WES Blog

The Fireplace and Grill Shop at West Sport is having an end of season clearance sale! Floor models must go in order to make room for the new stock that is arriving daily! Come on in and take a look at what we have at unbelievable discount prices. Gas stoves and wood stoves, as well as gas fireplaces and truly gorgeous electric fireplaces are all available at unbelievable discounts.

We have some truly spectacular electric fireplaces to sell. You have to see them to believe them. But these electric fireplaces are better than you think. Our Celsi Electric Wall Hanging Fireplace brings style and innovation to your home. It is the most realistic electric fireplace on the market and puts out 5000 BTU’s of heat! Our Napoleon Wall hanging fireplace is great for any room, including the kitchen or bedroom. This fireplace looks like a piece of art. But we also are showing a Napoleon built in electric fireplace which is excellent for any room. This fireplace has a clean face that looks great in both a mantel or drywall installation.

At West Sport we take your home comfort seriously and we are constantly investigating new and improved products. Come on in and see our new stock and the fireplaces and stoves that must go.

Wood burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves are all great ways to supplement - or even replace - the usual gas- and oil-fired furnaces we use to heat our homes. With our record breaking snow and cold that we have been having many of you have burned a few cords of wood this winter. Burning wood is very environmentally sound, but then the question arises, after cleaning your stove and removing the ashes with your ash bucket, what to do with the ashes? At West Sport in Sudbury, we have a couple of suggestions. Of course, you need a metal receptacle to store the ashes in first.

Has your dog been skunked? Well, rub a couple handfuls into his or her coat, this neutralizes the lingering odor. Their coat color may be a bit different, but it is worth it to get the smell to go away.

If you have been painting near the driveway or walkways, and you’ve got paint spatters, drop a handful of ash into the wet paint and rub it around with your boot or shoe.

This blends the color into the concrete. Keep a can of ashes handy when you’re painting near the driveway or walks.

Before the organic mix is applied to soil, Ashes enhance soils potassium content; sprinkle some ashes into your organic mix before you add it to the soil. But don’t over-do it. Ashes raise the soil’s alkalinity, so avoid using them around acid-loving rhododendrons, azaleas and junipers.

This spring spread some ashes evenly around garden beds, ash repels slugs and snails. Dusted over growing plants, it keeps beetles and caterpillars at bay. But keep in mind that you need to re-apply; ashes will wash off in the rain.

Wood ashes add traction, and the dark color absorbs solar heat to melt ice without hurting the soil, pavement or concrete underneath.

Many people have been coming into our shop lately and inquiring about pellet and gas stoves. However, once they see our beautiful hearthstone wood burning inserts, they begin asking questions about wood. I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a couple of the pros and cons about all three types of fuel for inserts, fireplaces and stoves.

Gas heating appliances are easy to use, more economical than you would think, and they can be connected to a thermostat for a consistent heat. Also, many come with a remote control, so literally, at the touch of a button you can be sitting in front of a roaring fire. However, gas is not a renewable source of energy, and you will still pay the high fuel prices. Though they are a more efficient way of heating; gas stoves, fireplaces and inserts are generally a convenient secondary or supplemental heat source for your home.

Stoves and inserts that use wood pellets for fuel can produce quite a bit of heat. They are very efficient and for the most part, are mess free. The pellets can be stacked easily in the garage or shed in bags and they burn very efficiently. Pellet stoves can be used to heat your whole home throughout the winter. And though they do not have the pretty flame we are used to with burning wood, manufacturers today are making more attractive pellet stoves to suit more needs. Probably the biggest drawback to a pellet stove or insert is the need for electric power to run. In a snowy Nor’easter, if there is no power, there is also no fire.

Wood makes a beautiful fire; wood is a renewable fuel source -so no more huge heating bills; and wood burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves can heat your whole home all winter. Manufacturers of wood burning heating appliances have much higher standards making stoves, inserts and fireplaces that are more efficient with higher EPA ratings today than in the past. Therefore, pollutants are reduced and efficiency is increased. So then what are the drawbacks to wood? Wood requires storing and lugging. As opposed to gas and pellet, when you get home from work, you cannot just push a button and have a fire to relax in front of.

All of these fuel sources have a place based on your lifestyles, your home and your needs. At West Sport, our goal is to help educate you on all the fuel sources available. We want you to make the right decision for your home and family so that you can get the most enjoyment out of your new fireplace, stove or insert.