East Bay Gas Lines Danville - Why Natural Gas Grills are Better to Use for Backyard Barbecue Parties

Barbecuing is a favorite method of cooking of people across cultures and ages. This cooking method is done with the use of grills. In ancient times, people were dependent on charcoal grills which are rather a long and burdensome to use for some. The modern times, however, propelled modern inventions of modified grills. These grills can be classified based on their igniting substances. Three of the most commonly known igniting substances are charcoal, wood pellets and gas. Further, gas grills can also be classified into two types – natural gas grills and propane gas grills.
So, which of the two is better to use? I can say it is the former. Natural gas grills have a lot of advantages. This is ideal for people who want convenience in cooking.
First, when you take into consideration the price of the two types of grills, the latter is cheaper. Natural gas grills only cost about a third of the price of propane grills. When you are tight on budget, you can select natural gas-based grill.
Second, natural gas grills are friendly to the environment. In contrast to propane, natural gas contains lesser pollutants thus it is less harmful. As people are more aware of their responsibility toward the environment, more and more people are considering the use of natural gas-based grills nowadays.
Third, using natural gas grill is more convenient than using propane grill. If you want not to be disturbed or interrupted when cooking, you should choose natural gas grills because it is directly connected to pipes that supply gas so you won’t run out of it. Unlike propane gas-based grills that need to be refilled on a regular basis, natural gas-based grills don’t cause you the hassle of refilling tank from time to time.
Today convenience is what makes a product more marketable. If you browse the internet and look for natural gas grills, you might find a lot of websites capitalizing on just pure marketing saying they have the best and most convenient grill. So, how does a buyer choose the right natural gas grill?
First, the buyer should consider the required size of the cooking surface. This is to ensure that you buy the right grill for the right size of what you are fond of cooking later. One should also take into consideration the warming shelves, side shelves and other parts of the grill.
Second, the buyer should take into account the color or the design of the grill so it will fit into its purpose, whether it be used later indoor or outdoor. The right color should be the one that complements the color of your outdoor or indoor kitchen.



source: http://naturalgasgrill.hubpages.com/hub/Why-Natural-Gas-Grills-Are-Better-to-Use-for-Backyard-Barbecue-Party

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East Bay Gas Lines Danville - What are some of the good things that natural gas does to that enviroment?

What are some of the good things that natural gas does to that enviroment? Some bad things?

Natural Gas burns clean and leaves only H2O and CO as it's byproducts.

CO is a greenhouse gas.

But, it does not put other toxins into the air.

Natural Gas is naturally odorless, so we have to add nasty smelling sulphur based mercaptans to it for us to smell it.

A capful of liquid mercaptan spilled in the middle of town can cause emergency personnel to nearly evacuate 2 miles of the spill.

Exposure to mercaptan can cause headaches. It naturally evaporates (this is why we spell it everywhere), and so it has to be contained and incinerated for disposal if it is contaminated with other substances that bar it being reinjected into a gas pipeline.

Gas has to be piped to a home/building for us to use it. So, availability may be limited.

source: Yahoo Answers

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East Bay Gas Lines Danville - How Gas Outdoor Lighting Can Spark Interest In Your Outdoor Lighting

How Gas Outdoor Lighting Can Spark Interest In Your Outdoor Lighting

What makes gas outdoor lighting so special?

You don't have to be an expert in lighting to know that gas lighting has virtually disappeared from the extensive menu of outdoor lighting fixtures available on the market today.
The main reason why this shift took place was the invention of electricity.Since then, the advancements in outdoor lighting technology has brought us much more efficient outdoor lamps.
The more recent advancements in clean energy has propelled the lighting industry to introduce even more energy efficient lamps than ever before.
While this race for creating the cheapest most energy efficient lighting available continues, we never take time to look at the beautiful alternatives that gas outdoor lighting gives us.
Many antique outdoor lighting fixtures are modeled after these old gas outdoor lighting fixtures. The classical beauty built into these fixtures still draws people to them.
If you want your outdoor lighting to stand out amongst the crowd, consider an outdoor gas lantern. Where else could you find such a beautiful fixture?


Gas Lighting Safety
Before working with gas lighting there are some safety precautions you must take.
If you have young children you may want to plan ahead and make sure the gas lanterns are out of their reach. Their safety always comes first and you don't want them ever exposed to an open flame.
When installing outdoor lighting always plan ahead. Always install gas light fixtures far away from anything flammable. It's best to install them on a concrete surface where there is nothing else around that could potentially catch fire.
Have a fire extinguisher handy at all times. We shouldn't need to discuss this further since you should always have a fully functional fire extinguisher in your home for safety reasons.


Available Lanterns To Choose From
The hardest part about choosing the right outdoor lighting fixtures will be deciding between the endless styles available. Once you've gotten that covered you're 95% of the way there.
Gas lanterns can be found in basically 3 types. Hanging lanterns, post mount lanterns, and wall mount lanterns. At this point you've probably figured out what each one of these lanterns does so I won't bore you with the details.


Portable Gas Outdoor Lanterns
Sometimes you need to take your outdoor lighting with you but a really long extension cord just won't work. Gas outdoor lighting is a portable solution to your outdoor lighting needs.
Portable propane lanterns use propane gas to create light. The propane gas burns and creates a bright light as it slowly burns out the replaceable filament.
Portable gas outdoor lanterns are an excellent source of light whenever electricity is not available. Take it on your next camping trip or use it for your next outdoor venue.
If you do, remember to bring extra propane tanks with you so you don't run out of light too early.
Gas lanterns are fully dimmable. With the turn of a knob you control the amount of gas released into the fillament, increasing or decreasing the lantern's light output.
The convenience of portable gas outdoor lamps gives you the freedom that outdoor lighting provides even if an electrical outlet is nowhere to be found.

source: http://www.creative-outdoor-lighting.com/gas-outdoor-lighting.html

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East Bay Gas Lines - Cleaning Your Grill

If people thought of their grills like they do their stovetops, there would be a lot less problems with grills wearing out. Think of it this way, after you cook something on the stove you generally have to wipe up the spills. Of course, I could just be a messy cook, but I can't seem to cook without having to at least wipe down the surface. Every now and then, depending on how often it gets used, I'll do a more thorough cleaning. This includes moving everything out of the way and wiping around and under the burners. Well, your grill should be treated similarly. Every time you use it, clean it, at least lightly.

Cleaning Grates
Grates are the exception to this general rule. They need to be cleaned completely after every use. This prevents food from sticking on your grill making it much easier to cook on. There are a lot of products on the market for cleaning your grate, but really any good stiff wire brush will do. Now, few people seem to know the best way to perform this little task. First of all, it is better done after you grill and not before. Once your grill has cooled down a bit, but is still warm, take your brush and clean off any remaining food particles. It is much easier to clean off food particles while warmthe is still present and not after they have cooled and been allowed to harden on the grate. If you have a cast iron grate clean completely then, brush on some oil with a paper towel to keep your grate in proper shape. Bare cast iron needs to be inspected regularly because they are more likely to rust.

Gas Grills
The bad thing about many gas grills is that they have a setting on the knobs marked “clean”. Many people are mislead to think that this is how you clean your grill. Like a charcoal grill, you need to clean your gas grill every time you use it. Make sure that the grates are cleaned after you grill and brush off the sides and lid after every use. Use the clean setting to preheat your grill. Yes, it will burn up stuff that has fallen down into the grill, but it doesn't really clean it. Regularly you should lift out the cooking grate and clean off the barrier above the burners. This might be lava rock, briquettes, or some variation of metal plates. However, it should get cleaned of the cooked on grease and food particles periodically.

Once a year you need to do a good clean on your grill. This requires that you take portions of it apart. First, start by disconnecting the gas and then lift out the grill parts layer by layer. Once you get down to the burners, make sure you inspect them thoroughly. There shouldn't be anything blolcking the flow of gas. If the burner is clogged it will give you uneven heat and make for poor grilling. If you can clean it, do so, if not, then replace it. If your grill uses lava rocks or ceramic briquettes you need to make sure that these are not too heavily encrusted with cooked on foods. If they happen to be, replace them to avoid bad tasting smoke that dirty rocks can produce.
With everything out of the grill, clean it completely with soapy water. If the paint is coming off, or if your grill is showing signs of rust then you need to do some painting. Other than that, put everything back in, check to make sure that all connections are good, and then turn it on. Let the grill heat completely before you cook again to make sure that any left over soap residue gets burned off.
Stainless Steel presents some special challenges to cleaning. Stainless steel will show every finger print, and low quality stainless steel will rust and discolor over time.

source - about.com part of the New York Times Company
by Derrick Riches

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Choosing a Fire Pit for Your Patio - East Bay Gas Lines

Everyone loves the warmth and glow of a fire. A patio fire pit is great for a party or a romantic dinner for two. When looking for an outdoor fireplace for your patio, their are many options to consider. Two of the most popular types of outdoor fireplaces are the Chimnea or a bowl type fire pit.
Chimnea
A Chimnea is a very popular portable outdoor fireplace that is typically made of terra-cotta but is also being made in decorative finishes such as steel and copper. Chimneas are typically used to burn wood but can be equipped with gas logs as well. Chimneas can be found at most home improvement stores. A Chimnea needs to be "cured" before use in order to insure a long life and safe burning. Their are several accessories available that can be added to a Chimnea to improve safety as well as aesthetics. Spark screens and a fireproof mat are imperative if using the Chimnea on a wooden deck or patio.
Fire Pits
Fire pits are traditionally metal and come in a variety of finishes and decorative designs. Some fire pits are as simple as a bowl with legs while others are enclosed with glass or screens. Fire pits were traditionally just for burning a few pieces of small wood but they can now be fitted with alternative fuel sources such as gas, gel alcohol or charcoal.

When looking for a fire pit for your home patio, it is important to look for a fire pit that sits relatively low to the ground and has legs that provide a great deal of stability. A fire pit that is not secure is an extreme danger. The fire pit should also have a fire screen that protects from flying sparks.
Before purchasing an outdoor fireplace for your home, it is best to check with your local fire department to see what outdoor fire codes are for your area. It is also a good idea to have a water source such as an outdoor tap located close to the fire pit in case of emergency.

source:http://voices.yahoo.com/choosing-fire-pit-patio-29216.html?cat=30
by K Taylor

www.eastbaygaslines.com

Gas Line Repair East Bay - Tips for Building a Fire Pit - East Bay Gas Lines

A fire pit is great to have to build a fire in for cooking food or for having a bon fire in. Fire pits make having a fire safer then just having a fire in the open air. Fire pits are usually a circle that comes a few inches above the ground. A fire pit can be made of stones or you can purchase a fire pit that is already made into a circle that is made of metal.
Making a fire pit of stone is an inexpensive way to build a fire pit. You will need a shovel and some stones that are bigger then a tennis ball. You will need enough stones to go around in a circle as big as you want your fire pit to be. A good thing to do before you begin to dig a hole is to make your stones into a circle so you know how big you should make your fire pit. You can put the circle of stones in the spot that you want the fire pit to be. Then take a step back and see if you are happy with the location of the fire pit. Dig out the inside of your circle of stones so that it is about six inches deep. Your circle of stones should be at the edge of the hole in a circle. You are ready to make a fire in the center of the fire pit. Be sure that your fire pit is not near anything flammable.

If you choose to buy a fire pit that is already a circle made of metal your job will be easier then if you make a fire pit of stones. Set up your metal fire pit in the place you want it to be. Then take a shovel and dig out the dirt inside the metal fire pit. You should dig down about 6 inches. You are then ready to have a fire built in the center of your fire pit.
A fire pit should always be made in an area that is not near anything flammable. All trees and shrubs should be at least 6 feet away from the fire pit. A fire pit should never be anywhere near a building.
Having a fire pit is a great way to enjoy a fire in any season. You can build a fire of wood or coal in a fire pit. You can roast marshmallows and cook food in your fire pit. Having a bon fire in a fire pit is warm and cozy on a cold night.

source: http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-building-fire-pit-370678.html?cat=6
by Donna Daniels

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East Bay Gas Lines - Gas Fire Pit Safety

Gas Fire Pit Safety

A gas fire pit on the back patio is a great way to enjoy the ambience of an outdoor fire without the dangers of burning wood. But just because you’re using gas doesn’t mean you’re in the clear concerning safety. First check the local jurisdiction’s laws regarding backyard fire pits. Then read these tips to keep your gas fire pit burning free of hazards.

Placement

You’ll want to set up your gas fire pit in an area well away from adjacent walls or building overhangs. Also make sure the area is free of combustible materials and on a noncombustible surface. Move all wicker patio furniture, cleaning fluids, brooms, leaves, and other outdoor debris off the patio. If you’re interested in setting the pit on your wooden deck, make sure to purchase a pedestal-style pit, raised up on feet to allow for appropriate heat ventilation. Even if the fire pit is a pedestal-style, consider positioning a noncombustible surface below it, especially if it’s set on a wooden deck. Keep an eye out for low-hanging branches or drooping power lines overhead, and place the pit clear of them.

An outdoor fire pit should only be used outdoors. Lighting one inside can be a fire hazard and also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Research BTUs

Before you buy your pit, check its BTU (British Thermal Units) rating: A normal range is anywhere between 40,000–60,000 BTUs. The higher the BTUs, the bigger the fire. If possible, test out the pit beforehand to see the size of the flame it will produce. Remember to factor in how winds in your backyard can increase the flame’s size.

Covered And Maintained

Even though gas burns cleaner than wood, you’ll still need to check the burner periodically and keep it free from obstructions. Clean the burner with a soft brush if it is dirty.

When not in use, the pit should stay covered. Spiders and bugs can find a way in and end up clogging your burner. Rainwater can destroy porous ceramic objects like the simulated logs atop the pit.

Gas Fire Pit Don’ts

• Don’t leave a gas fire pit unattended while it’s lit.
• Don’t let children play close to the pit.
• Don’t line a pit with tin foil.
• Don’t cook in the pit, unless you’ve bought one specifically designed for cooking.
• Don’t put anything in the pit that isn’t approved by the manufacturer. Rocks, glass, and simulated ceramic logs should be fire-pit approved.

By Staff writer State Farm™ Employee

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