A real wood-burning fire is wonderful to relax in front of after a long day during cold weather. But, take a minute to consider the virtues that gas fireplace log sets offer:

1. Modern gas fireplace log sets consist of ceramic logs that rest atop a steel grate just as wood logs do. Below the grate the gas is distributed through a layer of sand with special "glowing embers" which, when operated behind a fire-screen, provide the warmth of fire while being almost indistinguishable from burning wood.
2. Gas logs are extremely easy to operate. Simply hold a fireplace match below the logs and turn on the gas for an instant fire. No more logs to carry, no ashes to clean, no "restocking" the fire as it burns down.
3. Burning natural gas instead of wood is less taxing on the environment. Wood, of course, emits particulate matter into the air, which adds to our pollution problems. Many communities across the country already restrict the burning of wood fires on certain days to help reduce emissions, and some localities are mandating gas-burning fireplaces only in new construction.
4. Burning gas is safer than burning wood. The risk of sparks flying from the chimney is eliminated, as is the buildup of flammable creosote on the inside of the flue. Further, you eliminate the chance of spreading termites inside or around your home from the firewood.
5. Gas logs are cheaper to use than wood. In most communities, the savings realized by burning gas instead of wood will pay for the initial investment in the gas log set in the first year or two and keep saving you money over time. Also, no longer will you need to spend money for chimney cleaning every three or four years. The sets can be purchased in various sizes for generally under $200, sometimes much less if on sale.

Gas log sets are fairly easy to install if you have an existing gas fireplace log lighter. The kit comes with complete installation instructions and it will take most plumbers about an hour.

The kits consist of a metal tray with a burner pipe in the center, an aluminum gas supply tube and fittings to connect to the incoming gas line, a metal log grate, several ceramic logs and a bag of sand and artificial embers.

Installation requires removal of the existing log lighter pipe and fittings, so that only the threaded gas supply nipple remains in the fireplace.

The metal tray is then positioned toward the center of the fireplace, with the supply tube connected between it and the gas nipple. The sand and "embers" are poured over the burner pipe in the metal tray, and finally, the grate and ceramic logs are placed over the tray to distribute the flames as aesthetically as possible.

For more information on gas fireplace logs, contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury, MA.

LA Times

Many homeowners in Massachusetts are having fireplace inserts installed. Some are doing it from an increase in environmental awareness. There are several benefits to using fireplace inserts, which is why we recommend these energy-saving appliances to customers.

Benefits of using a fireplace insert include:

1. Modern fireplace inserts are much more efficient than older open fireplaces, which have low efficiency ratings at about only 5% to 10%. One reason for a lack of efficiency with open hearths is that a lot of heated room air is pulled into the fire, a process which results in an energy-wasting, quick-burning fire. Fireplace inserts have a sealed, air tight door system which generates more heat because the fire burns much slower and the heat isn’t wasted. The efficiency of fireplace inserts can be as much as 80%.

2. EPA-certified fireplace inserts can reduce wood-burning emissions to practically zero, meaning that your environmental footprint is much smaller than with an open hearth fireplace.

3. You can save money on your energy bill if you install a fireplace insert. A more efficient wood-burning heating system means less gas, oil, or electricity is required to heat your home. When the insert is not in use, the closed air tight glass doors will prevent heated inside air from escaping up through the chimney and also stops cold outdoor air from getting into the home, whether hot or cold this cuts your energy costs.

4. You can save money on the cost of remodeling. You can get a new look without having to do major remodeling work.

5. They are also very aesthetically pleasing. There are many stylish and beautiful models to choose from. Some fireplace inserts are installed flush with the face of your fireplace, totally inside your current firebox and some project out of the firebox a few inches onto the hearth, but they all give a room an appealing focal point, in addition to providing plenty of warmth during harsh winter weather.

A few more things you may not know about fireplace inserts:

When installing an insert, there are very specific requirements regarding the flue liner. It’s necessary that a  professional install an appropriately sized chimney liner to ensure that the chimney’s draft satisfies the insert’s specifications, and that the new appliance functions safely.

Fireplace inserts have self-cleaning glass doors which can literally burn accumulated creosote off the glass making fire viewing practical. Since they are sealed, they can also solve occasional down-draft problems.

You can choose from different types of fuel for your fireplace insert, the most popular being: natural gas, propane, wood, and pellet. If you decide to burn wood, make sure the unit you purchase is EPA certified; to assure safety and satisfy your insurance company, any heating appliance, regardless of the fuel burned, should carry a certificate that states it has been tested to the appropriate Underwriters Laboratory (UL or ULC ) standard.

If you have any questions about fireplace inserts contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury, MA.

chimneyspecialistsinc.com

An open fireplace is an inefficient heating source. Improve efficiency and maintain that cozy hearth look while generating heat with a fireplace insert.

Sitting in front of a crackling fire is a favorite winter past-time, but an old-fashioned fireplace is inefficient and can create high levels of smoke inside and outside your home.

But an energy-saving wood lets you transform your existing hearth into a super-efficient heater that can cut your energy bills — by as much as 40%.

What You'll Spend

Inserts generally run about $3,000 to $4,000, including installation and a chimney liner.Right now West Sport in Sudbury, when you buy a Hearthstone Clydesdale wood burning insert, get the chimney liner for 1/2 price.

A couple of advantages to burning real wood is having heat even if the power goes out.

Wood-Burning Insert Creates Real Heat With Real Logs

If a freestanding wood stove is too large to fit into your hearth or the style of your hearth makes it impractical, you can opt for a wood-burning insert — a wood stove without legs. This firebox slides into your existing masonry or metal fireplace and burns real logs.

Your installer snakes a stainless steel liner down your chimney and fits a decorative flange made of black cast iron or steel or colored porcelain around the insert, hiding its steel sides and filling the gap between the box and your hearth.

A front door with ceramic glass radiates heat into the room. You open the door to stack the wood, then shut it, on most models, while your fire is burning. Most wood-burning inserts also create convection heat with a fan located underneath the firebox.

Wood-burning inserts can heat anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 sq. ft., depending on their size. Inserts are small enough to fit into most traditional masonry fireplaces.

An insert designed to heat 1,500 square feet will burn for three to five hours before you need to reload; for 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft., you usually have an eight- to 10-hour burn window.

For more information on wood burning fireplace inserts, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

houselogic.com

It may only be August, but believe it or not now is the time to start thinking about home heating. Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts are an efficient and beautiful solution. And right now, you can get a HearthStone Clydesdale wood insert and get the chimney liner for ½ price.

There is nothing quite like sitting by a wood fire. Every HearthStone wood burning insert is a beautiful piece of furniture that will complement the charm of your home and provide a cozy home, a comfortable place to relax with family and friends.

HearthStone wood burning fireplace inserts stay warmer longer, keeping your home in the comfort zone. HearthStone invites you to live in the comfort zone.

Transform your fireplace into a comfort solution

The Clydesdale is the perfect solution for drafty, inefficient fireplaces. The large viewing area highlights the ambiance of wood burning while the cast iron and soapstone construction gererates a heat output sufficient for large areas.

Specs:

• Heats up to: 2,000 sq.ft.
• Firebox Capacity: 2.4 cu.ft.
• Size: Up to 75,000 BTUs
• EPA Certified: 3.2 gph
• Efficiency: 79% LHV
• Burn time: Up to 10 hours
• HeatLife: Up to 12 hours
• Maximum Log Length: 22 in.

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

The best grill is one that fits the needs of your guests and yourself.

Let flavor and ease- of-use guide you when choosing between four fuel sources for grills and smokers: Charcoal, gas, electric or wood pellets.

While propane and natural gas bring a grill quickly up to heat, they don’t imbue food with a smoky flavor like charcoal, which takes more time to come up to temperature.

You’re going to taste the difference between charcoal and gas. Some people think if you’re using gas, you’re not barbecuing. You are definitely going to taste the difference with pellets.

Pellet smokers and grills offer versatility, doing everything that charcoal and gas grills do, while adding smoky flavor and taking five minutes to heat before they’re ready for duty.

Wood pellets give home cooks a chance to experiment, pairing meats and vegetables with wine or beer.

That’s the big thing with smokers. You can pick different flavors of wood pellets. Flavors include mesquite, cherry, pecan, apple, oak, maple and alder.

Designed separately, incorporated in a grill, or as an accessory, smokers are used for enhancing the taste of food, cooking or a combination of both.

Hamburgers placed in a smoker for a half an hour, then grilled are quite flavorful.

Pellet Grills are unique in that they aren’t limited to grilling; it can be used for roasting, braising and searing meat. It’s an oven too, making tasty macaroni and cheese, potatoes, cookies and pies.

With so many options, the size of the grill is the only restriction on what’s cooked.

Design details

Pellet Grills come in small, medium and large sizes, ranging from table-top models suitable for small patios, tail gate cooking or camping that serve two to four people, to those big enough to roast a pig, or large enough to feed a crowd.

For cooking a chicken, look for a grill with a built-in rotisserie or one with enough room to be adapted with a kit. A turkey requires lots of headspace, so make sure the grill is deep enough to accommodate its bulk.

A dome shape has sufficient space for a rotisserie, while poultry of all sizes will fit in a most pellet grills, either on the grate or in a pan.

For the tech-savvy consumer who prefers not to hover over the grill, many models come with smart phone technology, Wi-Fi enabled thermometer swill notify you when the steaks are ready.

Expect sturdier construction with higher-priced grills; Green Mountain pellet grills have heavier legs, sturdier frame and two rather than four wheels made of rubber.

Grills with a stainless steel structure and grates last longer than those made from cast aluminum or enamel-bonded steel. Cast iron grates hold up well.

Keeping it clean

By properly caring for your grill, it should last 10 years or more. The key is regular cleaning.

Each time before cooking, bring the grill up to heat and clean the grate with a steel brush and scraper to loosen cooked on food.

In Massachusetts, grilling is done year-round, so deep clean the inside and outside of the grill several times a year. By cleaning and protecting your grill, it will be ready for operation whenever the mood strikes.

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudubury where you can get up to $100 off Green Mountain Pellet Grills.

billingsgazette.com

Are you wondering about pellet grills? What makes them better, different, easier, tastier? It’s the pellets. Cooking with hardwood pellets makes grilled food taste better. But with Green Mountain Pellet Grills, you can grill, smoke, bake, roast.

Watch the video below and see why Green Mountain Grills using Green Mountain Hard Wood Pellets make better, more flavorful food.

For more information on Green Mountain Pellet Grills, contact West Sport in Sudbury. And right now, you can save $100 on any Green Mountain Grill.

We love our outdoor fire pits in Massachusetts. Gas fire pits are especially fun and convenient. But there has never really been an outdoor gas fire pit made for New England, where it gets darker faster and the nights get cooler sooner.

But now there is the Warming Trends gas fire pit. It has a distinctive fire pit burner that utilizes cutting-edge technology to produce a taller, brighter, fuller flame. Leading the industry with a highly-engineered, precision product, Warming Trends is the original and only manufacturer of the CROSSFIRE™ Brass Burner. The technology behind the Brass Burner uses a specific air-to-gas ratio at the point of combustion to produce a taller, brighter, fuller flame that resembles a natural, wood burning fire.

And you can custom design your gas fire pit. Choose glass, lava rocks, or gas logs. Choose either a circular, square, octagonal, or rectangular pit made from concrete board that is ‘ready to finish’ how ever you’d like.

Right now at West Sport in Sudbury, buy 2 recycled plastic Adirondack chairs and a gas fire pit and save $400. Contact us for more information.

Summer is in full swing. Now is the time to enjoy the family and friends at picnics, barbecues, beach outings, and other outdoor activities with family and friends. Regardless of the outdoor activity you will be enjoying, using the right equipment will ensure that you are having easy, seamless, stress-free fun. Using top-rated gas barbecue grills in Boston, MA allows you to grill tasty food while relaxing outdoors, whether in your backyard or on-the-go.

The Napoleon portable gas grills are among the top rated gas barbecue grills. They are made with high quality construction, premium grade materials, with amazing features. Expert and novice grillers will be able to have delicious BBQ anywhere. Napoleon portable gas grills are a smart investment if you like to enjoy gas grill cooking combined with all types of summer adventures. Their compact design offers a different level of flexibility and convenience which makes them great for cookouts, weekend camping, picnics, beaches, block parties, and more. And once you’re done grilling, these portable grills can be conveniently stored.

To find out more about portable gas grills, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

Are you in the market for a new gas grill for July 4th? The SABER cast 500 gas grill is perfect for grilling all summer long or in every season. This full-sized grill is a great value, loaded with features that make outdoor cooking easier, with better tasting results. Plus a side burner for warming side dishes and sauces.

Standard SABER® Features

• The SABER® patented cooking system for superior grilling with even heat and no flare-ups
• All commercial-grade stainless steel is non-magnetic
• Electronic ignition at every burner for reliable start
• Grate-level temperature gauges allow grilling with the lid up
• Front access grease tray for easy cleaning
• Heavy-duty nylon locking casters
• Uses 30% less gas every time
• Simple cleanup: just burn off and brush away food debris
• Safe, easy natural gas conversion with SABER’s exclusive EZNG technology

Special Features for SABER Cast 500 Gas Grill

• 304 stainless steel lid with cast-aluminum end caps
• Fully-enclosed powder-coated cart with 304 stainless steel doors
• 304 stainless steel shelves with die-cast tool holders and towel bar
• Adjustable enamel warming rack with storage and roasting positions
• Three cooking zones for just the right amount of cooking space. Use one, two or all three zones

Right now, buy a SABER gas grill and a recycled plastic adirondak chair and get another chair free! That is a savings on $400!

For more information on the gas grill and Adirondak chair special, contact The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport in Sudbury.

Whether you covet a grill and food-prep station on wheels or a built-in BBQ island with fridge and bar seating, don't hit the grill center before reading this expert guide to creating a first-rate backyard outdoor kitchen.

Zero in On the Type of Outdoor Kitchen That's Right

Movable: A smart choice for small spaces that multitask—as cookout central one day and a garden hub the next. Start with a portable charcoal or gas grill fitted with heavy cast-iron or stainless-steel grates and an easy-to-clean grease trap. For storage and counter space, add a rolling cart with shelves.

Prefab: An all-in-one option for folks with more square footage and cash to spend. The basic setup typically includes a stucco-clad 5-foot outdoor kitchen island with tile counter, drop-in gas grill, and access doors for a propane tank. Extras, including granite counters, a refrigerator, and LED lighting, are ordered a la carte. DIYers can get cooking with a prefab outdoor kitchen island on delivery day.

Custom: A built-in-place kitchen, whether crafted by a pro or a handy homeowner, offers integrated stainless steel outdoor kitchen appliances, storage, and counter space, as well as the most flexibility in terms of matching the kitchen's materials and style to its surroundings. A larger layout, extensive lighting, in-ground utilities, and a pergola-style roof add convenience but also raise the price.

Regardless of the type you choose, The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center at West Sport can help you with creative outdoor kitchens that meet your needs and your budget. Contact us today.

And right now, get up to $1000 off your Aurora Fire Magic Gas Grill or 20% off your entire outdoor kitchen project.

TOH