanksgiving feast. Some outdoor chefs are even including grilled pumpkin in their holiday menus.

Here’s a Smoked Turkey recipe from Kamado Joe’s website:

Continue reading →

The Copacabana Collection from Zuo Modern

More and more manufacturers are offering contemporary collections that are either updated versions of more traditional looks or are completely new modern designs. Consumers of all ages are drawn to outdoor furniture that is fun and even somewhat funky. Sleek lines, versatility, and minimalism are some of the key components found in today’s new patio furniture.

The Copacabana Collection from Zuo Modern is a seductive outdoor piece that will captivate and astonish. The set sits atop on an aluminum frame that is detachable. The cushions can also be used as a flotation device for the pool. The fabric is UV treated polyester that is filled with polyfoam microbeads. The Copacabana Collection is perfect for people who like to entertain on the patio or in the pool.

The Miami Collection from Z-Line Designs

Z-Line Designs recently launched its Miami Collection. Grand in scale and richly detailed, the Miami Collection captures the sophisticated look rarely seen in outdoor furniture. Woven by hand of ultra-wide all-weather wicker, then wrapped around a sturdy aluminum frame, the Miami has superior durability against the elements while providing style and appeal.

Zuo Modern

Z-Line Designs

OW Lee San Cristobal Collection, a wrought iron design.

Cast aluminum and wrought iron have been staples in the outdoor patio furniture industry for years. Both are long lasting and seem to blend in with any landscape. While these two furniture styles can look eerily similar, here are some differences to be aware of, especially when it comes to maintenance and care.

Wrought Iron:

• Strong, heavy and long lasting. Holds up very well in strong winds.
•  Versatile designs. Can fit just about anyone’s patio furniture needs
• Light cleaning will be need. Wash with warm mild soapy water when necessary.
• Use protective covers when not in use.

Cast Aluminum:

•  Durable, lightweight and non-rusting.
• Very low maintenance. Occasional cleaning when necessary.
• Handles most severe weather well.
• Like wrought iron, use protective covers when not in use.

Gensun Casual Grand Terrace Fire Pit, a cast aluminum design.

Cast aluminum and wrought iron are timeless patio furniture options and have been popular for many years. So if your customer is looking for a low-maintenance, elegant and traditional look, either of these designs will meet their needs.

OW Lee

Gensun Casual