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W
hen you take heat, smoke, and your secret spices, and spread it out over an afternoon in your backyard or patio, the right grill or smoker creates a delectable masterpiece for all to enjoy. But are you a gas or charcoal aficionado? Propane or natural gas? Do you need a full-size smoker or just some wood chips soaked and wrapped in tin foil? How about a blend of everything to personalize and create the perfect outdoor cooking combination? With a little help and direction, the chicken, beef, pork and veggies that you dream about are quick to become a delicious reality. Area professionals that have decades of experience with all types of BBQ's, smokers and grills and each one's accessories are ready to help you make the right choice for your patio or backyard. Age Old Debate Grill masters of all ages will argue that their way is the best way. Some swear by charcoal for unique flavor and turn their noses up at any gas contraption. Whereas the gas faction is split in two — propane or natural. There's really no wrong answer to any of these debates, it's up to you and your needs and particular situation and the taste you seek. Valerie Dixon of The Grate Fireplace Shoppe in Walled Lake says many customers lean toward the charcoal camp. "People are going back to charcoal because it's a better flavor," she said. T.J. Dohring of Wheels and Blades in Commerce Township says your grill choice "depends on what you're cooking. In this area, a good all-round grill to sear burgers and steaks and dogs would be a Weber Genesis." And if you're a gas cooker, using natural gas eventually costs less than propane. "It's more convenient and you never have to worry about running out of gas or keeping a spare tank on hand," Dixon explained. "It's fairly simple, just run a gas line out to the deck." Peter Stuart of Federal Fireplace and BBQ in Commerce Township noted that gas was a popular choice years ago. "Everything old is new again," he said. "People are going back to natural gas. Years ago gas grills were promoted by Consumers Power back in the '60s and then it died off and now they are back again." There are more start-up costs creating a natural gas set-up for your outdoor cooking, but natural gas costs less, so over time you create savings. And someone had the bright idea to take the best of both arguments and combine them — gas and charcoal in one grill. "They are called hybrids," Stuart said. "Firemagic is one of the biggest." Bill Ramsey of Melvin's Ace Hardware in Walled Lake said he sees a different slant on grill buying these days. It's cheaper than a vacation, he said. "We sell a lot of Webers," he said. "It's a quality grill and it's kind of crazy with the economy. People are buying the higher end Performer. And folks are staying home more and hanging out in their own backyards. So a great grill is essential."
Let's Smoke It Dixon explained the smokers come mainly in two different styles — metal and ceramic, each with its own benefits. "The biggest trend right now is the smokers," she said. "The ceramics are the best because they hold the heat longer. You can smoke, grill or even use them like an oven to bake cookies and bread." Ceramic smokers, according to Dixon, go back thousands of years in Japanese-style cooking. Dixon even explained how a smoker could stretch your grocery budget, as well. "You can even take a bad cut of meat and smoke it for a long period of time and at a low temperature and have a great piece of meat, so you can actually save money," she said. Smokers range from as little as 9.5 inches — a personal-size smoker — and start at around $300. Dixon's business carries The Big Green Egg — a very popular ceramic smoker with its own following. "It's touted as the 'World's Best Smoker,'" she said. "Owners are called 'Eggheads' and are very devoted to it. You go on its web site asking for a recipe and you'll get 30 responses immediately. You're not alone when you buy an egg." And there are a variety of sizes and price ranges and plenty of accessories for each style. To figure out what you need, ask yourself a few questions first. How many people will you be cooking for on average? Do you cook a lot of meat, as well as vegetables? "A lot of customers are buying two sizes of smokers — one to cook their meat and one to cook their vegetables and side dishes," Dixon said. "And a lot of people are buying these smokers for competition cooking. There have been a lot of first-place winners using them.” Another advantage of using a ceramic smoker is pre-cooking time. Ceramics heat up much faster than regular style grills — in about 15 minutes — and are ready to start cooking. But don't try to "help" the ceramic get started or you'll be in flavor trouble. "You can use charcoal starters, electric starters, and the charcoal chimneys, but you never want to use an accelerant," Dixon explained. "Lighter fluid will ruin it. The liquid absorbs into the ceramic and every time you cook, you're going to taste that. They are an investment and they'll last a lifetime." The Master Grill The king of the backyard, old faithful, and your steak's best friend, the outdoor grill has stood the test of time. Technology continues to create ways to keep the regular grill exciting and tasty. "Infrared burners have been added," Dixon said. "But you have to be real careful with infrared burners because they are basically designed to only sear meat, not to cook over." A lot of the infrared type grills also encompass the regular type of gas burner to create a hybrid type that fulfills all of your cooking needs. The purchase costs of a gas grill also depend on the gas you choose. Natural gas grills costs more but offer more to the owners. FALL 2010 | SPACES 7
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"They start out at about $450 and can go up to thousands for a top-ofthe-line Viking," Dixon said. "You can get stainless steel or cast aluminum exteriors." Dohring's low-range starts at $599 for a three-burner grill with stainless steel. But one thing to remember is that when you buy a quality grill, it will last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care. "Your BBQ is the best family get-together there is out there," Dixon said. Stuart agreed with purchasing quality. "People are looking for a better quality grill with stainless grills," he said. "People who bought those cheap grills are finding out that in a few short years they have to spend half the price of the grill to get them fixed up again. Whereas the American-made grills tend to last a lot longer." Primo Grills, particularly the Kamado, are the choice for Stuart. The Japanese-style grills made of high-quality materials and are built with plenty of amenities that offer great choices for consumers. "It's almost made like a pizza oven," he said. "They're hinged and very popular. You can smoke or grill and you can slow down the cooking." Ramsey chimed in, stating, "A good Weber grill can last up to 15 years." Read The Fine Print As with any great product that hits the market, imitators and pretenders are soon to follow. If it looks like what you’re looking for, take the extra step to make sure. A low price is key in figuring out the fakes. "Like anything there are knock-offs now," Dixon said. "They are lower price, the warranty is not as good and they're not true ceramics." And if it's something that you have to assemble, the number of parts can be a giveaway of poor quality. "When you buy a premium grill you don't get a bag of 87 nuts and bolts," Dohring said. "They are sturdy and stout, whereas you see a lot of these $200 BBQ's that are wobbly and flimsy. Make sure you're buying a true 304 stainless steel burner. There's a lot of imitation stuff out there. A good quality BBQ will have consistent heat all around and there will be no 'cold' spots on your grill.” Dohring added that it's a great idea to buy a major name brand that has quality and will be around when you need them. "Three years down the road you may need a new burner or igniter and the knock-offs won't be around to service you," he said. "And you need to maintain your gill. Keep the box inside good and clean and scraped out. That eliminates a lot of the flare-ups." Stuart added that more people are building outdoor kitchens these days, as well. Drawers, cabinets, extra burners and just about anything you can imagine can be designed and built to create the master outdoor cooking area. But if you have already made a large financial commitment to your outdoor cooking, you may want to look into a tune-up. "A lot of people who can't afford a new grill are having me come out and repair or tune their grill up," he said. "I can make an old grill brand new again. It's just like fixing up a home rather than buying a new one. We've been in business since 1946 so we've seen it all.”
Stuart carries 15 lines of grills in his store and enjoys offering quality service to his customers. What To Add? Each type of grill comes with an array of accessories and items to make your backyard outing more fun and easy. "There are tons," Dixon said. "There are baking stones, multi-tiered cooking levels, and cast iron griddles, and you can also use the different flavors of wood to enhance the flavor — hickory chips, mesquite, apple and cherry." Rotisseries have added freedom to outdoor cooking. Simply pick out your favorite roast, chicken, turkey or any other large piece of meat, season it, slide it on the spit and let it rotate for a couple of hours. There are also potato racks, smoker boxes, hot dog rollers and much, much more that can be added to your outdoor cooking paradise. You can easily get carried away and spend as much on accessories as you do on your grill. Dohring mentioned that digital thermometers take a lot of guesswork out of grilling. "You can be drinking a beer and holding a thermometer that goes off when your meat hits a certain temperature," he said. Stuart added that there are "a lot of fish baskets and fish planks and boards and screens that go on top of the grill." But remember that you're looking to enhance the food you're cooking. "Flavor racks are big," Ramsey added. "And you definitely need a cover. When you make an investment into a grill, you want to take care of it and keep it covered when you're not using it. You're going to get a lot longer life." Buy It, Build It, Use It… And They Will Come Grills, smokers and BBQ's aren't just a "summer only" item. Moving your "oven" outside frees up space for other holiday cooking. Grilling or smoking your Thanksgiving Day Turkey, Christmas Day prime rib or New Year's Day treats offer more flavor and less hassle inside the kitchen. By purchasing a quality grill from a prominent area business that will stand behind it and service it, you're making a great investment in your home and family that will pay dividends for years to come. Now, it's time to find a piece of meat and get things fired up and smoking. ❏ — By Mark H. Stowers RESOURCES • Valerie Dixon, The Grate Fireplace Shoppe 248-624-6655 • Bill Ramsey, Melvin's Ace Hardware 248-624-4583 • T.J. Dohring, Wheels and Blades 248-363-6683 • Peter Stuart, Federal Fireplace and BBQ 248-366-8666. FALL 2010 | SPACES 9
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Buying insurance?! There are so many choices . . . Where should I buy? What’s a good price? How much coverage do I need? As your local agent, we can design a program that is just right for you and your family. Thank you for rating Auto- Owners Insurance “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience, Two Years in a Row” according to J.D. Power and Associates.
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Color codes
The secret to choosing just the right scheme of hues
W
ith cooler weather bringing people indoors and the holidays just around the corner, many folks are ready to spruce up their home's interior. However, when it comes to picking a new color scheme, some homeowners just don't know where to begin. After over 15 years in the design business, paint expert and designer Dana Pfeiffer has explaining color down to a science. She speaks of a
Contemporary shades of violet, blue and green reflect an analogous color palette, with color families that are next to each other on the color wheel. Although these hues are striking alone, when combined they provide balance and create a more sophisticated style. Analogous colors tend to go well together because they are closely related.
color wheel and says color comes in a variety of schemes — for example, monochromatic, complementary, analogous and triadic. Pfeiffer, co-owner of a design business, said the monochromatic color scheme is any one color on the color wheel used on most every surface. "This color can be different shades in a room to offer variance," she said. Complementary color is a pair of colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel, such as blue and yellow, red and green, salmon and teal, violet and apple green. Some decorators prefer a split complementary color scheme, which is one main color and two opposite colors, such as using blue as the main color and adding yellow and orange. Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other, such as green, yellow and orange or blue, purple and red. Finally, the triadic color scheme uses three colors that are equally
Give a room a classic look with molding and trim increase the value of your home. Just don't over do it. That's the advice from Natalie Weinstein, a veteran interior designer, lecturer and author who frequently uses architectural details such as molding and trim to make ordinary rooms extraordinary. She says with a little skill, you can install them yourself, but you need a master plan before you start, she says. "A lot of people underestimate what they can do, lack the right tools or the ability to visualize the overall effect," Weinstein said, adding that can translate into poor workmanship or visual overload. "You don't want your home to look like a McMansion," she says, alluding to the unattractive jumble of architectural styles ingrained in the design of many mega-sized development homes. Unless you have the time, talent and energy to handle the job yourself, you're better off hiring someone with experience to design and install trims and other architectural details, according to Weinstein. Most mid-priced homes built in recent decades are devoid of detailrich architectural touches standard in older homes like crown molding or wainscoting, a decorative treatment for the lower half of a wall. Commonly made of oak, cherry, or even composite beadboard, it's
topped with a rail and at the bottom, a wide baseboard. Many newer homes have open floor plans in which rooms flow from one area to another. Architectural add-ons like columns can help define that space, according to Weinstein. She recommends that before you purchase that first piece of trim, study photos gleaned from magazines and books. "Emulating is good," she said, adding that you can do that best by keeping a scrapbook of ideas you've seen elsewhere. Another way to preview your room before you invest in trims and more is to buy a peel and press design system used by many professionals. Available to homeowners for $250 (and in a more comprehensive — and at $1,275 — pricier version for decorators, architects, designers, and remodelers), the basic E-Z Decorator system contains a wide assortment of architectural elements, more than enough to meet the needs of the typical homeowner, according to its creator, interior designer Cheryl Howard. An alternative to mastering the often complicated interior design software programs now on the market, the decidedly low-tech product can give a homeowner a professional rendering in minutes, Howard said. The E-Z Decorator system includes a binder filled with hand-drawn images on reusable static cling "stickies." Drawn to the same scale and perspective, the images can be peeled off and placed on a template grid that can be photo copied and colored. Changes can be made by peeling off one image and replacing it with another.. ❏ — Copley News Service
spaced on a color wheel, such as purple, teal and orange. "Most paint stores have colors preselected in these schemes, which makes it easy to select a color," Pfeiffer said. "You would just need to have your favorite color in mind and the sample books will do the rest for you.
However, a color scheme offers a guideline for your project." According to Pfeiffer, the monochromatic color scheme is the easiest to work with. "A monochromatic color offers you different shades or tints of a basic color you choose, such as green —
imple, budget-friendly trims like Sdecorative crown molding, chair rails and beams can add style and
apple green, dark green and light green," she said. "It's recommended that color flow throughout your home or office as it creates a harmonious atmosphere. "This is where you can get more technical in your color and venture into the complementary, triadic and analogous color options," she said. "All this starts with one color." Pfeiffer says one of the today's most popular color combinations mimics the autumnal colors of nature. "A color scheme that is popular right now consists of burnt orange, a shade of red with accents of brown and a soft yellow," she said. "These are called earth tones and they tend to be the most popular. The scheme would be termed analogous as they are adjacent to each other on the color wheel and usually one of those colors is the dominate color like the burnt orange with red, yellow and brown as the accents." In his book "Texturing and Painting" (New Riders Press, $55), author and decorator Owen Demers gives other examples of analogous colors. "Think of purple, blue and magenta colors in a twilight sky or the yellows, golds and oranges in an Arizona desert," he said. "A pine forest has light greens to blues and purples within it depths." Sometimes a person's house dictates it's decorating. "Modern homes tend to have contrasting colors that are bold, such as complementary or triadic color. Simple bold colors are red, black and white," Pfeiffer said. The split complimentary colors for a modern home could be blue, orange and yellow. The triadic colors might be purple, orange and dark teal. No matter what kind of home they occupy, some people feel uncomfortable working with color. "Most people get overwhelmed with color after the monochromatic scheme," Pfeiffer said. "This is where a professional color consultant can just spend an hour and have your whole scheme available to you. If you want a more sophisticated scheme, paying a professional for an hour is well worth your time and money for that designer look." ❏ — Copley News Service FALL 2010 | SPACES 11
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Hot showers for everyone
Lower energy bills, no wasted water? Tanks a lot!
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ne strategy to lower your hot water bill might be to sing shorter songs in the shower. But a more far-reaching method is to install a tankless water heater. Units are variously known as tankless, instantaneous or on-demand water heaters and those names sum up what they do — provide immediate hot water without a storage vat. Conventional storage tank heaters keep large quantities of water heated,
Tired of finally being able to get in the shower only to have the hot water run out? A tankless water heater provides all the hot water you need when you need it. Instead of storing water and keeping it hot throughout the day, the tankless system uses heating elements that are triggered by a hot water tap being opened.
even if it is not about to be used. Since the units constantly reheat their reservoirs of 40 to 50 or more gallons, they are continually expending energy. Tankless units' heating devices are triggered when a hot water tap is opened. Turning on the water triggers powerful heating elements that heat water rapidly as it passes through the unit. While the units are relatively new to the American scene, according to www.tanklesswaterheaters.com, they have been fixtures for 75 years in Europe, Asia and South America where energy costs are much higher. The startup for a tankless water heater is fairly high. Units cost 2 to 21/2 the price of conventional units (online direct prices range from $500 to $1,100 for gas, $200 to $775 for electric), so www.remodelhomeguide.com suggests
Solar power may be bright idea whose time has come about going solar so you Tthehinking can save money and the planet at same time? The option is available to have a home powered by solar energy, but the choice is expensive. If you are willing to make the investment, solar energy can be the first step toward energy savings and less reliance on fossil fuels. "Solar power allows ordinary homeowners the opportunity to use the world's most abundant energy source," said Brian Crowe, program manager for Solar Power in the Midwest, maintained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. According to the Solar Power in the Midwest website, solar modules are comprised of multiple solar cells. The solar cells capture energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity. This conversion process occurs because of the special properties of the semiconducting materials (silicon) from which the solar cells are made. The silicon that makes up solar cells is a semiconductor material having properties of both a metal and an insulator. When the sun shines on the solar modules they produce direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity is transmitted from the modules to an electronic inverter, which converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC). The AC electricity is then transmitted to the home or building's distribution system to supply electric power as needed throughout daylight hours. The excess electricity is diverted out to the power grid causing the electric meter to spin backward and that a homeowner should shop for one if energy bills are high and tankless water heater looks like a good longterm investment; the current unit
produce credits toward the electric utility bill. During non-sun hours, utility power provides the electricity. The cost of systems vary, but on average the purchase and installation of a home solar system can cost in excess of $20,000 or more. Although there are many programs that try to provide financial incentives to switch to solar power, tax credits and rebates differ from state to state, and even city to city. In addition, there are questions of safety and adequacy that you need to consider. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that consumers use the services of a qualified and licensed contractor when going solar. According to the DOE, you should ask the following: • Has the company installed gridconnected PV systems? If not, has it installed grid-independent (or standalone) PV systems? Experience in installing grid-connected systems is valuable because some elements of the installation — particularly interconnection with the local utility — are unique to these systems. • How many years of experience does the company have installing PV systems? A contractor who has been in business a long time probably understands how to work with customers and to compete effectively with other firms. Additionally, the contractor will probably be aware of the latest code and permitting issues surrounding the installation of PV systems. • Is the company properly licensed or certified? PV systems should be installed by an appropriately licensed contractor. This usually means that either the installer or a subcontractor has an electrical contractor's license. Your state electrical board can tell you whether a contractor has a valid electrician's license. ❏ — Copley News Service regularly fails to provide enough hot water; or if it's broken and can't be repaired. Before choosing a unit, you need to
determine the size, typically linked to the number of bathrooms you have. As the makers of tankless units love to point out, the heaters can provide an endless supply of hot water. But there are limits as to how much can be produced at any given time. For a house with one bathroom, a heater supplying 3 to four 4 per minute will do; for two bathrooms, a 4- to 5.5gallon per minute is recommended; for two to three bathrooms, a 5.5- to 7.4gallon per minute unit is indicated. Also consider if a dishwasher or washing machine will be running at the same time or when someone is showering. You also need to select your power source. Tankless units can be heated with electricity, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. If you have sufficient power (120 or 240 volts and 50 to 200 amps, depending on the unit), electrical models are much easier to install than their LP and natural gas counterparts which require venting and combustion air. But electricity tends to cost significantly more than gas in the long run and gas heaters have a higher hot water output than electric models — a must if you're using a lot of hot water at one time. A demand water heater can be installed centrally or at the point of use. Large gas units, which can supply an entire house, are installed centrally. An electric configuration can make use of a small booster unit for a remote bathroom or laundry. Tankless water heaters — even the largest whole-house models — take up little space and can be placed in a closet. Even with the high startup, there is an eventual payback both in water and energy saving. Hot water bills can be trimmed 11 percent to 69 percent, according to www.tanklesswaterheaters.com. A U.S. Department of Energy study estimated that water heating counts for 20 percent or more of an average household's energy expenditures. In a typical U.S. household, more than 9,000 gallons of water are wasted waiting for the water to heat. And to save even more, you can still sing shorter songs. ❏ — Copley News Service FALL 2010 | SPACES 13
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