Author: Trey Collier

About Trey Collier

Avid Do-It-Yourself-er. Love's being outdoors. Helped push the shade sail market into one of the fastest growing outdoor shade structures product in North America.

Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor Patio Heaters for the Home

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Aqua Blue Outdoor Patio Heater

Cool Evenings Outside, Warmed by Patio Heaters

Spending more leisure time at home is a new and growing trend within the U.S. Eighty percent of homeowners surveyed by the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) thought it critical for a home to have a relaxing outdoor room. One of the main features PERC recommends for creating the perfect outdoor room is a patio heater.

Another study conducted by the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA) shows that 56 percent of all grill owners, and 69 percent of gas grill owners, now grill out on a regular basis year round.  By using an outdoor patio heater, many of those people could continue to enjoy the entire outdoor experience by eating outside during cold weather.

Safety is key when it comes to home appliances. Patio heaters these days are very safe, and they’re getting better all the time. Many gas heaters come with a piezo electric starter, so there is no need for matches and no pilot light. An additional safety component is an automatic emergency shut off. If a unit with this feature is ever overturned or even hit too hard, it will instantly shut itself off.

Patio heaters are manufactured to run off one of three different fuel types: propane, natural gas, or electricity. Natural gas heaters are used for permanent, stationary heaters. Propane, conveniently available in tanks, allows a heater to be moved about. Infrared heaters are often powered by electricity, though some are run by natural gas.

Patio heaters of varied types and sizes become regularly available. As you look through the various options below, consider your specific needs. Do you want a stationary heater, or a portable one? How much heat do you need considering the people you will entertain? Asking yourself these kinds of questions will guide you to the heater that most appropriately meets the needs of your outdoor space.

Free-standing heaters are larger (about 95 inches tall) and more powerful than table-top heaters.  Table-top heaters, though, because they are lighter and smaller, are also much easier to carry around wherever you want to go.  Many table-top heaters can radiate heat in an 8 foot diameter or more. For larger groups, you might want to try a free-standing patio heater; many are affordable commercial grade heaters that radiate heat in up to a 20 foot diameter. Alternatively, infrared heaters are often quite versatile; they can be hung on a wall, on a pole, or even possibly overhead.

Stationary heaters are beneficial because they attach to your natural gas lines, and so do not have tanks that need to be replaced or refilled. If you plan to move the location of the heater, though, you will need a portable propane model.  Portable heaters can be either free-standing or table-top models.

The heating strength of a patio heater is rated in BTU’s.  As an example, a 45,000 BTU heater will produce a 20 foot heat diameter.  Free-standing heaters are often more powerful than table-top heaters, and so can be used for larger groups.

Patio heaters are a welcome and useful addition to America’s increasingly outdoor lifestyle.  They safely and efficiently turn cold nights into cozy evenings, perfect for you and your family to get together and relax.  After all, relaxing is one thing we just do not do enough these days.

Backyard Fun, Fireplaces Pits & Chimineas, Tailgaiting

Investing in a Fire Pit for Chilly Nights

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Fire Pit / Bowl – Large Oil Rubbed Bronzed

Festive Fall Activities for your Fire Pit

These days, it seems like everyone has a fire pit. If you have yet to join the crowd or even if you’re just looking for a new model for this fall, you can find a lot of different styles to choose from. Thanks to the growing demand, there is a wide selection of styles and designs that you can choose from to spice up your backyard and make enjoying fall all the more fun for your family and friends. With so much to choose from, of course, it can get overwhelming at times. Make sure that you’re prepared by taking the time to explore your options and learn about buying the perfect fire pit for your home.

Considerations for Buying a Fire Pit

When you’re investing in a fire pit, you have a lot of different options to choose from. It’s going to be up to you to make sure that you think about the factors that affect your decision so that you can get everything that you deserve from your purchase. Here are some definite things to keep in mind while you’re shopping:

  • Budget.  If you are like most people, you’ll be looking for a good deal within your price range. Making sure that you stick to your budget can be hard with so many great pits to choose from, but you really have to keep things in check. Make sure that you limit your selection by price first so that you don’t accidentally wind up falling in love with something that you can’t afford. You can get great fire pits in all price ranges, so don’t worry about that.
  • Style.  Everyone has different tastes. With the wide selection of fire pits that you have to choose from, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to find what you need. Think about your backyard and what you want to add to it. You can choose from rustic fire pits, contemporary styles, and more. It’s all about what you want and there’s something for almost everyone out there in today’s market.
  • Size.  If you have a big backyard and room for it, you might be shopping for a large fire pit or outdoor fireplace. If you live in the city, on the other hand, you might be in the market for a smaller model. Either way, there are plenty of different sizes to choose from and it’s going to be up to you to get what you want. Make sure that you think about all of the sizes that are available and measure them out to know what you’re getting. This is especially important when you’re shopping online and can’t see the fire pit in person before you buy.
  • Material.  Most fire pits are made of cast iron or aluminum and designed to withstand excessive heat. However, you can also find fire pits made from other materials or that are part of a table, for example. You’ll have to look at these and consider which the best investment is for your money, no matter what you have in mind.

Shopping Online for Fire Pits

Shopping online gives you a lot more options when you’re in the market for a new fire pit. You will be able to pick and choose from designs from dozens of different brands and companies, giving you a much better chance at finding what you want. Plus, you won’t be limited by things like local pricing and availability. Most home improvement stores and superstores only have a limited number of styles and sizes available, and you don’t want to put yourself in that kind of restricted place. Plus, what fun is it if you have the same fire pit as half of your neighbors? Impress everyone and get what you really want by shopping online for something completely different.

Another perk of shopping online is that you can usually get better prices in addition to giving you more options to choose from within your budget range. If you take just a few minutes to see what’s out there, you might be impressed at all the selection that you can find. Even if you can’t spend a fortune on a fire pit, you can still get some great styles and designs when you expand your options by shopping online.

Plus, shopping online is easy and you can do it whenever the mood strikes. You’ll never have to worry about getting to the store before closing or trying to find time to go out and choose the right fire pit. You can shop from the comfort of home and look at dozens of different styles and designs on the spot, no matter what you have in mind. There are so many perks to shopping online for a fire pit that you really should give it a try before you even think about heading out to your local store to see what they have. Chances are that you can even find their selection online to compare what you can get in the store to the options that you have when you shop online.

How to Make the Final Decision

Ultimately, the final decision about which fire pit to buy is entirely up to you. You have to consider all of the factors listed above and make sure that you’re investing in something that you want. This is an investment that you’ll probably have for a long time, provided that you buy a quality fire pit, so you’ll definitely want to make sure that you’re spending your money accordingly. Think about the quality and reputability of the company that you’re buying from, as well as the fire pit itself. Make sure that you like the style and that it fits your outdoor space. In the end, as long as you like what you’re getting, that’s all that matters. Just remember to shop around and explore all of your options so that you can enjoy the fall nights with family and friends with the perfect fire pit for your backyard.

 

Tailgaiting

Choosing a Portable Grill for Tailgating

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CADAC Safari Tailgate Grill

CADAC Safari Grill on a Tailgate

When you’re getting ready for a tailgate party for your favorite team, you’ve got to have all the supplies to have a great time.  The good news is that you can find everything that you need online and be ready for football season in no time at all.  One of the staples of tailgating is a grill, and everyone who goes should have one.  It’s rude to show up and eat everyone else’s food unless you’ve been invited by friends.  If you are in the market for a new portable grill, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from.

Gas vs. Charcoal

The great tailgaters of decades past brought their tiny charcoal grills (or their average sized ones) and set up camp in the parking lots, cooking away as the game played on.  Today, there are many grill masters who still prefer the comfort and taste of charcoal cooking.  There are also many who like the fast and efficient cooking of gas grills.  When you are shopping for a portable grill, you’ll have both to choose from.  It will be up to you to make sure that you get the grill that works for you.  If you like one or the other, shop for that.  There’s no big difference except in the matter of personal opinion.

Gas grills are great for fast cooking and easy cleanup, but charcoal tends to burn more evenly and gives people a grilled taste that is unmistakable.  You should look at the pros and cons of each type of grill, including the cost of portable gas tanks and charcoal, and make sure that you figure out what works best for your needs.

Enter a new contender in the grill ring: electric grills.  There are some electric grills that you can use today for tailgating, if you want something totally different.  They can cook almost anything and allow you to operate on power alone rather than gas or charcoal.  Of course, you’ll need to have somewhere to hook this grill up, so that’s a consideration to keep in mind when you’re shopping.  With so much to think about, it’s really going to be up to you to get what you need in terms of the type of grill that you buy.

Other Factors to Consider

When you’re buying a grill, there’s a lot to think about beyond the type of heating source that you use.  By taking the time to explore your options and learn about what’s out there, it should be easy for you to get everything that you need.  Here are some other factors that are involved in your grill purchase when you need a portable cooker for your tailgating treats:

  • Size.  How big does your grill need to be? Are you cooking for just yourself or for a few people? Do you need a grill big enough to cook for half the tailgating parking lot? Think about how much food you want to be able to cook at any given time.  That will help you choose the perfect size grill for your tailgate party needs every time.
  •  Brand and quality.  There’s something to be said for buying a reputable brand of grill.  Although a lot of people have their favorites, there’s really no one ‘best’ brand.  You will just need to do your homework and make sure that you check the facts before you buy anything.  Getting a good grill is better than getting a cheap grill.  The last thing you need is to break down on tailgate day and be out of a way to cook your food.
  •  Style of grill.  There are portable table top grills, which is great if you plan on having a table ready.  If you want something different, you can find portable grills that fold up for easy transport.  These are really quite popular.  You can even find grills that hook up to your hitch so that you can roll up, unload, and fire it up to start cooking your food.  The options are plentiful and you should have no trouble finding something that works great.
  •  Price.  Even though having a good grill matters most, everyone has a budget these days.  Fortunately, portable grills are affordable.  When you shop online, you can save even more and still get great grills for all of your needs.  Make sure that you limit yourself to your price range, though, so you don’t fall in love with that awesome $600 portable grill unless you can really afford it.
  •  Color.  This might not be important to some people, but how cool would it be to have a grill that matches your favorite team?   Or at least to avoid having a grill that supports a different team, anyway.  You can find grills in all different colors, and even deck them out to support your favorite team with paint and decals if you want.
O-Grill Portable Gas Grill

O-Grill Portable Gas Grill

Get Your Grill On for Less

When you shop online for tailgating grills and other supplies, you’ll be able to get everything that you need for a lot less than you might expect to spend.  People love shopping online because it’s convenient, but it’s also a lot cheaper.  You are going to find the mother lode of all tailgating supplies online because you aren’t limited by local availability or shops that have to keep their inventory under control.  You’ll be able to find everything you could ever dream of, including some of the best and coolest grills for tailgating.

Plus, you don’t have to spend a fortune when you shop online.  Companies sell things for less because they get better deals on the products themselves.  They also have sales all the time, including shipping specials in some cases, making it easy for you to get everything that you need without breaking the bank.  Before you think that you can’t afford a new tailgating grill, take the time to look around and see what’s out there and think again.  Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to the big game with a new grill in hand, so get out there and get shopping now.

 

Fireplaces Pits & Chimineas, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace

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Decorative Outdoor Fireplace

When you are in the market for an outdoor fireplace, you have a lot of different options.  People often use the terms fireplace, fire pit, and fire ring interchangeably, but these actually all refer to different types of products that you can buy to have fires in for your home.  There are so many different styles and types of fire products that you can buy for your backyard this fall and it’s going to be up to you to see what’s out there before you buy anything.  Taking a little time to explore your options will help you get a much better idea of what you can buy and which options are going to give you the backyard that you’ve been waiting for.

An outdoor fireplace is only as good as you make it.  That being said, you should take the time to set up a unique space where you will put your fire pit, ring, or fireplace when you buy it.  If you want something small on the patio, for example, set it up and leave room for your fire pit and see how it works.  If you feel like that’s too close to your house for comfort, try something out in the yard or further out on the patio or deck away from your home.

Think About Spaces

When you’re investing in a fire pit, fireplace, or other outdoor producer of fire, you have to know how much space you have.  You’re obviously not going to buy the biggest model that you can find if you’re living in the city where you can only have small, contained fires in your small backyard.  Also, if you want a more intimate setting, you’ll want to choose a smaller fire product so that you have room for all of your family and friends without having to be far away from each other.

Space is everything when you’re choosing a fire pit.  You can usually find recommendations on product descriptions that include size, how far away you should be sitting, what recommended fire size is for the product, and more.  All that will help you make a much better decision about what you can buy to spruce up your outdoor living space.

What Can You Afford?

No one likes to talk about it, but budget is pretty much everything.  When you’re shopping for fire pits, take the time to look at all of the different types that are out there and what is within your price range.  If you can only afford to spend $100, for example, you shouldn’t even bother looking at that great $2,500 model because it will just cause you to fall in love with something that you can’t afford.

There are great fire pits and fireplaces in every price range.  Thanks to the internet, you have even more selection than ever.  Take the time to browse through chimineas, fire pits and bowls, fireplaces, and other outdoor fire accessories to give your backyard the warm ambiance that you are craving this fall for a price that you can afford.  Make sure that you check out discounts and specials that might be going on and work with reputable sellers when it comes to backyard supplies like fireplaces and pits.

Think Location

Know where your fire pit is going in your backyard.  Draw out your backyard if you can and imagine where you want your fire pit to go.  That way, you can choose the perfect size and style of fire pit that fits your space, no matter what you are working with.  You should always try to get the biggest fire pit that you can to have a better fire, but that depends entirely on where you are placing it.  Having a huge fire place right next to your house, for example, might not be a good plan.

Also, when it comes to location, make sure that you know local fire codes and other regulations about burning.  The last thing that you want to do is spend a lot of money on a great fire pit only to be told that you can’t have it because it’s too close to your house or too big or doesn’t meet some other location-based regulation that is one the books.  Rules and safety are everything.

Style for Miles

Choosing a fireplace all boils down to one thing: style.  You can choose from different colors and brands, as well as many different designs that will outfit your home with a great looking fire pit, no matter what you have in mind.  Make sure that you look at contemporary designs, traditional looks, and other styles that might fit your needs.  That way, you can know that you’re not only buying a fire pit that works, but you’re buying one that you like.

The good news is that now that you can shop online, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect outdoor fireplace for your home this fall.  There is so much selection and you can create some really cool spaces if you take the time to see what’s out there.  With so much to choose from, it will be easy for you to get a stylish, affordable, fitting fireplace or pit for your backyard, no matter what kind of entertaining you plan to do.  Always shop around and look at the different styles before you make a choice so that you know you’re making the right one.

Enjoy the fall this year with a new fire pit or fireplace in your backyard.  Whether you’re a first time buyer or just looking to replace what you already have, it should be easy for you to get everything that you need.  Give yourself the chance to explore all of the options and learn about fire pits so that you can make a good choice for your yard.  In no time at all, you’ll be entertaining your family and friends and having a great time in the great outdoors without even having to leave your home.  Fireplaces and fire pits are a great investment in your outdoor living space, so find yours today.

 

 

Tailgaiting

Be the Life of the Party with Your Tailgating Tools

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When you’re headed out to tailgate at a football game, you’ve got to have all the right tools.  People expect certain things from tailgaters and if you don’t measure up, you’ll find yourself coming up empty handed in the friend category by the end of the day.  Make sure that you know which tools you need and how to spice things up a little bit.  If you’ve got an extra budget for tailgating this fall, you should take advantage of it.  Get the latest electronics and gadgets for tailgating so that you can show off and have a great time with your family or friends, no matter what games you’re going to.

Buy the Coolest Gadgets

If you’ve got money to spare, go crazy with the world of online tailgating tools and supplies.  There is so much that you can buy today to make your party the best party in the lot, no matter what you have in mind.  College football and NFL football both have a huge following of tailgating fans, and they’re always trying to outdo each other with the coolest gadgets and gizmos that help them get more out of the experience.  Make sure that you look around to see what kind of cool toys you can find to add to your tailgating kit, no matter what you have in mind.

You’ll find portable grills, coolers with speakers, TVs and entertainment systems, and so much more.  It goes way beyond booze and barbecues at today’s tailgating events and if you’re prepared to be the life of the party, you’ll make quite an impact.  Make sure that you are trying to provide something for everyone and that you are really focused on having a good time, no matter what.  Shopping on a budget? That’s okay too.  You can still find all types of gadgets and gizmos that will allow you to show off without spending a fortune.  In fact, that’s the beauty of shopping online, after all.  You can get a lot more for less when it comes to tailgating, no matter what you have in mind.

Plan Ahead and Utilize the Internet

Not only should you be shopping online for the best tailgating tools and supplies, but you should be checking up on blogs and websites that keep you up to date on the latest gadgets and tailgating trends.  That way, you can know what’s coming and what you will want to invest in when the season rolls around.  If you’re just looking to show up, cook some burgers and have a few beers, that’s fine.  You will tend to have a lot more fun if you can up the entertainment factor and impress all your neighbors with your cool tools and toys that you’ve brought to the game.

You’ve got to cover the basics, too.  Make a list of food, drinks, supplies that you need, and people who are coming to your party.  Then, plan for about 5-10 extra just in case.  That way, all of your bases are covered and you’ll be able to get everything that you deserve out of your tailgating experience.  Plan for rain, cold, snow, wind, warmth, sun, and more.  Bring every possible thing that you might ever need just in case because the one thing that you leave at home will typically be exactly what the weather calls for.

Back to gadgets and the internet.  You can find all kinds of tailgating blogs that will tell you all about the latest tools and toys, no matter what you have in mind.  Make sure that you take advantage of this when you are planning your tailgating purchases so that you can buy everything that you just have to have, no matter what that might be.  It’s fun to go out and load up on all kinds of tailgating supplies when you have the money and it’ll make everyone jealous when you’re living it up in the parking lot and they’re sitting with their beers and boom boxes.

Have Fun and Be Friendly

The greatest part of tailgating is that you DO get to interact with so many different people.  It’s not just the people that you brought to the game, either.  There are going to be thousands of other fans there that you can make friends with.  Make sure that you have a friendly attitude and that you’re not trying too hard to be the best of anything so that people will feel like they can talk to you.  The last thing that you want is to create a hostile environment at a tailgating party where everyone is drinking and having a good time.

With the right tools and gadgets, you can show everyone how awesome tailgating can be.  You do still have to have the right attitude, however, so that you can get everything that you deserve out of your experience, no matter what you have in mind.  Make sure that you have regular drinks for people who don’t want alcohol, and even for yourself so that you don’t end up drunk before they party has even started.  Also, make sure that you get some cool games and entertainment for your guests.  It doesn’t matter how many people you’re inviting because while you’re cooking and everyone is waiting for the fun to begin, you’re going to need to keep them busy.

Being the tops of the tailgating crew isn’t an easy position to be in.  However, as long as you take the time to get the gadgets that you need and make sure that you’re doing everything that you can to plan ahead and be prepared, you can show everyone a great time with your cool tailgating tools and gadgets.  Just remember to focus on the fun, because that’s what football season and tailgating are all about.  Whether you’re getting back into the swing of things from last year or this is your first tailgating experience, you should have no trouble showing everyone how to have a great time at the game.