Experts Urge Caution During High Winds
Savage urged residents to be prepared and follow the fire departments "Ready, Set, Go" guidelines which include removing flammable vegetation from a 50 foot radius around homes, having a clear disaster evacuation plan in place before a fire, and be ready to leave when a fire approaches.
In the event of a power outage, Savage said residents should use flashlights and not candles to reduce the fire risk.
Residents should also stay away from any downed power lines.
"They should always assume that a wire on the ground is absolutely dangerous and potentially deadly," Savage said.
The high winds have also brought cold temperatures and the Southern California Gas Co. urged residents to make sure their furnaces are in working order to prevent cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
"While carbon monoxide poisoning incidents are rare, we usually see a rise in the number of occurrences when the weather gets really cold,'' said Bret Lane, vice president of field services for SoCalGas.
The utility cautioned residents against using ovens, ranges or outdoor barbecues for home heating. Such appliances are not designed for such use and pose a potentially fatal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Insurance experts say if a home is damaged during a wind storm, homeowners should file a claim as soon as possible.
"It is a process that takes place and the sooner you get that claims process going, the sooner you're going to have your home fixed," said Pete Moraga from the Insurance Information Network of California.
Most California homeowner policies have coverage for wind related damage, Moraga said. if a tree falls on a house and causes damage, insurance often covers not only the damage but removal of the tree itself.
"The coverage for that is usually $500 although some policies have more," Moraga said.
Forecasters say the high winds are expected to continue through Friday morning.
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It’s Summer – There Are Gas Grills on Sale But How Should You Choose One?
It's that time of year again. The sun comes out and our thoughts turn to barbecues and eating outdoors to make the most of the great weather. For many of us, we unearth the old charcoal grill, still covered in old dirt, grime and grease from the last barbecue of the previous year and wonder whether to try and clean it up for one more season's use or whether we should just go out and buy a new one.
More and more buyers are turning to gas grills as a quicker, cleaner and more convenient way of cooking outdoors. Â Dealing with bags of charcoal, special lighter fluid and erratic cooking temperatures isn't something that appeals to very many of us. Well, you'll be glad to hear that there is a solution. Gas grills have been around since the 1960s but it's only in the last few years that they have been developed into the user friendly cooking powerhouses that they are today.
The main benefits of gas grills compared to charcoal versions are:
- Venue - Many places simply don't allow the use of charcoal grills. plus, what happens with a charcoal grill when you've finished cooking - do you pour a bucket of water over it to extinguish it or leave it dangerously hot to cool down by itself over a period of hours? Gas grills are simply switched off the moment you've ended your cooking and cool down in minutes.
- Timesaving - Some people say they enjoy the ritual of getting a charcoal grill going and ready to cook. If you've got time to spare and nothing better to do, you may think that way. For most of us though, it's a real pain and a waste of our time. With a gas grill you can decide to have a cook-out, hit the starter button and be cooking just five minutes later.
- Greater Convenience - Cooking with charcoal is terribly messy. Who hasn't ended up with black hands like a coal miner after setting up a charcoal bbq and struggling to get it lit and up to temperature!
- Greater Control - With a gas grill you can have precise control over the cooking temperature so you can time the food to be ready when you need it and also have less ruined food that is overcooked or burned to a cinder.
- More Features - Gas grills often offer you convenient features such as side burners where you can cook sauces or side dishes whilst your main items are grilling.
Ok, now you're convinced that a gas grill is the type you want, how do you choose between them? there are so many types on the market at vastly different prices.
First, decide whether you need a large unit with lots of grilling area, side warmers etc that will stay at home either in one spot or be wheeled around but won't ever be taken on trips with you.
If you plan to take your grill on camping trips, tailgate parties or in your RV, you will need a portable gas grill.
Think about the construction. The more expensive grills will be made of stainless steel. this is easier to clean and will last many years. less expensive grills will be steel with a baked-on enamel finish. this is second only to stainless steel. Enameled grills are still tough and easy to clean but are prone to the enamel getting chipped and corrosion getting at the steel underneath. The cheapest gas grills will be made of painted mild steel. they look nice when new but the paint soon burns off and rust sets in, meaning that the lifespan of these grills is not much more than a charcoal grill.
If you want a portable gas grill, you'll have no choice but to buy one that runs on bottled gas. Buy a spare bottle so there is never any risk of running out of gas at an inconvenient moment. as soon as possible after you use up a bottle of gas, get it changed for a full one.
If you're going for a grill that is located in a permanent position at home, you could consider a natural gas version that runs off your home gas supply. The gas is much cheaper and you'll never run the risk of running out at the wrong time. The only downside is that you'll need a certified gas engineer to run the pipe work from your home to the grill.
Brands to look out for.
Quality brands with a solid reputation for their gas grills are: Weber, Camco, Brinkmann, Coleman, Magma and Char-Broil.
BBQ Grill Covers
Have you wondered how you can prolong the life of your new grill? well, having a good quality BBQ grill cover is exactly what you need. Grill covers are especially essential if your grill is part of outdoor equipment. The weather fluctuations coupled with stubborn stains can reduce the efficiency of your grill.
Regardless of the type of your grill, a cover is a must-have accessory. when buying a BBQ grill cover, it is best to get it from the same dealer or manufacturer where you bought the grill. this is to avoid buying an ill fitting cover that can come off at the slightest pressure. A wide selection of barbecue grill covers is available to choose from, and they all perform the same task. when buying a cover, do not forget to ask for a cinch or hook for securing the cover to the grill. You can get a BBQ grill cover of any size to fit your exact grill. Grill covers should be accompanied by straps, so as to hold the cover firmly to the grill in case of a strong wind.
They come in a selection of appropriately priced materials, such as fabric and vinyl. if you are looking for a lightweight and durable all season cover, then polyester would be the way to go. The polyester covers, however, need chemical treatment to make them water resistant. The basic advantage of this material is its inability to fade or be affected by harsh weather.
Another material that can be used to make a cover is vinyl. though it is common, it is prone to weather changes. it also wears out a lot faster than the polyester and its brittleness exaggerates its chances of breaking during the winter.
Every cover should come with a lining. this inner lining strengthens the grill cover against such adversaries as changing weather conditions. Other materials such as fleece are a poor choice for a BBQ grill cover since they just fall apart at the most inconvenient time. Fleece also takes a little longer to dry, thereby leaving the grill cover at the mercy of mildew and mold. it also has a discouraging ability to attract and harbor pests. among the commonly used materials for barbecue grills, polyester ranks the best.
Manufacturers ensure that all grills have accompanying covers. among the companies that sell excellent barbecue grills are Vermont Casting, Char Broil, Weber and others. if you are looking for a charcoal or gas grill that is made of durable heavy duty vinyl, then you had better shop for a product from Weber. For large barbecue sets, complete with stoves, hearths and smokers, then Vermont Castings is what you should look for. Their covers are especially made for each model of grill they make. if you have a grill from Vermont Castings, and you would like to buy a BBQ cover for it, just visit the dealer or the manufacturer with the model number. A quick search on the Internet can also give you the model number, if you have a grill from Chamglow.
Five Questions to Ask yourself Before you Build an Outdoor Kitchen
Lee Wilson asked:
One way to make your yard a fun place to be is to build an outdoor kitchen. When you have an outdoor kitchen you will no longer be stuck inside during great weather, preparing food for all your guests. Instead you will be outside visiting with your friends and enjoying the weather without having to run back and forth to serve the food. Just imagine how much fun this would be! This article will give you five things to think about when you build your outdoor kitchen.
Before you start building your outdoor kitchen you really need to sit down and think about what you want from an outdoor kitchen. This will save you a lot of money because you will know exactly what you want and this will help to keep the design from changing.
1. One of the first things you need to decide is how many months of the year you want to use your outdoor kitchen. This will probably depend on what part of country you live in. If you live in an area where it gets cold, wet, or snowy in the winter then you need to decide if you want to spend the money to have a roof and other weatherproofing for your outdoor kitchen.
2. You need to decide if you want the kitchen to be attached to your house or farther away from the house. One thing to keep in mind when you're thinking about the location of your kitchen is that the farther you have been away from your house the more expensive plumbing and electrical installation won't be. On the other hand if you have a large yard and you want to have the kitchen out near some beautiful part of your yard the desire to do that may far outweigh the cost of the plumbing electric. Do you want to be able to cook complete meals in your outdoor kitchen or will a charcoal or gas barbecue be sufficient for your needs?
3. If you want to have a sink in your kitchen you will need to run plumbing. So decide if you want to spend the money for extra plumbing. The best thing about a sink outside is that you won't have to run inside to rinse things off, get a glass of water or even a wet washcloth. Is the food preparation area in your kitchen going to include a sink, because if it does you will need to run a water line to your outdoor kitchen?
4. If you want to have any other type of appliance that requires electricity such as a refrigerator or lamps you will also need to run electrical wiring. Again, this will all depend on what your budget is for your outdoor kitchen.
5. Finally you need to decide if you want to be able to your meals on charcoal or gas barbecue. With a variety of grills available today you can either purchase a grill that has burners on the side of it for cooking up your vegetables or other things that may need a pan of water.
So these are five important things you should take into consideration when designing your outdoor kitchen. And remember, planning these things now will save you money in the long run and make your outdoor kitchen more enjoyable.
One way to make your yard a fun place to be is to build an outdoor kitchen. When you have an outdoor kitchen you will no longer be stuck inside during great weather, preparing food for all your guests. Instead you will be outside visiting with your friends and enjoying the weather without having to run back and forth to serve the food. Just imagine how much fun this would be! This article will give you five things to think about when you build your outdoor kitchen.
Before you start building your outdoor kitchen you really need to sit down and think about what you want from an outdoor kitchen. This will save you a lot of money because you will know exactly what you want and this will help to keep the design from changing.
1. One of the first things you need to decide is how many months of the year you want to use your outdoor kitchen. This will probably depend on what part of country you live in. If you live in an area where it gets cold, wet, or snowy in the winter then you need to decide if you want to spend the money to have a roof and other weatherproofing for your outdoor kitchen.
2. You need to decide if you want the kitchen to be attached to your house or farther away from the house. One thing to keep in mind when you're thinking about the location of your kitchen is that the farther you have been away from your house the more expensive plumbing and electrical installation won't be. On the other hand if you have a large yard and you want to have the kitchen out near some beautiful part of your yard the desire to do that may far outweigh the cost of the plumbing electric. Do you want to be able to cook complete meals in your outdoor kitchen or will a charcoal or gas barbecue be sufficient for your needs?
3. If you want to have a sink in your kitchen you will need to run plumbing. So decide if you want to spend the money for extra plumbing. The best thing about a sink outside is that you won't have to run inside to rinse things off, get a glass of water or even a wet washcloth. Is the food preparation area in your kitchen going to include a sink, because if it does you will need to run a water line to your outdoor kitchen?
4. If you want to have any other type of appliance that requires electricity such as a refrigerator or lamps you will also need to run electrical wiring. Again, this will all depend on what your budget is for your outdoor kitchen.
5. Finally you need to decide if you want to be able to your meals on charcoal or gas barbecue. With a variety of grills available today you can either purchase a grill that has burners on the side of it for cooking up your vegetables or other things that may need a pan of water.
So these are five important things you should take into consideration when designing your outdoor kitchen. And remember, planning these things now will save you money in the long run and make your outdoor kitchen more enjoyable.
