NDL Hearth Blog

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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