Conscientious Oregonians have been storing up firewood for the inevitable cool days of winter, and the experienced wood-gatherers know that dry, seasoned firewood burns most efficiently, provides the most heat and smokes the least.

In fact, unseasoned wood is not suitable for open fireplaces, according to Steve Bowers, a forester with the Douglas County office of the Oregon State University Extension Service.

Ideally, wood should be purchased or gathered at least a year in advance of burning. more.....

Wood stoves are becoming increasingly popular in the USA, with more than 10 million homes using them regularly, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Anyone investing in a new wood stove needs to take many factors into consideration before parting with their money. This is particularly true for seniors who need to make sure that the stove they choose is not only easy to use, but safe and practical as well. Following a few simple tips will make it a lot easier to find the most senior-suitable wood stove on the market.

Size does matter

One of the most important considerations when choosing a wood stove is its size. When choosing a wood stove for a senior it is important to determine what exactly it will be used for. Will its primary purpose be to heat the home, prepare food on, or to create ambiance? If the senior is living in a relatively small home, there is no need for an over-sized oven. In fact, installing a wood stove that is too big will waste fuel, pollute the air, and even result in a severe fire hazard thanks to a creosote build-up. It is always best to pick the smallest stove that can heat the required space efficiently as this will allow you to burn a clean, hot fire without overheating your living area and posing a threat to your health and well-being .

There is no need to break the bank

While there are undoubtedly woodstoves on the market that carry a very hefty price tag, there are also plenty of more affordable and equally as effective stoves available. Many seniors are already faced with several budgeting challenges and investing in an overpriced stove will just exacerbate the concern. Draw up a budget and stick to it. Do not be cajoled into spending extra money on fitting and features you do not need. A top-of-the-range ultra-modern wood stove may look nice but at the end of the day it will, more than likely, not warm your room or boil your water any better than a much more affordable model.

Don’t disregard aesthetics completely

Although a wood stove’s overall performance is of greater importance than its design, aesthetics should not be disregarded completely as they can be linked to distinct benefits for senior owners. Stoves typically either stand on legs or a pedestal. Some stoves even have adjustable legs which are ideal for wheelchair users. Wood stoves generally boast a single door, a double door, or a side door. A glass door allows you to keep an eye on your wood levels inside without causing a disruption to the combustion process. Stoves with flat tops are easier to cook on and pose less of a burn hazard than those with removable burners.

There are many benefits to owning a wood stove. As long as proper research is conducted before making a purchase, a senior can safely enjoy the wonderful warmth emitted by a cozy wood-burning stove.

Q: My fireplace is located in the basement and the chimney is located on the wall between the house and attached garage. In the summer when it is very humid outside, the glass doors on my fireplace sweat and the condensation pools on the floor in front of the fireplace hearth. We keep our home cool (67 degrees) at night in the summer. If I open the glass doors, the condensation does not occur.

I would like to put an electric fireplace insert in, but I am concerned about the condensation. The insert resembles a flat-screen TV in appearance. Any condensation could damage the insert. I have only one fireplace and it is the only thing that vents through the chimney. I have thought about inserting insulation into the top of my chimney and capping it, but I am concerned that the walls of the flue could create condensation during the humid summer days. Do you have any recommendations?

A: Condensation in the home is the process where moisture, which is present in the conditioned air, is transformed from a gas to a liquid. This process is most often noticed in the winter when moisture forms on the cold glass surfaces of windows. It’s a simple fact that cold air cannot hold or retain as much moisture as warm air, and when the two meet, the warm air starts to cool, releasing some of its moisture as condensation. Homes with high humidity levels will often have condensation forming on the interior side of windows in colder weather. When the humidity levels are too high, mold and mildew can become a problem. A normal and comfortable level of humidity inside the home would be anywhere between 30 percent and 60 percent at 65 degrees.

Humidity levels below 30 percent can result in dry skin, nosebleeds and static electric buildup, whereas higher moisture levels lead to the aforementioned mold and mildew.

A hygrometer, a device that measures humidity levels, can be purchased for under $20 and will give you an accurate reading. Only when you know you have a humidity problem can you correct it.

As you know, if you plug the top of the chimney above the fireplace, the flue-liner condensation will trickle down to the fireplace. You will need to protect the insert from moisture problems. According to one manufacturer’s recommendation, “Insulation and vapor barrier should be placed a minimum of 2 inches from the unit.”

This means you can use rigid foam insulation behind some inserts to control temperatures and airflow and a vapor barrier to protect the insert from moisture, but first read and follow all installation instructions.

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One of the first rules before putting a hamburger, steak or chicken breast on the grill is to have the heat at the proper temperature.

With a charcoal grill, that means to have a nice fire going 25 to 30 minutes prior to cooking. Remember to open all vents and place briquettes on the lower charcoal grate.

For a gas grill, turn the gas valve on and turn burners on high. Ignite as directed by the manufacturer. Close the lid and preheat the grill, usually with all burners on high for 10 to 15 minutes.

To judge the heat of the grill, carefully place the palm of the hand just above the grill rack and count the number of seconds it can be held in that position.

Here is an indicator from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook where information on grilling was obtained.

If the hand can be held over the grill for only 2 seconds, the temperature is gauged to be between 400 and 450 degrees, a hot temperature. The coals will be glowing and lightly covered with gray ash.

3 seconds, 375 to 400 degrees, medium-high heat, with glowing coals and lightly covered with gray ash.

4 seconds, 350 to 375 degrees, medium temperature, coals will glow through a layer of ash.

5 seconds, 325 to 350 degrees, medium-low, with coals that glow through the ash.

6 seconds, 300 to 325 degrees, low, coals burning down and covered with a thick layer of ash.

In charcoal grilling, if coals are too hot, raise the grill rack, spread the coals apart, close air vents halfway or remove some briquettes. For a gas or electric grill, adjust the burner to a lower setting.

If the coals are too cool, use long-handled tons to tap ashes off the burning coals, move the coals together, add briquettes, lower the rack or open the vents. For a gas or electric grill, adjust the burner to a higher setting.

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Darrin Young is grilling hamburgers and sausage in the photo with today’s story. This might be something he would barbecue – open-face cheese burgers served on slices of Texas toast, a Better Homes and Gardens recipe.

Cheeseburgers

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 large poblano peppers, roasted, seeded and chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

3 ounces Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, 3/4 cup

4 slices toasted Texas toast

Combine onion, poblano peppers, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add ground beef and mix well. Shape mixture into four 3/4 inch patties. Place on a tray; cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours. For a charcoal grill, grill on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until 160 degrees when using a meat thermometer. Turn once halfway through grilling. Top with cheese during last minute of grilling. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place patties on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as for charcoal cooking.

The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook for a glazed country rib, the meatier ribs. It has a tomato base, with molasses and chili powder and Worcestershire sauce.

Glazed Country Ribs

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup cider or wine vinegar

1/4 cup milk molasses

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 1/2 to 3 pounds pork country-style ribs

For sauce, in a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, water, onion, vinegar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder and garlic. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring often.

Trim fat from ribs. For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place ribs, bone sides down, on grill rack over pan, or place in a rib rack and place on grill rack. Cover and grill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until tender, brushing occasionally with sauce during the last 15 minutes of grilling. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as above, except place ribs in a roasting pan. Place pan on grill rack over burner that is off. Brush remaining sauce over ribs.

Chicken barbecues up very tasty and has a fast grilling time. It is done to perfection in between 10 and 15 minutes, or at the internal temperature of 160 degrees. This recipe comes from the Family Circle magazine.

Grilled Chicken with Peach Barbecue Sauce

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup peach preserves

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 small onion, chopped

1 large ripe peach, peeled, pitted and finely chopped

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

8 bone-in chicken thighs, about 5 ounces each

8 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 4 ounces each

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Lemon and lime wedges

In a medium heavy saucepan, combine ketchup, peach or apricot preserves, vinegar, chopped onion, chopped peach and mustard. Simmer on low 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set up a gas grill or charcoal grill on medium-high heat for indirect grilling. Lightly grease grill rack. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the thighs on direct heat, skin side down, for 5 minutes. Turn over and place over indirect heat; close grill and cook 10 minutes, skin side up.

Baste every 5 minutes with barbecue sauce and continue to grill, covered over indirect heat for 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Baste chicken breasts with sauce. Grill over direct heat 5 to 7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Meanwhile, place any remaining sauce in a small saucepan and simmer 2 minutes. Serve chicken with remaining barbecue sauce and lemon and lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Makes eight servings with 392 calories for a thigh and breast with sauce.

Many luxurious residences nowadays are believed to be incomplete without having a stunning fireplace. In the modern period, a lot of people want a gel fireplace as opposed to the old-fashioned fireplaces. These kinds of fireplaces give stunning advantages due to their capacity for operating on gel fuel. You won’t notice any damaging gas pollutants that can harm the inside of your house. gel fireplace TV stands are yet another sophisticated addition to your deluxe residence and will present an exciting television experience for you and your loved ones.

Gel fuel is a wonderful fuel source with regards to your household fireplaces. Its eco-friendly character will ensure that simply no smoke or any type of air pollution is triggered that can harm the atmosphere. Gel fuel is also fairly cost effective when compared to gas fuel. On the whole, fireplaces that make the efficient utilization of gel fuel offer quite a few positive aspects. These kinds of exclusive fireplaces have stylish appearance and chic styles that provide your home a stylish look.

Furthermore, gel fireplaces don’t require any chimney and can be installed in any portion of your home. Consequently, these types of fireplaces give design and flair with an equal amount of security and safety. Fireplace tv stands are, definitely, one of the most revolutionary and original pieces of art that can help improve the elegance of your home. Fireplace TV stands can be used to support your TV set and also have the capability to engage a fire within their interior. The fire can be viewed through a glass walls which gives fireplace TV stands a quality of their own.

By using smoky fireplaces causing much injury and irritability in the home, many people are quickly turning to the much simpler and useful alternative of gel fireplaces. Soot has been among the most frustrating attributes of the traditional fireplaces. The days are gone when you were required to create firewood and create a fire. With gel fireplaces, the task of illuminating your fireplace each day has developed into a piece of cake. There is no waste materials just like soot or smoke to damage your extravagant carpets as well as luxurious wall covers. Since the gel fuel does not provide significant warmth, the fireplaces are perfect for every-season use. You can love the feeling of a fire right within your living spaces in summer season without experiencing any kind of discomfort.

Gel fireplaces can be found in several models. With a big assortment of fireplaces accessible over the internet, you can explore through the several designs and select the appliance that meets your residence interior perfectly. Gel fireplace TV stands present a great way of saving cash by providing a 2-in-1 combo. The TV stand delivers its goal featuring its robust surface area and also offers you a wonderful fireplace in its interior.

Contemporary residences are very well made having a couple of fireplaces. They give a high end factor in your home whilst keeping your friends and relatives thrilled whenever they visit. With gel fireplace and gel fireplace TV stands in popular demand in the marketplace, there is no motive to ignore these types of precious marvels of technology. Enjoy a wonderfully soothing and safe fire experience with these kinds of delightful fireplaces

Having a stainless steel chimney liner will protect your home and improve the efficiency of your fireplace as well. At Copperfield Chimney Supply, you will find many of the latest styles of chimney liners that can help you in protecting your home and your family. They provide you with only the latest highest quality chimney liners at reasonable prices. You can see their entire line of products at their web site www.woodstoves-fireplaces.com .

Stainless Steel Chimney Liner Available in Any Sizes You Need

When you need a stainless steel chimney, liner it is good to have them available to you in any size you need for your chimney. They carry liners that will fit all of the standard chimney sizes as well as custom sizes available. Many of the normal chimneys are six inches to eight inches in diameter so finding the right size for your chimney is important. You will have to measure you chimney to ensure a perfect fit. The better the fit the safer your chimney will be.