If you've been reading our blog articles for the month of August, you're familiar with our Gas Valve Assembly series! We've been providing information on the main components of a setup, starting the month off with an informative article on gas ball valves, and then covering all the details on escutcheons - what they are and how they work. Now, we're going to wrap up the series with a blog on one of the more esthetic parts (and must-have pieces) of your assembly - the decorative gas valve key!

Ever wonder what an escutcheon is? What many people are not aware of is that this device appears in many areas all over your home, and don't necessarily have to be gas fire feature related! Let us explain all about what an escutcheon is and how it is utilized!

Before the summer comes to an end, it's a good idea to check for problems and get them taken care of before your local gas professional is up to his/her eyeballs in service calls for heating appliances. Fireside Expressions is here once again to arm you with helpful tips and information on how you can check to see if your gas connections are in safe working order! We'll explain how to perform a simple test to determine if your quarter-turn shut off valve is leaking or not.

Propane is an extremely efficient fuel source for your outdoor product, but did you know that if you lack the proper components during installation that your feature can display soot over time? Many people associate this black residue with the burn process of a wood fire, but propane is perfectly capable of producing soot if your feature isn't configured accurately. Join us for a special blog post on this matter and get a dose of #WednesdayWisdom!

You may be thinking to yourself, “What is a log lighter, and what's so great about it?” We're glad you asked! Many of us here at Fireside Expressions have used this reliable time-saving tool and we can honestly say that we wouldn't want to be without it! Let's dive into this topic of discussion and see if we can help you decide if this durable, fuel-operated device is right for you and your wood burning fire feature!

If you are planning on installing an outdoor fire feature, or perhaps converting your wood-burning fire pit to a gas-fueled option, you'll need to decide if you want to use natural gas or propane. What many people don't know is that there is a big difference between the two. So much, in fact, that additional ventilation and an air mixer are required in order to ensure that your propane accent is operating properly. Fireside Expressions is here to explain the difference between the two gasses, and why it is so important for propane to be properly aerated!

Here at Fireside Expressions, we have plenty of expertise in fire and water features, as well as a pretty good handle on how to outline a functional and enjoyable layout for all of your alfresco needs. One of the biggest questions we have been asked about outdoor living is: "Can I mount my flat screen television over my fireplace?" If you are going to take in a movie or your favorite sitcom while the fire is going, there are some things that we really have to talk about. Fireside Expressions does not recommend mixing fire and electronics. While we prefer to keep these two factors a more than a safe distance apart, we do want to advise you of some safety precautions.

It's that time of year again! Many of you have most likely received all of your W2s and headed on over to your local preparation office or even tried out the recently acclaimed free websites to declare that yearly refund. If you're expecting a nice return this year, we have a terrific idea on how you can invest your money. Consider making some improvements to your patio or hot tub area with an electric Panorama Slim Series Fireplace by Amantii!