A fire pit instantly makes your backyard a destination point to gather with people you love or to simply have a moment to yourself. However, the reality of getting kindling to light, cleaning up ashes and smelling like smoke long after the embers are out might be a deterrent to hanging around the flames. Instead, consider a fire pit that runs on propane gas.

Not only do they offer the same warmth and ambiance as their wood-burning counterparts, but they also have the additional benefit of burning cleaner, not emitting smoke or creating sparks, being easier to light and, best of all, getting a fire going in mere seconds.

How to Choose the Best Propane Gas Fire Pit

Start by looking at your outdoor space to figure out which size and shape will work best. Gas fire pits come in any shape (round, square, rectangular) and size, from small tabletop to oversized gathering spots. While bigger fire pits will create more square footage of heat, keep in mind the all-important heat output.

Heat Output

You don't sacrifice warmth with gas fire pits. Each is rated with a heat output that's measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The higher the BTU, the more heat your fire pit will produce. Most gas fire pits range from 30,000 to 60,000 BTUs, though they can go up to 100,000 BTUs.

Fuel Source

Typically powered by a 20-pound propane tank, propane fire pits are easy to light and extinguish with a simple turn of a knob. The propane tank is either hidden inside the fire pit or connected to a line separately. When you need to refill or replace your propane tank, head to your local hardware or grocery store — they'll have you covered. While propane tends to be much more expensive than natural gas, it burns more efficiently. Not to mention, propane fire pits are customarily simpler to install.

For more information, contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury.

Source: HGTV

Corn salad and potato salad are two summer classics. I smashed them together for a crowd-pleasing side that we love with burgers. Locally sourced ingredients from the farmers market make it extra special.

Grilled Potato and Corn Salad

Ingredients

2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 poblano peppers
4 medium ears sweet corn, husked
6 green onions
2/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Optional: Lime wedges, fresh cilantro leaves and additional crumbled Cotija cheese

Directions

Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. Drain potatoes and toss with 1 tablespoon oil.

Grill poblanos, covered, over high heat until skins are blistered and blackened on all sides, 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. Immediately place peppers in a small bowl; let stand, covered, 20 minutes. Reduce grill temperature to medium heat.

Meanwhile, brush corn with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Place potatoes in a grill basket. Grill corn and potatoes, covered, over medium heat until tender and lightly browned, 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Grill green onions until blackened, 5-6 minutes. Cut into 1-in. pieces and place in a large bowl. Peel off and discard charred skin from poblanos; remove stems and seeds. Cut peppers into 1/2-in. pieces and add to onions. Cut corn from cobs; add corn and potatoes to peppers.

In a small bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise and lime juice until blended; stir in cheese, cilantro, zest, salt and pepper. Add to potato mixture, stir to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour before serving. If desired, top with additional Cotija cheese or cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Source: Image and recipe: tasteofhome.com

1. Lower Fuel Costs

Many homeowners are upgrading their outdated heating systems with more cost-efficient gas fireplace inserts. Not only do they use less gas than a traditional furnace, but gas inserts are also a much more efficient heat source than many older wood-burning fireplaces.

Just like older homes are drafty, outdated fireplaces and chimneys lose more heat than they put out into a room. Natural gas fireplaces on the other hand give off much more radiant heat into a space so you need less fuel to efficiently warm the room.

2. Reduces Maintenance Fees

Gas inserts require very little know-how to keep them running in tip-top shape. With no ash or wood debris to worry about, there isn’t much of any upkeep required between uses. An insert can run for hours at a time, multiple days in a row, and remain immaculate because they do not produce any smoke, soot, or other byproducts that would need to be cleaned away.

This means you won’t need to spend any extra money on special cleaning products or tools to keep your fireplace safe and clean. To ensure a gas fireplace insert remains performing its best all you need is an annual inspection from a technician.

3. Environmental Savings

Gas fireplace inserts are fully sealed which ensures heat is never wasted. You also have complete control of how much energy you use and for how long. You can easily ignite a fire with the flip of a switch, adjust it to your ideal temperature, and the space will quickly warm up to exactly your liking.

4. More Heat in Less Time

With a gas fireplace insert, you can enjoy immediate warmth from a beautiful fire, and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home much more efficiently. Modern inserts produce more heat than other traditional home heating methods and their design significantly reduces the amount of heat lost.

Their ease of use eliminates any time-consuming tasks like stoking a fire and their high heat output significantly reduces the amount of time it takes for a space to get warm.

5. Heat Your Home During Power Outages

Gas fireplace inserts work regardless of electricity. So you can rest assured it will continue to burn and provide you with light and warmth in the event of a power outage. If you have ever lost power, you know the price of having light and warmth is actually priceless.

6. Add Value to the Home

Installing a gas fireplace insert can increase the value of your home and make it even more appealing to future buyers. Not only does a luxury fire feature save you money, but they are also a highly desirable commodity and gorgeous addition to any space.

For more information, contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury.

Source: creativeenergy.com

Gas fireplace inserts are a cost-effective way to update, upgrade and make more efficient your open fireplace. It can be used as a space heating heat source that increases the efficiency of your entire home. Do you want to enjoy the look of a real fire without having to deal with firewood? A gas insert is the right option.

Gas fireplace inserts are used in an existing open fireplace making it more efficient. The insert is vented using the chimney that’s already in place.

A traditional wood-burning fireplace is typically drafty and allows the heated air from inside your home to escape up the chimney. A gas fireplace insert seals off the drafty fireplace and releases all the heat into the room, saving on utility costs.

With the flip of a switch, you can enjoy a real fire. There is no hauling, chopping or stacking firewood or waiting for the fire to build to heat a room. You can enjoy the heat and look of a fire without the hassle. They also come with a thermostat so you can enjoy the heat with precision control.

A gas insert is an attractive way to update the look of a room. The ambiance of your home will be enhanced by the warm glow of a fire that ignites with a flip of a switch.

For more information, contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury.

Source: bobvila.com

Have you been considering a new outdoor grill to finish out the summer? Maybe you have been thinking about upgrading your old open fireplace before winter? Now you can during the Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday! Even better, when you shop at The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury we'll match your tax savings! You'll get twice as much off! Come in or contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury and get started on your indoor and outdoor home improvement plans! - link to contact us.

Some Tax Holiday FAQ's.

What are the Dates

In 2024, the sales tax holiday will be on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11.

What qualifies?

The sales tax holiday applies only to eligible retail items bought for personal use by individuals.

What is taxed on this holiday?

Purchases by corporations or other businesses.

Purchases by individuals for business use.

What retail items do not qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption?

• Meals
• Motor vehicles
• Motorboats
• Telecommunications services
• Gas
• Steam
• Electricity
• Tobacco products
• Marijuana or marijuana products
• Alcoholic beverages, and
• Any single item whose price is more than $2,500.

What about internet sales? Do those sales qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption?

Yes. An item will qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption if you order and pay for an eligible item over the internet:

On the sales tax holiday and During Eastern Daylight Time.

No sales tax is due on that purchase, even if delivery of the item occurs after the sales tax holiday weekend.

Do all retailers have to participate in the sales tax holiday?

Yes. All businesses must take part in the sales tax holiday

Is there a limit to the retail value to which the sales tax holiday exemption applies?

Yes. The sales tax holiday exemption is limited to eligible sales of items costing $2,500 or less.

What if I spend more than $2,500 on an item?

If you spend more than $2,500 on an item, the entire amount paid for the item is subject to sales tax, not just the amount that exceeds that threshold.

What if I purchase multiple items that each cost $2,500 or less, but the total price is more than $2,500? Are all items eligible for the sales tax holiday exemption?

If the price of each individual item is $2,500 or less, you can combine as many items as you want, tax-free, even if the combined items cost more than $2,500.

Source: Mass.gov

There are so many options out there, how do you know what to choose?

Before you can choose a grill, you need to ask yourself a few important questions.

How much space do you have? Can you fit a full-blown, dream outdoor kitchen or do you need to choose one or two products? A big part of this is making sure you have enough counter space. You may want to squeeze in that extra power burner, but if you’re going to end up not having any space to put your tongs? Not worth it. Choose the counter space and thank us later!

Choosing products!

First, let’s talk Griddles. Having a Griddle is a great way to take your outdoor kitchen to the next level. Craving bacon, eggs, and breakfast potatoes? Griddle time. Want some at-home hibachi? Griddle. In the mood for a classic burger? Throw it on the griddle!

The Blaze LTE Griddle is made of heavy-duty 304-grade stainless steel. Built with 2 powerful stainless steel burners that deliver 18,000 BTUs each, this griddle provides exceptionally even heat across the cooking surface. No outdoor kitchen space is really complete without a Blaze LTE Griddle.

Speaking of taking your outdoor kitchen to the next level, no serious outdoor living space is complete without a power burner. Not familiar with power burners? Power Burners, a great addition to a basic, or premium, outdoor kitchen.

If you have limited counter space and want to add something more than a grill, but don’t have space for a Kamado or a Griddle? Power Burners are the way to go. The Blaze Professional Power Burner comes in the same sleek design as the Professional series, as well as being made from durable, commercial quality 304 stainless steel. This burner features two, individually controllable burner rings that can boil water in half the time as other power burners on the market. The dual ring design is ideal for cooking versatility. The inner burner is great for simmering sauces, or use both burners when boiling shrimp or frying fish. Cooking with the outer ring is perfect for large skillets and pans, as the high heat allows the pan to heat up quickly. Another great feature is the removable 9-inch inner ring for cooking with a wok!

Obviously, every outdoor kitchen needs a superb grill. Check out our favorite things about our Professional, LTE, and Traditional lines here (link to last week's blog).

Blaze Outdoor has a variety of products available to fit any outdoor kitchen. Whether you want a standard high-quality grill, an upgraded LTE Griddle or top-of-the-line professional grade Power Burner, Blaze has what you need – and more!

Contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury and get started on your dream kitchen today!

Every Broil King gas grill is built to provide unparalleled cooking versatility. You can sear steaks to perfection, rotisserie cook poultry or roasts and even bake elaborate desserts. Learn about the five key features that make Broil King stand out from the rest.

Check out Broil King Grills at The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury where we've rolled back to 2023 prices!

Crown S 490

A close cousin of the Baron series, the Crown has many of the same features as our higher-end models but at a lower price point. The cast aluminum cook box, powerful dual tube burners, and cast iron cooking grates give this grill intense searing capabilities.

Baron 490 Pro

Get him the grill T3 named the best premium gas grill for 2023! Our Baron series is one of the most versatile gas grills on the market, with an included rotisserie motor for restaurant-quality chickens and an extremely powerful infrared side burner for intense searing of large steaks.

Keg 5000

The Broil King Keg is one of the best kamado grills on the market and a fan favourite among our charcoal grillers. Preferred for low and slow cooking but capable of reaching scorching temperatures for fast searing of meats, the Keg is a highly versatile and efficient charcoal grill that delivers amazing smoky results. It is also the only kamado-style grill that can hook up to your trailer hitch for easy travel.

Don't know exactly what type of grill you are looking for? Check out our full product line-up at The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury where we've rolled back to 2023 prices!

 

 

Grilling performance. Culinary perfection. It all comes together in our sleek, gorgeous grilling machines. Each grill features our innovatively engineered five-component system, designed for the ultimate grilling synergy.

Twin Eagles Grills from Twin Eagles, Inc. on Vimeo.

Right now, get $500 off on any Twin Eagles Gas Grill at The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury!