NDL Hearth Blog

Choosing the Best Backyard Grill

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:47:00 GMT

Finally, Memorial Day is here and this means summer! Summer means grilling, and if you are in the market for a new grill, whether you want a charcoal grill, pellet grill or gas grill, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before you buy.

How often do you grill? How many people will you grill for most often? How long do I want the grill to last? Once you answer these questions, you will know in what price range you need to shop.

Here is a look at some of the benefits of gas grills, charcoal grills and pellet grills.

Gas Grills: Gas grills are generally known as a higher end grill than a charcoal. They last longer, have loads of amenities and come in various sizes, from two to four burners.

The main advantage of a gas grill is the convenience. Gas grills have gained popularity because they're ready to cook in less than 10 minutes. The temperature of gas grills is also very easy to maintain. And the more burners a grill has, the more cooking flexibility you'll enjoy.

Charcoal Grills: Most chefs or those who love to cook will pick a charcoal grill over gas every time. Grill aficionados say charcoal grills produce better tasting grilled food. Now, charcoal grills used to be cheap and almost disposable. But today, with ceramic charcoal grills like Kamado Joe, you can have a high-end charcoal grill for your home.

Not only do charcoal models provide great flavor, but they last forever too. There's no maintenance on a charcoal grill other than cleaning and dumping ashes.

Kamado Joe charcoal grills can be used as a smoker, oven, to sear, bake, roast and slow cook. That means you have so much versatility too.

Pellet Grills: As the price of gas has risen in recent years, several grillers have turned to pellet models.

Pellet grills use small wood pellets made for grilling. The hard wood pellets come in many flavors such as hickory, mesquite and cherry. Pellet grills are especially attractive because they are as convenient as gas and offer the flavor and versatility of charcoal.

The grilling temperature of pellet grills is also very easy to maintain as on a gas grill, but unlike any other type of grill, it is very difficult to burn or overcook food on a pellet grill because they use indirect heat. For this reason, pellet grills are perfect for the novice or the gourmet.

For more information on every style outdoor grill, contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

Wood Stoves are Cleaner Burning and More Efficient

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:37:00 GMT

Here is an article from the Republican Journal in Maine written by one of our retailers, Mazzeo’s Chimney and Stoves in Rockland, ME.

When it comes to wood stoves, new is definitely better. An approved stove that meets or preferably exceeds EPA standards is a must. The internal design of wood stoves has changed entirely since EPA regulation established in the late 1980's. The EPA's mandatory smoke emission limit for wood stoves is currently 7.5 grams of smoke per hour however many newer wood stoves have certified emissions in the 1 to 4 grams of smoke per hour range.

Investing in a new wood burning stove has other benefits as well. Burning far less wood for the same amount of heat saves money, fuel, time and resources. These new stoves are 50% energy more efficient than non EPA stoves and produce 70% less outdoor particle pollution.

Clean burning EPA wood stoves cuts creosote build-up in chimneys that helps reduce the risk of fire and reduces indoor and outdoor wood smoke pollution.

Are you interested in buying a new wood burning stove for your home before next fall's chill sets in? Contact Northeast Distribtion LTD and we will connect you with the finest retailers in your area.

Mazzeo's Chimney & Stoves / Republican Journal

Perfect Grilled Mother's Day Menu Ideas - From Appetizers to Desserts

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:44:00 GMT

Are you looking for something special and different to do for the mother in your life? Grill her a special dinner. But why limit your outdoor grilling to the main course when you can grill almost everything? Home grill chefs have moved way beyond burgers, chicken and ribs, grilling everything from appetizers to desserts; and they are doing it on gas grills, pellet grills and ceramic charcoal grills.

Apps- Thick slices of bread brushed with some olive oil and seasoned to your liking are a natural for the grill. You can serve grilled bread along with your main course or top it with eggplant, tomatoes, cheese or just about any topping for an easy appetizer.

Meals- If you're so inclined, pick up a ready-made pizza crust or make your own crust and try making a grilled pizza. You can top the crust with whatever you want, but remember to avoid overly saucy toppings.

Be sure to brush the grill with olive oil or spray it with grill-heat cooking spray before adding the pizza and cook at medium-high heat, watching the pizza carefully to avoid burning the crust.

Sides- Vegetables have also found a home on many backyard gas, charcoal or pellet grills. Nearly any vegetable can be grilled. Asparagus, peppers, squash, eggplant, corn, mushrooms and onions work particularly well and can be combined for added color and taste appeal.

Vegetables that have been brushed with olive oil or sprayed with cooking spray can be placed directly on the grill for maximum smoky flavor or can be prepared in foil packets. Just add the seasonings that you like. Some vegetables will grill more quickly than others, keep a close eye on them.

Potatoes are a natural for grills, most often sliced, seasoned and grilled or wrapped in foil and baked. Slices of onion added to the slices or foil wrapped potatoes give them extra flavor.

Dessert- Fruit is a newcomer to the grill, but has become popular and is a great and unique dessert for summer parties and dinners. Grilling the fruit concentrates the flavors by reducing the water content and caramelizing the sugars. Top fruit with brown sugar before grilling for a special treat.

Hard fruits, such as pineapple, pears and apples, hold their shapes while cooking, making them a logical choice. You also can grill softer fruits like peaches, plums, mangoes, nectarines and even bananas, but watch the grill closely.

Just cut the fruit in half and brush it with a mild cooking oil, such as canola, that won't overpower the flavor of the fruit. Make sure when grilling fruit that the cooking grate is very clean, so you don't change the flavor of the fruit.

A simple and delicious use of grilled fruit is to slice it or smash it while it's still warm and use it as an ice cream topping.

Considering all the possibilities available for your gas grill, charcoal grill or pellet grill, why not get adventurous and start grilling outside of the box. You just might find that you won't miss the meat.

Interested in a new gas, pellet or charcoal grill? Contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

HPBA Newscast

The Better Your Outdoor Grill, the Better (and Easier) the Grilling

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:06:00 GMT

When grilling on fun, high-end and easy to use grills, you can become a backyard gourmet. No longer does grilling out need to mean hot dogs and hamburgers. However, when it does, they will be the best tasting hot dogs and hamburgers you have had in a while.

Some people are intimidated by grilling, but the best part about using a ceramic charcoal grill, high quality gas grill or a pellet grill is that you don’t have to work hard. Your options of what to cook and how to cook it are only limited by your imagination. And the better the grill, the easier it is to use and the harder it is to burn or overcook your food.

So in keeping with the idea of gourmet grilling, and with Cinco de Mayo around the corner, here is the perfect grill recipe for either a gas, charcoal or pellet grill. All your friends will enjoy. Have a great Fiesta!

Carne Asada

2 pounds skirt steak
12 flour tortillas
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
4 cloves garlic crushed
1 medium onion chopped
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup salsa
1 cup guacamole
2 teaspoons Tabasco

Mix juices, garlic, onion, tequila, Tabasco, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add meat and marinate both sides. Cover and refrigerate, turning meat over occasionally. Let steak marinade for 6 to 8 hours. Preheat grill. Place a few drops of water on each tortilla, stack and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on grill. Remove meat from marinade, reserving marinade. Place on grill. Turn steak and tortillas once during cooking. Brush steak with remaining marinade. Cook to your liking. Cut into thin slices. Place a few slices of steak on each tortilla with salsa and guacamole and serve.

Interested in purchasing a Green Mountain Pellet Grill or a ceramic Charcoal Grill or Gas Grill by Kamado Joe? Contact Northeast Distribution for a dealer in your area.

Using Your Kamado Joe Charcoal Grill as a Smoker

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:23:00 GMT

Are you interested in smoking ribs, brisket or pork shoulder? Backyard smoking is becoming all the rage these days. But there is no need to go out and buy yourself a smoker. The Kamado Joe Charcoal Grill is universal. You con't only grill with a Kamado Joe, you can smoke, bake, roast, sear, grill, and smoke.

How? Watch the video, and become a pro. For information on Kamado Joe Charcoal Grills, contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Grill Cleaning Tips

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:13:00 GMT

As the weather heats up in the Northeast, many homeowners are re-familiarizing themselves with the best sounds, sights and smells of the spring: a warming sun; a cool glass of iced tea and the mouth watering aroma of a grill cooking your favorite grilled dinner.

If you’re ready to start the grilling season but your gas grill isn’t, follow these nine steps to get your grill back in shape:

1. Grab some protection.
This is a dirty job, so the first step is to grab some cardboard or a tarp. Place the cardboard or tarp under and around the grill to catch anything that might fall out. Also, wear gloves.

2. Remove the grids.
Take out the cast iron grills from inside the gas grill. Soak them in warm sudsy water then scrub them with heavy No. 5 steel wool pads. Once the grids are sufficiently clean, towel and then air dry them.

3. Remove heat angles or tents, lava rock or ceramic briquettes.
Place these on the tarp or cardboard box. If your grill utilizes heat angles or tents – thin metal plates designed to distribute heat evenly and protect the burner from food drippings – inspect them for corrosion or rust. If necessary, replace them with new grill replacement parts after you clean the rest of the grill. Lava rocks or ceramic briquettes perform the same function as heat angles. They should be replaced if you notice they’re deteriorating or crumbling. These replacement parts for a gas grill can be found at your neighborhood hearth and grill shop.

4. Scrape it out.
Scrape the inside of the upper and lower castings inside the gas grill and use a wire brush if necessary. Use extra care while working around the gas grill burner assembly. Use of grill cleaner or degreaser makes your job easier. While working around the burner, use a dry steel wool pad and brush along sides of burner to remove excess rust buildup and greasy debris.

5. Remove the burners.
This step may be pretty difficult depending on which gas grill model you own, as the fastener that attaches the burner to the outer grill shell varies model to model. If you’re not sure how to remove the burner assembly, call a highly rated gas grill repair company to perform the job for you, your neighborhood hearth and grill shop can do this for you.

6. Clear out the cobwebs and debris.
During the grilling offseason, spiders love to make their nests in a gas grill’s venturi tubes, which mix air with the gas and control the gas flow to the burners. The most common grill-related accident occurs when gas escapes from the venture opening and reaches the flames at the burner, causing a back-flash fire that can harm grill users, damage the grill and ruin a cookout.

If your burners are in otherwise good shape, run a small brush through the inside of it to remove debris, obstructions or spider nests, then vacuum out the grill and the burner assembly. You can test your gas for obstructions by turning on each section of the grill, one at a time, and listening for similar sounds of the flow of gas. If one section sounds different than the rest, it’s likely you have an obstruction and may need the help of a grill repair pro.

7. Spray it down.
Using a hose, spray down the grill to knock any cobwebs, leaves or other debris loose from the exterior. Nelson says this part of the process is best done on a sunny day to shorten the grill drying time.

8. Reassemble and start cooking.
Reassemble the grill with your now-clean or new grill parts. Test the grill for proper fit and operation and get cooking!

9. Don’t forget to clean after each use.
Most gas grills act like a self-cleaning oven, so don’t forget to close the grill and leave the heat on high for a few minutes after every cooking session. Leftover food debris or grease drippings will turn to ash under the high temperatures, which makes the grill much easier to maintain by occasionally vacuuming it out with a shop vacuum a few times through the season when the grill is cool.

-CBS Atlanta

Trends in Outdoor Living - Outdoor Kitchens

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:52:00 GMT

Outdoor living and outdoor kitchens remain one of the fastest-growing segments of residential construction. As homeowners look to extend living and entertainment spaces and increase their home values, more are choosing to build out their outdoor spaces. Increasingly, buyers and homeowners demand more sophisticated living that can serve their needs year-round. This trend is evidenced by the growing popularity of outdoor gas grills with accessories, covered patios and decks, and fire pits. These are just some of the trends we discovered in our 2012 Outdoor Living Survey.

Here are some examples of the single biggest trends in outdoor living design today.

Year-round use in even the smallest of outdoor spaces
Appliances and electronics that can remain in the outdoor area throughout the winter months
Outdoor kitchens with higher end gas and charcoal grills
Elimination of decks in favor of patios
Screened-in porch with an attached grilling area
Maintenance-free decks/pavers
Covered patios
Wiring for TV and sound
Easy-to-convert screened porch into indoor living space
Creation of an ‘environment,’ not just a few outdoor features
Outdoor big-screen TV and sitting area
Concrete color and design stamping
Herb and vegetable gardens
Brick pizza ovens

Year-round use, outdoor appliances, high end grills and screened or covered porches and patios are just a few of the new trends buyers are looking for in outdoor living areas. - housezone.com

Like the sounds of an outdoor firepit or a new gas grill or high end charcoal grills? Contact Northeast Distribution today for and check out what we have to offer you for your outdoor living space this season!

Time to do Spring Cleaning on your Wood Stove and Fireplace Insert

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:53:00 GMT

Wow, can you believe it is that time of year again? Time for spring cleaning and maintenance of your wood burning stove, fireplace or fireplace insert. If you’ve used your fireplace like the typical Northeastern has than your fireplace has worked hard for the past six months and deserves a little R & R. It is time for your wood stove or insert to get a cleaning and a polishing.

Make your stove, insert or fireplace look brand new again with maintenance products and stove paints from Northeast Distribution, LTD. Imperial makes the best line of maintenance products and paints on the market today. For easy cleaning of your stove, fireplace, or insert we carry all that you need. Glass cleaner, cement and masonry cleaner, as well as gold and brass cleaner and high heat stove paint.

High temp stove and gasket cement is used to make repairs on wood-burning stoves, and for sealing fiberglass gaskets onto your woodstove doors.

Fireplace door glass cleaner can be used on glass, stainless steel, porcelain and tile surfaces and will remove that baked on carbon and mineral residue that has been building up all winter.

Stove Bright High Temp Aerosol Paint provides the highest quality coating for your wood stove and fireplace. It provides heat resistance up to 1200°F. For a cast iron stoves that have seen better days you can use stove polish. Have a bit of rust on your cast iron stove or insert? Stove polish will renew and re-black the surface and help prevent further deterioration.

For everything wood stove, fireplace and insert related, contact Northeast Distribution today.

The Weather Says Its Time for Grilling

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:26:00 GMT

It is the first day of Spring, and it sure feels like it. Spring is in the air here in the Northeast, and that means it is time to roll out the grill. But has your grill seen better days? Are you ready for an upgrade? Enjoy the season with the ease, convenience and taste that a new gas grill, charcoal grill or pellet grill can deliver to your outdoor BBQ.

What’s the difference between a gas grill, a charcoal grill and a pellet grill? Besides the obvious, fuel source, here are some tidbits that make them different and unique.

Charcoal grills. At Northeast Distribution LTD we offer Kamado Joe Charcoal grills because we feel like these are the best charcoal grills on the market. Designed as a ceramic cooker, a Kamado Joe can be used to roast, bake sear, slow cook and as a smoker. While the Kamado Joe charcoal grill is best known for their charcoal grills, this year they have rolled out both a gas grill and a combination gas/charcoal grill. With great flavor from grilling on hardwood charcoal, charcoal grills are the grill of choice for those who want serious flavor.

Gas grills can run on propane or natural gas. The best quality to gas grills in their ease of operation. Turn them on and off with the flick of a switch, and your family will be eating delicious grilled food in no time. However, not all gas grills are alike. Vermont Castings gas grills and Kamado Joe gas grills are made out of stainless steel. With grill lights, rotisseries and side burners, these gas grills are made for those who want to revel in the grilling experience.

Pellet grills have the ease and convenience of gas and the flavor of charcoal. Grill your food over hardwood and experience the best grilled flavor you have ever tasted and it is so moist it will fall off the bone. Green Mountain pellet grills are very easy to use, fill the hopper with hardwood pellets, flick the switch and be grilling in no time . The temperature of pellet grills can be controlled in 5 degree increments and because they use indirect heat, it is almost impossible to burn your food. For great flavor and convenience check out pellet grills.

Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter - There is never a bad time for grilling. Need a Gas, Pellet or Charcoal grill? Contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Check Out the Latest in Grills - Pellet Grills from Green Mountain

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:37:00 GMT

With Green Mountain Pellet Grills, at the touch of a button you can smoke, bake, grill, sear, roast, BBQ, and slow cook. Not only is this grill versatile it is also affordable. Pellet grills use food grade hardwood pellets, made from clean, kiln dried sawdust. The onboard computer starts the fire and keeps the grill at the precise temperature you want.

No hauling in the heavy propane tank for a fill up. Cook with hardwood pellets, not volatile compounds and lump charcoal and propane cost more than grilling on pellets. On pellet grills you are using natural hard wood, so the flavor of your grilled food is fantastic. Just turn on the grill and in no time you are ready to grill at whatever temperature you have set.

Green Mountain grills are designed to last for years as well, but the real test is the food it cooks. You can adjust the temperature from 150 degrees to 500 degrees in 5 degree increments. So smoke some salmon, make some jerky, bake a pizza or roast a chicken.

Turn pro in your own backyard. Pellet grills cook with indirect heat so it is almost impossible to burn your food. The flavor of the food is going to blow you away. Pellet Grills make outdoor grilling unbelievably easy. Set the temperature and walk away and the hardwood pellets impart true wood flavor; a zest that makes your food more savory.

There is no good reason not to purchase a Green Mountain Pellet Grill. For more information or for a retailer in your area, contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

It is the Perfect Time to Add a Wood Stove to your Home

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:03:00 GMT

Winter is almost over and spring is on the way. However, that makes it the perfect time to buy a new wood burning stove. Demand is down right now, so you can have our undivided attention and quick delivery and installation. Being from the Northeast, you know we can have some pretty cool spring and summer nights too where a wood burning stove can come in handy.

Another reason why now is the time to buy a wood burning stove: because many of our retailers in MA, RI, CT, NJ, NY, ME, NH, PA and VT are having end of season sales to make room for the grills!

For all of our future winters, we want our fires to be more efficient and cost effective. By adding a wood burning stove to your home, you can add real dimension to your room and save money on your heating bills at the same time. A wood stove is your alternative to a traditional open fireplace, saving you money and making your roaring Northeast fire safer.

While efficient and decorative a wood stove allows home owners to add comfort and coziness to their homes all year long. Using wood burning stoves to help heat your home can cut a heating bill in half. With heating bills going up and all of your wood stove options contact Northeast Distribution LTD for a retailer in your area.

Heating with Wood Pellets is Cheaper than Heating with Oil

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:37:00 GMT

Heating with pellet stoves and pellet stove inserts is an economical, efficient and now beautiful way to heat your home. Heating your home with a pellet stove is cheaper than heating with oil and propane. The Stimulus Funds Rebate Program is now making it even less expensive to heat your home with pellet heat.

Although pellets are best known as the fuel for individual pellet stoves that heat homes, but pellets can also be fed by augers into whole-house boilers or industrial-sized machines that can heat schools or factories.

Pellets are convenient and pellet heat is simple. Made from compressed sawdust, their uniform size and shape allows for them to be easily stored and for their delivery into a furnace to be automated, unlike logs. Because of this, pellet heat is as easy as heating with fossil fuels, because pellet heat can also be controlled by thermostats.

The region’s biomass producers say wood pellets could ultimately provide up to 20% of New Hampshire’s heat, compared to the current figure of about 4%.

The industry claims that nearly 5% of New Hampshire homes heat with wood pellets or other renewable energy. Heating uses nearly 40% of New Hampshire’s energy.

The federal Stimulus Funds Rebate Program is kick-starting the switch to wood pellet central heating in homes by offering rebates of up to 30% or up to $6,000 of installed cost for systems for primary residences.

For information on pellet stoves or pellets stove inserts, contact Northeast Distribution LTD, and we will connect you with the finest retailer in your area.

Nashuatelegraph.com

Gas is the Less Expensive and More Convenient Way to Heat

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:09:00 GMT

While natural gas prices have plummeted to 10-year lows, heating oil prices have been steadily rising for years and have reached record levels this winter. The Energy Department projects a price of $3.79 a gallon over the next few months, more than a dollar above the winter average for the last five years. Analysts do not expect much relief in the longer term, either.

Despite the more mild winter this year, homes still need to be heated. Gas fireplaces and inserts and stoves are an economical, efficient and stress free way to heat your home. No firewood, no hassle, just flick a switch and have a roaring fire. Perfect for cool spring and summer evenings too.

“The people who have been unable to switch off of heating oil will be increasingly penalized in the coming years,” said Jay Hakes, a former administrator of the Energy Information Administration. “There’s going to be a continuing incentive to get off heating oil, because every day the headlines and experts say that over the foreseeable future, we will have natural gas at attractive prices.”

Nationwide, the average household using oil spent $2,298 on heat last year, compared with $724 spent by gas users and $957 spent by electricity users, according to the Energy Department.

This year, heating oil users are expected to spend 3.7% more than last year, while natural gas customers are expected to spend 7.3% less.

Looking for a beautiful and efficient way to heat your home? Gas fireplaces, gas stoves and gas fireplace inserts are a perfect solution; contact Northeast Distribution LTD to find a dealer in your area.

Renewable, Affordable Heating with An Outdoor Wood Furnace

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:04:00 GMT

Between the rising energy prices and the environmental impact of fossil fuels, more people are using wood as a sustainable, affordable source of heat.

Of course firewood can be burned in wood burning stoves, a masonry heater or a basement furnace; you have another option that is rising in popularity, an outdoor wood furnace.

An outdoor wood burning furnace addresses the kind of energy issues that more and more people are concerned about.

Outdoor wood furnaces otherwise known as a wood boiler look like a metal garden shed with a short chimney. Feed firewood into the firebox behind a door on one end and the fire heats water in an insulated tank that's also inside the structure. Pipe this hot water to a building through insulated underground pipes, extract the heat, and then use it for space heating and hot water. This outdoor wood furnace proposition offers unique advantages.

By moving the fire outside, you sidestep the work of bringing firewood inside and the work of hauling ash back out.

Outdoor wood boilers make heating more efficient. Clean burning means the furnace does most of the work. Ash cleanup is virtually non existent with the Empyre Pro Series wood boilers. The built-in cleaning portals makes brushing out fly ash from the gasification chamber and flues a quick and simple process.

The Empyre outdoor wood furnace burns cordwood, a renewable resource which is easily accessible. These wood boilers make splitting wood obsolete. With the newly designed, smaller firebox requiring less wood, it maintains burn times comparable to conventional outdoor furnaces at the same heat output.

Heat output is another feature of outdoor wood boilers. Even the smallest models are capable of heating a full sized home, with larger units capable of heating multiple buildings as well as heating domestic water, all from a single location. Wood boilers make it practical to handle more of your overall energy needs with wood.

An outdoor wood furnace makes direct use of an energy resource that's abundant and renewable across a large part of the Northeast, and the fact that wood is likely to stay that way may be the best benefit of all.

See this video for more information, or contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Original article Calgary Herald

Don't Pay that to Heat Your Home!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

No one is excited to see the oil truck pull up to the house to refill the tank these days.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the average cost per gallon of heating oil is $3.93, up 11 cents from the week prior, and more than 60 cents a gallon more than last year at this time.

Like filling the car with gas, home heating is now a primary concern for many families. And it is forcing some to find an alternative way to heat their homes.

Douglas Telepman owns a cape-style home in Northborough that was built in 2005. The house was built with oil heat.

Telepman is a solar consultant and talks to families about energy every day. Several people have told him how they had reduced their home heating bill by installing a pellet stove.

"After about the third or fourth family that raved about their pellet stoves, I decided to look into it," said Telepman.

He bought a pellet stove to heat his home. He estimates that the stove eats up about a 40-pound bag of pellets each day, which costs about $5.50 a day, a fraction of his wintertime oil consumption. - NorthboroughPatch

Looking to stop spending money on oil? Interested in a new pellet stove? Contact Northeast Distribution LTD to find a pellet stove dealer in your area.

Cooking a Good Recipe on a Great Grill can be a Game Changer

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:00 GMT

The Super Bowl is one of the most popular grilling days of the year. 32% of grill owners fire up their grills for the Super Bowl. But with two great playoff games this weekend, why wait? And if you need a grill for Super Sunday, Consumer Reports has some recommendations.

"Grilling and championships go hand in hand," says cookbook author Jamie Purviance in a Weber press release. His latest cookbook, Weber's Time to Grill, has shipped more than 180,000 copies since its release in April 2011. "Grilling for many people is a sport in itself—rather than settling for take-out, dedicated grillers see this game as an opportunity to win big with family and friends."

In Consumer Reports tests of gas grills we’ve found some champs—and some chumps. In the most popular size, the top-performing mid-sized gas grill is the Vermont Castings Signature Series, which scored an 85.

If you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, try Cheesy Steak Nachos with Black Beans. The steak should be grilled over direct high heat, sliced put atop nacho chips with black beans and cheese and then baked in the grill to melt. After the cheese is melted, top with sour cream, salsa and green onions.

This top rated gas grill aced our test. - Consumer News Jan 2012.

Looking to buy the top-performing, mid-sized gas grill? Contact Northeast Distribution LTD. And, if you have any favorite grill recipes for the Super Bowl, share them on our facebook page!

More Homeowners Choose Wood Over Oil

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:37:00 GMT

Over the last 4 years as heating prices have been skyrocketing, we have seen homeowners in the Northeast getting rid of their oil furnaces and oil tanks. People began to use wood to heat their homes.

In Maine alone, the number of households using wood as their primary heating source nearly doubled from 2000 to 2010, and that number grew by a third nationwide.

As wood gets more popular, and more people see how easy it is, we see them eliminating oil heat entirely. We continue to see more and more homeowners turning to wood stoves and pellet stoves as supplemental heat or to heat their entire homes.

The money homeowners are spending on wood and pellets is at least half of what they would have spent on oil heat.

Oil is the No. 1 heating fuel in Maine and across much of the Northeast. Three out of four households in Maine use oil as their primary heating source. This makes Maine the most oil-dependent state for heat.

Residential heating oil last week was going for $3.97 a gallon on the East Coast, up 58 cents a gallon from a year ago. Ten year ago this week, it was selling for $1.19 a gallon.

Despite these numbers, oil consumption has fallen as homeowners have found other sources of fuel and wood is the fastest-growing alternative.

Nearly 2.4 million households in America used wood as their primary heating fuel in 2010. That was up from just under 1.8 million homes.

Among New England states, the number of homes using wood as a primary heat source went up 122% percent in Connecticut, while nearly doubling in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island. The top wood-burning states per capita in the US are Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire.

People are drawn to wood because it is renewable and it is a local product, it is also very inexpensive.

New wood stove models, those made since 1990, have had to meet specified EPA emissions standards.

Wood stoves sales have been brisk at Rocky’s Stove Shoppe in Augusta, said owner Rocky Gaslin. Sales of both wood burning stoves and pellet stoves roughly doubled from 2010 to 2011, he said. A medium-size wood burning stove that can heat up to 2,000 square feet costs from $1,700 to $2,500, plus installation, while a similar-size pellet stove would sell in the $2,500-$4,000 range.

“People are trying to do as much as they can to replace oil,’’ he said. “They don’t want to burn a drop of oil at $3.50 a gallon.’’

Rocky’s Stove Shoppe is one of the many retailers in MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, ME, NY, NJ, and PA that Northeast Distribution LTD can get you in touch with. For more information on using pellets and wood for heat, contact us.

Stats from Boston.com

Home Heating Oil Prices Rising in the North East - Heat with Wood

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:16:00 GMT

In Vermont, the price for home heating oil continues to rise, with the price averaging nearly $3.84 a gallon this month, up 6 cents from December, and 69 cents more than a year ago. Across all of the northeast, oil prices are high.

It’s costing more to fill up the family car as well making household costs higher than we want.

Even with seasonably warm temperatures so far this winter, The EIA said that “average household heating oil expenditures are now expected to increase by 4% this winter (Oct. 1 to March 1) compared to last winter.

While temperatures are more mild than normal, heating oil prices certainly are not going to go down in the coming years. Now is the time to switch and start heating your home with wood.

Wood heat is efficient and inexpensive. Wood fireplaces have long been both the centerpiece of the family living area and a way to increase the ambiance in your home. Take advantage of them. Convert your existing open fireplace into an efficient heat source by adding to it a wood stove or a wood burning fireplace insert.

Wood burning fireplace inserts solve the problems, the burdens and expenses involved in traditional fireplaces.

Wood burning stoves and inserts provide warmth, charm, good looks and efficiency and are a renewable source of energy which can decrease your home heating and energy bills.

For information on how you can save money on wood heat, contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Fireplaces and Stoves for Modern Homes

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:46:00 GMT

You live in a sleek and modern home. Maybe your contemporary room needs a little warmth and coziness. You’d like to add a more efficient fireplace, fireplace insert, or stove but you believe the designs are more rustic and won’t match your decor. Think again. Many fireplaces, inserts and stoves are traditional, but there are many contemporary designs with straight or curved lines and minimal patterns with a lot of glass, which are perfect for modern homes.

While they add ambiance to any room, they also accentuate the rooms’ décor. Contemporary fireplace and stove designs are perfect for spacious homes or condos.

There are many brands of contemporary stoves and fireplaces including: Town and Country, Majestic, Piazetta, and Kozy Heat; take a look! All have designs for both large and small spaces using many different fuel types. With contemporary fireplaces and stoves you can choose corner appliances, freestanding, those that sit in the wall, see through options, and much more. For a compete selection of contemporary fireplaces and stoves contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Want to Buy a Wood Stove, Find The Right Wood Stove Dealer

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:24:00 GMT

Wood burning stoves and inserts are an excellent way to heat your home and save you money. Not only does a wood stove give you a reliable source of heat even when the power goes out, it’s also a green option, because wood is a renewable resource.

Deciding which wood stove to buy can be tough. You’ll find a huge range of options in size, shape, materials and technologies. Also, there are few recognized wood stove experts and no reliable ratings that use consistent criteria to equitably rate and judge all the options. So how do you choose the best wood stove for your home?

Wood stove Dealers
We recommend finding a good wood stove dealer. No one can tell you exactly what wood stove to buy, because all kinds of personal preferences influence the final choice. However, the right stove dealer is your best resource. One that has been in business for a number of years, heats their home with wood, and has burning models in the showroom.

Your wood stove dealer will be your resource for years to come. Replacement parts, cleaning and maintenance supplies and advice on new products will all come from your wood stove dealer. Find a dealer with a good reputation and who you feel is someone you can trust. When you converse with them, be sure they listen to your needs, but can also guide you in functionality, material and designs of the wood stoves you are considering.

Lastly, buy a wood stove from a manufacturer that has been in business for at least 20 years. These manufacturers are more likely to honor the warranty and continue to carry replacement parts.

To find the most reputable dealer in your area (MA, CT, RI, ME, VT, NH, NY, NJ, or PA) contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Mother Earth News

Gas Fireplaces are a Great Choice for Many Homeowners

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:55:00 GMT

We have always loved the allure of the fire, people have been gathering around them for centuries. For many homeowners in and around the Northeast the pull of a fire is as strong as every no matter if it is a wood, gas or pellet stove, insert or fireplace.

Of course there is something to be said for a real wood burning fire, but there are plenty of homeowners who are opting for the ease and convenience of a gas fireplace insert or gas fireplace.

Gas fireplace inserts and gas fireplaces look realistic, require very little maintenance, can be controlled remotely and can heat entire rooms; these conveniences make gas fireplaces and inserts very attractive for many people’s lifestyles.

Gas fireplace inserts can be fitted into an existing wood burning fireplace making use of your existing chimney and making your fireplace a warm hearth for gathering. A gas fireplace is a completely self-contained unit that can be installed against or into a wall. They can be installed virtually anywhere in a home and would then be vented to the outside. They are smoke free, dust free and many units use outside air for combustion thereby never effecting in-house air quality.

They give you a clean, low-maintenance fire that very closely mimics a wood fire. Gas fireplaces can be controlled with a wall thermostat, remote control or a wireless thermostatic remote. Have fire, get heat all with the touch of a button. Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information.

Northeast Stove Retailers and Wholesaler Give $3000 in Toys to Toys for Tots

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:20:00 GMT

Every year at the holidays Northeast Distribution LTD collects generous donations from their retailers in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for Toys for Tots or different charities they have chosen for that year. Northeast Distribution LTD then matches the amount collected. This year the total amount of donations amounted to $3000.

In 2009 NDL bought $1,700 worth of toys for toys-for-tots, and in 2010 donated 220 hams and 800lbs of potatoes for the food pantry – all with the help of our generous retailers throughout the Northeast.

Last weekend, the Northeast Distribution crew took a morning ride to Walmart in New Hampshire and purchased $3000 worth of toys: bikes, Nerf guns, dolls, Legos and much more. The Marines were waiting for us – they were having their annual STUFF THE BUS TOY DRIVE. We arrived with blazing horn and a truck load of toys to a pile of smiles. WHEB & WERZ were broadcasting live and we were excited to have some fun with them and talk about the generosity of the Stove and Hearth retailers in the Northeast. ”They always answer the call for help and this year was no different. $3000 dollars worth of Toys is huge!” Dale said.

Happy Holidays from Northeast Distribution LTD. See more pictures on our Facebook page, like us while you are there.

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(click images to enlarge)

Fireplace Inserts are Great for Homes with Existing Open Fireplaces

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:56:00 GMT

Wood burning inserts are ideal for people who do not have time to fix or renovate their existing fireplace and for homeowners that do not have the time to maximize its use. Essentially, a wood burning insert is a wood stove that is installed inside an open fireplace. They allow you to maximize heating efficiency and really benefit from the full potential of your fireplace.

In terms of home heating needs, a wood burning fireplace insert has many advantages. They are an excellent way to save on energy since, compared to other heating appliances and systems, they significantly lessen the costs related to heating. Also, they significantly increase the efficiency of your old, open fireplace; by allowing the fire to burn hotter and sending the hot air out into your home rather than up the chimney. Fireplace Inserts keep much of the heated air inside the room and they add more heat than a fireplace to circulate throughout the entire room. Keep in mind that a fire needs warm air to be fed into it for a better burn. For these two reasons alone, many homeowners have found a wood burning fireplace insert to be appropriate for their homes during the cold months or cool evenings.

But even better, wood stove inserts are beautifully made with great artistic care. They add a nice finished, decorative look to your living room and provide warmth and coziness to every home. For information on which wood burning fireplace insert would be best for your home, contact Northeast Distribution LTD today.

Wood Burning Stoves and Inserts Create a Perfect Ending to Your Day

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:27:00 GMT

Cold weather is fast approaching in the Northeast, this mild weather cannot hold out for long. Wood stoves and wood burning fireplace inserts bring relaxing warmth to your home and can help you reduce your home heating bills.

Wood is an excellent, efficient, and attractive way to heat your home. Wood inserts and wood burning stoves by Vermont Castings, Archgard, Pacific Energy, RSF and Vistaflame are a cost effective way to supplement or eliminate your heating bills. But you not only save money with wood heat, you add ambience to your home and increase your home’s value.

Wood is a renewable resource. Wood burns efficiently and beautifully and a wood burning fire can add atmosphere to any room. Imagine coming home to a beautiful wood burning fire, nothing can help you relax more after a long day. No matter how your day went, a winter night calls for a beautiful fire.

Increase the efficiency of that open fireplace with a wood burning stove or fireplace insert. Discover what many have discovered, the warmth and beauty of a wood burning fire. Contact us at Northeast Distribution LTD today, and see how easy it can be to bring a fire to your life.

As Heating Costs Rise, Consider Wood or Pellet Heat

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:14:00 GMT

In the Northeast, heating homes with wood or pellets is becoming a more and more attractive option. It will be more challenging than ever on our wallets to stay warm this winter. Those who use oil to heat their homes are expected to spend the most they have ever spent.

Higher than average fuel bills are expected for those using heating oil, propane and natural gas, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Homes using heating oil will be most affected since heating oil prices are forecast to be 10% higher than last winter.

Bills for natural gas will be 4% higher and propane prices are 7% higher. Homeowners in the Northeast will be affected the most, 80% of the heating oil use in the US is consumed here.

Maybe it is time to think about heating with wood or pellets, both are renewable resources. You can heat your entire home with a wood or pellet stove or you can supplement your heating bill. Either way, your heating bills will be dramatically reduced. But there are more advantages. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in front of the fire after a long day at work.

Today in Pennsylvania a delivery of 200 to 400 gallons of oil costs about $3.50 per gallon, about 80 cents more than last year. A delivery of 200 gallons would cost $700. Last year, it cost about $540.

With a few cords of wood or with a ton or two of pellets, you could heat your home for the winter, depending on your home’s size of course. The cost savings is impressive, but what many like the most is not having a home heating bill to worry about.

For an efficient and attractive wood burning stove or fireplace insert or pellet stove or pellet stove inserts, contact Northeast Distribution LTD today.

Wood Stoves and Inserts Will Keep Your Home Warm this Winter

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Old Man Winter is fast approaching and there is no better way to keep warm than with a wood stove or a wood burning fireplace insert. There are many efficient and beautiful wood stoves and inserts available that can heat your entire home, or that can help you supplement your home heating this winter. And, since wood is a renewable resource, wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts are eligible for the energy tax credit.

Wood burning fireplace inserts solve all the problems of traditional fireplaces while keeping the ambiance and enhancing the heating capacity. Wood burning fireplace inserts increase the heating efficiency of your fireplace. You also get a clear view of the fire with a fireplace insert so you can still enjoy the beautiful roaring flames.

Wood burning stoves put out an efficient, comforting dry heat. Wood burning stoves look great in old homes as well as modern homes and are a great alternative to a standard fireplace. Wood burning stoves come in many styles and finishes so can match with any kind of décor.

At Northeast Distribution LTD, we carry Archgard, Vermont Castings, Pacific Energy, DutchWest, VistaFlame, Thelin , Majestic and Supreme.Contact us for more information or to be directed to the finest stove dealer in your area.

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Fireplace Inserts Keep Heat in your Home

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:48:00 GMT

For many homeowners, fireplaces are rarely used except on special occasions.

The thought is that open fireplaces are messy to operate, and even though they are cozy, the heat they produce goes right up the chimney while the fire sucks warm air from the rest of the house.

With an open fireplace, 95% of the heat is lost and the rest of the house gets cold even while it’s warm right around the fireplace.

Fortunately, fireplace inserts are an options that makes the fireplace efficient, allowing homeowners the comfort of a fire while sending heat throughout the home.

Fireplace Inserts can heat rooms, sections of a home or an entire home.

If you want to make your fireplace more efficient and warm, consider two things: Do you want an insert? And what fuel do you want to use?

Fireplace Inserts are essentially steel or cast iron boxes lined with ceramic or brick that fit into fireplace openings and use the existing fireplace flue with a chimney liner. Many models are flush with the fireplace opening while others can protrude out of the fireplace. All fireplace inserts include a blower that allows for heat movement and most can be controlled with a thermostat. Fireplace Inserts are available for use with wood, gas or wood pellets.

Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate various fireplaces sizes and BTU ranges. They are extremely efficient while still offering the traditional “look & feel” of a fireplace. They are practical and gorgeous and many homeowners choose wood because they like the idea of heating their home off the grid.

Gas fireplace inserts offers a wide range of looks and sizes, from sleek contemporary models that “burn” rocks or glass crystals to the traditional gas logs that look real. Gas also offers convenience, featuring remote controls, wall thermostats and electronic ignition – eliminating any need for the homeowner to “touch” the unit. Of the almost 1 million fireplaces and fireplace inserts installed in the US last year, 70% were gas.

Pellet Stove Inserts are on the rise and many manufacturers are creating and designing great looking, efficient models. They are a great combination of convenience, they too can run on a thermostat and still provide a similar intense heat like wood.

Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information on what type of fireplace insert will work best in your home.

New Law in Maine - Now You Can use Your Chimney for Oil and Pellets Together

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:45:00 GMT

Did you think you couldn’t install a pellet stove in your home because your chimney was already in use for your oil burner? Not anymore.

In Maine it is now OK to have a pellet stove hooked into the same chimney flue as an oil burner, thanks to the new law that was just recently passed.

The earlier law prohibiting dual connections exists in many states. But since that law was enacted, the technology surrounding heating systems and pellet stoves has changed markedly, particularly with regard to high-efficiency pellet heating systems. In fact, there is NO instance in which an accident could be attributed to dual connections involving pellet heat.

In many instances, this change in Maine law considerably reduces the cost of installing a pellet stove or pellet heating system. Which is the good news for homeowners who had been considering pellet stoves to help heat their homes.

Live in Maine? Looking for a new way to heat your home? Now you can consider pellet stoves, which are an economical, attractive and efficient way to heat your home. Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information.

No Electricity Needed to Stay Warm With a Wood Burning Stove

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:56:00 GMT

It was cold this weekend. If you live in the Northeast and you were on the fence about adding a wood burning stove, fireplace or insert to your home, a couple days with no power may have changed your mind!

Unless you have an alternate heat source like a fireplace insert or wood burning stove, the houses are refrigerator cold after almost two days without power. Utility companies are working painstakingly to get to all the downed wires, but it could be a week before some people get their power turned back on.

Enter the convenience of wood burning fires! Not only are they relaxing, they give your home and family warmth when the winter storms hit.

No Electricity required for heat! But wood fires also make power outages more fun, more relaxing, more romantic. Sit around the wood stove or wood burning fireplace insert, look at the fire, play games with the family, or get cozy with your spouse and forget about the storm outside.

For information on wood burnings stoves or wood fireplace inserts, contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Pellet Grills Will Make you the MVP of the Next Tailgate

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:20:00 GMT

It is football season, and regardless of being a Patriots, Giants, Bills, Jets or Steelers fan, football season means tailgating, and tailgating means good food and great grills.

If you want to be “all the rage” at the next tailgating event, you need a Green Mountain Pellet Grill.

There really is nothing better than grilling on wood, and with a Pellet Grill you are grilling on real wood.

The reason that pellet grills win far more grilling competitions than any other kind of grill is because the grilled food tastes better when cooked over real wood. Grilling with pellets tastes so much better than either charcoal or gas. Pellets are made from clean, kiln-dried sawdust, with the flavor molecules totally intact! And what could be easier than pushing a button to start the grill up, set it and forget it! Now you can “turn pro” in your own back yard.

Perhaps one of the best features of the Green Mountain Pellet Grills is its “Turbo Boost” feature. The grill takes the ambient temperature of the outside air, and if it’s cold, the grill kicks into turbo mode and heats up faster. This pellet grill is perfect for grilling all winter long.

Green Mountain Pellet Grills is now the top-of-line…the best-of-the-best, but not the highest in price! Contact Northeast Distribution for more information.

Use Wood to Heat Your Home More Efficiently

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:05:00 GMT

Here comes the cold weather, have you felt it? In the Northeast, many home owners are trying to hold off on turning the heat on, but that may mean thinking about other heating options.

Wood is the fuel of choice this year. Adding a wood stove or a wood insert can dramatically improve the efficiency of heating your home.

Gas, oil, and electric heat are expensive. Traditional wood fireplaces add atmosphere and are warm, but these open wood fireplaces are very inefficient.

By adding a wood stove or a wood burning fireplace insert to your home, you are adding an efficient heat source to your home that is not only money saving but also provides warmth, character, and ambiance.

Wood stoves put out an efficient, comforting heat. Wood burning stoves look great in old homes as well as modern homes and are a great alternative to the inefficient open standard fireplaces.

Wood fireplace inserts use the same working technologies that wood burning stoves use, which cuts down on installation expenses. Fireplace inserts will increase the heating efficiency of the fire being burned.

Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information on wood stoves and wood fireplace inserts.

A Greener Fire this Winter

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:58:00 GMT

What warms the hearth may not always be good for the environment – here’s a look at eco-friendly fireplace options.

It may look pretty, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average emissions of fine particles into the air from one of the 22 million fireplaces in the United States are as much as 20 times greater than those from a wood burning stove, pellet stove, or oil or gas.

Not only do those fine particles go up the chimney and into the air outside, but depending on your fireplace and your flue, they are also circulated in the air inside your home. And all that air pollution isn’t even really keeping your warm. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a conventional open front-style fireplace is just 10-percent efficient at turning wood into warmth. But you can still have a beautiful fire and go green.

There are eco-friendly options in the fireplace market these days that look good, do the job, and minimize their impact on the environment. And, as more people are going green and burning wood, these options look more attractive.

Glass Fireplace Doors
One of the most striking alternatives to a wood-burning fire is using colored tempered glass fireplace doors. Colored squares or ovals of tempered glass chosen to fit your décor for you wood fires.

When the fire is ignited, the tempered glass can withstand heat, retain its color over time, yet does not emit any carbon toxins. Fires in a fireplace with glass do not get quite as hot as an open wood fire. But they burn better and look beautiful, and the fire is still effective in warding off the winter chill.

Gas logs
Adding a gas log burner, and gas logs obviously reduces emissions. Not only are gas logs convenient they have very low emissions. And these are the fake gas logs of old. Our gas logs are gorgeous, hand-made and hand-painted ceramic log sets that exactly replicate the look of real wood both when they are burning and when they are not.

Interested in a greener solution to the open fireplace? Contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

Original article Illinois Times

Chimneys, Inside and Out

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:20:00 GMT

October gets you thinking about warm, cozy nights in front of the fireplace. That means having your chimney and fireplace checked for any repairs that might need to be made.

Whether it is an extension of a fireplace or a furnace, you should have your chimney cleaned or "swept" at least once a year, for several reasons.

First, creosote often adheres to the inside of the fireplace chimney. Because of its chemical nature, creosote can actually ignite, rapidly causing a chimney fire and potential damage to the rest of the home.

Burning wood at a relatively low temperature (your cooking stove flame is actually hotter than a fireplace) causes incomplete combustion of the oils found naturally in the wood. When the smoke from a fire rises into a chimney, the residual chemicals may stick to the inside of the chimney liner. This residue becomes creosote.

Second, soot and dust build-up can clog a chimney and diminish heat output. A furnace flue may accumulate a layer of sulfuric acid or chlorine, which can cause erosion and big problems down the road.

A good rule of thumb is to not ever assume your chimney is functioning properly, even if you rarely use it. Animals, leaves and moisture from a buildup of snow or rain need to be taken care of before safe use of your fireplace.

A thorough check for any shifting of the chimnye that may have occurred over the years is also recommended. Years ago, chimneys were built with a section near the top made of terracotta, over time, these sections sometime move, causing the potential for leaks of carbon monoxide through the seams and even a backdraft.

In addition to a good cleaning, chimney inspection includes checking for leaks in the flashing around the chimney, which can cause wood rot and condensation. This, in turn, can damage electrical wiring and present a fire hazard.

For a complete list of Chimney liners and chimney care products, contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

NH is Helping People Switch from Oil to Wood Pellets

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:56:00 GMT

Many homeowners in New Hampshire want to supplement their heating bills with wood pellets this winter. The reason, "Oil just isn't keeping us warm enough".

The state of New Hampshire has a program to make the switch more affordable.

"The intent of this program is to get people off of oil," says Barbara Bernstein of the Public Utilities Commission. "We have a rebate available up to $6,000 for wood pellet boilers or furnaces."

Although Wood Pellet Boilers are available, most homeowners are opting for pellet stoves to replace 70% to 90% of their oil use and gain a little bit of ambiance.

View the following video and contact us if you would like us to direct you to a pellet stove retailer in your area.

It is the Season for Chimney Liners and Maintenance

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:14:00 GMT

Fall is a great time to get your seasonal, before winter, light-the-fire fireplace maintenance done. It's a good idea to have chimneys cleaned and inspected annually - even for homeowners who have switched over to burning natural gas.

"People who heat with wood stoves need to clean their chimneys once a year," says Edwards, who has run his chimney sweeping business for almost 30 years.

Even if you don't heat with wood it is a good idea to have the chimney checked because there is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning if it is plugged and not venting properly.

Preventive chimney maintenance includes applying a sealer on the brick to minimize moisture saturation. While the chimney cleaning company is there, have them inspect the chimney and advise you if the mortar between the bricks needs to be repaired or replaced.

Northeast Distribution LTD distributes stove and chimney pipe as well as chimney caps for pellet, wood and gas fueled fires. If you are in need of chimney maintenance, contact us so we can connect you to a retailer in your area.

Check Out Your Home Heating Equipment Before Temperatures Drop

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:05:00 GMT

Cooler evening temperatures are creeping in and homeowners in New England, NY, NJ, and PA need to ensure that their home heating equipment will operate safely and reduce heating costs.

Typically homeowners don’t think about heat until we have to turn it on in the fall. Fire marshals across the region have made some suggestions as to preparing your heating equipment for use this winter.

Suggestions include have your furnaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional; check gaskets and seals on your wood burning and pellet stoves; installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning; when using an open fireplace be sure to have glass fireplace doors or fireplace screens in use when burning a fire; space heaters with exposed filaments are not suggested; and use only the approved fuel for each type of heater.

If you have any questions regarding upgrading your heating appliances click “home heating” to get more information from Northeast Distribution.

Original article HPBA newscast

How to Increase the Efficiency and Ambience of your Home - Wood Burning Stoves

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:15:00 GMT

Wood burning stoves are much more efficient than traditional wood burning fireplaces. Our retailers get asked questions about efficiency all the time. An enclosed fire is much more efficient than a fireplace where the heat can go right up the chimney.

If you have a wood fireplace and you want to more efficiently heat your home and save money and energy, you should install a wood burning stove. A wood stove is an easy and effective way to update the look of your home and with so many styles, colors and sizes, there is a wood stove for you from modern to traditional.

But, the main draw of a wood stove is their efficiency. The fire burns hotter, and the heat is radiated into the room instead of being allowed to escape up the chimney with the draft.

Traditional fireplaces have very low efficiency ratings. The fire needs air to burn. The air is drawn to the fire, the fire burns quickly, and most of the air goes up the chimney. This is the draft. This draft is the reason conventional fireplaces are ineffective and inefficient. They pull air from inside the house up the chimney. This creates a vacuum which pulls cold air into the house.

Wood stoves burn the fire in a metal box, that box radiates the heat out. So the heat isn’t wasted, the heat is more effective, and the heat is more efficient; the result is less money spent on heating bills.

Wood stoves give you convenience and efficiency and you still get the ambiance of the flickering fire. If you would like us to connect you with the finest wood stove retailer in your area, contact us.

This Is Not Your Father's Pellet Stove

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Gone are days of the utilitarian, kind of ugly pellet stoves. Introducing Thelin Pellet stoves. Have you seen them? You need to.

Thelin designs a contemporary and classic series of pellet stoves so you can have heat along with beautiful design no matter your style of décor.

The contemporary pellet stove, the Tiburon, is no ordinary pellet stove. Built with sturdy steel construction, the contemporary design of the Tiburon Pellet Stove, along with an assortment of trim combinations, allows your stove to endure in function and in style. This stove is versatile. With its Panel System you can change the color, style or material of your pellet stove as your tastes and your décor change. In no time at all, with only hand tools, you can change the panels from metal to natural stone or change the vents to art deco. This contemporary pellet stove evolves with your life.

Thelin's Classic Series Pellet Stoves are designed with the traditional home in mind. Three stoves offer timeless heating solutions that are stylish yet durable. These stoves are timeless in their looks and will be the centerpiece of any room.

By-the-way, the Thelin Tiburon Pellet Stove won the 2010 Vesta Award for Pellet Products. This award recognizes and honors companies and products for innovation in design and technology.

$6,000 Government Rebate on Residential Wood Boilers in New Hampshire

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:46:00 GMT

A wood boiler is all you need to heat your home. No oil or gas involved! Indoor wood boilers deliver all the comfort and convenience of conventional furnaces while protecting the environment for the next generation to enjoy. Wood boilers can provide an environmentally friendly and cost effective alternative option to heating your home and your water.

New Hampshire homeowners are eligible for a 30% rebate up to $6,000 on bulk-fed pellet boilers.

The Public Utilities Commission requires pre-approval for any New Hampshire homeowner seeking a rebate payment. The rebate is for 30% of the system and installation cost, or $6,000, whichever is less. The wood boiler must be a residential high-efficiency (85% or greater), bulk-fuel fed indoor wood-pellet central heating boilers and furnaces that installed between April 14, 2010 and February 15, 2012, or when funds run out, whichever comes first.

Rebates for the residential central pellet heating system program are not available for systems installed before April 14, 2010.

Pre-approval will reserve your place in the funding queue. Once the system has been installed in your home, you must then complete and submit the Step 2.

Step 2: Rebate Request Form. The rebate pre-approval expires three months from the date this application is approved or February 15, 2012, whichever comes first, or when funds run out.

Rebate information from Fosters.com

Switch to Wood Boilers for Heat has Saved VT Middle School $1M

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:52:00 GMT

Mount Anthony Union Middle School and MAU High School in VT invested in biomass wood boiler heating systems which have saved taxpayers more than $1 million.

The two Bennington schools are among 43 in the state that have gone to wood boilers in the past decade or so. After seeing the benefits of both systems first hand, James Marsden, director of building and grounds, said the investment was one of the best decisions the district has made.

“In the time that we’ve run these, we’re in excess of a million dollars in savings in what the district would have spent had we been burning fuel oil,” Marsden said. “We’re all awfully happy with them.”

One ton of wood chips creates an equivalent amount of energy measured in BTU’s as 80 gallons of oil. With each ton of wood costing the district about $58, and oil budgeted for $3 a gallon, last year alone the district saved more than $350,000 by burning 2,000 tons of chips instead of oil.

In a cold week, Marsden said the high school may burn 50 tons of chips to heat its 225,000 square feet of building — which means a reduction of 4,000 gallons of oil consumption.

Prior to the wood boilers, the high school burned from 110,000 to 120,000 gallons of oil a year. It is now down to burning just 30,000 gallons — which not only has a large impact on the cost of heating, but also the environment by reducing fossil fuel emissions.

To show how little oil-dependence the schools have now, last winter from mid-December to mid-February the high school used about 200 gallons of fuel — similar to what many households use over two of the coldest months.

Marsden said the goal originally was to rely on biomass for up to 60% of the district’s heat, but as operations have become more smooth that goal has increased to 80 percent. This past winter the middle school met that goal, while the high school was close with 73% reliance on biomass.

There was some fear of the smoke the wood boiler system would give off, but the air coming from the stacks has not caused any problems.

“When this is running wide open and you’re standing outside, you don’t even smell wood smoke because it’s only condensation coming out of the stacks,” he said.

The significant annual savings are being realized after large initial investments were made.

For more information on wood boilers for your home, business or town buildings, please contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

Original article on Forest Business Network

Decrease Home Energy Bills with Wood and Pellet Stove and Inserts

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:38:00 GMT

Are you looking for a way to decrease your home energy bills? National Grid has been letting their customers know that the biggest and best energy savings comes from installing a fireplace insert: wood, pellet or gas or a wood or pellet stove.

You can save quite a bit of money each year in energy costs by installing a fireplace insert or wood burning stove. Save even more by taking advantage of the energy tax credit.

Sales of wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts are experiencing a boom fueled by the current economic uncertainty.

People are in search of a way to save on their energy bills.

The rising cost of heating is encouraging people to go back to basics when it comes to keeping warm. The price of oil and gas continues to go up, and for many people it is maddening to pay such high home heating bills.

There has been a huge growth in the sales of pellet and wood stoves and inserts. After the last harsh winter, many energy customers have had enough of paying for heat through that long winter.
Increasingly people have been installing pellet and wood-burning stoves and inserts, turning off the central heating and just getting a roaring fire going in one room in the house.

The availability of cheap fuels to burn and the ability to control exactly how much is spent is driving people towards both pellet and wood stoves and inserts.

It is less expensive to chop or buy wood or buy pellets than to use oil or gas heat and more and more people are installing stoves and inserts in their property. There are no complicated price formulas or unexpected bills involved with a wood-burning stove and people find it reassuring to have their fuel paid for in advance of using it.

Gas, Pellet, or Charcoal Grill? The Debate

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:34:00 GMT

Backyard grilling has become about more than burgers on the grill.

So which is best: gas or charcoal - or pellet? Both gas and charcoal grills have become sophisticated so the answers vary depending on who you ask.

Popular sellers
Gas grills are still the most popular type of grill sold, but there has been a recent resurgence in charcoal grilling.

Gas grills, mostly stainless steel, accounted for 57 percent of the sales in 2010. But the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association report that charcoal grills are starting to outsell their gas competitors.

The thing that people like about the charcoal grill is many can also be a smoker, like the Kamado Joe.

The only way you could smoke meat before was if you bought a stand-alone smoker.

Go for the taste?
Charcoal may be more work, but if it is the taste of the meat you are going for, it has to be real charcoal. The one way a charcoal grill really outshines a gas grill is the flavor you get when you use charcoal.

And, there are quite a few people who are grilling with wood, especially for smoking meat.
A wood fire is a more natural, healthier way to cook. Food cooked on Traeger pellet grills taste better than food cooked on gas or charcoal grills. There is nothing like a brisket or ribeye steak cooked on wood pellets.

And you can buy different types of wood pellets to flavor the meat when cooking. You can't do that with propane gas.

If you are looking for taste, nothing can beat cooking meat over wood. When you use wood, you get more than just smoke flavoring. The moisture actually comes out of the wood and goes into the meat.

There is a consensus; the main thing a gas grill offers is convenience.

Empyre Outdoor Wood Boilers Certified for Use in New York

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:15:00 GMT

Empyre premier residential outdoor wood boiler passes stringent state regulations with flying colors.

Pro-Fab Industries, leader in clean burning alternative energy heating systems, announced the certification of the Empyre Outdoor Wood Boiler for sale in New York. Pro-Fab Industries is one of only a handful of outdoor wood boiler manufacturers approved under New York's stringent new wood burning regulations.

Clean burning indoor and outdoor wood boilers are well known in the State of New York. They are one of the first hydronic heaters to meet EPA emission standards. With very low emission rates Empyre Wood Boilers are 90% cleaner than conventional outdoor wood boilers and use up to 50% less wood for the same heat output.

The wood boiler achieves this clean burning efficiency by burning the wood and the gases released from the wood in a fan controlled two stage downdraft gasification system. Hydronic wood heat offers a clean, local and cost effective alternative to fossil fuels for home and business owners in New York.

"We are excited to see more states promoting environmental responsibility and recognizing innovations in alternative energy," says Grant Cairns, VP and GM of Pro-Fab Industries Inc. “This is a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to fossil fuels."

Pro-Fab Industries Inc is North America's leading designer and manufacturer of alternative energy biomass heating systems. These highly efficient biomass boilers incorporate state of the art engineering and technology with a commitment to protecting the environment.

If you are interested in more information about the Empyre wood boiler for your home or business, contact Northeast Distribution LTD.

Wood Boilers Give your Home or Business Independence From Oil and Gas

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:21:00 GMT

Home and business owners do not need to remain at the mercy of the gas, oil or electric companies when it comes to the heating the air or water in their homes or establishments. Wood boilers can provide an environmentally friendly and cost effective alternative heating option or take you off the grid completely.

Indoor Wood Boilers
Most people heat their homes and businesses with oil, natural gas or electricity. Empyre Elite indoor wood boilers provide an alternative that uses local, renewable fuel and protects the environment for future generations.

These are the most efficient, powerful and reliable wood boilers available anywhere.

A wood boiler is a self-contained unit that provides the energy necessary to heat a home or small business. Our indoor wood boilers deliver all the comfort and convenience of conventional furnaces while protecting the environment for the next generation to enjoy.

Outdoor Wood Boilers
Our Empyre outdoor wood boilers operate using two basic ingredients – cord wood and water. We offer two sizes of outdoor boilers for applications of different sizes.

Empyre Pro Series outdoor wood boilers have many benefits. Our models are favored by customers over other heating options because they:

Are environmentally sound – Clean burning technology makes Empyre wood boiler units an excellent alternative to standard oil, electric or natural gas heating. These are high efficiency boilers which produce very little emissions, they have minimal impact on the environment. In addition, their fuel source is wood, which is completely renewable.

Offer multiple applications – Depending on the model, an Empyre wood boiler can provide heat for domestic hot water, swimming pools and hot tubs, as well as space heating for homes, garages, offices, greenhouses or barns through radiant in-floor or forced air heating systems.

Enable off-the-grid living – An outdoor wood boiler is an excellent choice for use in remote locations or homes or businesses that prefer to operate off the grid. They can provide heat when other sources are difficult to tap into. These systems can also be used in conjunction with existing oil, natural gas or electric backup furnaces.

Are cost effective – Heating with wood is a cost effective choice for most people. A wood boiler can provide sufficient heat for an entire home, business or even series of buildings while saving money over other heat sources. Empyre Pro Series high efficiency wood gasification boilers can also reduce fuel requirements by as much as 50% over traditional outdoor wood boiler designs.

Backyard Kitchens Grow in Popularity

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:36:00 GMT

Taking your summertime cooking to the backyard used to mean firing up the grill, dragging out a lawn chair and dumping a load of ice in a cooler.

No more.

Folks have been moving the amenities outdoors and stretching the season, with built-in gas or propane grills, sinks, storage drawers and cupboards, and mini refrigerators.

Now backyard cooks are beefing it up even more:

Adding appliances and accessories: Side burners, rotisseries, smokers, pullout garbage bins, ice makers and kegerators.

Installing hard surfaces: Granite may still be the rage in indoor kitchens, but for outdoor kitchens, polished concrete is the countertop of choice with pavers reigning underfoot.

Bars. Need I say more?

Maybe you've been equally smitten with the growing trend and have been wanting to add some spice to your backyard patio area.

We have loads of ideas, and so do our retailers. Let Northeast Distribution connect you to the finest charcoal and gas grill retailers in your area.

Original article – Oregon Live

What to Know Before Buying a Grill

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:22:00 GMT

Buying a grill can be a confusing proposition. New technology, super-sized units and an abundance of features can leave a griller’s head spinning. Consider these points to avoid the confusion and get the right grill for the job

Cooking with Propane
Cooking with a gas grill is all about cleanliness and portability. Propane grills are easy to use, do not create a mess and allow those who grill to take the cookout anywhere the grill and propane tank can be carried. The main drawback is that the grill's tank has to be regularly refilled.

The Pellet Grill
There are a few great pellet grills on the market. One in particular is the Traeger pellet grill. A wood fire is a more natural, healthier way to cook. They look like your standard outdoor barbecue but in they are quite different. They use wood pellets for fuel. In a pellet grill the fire is kept away from the food. This allows for slow cooking and lets the food absorb the smoke flavor. Pellet grilling is much like convection cooking, and this also makes the food much tastier because the smoke and the heat surround the food.

Faithful Charcoal
Charcoal grills are as basic as it gets when it comes to cooking outdoors. Some lighter fluid, a few briquettes, a match, and it is time to grill. Charcoal grills are simple to operate and are also portable. They give food a natural, smoky flavor.

Grill Material
A grill is only as good as its cooking surface, so it is always a good idea to take a look inside before making a purchase. Heavy cast iron is extremely durable and will last for years but requires some maintenance. For a non-stick surface that does not require as much attention, opt for a porcelain-coated grate. Take great care when cleaning porcelain-coated materials, though, because they can chip if not cleaned properly.

Is Bigger Always Better?
Consider how the grill will be used before deciding. If the grill will be used infrequently for only a few people, then a smaller, more economical unit, may be the best fit. However, if cooking outdoors is a way of life, and it will be used to cook for dozens of people, then a larger unit may be in order.

Original article from the Kansas City Star

Beauty Meets Function in the Piazzetta Pellet Stove

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:42:00 GMT

Have you seen the new pellet stoves from Piazzetta? Forget what you thought you knew about pellet stoves, these are beautiful, with a stylish finish, in beautiful, dynamic colors and a gorgeous flame. Made in Italy, the Piazzetta Pellet Stove is strikingly beautiful. Beauty meets function here.

Piazzetta’s history is based on research, innovation, expertise, knowledge and selection of the best materials, and cutting-edge technology all combined with a craftsman’s skill. Piazzetta has been studying advanced solutions since 1960 for heating and comfort, and has a history abounding in care and respect for both customers and the surrounding environment.

The styling of every Piazzetta pellet stove is particularly refined and original. It has been studied to make the most of the materials as well as to offer the maximum possible functionality thus satisfying all tastes and styles. The majolica, the visible flame and the interior of the firebox all enhance the atmosphere created by the fire as well as the performance of each Piazzetta pellet stove.

Piazzetta pellet stoves offer an excellent heat output, low consumption and long burn time. And on top of all that, they also have a reduced rate of emissions into the atmosphere, in line with the most stringent standards. The glass door lets you enjoy the cozy sight of the fire. You can always be sure of having the right atmosphere with Piazzetta products. Whatever the surroundings, the fire becomes pure emotion.

More Mainers Heat with Wood than Thought

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:22:00 GMT

If you heat your home by burning wood, you are already thinking about that coldest night of the next winter. You know that unless you cut, split or buy, stack and store your firewood over the next few months, the wood stove in the living room or kitchen will be of little use.

Since Maine is the most forested state, we have a special relationship with firewood. But a more comprehensive study of that relationship, and its potential to wean Mainers off their high dependency on oil heat, is needed.

A recent radio talk show on WERU-FM gathered two College of the Atlantic professors and two COA students to talk about their recent study of wood heat in Hancock County. The take-away is that more people use wood heat than previously thought.

One COA professor said 10-year-old census data showed that about 11 percent of Mainers heated with wood, statistic state policymakers have been relying upon to guide their decisions. He believes, based on a survey of Hancock County households, closer to 55 percent of Mainers use wood heat. Of those, half use wood for at least half of their heat.

Interestingly, only 35 percent of those who burn wood cited cost as the reason. Instead, there are cultural factors at play.

The view of some who do not use wood heat could be summarized as, “I don’t heat with wood. My time is worth more than that.” Those who did use wood liked or took pride in the work involved, as seen in the old adage, “Wood heats you three times — when you cut it, split and burn it.”

The difference between those with oil heat and wood heat was further teased out in the COA analysis. The former were characterized as a “modern consumer family” who like turning a thermostat to make heat. They see heat as a service provided by professionals. Those who burn wood, the self-reliant “Maine Yankee” types, see heating as an activity, “something you do for yourself.”

The modern consumer family expects heat to remain constant and even. The Maine Yankee family likes getting near the stove to get warm.

The modern family sees heat like a waiter in a restaurant, at their beck and call. The Yankee family is engaged with wood heat, likes the look and feel of the wood, even enjoys the smell of smoke and revels in the stove’s ambiance.

Far from being a vanishing tradition, wood heat has a place in the 21st century. Given the supply of firewood and wood pellets in Maine, more can be done to maximize our use of it.

Original Article, Bangor Daily News

Grilling Increases in Popularity

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:11:00 GMT

First, man domesticated fire. Then, he started competing with his neighbors over who had the best grill.

Grillers love their gadgets—and they’re willing to spend big for them. Slightly more than 80 percent of American households own a barbecue grill (23 percent have two!)

Last year, North Americans spent $2.2 billion on grills and smokers, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.

Sales slumped during the recession but edged back up again in 2010, and manufacturers predict a strong season this year, especially for high-end appliances.

But, experts will say you don’t need a cooking surface the size of Rhode Island or infrared burners to cook delicious food.

Simple gas grills are a good entry point.” They are easy to light, have easy temperature control and they run on propane.

Yet some outdoor cooks are transfixed by grills that are ever bigger, hotter and fancier.

Number 11 out of the 13 “grilling machines that will blow everyone away at your next barbecue is this ceramic bomb of a barbecue, the Kamado Joe. It has been around since the 1960s, and originally was based on the design of a clay rice cooker found in Japan. What it lacks in machismo, the Kamado Joe makes up for in quirky charm.

It has since spawned many imitators. The Kamado can be configured as a charcoal grill, a smoker or an oven.

Original article on Business Insider

Kamado Joe Charcoal Grills Take Charcoal Grilling to a Whole New Level

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:10:00 GMT

Charcoal Grills are actually the most used type of grill. Over the years, due to their popularity, the charcoal grill has changed and evolved. The Kamado Joe charcoal grill is for those who are serious about taste.

These grills use a combination of a ceramic shell, natural lump charcoal and air flow to create a superior charcoal grilled taste. The grill is ceramic which introduces a whole new element in heat retention. The capacity to withhold heat is one of the most important factors to produce the best charcoal grilling results. It allows for flavor and aroma retention.

You can also sear food at high temperatures and it will still retain its moistness. Kamado Joe can precisely cook meals whether you're slow cooking or searing. Besides being a grill, it can also be used as an oven which can cook homemade pizza, bread and pies or it can be used as a smoker. And a wide range of accessories are available. Charcoal grilling has the ability to enhance the food flavor and some people believe it is the only way to grill. There is another reason that the Kamado Joe grills are better than the traditional charcoal grill; they are ready to use in 15 minutes.

Choosing the Right Grill for You

Fri, 27 May 2011 18:36:00 GMT

Burgers, brats and dogs are just as much of a staple of summer as water and sun tan lotion. With that said, many people will be in the market for a new grill in the coming week -- whether they're looking for their first kettle charcoal grill, pellet grill or a deluxe gas grill.

Chris Gardner, owner of Midwest Grills & BBQ Supplies and founder of midwestgrills.com, says there are a few important questions every shopper should ask before they purchase a grill.

"How often am I going to use it? How many people am I going to cook for? How long do I want it to last? The answers to these will help you decide on the price range you should spend," Mr. Gardner says.

Let's take a look at how gas grills, charcoal grills and alternative models stack up against each other.

GAS: Gas grills are considered the luxury cars of the grill market. They're durable, full of features and come in several sizes. However, they also cost more to purchase and maintain.

The big upside to gas grills is convenience. Unlike their counterparts that require coals or wood chips to heat, gas grills have gained popularity because they're ready to cook in less than 10 minutes.

A gas grill also makes it easy to regulate the heat and to cook at several different temperatures at the same time. They offer greater versatility, allowing you to cook burgers and vegetables and heat buns at the same time without burning any of them. According to Kevin Harrison, general manager of the St. Joseph Menards store, the more burners a grill has, the more cooking flexibility you'll enjoy.

Gas grills come in various sizes, too. Grills with small footprints are ideal for a terrace or townhouse. If you have the space (and the money), look for a 30-inch, 42-inch or even bigger stainless-steel model. These usually offer add-on modules or appliances like wet bars, refrigerators, wine coolers, sear stations and more.

CHARCOAL: If you ask the famous "Dr. BBQ", Ray Lampe, whether he would choose a gas or charcoal grill, his pick would be charcoal every time. Although gas grill enthusiasts claim there is no difference, he says his charcoal choice lies in the taste.

"I'll give someone a piece of something cooked over charcoal, and they're just amazed because the gas grills we're so used to just have no flavor," says Mr. Lampe, a barbecue expert who has appeared on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Not only do charcoal grills provide great flavor, but they're generally easier on the wallet, too.

"A charcoal grill lasts forever. There's no maintenance, you just get some new charcoal and put it in there," Mr. Lampe says. Cleaning involves little more than scrubbing the grate and dumping the ashes, he adds.

Mr. Lampe recommends lump charcoal, which lights much faster than traditional charcoal briquettes.

Indirect cooking is also far more difficult on a charcoal grill. While several burners can cook various foods at different temperatures on a gas grill, a charcoal model requires grillers to build a fire on just one side of the grill.

ALTERNATIVES: As the price of gas has risen in recent years, many people have turned to pellet grills.

Pellet grills use small wood pellets -- in a variety of "flavors" such as hickory, mesquite and oak -- to provide the energy source and infuse the food with flavor from the resultant smoke. Pellet grills are especially attractive because they require no fuel and are energy efficient.

Original article by TMCnet.com -Shea Conner

Western Massachusetts Wood Stove Exchange Program Could Save You Thousands

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:12:00 GMT

Firing up your wood stove to keep your home warm is not something many are hoping to do any time soon.

But the American Lung Association of Massachusetts is launching a program that could help you get a new stove for a fraction of the price.

Starting now through the end of the year Western Massachusetts residents can apply for vouchers to replace any non-EPA rated wood or pellet stove for a new EPA rated one.

For new pellet stoves you can get a credit worth $2,000. If you qualify for low income heating assistance or WIC you can receive a credit worth $3,000. Meaning you'll be able to trade out your stove for a fraction of price.

The credits are available on a first come first served basis. Meaning even though the program runs through the end of the year, experts say it could be sold out in only a month.

For more information log onto woodstovechangeout.org. If you would like information regarding wood and pellet stove retailers in your area, please contact Northeast Distribution, LTD and we will be happy to get you in touch with the finest retailer in your area.

Original Article by Chris Stewart on cbs3springfield.com

Grill and Fireplace Shops in the Northeast are Helping the Flood Victims in Mississippi

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:52:00 GMT

Northeast Distribution LTD is participating again in a worthwhile charity drive. The HPBA, Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association, is raising money and supplies for victims of the floods in Alabama. Through a local hearth and fireplace shop in Mississippi, those businesses associated with the HPBA have been asked to donate charcoal and grills.

The American Red Cross will then transport the supplies to the victims in the Gulf flood area. Northeast Distribution and their retailers have raised money and supplies. With over 500 retailers in the New England, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey area they hope to provide substantial assistance. Many of the areas’ retailers brought supplies: charcoal, grills and other grilling accessories to the Northeast Distribution Trade Show for pick up by the HPBA and distribution by the Red Cross to the areas that are most in need.

Retailers were able to add the line on their invoices or could choose to purchase a new grill to be sent straight from NDL. If you would like any more information on how you can help, contact Northeast Distribution today.

Energy Tax Credits Extended But Know the Rules

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:56:00 GMT

Late last year, many homeowners were scrambling to get energy-efficient home improvements completed before those federal tax credits expired on Dec. 31. If you were one of those who didn't take advantage of last year's energy tax credits, you still may be able to get them this year thanks to the 2010 Tax Relief Act that has extended the tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements for 2011.

"The new 2011 tax credit is good for up to 10 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the homeowner for qualified energy efficiency improvements installed during the tax year, subject to a lifetime $500 maximum," said attorney Jonathan Goldberg.

Unfortunately, that's not as good as the 2009 and 2010 versions that had a 30 percent credit and lifetime maximum of $1,500.

Goldberg also said that if the homeowner received an energy tax credit in the past, it could mean they don't qualify this year. There are limits to the amount of credit you can qualify for depending on the product. Mark Ratliff at Hartford and Ratliff, said that even with the credits available, many customers have to do the math.

"The price of these qualifying products are usually higher than non-qualifying products. Customers need to weigh the longer-term payback versus the upfront costs. Unfortunately, many are not, therefore, they choose to forgo the more expensive model that qualifies and are buying a less expensive model that doesn't," Ratliff said.

In almost all cases the purchase of the energy saving product will pay for itself with the savings you obtain in home heating and energy bills. All Consumers should take that into account. For example, a new wood burning or pellet stove which qualifies for the tax credits will substantially decrease your home heating costs therefore reducing your energy bills and paying for itself within a year or two.

What energy-efficient home improvements are eligible? The overall $500 cap can be reached in several ways with the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products that meet certain efficiency criteria.

Some products that qualify include wood burning stoves and pellet stoves, exterior windows, storm windows, insulation, exterior doors, roofs, central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. There are also separate credits for geothermal heat pump systems and certain solar applications.

The home improvement tax credit applies for improvements "placed in service" from Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011. The IRS defines "placed in service" as when the products or materials are ready and available for use.

Always check with a tax professional to ensure you qualify for any of these federal tax credits. But if you didn't take advantage of last year's credits, there is a good chance you can still save some money on your taxes in 2011 and get some green by going green.

Original Article from Detroit News, Glenn Haege

Great Grilling Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:58:00 GMT

At Northeast Distribution, LTD we have been collecting some of the best grilling recipes. And for Cinco de Mayo, we thought we would share an easy and fast meal that can you can cook on your grill. The prep time is short, the recipes are healthy, and grilling out is fun. So pour your margarita and enjoy.

Grilled salsa recipe
•   1 cup fresh or jarred salsa
•   1/2 bell pepper (any color), grilled and diced
•   1/2 medium red onion, grilled and diced
Combine the salsa with the grilled and chopped pepper and onion. Serve with tortilla chips as an app, but save some for the entrée.

Shredded Grilled Tilapia Tacos
•   1 tablespoon ground chipotle seasoning
•   1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
•   1/2 teaspoon salt
•   6 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
•   2 tablespoons olive oil
•   1 teaspoon grated lime rind
•   2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
•   Vegetable cooking spray
•   12 corn tortillas

Combine first 3 ingredients and rub evenly over fillets. Stir together oil, grated rind, and juice; rub over fillets. Arrange fillets in a grill basket coated with cooking spray, or on hot, oiled grill grates. Grill over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 3 minutes on each side. Cool slightly. Shred fish with a fork. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of fish into tortillas, and top with grilled vegetable salsa and sweet and spicy slaw (recipe below). Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Sweet and spicy slaw
•   1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
•   2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
•   2 tablespoons pineapple or orange marmalade
•   1/2 teaspoon salt
•   1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried chipotle seasoning
•   1 (16-ounce) package cabbage slaw mix

Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a medium glass bowl until blended. Add cabbage slaw mix, tossing to coat. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serve on top of tilapia tacos.

A Working Fireplace is a Plus for New Home Buyers

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:02:00 GMT

If you are getting your home ready to put on the market this spring, think of adding a few luxuries to entice potential buyers. Set your home apart from the others with a new gas or wood stove, fireplace or insert. As you know, homes sales in New England and the Northeast are increasing, but home pricing has become much more competitive. With the spring comes an increase in home sales, and with interest rates still low compared to years past, and a rebounding economy, it is the perfect time to sell your home.

Gas fires add convenience and ambiance to any home. With the touch of a button potential buyers know that in your home, they can enjoy a relaxing fire anytime. And, how nice to showcase your home at an open house with a cozy fire blazing in the fireplace.

With a wood burning stove or insert added to your home, your realtor can show potential buyers the advantage of your home over the competition, a decrease in home heating utility bills. Not only will potential buyers save money heating their new home next winter, they will be able to enjoy the ambiance and beauty provided by a beautiful fire.

But whichever fuel source you choose, one thing is certain; working fireplaces add atmosphere and ambiance to any home. New home buyers love the idea of a working hearth and they make your home more enticing. Home buyers are looking for a unique and homey piece of real estate. With all of their options make your house the home they are looking for.

Pellet Stoves use Biomass as a Fuel Source

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:08:00 GMT

As we attempt to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, Biomass is one of our renewable energy options. People usually think of wood first, even though wood is a small part of biomass fuel potential.

Different biomass fuels burn differently, but generally each biomass in a compressed form, such as pellets, has a similar heat value, meaning they generate the same heat. The variation comes from the various biomass burners, such as pellet stove, fireplaces and inserts which have variables that affect the way bio fuels burn, such as changes in ash content, air intake, and corrosive effects.

Anything that can burn and decompose can be used as a biofuel. Biofuel is not new, but we have started thinking more about it as we watch our energy bills rise and hear more about carbon footprints.

So how can we use biomass? Burning wood logs saves in energy costs and is a form of renewable energy. Another answer, which many believe is the best answer, is a compressed form of wood; wood pellets. In a compressed form bio fuel, burns much more efficiently, are much more practical to transport, and dispensing or feeding the fuel into the pellet stove is easy and efficient. With a compressed and uniform fuel source, such as pellets, the fuel makes pellet stoves efficient, economical and renewable.

Maine Should Encourage Pellet Stove Installation

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:04:00 GMT

A bond initiative by Gov. Paul LePage, to convert as many state and municipal buildings to pellet boilers would keep much of the tax dollars being used to heat public buildings from leaving the state. Think of all the public buildings that could be burning Maine-made or at least USA-made pellets. Not only does this keep money in the United States, but we become less likely to be held hostage by foreign oil.

Maine should take this opportunity to help itself get off its dependence on heating oil, while creating jobs producing pellets, selling and servicing pellet stoves and boilers and keeping millions of Mainers' heating dollars right here in Maine.

Additionally, by assessing everyone in the state who receives a property tax bill $2 per year for 3,000 tax bills each year per town, there's $6,000 worth of revenue. Towns could use this revenue to fund $3,000 to a recipient of LIHEAP to install a pellet stove and winterization for that family. Some towns could help one family; larger towns could help several families.

Multiply this roughly by 1,800 communities every year for 10 years and you can see how our oil dependency drops.

It will work. During the last 12 months, I've spent approximately $1,200 on pellets, but I've cut my oil consumption by roughly 1,200 gallons. At $3 per gallon, you do the math.

All Mainers will reap the benefits of this initiative if LePage implements it.

Original article by Phillip K. Barter –Kennebec Journal

Spring Cleaning for the Grill

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:09:00 GMT

If the pinks, greens and blues of early spring bulbs have nothing on the colors compared to the mold on your grill, we have some tips on getting that grill back into shape.

Nine-out-of-10 people own a gas grill, and as the spring grilling season heats up, burgers, chicken and hotdogs remain the top three choices for most.

Weber's 22nd annual Grill Watch Survey also found 28 per cent of us even cook breakfast on the grill.

When it comes to spring cleaning, many people think you should just turn the grill on and burn everything off.

"But there are a lot of things to do before you even consider turning the grill on. You have to make sure your grill is completely clean, take off the carbon buildup, and make sure no critters have left their droppings inside your grill."

You should also do a complete grill safety check."That means doing a leak check. Use a half soap, half water mixture, soaping up where all the connections are, making sure your regulators are secure and the hoses are not cracked or brittle, making sure everything is nice and tight. Then you turn on your propane slightly and make sure there are no bubbles forming anywhere."

After tuning up your grill, it is time to tune up the chef.

Get adventurous with your spring and summer grilling. Pizzas are becoming popular, along with desserts.

"I do a phenomenal smoky grilled cheesecake. It's very simple to do, just like you'd do in the oven only adding a little smoke flavor to it on the grill. Set it up with the indirect cooking method and let some of that smoke flavor get into the cheese. It's delicious. Then top it off with some nice grilled fruit."

Upside down pineapple cake is also very easy to do on the grill.

Original article written by Mike Lloyd, News 1130

Traeger Grills are More Versatile and Healthier for You

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:10:00 GMT

Food cooked on a Traeger grill simply tastes better… It is just that simple! If you have already tasted the Traeger difference at a backyard BBQ you know that food cooked on a Traeger pellet grill tastes better. Traeger provides rich flavors and taste to all dishes, turning even inexpensive cuts of meat into special occasions. Traeger grills cook with wood, wood pellets, so they make everything taste better. The pellets come in different flavors, hickory, cherry and mesquite.

No more hovering over the grill, with the Traeger, just turn the grill on, set your temperature and let your Traeger do the work. Walk away, take a nap, or spend quality time with friends and family. No hassles, just great results. You will be amazed at how simple award winning outdoor cooking can be. Even better, with a Traeger grill, there is no need to worry about ruining the main course due to a flare-up.

This grill is healthier for the family too. It utilizes an indirect cooking system, which reduces fat and reduces the burning or charring of meats which creates carcinogens. With flavorful wood as a fuel there is no need to worry about gas or the nasty effects of charcoal.

Traeger grills are the ultimate in cooking versatility. Use it as a grill, BBQ, smoker, or a wood-fired convection oven. Steak, brisket, prime rib, hamburgers, pork loin, veggie kabobs, pizza, even cookies and biscuits are so simple! With Traeger, your imagination is your only limitation. A Traeger does it all!

Spring Cleaning Products for your Wood Stove

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:14:00 GMT

It is approaching the time to clean out your wood stove, fireplace or insert, hopefully for the rest of the winter season! We have worked our fireplaces hard this winter, and they need a break, a cleaning and a polishing after what we have put them through this year. The winter of 2010-2011 has entered the history books for the Northeast, and our stoves and inserts need a break.

Northeast Distribution, LTD has all the products you need to make your stove, insert or fireplace look brand new again. We offer many different styles of ash buckets and shovels for cleaning up after a wood burning fire. It certainly is an unpleasant job, but there's but you can at least make cleaning as quick and easy as possible.

Imperial also makes the best line of maintenance products and stove paints on the market today. For easy cleaning of your stove, fireplace, or insert we carry all that you need. Glass door, gas log, and masonry cleaner along with gold and brass cleaner and high heat stove paint.

For everything wood stove, fireplace and insert related for Spring Cleaning, call Northeast Distribution today.

Vermont Castings Wood Burning Fireplaces Have a Relaxing Feel

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:23:00 GMT

Surely this winter you have been to a home that has felt cozy, welcoming and warm with a fire burning the fireplace. Fireplaces instill a sense of warmth and security in any room. The firelight sends a sense of calm through the atmosphere. You can have this in your home too, with Vermont Castings Wood Burning Fireplace.

The heat generated by a Vermont Castings wood burning fireplace is just the beginning. The room feels welcome, with a cheerful and relaxing ambience, but also, the Sequoia Wood Burning Fireplace by Vermont Castings can heat up to a 2,500 square foot home as efficiently as a wood stove. Efficiency and beauty are combined in this fireplace design.

And, they are less expensive than you think. But, thanks to newer fireplace technology, the efficiency of a Vermont Castings fireplace drives down your heating costs. Wood is a cost effective, efficient and comforting way to heat your home. Not to mention the traditional look of a wood burning fireplace brings people more comfort, and provides a focal point to your room. You’ll notice the fire becoming the gathering place in the evenings. Contact us at 866-602-7227 for more information on any Vermont Castings Products.

Curing Maine's Addiction to Heating Oil

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:37:00 GMT

A roadmap to avoiding economic disaster in Maine and the other regional states.

Maine, USA -- Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have a unique and overwhelming dependence on home heating oil for heat. Dependence on heating oil drains money and jobs and tax revenues from Maine and its sister states. Their dependence on heating oil has already eroded their economies; and that dependence has the potential to destroy the foundations for growth and prosperity as they export more and more of their disposable income to places that are far away.

Maine Depends on Oil to its Economic Detriment

Recent data from the U.S. Census shows that 75.61% of Maine’s homes use #2 heating oil. This is by far the highest proportion of heating oil dependency of any state. The table below shows this fact and also shows that Maine has very limited access to natural gas (3.68% of homes).

Because of these states’ heavy reliance on heating oil, these states are the most petroleum dependent states in the United States (with the exception of Hawaii). See Figure 2, below.

Maine “exports” about $720,000,000 per year in what I call our “oil tax” because Maine homes use about 300 million gallons per year of heating oil and, according to the EIA’s Home Heating Oil Report for 2010, 78% of every dollar spent on heating oil leaves the Maine economy. If that money were to stay in the Maine economy it would produce about 41,000 new jobs that do not currently exist.

(Note: 41,000 jobs is based on an average annual pay and benefits of $37,000 and multiplier effects estimated by FutureMetrics. Job multipliers are based on detailed multiplier tables, by state, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, The Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) Model, revised in 2009. The multipliers’ aggregate increase in final demand is also modified by an assumed 35% tax rate. The median income of $37,000 is from the US Census, 2008. The 35% tax rate is an assumption that includes all taxes that reduce consumption (including but not limited to real estate, sales, income, and excise taxes. This job number does not include any new jobs created by the production of regionally produced fuel such as wood pellets.)

It’s important to consider where heating oil prices will be in 3 to 5 years so that Maine and its neighboring states can plan to mitigate the current and potential negative economic impacts that accrue from this addiction to heating oil.

Will Heating Oil Prices Increase?

Forecasting energy prices with any precision is impossible. However, trends in price movements over time can be estimated.

Heating oil is distilled from crude oil and therefore crude prices, along with domestic demand characteristics for distillate fuels (which include heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel), strongly affect heating oil prices.

The relationship between economic growth and oil prices can be used to estimate future price trends. Based on expected growth rates for global gross economic product, FutureMetrics has estimated the expected crude oil price from 1999 to 2015. The chart below, which is difficult to read on this site, shows that expected prices will increase to at least $175 per barrel by November 2014.

Overall, while heating oil prices may fluctuate over time, the trend will be for increases. The expected price of crude suggests that Maine could see heating oil prices of $4.50/gallon over the winter of 2012-13.

What is the Effect of Higher Heating Oil Prices on Maine and the Region?

What would happen if heating oil reaches the price seen in 2008 (about $4.50/gallon)? A $1.50/gallon increase in heating oil prices from $3.00/gallon adds another $358,000,000 to Maine’s “oil tax.” That loss of disposable income will destroy another 20,700 jobs and would raise the current unemployment rate of 7.29% to 10.26%. (Note: my employment data is from the Maine Department of Labor, November 2010. The increase in the unemployment rate assumes that the civilian labor force remains at the November 2010 level of 696,360. Maine’s labor force has been falling slightly since 2007 (2008 average was 705,258, 2009 average was 704,134, and the 2010 average through November was 699,596.)

Jobs and businesses will suffer; but so will the governments of these states. The loss of more than 20,000 jobs in Maine will lower tax revenues. The state of Maine averages about $5,200 in total tax income per employed resident, according to the Maine Department of Labor and the Maine Budget Office.

The loss of 20,700 jobs would lower tax revenues and that loss would reduce state tax revenue by almost $106 million annually. That is a 3.21% drop in annual tax revenues. At the same time, the demand for services would increase as the increase in heating oil costs disproportionally burdens the poor.

Can the Region Transition off of Heating Oil?

There is a solution to the problem that can not only lower heating costs dramatically but can also eliminate the dependence on heating oil; and that solution can also keep the money spent on fuel in the local economy and stop our exporting hundreds of millions of dollars and destroying tens of thousands of jobs. The solution is to use fuel from our own forests and from dedicated energy crops grown on fallow land.

Maine is the most forested state in the United States and Maine sustainably harvests more than 16 million tons per year of wood from its forests (PDF). New Hampshire and Vermont have less forested land but Vermont has enough non-cultivated cropland that is idle from the decline of the dairy farm sector to grow more than 1.5 million tons per year of woody biomass from dedicated fuel crops. For more on the topic of land availability, see the sidebar at the bottom of this article.

The residential wood pellet fueled boiler experience in Europe can guide Maine and its sister states away from their dependence on heating oil. Pellet fueled boilers are different than pellet stoves. They are fully automatic (fuel and ash handling) and comparable to any modern home heating system for emissions. Whereas most homes in the U.S. that use pellets have stoves, most homes in Europe that use pellets have boilers.

Pellet fuel is also much cheaper than heating oil and propane.

The potential advantages of harnessing the region’s woody biomass fuel potential for heating homes and businesses are many; but job creation tops the list. Tens of thousands of jobs will be created by making the fuel locally, using cheaper fuel, and by eliminating the heating “oil tax.”

The net effect of converting 75% of homes that use heating oil to modern European style pellet boilers would be to create or sustain 79,000 jobs in Maine and almost 147,000 jobs in the three states most addicted to heating oil (based on heating oil at $4.50 per gallon).

Conclusion

We are facing a crisis in our region due to our addiction to heating oil. We saw a preview of this crisis in 2008 but, as with most addictions, pain is quickly forgotten and denial immediately takes over.

The benefits of converting a significant number of homes from heating with oil to heating with pellets are significant. The risks to our economy if we do not convert are also significant. Can we afford to sit on our hands and hope that oil prices won’t rise?

Inaction can only be a product of denial. Prices will rise.

Sidebar: Is there Enough Land?

While an important share of the non-cultivated cropland in the northern New England region produces hay that is necessary for livestock agriculture, and some of the pasture supports pasture-based beef and dairy production, as well as the equine industry, a significant part of both these land categories is used only lightly, frequently only mowed every year or two to keep it open. Assuming that 25% the non-cultivated cropland and pasture is converted to energy crops, and assuming that the average yield per acre is 4 dry tons per year, the table below shows the potential for additional feedstock (assuming 50% moisture to convert from green to dry tons).

Data is from the National Resources Inventory, managed by USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service. Data is derived from a statistical sample of plots of land, based on observation of land cover from satellite and ground data.)

High Heating Oil Prices Continue to Drain Wallets in the Northeast

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:49:00 GMT

Bitter cold and repeated heavy snowstorms helped make winter in the Northeastern U.S. particularly brutal this year. Adding to the chills were soaring prices for heating oil that are likely to be the highest on record.

By the time the six-month-long winter heating season is over, the average homeowner in the Northeast will have laid out $2,431 for fuel to fire boilers and furnaces, Reuters reported, citing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which provides forecasts of energy costs. The amount is about $200 more than the Energy Department predicted in October -- and almost $500 more than the average just a year ago.

Temperatures were indeed colder than average in December and January, but that's not the source of the high price for heating oil. "[R]ising oil prices, not colder weather, have been the primary cause of the increase in forecasts of average winter season heating expenditures for households heating with oil," the EIA said in its statement.

The price of heating oil rose to $90 a barrel this month, up from $78 in October, Reuters noted. That rise pushed the average retail price for residential heating oil to $3.59 a gallon this week, up 73 cents from a year earlier, the EIA said.

Demand Is Down, But Not Prices

The increase in the cost of heating oil as crude prices have steadied or fallen in recent days is a conundrum, says Josh Garrett, managing editor of HeatingOil.com, a Manhattan-based information service for both dealers and consumers.

With healthy supplies of heating oil and rising temperatures in the Northeast, prices have little reason to remain at such high levels, Garrett says. Mild weather in recent days has lowered demand 20% from levels typical for this time of year.

Garrett offers no predictions about where heating oil prices will go as the Northeast heads into the final six weeks of the heating season. "I'm at a loss," he says. Prices should slide lower because supplies remain high. But, he adds, that's been true the entire season, and plentiful stores of heating oil haven't had much effect on lowering prices.

Budget Cuts Target Home Heating Assistance Program

Sustained high prices for home heating oil raise the specter of fewer people being able to afford to keep their homes warm come next heating season. That will be especially true if cuts to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are implemented.

As part of his draft budget released last week, President Obama targeted $2.5 billion in cuts to the $5.1 billion program that helps low-income households with energy costs. Obama justified the cuts by noting that the price of natural gas, a dominant heating source nationwide, has fallen steadily in the last two years.

But that's not true for heating oil, says Garrett, in a blog post at HeatingOil.com. After hitting their highest levels ever in the summer of 2008, crude oil prices crashed along with the economy in late 2008 and early 2009, making heating oil "quite affordable." Since then, however, prices have risen sharply, doubling during the slightly more than two years since Obama took office and rising 38% in the last year alone.

Garrett doubts that the proposed 50% cut in LIHEAP funding will make it into the final budget, noting that strong negative reactions from constituents and lawmakers "will translate into a much less severe cut." Legislators from Maine to Maryland, regardless of party, will work together during budget negotiations to ensure that the cuts to the program aren't made, he says.

"They realize this is a huge issue for their constituents," says Garrett, "and they're definitely not going to stand idly by and let the program get gutted."

View Original Article By David Schepp, DailyFinance.com - Click Here

Fireplace Essentials

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:25:00 GMT

A wood-burning fireplace in your home not only adds warmth and coziness it can be a lifesaver in a power outage. Fireplaces require specialized tools designed to let you burn wood safely and easily. Be prepared before shopping for accessories for your fireplace. Measure the opening of the fireplace and the depth and back width of the firebox.

The first thing you will need is a grate from Landmann, Pilgrim or Minuteman to place the logs on. They are generally sized to the floor of the fireplace and hold the logs up from the bottom of the fireplace to allow air under the fire which will keep your fire burning. They also hold the logs in place and prevent the logs from rolling out of the firebox.

A screen from Pilgrim or Minuteman is the next essential that you will need to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace and to keep little hands or paws from reaching in. Screens are sized to the opening of your fireplace and come in many styles and finishes to match any home décor.

A tool set from Minuteman or Pilgrim is your next essential. Toolsets generally all come with a poker, broom and shovel along with other tools depending on the set. Some of the other tools available are log grabbers and hoes. When picking a toolset consider the length of the tools and feel of them. You do not need an extra long set of tools for a small fireplace and they may seem ungainly when you try and use them. Along with an attractive and functional toolset consider a matching log holder to store your wood in. Log holders from Pilgrim, Minuteman and Landmann come in many styles such as hoops, baskets and racks that will even hold your tools and kindling.

An attractive screen, tool set and log holder add the perfect finishing touches to your fireplace. Other fireplace necessities to consider are fire starters, gloves, double bottom ash buckets, bellows, brick and stone cleaner. Contact Northeast Distribution LTD at 866-602-7227 today for an authorized hearth dealer near you.

Essential Fireplace Accessories for a Wood Burning Fire

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:55:00 GMT

A wood fire in your home is beautiful to behold, and there are certainly many homes out there that burn fires in their open fireplace. At NDL, we would like to educate you on the essential tools of a wood fireplace, or what we call, the fireplace tool box.

There are a few items that are essential to the safe and efficient function of a wood burning fire. But we would like to first talk about fireplace tool sets. Fireplace tools can be purchased for both decorative and utility purposes. You need well made fireplace tools in order to maintain and use your fireplace safely.

The type of tools you want in your tool set are up to you, but put some thought into how you will use them, and be sure to “roll play” with them before you buy them.

A beautiful wrought iron set may look great, but it may be too heavy for you to use. Luckily, Pilgrim makes tools sets that are both functional and beautiful. With different combination and styles, you can find a set that meets all of your needs and fits in with your home style.

The fireplace grate is another essential part of your fireplace tool box. It is designed to keep the firewood off the floor of your fireplace allowing the ashes to fall below and air to flow in. The fireplace grate is an essential factor to the burning process. By keeping the wood away from the floor, it allows the fire to draw fresh oxygen to the hottest part of the flame. This allows for more efficient wood burning.

Lastly, but certainly not the least important item in your fireplace tool box is the fireplace screen or fireplace doors. Although many people prefer burning a fire without a screen, this is not a good idea. Besides being able to catch sparks which are inevitable, the logs can become displaced as they burn down and change size. A screen or fireplace doors helps stop the disturbed logs from rolling out of the fire and into your living space. Screens and doors also make fires safer for young children and pets. However, screens and doors can be both functional and beautiful as well, and they are made to fit any style home.

Seasoned Firewood and Chimney Cleaning Sprays Reduce Creosote Buildup

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:17:00 GMT

Creosote buildup inside your chimney is the primary reason you will need to have the chimney cleaned, and it is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is one of the chemical products of “incomplete combustion of fuel”. It is one of byproducts of burning fires that is carried up your chimney through the flue to be vented safely outside.

There are several steps you can take to minimize creosote condensation inside your chimney. The first and easiest is to always burn well seasoned wood in your fireplace or woodstove. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high water content so it burns cooler with more smoke. Cooler burning and more smoke both contribute to creosote buildup in your chimney.

You also want the most complete combustion of your wood that is possible for your fireplace or woodstove. Meaning, you want to burn the wood in the fire as completely as you can at a hot temperature. A small, hot fire burns the fuel more completely than a large, cooler fire.

Non-toxic and environmentally safe creosote cleaner is also sold. Creosote cleaner, which you can spray inside your fireplace or wood stove, and on the wood within the firebox, helps prevent chimney fires, and turns dangerous creosote and soot into a harmless ash or char that can be easily removed. Once your fire is lit, creosote cleaner helps reduce the amount of buildup in your chimney and helps breakdown the creosote that exists there from previous fires. Although sprays do decrease the creosote, it by no means is a real substitute for a regular chimney sweeping.

However, anti creosote sprays are a great addition to your cleaning repertoire, helping prevent the creosote from becoming too solid. Spraying your fireplace or wood stove regularly is a very good idea for chimney maintenance.

Kick Spring Fever by Grilling Outside

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:15:00 GMT

With all this snow we have been having in the Northeast do you have spring fever? At NDL, we sure do.One way to help is to add some style and flavor to your next meal and get back to the thrill of the grill with a Vermont Castings Heritage Grill – it is sure to spark more than one dinnertime conversation! It may be cold outside, but nothing tastes better than dinner grilled on an open flame. That is what makes cooking on gas grills so convenient, shovel off the deck, push the igniter button, and you are ready to grill.

Vermont Castings gas grills offer you more BTUs per square inch than any of their competitors, which is perfect for grilling in freezing temperatures. As soon as you hear the sizzle and smell the food cooking on the porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates, you will be happy you decided to take it outside. With the convenience of single source ignition, you can light your grill with the touch of a button, even when it is freezing outside.

Wood Burning Stoves, Inserts and Fireplaces Can Lower Your Home Heating Bills

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:24:00 GMT

With gas prices on the rise, and home heating oil prices at $3.50 a gallon as a national average, wouldn’t you like to lower your fuel costs? With an alternative heating source in your home, you can. Wood is an excellent, efficient, hot, and beautiful way to heat your home. Wood fireplaces, inserts and stoves are a cost effective way to supplement or eliminate your heating bills while bringing beauty and ambience to your home.

Wood as a home heating fuel source addresses many of your own heating problems as well as global energy problems. Wood is a renewable energy source, and with today’s wood burning stove technology, it burns much more cleanly and efficiently than in days past.

And with the beauty that a wood burning fireplace brings to your home, you can enjoy more than just a lower heating bill, you can enjoy a gorgeous fire and exceptional warmth. With manufacturers like Vermont Castings, Pacific Energy, Archgard and Dutchwest, you can find the stove, fireplace or insert that you have been looking for to perfectly fit the style and size of your home.

Let Northeast Distribution connect you to the finest hearth retailers in your area that can answer your questions and find the perfect wood burning heat for your lifestyle.

There are Many Reasons That Pellet Stoves Are Great for Your Home

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:59:00 GMT

Pellet stoves are probably the easiest stove to operate. Add this to the fact that pellet stoves are efficient, economical and use renewable energy and they are a win win for any home. Pellet stoves today are very convenient for the homeowner with a busy lifestyle, or those who just do not want to fuss over their stove. Typically, you only need to load a pellet stove with wood pellets 1-2 times per day, depending on the size of stove and the hopper. Because their burn efficiency is so high, pellet stoves do not produce any smoke, little ash and as a result require low maintenance cleaning.

They are also perfect for a home setting because as they burn, the exterior of the stove remains merely warm to the touch. There is virtually no external heat on the outside of the stove. Because of this, you can place the stove very close to a wall, and they remain safe for homes with young children and pets.

The pellet burning process is very efficient making less pollutants and particles that are released into the air. Additionally, wood pellets are actually made from the byproduct of wood; they are not the primary product. They are mainly produced from recycled wood at sawmills, usually sawdust, wood shavings and some forms of nuts. This makes the big advantage of pellet stoves the costs of fuel. Using a pellet stove could create significant cost savings in your heating bill. So, not only will you have a beautiful, easy to use stove in your home, you will be paying less to heat your home, while using renewable energy to do it! Consider a pellet stove to help heat your home this winter.

Fireplace Screens and Doors Increase the Beauty of Your Fireplace

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:12:00 GMT

Spruce up your hearth with fireplace screens and glass doors. If you have small children or pets you may be looking for a fireplace screen for safety. Or perhaps you want a screen to protect your home from shifting logs and embers. However, fireplace screens can be decorative as well.

Are you looking for a way for your hearth to be a focal point rather than a hole in the wall? Minuteman fireplace screens are a decorative, safe and cost effective solution that will add personality and style to your fireplace.

If you have a working traditional fireplace, take a look at decorative fireplace screens. With decorative flat or three-fold screens you can turn your old fireplace into a conversation piece. Made from wrought iron, brass or brushed aluminum fireplace screens can change the entire look and effect of your fireplace in any season.

If you want to use your fireplace safely, increase the ambience of your room, and heighten the attractiveness of your hearth. Let NDL help you find the fireplace screens and doors of your choice.

Top 5 Tailgating Foods for NFL Games

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:55:00 GMT

Whenever I make it to a Kansas City Chiefs home game at Arrowhead Stadium the one thing I enjoy the most, aside from seeing the Chiefs win, is being able to tailgate for hours before the game starts. Going to Kansas City and having a tailgate party means barbecue - plain and simple.

Football and tailgating are a time-honored tradition in the United States. If you make it to a Chiefs game here are five essential barbecue foods you should consider for your tailgating feast repertoire.

Ribs

Pork ribs are delicious when they are done right. Grilling ribs means two essential processess to cook them. First is to marinate them for 24 hours before you cook them in your favorite sauce. For my wife and I the sauce comes from another great Kansas City tradition - KC Masterpiece has several marinades for fantastic ribs.

The second key ingredient to cooking ribs is to grill them slow enough to make them juicy and the meat is tender while still sticking to the bone. Preheat your grill for medium and brush the rack with oil so the meat won't stick. Remove ribs from the marinade sauce and place on rack - feel free to slather some left over sauce over the ribs as they cook. Grill the ribs for 30 minutes on one side and flip. Grill another 10 minutes or so until the meat is done.

Hamburgers

The key to grilled burgers is much the same with ribs. Preparation beforehand is the key when you shape the hamburger patties. Take two pounds of your favorite type of ground beef and add an egg to it. Pile on a cup of chopped onions, one slice of bread made into small crumbs, and a cup of your favorite barbecue sauce. Mix everything together and make your meat into about six to eight patties. My suggestion is to freeze the patties overnight because they will hold together better when you grill them.

Put your grill on medium heat and initially cook the burgers for 10 to 15 minutes before turning over. Cook another five to 10 minutes or however long you want them to be done inside. Well done burgers will have to be cooked longer than medium well or medium rare. Again, save some of the sauce for basting the burgers while they grill. Add cheese on top of the patties just before you take them out of the grill for cheeseburgers.

Steaks

Don't be afraid to go all out and cook some fantastic steaks on game day. My opinion on cooking steaks will be to basically let the flavor of the meat come out and pretty much leave the meat as-is until afterwards. Lightly season the meat before hand with a rub or your favorite seasoning but I would leave the marinade to the ribs.

My two favorite cuts of meat to grill are chuck eye steaks and ribeyes. The reason for this is because there is just enough fat on them to make them tender and juicy even after being made well done on the grill. Turn your grill up high and sear both sides of the meat for just a minute each. Then turn the grill down to medium and cook the steak about 15 minutes per side until your steak is done.

Bratwurst

Bratwurst is probably the easiest meat to cook on your grill aside from hot dogs. Bratwurst can be done in as little as 15 minutes and tastes wonderful even without barbecue sauce. Set your grill to medium and flip bratwurst over constantly until they are plump and juicy. You'll know the bratwurst is done just like any other meat - when juices come out of the meat clear without any hue the bratwurst is done.

Afterwards you can serve bratwurst with cheese and on a roll and with sauce. You can even chop up bratwurst and serve it as a meat on the side of other meat dishes.

Grilled Onions and Mushrooms

A great side with these cuts of meat is to make grilled onions and mushrooms. Take a cup each of chopped mushrooms and onions and wrap them in foil so they are completely covered during the cooking process. Add one cup of your favorite soy sauce and wrap the foil around the mixture and grill on the rack for about 10 to 15 minutes.

What you'll have are a bunch of tender onions and mushrooms which go with any meat you choose to cook. Grilled onions and mushrooms go great as a topping for burgers, steaks and even bratwurst.

No matter what you choose to cook at a tailgate party, do it well. Meats are just one suggestion to cook on your grill but they are fast and easy to make when you prep them before they reach the grill in your stadium's parking lot.

More Homeowners Looking to Stoves for Heat

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:21:00 GMT

For 23 years, Julie Gore has heated her Ada, Ohio, home with a wood-burning stove. When the old one wore out, she didn't hesitate to buy another for her family room.

"It's warm and toasty," said Gore, an administrative assistant at Ohio Northern University. "I wouldn't trade it. If you get a chill you can stand by it and warm up."

Stoves as secondary heating sources are growing in popularity, and come in two basic varieties: wood stoves and pellet stoves.

Some proponents say the stoves can be more environmentally friendly and help cut energy costs; other experts say that can vary from household to household.

Traditional wood-burning stoves like Gore's enjoy stronger sales, but pellet stoves, which burn compressed sawdust, may be gaining, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, a manufacturers trade group. Wood stoves and wood fireplace inserts saw an 81 percent increase in shipments in 2008, the association said. Pellet stoves and pellet fireplace inserts increased 161 percent that year.

Both kinds of stoves are meant mostly to heat specific rooms or groups of rooms, not entire houses. They cost between $3,000 and $4,500 including installation.

The federal government is offering a 30 percent tax rebate in 2009 and 2010 for purchases of wood or pellet stoves that meet a 75 percent efficiency requirement.

Here are some of the ways wood and pellet stoves compare:

Effort

Wood stoves must be fed with logs, while pellet stoves use 40-pound bags of pellets poured into a hopper.

Most pellet stove hoppers hold an entire bag of pellets, which will last about 24 hours before needing to be reloaded, said Leslie Wheeler, spokeswoman for the trade association.

With pellet stoves, look for a model with a large hopper opening to make it easier to load pellets, and check for an easily removable ash pan to make cleanup quick, suggested Bob Markovich, the home and yard editor at Consumer Reports magazine, which recently profiled heating stoves.

A safety precaution: Homeowners should place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near the stoves, Markovich advised.

Efficiency

Pellet stoves produce very little smoke, giving them a reputation as more environmentally friendly, Wheeler said.

"There's very, very little moisture in that pellet," she said. "It burns very cleanly, very efficiently and leaves very little ash."

Ken Hellevang, an engineer with the extension service at North Dakota State University, noted of pellet stoves: "Even the most efficient burning units, there's still ash that needs to be discarded. There's some labor involved on a daily basis."

Pellet stoves also require electricity, since fans circulate the heat, so it's a good idea to purchase a backup battery, Wheeler said. Wood-burning stoves don't need electricity.

Markovich of Consumer Reports described all heating stoves as "a large version of an electric, $30 space heater."

"People have this sort of rising desire to be off the grid and control more of their own expenditures," he said. "People are looking for any way they can to save."

But if you're trying to lower home heating bills, Markovich said, you'll need to turn down the heat in the rest of the home when using a wood or pellet stove. "To really save money, you have to keep the rest of your house colder," he said.

Another tip: Make sure the square footage you want to heat matches the square footage the stove can warm, Markovich said.

Cost

About half of all households nationwide depend on natural gas for heating, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. The agency recently forecast that costs for heating fuels this winter -- including natural gas, propane, oil and electric -- should all be down.

Based on today's costs, Markovich said, burning pellets costs about 15 percent less than oil and 40 percent less than electric heat, but about 25 percent more than natural gas.

"If you're in fact burning natural gas now, buying a pellet stove is a mistake because it costs more," he said.

Wood stoves can be a bargain for some. "A lot of people are near rural areas where wood is cheap or free," Markovich said. "If that's you, that makes financial sense."

Article by Caryn Rousseau Associated Press, Click Here for Original Article

Obama Signs Tax Package, Extends Tax Credit for Biomass Heating Appliances

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:20:00 GMT

Arlington, VA – (December 21, 2010) On Friday, December 17, President Obama signed into law the $858 billion tax package that keeps current tax rates in place and extends a series of tax credits geared toward boosting the sluggish economy. Included in this package was the extension of a tax credit for biomass heating appliances that was set to expire on December 31st. The extension of the tax credit – which was never certain – is good news for the hearth industry. However, Congress did decrease the benefit to consumers that was in place from 2009-2010 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and added further restrictions. The new tax credit as outlined provides:

10% credit for the purchase of biomass heating appliance in 2011, capped at $300
Removal of the lower heating value level (LHV) efficiency measurement
Credit applies to purchase price only and is not extended to installation In the weeks leading up to Congress' vote on the tax package, HPBA reached out to congressional leaders to remind them of the importance of this tax credit not only to the hearth industry but to consumers interested in purchasing biomass heating systems. HPBA has been working closely with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to ensure that a tax credit was contained in the bill, and we are appreciative of the efforts she put forth in achieving its inclusion. Of particular note, Sen. Collins has included language in the Congressional Record (the official transcript of the United States Congress) that directs the IRS to continue to use the lower heating value as the operative efficiency methodology in determining which appliance qualifies for the tax credit. A portion of her remarks stated:

"The IRS has issued guidance directing that the 'lower heating value' methodology should be used, which is consistent with industry practices and with our intent to ensure that the credit is available for efficient and clean-burning wood and wood-pellet stoves. Removing the reference to the 'lower heating value' from the Code serves little purpose. Certainly, however, it does not mean that this common-sense methodology is precluded, nor does it require the IRS to revisit its methodology. I hope that my comments today will help avoid confusion about the use of the 'lower heating value' methodology with respect to this tax credit." (Congressional Record, December 15, 2010; Statement by Senator Susan M. Collins; H.R. 4853, Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010) By extending this tax credit, Congress signals its support of the renewable fuel industry. We will continue to work with Congress to achieve recognition for the hearth industry and benefits for Americans who seek to heat with biomass fuel. Finally, we would like to thank you for responding to our call to contact your Representatives and Senators in Congress emphasizing the importance and need of a tax credit for the hearth industry.

Biomass Appliance Tax Credit Slashed

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:56:00 GMT

Last night, the House voted 177 to 148 in favor of the $858 billion Tax Cut Compromise Package of 2010 that reduces the biomass heater tax credit to 10 percent with a $300 cap. The bill now goes to the White House for the President's signature. Another significant change that further restricts the tax credit for biomass appliances is that Congress removed the lower heating value measurement and only allows the credit toward the purchase price and not for installation.

Energy efficiency provisions were shortchanged even further by a clause that says the $500 tax credit is a lifetime maximum, meaning that if a homeowner has used this credit anytime since 2005, it cannot be used again. During the past two years, the credit up to $1,500 could be used regardless of whether the family has used the credit between 2005 and 2009.

The reduction to 10 percent tax credit affects all energy efficiency measures that had enjoyed 30 percent credit for the past two years. Many members of Congress felt the 25C tax credit program had cost the government too much money and should not be extended in its current form at 30 percent up to $1,500.

This setback for incentives for wood and pellet heating systems is a result of biomass appliances being considered an energy efficiency device instead of a renewable energy system. Solar, wind and geothermal systems still enjoy the full 30 percent tax credit with no maximum and are not set to expire until 2016.

"This creates a terrible double standard for incentives between renewable energy systems favored and affordable by the wealthy and systems favored and affordable by average American families," said John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat. "Fortunately, we understand that Congress will be revisiting these tax credits again in 2011 and advocates for cleaner and more efficient biomass appliances need to be prepared," he said. Instead of using tax credits based on a percentage of purchase and installation costs, Congress is likely to consider performance-based credits.

This report prepared by the Alliance for Green Heat.

Vent Free Gas Fireplaces

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:24:00 GMT

More and more Americans are buying vent free gas fireplaces. In fact, there are over eight million who prefer vent free gas fireplaces to any other supplemental gas-heating device. This is because of the ease and convenience provided by a vent free gas fireplace. At the touch of a button, you can be relaxing in front of a roaring fire with friends and family.

When it comes to convenience in hearth products, vent free gas fireplaces are at the top of the list. With remote controls, no venting, and thermostat controlled heating, vent free gas fireplaces are easy to use and install. These gas fireplaces are very efficient, and are mess and stress free, with no wood to cut or haul. There are many models, styles and brands to choose from. But many agree, the most excellent feature of the vent free gas fireplace here in the Northeast is the warmth they continue to provide even during a nor’easter power outage.

Vent free gas fireplaces are easy to install and have low operating costs. Because they do not need a chimney, there is no heat loss so the efficiency of the vent free gas fireplace is almost 100 percent. With winter upon us, why not choose a vent free gas fireplace

Use a Wood Burning Stove to Heat Your Home this Winter

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:53:00 GMT

As the days get colder and the heating bills get higher it is time to think about adding a wood burning stove to your home. With wood heat you can cut your energy bills, increase your heating efficiency and add atmosphere to your home. Wood burning stoves increase the efficiency of your existing wood fireplace, and they come in all different sizes, and styles. Do you have a modern home? No problem. There are many sleek, modern designs and colors that can add to the décor of your home. If you have a traditional colonial home, there are wood burning stoves to fit your home style as well. From Vermont Castings, to Pacific Energy, there are many styles to choose from. Let the room you gather in this winter keep you warm and provide an ambience to come home to.

With energy prices rising, why not heat your home with a renewable energy source? Wood is an eco friendly, renewable energy source, and the technology in wood burning stoves today has made them much more energy efficient than in years past. Along with the energy tax credit that is available until December 31, 2010, now is the time to buy.

Northeast Distribution Retailers are Providing Hams to Local Food Banks

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:51:00 GMT

At NDL we would like you to know that along with our retailers we support our communities. With the help of our retailers, last year we provided $1600 dollars worth of toys for Toys for Tots in and around the Northeast. That is hundreds of toys! And this year, again with the help of our retailers, we are providing hams to the local food banks in our communities. Our goal is 130 hams! The hearth shops of the Northeast will order the hams through NDL when they place their orders.

NDL will match the amount of hams bought by the distributors. These holiday hams will then be distributed by the local food bank in your neighborhoods to families in need this holiday season. So if you are in the market for a fireplace, insert, or wood stove or any hearth accessories, let us connect you with the retailer in your area. By supporting your local hearth retailer you are supporting you community. No one supports your neighborhood more during the holiday season than local, small businesses.

Christmas Stocking Stuffers From NDL

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:04:00 GMT

Northeast Distribution is the leading distributor of hearth accessories and products in New England, NY, NJ, and PA. We know stocking stuffers; after all we have been specializing in winter warmth for over ten years. Keep the family warm this holiday season, and let us connect you with the finest hearth retailers in your area.

If you are looking for stocking stuffers for men, look no further. Zippo lighters, fire starters, stove fans, grill utensils, and log totes all make great gifts. Are you looking for unique stocking stuffers? We have them in beautifully handcrafted stove top steamers and kettles, wrought iron fireplace screens and firewood storage racks.

Contact us today for stocking stuffer ideas and the locations of the hearth retailer nearest you.

Wood Stove Steamers Make Great Humidifiers

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:24:00 GMT

Our fires are lit, and you surely remember the dry air inside your home from winters past. For the health of both your family and the wood furniture in your home, consider how you will humidify your home this winter. One of the most practical fireplace accessories on the market today is a wood stove steamer.

At NDL, we offer steamers in many shapes and sizes manufactured by Condar, Minuteman, Imperial and Last Waltz Clay Studio. These steamers come in styles that range from traditional teapots, to animal shapes, to hand-made and hand-glazed clay designs. With this many varieties and manufacturers, you are sure to find one to match your style. They are quite easy to use, just fill them with water and place it on the stove. You may also turn these steamers into aromatherapy solutions by adding potpourri, spices, or stove scents to the water. Once the steam begins to be released into your home, it not only becomes a room humidifier, but it will release the sweet smell of fragrance as well.

Wood stove steamer add decorative value to your home. Due to their unique shape and quality, just leave these decorative pieces on the wood burning stove for all to see. If you wish to add a unique touch to your home or you need extra humidity; a wood stove steamer is what you are looking for.

Of course, NDL offers a full range of fireplace accessories including fireplace glass doors, fireplace tool sets, chimney caps, and ash buckets. Let us direct you to the finest hearth dealer in your area. Contact us today.

Adding a Fireplace or Fireplace Insert to Your Home Adds Value and Atmosphere

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:18:00 GMT

This winter, if you are having trouble keeping the cold at bay, consider adding a fireplace or fireplace insert to your home. Not only will you add comfort and atmosphere, you will add value to your home as well. A working hearth is considered a plus to home buyers, thus increasing the value of your home. Fireplaces and inserts can be fueled by natural gas, electricity, pellets, or wood and all these fuel sources have their advantages. Pellets and wood are considered renewable energy sources and are economical. But that is not all. Many fireplace inserts have a tax credit as well!

Gas and electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts are generally easier to use with less mess and effort. They are also very efficient and can be hooked up to a thermostat and remote. This way, you have constant heat which you can enjoy with the touch of a button. Whichever fuel source you choose to run your fireplace or insert, one thing is certain; working fireplaces add atmosphere and ambiance to any home. New home buyers love the idea of a working hearth and they make your home more enticing. If you are remodeling for your own enjoyment, a room with a burning fire adds a whole new dimension to entertaining.

Get up to $1500 in Tax Credits When You Buy a Wood Burning Stove, Insert or Fireplace

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:24:00 GMT

Did you know you could get a federal tax credit for installing a new pellet, or wood wood (biomass*) burning stove, insert or fireplace? You can receive up to $1500 on the price of your next stove and installation! The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of the appliance (including installation/labor costs), up to $1,500. This is a tax credit so it is as good as money in your pocket. If you are looking to buy a stove, Northeast Distribution LTD would be happy to provide you information on a certified stove, fireplace, or insert and we will direct you to the finest hearth retailer in your area.

To qualify for the tax credit:

The tax credit is in effect until December 31, 2010. The stove, insert or fireplace must be installed in your primary residence before December 31, 2010.
The stove, insert or fireplace must be used for heat or water heating and have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value. Ask us about the appliances that qualify. NDL or your fireplace retailer can help you with this information.
This credit applies to all “biomass fuel” powered stoves, inserts and fireplaces. The law defines "biomass fuel" as any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plant (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.
To verify tax credit eligibility, make sure you get a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.
To qualify, file tax form 5695 with your tax return statement.

Fireplace Accessories

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:52:00 GMT

Are you having thanksgiving dinner at your home this year? Add a special touch of style and décor to your hearth with fireplace accessories. As the temperature drops around New England many of us have begun to light our living room fires. But fireplaces are not just for warmth, they create ambience and atmosphere as well. Fireplace accessories today are designed for functionality as well as elegance and style. With the addition of a beautiful iron fireplace screen or hearth tools, you can add a touch of class to your hearth.

Some questions come up when you a considering what wood burning fireplace accessories you need to enjoy your fireplace and allow the process be as easy and safe as possible? So you are looking for three things: what accessories are functional, decor oriented and safety conscience? For functionality, tools are a necessity. Most fireplace tool sets come in sets of three; a shovel, a broom of sorts and something with which to move the logs around. These are usually made of cast iron and can be as rustic or decorative as your tastes require.

For safety, a fireplace screen and a hearth rug are both worthwhile endeavors. Hearth rugs are designed to melt or smolder ash or embers which may fall out of your fireplace, stove or insert when you open the door. Screens are good for protecting kids and pets from getting too close to the fireplace. Both screens and rugs can add decorative accents to any room. As far as the decorative aspects of your heath, the hearth is the center of your home. Therefore, it can be the focal point of your decorative tastes in any season. Tool sets and screens come in many finishes, brass, copper and black. All fireplace accessories come in styles from pragmatic to elaborate. Choose the ones that fit your taste and add a conversation piece to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts in MA, NH, VT, ME, PA, NJ, and NY

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:19:00 GMT

First-time homebuyers and homeowners who live in homes with a traditional fireplace may want to consider wood fireplace inserts. It is nice to own a home that is outfitted with a working fireplace, because the ambiance and heat that they provide. However, wood fireplaces on their own can be inefficient heat sources, because much of the heat is lost up the chimney. Older fireplaces in historic or vintage homes in particular are prone to this. For this reason, homeowners can choose to add wood fireplaces inserts to their fireplace, making them more efficient and providing an excellent heat source.

Wood inserts are made out of cast iron or steel to create a fireproof burning box. A glass insulated door or front cover helps keep the warm air inside the fireplace, but they may also come with a blower so that the heat can be moved around the room. One of the primary reasons homeowners add wood inserts to the home is because the insert allows them to keep the look of a traditional fire while providing a more efficient heating source for the home.

Wood inserts are available in many styles and sizes to fit your personal taste. There are numerous manufacturers such as Archgard, Vermont Castings, Pacific Energy, Dutchwest and more. Northeast Distribution can connect you to the finest wood insert retailer in your area.

Cut heating bills by adding a wood stove to your home

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:10:00 GMT

New England winters are almost synonymous with fires roaring in the living room. But these days, we want our fires to be more efficient and cost effective. Because there are many different sizes, styles and colors of wood burning stoves today you can add real dimension to your room and save money on your heating bills. A wood stove is your alternative to a traditional open fireplace, saving you money and making your roaring New England fire safer.

There are more wood stoves available today than there has ever been. When you consider that many of the wood burning stoves today have efficiency ratings higher than 80% it is not difficult to see why wood stoves are so popular. With a modern EPA certified wood stove and correct burning practices, a wood burning stove can be very efficient. Between the array of styles and their efficiency, for many people a wood burning stove is not just a heating source but a focal point of the room.

While efficient, choosing a wood burning stove for decorative purposes allows home owners to add comfort and coziness to their living areas. Unlike an open fire - which, while beautiful, is inefficient, messy, and not the thing for a home with young children - wood burning stoves are completely enclosed in heat resistant cast iron or stainless steel. Using wood burning stoves to help heat your home can cut a heating bill in half. With heating bills going up and all of the options of wood stoves to choose from, why not add a wood burning stove to your home?

Quality wood pellets

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:06:00 GMT

Are you looking for high quality wood pellets? Many wood pellet manufacturers have deviated from making only high quality, premium wood pellets to making many different quality pellets. This makes wood pellet pricing extremely variable from store to store. Here are some of the things you should look out for when purchasing wood pellets:

All wood pellets for sale are not manufactured the same way. With that in mind, you should check two things before you purchase wood pellets in bulk. The first one is the BTU’s, which measures the pellet’s heating capacity. The higher the amount of BTU’s the more efficient the pellets are. You should be looking for a BTU of 8,000 or above for the best quality.

Another important number to consider is the ash content which measures how much is wasted from the pellets; in this case, the lower the number, the better. Most homeowner are not aware of these two concerns unless they have been properly educated during the pellet stove purchase process, but these are actually two of the most important factors to consider when purchasing pellets. There are wood pellets on the market that have as little as 2% ash content, so you should pick these or something very similar.

The brand of pellets is fairly irrelevant when you are considering these two very important numbers in your purchase decision. Efficiency is not brand specific when you know what you are looking for. However, there are always the more popular brands as compared to the more unknown ones, so always check BTU’s and ash content of the name brand pellets as well so you know you are you are buying only premium wood pellets.

Vermont Casting products are perfect for MA, VT, NH, ME, NY and NJ

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:33:00 GMT

Whether you are looking for a stove, fireplace, insert or grill and no matter how you want it fueled; gas, wood, or coal, Vermont Castings has a product for you. Standing the test of time, Vermont Castings products have been handcrafted from cast iron and beautifully painted with enamel finish for more than a quarter of a century. Vermont Castings prides themselves on producing hearth appliances with precision, attention to detail, the newest technologies, and pride. The design and function of each and every one of their products is an important focus as well, seven out of the top 12 most efficient stoves in the world are made by Vermont Castings, making them some of the cleanest burning stoves on the market. And this makes sense, Vermont Castings puts environmental concerns in the forefront of their business plan using 100% recycled cast iron for their products.

Vermont Casting offers many styles and sizes of coal, gas, and wood fireplaces and inserts made with cast iron trim styles and colors, doors, and other accessories to create a truly traditional gathering room for your home. With accessories available, these stoves are not only beautiful, they are functional. Northeast Distribution can connect you with the finest Vermont Castings dealer in your area.

Wireless Remote – Room Temperature And Control Control Made Easy

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:05:00 GMT

Northeast Distribution Ltd’s Skytech Systems Remote Control puts constant control of your fireplace in the palm of your hand. The concept of fireplace remote control is years old but only recently became an affordable fireplace control option.

Indeed, you can control the temperature of any room via the central heating system’s thermostat, however, central heating does not provide the same cozy warmth of a gas fireplace. The central heating thermostat does not target any one specific room. Why heat the entire house when you only really need heat in the den? The Skytech Systems Remote Control allows you to apply targeted heat right where and when you need it.

Simply replace the existing switch on your wall with this wireless system and you'll be able to conveniently control your fireplace anywhere within 20 feet of the fireplace. The Wireless Fireplace Thermostat/Remote system works with any millivolt valve and electronic spark ignitions system. The thermo-safety feature built in to the receiver turn the system off if ambient air temperatures exceed 130 degrees. Use the programmable timer on some models for even added convenience.

This neat little family of products are one part practical and one part convenience. The system can pay for itself quickly in decreased energy costs associated with your central heating system. Look at the wide variety of fireplace technologies and accessories sure to add quality to any room in the house. Contact us today for more information on how you can get started with the Skytech Systems Remote Control system.

The Best Wood Pellet Stove for you

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:21:00 GMT

You may be considering an alternative way to heat your home because your heating bills are too high. Wood Pellet stoves have experienced an increase in popularity because of high oil prices and because of environmental concerns. They burn wood pellets, as the name implies, which are compressed sawdust, wood chips, crop waste, bark, paper, or corn. This makes pellet stoves very efficient in more ways than one. Normally pellet stoves are compared and contrasted with traditional wood stoves because of the way they heat but they do offer some advantages over the traditional wood stove first being that they are very easy to load. Additionally, the pellets are small and the bags can be stored efficiently. They also burn evenly and efficiently, making less ash than a wood stove. Generally, the higher quality the pellet, the hotter it will burn and the less waste you will have to deal with.

There are different quality pellets as well, the most common being Premium fuel pellets. Premium pellets produce very little ash, so consumers prefer these. Some manufacturers have produced pellet stoves that will only burn this grade of pellet; therefore, if you use a different grade pellet, the burner will simply stop. Generally, all pellets have a similar appearance; some may be a slightly different color than others and some may be slightly longer due to poor manufacturing. These longer pellets will sometimes block the auger feeding system in the burner. This is mainly due to poor design, with the right pellet stove, any size pellet will do.

Also, pellet stoves can be programmed to run consistently at an even heat, which is difficult to do with a traditional stove. However, pellet stoves need electricity in order to run, so they are a poor source for back up heat. When the power goes out in a New England snowstorm, they are practically useless. Here the advantage lay with the wood stove, where no electricity is needed and there is an unlimited fuel supply. But, overall pellet stoves can save people quite a bit of money in areas where heating costs are typically higher.

A Ventless Gas Fireplace is a great option

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:56:00 GMT

A ventless gas fireplace does not have any venting which means no chimney. This makes them a bit more cost effective to install. People often love the practicality of vent-free fireplaces because they only require propane or natural gas, and the air circulating in the room where the unit is to be used. This makes them a very effective option for home owners who would like a fireplace but whose houses have no chimney or for those whose chimney is in severe disrepair.

A ventless gas fireplace can efficiently heat a room and can produce enough heat or BTUs to be considered an alternative or secondary heating source. Even better, you will find there are a wide variety of styles and designs that look just like a traditional fireplace and mantle. When considering vent-free gas fireplaces, make sure the room is at least the minimum size required by the manufacturer; never purchase one that is too large or too small for the room it will be used in.

A ventless gas fireplace is an excellent addition to any household and can improve the décor, atmosphere, and comfort of any room since they can mimic a roaring fire just as well as a traditional fireplace. If you are interested in how to improve the style or character of your home consider a ventless gas fireplace.

Chimney Caps

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:47:00 GMT

Chimney Caps are a small investment considering the immense amount of work they do for your chimney system. They sit atop of the chimney and do several different things. They keep animals and debris from getting in the chimney and clogging up your flue from the fireplace; they stop down drafts from going through the chimney and allowing smoke to enter your house; and most of all, they keep rain from entering your chimney preventing water from entering the firebox and deteriorating it.

Different types of chimneys take different types of caps and all metal chimneys need one. Metal Chimney caps come in 3 different types, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and copper. The steel caps will essentially last the life of the house and are the best value, unless you’re looking for decorative features.

What kind of chimney cap should you purchase for your home? The type of chimney system, the look want, as well as the type of fuel you use for your fire all need to be considered. Contact your local hearth supplier for help.

Vent-free Gas Fireplaces in New England, New York and New Jersey

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:32:00 GMT

Vent free gas fireplaces literally do not have any venting which makes them more economical to install. People often love the practicality of these heating appliances because they only require propane or natural gas along with the air circulating in the room where the fireplace is being used.

Ventless gas fireplaces can produce enough BTUs to be considered an alternative or secondary heating source. They can efficiently heat a room, and you will find there are a wide variety of styles and designs that look just like a traditional fireplace and mantle. Keep in mind when you are purchasing a vent-free gas fireplace that you should never purchase one that is too large or small for the room; make sure the room is at least the minimum size required by the manufacturer.

A ventless gas fireplace is an excellent addition to any household and can improve the décor greatly while providing a roaring fire just as well as a traditional fireplace.

Wood Fireplaces and wood inserts in NH, ME, MA, NY and NJ

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:42:00 GMT

Believe it or not, summer is on its way out and the fall is on its way in. When it’s cold outside, there is nothing better than coming home to a warm, cozy wood burning fire. Today's wood burning fireplaces and inserts allow homeowners to enjoy the traditional wood fire while benefiting from innovative technology in heating and efficiency. Not only do wood fireplaces and wood inserts improve the ambiance of your home they give you more control over heating bills, heat and energy independence, convenience, and reduced emissions.

Northeast Distribution LTD provides wood burning fireplaces and inserts to local retailers in and around New England, New York and New Jersey. We offer a complete line of wood burning fireplaces to directly compliment your decorative taste. We provide many styles and brands of wood fireplaces and wood inserts including, but not limited to Majestic, Vermont Castings, Archgard, Supreme and Pacific Energy.

Wood burning fireplace inserts are more efficient

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:50:00 GMT

Are wood burning fireplace inserts more efficient than a traditional wood burning fireplace? This is a question that we hear very often. If you have a wood fireplace and you want to save money and energy, you should install a wood burning insert. While a fireplace insert is an easy and effective way to update the look of your home, they are also energy-efficient. They hold the heat inside the fireplace rather than let it escape up the chimney with the draft. Traditional fireplaces have very low efficiency ratings. As you know, they need air for the fire to burn. The air is drawn to the fire, the fire burns very quickly, the air is heated, and then most of it goes up the chimney. This is called a draft. The reason conventional fireplaces are ineffective and inefficient is because they pull air from inside the house and up the chimney, the vacuum created by the draft pulls cold air into the house. Inserts are similar to burning a fire in a box and letting the heat radiate out from the box. Therefore, little energy is wasted, the heat is more effective, and you save money on your heating bill. Fireplace inserts have closed insulated doors that slow the fire down which increases the temperature of the fire. This makes the fire burn hotter. Inserts also come with features like blowers, fans and thermostats which increase their efficiency and usefulness thus providing a good way to help lower utility bills as well as adding charm to any room.

Wood fireplace inserts are a great improvement to your existing fireplace giving you convenience and efficiency while still allowing you to keep the flickering flame in your fireplace. Even better, the cost to purchase and install a fireplace insert will more than be made up in the tax credit incentives and the energy savings you will incur by using one.

Exhaust-Free Ethanol Fireplaces--Not Such A "Corny" Idea

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:22:00 GMT

Northeast Distribution Ltd's fireplaces provide warm and pacifying ambiance to every room. We have seen an abundance of satisfaction from our clients saying that out fireplaces let the people around it to unwind and make them feel comfortable. At the same time, it can alter the look of your room in a big way. Nowadays, fireplaces have become an integral part of almost every house to provide warmth in winters. With that in mind, we'd like to share with you a popular new fireplace, the ethanol Eco Feu fireplace.

First let's explain what ethanol is; ethanol is also known by the names 'ethyl alcohol' or 'grain alcohol'. Ethanol used in fireplaces is de-natured alcohol which is the non-consumable ethanol, formed by adding certain chemicals, thereby making it safe, environment friendly, non-polluting and odorless.

Our ethanol fireplaces are burned using this denatured alcohol. These portable fireplaces can be kept anywhere in the house as no chimney is required. Hence, there is no need of creating a chimney and there is no fuss of chimneys getting blocked. These are easy to use and maintain as there are no burnt logs, ashes, etc., to be cleaned and there is no fear of embers falling out of the fireplace. Ethanol fireplaces look extremely stylish. With their attractive and sleek looks, they add to the beauty of any room making it look more elegant and beautiful like never before. To go along with your new eco-friendly fireplace, we offer a wide range of accessories to further the enjoyment of your new fireplace. Your new fireplace and accessories add a new dimension to interior design and create a focal point in any room. It is a smokeless and vent-free fireplace that can be easily matched with any interior design.

You can place an ethanol fireplace anywhere, be it on carpet, dining table, near the sofas, patio and even in the garden. It can be moved to any location in the house or apartment. Ethanol fireplaces are designed keeping in mind the health, environmental and decorative factors. At the same time, these fireplaces are very cost-effective. Owing to their numerous features and advantages, these are becoming quite a rage and are perfect for every home. Few things should be kept in mind while maintaining an ethanol fireplace. No object should be placed on the fireplace when it is working. Only bio ethanol liquid fuel should be used for ethanol fireplace.

Don't forget there are major federal tax incentives associated with your new clean burning fireplaces. Also if you have any other questions feel free to contact us at any time. We would be glad to assist you in any way possible.

Some advantages of Pellet Stoves

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:59:00 GMT

Pellets stoves offer an alternative means for heating your house. They are traditionally compared to the wood burning stove, because the heat they put out is similar, but in some schools of thought, pellet stoves offer some advantages over traditional wood stoves.

At the top of the list of advantages is the fact that pellet stoves are easy to load as compared to wood burning stoves. The pellets themselves are small and can be stored in a small space efficiently, whereas wood needs to be stacked and hauled, and needs a large space to be stored. Pellets burn very hot, therefore, they create very little ash because they burn very efficiently.
Pellet stoves run on electricity. The hopper electronically feeds the pellets into the stove. The hopper can be programmed to evenly and consistently dispense the pellets, so in effect; pellet stoves can be programmed to burn at an even rate and can remain at a consistent temperature over time which is a huge advantage.

Overall pellet stoves can save people quite a bit of money in areas where heating costs are typically higher than in other parts of the country.

Pellet Grills have versatility as a pellet smoker too

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Traeger Pellet grills also have a smoke setting. So you want to grill, no problem, pellet grills are safe and easy to use and they have temperature settings. You can grill baby back ribs or salmon on the low setting of 180 degrees, or you can turn it up and sear or blacken your steaks.

You want to smoke some chicken or pork? No problem. The smoke setting on these grills is what makes the Traeger pellet grills famous. It is very easy to maintain a constant temperature while smoking Brisket or Duck, or any of your favorite meats. Just set the temperature control to smoke and let the Pellet Grill do the rest. Not only is it a pellet grill, but it is a smoker and it smokes your cut of choice to perfection while keeping the cooking temperature just right.

But guess what, the pellet grill and pellet smoker also bakes! Baking on your backyard grill is certainly underutilized. You can actually bake pizza, bread, cookies and cobblers in your backyard. The Traeger pellet grill has a fan that makes the pellet grill function like a wood-fired convection oven.

Best Grilling Recipe from Northeast Distribution

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:34:00 GMT

Here is one of Northeast Distributions best grilling recipes. In our opinion, this is the best hamburger recipe.

Gold Nugget Burger
1 1/2 pounds ground beef sirloin or chuck (10% fat; see notes)
About 1/2 teaspoon salt
About 1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 slices cheddar cheese
1 red onion peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
4 Kaiser, onion, or crusty round rolls, split
1 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce (4 oz.)
1 firm-ripe tomato (about 8 oz.), cored and thinly sliced
and our special spicy sauce, which is just ¾ c ketchup, ¼ c Worcestshire sauce and some garlic powder and/or hot sauce to taste.

Gently mix ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide into eight equal portions and shape into 4-inch patties. Top four of the patties with 2 slices of cheese. Lay another patty on top of each and press edges together to seal. Using a gas grill set on high, lay burgers and onion slices on an oiled grill rack, close grill lid. Cook burgers, turning once, until browned on both sides and done to your liking (cut to test), about 7 minutes total for medium-rare. Cook onions, also turning once, until browned on both sides, 7 to 8 minutes total. Remove from grill. Lay buns, cut side down, on grill and cook until lightly toasted. Spread Sweet-and-Spicy Sauce on bun bottoms. Add lettuce, tomato, burger, onion, and Guacamole. Dig in!

Automatic Buffalo Turds Voted best 2010 NEHPBA

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:51:00 GMT

Voted best 2010 NEHPBA!! (if they voted): ATB’s – automatic buffalo turds – hey, I didn’t name them

Ingredients

25 jalapeno peppers
1 block of cream cheese
Teaspoon each onion and garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Bacon

Directions

Slice the peppers in half lengthwise – clean all seeds and membranes from inside
Let the cream cheese soften a bit and mix in the onion, garlic and pepper.
Wrap with ½ slice of bacon – toothpick may be used to hold it.
Grill around 250 degrees for 2 to 3 hours or until the bacon is done to your liking. Of course a Traeger Pellet grill on medium is the best tool for this!

Serve and watch them disappear!! This is the basic recipe – use your imagination. I did some with pineapple and/or mandarin oranges and some with small sweet peppers. There is no such thing as a bad ABT.
Should look something like this.

Outdoor grilling tips

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:53:00 GMT

Outdoor grilling is a cooking experience. For most it is an enjoyable time to spend with family and friends. And with the heat wave we have been experiencing in New England and New York, who wants to turn on their oven, so here are some outdoor grilling tips.

First, be sure you have a large enough grill to cook for the crowd you intend to feed. If your family is large, be sure you buy a gas grill with enough space. No need for the chef to get stressed. If you are having a large get together, consider the guest count and perhaps borrow another grill from a neighbor.

There are some very interesting grilling recipes out there so do not stop at thinking your grill will only be used for beef or chicken. You can grill sandwiches, seafood, skewers, pizza, and even vegetables. Be willing to experiment with your gas grill and keep your cooking options open, there are many grill recipes available.

One of the most useful grilling tips that may seem like common sense is to ensure that your grill is hot and clean. Light the grill a few minutes before you want to start cooking to heat it up and use a grill brush to clean off the rack. It is much easier to clean the grill when it is hot, so clean it right after use, or heat up the grill and clean right beforehand. When the grill is hot before you put the food on it, you get less sticking and better grill marks. Now it is time to grill. Be sure you have all of your ingredients marinated or prepared properly, and that you have all of the right grilling utensils at your side. With these grilling tips and your imagination, cooking on a gas grill can be a great cooking experience.