Some forms of cooking are messier than others, and deep frying is about as messy as it gets. And yet deep-fried foods are delicious, a staple of cuisines in the U.S. and worldwide. Trouble is, no one likes spattered oil and lingering cooking smells in their home. That’s where outdoor deep fryers come in. Learn all about them, how they work and the different types available. What Are Outdoor Deep Fryers and How Do They Work?...
The Family Handyman Weep holes may be the tiniest feature of many sliding windows and vinyl replacement windows, but they serve a big function. The little holes, located on the exterior bottom of the frame, are an outlet for rainwater to drain away from the home, but they often can become clogged up with debris. Clean and Winterize Weep Holes Set aside some time now to complete these simple fall maintenance tasks so you can rest easy, knowing you’re prepared....
If you’ve ever left the Target dollar section, once called The One Spot, with $50 in merchandise, then you already well know the power of The Target Spell. Perhaps you’ve then noticed that the in-store Target dollar section has gotten a makeover in recent months, and with it a makeover in strategy. It’s now called Bullseye’s Playground—named after the famed, adorable Target mascot—and features much of the same great gear at wonderfully affordable prices....
Ever notice those firewood stands on the way to your favorite state park? Typically, they’re selling green or barely seasoned firewood. That means it’s going to take forever to catch, and when it does, it’s going to release lots of smoke. (Be prepared to rotate your camp chairs all night.) That’s why it’s important to use proper technique and a good fire starter kit to light that roaring campfire you want....
What is Sweating a Joint? “Sweating” and “soldering” are synonymous terms used to describe the process of using heat and solder to join copper pipe and fittings to one another. You can tell your neighbor you’re heading downstairs to “solder” a joint—but “sweating” makes you sound much more worldly and DIY hip. Sweating involves multiple steps, each of which must be done correctly to ensure a water-tight joint. Both the pipe and fitting must be deburred (remove any sharp edges, metal or shavings resulting from cutting the pipe), then cleaned with a wire brush and emery sandpaper to remove dirt, oils, burrs and other substances that could get in the way of creating a tight fit....
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recently announced the popular GIE+EXPO trade show has been rebranded. Beginning in 2022, the event will be known as “Equip Exposition.” “Equip Exposition is where the landscape changes, and is the place for landscape contractors, outdoor power equipment dealers, distributors, and manufacturers to connect, learn and grow,” said OPEI President Kris Kiser. “The trade show remains the best place to connect with your peers, network, and gain a competitive business edge....
via The Home Depot If you shop at Home Depot for your furnace filters you’re going to be confused. Why? Because the filters The Home Depot sells have a rating system called “FPR,” which stands for Filter Protection Rating, and is exclusive to filters sold at The Home Depot. The industry filtration rating standard is MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value), the system that virtually all filter manufacturers have used since 1960....
If you’re considering an upgrade to your home’s heating system, you’ve got two powerful reasons to consider buying a heat pump over a furnace — especially if you live in California. The first is the High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA). Part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congress in 2022, it provides for rebates up to $8,000 for installing a new heat pump system. The second: The recent vote by the California Air Resources Board to ban the sale of new gas furnaces by 2030....
During a recent rec room project, my wife and I used a spare bedroom in our home as our paint shop for trim. After a short amount of painting, we had trouble finding a place to put each piece of trim to dry. She would finish three or four 8-ft.-long pieces of trim and run out of space on our sawhorses. I thought about the dilemma for a while and then remembered a Shop Rat tip....
One of the most important steps when winterizing a home is making sure the roof is ready for harsh winter conditions. Performing routine roof maintenance tasks before winter sets in can help your home stay warm and comfortable as well as prevent expensive repairs caused by ice dams and leaking. Read on for nine key maintenance tasks to prepare your roof for winter. Kevin Trimmer/Getty Images Repair Damaged Shingles Amanda Wynn, a roofer for Rampart Roofing, warns that missing, damaged and loose shingles can expose a home to roof leaks and water damage if not fixed before winter....
At first glance, a white bathroom seems to check every box—it’s neutral, bright and trendy and you can add as many colorful accents as you’d like. But have you ever considered the impact that your bathroom wall color has on your reflection? If not, it’s time to reevaluate. What Does a White Bathroom Do to Your Reflection? According to Grey, there are a few reasons why you should opt out of painting your bathroom white....
Some people might go their entire lives without needing a humidifier. However, a smart humidifier can make the difference between comfort and misery. Fortunately, technology has come a long way from the loud, moldy contraptions most of us are familiar with. With a smart humidifier, you can schedule when and on which setting you want your machine to run. These handy devices can also tell you when they’re running out of water, so you don’t have to monitor them as closely as non-smart models....
Bad Neighbors Have a neighbor with a junk-strewn yard, loud dogs or a penchant for wild parties? If so, know that it erodes your property value in addition to theirs. Another issue is living by a registered sex offender—find out if there are any in your neighborhood by searching the National Sex Offender Public Website. Poor Exterior Paint Quality Your home’s exterior is the first impression people get of your house....
Daniela Pelazza/Shutterstock We’re all looking to reduce, reuse and recycle, right? That’s why we hold on to our paper bags, hoping we’ll get a few more uses out of them. But you don’t need to be bombarded by an avalanche of paper bags every time you open your cabinet. Bring some order to that mess with these 10 paper bag storage solutions. Springs or Bungee Cords Paper grocery bags can be neatly kept in place with wire extension springs or bungee cords....
Alexxndr/Shutterstock While the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, raised serious questions about the risks in public water supplies, most supplies in the United States are very safe. Still, there are good reasons you might want to filter your home’s water: You Have Hard Water The dissolved minerals in hard water can make your laundry feel scratchy, decrease the efficacy of shampoo and soap, and affect your water’s taste. Iron can stain your clothes and dishes, even at levels allowed by the EPA....
It’s easy to take trees, our gentle giants, for granted. And once they show signs of distress, it can be too late to save them. But there are a few things you can do to get them off to the right start and keep them healthy for generations. Do Your Research Planting a tree that will be around for decades starts with choosing the right tree. Before doing anything else, research the specific species you want....
If you’re planning on replacing your heating system or installing one for the first time, don’t rule out an electric furnace. Simple, long-lasting and cheaper upfront that other heating options, modern electric furnaces are descendants of the arc furnace, designed in 1879 by German-born British inventor Sir William Siemens. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of U.S. homes use an electric furnace as their primary heat source. Learn the details of electric furnaces and how they work, so you can make a fully informed decision about how to heat your home....
Sponsored by Fujitsu What is a Ductless Mini Split? A ductless mini split HVAC system lets you control the individual temperature in each room. This means you don’t have to waste money cooling or heating spaces you’re not using—such as guest bedrooms, bonus rooms, sunrooms and basements. Ductless HVAC systems provide room-by-room, year-round comfort at a more reasonable price—without tearing up your walls. And Fujitsu’s new Wi-Fi enabled systems allow you to control it from anywhere....
The Family Handyman is launching its first app, and we want your feedback. Our new app, which is available for download on Android, AndroidTV, FireTV, iOS, Roku, and tvOS, features our vast library of Family Handyman videos as well as a 24/7 stream of tips, hacks and hints for DIYers, homeowners and home improvement enthusiasts. Be one of the first readers to try out our app and let us know what you think!...
Cold weather means cozy fires, and that means knowing how to clean a wood-burning fireplace. Cleaning is part of regular fireplace maintenance, and you need to do this regularly to make sure everything works well. Read on to learn how to safely clean your fireplace. Make Sure The Fire Is Out This step may seem obvious, but safety is important. Be sure you completely extinguished the previous fire. You don’t want to start cleaning it out and stumble upon smoldering pieces of wood....
