Fireplace Directory

Archive for February, 2010

I am gone for about 12hours out of the day. Is it safe to run a pellet stove while I’m not home. I know people let Wood Stoves and stuff run all day. What about a Pellet Stove?
I’m just concerned about fires. I have it plumbed into my masonry Chimney. Everything is clean and All my clearances are more then they are suppose to be.

I had a neighbor who left her on overnight and burned the house down, 2 of her children died! Be very careful!

While living in or visiting Southern California, a trip to the mountains is closer than you might think. The San Jacinto range offers a stark contrast to the warm, arid climate just a few miles away and, for that reason, places like Idyllwild have become popular getaways for people who want a taste of the four seasons.

Not too much of a taste, mind you. This is a great place to try out that four-wheel drive and see if it’s worth the extra money you paid for it. The fact is Southern California residents, for the most part, don’t need four-wheel drive.

So up these weekenders go to the windy roads and steep ridges that take them 5,000 feet, 6,000 feet and higher above Hemet, the nearest city of any size in this part of Riverside County. The community of Idyllwild is set in amongst the pine trees that Mother Nature has combined with oak and spruce to create a powerful allure for people who grow weary of what passes for trees in Southern California’s cities.

During winter, most visitors are more than happy to return to warmer climes after their weekend dalliance because shoveling snow is just not one of the things Southern California residents are programmed to do. Many of them think it’s better to get just enough exposure to the snow and frigid temperatures to appreciate why they are willing to pay the high price of living in sunny Southern California – and then go home.

That’s why about three-quarters of the residences in Idyllwild remain vacant most of the time. It’s a city of vacation cabins – most now going for more than $300,000 – and at any given time there are only a few of them being used. Only about 2,000 hearty souls choose to reside on “The Hill” as Idyllwild has become known over the years even though as many as 50,000 visitors on a weekend day can make it tough to find a parking spot anywhere close to downtown Idyllwild. Yet no one seems deterred – people flock to Idyllwild because it’s so close and yet so different.

The “Yosemite of the South,” another common nickname for Idyllwild, has grown up sporadically over the years. There have been a few attempts at major resort developments in the area – ski hills and golf courses were part of some plans – but nothing big has really taken hold. So today you find a mountain village with a few earthy folks willing to brave the elements, and then a whole bunch more of those weekend vacation warriors who turn around and head for sunny L.A. in time for work Monday morning.

There are no big resorts — the accommodations range from smaller motel-type units to “executive’ vacation homes. There are several bed-and-breakfast or country inns as well as cabin motels offering mini-cabins mixed with several others on the same property.

For our recent trip, we chose to rent a three-bedroom “cabin” about three miles outside of Idyllwild. It really was as large as a house, but with its cedar interior, two Fireplaces and a free-standing Wood Stove, this house gave every bit the impression that it was in fact a cabin. It was well furnished with a complete kitchen and all dishware and utensils, a living room with a comfy couch, lounge chair and satellite TV and plenty of deck space to gaze out at the spectacular – albeit slightly obstructed – view of the mountainsides and valley below.

Muir’s Mountain Vacation Rental set us up with a cabin that was exactly what we wanted – a true mountain retreat that was nicely separated from any nearby cabins on wooded property that gave us a true feeling of seclusion. Built just in front of a massive boulder, we hiked just a few yards higher and could gaze out on views that stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The views from inside the cabin were great, too, and enhanced by the ample use of picture windows on the upper two floors.

On this particular trip we were content to spend much of our weekend at the cabin. We spent a lot of quiet time reading and just soaking up the atmosphere, or playing with our five-year-old, choosing to leave the television turned off so we could focus on being a family more than we sometimes do at home.

Even though this was a January trip, we visited Idyllwild at a somewhat atypical time when there was little snow on the ground and no need to crank up our own four-wheel drive. Skies were clear and blue but temperatures dipped down to the 20’s in the evening. We were thankful we had brought lots of warm clothing. Daytime temps were in the 40’s and 50’s, just cool enough to feel like we were a continent away from our home near San Diego.

We enjoyed spending some time in downtown Idyllwild where there seemed to be an endless variety of shops and a steady stream of visitors. There were shops selling anything you can imagine and in some unusual combinations. California Street Collectibles, for example, sells Christmas ornaments, dolls, Harley merchandise, Nascar merchandise and – financial planning.

We enjoyed strolling the streets of Idyllwild, where we discovered such fascinating attractions as the old-time theater – the “Rustic” – which shows just one movie three times a day, but leaves the snack stand open for passersby to enjoy popcorn with real butter. Just down the street is the homemade candy shop which had nearly a dozen people waiting to go inside. Even the ice cream shop a few doors down was enjoying brisk business despite the cool temperatures.

In the town center is the Idyllwild Tree Monument, a 50-foot totem pole that was carved by chainsaw in 1989 as an effort to salvage a dying 400-year-old ponderosa pine. The monument depicts an eagle, mountain lion, squirrel, raccoon, American Indian, coyote and butterfly and, interestingly, is the final resting place of Ernie Maxwell, a longtime Idyllwild civic booster and founder of the local Town Crier newspaper.

Art galleries are also a big part of Idyllwild and there are no fewer than 17 of them for visitors to tour. In fact, Idyllwild is included in a new book “The 100 Best Art Towns in America” by John Villani.

We stopped by the Idyllwild Historic Society Museum, a historic 1920’s summer cabin that now has exhibits pertaining to the Idyllwild area. It turns out that the area was first settled by the Cahuilla Indians some 2500 years ago and followed by the first mining prospectors in the 1850’s. Ranching and farming came a few years later and, by 1875, there was a significant lumber operation in Idyllwild. The museum also depicts more recent history when, from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, several Hollywood films were shot on location in the area.

We enjoyed the La Casita Mexican restaurant, but there were several other dining options. Other choices in the area include Greek and Chinese as well as several steak and seafood restaurants, pizza restaurants and more.

When we go back in summer, we will take advantage of many of the outdoor activities that Idyllwild has to offer. Lily’s Rock – a.k.a. Tahquitz Rock – is a dramatic rock face visible high on the mountainside that symbolizes the rugged outdoor beauty so prevalent in this area. Several hiking trails take visitors deeper into the forest, including the Pacific Crest Trail. There are, in fact, 272,000 acres that have been set aside and designated as the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Idyllwild is just west of the Palm Springs area and is easily reached on Highway 243, accessible from Highway 10, the main route to Palm Springs.

WHAT: Idyllwild and nearby mountain communities represent an easy-to-get-to four-seasons getaway that is just a couple of hours from Los Angeles.

WHEN: Year-round. Summers are sunny and pleasant. Winters can be cold and occasionally snowy.

WHY: It’s a charming mountain village with a wide selection of accommodations and tourist services. The scenery is spectacular.

HOW: For more information on Idyllwild, visit www.idyllwildchamber.com or phone 888-659-3259. For more information on cabin rentals, visit www.idyllwildcabins.com or phone 877-270-3285. If looking for a room rather than a cabin, the Atipahato Lodge comes recommended. Visit www.atipahatolodge.com or phone 888-400-0071.

Cary Ordway
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/idyllwild-is-easy-mountain-getaway-in-southern-california-734840.html

When the weather is cold, there is always the need for heat in the outdoors. That is because you want to be able to carry certain activities outside the home even when it’s really cold outside. That way, you won’t be confined to your house. There are many occasions that you may find yourself needing some heat.

Sports activities.

Sports events continue to take place even when the weather is cold. Human beings need to exercise. So when it’s winter, some people like to get out of the house to ski, to skate, etc. Usually, exercise is enough to keep the body warm. However, when the exercise stops, that is when heat is needed to keep the body warm.

Camping and hiking.

The winter landscape is very different from landscapes in other seasons. Some people like to go for camping or hiking trips to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It’s when the campers or hikers stop to take a rest (or to sleep) that heat is needed.

Activities just outside the house.

Sometimes, you just find that it’s a good idea to get outside the house for a breath of fresh air, especially when you have been indoors for prolonged periods of time. For example, you may want to play some games outside the house or read a book. However, it is almost impossible to stay out for a decent amount of time when there is no proper heating.

The solution to all the above situations is Outdoor Fireplaces. There are many different types of outdoor fireplaces. Some are portable, some integrated, and others attached for life. They are also powered by different energy sources. Some are powered by wood, some by gas, and others by electricity. The type of outdoor fireplace you choose depend on the type of activity that you are involved in while you are outdoors.

For instance, if you are in the habit of spending long periods of time outdoors in the cold doing some carpentry work, then perhaps it’s a good idea to install a full-fledge outdoors fireplace. Such a fireplace can be constructed from any fire resistant materials such as cast iron or masonry. These are highly durable materials that will usually last for a lifetime. Of course, they are also rather expensive to install.

If budget is a concern, you can also consider installing pre-engineered Fireplaces. Such fireplaces are actually DIY fireplaces. In other words, you can buy the materials in a kit, and install the fireplace yourself. After that, you can decorate the fireplace yourself by covering it with bricks or other materials.

Finally, there are portable outdoor fireplaces. These can be moved around easily. Some can be attached or detached from fixtures. The benefit of having a portable outdoor fireplace is that you can always transport it another location, or you can store it away when it’s no longer needed.

Your plans for building an outdoor fireplace ultimately depends on your budget and your primary activity.

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/outdoor-fireplaces-and-plans-on-building-one-689362.html

Are you feeling troubled over the design of the Fireplace that you are going to build? If you are, perhaps you need more design ideas. It is one thing to read a ton of texts about fireplace designs, and it is a completely different thing to be looking at some fireplace pictures. Pictures give you a much clearer idea of how the fireplace will look like after it has been built. There are many ways you can source for fireplace pictures. Here are some places you can start with.

Fireplace information sites.

There are literally tons and tons of websites that are dedicated to offering information about fireplaces. Very often, you will find image galleries as part of these sites. You can visit the galleries and browse through the fireplace images. If there is anything that catches your eye, save the image for future reference.

Home improvement forums.

Forums are great places to start looking for fireplace pictures. For example, someone may start a new thread on the latest fireplace that he or she has installed. Then other members start posting pictures of their own fireplaces when they join in the discussion.

There is an additional side benefit. You may also find members posting what they like or dislike about the fireplaces in their homes. That should provide you with valuable feedback. You can also rely on such information to make better decisions.

Social network image galleries.

Websites like Flickr allow its members to upload and share photos with their family and friends. These images are often available to the public network, and the best part is, they are searchable. You can easily find pictures of fireplaces just by making a search and dozens and dozens of search results will surface. Again, you should save the images for future reference.

Professional websites.

This is perhaps the most reliable source for fireplace pictures. Your first challenge, is to locate the websites of the contractors in your area. You can do so by making a search from any one of the major search engines, or you can visit a local classifieds website to source for the links. You may then visit the websites one by one to find fireplace pictures.

This source is reliable because the pictures that you find are actually photos of real fireplaces that can be installed in your house. That brings you closer to your goal. If there is a design that you like, all you have to do is to pick up the phone, make a phone call, and ask about the design. Is it a custom design? What materials is it made from? What is the cost?

Most fireplaces are built to last for years. Therefore, you want to take the time and make the extra effort to choose the right design. Once built, it is very hard to change or replace the fireplace. With fireplace pictures, you can choose the right design and be sure that you don’t end up having to spend more money to modify the designs!

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/looking-at-fireplace-pictures-to-choose-a-fireplace-design-690624.html

When the news broke late last week that North Pole Incorporated, (NYSE: NPLI) was filing suit against most of the world’s gas fireplace manufacturers, the shock was palpable. With Christmas just around the corner, this debate about fireplaces has taken the world by storm.

During a press conference, Lester Elfberg, Chief Legal Counsel for North Pole laid out his company’s grievance. “We at North Pole take Christmas very seriously, for obvious reasons. For centuries our company has had a mutually beneficial agreement, with the manufacturers of fireplaces, known as the Claus Accord. The current trends towards gas fireplaces that depend on either direct-vent or ventless systems are in obvious breach of this agreement. North Pole wishes to make it clear, we are not suing to prevent people from buying these fireplaces, rather we are suing for a safe alternative. This is about North Pole’s relationships with our customers and the health of our beloved CEO.”

The suit itself includes allegations of discrimination, breach of contract, and unsafe working conditions. The crux of the case hinges on whether or not North Pole’s celebrity CEO, Santa Claus, is able to make use of gas fireplaces during the company’s annual holiday celebration. A member of one of the manufacturing companies, speaking on a condition of anonymity due to the pending trial, had this to say, “We all take Santa’s safety very seriously. But let’s face facts; this is North Pole trying to tell us how to do our jobs. The man in red has no problem getting into apartments without fireplaces.”

A commercial, traced to the public action group People for Affordable Fireplaces, titled “Scrooge” paints a rather unflattering picture of Santa. The commercial, which a majority of fireplace manufacturers have come out against, alleges that Santa is seeking to profit from the increased sale of affordable gas fireplaces by forcing chimneys, driving a wedge between those who can afford a Fireplace, and those who must go without. As the commercial states “Just because you can’t afford a chimney, doesn’t mean you can’t afford a fireplace. Don’t let Santa be a fireplace Scrooge.”

Pro-Santa supporters have been reacting to both the suit and the commercial with unwavering support for the man with the trademark laugh. “Look, Christmas is hard work. Santa has to fly all over the world and deliver presents. He’s got to juggle a huge list of who’s been good and who hasn’t, and all he asks for in return is for houses to have a chimney a certain width! What’s so wrong with that?” asked mall Santa, and pro-Santa pundit Jeffery Kerns of NorthPoleOhio.com.

The argument is quickly spreading, occupying the television, the internet, and the editorial sections of newspapers across the country. Several malls in America have had protestors removed for causing a scene. Fake fireplaces, complete with Chimneys, are looking like they might become this year’s hottest lawn decoration. But, there is one noted area of silence – Santa himself. Notorious for his privacy, Mr. Claus has let his legal counsel handle all of the public relations regarding the case. With him not talking, it seems like the world will have to wait until this case sees trial before we learn the truth – are gas fireplaces a danger for Santa?

With looming fears over the current and future states of Christmas, over the safety of perhaps the world’s most beloved man, it’s easy to lose perspective. While collecting quotes for this story, I stopped a six year old girl named Jenny, to ask her if she was worried. Her answer was a simple no. When I asked her why she felt that way, she responded with perhaps the most profound statement a person could utter regarding this very complex and heated argument, “Because I’ve been good.”

In this, the age where it’s Pro-Chimney versus Pro-Affordability, Tradition versus Technology, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. To Santa, according to one very wise six year old, it’s not what kind of fire place you have that should matter, but rather whether you’ve been good. So be good for goodness’ sake.

C. Agee
http://www.articlesbase.com/humor-articles/the-santa-suit-fighting-against-gas-fireplaces-709757.html

SootEater rotary Chimney cleaning system cleans Wood Stove and Fireplace flues. Spinning chimney whip removes dangerous soot and creosote buildup better than a brush. Helps prevent flue fires. Unique trim-to-fit design fits multiple flue sizes. Will work on round from 5 to 18″ in diameter; 12″ x 12″ square, rectangle or oval flues up to 8 x 12″. Won’t scratch metal flues like a steel brush. Fits through tight areas. Fits on any drill and spins forward and reverse. Cleans from the bottom up without getting on a ladder so you can DIY and save money. Includes (6) 3′ long flexible rods with reversible bottom link quick connect system. Need Help with Part # RCH-205*Call 716-689-6990 9am-4pm eastern time. Chimney Cleaning System Sold in Multiples of 1

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Outdoor Patio Fireplace Vinyl CoverOur Outdoor Patio Fireplace Vinyl Cover is constructed of heavy 10 gauge, felt lined vinyl. This attractive cover easily slips on and off of your patio Fireplace. Protect your fireplace investment against the elements.

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Why pellet pro? The PelletVent Pro System is a higher quality construction than both normal and Corn-Burning systems offered by Simpson, and it is compatible with both types of systems!PelletVent Pro, offered in 3? and 4? diameters, is designed for use with pellet stoves, low-temperature venting systems, and is also designed to withstand the corrosive flue gasses of corn-burning appliances. PelletVent Pro is rated for continuous flue temperatures up to, but not exceeding, 570 -F. PelletVent Pro is not interchangeable with standard PelletVent or CornVent. SpecificationsThis product requires: 1″ (3? in Canada) air clearance to combustibles for all diametersSPAN style=”FONT-SIZE: 8pt

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Free Shipping! Authorized Vestal Dealer. LOWEST Price on the Web…Shipping is FREE ! BEST PRICE on the Web! FREE Shipping! FAST FedEx Service! QUESTIONS? Call us! 800-718-1710 The Vestal J Series American Crafted Fireplace Grate is a traditional style wood/coal burning grate that is rapidly increasing in importance. Shallow 12 inch depth makes it ideal for use in Franklin stoves and in factory built metal fireplaces. The American crafted grate is made of durable cast iron with new one piece construction (no assembly needed) with nestable design for space-saving storage. The Vestal J Series American Crafted Fireplace Grate is available in 4 different widths.   BONUS OFFER!  Get a $25 Rebate Coupon with your order! FREE , Fast FedEx Shipping! Get it shipped sooner. Get it shipped FREE! Order Today! … click to read more

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Screen the fire in leafy vines of hand-forged iron finished with an antiqued bronze patina. Authentic hand-forged iron Fireplace tools with an antiqued bronze patina hang from carved, looped handles on a sturdy stand. -Iron and mesh -Antiqued bronze finish

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