Yard and Garage

Author: Van Powell

How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried? (And Other Utilities)
When you’re digging in your property for home renovation or landscaping projects, you will be running the risk of hitting a gas line, which can lead to a disaster.
So how deep are gas lines buried, and how do you avoid hitting them when digging in your property?
The depth of gas and utility lines will depend on your location because local governments set regulations. Typically, you will find gas lines at 24 inches below ground, while other utilities are 18 inches below ground. The depth of gas lines is measured from the frost line in cold regions.
But there are no shortcuts when digging below ground, and safety precautions should be your number one priority.
This article will guide you through the process to find out exactly where your gas and utility lines are so that you can dig in your property without any risk to your safety or gas and utility services.
Before You Dig Near a Gas Line
Suppose you plan to take on a project at home that requires you to dig, such as digging post holes to put up a fence, creating a garden pond, digging foundations for a garage/shed, or installing an irrigation system.
In that case, you need to find out whether there is a gas line or any other utility line below ground.
You could electrocute yourself, poison others, or even potentially cause an explosion. Not to mention fines for hitting gas lines of as much as $50,000, depending on where you live.
Fortunately, since 2005, there has been a hotline set up in America, where you can dial 811. In addition, they provide a regional service in locating underground utilities across the country.
This is referred to as ‘call before you dig’ or a ‘dig safe’ hotline.
You should call 811 at least three days before digging to allow them to respond and send out service workers to mark utility lines for you and help you identify which parts of your yard are safe to dig into.
Other Buried Utilities
The call before you dig service will help you identify where public gas lines and utilities are. Still, there are some other lines that it may not be able to identify, such as security systems, irrigation systems, landscaping wires, and anything else that a private utility company may have set up.
These buried utilities installed by private companies require you to contact the companies who installed them and pay them a service fee to mark them for you.
Alternatively, utility line locating services use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) devices, which use electromagnetic signals to identify buried materials, to find any lines that public and private service providers may have missed.
There are other buried utilities, besides natural gas pipes, that you need to look out for, including Internet and cable TV wires, water and sewerage mains, telephone wires, and other electric service wires.
Common Gas Line and Utility Markings
Now that you’ve contacted the right people to mark your gas and utility lines and you know exactly where they are, you still need to figure out what all of these gas line ad utility markings actually mean.
Also, note that the “call before you dig” service line can only help you identify the utility lines up to the point of connection with your home. After that, they consider any additional lines your private property.
Here’s a look at the standard gas line and utility markings color codes:
- White lines mark proposed excavation sites
- Green lines mark sewer lines
- Pink lines which parts of the property have been surveyed
- Purples lines mark irrigation and water lines
- Orange lines mark alarms and other communication lines like telephone wires and internet cables
- Red lines mark electric lines, and yellow lines mark natural gas, oil, and steam lines
- And, finally, blue lines mark potable water pipes
Can you tell which utilities are buried here?
How Close Can You Dig Near Gas Lines?
To dig safely around gas lines, you cannot assume that the markings that have been set out before you begin your excavation are 100% accurate and dig with blind trust.
When using mechanical tools to dig, safety officers recommend leaving a berth of 500 millimeters (±20 inches) to account for any errors in your technique or miscalculations in locating the specific lines that you’re digging around.
Suppose you’re digging by hand or using horizontal digging practices, which are a bit more precise and easier to stop. In that case, a 15-inch buffer is recommended when digging anywhere near a gas line.
However, now that you know where you can dig, note that you need to dig with care. So, to avoid causing damage while digging, consider the following:
- Dig with a shovel with a rounded or blunt-edged rather than anything with a sharp edge to avoid puncturing lies.
- Break soil away lightly as you approach the marked utility line and ensure that you’re precise in your movements.
- Be vigilant and do not dig under the assumption that the utility line-markings are accurate.
- Also, don’t scare dirt off of the utility line and just leave it be. You’d be surprised how many people puncture lines by simply trying to remove dirt after the line has been found.
- Finally, dig right up to the line itself, not just markings or tape, so that you know exactly where it is and make careless assumptions.
If you follow these steps, your digging project should not experience any significant obstacles, and you can rest assured that your health and safety are not compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of what you need to know about digging near gas and other utility lines has been covered with the guidelines set out above. But there are a few other common queries that you may want answers for.
Can you Break a gas line with a shovel?
Yes, but gas lines are typically quite strong, made of metal or plastic. They are most commonly thick enough to withstand any damage from hand digging with a shovel.
However, you should still exercise caution when digging by hand. If you strike hard enough or consistently strike a gas line, it is certainly possible to break a gas line.
What is the minimum depth for underground gas piping?
According to building codes in most states in the US, the minimum depth for all piping systems must be installed at a minimum depth of 12 inches or 305mm. However, individual outdoor appliances, such as lines for lights and grills, are only required to be installed at a depth of 8 inches or 203mm.
Conclusion
Now that you’re more informed about how to dig around gas lines and identify where they are, you’re ready to get started on your next big home project and have one less obstacle to face.
However, always remember that health and safety need to be your number one priority. There is no room for corner-cutting in this process. You should always consult with professionals if you are unsure about anything.
Do not take risks or try to save money because if you do and it results in any mistakes, you could end up costing yourself a lot more in the long run and derailing the entire project.
Sources
How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried In The Ground? | Home X
How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried? (And How to Stay Safe Around Them) | My Backyard Life
How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried? Everything You Need To Know Before Digging Your Yard | Home Eon
How deep are residential utility lines typically buried? | Quora
Safe hand-digging techniques | National Grid
December 30, 2021
Can You Vent a Dryer Into the Garage?

Having a dryer in the home is one of the hallmarks of modern convenience. However, few appreciate what a complicated machine a dryer can be.
Proper venting is a critical concern as far as safety and performance go. Often, homeowners dislike exterior dryer vents and wish to direct exhaust into garages.
This article should answer all of your questions.

Why Is It a Bad Idea to Vent a Dryer Into Your Garage?
Regardless of how your dryer is powered, venting dryers into garages is a terrible idea for several reasons.
First off, doing so will spew lint and dust into the garage.
Furthermore, venting dryer exhaust into the garage will increase humidity levels and promote rust.
Lastly, venting gas-fired dryer exhaust into the garage can produce dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
Are Indoor Dryer Vents Legal?
While indoor dryer vents aren’t necessarily illegal, they may violate local building codes depending on where you live.
Safety inspectors are stringent regarding laundry vents in multi-unit residential buildings. Most home inspectors use the International Residential Code when determining whether a laundry vent is permissible.
Simply put, outdated indoor dryer vents can earn you hefty fines from the authorities.
Are Indoor Dryer Vents Safe?
Generally speaking, venting dryer exhaust indoors is a terrible idea from a safety standpoint.
Doing so can produce carbon monoxide levels that are deadly in certain areas. If the concept of asphyxiating isn’t alarming enough, indoor dryer vents can cause fires that may gut entire buildings.
Last but not least, venting dryer exhaust into interior spaces can promote toxic mold growth.
Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From a Dryer Vent?
There’s no question that carbon monoxide poisoning is a potential consequence of interior dryer venting. Even the latest and greatest gas-fired dryers produce a certain amount of carbon monoxide that must be vented to the outside world to ensure the health of building occupants.
Carbon monoxide can build up quickly in tight spaces and render residents unconscious or dead in short order.
Do Indoor Dryer Vents Cause Mold?
Due to dryer exhaust’s hot and humid nature, indoor vents almost always produce mold over time.
Constant moisture will eventually degrade everything from 2×4 studs to drywall and leave a black mold layer over every surface between the dryer and the vent outlet.
Frequently, the mold produced by indoor dryer vents festers in unseen places for years before being discovered.

Do Indoor Dryer Vents Cause Lint and Dust Accumulation?
Given enough time, every dryer vent produces a significant amount of lint and dust accumulation inside the home.
Sooner or later, the conduit that feeds a dryer’s vent will crack or shift and release laundry debris in unwanted areas.
In addition, indoor dryer vents necessarily spew linen fibers into places you don’t want to find them. The end result can be a fire hazard.
How Do You Reroute a Dryer Vent From the Garage to Outside?
If your dryer exhaust currently ends up in the garage, rerouting it to the outside isn’t that difficult.
You only need a suitable flexible metal conduit, a saw or two, and a few extraneous hardware accessories. A competent HVAC technician can run another length of exhaust conduit from an existing garage dryer exhaust outlet to the outside in a few hours.
Things You Should Know About Dryer Vents
First off, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to dryer vent design. Gas-fired dryer vents and electric dryer vents are very different in terms of heat and gas dissipation.
Furthermore, dryer vents aren’t as simple as they may look from the outside. They should be installed by qualified professionals who know what they’re doing.
Lastly, dryer vents require regular maintenance to deliver reliable performance.
Are Dryer Vents Important?
Dryer vents are absolutely critical if you care at all about your health and safety.
At a bare minimum, properly installed dryer vents can be the difference between a happy home and a structure fire.
What’s more, dryer vents that are working correctly will make your laundry hardware last a lot longer. On top of that, dryer vents keep the air in your home clean and safe.
What Happens If a Dryer Is Not Vented?
Several really lousy outcomes are almost guaranteed if a dryer isn’t vented. The worst-case scenario is that the dryer will overheat, catch fire and burn your house or apartment building down.
Furthermore, a dryer that’s not vented will have a hard time actually drying your clothes. What’s more, indoor humidity levels will surge as the moisture has no place to go.
How Do Dryer Vents Work?
Dryer vents work the same way as most other kinds of ducts you’re likely to encounter in a home or business.
A flexible aluminum conduit attaches to the back of the dryer and channels hot, moist air through walls to a vent outlet somewhere on the exterior of the building.
Dryer vent outlets are protected by a cover to prevent rain and small animals from entering the ducting.
Does the Length of a Dryer Vent Affect Drying Time?
The entire point of a dryer vent is to remove heat and moisture from the dryer as quickly as possible. The longer the vent, the longer it will take to dissipate heat from the dryer.
As such, dryer vents should be as short as possible. A long dryer vent with many twists and turns will make your dryer less efficient and prolong drying time.
What Is the Best Way to Vent a Dryer?
In an ideal world, a dryer vent is less than 10 feet long and simply passes through a single wall to an exterior vent cover.
This kind of setup will ensure that a dryer is as efficient as possible while minimizing potential downsides.
If a dryer is located in a single-story home, a vent can also terminate at a vent cover located on the roof. The shorter the vent run, the better the results.
Dryer Vent Types
There are basically three types of dryer vent tubing in use today: flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid. Flexible ducting is made from synthetic materials like plastic or polyester film.
Flexible tubing is often prohibited due to its flammable nature. Semi-rigid aluminum vent ducting is both flexible and resistant to fire.
Rigid ducting is easier to clean but somewhat harder to install.
The Installation Process
Installing a dryer vent is easy if your dryer is located near an exterior wall. First, you’ll need to cut a hole through the drywall to mount a vent outlet behind the dryer.
Obviously, you’ll need to cut a matching hole through the exterior sheathing simultaneously.
After that, you simply run a semi-rigid ducting section from the dryer to the outlet.
Can Dryer Vents Go Up?
There’s absolutely no reason why a dryer vent can’t go up and exit the building either through the roof or through a wall on an upper floor.
The main problem with this approach is that it will reduce the efficiency of your dryer. In addition, lengthy vertical dryer vents can be difficult to service and clean throughout the years.
Dryer Vent Cleaning and Continual Care
For the most part, dryer vents don’t require much TLC to perform reliably for years or even decades under normal circumstances.
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to disconnect the ducting from the dryer and vacuum out any lint or debris you may find.
Furthermore, you should disassemble and clean the exterior vent outlet at least once a year.
FAQs
What Are the Main Problems That Occur When You Vent a Dryer Into the Garage?
At a bare minimum, venting a dryer into a garage will increase humidity levels to a noticeable degree.
Higher humidity levels will take a toll on anything metal you store in your garage. Venting dryer exhaust into the garage will also shower the space with lint and dust.
Finally, terminating a dryer vent in the garage can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide concentrations.
Should You Vent Your Clothes Dryer Inside the Home?
For the most part, venting a dryer inside the home is a bad idea. While some newer models can be vented inside safely, they take longer to thoroughly dry your clothes.
Also, gas-fired dryers should never be vented inside the home because the exhaust they produce contains carbon monoxide.
Just play it safe and do whatever it takes to vent dryer exhaust outside.
How Harmful Is Venting the Air Out of an Electric Dryer in the Home?
Long story short, dryers can encourage the growth of mold and mildew if vented inside. After all, a dryer removes water from clothes, and that moisture has to end up somewhere.
People with allergies or respiratory issues can be put at significant risk by mold.
On top of that, a moist environment can damage everything from drywall to wall studs.
How to Vent a Dryer in the Middle of the House?
If your laundry room is centrally located, you’ll have to get a little creative regarding proper venting.
Most people use periscope dryer vents to drop the ducting through the floor so that it can run through joists until it hits an exterior wall.
The job is a lot easier if your dryer is on the ground floor and you have a basement to work in.
December 3, 2021
What to Feed Deer to Attract Them to Your Backyard
Image by diane616 from Pixabay
Deer are well-known for being reclusive, so it’s always exciting to see a deer in the wild. You can entice them to come close to your home, but you must offer them suitable deer feed.
For nature lovers, feeding deer in the backyard is a popular subject these days. Unfortunately, deer are notorious for having a huge appetite. You need to keep this in mind while you’re trying to get them to come into your backyard.
You’ll have more success attracting deer if you can see things from their perspective. It’s also imperative to point out that deer are interested in maximizing their resources.
Common Facts about Deer
Did you know that white-tailed deer are native to North America? They are related to elk and moose. White-tailed deer can be spotted east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also important to mention that mule deer occupy land west of the Rocky Mountains.
These intelligent animals can adapt to a variety of habitats. They can prosper in the forest, and they can thrive in your backyard. But, to the surprise of some, deer can also live in deserts and parks.
Different subspecies of deer live throughout the country. This is one of the main reasons why they range in size. Some subspecies can weigh less than 100 pounds, while others can weigh several hundred pounds.
The climate, their diet, and many other factors influence their size. It’s fair to say that these things also have a significant impact on their size and lifespan.
What’s the lifespan of deer? Intensive research shows that their lifespan can range from two to ten years.
The Ascension of the Deer
Image by Mohan Nannapaneni from Pixabay
Contrary to popular belief, deer were scarce on this continent at one point in time. Nevertheless, deer managed to do well despite being the favorite meal for savvy predators like mountain lions and bears.
At the end of the day, their success is linked to the development of our country. Early settlers were interested in expanding their territory, so they did not hesitate to cut down trees. They also killed the predators that enjoyed having deer for dinner.
Something interesting happened. Farming began to decline while suburbs were being developed. This gave gardens a chance to come to fruition. Daylilies, tulips, and many other delicious treats popped up. In return, the deer population began to explode.
Some wildlife experts believe 30 million deer are roaming America today. This has put a tremendous amount of pressure on the habits that offer their food.
It’s typical to read articles about a considerable decline in the deer population after a harsh winter. Feeding deer in the backyard seems to be the usual response from people who would love to see the deer population intact.
Let’s take a close look at some deer behavior and biology. This will help you have a deeper understanding of these fascinating creatures.
A Typical Day in the Life of a Deer
Deer are herbivores, so they look for all types of vegetation. Therefore, their diet is influenced by the season.
These highly intelligent animals enjoy eating the following:
- Flowers
- Cacti in desert areas
- Acorns and many other types of nuts
- Buds of shrubs and trees
Deer are curious and resourceful. There’s no shame in their game. They will look in garbage cans, explore your garden, and eat fruit and acorns that fall from trees.
It’s fair to say that deer have a thing for sweets. They can be seen feeding before dawn and after sunset. They typically get their rest during the afternoon.
To the surprise of many, deer only mate once a year. The breeding season typically takes place during the fall. During this time, the bucks challenge each other for a mate.
Their aggression can force them to charge at humans. This is why you need to take careful measures when you spot deer. If the bucks see you, they may be tempted to test you.
Does can birth up to three deer at a time late in the spring. Their diet and the climate determine the birth count.
The behavior of a doe with fawns makes them easy to spot. She will not be afraid to defend her young if she sees a human. The doe’s behavior is easy for novice, intermediate, and advanced outdoorsmen to interpret.
Don’t underestimate the doe’s intelligence. She may try to intimidate you by stomping her feet. If that doesn’t work, she will try to lure you away. In many cases, she will use deception to protect her offspring.
Fawns typically nurse for ten weeks. After that, they will switch to the herbivore diet.
The fawns and doe will form large herds during the winter season. Then, when the cycle starts over, the newcomers will search for their own territory.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Feeding Deer
What to feed deer? Before we answer this question, we need to look closely at the pros and cons of feeding deer. In our humble opinion, there are only a few cons to feeding deer.
You must read the following information carefully. This will help you avoid any potential nasty surprises in the future.
Some people are under the impression that feeding deer is easy. They believe that opening the gate to deer will give them the golden opportunity to feed these amazing animals. However, there’s more involved in this fascinating activity.
Let’s begin with going over the pros.
Image by Robert Woeger from Pixabay
The Pros of Allowing Deer to Come into Your Yard
Feeding deer will give you a chance to see nature at its finest. It’s a fascinating learning experience for you and your family.
The following subjects can surface while feeding deer in your backyard:
- Winter survival for deer
- Conflict between humans and wildlife
- Relationships between the predator and prey
- Doe and fawn behavior
- Lifestyles for carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores
You may have heard many wonderful stories about deer. However, there’s nothing like seeing one close-up.
If you enjoy hunting, feeding deer will make things easier for you. Instead of toiling through the forest or desert clueless, you will learn more about them. You will become familiar with their diet and whereabouts. This will put you in a prime position to take them down with your firearm.
You should consider removing some of the natural barriers that can make it difficult for deer to venture onto your land. This will ease their tension, and they will see your property as a haven for water and food.
You don’t need to be skilled in rocket science to know that hunting is not for everyone. If hunting isn’t your forte, you can lease your land to hunters. They will be more than happy to pay you for the opportunity to hunt deer on your land. This can be viewed as a win-win situation.
The Disadvantages of Inviting Deer to Your Property
Before you get the deer feed, please keep in mind that dealing with deer is challenging. If you are not ready to deal with this, you should search for another outdoor activity.
What’s the biggest con to feeding deer? You cannot restrict their diet. They will eat the feed and target your flowers.
As we stated earlier, deer have a voracious appetite. Planting deer-deterrent food may seem like a good idea, but hungry deer will stretch their limitations. They will turn their attention to anything that appeals to them.
There are some downsides to feeding deer in your backyard. For example, deer carry ticks. When deer come near your home, they will bring ticks. There’s a chance of you getting Lyme disease if you’re bitten by a tick.
Here are some other health concerns you need to be aware of:
- E. coli
- Mange
- Plague
- Giardiasis
Studies show that giving deer a well-balanced diet will keep them healthy. This will reduce your chances of getting ill. This is the primary reason why we recommend that you get a variety of foodstuffs.
We want to bring up one more point before moving forward. You should think about the conflict between deer and humans. For example, millions of collisions take place every year between automobiles and deer.
Close to 2 million animal-vehicle collisions took place back in 2018. On average, each accident totaled $3, 660. Insurance companies are not fond of forking over money to cover these accidents.
Did you know that feeding deer will reduce their natural fear for humans? Yes, it’s true. Deer are highly intelligent, and they can adapt to their environment fast.
Getting familiar with the cons will help you keep things in their proper perspective. This will keep you and the deer safe.
How to Attract Deer
Okay, we’ve covered the advantages and disadvantages that come with feeding deer in your backyard. If you’re ready to enjoy this exciting pastime, let’s look at what to feed deer.
Before you feed deer in the backyard, they will find your home before you send the invitation. They will check out your plants to see if any look tasty.
Contrary to popular belief, deer don’t have bottom incisors. Therefore, when deer chew plants, the edges will have a ragged appearance.
Here are some other signs of deer presence: scratch marks on a tree near your home, scrapped patches of bare dirt, and tracks.
During mating season, bucks are well-known for leaving their mark. This forces their competition to respect their territory.
How can you attract deer to your backyard? You can start by giving them a dependable source of water, food, and cover that will protect them from predators. Next, they will get used to your habits and activities.
Plants that Deer Eat
You should cover the bases by getting a variety of nutritious plants. This will help the deer stay healthy. You will also get a chance to make changes to your landscaping so that it will fulfill your needs and desires.
Perennial plants and trees will do well. They will provide food to your backyard visitors every year and will lead to more return visits.
Here are the trees you should consider for your backyard:
- Hawthorn
- Willow
- Apple
- Yew
- Dogwood
- Crabapple
- Cedar
Yew is toxic to humans, but deer can eat them without any difficulty. Their GI system makes it easy for them to digest the trees listed above.
Planting shrubs around your property is another good idea. Besides being an excellent food source during the winter season, they offer many nutrients.
Deer like the following bushes:
- Blueberry
- Arborvitae
- Holly
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Euonymus
Here are some other options for you to consider:
- Alfalfa
- English Ivy
- Vetch
- Ferns
- Strawberry
Deer are not picky eaters. Fortunately, you have many options on the table. This will make it easier for you to stock your backyard with yummy treats.
Planning Your Deer Landscaping
You don’t need a perfect patch of land to attract deer. Their foraging will take care of this and make your job easier.
Pay close attention to nature. This will help you notice what survives every year. You will also learn more about their diet.
You need to place trees and bushes around your property. This will provide more cover and protection for the deer, and they will feel more comfortable with the idea of coming to your property.
Make sure you leave an adequate supply of water for your wild guest. They’ll appreciate it!
What to Feed Deer in Backyard?
It’s now time for us to tackle this subject. Conventional wisdom may tell you to buy a deer feeder. Is this a good idea?
You should check with the law in your area. For example, in some municipalities, it’s illegal to have a deer feeder on your property.
Should You Provide Corn to Deer?
Giving corn to deer may seem like a bright idea, but corn can adversely affect their health. Corn can cause bloating issues. It can also cause GI problems and kill good bacteria in the deer’s stomach.
At the end of the day, you should focus on offering healthy plants to your friends.
Other Intangibles Deer Need
You will not have any problems attracting deer if you fulfill their needs. Adding a mineral or salt block to your backyard will pay huge dividends. It will be a rich source of nutrients for the deer.
Tips for Attracting Deer to Your Property
Here are several tips that can help you have a great experience with feeding deer:
- Inform your neighbors about your deer sanctuary.
- Feed the deer continuously during the winter.
- Don’t plant invasive plants in your backyard.
- Make sure you check the laws in your state before setting up the habitat for deer.
- Find out if you can hunt on your property legally.
- Protect young saps and plants from deer until they are strong enough to deal with the deer’s tenacious appetite.
- Set-up a trail camera. The camera will capture those golden moments.
Final Word
Deer are beautiful and intelligent animals. They are more than worthy of our respect. Follow the advice within this article. You will be able to cultivate a relationship with one of nature’s finest champions.
November 28, 2020
Best Electric Smoker – Top Models in 2022
Whether it’s sausage, ribs, brisket or even a whole pig, the tender, tasty slow-cooked flesh and woodsy aroma of smoked meats can become an addiction. With your own smoker, you won’t have to go far to get your fix.
According to Consumer Reports, a quality smoker can make meat taste like it’s been cooked in a genuine below-ground smoke pit. Imagine the ease of filling your electric smoker with choice cuts of meat that cook over mesquite or hickory chips at your leisure while you and your friends enjoy the aroma in the great outdoors.
Quick Look at Some of Our Favorites
[amazon table=”3551″]
That’s the fun scene that’s possible if you invest in an electric smoker–not to be confused with a propane smoker.
An electric smoker comes with many benefits over propane or charcoal smokers:
It’s convenient.
- There’s no propane tank to buy or refill. No charcoal is needed. You just plug it into any readily available outlet, and you’re ready to go.
It has great temperature control.
- As every barbecue king knows, having the right temperature when you’re smoking meat slow and low is crucial if you want to avoid tough, chewy, overly charred meat. Duck can handle a 325-degree searing but ribs thrive best when smoked at a 225-degree temp.
- Worried? Don’t be. Just turn the dial to the right temperature and leave it. Most electric smokers have temperature controls to prevent the heat from fluctuating like it does with traditional smokers. As a bonus, many electric smokers come with their own temperature gauge.
It’s safe.
- An electric grill is less susceptible to fires and flare-ups so you can feel comfortable using it on your wood deck or any space close to your home.
- You don’t need to handle any flammable lighter fluid or propane. You can also walk away and tend to other chores without worrying if something will be aflame when you return.
It can double as a cold smoker.
- Many electric grills come with temperature options low enough to preserve meats by cold smoking them at 75 to 140 degrees over several days or weeks to cure them. That means you can make jerky, aged smoked cheese, or cured ham.
The clean up is easy.
- Unlike propane and charcoal grills, electric grills have less char and residue. They can be wiped up quickly.
Five Best Smokers
Masterbuilt MB20070210 MES 35B Electric Smoker, Black
This tall, slim, black steel smoker on four legs comes with three well-spaced chrome-coated smoking racks, enough to cook several meats at one time, including whole turkeys or suckling pigs.
The coating will prevent your meats from sticking and lessen clean up. Flavor your meats with the built-in wood tray and keep the meats moist with the included water bowl.
The smoker is designed to make temperature management easy. It has a built-in temperature gauge, a dial for various temperature settings, and an air damper than can be used to modulate the heat and smoke.
Best features:
- Smoke control
- Temperature dial
- Wood tray, water bowl and grease tray included.
- 1,500-watt heating element
- 57 pounds.
- Maximum temperature: 275 degrees
Pros
Large size offers lots of smoking space with 12 inches between each rack.
Easy assembly
Maintains temperature in cold weather.
Cons
No side drawer for wood chips. Main compartment must be opened to replenish chips.
Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow Digital Electric Smoker
This advanced steel box-style smoker is distinguished by its easy-to-read digital panel that controls temperatures and time. Just input the exact temperature you want and how many hours you want to smoke your meat.
The Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow will manage the rest. There is also an air damper so you can regulate the amount of smoke for the perfect taste.
Although rare for a smoker in this price range, the Smoke Hollow has insulation, which prevents heat escape so your meat cooks consistently while you save energy. A wood chip drawer allows you to flavor meat with chips or chunks of your choice.
Best features:
- Digital controls for a set-it-and-forget-it cooking style.
- Integrated thermostat
- Three chrome racks
- 800-watt heating element
- 46 pounds
- Maximum temperature: 275 degrees
Pros
Insulated box
Compact size
Drip pan and water bowl included.
Cons
Low to the ground, which means you have to bend to load the meat or buy a stand to sit the smoker on.
No side wood chip loader.
Bradley Digital 6 Rack Smoker BTDS108P 990223
As the name implies, this 39-inch tall silver stainless steel smokehouse comes with six racks for cooking an array of food; that’s nearly double the number of racks for the average smoker.
Equipped with digital controls for the smoke, heat and time, the smoker reduces your efforts by managing all elements for up to eight hours and alerting you when your cook time is over.
There’s an ash catcher to remove the soot from burned wood chips. The maximum temperature is 280 degrees. A wood chip feeder inserts new wood pucks into the smoker every 20 minutes so you don’t have to worry about supervising the stove and replacing wood chips yourself.
Best Features:
- Digital console
- Wood chip feeder
- Separate smoke generator
- Six racks that are 15 inches wide and 33 inches long.
- 500-watt heating element
- 60 pounds
Pros
Comes with a cover.
Fully assembled.
Wood feeder removes old wood pucks to a water bowl to prevent burnt wood taste.
Cons
Weak heating element
Requires wood briquettes instead of chips
Dyna-Glo DGU732SDE-D 30″ Digital Bluetooth Electric Smoker
If you think the push-button digital control panel on the Dyna-Glo electric smoker is convenient, wait until you use your smartphone or tablet to set temperatures and cooking instructions.
Enhanced with Bluetooth, you don’t even have to be near this smoker to monitor and manage the cooking process.
You also don’t have to leave the smoker in one place. Feel free to roll it anywhere, including to a park or a friend’s house; its four casters make it highly mobile and portable.
A bottom access drawer enables you to add water or wood chips without opening the meat compartment and letting out the precious smoke and heat.
Best Features:
- 4 chrome-plated steel grates
- Special rib racks and sausage hooks
- 1,000-watt burner
- Casters and rear handle for easy mobility.
- Dyno-Glo App for Bluetooth capability.
- Digital controls
Pros
Glass door to observe cooking progress without opening smoker.
Integrated meat thermometer included.
A door seal stops heat from escaping.
Compact
Maximum temperature is 300 degrees
Cons
Legs not included. Must be purchased separately.
Pit Boss Analog Smoker
If you’re looking for the best electric smoker for the money, this Pit Boss smokehouse will not disappoint. The bright blue steel Pit Boss Analog Smoker has three widely-spaced racks to allow you to cook several meats at one time.
The internal elements are made of porcelain, known for its heat stability at low and high temperatures. The front-loading wood tray can be accessed without opening the main compartment.
So, the meat never has to be disturbed when replacing chips.
Best Features
- Separate wood chip drawer
- Simple temperature knob
- See-through front window
Pros
Porcelain-coated racks
Porcelain wood chip tray and water pan included
Maximum temperature is 325 degrees
Includes meat probe
Cons
No digital controls
Other Great Electric Smokers
Best Electric Smoker For Beginners
Smoke Hollow 26-Inch Electric Smoker
Elevated on three legs, the Smoke Hollow smoker comes with two adjustable cooking racks as well as adjustable temperature control.
The uncomplicated design makes this perfect for a novice. The thermometer on the door lets you see the inside temperature at a glance.
A porcelain-coated wood tray and a separate porcelain water pan help you add flavor and moisture to the cooking meats.
At just 35 pounds, this smoker is easy to tote so you can use it anywhere there an electric outlet.
Best Features:
- Chrome-plated cooking grids
- 1500-watt heating element
- Easy assembly
Pros
Cool touch door handle
Maximum temperature is 325 degrees
Lightweight, portable
Cons
No side wood chip access.
Poor temperature control.
Best Small Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt Portable Electric Smoker
Less than 24-inches high and weighing only 22 pounds, this Masterbuilt smoker is made to travel. Take it to the football tailgate, the campsite or to any recreation spot to smoke meat with your buddies.
This compact smoker has a steel cube style with two foldable stainless steel legs. Inside, you can fit two racks worth of meat. You can also take out one tray and fit an oversized turkey or pig.
A knob allows you to manually control the heat, using low, medium and high settings.
Best Features:
- 1400-watt burner
- Simple temperature dial
- Two chrome-coated racks
- 730 square inches of cooking space
Pros
Wood tray and water plan included
Can reach temperatures higher than 250 degrees
Cons
Exact temperature cannot be set.
Best High End Electric Smoker
Cookshack AmeriQue Electric Smoker Oven
Made with the best digital technology, this double-walled stainless steel smoker will digitally set the temperature, smoke level and time — and then turn off the heat, but keep the meat warm once it’s done.
You’ll never have to guess if the meat has reached the right temperature since the smoker comes with an internal meat temperature probe.
This powerhouse smoker can heat up to 300 degrees.
Best Features:
- Double walls for good heat insulation
- Digital control panel
- Meat probe
Pros
Small size
A hold setting.
Good temperature control
Cons
Expensive replacement parts
Additional Information
How to Use Your New Electric Smoker
When you first get your smoker, follow these steps for the best experience.
1. Season the meat with a dry rub and leave in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Soak wood chips of your choice overnight. Consider mesquite, maple, cherry, oak or hickory.
3. Season the smoker.
4. Power on the smoker and set the temperature.
5. While the smoker is pre-heating, add the wood chips.
6. Place a pan of water at the bottom of the smoker to create humidity and moisten the meat.
7. Add the drip pan to catch grease if one comes with your unit.
8. When the desired temperature is reached, add the meat and set the timer.
How to Season Your Electric Smoker
Season any new electric smoker to get rid of any residue left from manufacturing. Put oil in a spray bottle.
Spray the interior surface of the smoker with oil: racks, walls, the inside of the door, etc.
Turn the smoker on and set it at the highest temperature for two hours. Do not fill the water pan for the seasoning process.
Meat Seasoning Tips
A dry rub comprised of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, chili powder, salt, cayenne and brown sugar is versatile enough to season any meat.
For a glaze, consider mixing bourbon with vinegar and honey.
How to Clean Your Electric Smoker
After every smoking session, use a bristle brush to remove grease and residue from the grates, floors and doors of your smoker.
Wipe out the grease pan and wash the water pan. Lastly, use a damp cloth dipped in hot, soapy water to wipe down the interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the wood chips last?
In most smokers, wood chips will last an hour. Add another half cup of wood chips every hour to create more flavor if your smoker lacks an automatic wood chip feeder.
Do I need to soak the wood chips first?
No, you do not have to soak wood chips first. However, soaking chips from 30 minutes to eight hours in water, beer or apple juice will impart a more intense smoke flavor. Also, soaking prevents the wood chips from burning too quickly, which will save you the hassle of replenishing chips frequently. Some opt to mix dry and soaked chips.
What is the purpose of the air damper?
Partially opening and closing the air damper helps to control the heat and smokiness by adding oxygen to the fire and allowing heat or smoke to escape. You can open and close the damper as much as you want to achieve the temperature and flavor you desire.
Is smoke supposed to come out from the door area?
It’s normal for smoke to leak through the door hinges. It will not hinder your meat from cooking nor reduce the smoke flavor. You can put a gasket on the door to reduce leaks, but that is not necessary.
How long does it take to cook the meat?
Unlike typical barbecue grills, smokers are designed to heat meats at a low temperature so they take longer to cook. Different meats require different temperatures and cooking times.
For example, ribs will take five hours to smoke at a temperature of 235 degrees while salmon can be smoked quickly at 220 degrees for an hour.
Here are typical cooking times for popular meats:
- Suckling pig: 250 degrees for three hours.
- Sausage: 225 degrees for two hours.
- Pork Roast: 225 degrees for five hours
- Small Turkey: 300 degrees for five hours.
- Ham: 250 degrees for five hours
- Lobster: 220 degrees for 50 minutes
- Brisket: 220 degrees for 12 to 15 hours.
Can I use my smoker for vegetables or drying meat?
Yes. Smokers are a great way to impart flavor to vegetables, such as artichokes, onions, squash, zucchini, corn, eggplant and even cabbage. Just drizzle with olive oil. Add some herbs and spices. Then place in the smoker for roughly 45 minutes.
Barbecue, roast and smoke meats to your heart’s content with any of these electric smokers. The final result will be succulent flesh falling off the bone with gourmet flavors that delight your friends and family.
All will laugh and have a good time cooking out. They’ll be asking for seconds and wanting to make your place and your smoker a regular destination.
February 6, 2020
How to Use a Hand Planer
Woodworking is a very hands on hobby and using a hand plane is one of the most rewarding and satisfying elements of this craft.
A finely set plane with a razor sharp blade will have you slicing through wood with that unmistakable sweet sound. This post will help woodworkers at any level with learning how to adjust their plane as well as some other helpful hints so that you can start knocking out those woodworking projects on your list.
How To Use a Hand Plane – Even If You’re Not a Woodworking Expert
Parts of a Bench Plane
Sole: This is the base of the plane. It is best to keep it straight and flat so it needs to be protected from damage.
Mouth: The mouth of the plane is designed such that the wood shavings can easily be cleared away.
Frog: This is a machined iron wedge that receives the blade assembly and can fine-tuned using the adjustment levers.
Blade Assembly: This is composed of the three parts listed below. When you need to sharpen your plane or carry out maintenance, you can remove the blade assembly.
Blade: Usually made of carbon steel – pretty self-explanatory.
Cap Iron: A stiffening plate clamped over the iron to tension it and clear shavings
Lever Cap: This clamps the assembly to the plane body
Using Your Hand Plane
How To Adjust A Plane – The Easy Way
Small tweaks to your plane are generally pretty straightforward. Here are some of the most common adjustments you may need to make.
1. If you’re using softwood, set the cap iron 1/16 inch back from the cutting edge. For finer finishes or hardwood, you will need to reduce the gap slightly. Do this by realigning the cap iron and securing it to the back of the blade. A tight fit is essential as it prevents shavings from getting wedged in.
2. The width of the mouth opening is influenced by the position of the frog. For general woodworking, simply line up the frog with the top edge of the mouth. For finer work, the mouth needs to be narrower. Remove the blade and the cap iron to loosen the screws that fix the frog. Move the frog to the required position using the adjustment screw.
3. To increase the depth of cut, simply push the blade out. You do this by turning the adjustment nut clockwise. Checking the setting is simple. Hold the plane upside down making sure the sole is level with your eye. The cutting edge should appear as a thin black line. With fine work, you should barely see the edge.
4. Use the lateral adjustment lever so that the blade is protruding equally across the width. Move the lever from side to side. Check alignment with the plane held upside down. When the blade is set, take up the slack so the blade can’t move.
How To Plane Timber True To Size
When you need to plane your timber so it’s true to size, be sure to press down firmly at the start of every stroke. As you reach the far end, slow down. This will prevent “bowing off.”
Follow this order of work and get the job done in no time…
- Begin by planing one face
- Check for straightness in both directions using a square
- Do a visual check for any sign of twisting
- Make a face mark with a pencil
- Plane the first edge
- Test again for squareness and straightness
- Make an edge mark
- Gauge across the thickness on both sides
- Plane the second face to the gauge marks
- Gauge across the width on both sides
- Plane the second edge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMSWSriUUWg
Handy Hints
General Pointers
- You should always sharpen and adjust your plane before use.
- Wax is amazing. A piece of candle works wonders by helping you to lubricate the sole.
- Use the right stance. Stand with your outer foot braced in front. Your shoulder, hip and plane should form a straight line. This gives you full control.
How To Plane a Wide Board
1. Move the plane across the wood diagonally in both directions.
2. Overlap your strokes to cover the whole surface, with and against the grain.
3. Finish with fine shavings in parallel strokes in the direction of the grain.
How To Plane a Narrow Edge
To keep the plane centered on a narrow surface, pop your thumb on the toe and use your fingers as a guide.
Checking a Surface
Use the tilted edge of your plane as a straight edge to check if a surface is flat. Use the straight edge diagonally to check up on winding.
Support The End Grain and Edges
This is essential to stop the wooden fibers on the edge breaking away.
Hold the plane centrally at the point of balance. Let the wood overhang slightly.
An alternative is to support the end grain by gluing it or clamping a piece of scrap wood to the work piece. This keeps any splintering to the waste wood.
Summary
Woodworking is a great hobby and a hand plane is most likely the first tool that you will use. It takes a little practice but soon you will be moving from simple tasks to tackling those intricate home improvement projects!
December 1, 2019
Lawn Mower Won’t Start – How to Get It Running Again
It’s one of the distinct sounds of warmer weather to hear your neighbor mowing their lawn. It’s also recommended that you mow your lawn about once a week to keep your grass cut nice and short, contributing to its health and plush appearance.
After pulling the mower out of the garage or shed, you reach down to tug on the recoil starter handle – and nothing happens. Instead, you’ll hear the motor turn a couple of revolutions and then stop.
What to do When Your Lawn Mower doesn’t Start
We’ve all been there, and we’re here to help you get your mower up and running again with these troubleshooting tips.
1. Read the Manual
You kept it, right? Even if you didn’t, you can still go online, type in the make and model of your mower, and hopefully be able to find a digital copy to read.
The manual is essential not just for help but also for the exact instructions you need for proper mower maintenance. Keeping your mower in top working condition will help prevent frequent breakdowns in the future.
Lawn Mower Manuals Online
- Craftsman (Now Black & Decker)
- Husqvarna
- MTD Products
- Ferris Commercial Mowers
- Snapper
- Honda
- Briggs and Stratton
- Cub Cadet
2. Give it a Good Cleaning and Fill Up
If you’ve checked the manual and it doesn’t solve your problem, then let’s proceed to the next necessary, but dirty step. Unplug the power and disengage the spark plug wire as well.
Move the mower to a flat surface off the lawn, turn it over, and clean out the excess grass clippings. You may discover a thick twig or chopped-up plastic bag that got caught in the blades.
After cleaning, make sure the gas tank is full of fresh gas. Then, with it all cleaned up and ready, try plugging it in and starting it again.
3. Start with the Starter Rope
Sometimes the starter rope seems stuck or is harder to pull than normal. One reason is the engine flywheel brake is in place. This brake is the bar you hold down on the handle, releasing it to stop the engine.
Bring this bar all the way down to the handle, and then try pulling the starter rope again.
4. Debris and Dirty Parts
In addition to the lawnmower blades, there are other parts that can get dirty and full of debris that may need to be cleaned and/or replaced.
Check the spark plug for either a loose or disconnected connection. Due to carbon build-up and a possible weakening over time, the spark plug itself might have died. You could replace it.
It might need to be cleaned, reconnected, and tightened.
A defective spark plug prevents the engine from starting. The air filter could also become very dirty.
You can remove it, give it a thorough cleaning or total replacement, reinstall, and try to start the mower. Unfortunately, these are the smaller parts that get dirty the quickest.
As a safety note of precaution, always unplug the mower before doing any cleaning.
5. The Clean Carb Diet
Cleaning your carburetor is one of the best low-cost maintenance tricks for lawn mower troubleshooting.
You can follow the instructions in your manual to locate the carburetor, which could be a small cup underneath the top of the lawnmower.
With the mower shut off and the gas tank empty, remove the bolt, the washer, and the cup.
Clean out the cup, any extra oil or gunk you find in that part, and use a sewing needle or other tiny tool to thoroughly clean out the little holes in the bolt.
Keeping all of the parts clean from dried-up oil will keep your mower running smoothly. You can also replace the gasket to create a better seal. In addition, there are special carburetor cleaners that can also assist with doing a thorough cleaning job.
After cleaning the bolt and the carburetor, wipe them dry with a paper towel and replace them on the mower. Next, fill the gas tank, plug it in, and give it a start. This minor fix has saved many lawnmowers.
Don’t Fix It and Forget It
After you start your lawnmower, refer to the manual for proper maintenance techniques, so that it doesn’t strand you again!
You might also want to keep this quick list of instructions in a handy place since, after next winter, your trusty lawnmower might not start.
Rather than hurting your shoulder by yanking the string repeatedly, follow these handy tips!
July 26, 2019