If you’re an outdoor power equipment parts buyer, you know it’s not the sexiest category. Spark plugs, air filters, oil filters, and other maintenance and repair parts take up several feet of space on your walls and they don’t offer the opportunity to drive incremental sales.

But what if you could change that?

Good Vibrations — a line of outdoor power equipment accessories by HY-C — offers a chance to drive truly incremental sales in the outdoor power equipment (OPE) parts section of retail stores. And it’s been successful, too; well-known retailers across the country have Good Vibrations units in hundreds of their stores.

But what are the products? And why should you stock them in your store?

That’s what we’re going to cover in this guide. By the time you’re finished here, you’ll know what Good Vibrations products are, and you’ll understand four ways the product line can help you drive incremental outdoor power equipment parts sales.

What Are Good Vibrations Products?

The outdoor power equipment parts segment can essentially be split up into three categories:

1. Maintenance items
2. Repair items
3. Tools and accessories

Maintenance items consist of spark plugs, air filters, oil, and things like that. They’re a planned consumer purchase driven by need rather than impulse. Customers tend to come in, find the maintenance part they need, and leave, having purchased only that one part.

Repair items are probably even less fun than maintenance items both for customers and retail buyers. These are model-specific parts that customers dislike because they only need them when something breaks, and buyers dislike because they take up vast amounts of retail space for very little payoff.

Good Vibrations products fall into the accessories category of the outdoor power equipment parts segment. We’ve covered what’s in the Good Vibrations lineup before, but here’s a quick overview:

• Tractor steering wheel knobs
• Weed eater straps
• Hitch plates
• Hitch pins
• Mower pull cord handles
• Mower deck scrapers
• Offroad drinking mugs
• Tractor wheel covers
• Tractor seat repair sealant

These items are universal, not constrained to one model of lawn mower, trimmer, or tractor. They’re upgrades, too, offering a more fun, satisfying, and robust solution for customers. They’re impulse-driven purchases that provide a positive surprise for shoppers who may have been in your store to buy something else.

Four Ways Good Vibrations Drives Incremental Sales

All of this may be well and good, but you may be thinking, “Okay, but why should I carry Good Vibrations products? Why should I sacrifice valuable space in my store or swap out other items for these?”

Those are great questions that deserve thorough answers. With that in mind, here’s a list of four ways that Good Vibrations can help retailers drive incremental OPE parts sales.

1. Over 100 Million Shoppers Own Applicable Equipment

Talk about a wide consumer base.

Yes, from lawn mowers and zero turn mowers to tractors and trimmers, there’re a lot of lawns in the U.S., and a lot of equipment to mow them. The chances are very high that if someone walks past a Good Vibrations display in your store, they have the prerequisite equipment to make an impulse purchase.

Good Vibrations products go beyond the lawn care niche, too. Our Easy-Rider Tight-Turn Steering Knob works great on boats and UTVs. The Start Me Up and Get-A-Grip pull cord handles are great for snow blowers, pressure washers, or anything else that utilizes a pull cord starter.

The applications are endless. If your shoppers see the products, they’ll almost certainly envision a use for them.

2. They Take Up Little Space (Relative to Other Products in Their Segment)

Think about your selection of spark plugs. Picture your current selection of mower blades. They take up a lot of room, and customers tend only to buy one part for $2 to $25. For as much space as those maintenance products and repair products take up, they don’t offer a whole lot of payoff.

Those kinds of items may even be better off out of retail stores altogether; after all, a customer can just search a SKU and buy the part online.

Good Vibrations, on the other hand, takes up just a few feet of space on shelves, and is likely to move more units. After all, if a customer decides they need a hitch plate, they may as well buy a hitch pin while they’re at it. And a steering wheel knob. And, since they’re already in the store, why not some tractor wheel covers?

That’s the consumer mindset that helps drive incremental sales.

Good Vibrations offers a great bang for its real estate buck, providing retail buyers a real opportunity to drive sales while saving on space.

3. The Packaging Sells The Products for You

Good retail products all do this, but Good Vibrations does it exceptionally well. And that’s not us patting ourselves on the back, either; we acquired Good Vibrations from the inventors, and we were impressed ourselves at how intuitive and interactive each product’s packaging is.

Take the King-Pin Quick-Connect Hitch Pin, for example. It’s a one-handed hitch pin with a spring-loaded locking mechanism, and its packaging is designed so that a customer can actually feel it and use it while they’re in the store:

The Rough Rider Off-Road Drinking Mug is the same way. It’s packaged for ease of transportation and barcode scanning, but customers can also interact with it to see how its spring-loaded locking lid works:

The packaging of every Good Vibrations product is designed this way to one extent or another, allowing shoppers to test out (or at the very least see) key features before they buy. Once they actually see and feel it in action, they’ll be more likely to make a purchase.

4. They Can Be Displayed on Their Own or at Checkout (or Both!)

The entire Good Vibrations line works best together. All the products are related; they’re all outdoor power equipment upgrades for tractors, lawn mowers, trimmers, etc.

But they’re also impulse items. A person probably isn’t primarily looking for a steering wheel knob for their tractor when they come to a store, but once they see one, they can’t help but think that it would be nice to have.

Because of their cohesion as a complete product offering and the impulse nature of their design, Good Vibrations works well both in the outdoor power equipment parts section of a store and at the checkout line.

Particularly dedicated store owners may even want to try to place Good Vibrations in both locations to see what works best in their shop.

Will Good Vibrations Increase Your Sales?

By now, you know what Good Vibrations products are and what they do. You know that millions and millions of shoppers are eligible to buy them. You know they’re economical space-wise and that the product packaging is a huge part of the line’s appeal.

But there’s a lingering question: will Good Vibrations increase your sales?

Of course, in retail, there are no guarantees.

But what we can say is that we have POS data from three big box stores, and these locations move hundreds of units per month.

The bottom line is that in the OPE parts segment, Good Vibrations is much more fun and exciting than a maintenance or repair part, and there’s scarcely a person in the country who can’t get any use out of one (or more) of the products.

If you put Good Vibrations in your store, you will have the opportunity to drive truly incremental sales in outdoor power equipment parts.

And if you want to get started, get in touch with our sales team. They’ll be more than happy to start the process of getting Good Vibrations onto your store’s shelves.

Fireplace grates are primarily made from one of two materials: either steel or cast iron. Most people prefer cast iron because it retains heat exceptionally well and it tends to be more durable than steel.

If you’re in the market for a new fireplace grate, you may have come to the conclusion by now that cast iron is your best bet. There remains a question, though:

Which grate should you get?

At HY-C, we manufacture five lines of cast iron fireplace grates under our Liberty Foundry Co. name:

• The G500 Sampson Series
• The Franklin G Series
• The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series
• The G800 Series
• The G1000 Series

In this guide, we’ll take you through each line of cast iron fireplace grates. We’ll include sizes for each of our five lines and some stand-out features of each grate to help you find the right cast iron fireplace grate for your fireplace.

G500 Sampson Series Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The Sampson G500 fireplace grate integrates a self-feeding design to keep your fire going. As logs burn, they roll down the sloped sides of the grate to ensure that hot logs on the bottom feed fresh logs on the top.

The angle of the slope is adjustable, too, to help you burn wood at the best possible pace for your fire and fireplace.

Perhaps the best part of the G500 Sampson fireplace grates is that they’re adjustable. You can buy the size you need, and you can buy additional eight-inch sections that can be added to (or removed from) your grate to ensure it fits your fireplace perfectly — no matter what.

The G500 Sampson Series is Liberty Foundry Co.’s most versatile size-wise, with five different sizes available (all styles feature a leg clearance of 2.75”):

Franklin G Series Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The Franklin G Series traces its name back to Benjamin Franklin himself. The Founding Father invented the metal-lined fireplace in 1743, and they came to be known as “Franklin stoves”.

Franklin G fireplace grates are relatively straightforward basket-style grates. They’re designed with a narrow depth to be used in smaller fireplaces.

Perhaps the most stand-out feature of the Franklin G Series of cast iron fireplace grates is that that three of the four sizes — the G17-BX, G22-BX, and G27-BX — come with four-inch leg clearance options (instead of the standard two inches) to facilitate additional airflow to help logs burn hotter and longer.

The four sizes in which Franklin G Series grates are available are as follows:

GT SAF-T-GRATE Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

Like the G500 Sampson Series, GT SAF-T-GRATE fireplace grates feature a curved, self-feeding design that allows burned fuel to roll toward the center and bottom of the grate while new wood is set on top.

The SAF-T-GRATES (as their name implies) are designed a bit more robustly than their G500 counterparts — all in the name of safety. As wood burns and shifts around, the sturdy, cast iron SAF-T-GRATES keep wood from rolling out of your firebox and into your living room.

Aside from that, each model features three inches of leg clearance. It’s not quite the four inch ventilation offered in some of the Franklin G models, but it still provides plenty of airflow to the logs as they burn.

The GT SAF-T-GRATES are available in three distinct sizes:

G800 Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

The G800 Series of fireplace grates are made in a very similar basket style to the Franklin G Series grates. One of the main differences is that the G800 grates are made a bit wider for bigger fireboxes (and therefore tend to be a bit heavier).

The G800 grates also come standard with a four-inch leg clearance height, meaning they offer maximum ventilation at all times.

Aside from that, they’re very straightforward cast iron fireplace grates with just three sizes available:

G1000 Cast Iron Fireplace Grates

Finally, the G1000 Series of fireplace grates is designed with the best of both worlds in mind: these are curved, basked-style grates that help ensure that burning wood rolls toward the middle and bottom of the grate.

The G1000 Series comes in two sizes that are made for bigger fireboxes, and both sizes are available with either two-and-a-half or four inches of leg clearance depending on how high you need the grate to be.

With the lightest models weighing in at 30 pounds, the G1000 Series of cast iron fireplace grates are about as robust as Liberty Foundry Co. makes them.

They’re available in two sizes (and each size is available with an optional four-inch leg clearance):

Which Cast Iron Fireplace Grate Should You Get?

If you’ve read this far, you’re likely set on a cast iron fireplace grate. And that’s good news, because it means you’ve started to narrow your search — after all, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of fireplace grate options out there.

Each of the five Liberty Foundry Co. series of fireplace grates has something unique to offer. The Franklin G Series is designed for narrow fireboxes. The SAF-T-GRATE offers the best in safety. The G500 Sampson Series provides the most versatile size options.

And maybe size is what will drive your purchase. But whatever the deciding factors, make sure you consider what you want out of your fireplace grate in the long term.

Because if you make the right choice now, you’ll end up with a cast iron fireplace grate that should last you for many falls and winters to come.

In lawn care, the big tools get the job done. Lawn mowers, tractors, trimmers — they pare down each and every blade of grass with precision to leave homeowners with a fresh, green, manicured lawn.

But small upgrades to the big tools can make a huge impact on comfort, convenience, and efficiency when caring for your lawn. And that’s exactly what Good Vibrations products are: universal lawn care accessories for trimmers, tractors, push mowers, zero turn mowers, and more.

But what’s in the line? How do the products work? And how do they make caring for your lawn easier and more comfortable?

As the owners of Good Vibrations, that’s exactly what we want to share with you in this guide.

We’ll go over which products we offer, what they’re compatible with, and how their design and development help to make yard work more enjoyable. By the time you’re finished here, you’ll understand this product offering, and you may even learn about a new upgrade or two you’d enjoy adding to your mower or tractor.

Good Vibrations Product Offering

In short, there are currently twelve Good Vibrations products that span nine different categories:

• A steering wheel knob
• A weed eater strap
• Two hitch plates
• Two locking hitch pins
• Two lawn mower pull cord handles
• A mower deck scraper
• An offroad drinking mug
• A selection of tractor wheel covers
• Tractor seat repair sealant

We’ll cover all these products by category in relative order of their popularity.

Steering Wheel Knob

The Easy-Rider Tight-Turn Steering Knob at a glance:

• One-handed control and comfort
• Universal fit for all lawn tractors
• Quick, easy installation
• Available in green, red, and gray

The Easy-Rider Tight-Turn Steering Knob fits on the steering wheel of any lawn tractor, regardless of make or model. The knob comes with an Allen wrench for easy adjustability and installation. The knob rotates in place as you grip it and turn your mower’s steering wheel, allowing you to control your vehicle easily with just one hand.

The Easy-Rider also works well on boats and golf carts, but it’s intended for off-road use only. Don’t install it on your personal vehicle, truck, or recreational vehicle!

Weed Eater Strap

The Zero Gravity Weight Absorbing Trimmer Strap at a glance:

• Makes trimmer feel 75% lighter
• Shoulder pad contoured for soft, cushioned comfort
• Bungee-style strap

One of the biggest pains (literally) of using a weed eater is back pain. The Zero Gravity Weight Absorbing Trimmer Strap helps to alleviate this problem. When installed correctly, all you should have to do is let your trimmer hang — just guide it along and pull the trigger to operate it.

The Zero Gravity’s unique, bungee-style strap is the secret to its success and comfort. It’s intuitive to use, attaching to any trimmer in seconds. It’s also great to use on leaf blowers.

Hitch Plates

The Hitchin Post Plus+ 3-Way Hitchplate & Towing Ball at a glance:

• Includes 1 ⅞” ball
• Pin-hitch hole
• Dual tow loops for chains, ropes, and winches

The Hitchin Post Plus+ offers three methods of towing additional equipment behind your tractor: a tow ball, a hitch pin hole, and two loops for chains or ropes. It attaches easily to any make and model of lawn tractor or ATV.

Despite its versatility, the Hitchin Post Plus+ is intended for off-road use only; you should not use the Hitchin Post on your truck to tow vehicles or equipment on roads or highways!

The Z-Hitch Zero-Turn Hitchplate at a glance:

• Universal for all zero-turn mower makes and models
• 3-way hitch plate
• 2” to 6” centers for an easy, flexible fit

The Z-Hitch Zero-Turn Hitchplate is similar to the Hitchin Post Plus+, but it’s designed specifically for zero-turn mowers that may not have a built-in hitch plate. It’s made for the same three towing methods, too — a tow ball, a hitch pin, or chains or ropes.

Like the Hitchin Post Plus, the Z-Hitch is intended for off-road use only. It’s also important not to exceed your offroad vehicle’s towing capacity when utilizing a Z-Hitch.

Locking Hitch Pins

The King Pin Quick-Connect Hitch Pin at a glance:

• One-handed hitch and release
• Automatically locks when yellow trigger is released
• Heavy-duty treated construction with nickel plating
• 5 ⅛” shaft, ½” diameter

The King Pin allows you to connect additional towing equipment to your lawn tractor or ATV with just one hand. The two prongs on the end are spring-loaded and connected to the handle. When pushing the King Pin in, the prongs retract and allow you to make the connection. Squeezing the trigger also retracts them, allowing you to pull the pin out.

The King Pin works well in conjunction with the Hitchin Post Plus+ and the Z-Hitch, and, like those items, it’s intended for off-road use only.

The Auto-Lock Magnetic Hitch Pin at a glance:

• Over 25 pounds of magnetic locking force
• Extra-strong neodymium magnet
• Easily stores on hitch when not in use
• 4” shaft, ½” diameter

Like the King Pin, the Auto-Locking Magnetic Hitch Pin does away with the need for clips and pins when towing equipment behind your tractor or ATV. This pin utilizes a strong, neodymium magnet with over 25 pounds of locking force to keep your equipment secured while towing it.

The red handle is angled a bit relative to the shaft, too, allowing you to pull it out easily against the force of the magnet. This hitch pin is intended for offroad use only.

Lawn Mower Pull Cord Handles

The Get-A-Grip Full Grip Deluxe Handle at a glance:

• Full grip for comfort and ease of use
• High-grade polymer rope
• Makes starting push mower easier

Your lawn mower probably came with a small, clumsy T-handle attached to its pull cord. These T-handles are awkward to use, and the Get-A-Grip offers an easier, more comfortable alternative. Just snip your T-handle off (while holding onto the pull cord!), tie a knot in it, and slide it into the Get-A-Grip for easy installation.

This naturally shaped pull cord handle works well on lawn mowers, boats, snow blowers, pressure washers — any kind of machine that utilizes a pull cord starter.

The Start Me Up Full-Grip Starter Handle at a glance:

• 88” rope included
• Soft-grip handle for a comfortable, secure hold
• Easy to install — change handles in seconds

So, what’s the difference between the Get-A-Grip handle and the Start Me Up handle? They both offer an easier, more robust option than the standard T-handle. But the Start Me Up features quite a bit more padding in the handle for the very best in comfort.

It’s available in both red and gray, and, like the Get-A-Grip, it’s also useful for lawn mowers, snow blowers, boats, and pressure washers.

Mower Deck Scraper

The Grass Hawk Dual-Bladed Mower Scraper at a glance:

• Flat and curved cleaning blades for versatility
• Helps maintain a clean mower deck for a longer life and better cut
• Also attaches to a pole for cleaning lawn tractors

The Grass Hawk mower scraper makes cleaning a mower deck much easier than with a knife or screwdriver. It features a rotating head with both a flat and curved cleaning blade to reach every crack and crevice of your mower deck.

The bottom of the handle comes with a threaded hole that screws into an extension pole in order to clean lawn tractors, more easily too.

Offroad Drinking Mug

The Rough Rider Off-Road Drinking Mug at a glance:

• Jell-Lock base forms tight to any cup
• Holds tight on rough terrain
• One-handed open and close

When your lawn tractor or ATV takes you out on rough, uneven terrain, you shouldn’t use just any mug. The Rough Rider features a rubbery base that squeezes and flexes to fit into any cup-holder. The lid only opens at the press of a button, too, ensuring that dirt and grime stay out (and your beverage stays in).

The Rough Rider is perfect to use during lawn mowing, but it’s also well-suited to any offroad activity. Its 24-ounce capacity is enough to keep you hydrated (or caffeinated!) during any job.

Tractor Wheel Covers

Wheelies Tractor Wheel Covers at a glance:

• Black (in 6” and 8” radii)
• Chrome (in 10” and 12” radii)
• Red, light orange, burnt orange, yellow, and black accents available

As with anything lawn care-related, tractor wheels — especially white tractor wheels — develop a bit of an ugly green hue over time. Whether you want to cover up stains, wear and tear, or you just want to add a pop of color to your lawn tractor, Wheelies Tractor Wheel Covers have you… well, covered.

The 6” and 8” covers are available in black, and the 10” and 12” covers come in chrome. All sizes are available with light orange, dark orange, red, yellow, or black accents. They snap easily onto your wheels and, from a practicality standpoint, they help prevent rust.

Tractor Seat Sealant

Seat Magic Tractor Seat Repair at a glance:

• Avoid expensive seat replacement
• Durable and flexible
• Repairs rips, holes, and gouges

Finally, Seat Magic Tractor Seat Repair is a sealant designed to fix any holes, cuts, or scrapes in your tractor’s seats. Replacing the need for duct tape, this sealant comes in black and yellow to compliment common tractor seat colors.

It works well on other foam products, too, including arm rests, cushions, and foam seats (especially the more common black color).

Where Can You Buy Good Vibrations Products?

By now, you should have a full, complete sense of what’s included in the Good Vibrations product lineup. From trimmer straps and steering wheel knobs to hitch plates, pins, and more, Good Vibrations’ versatile offering is designed to make lawn care easier, more comfortable, and more efficient.

But where can you find the products?

Hardware stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Menards, Fleet Farm, and others carry Good Vibrations. You can also find Good Vibrations products on Amazon.

And whether you’re interested in one Good Vibrations product or a few, we hope they’ll make caring for your lawn a little easier — and a lot more enjoyable.

There’s more to burning wood than you might expect. Whether you’re using an outdoor fire pit, your fireplace, or a wood burning furnace or stove, different woods burn differently from one another.

And maybe you just buy whatever firewood is available at your local store. But have you ever stopped to ask, “What kind of wood is this, anyway? Do certain types of wood give off more heat than others? What type of wood should I be burning?”

The type of firewood available to you often depends on what kind of trees are native to your area. But, given the choice, some types of wood are better at some things than others. We should know — we’ve been through the process of getting a wood burning furnace approved by the EPA, and that involves dozens of burn tests with many different kinds of firewood.

In this guide (and with the help of data from Utah State University), we’ll cover 10 different species of firewood. We’ll tell you how much heat each species puts off, how much a full cord of each species weighs, and more insights to help you find the right wood to burn.

Firewood BTU Chart

The following chart covers basic information on ten species of wood common in North America. Depending on where you live, some species of firewood may be more readily available in your area than others.

The second column indicates how much energy (in British thermal units, or BTUs) a full cord of each species of wood will radiate when burned.

The third column indicates how much a full cord of each species of wood weighs after it’s been fully seasoned and dried out.

The fourth and fifth columns indicate how easy (or difficult) each type of wood is to split and how much smoke each species of wood tends to give off, respectively.

How Much is a Cord of Wood?

A full cord of stacked firewood measures 4 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet in depth (for a total of 128 cubic feet). A full cord usually contains between 600 and 800 logs.

You may also see the term “face cord” used; this is about ⅓ of a cord, or 4 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 16 inches in depth.

A half cord of wood measures 4 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 2 feet in depth.

How Long Does it Take to Season Firewood?

The best way to season firewood is to stack it on a log rack and let it sit anywhere from 6 months to a year. This allows moisture to evaporate from the logs.

A piece of firewood may contain up to 50% of its weight or more in water. Waterlogged firewood won’t burn well. The goal is to get the moisture content to 20% or less (and you can test the moisture contents of a piece of firewood by using a moisture meter).

Because it takes so long to season firewood properly, most people buy their firewood a year in advance. When seasoning firewood, leave it outdoors in the open at least a few feet away from walls or other obstructions to facilitate proper airflow. Cover the top with a tarp to keep the wood safe from precipitation (but leave the sides uncovered to allow air to circulate).

Is Oak Good Firewood?

One full cord of dry, properly seasoned oak firewood will put off 29.1 million BTUs of energy, making oak one of the most efficient species of wood to burn. Though it’s heavy (with a full, dry cord weighing in at around 4,200 pounds) and not necessarily easy to split, oak wood puts off relatively little smoke when seasoned correctly.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 29.1
• Weight per cord (dry): 4,200 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Medium
• Smoke contents: Low

Is Black Locust Good Firewood?

At 27.9 million BTUs of energy per cord, black locust wood is nearly as efficient as oak. It maintains a comparable weight at about 4,000 pounds per cord. It also puts off relatively little smoke, though it is pretty difficult to split if you’re cutting it on your own.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 27.9
• Weight per cord (dry): 4,020 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Difficult
• Smoke contents: Low

Is Maple Good Firewood?

Maple is one of only three species of firewood on this list to put off over 25 million BTUs of energy per cord burned. It’s quite a bit lighter than oak or black locust, averaging about 3,700 pounds per cord. It’s also very easy to split, and it puts off very little smoke.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 25.5
• Weight per cord (dry): 3,680 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Easy
• Smoke contents: Low

Is White Ash Good Firewood?

White ash is a great middle-of-the-road firewood option in terms of millions of BTUs per cord at 24.2. A dry, seasoned cord of white ash firewood weighs in at around 3,500 pounds, and it produces relatively little smoke. It’s not the easiest type of firewood to split, though, so keep that in mind if you’re cutting your own wood.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 24.2
• Weight per cord (dry): 3,470 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Medium
• Smoke contents: Low

Is Black Walnut Good Firewood?

Black walnut is a relatively efficient firewood, offering about 22.2 million BTUs of energy per cord. It’s pretty light for its efficiency, with a full cord clocking in at around 3,200 pounds. It’s also easy to split, and it puts off very little smoke.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 22.2
• Weight per cord (dry): 3,190 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Easy
• Smoke contents: Low

Is Elm Good Firewood?

At about 3,000 pounds per cord and with an energy rating of about 20.9 million BTUs per cord, elm is a good middle-of-the-road firewood. Be cautious, though — it’s pretty difficult to split, and it puts off quite a bit more smoke than oak, black locust, maple, white ash, or black walnut.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 20.9
• Weight per cord (dry): 3,020 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Difficult
• Smoke contents: Medium

Is Birch Good Firewood?

Birch’s energy capacity is comparable to elm at 20.8 million BTUs per cord. Its weight per cord is also comparable to elm at around 3,000 pounds. Like elm, it puts off a medium amount of smoke, and while it’s not the easiest wood to split on your own, it is easier than elm.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 20.8
• Weight per cord (dry): 2,990 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Medium
• Smoke contents: Medium

Is Douglas-Fir Good Firewood?

Douglas-fir firewood is on par with elm and birch in terms of energy efficiency; it puts off about 20.7 million BTUs per cord. It weighs in at about 2,970 pounds per cord and it’s easy to split. The biggest caveat with douglas-fir is that it probably puts out the highest amount of smoke of any firewood on this list.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 20.7
• Weight per cord (dry): 2,970 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Easy
• Smoke contents: High

Is Green Ash Good Firewood?

Though every type of firewood on this list is very efficient, green ash does come in second-to-last at just 20 million BTUs per dry, seasoned cord. It is relatively lightweight; at just 2,880 pounds per cord, it’s about 1,300 pounds lighter than oak. It’s also easy to split and emits a low amount of smoke.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 20
• Weight per cord (dry): 2,880 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Easy
• Smoke contents: Low

Is Sycamore Good Firewood?

Sycamore has the unfortunate distinction of being the only firewood on this list not to crack 20 million BTUs per cord, just missing the mark at 19.5. It puts off a medium amount of smoke, too, and it’s relatively difficult to split. It is the lightest, though, with a properly seasoned cord of sycamore weighing about 2,800 pounds.

• Heat per cord (in millions of BTUs): 19.5
• Weight per cord (dry): 2,810 pounds
• Ease of splitting: Difficult
• Smoke contents: Medium

What Type of Firewood Should You Get?

As you can see, there’s more to burning wood than you may have expected. Thermal efficiency can vary by millions of BTUs per cord and weight can vary by thousands of pounds. There are also big variations in how easy each species is to split and how much smoke each species emits.

So — which firewood should you get?

In a lot of cases, this simply depends on which wood is native to your area. You may not have many options.

But, if given the choice, oak, black locust, and maple are high on the list in terms of heat per cord. Green ash and sycamore may be less energy efficient, but they’re very lightweight if you plan on hauling the wood yourself.

Whichever type you choose, be sure to store and season your wood properly. That way it will burn efficiently and cleanly, keeping you warm through the fall and winter months.

Smokeless fire pits are becoming more and more popular with each passing cold season. These cleverly-designed heating devices utilize a unique, double-walled airflow system to burn away smoke particles, greatly reducing (and even eliminating) smoke from your outdoor wood burning experience.

As great as smokeless fire pits are, there are several models on the market today, and that can make it tough to know which one to buy.

There are a lot of questions to consider: what type of wood fuel do these fire pits burn? To what extent are they customizable? How much do they cost?

At HY-C, we know a lot about smokeless fire pits; in fact, we manufacture one. And we want to share what we know about them with you to help you find the perfect smokeless fire pit.

In this guide, we’re going to consider five top-selling smokeless fire pits on the market today. By the time you’re done here, you’ll know everything you need to know about each model, from their material to how much they cost — and everything in between.

And though we make one of the fire pits on this list — the Flame Genie Inferno — we’re going to remain as objective as possible to help you find the right smokeless fire pit for you.

So, in no particular order, here are the top five smokeless fire pits on the market today.

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 at a glance:

• Price: $224.99
• Diameter: 19.5”
• Height: 14”
• Weight: 23.3 pounds
• Material: Stainless steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

Solo Stove is without a doubt the most popular smokeless fire pit brand around today, and their Bonfire 2.0 is their best-reviewed model by far. It’s available in eight different colors, and you can even get one personalized with your favorite NFL or college football team’s logo.

So, what puts the “2.0” in “Bonfire 2.0”? Solo Stove added a new, removable base plate and ash pan, making clean up a lot easier than earlier iterations. You just lift the pan out after your fire has cooled and dump out the ashes.

Each Bonfire 2.0 comes with a carrying case for easy transportation, and you can even purchase one with a stand for just a few dollars more.

Breeo X19

The Breeo X19 at a glance:

• Price: $399
• Diameter: 22”
• Height: 14.75”
• Weight: 47 pounds
• Material: Stainless steel and corten steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

The Breeo X19 features a unique corten steel construction that gives it a rugged, industrial feel. At 47 pounds, it’s the heaviest smokeless fire pit on this list, but for good reason: each Breeo fire pit is durably made in the USA in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

All smokeless fire pits utilize airflow in the base to help eliminate smoke, but Breeo models feature a raised, X-shaped bridge in the bottom that gives the line its name.

While the corten steel offers a distinctive look, those who prefer the full stainless steel presentation will be happy to know that a fully stainless option is available for an additional $85.

Blue Sky The Improved Peak Smokeless Patio Fire Pit

The Blue Sky Improved Peak Smokeless Patio Fire Pit at a glance:

• Price: $249.99
• Diameter: 21.6”
• Height: 16”
• Weight: 35.27 pounds
• Material: Powder-coated steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood or wood pellets

Blue Sky’s improved smokeless fire pit is the first fire pit on this list that claims dual-fuel capabilities — either firewood or wood pellets. You can also get your favorite NFL or NHL team logo engraved on one (and even the U.S. Army logo, if you feel inclined).

But what’s so “improved” about Blue Sky’s smokeless fire pit? Like Solo Stove, they added a lift-out ash catch and grate to make cleaning easier. They also extended the bezel on the top of the fire pit to promote air flow, and they even raised the burn chamber to enhance the fire pit’s secondary burn capability.

It also features a unique, twelve-sided rim and faceted body, daring to go beyond the cylindrical look of the four other fire pits on this list.

Duraflame Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit

The Duraflame Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit at a glance:

• Price: $215.79
• Diameter: 19”
• Height: 15.5”
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Material: 304 & 202 stainless steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

You probably know Duraflame for their Firelogs and Firestarters. Turns out they make a pretty good smokeless fire pit, too; their Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit features both 304 and 202 stainless steel in its construction to resist corrosion and rust.

Duraflame’s smokeless fire pit also includes a removable ring, grate, and ash pan for easy cleaning.

It’s also the lightest fire pit on this list. Weighing in at just 22 pounds, it’s ultra-portable — great if you’re planning on taking your fire pit on a trip (a carrying bag is available to purchase separately, too).

Flame Genie Inferno

The Flame Genie Inferno at a glance:

• Price: $171.99
• Diameter: 19”
• Height: 16.25”
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Material: Powder-coated galvanized steel
• Suggested fuel: Wood pellets

Rounding out our list of the best smokeless fire pits of the year is our own Flame Genie Inferno. The Flame Genie comes in two parts — the base and the combustion chamber. Both portions stack on top of each other during use, and they fit into each other between use for easy storage and transportation.

This two-part design makes for easy cleaning, too. Ashes fall into the base, which can be removed and taken away for disposal after the fire is out.

The Inferno utilizes wood pellets for fuel, ensuring a continuously smoke-free experience. Aside from the Breeo X19, the Flame Genie Inferno is the only smokeless fire pit on this list to be made in the USA. Each model is made in our factory in St. Louis, Missouri.

Which Smokeless Fire Pit Should You Get?

With so many smokeless fire pits on the market today, it can be hard to find the right one to buy. We’ve presented five here, but those are just a sampling. There are dozens of great options to choose from.

So which one should you get?

The best thing to do is to consider how you plan on using your smokeless fire pit, and find one with the features that best match what you want.

Is portability important to you? If so, it may be best to choose a lightweight model. Maybe you prefer a model made in America? Or maybe price is your most important consideration?

Either way, be sure to compare what’s out there until you find the smokeless fire pit that fits your needs. Putting in the time and research now ensures you’ll wind up with a bright, warm outdoor companion that will keep you comfortable for many falls and winters to come.

Having an animal (or multiple animals) in your attic is an unpleasant experience. They make noise at all hours of the day and night, they break things, they leave waste behind, and — maybe worst of all — they can get out of the attic and into the rest of your home.

Whether you’re a new homeowner or a veteran homeowner, it can feel overwhelming when a wild animal finds its way into your living space.

You’re left asking questions like, “How did it get in? How many are up there? How do I go about getting them out of my home?”

We know how stressful the experience can be. At HY-C, we manufacture HY-GUARD EXCLUSION, a robust line of covers and guards designed to keep animals out of homes. We understand a lot about how animals invade houses, and we want to tell you exactly how to deal with them so you don’t have to worry.

In this guide, we’ll cover what kind of animals tend to get into attics and how they get in. We’ll also tell you how to get them out and, just as importantly, how to keep them out.

By the time you’re done here, you’ll have all the information you need to get — and keep — critters out of your attic.

What Kinds of Animals Get into Attics?

In short, just about anything. Any seasoned wildlife control operator can share horror stories about animals from across the spectrum getting into attics. But some are more common than others.

The animals that tend to find their way into attics most often include:

• Mice
• Rats
• Red squirrels
• Gray squirrels
• Flying squirrels
• Raccoons
• Bats

The animals to which your attic is most vulnerable may vary depending on where you live, what the weather is like there, and a number of other environmental factors.

How Do Animals Get into an Attic?

Which animals get in is pretty straightforward; how they get in is a bit more of a complex topic. Houses need ventilation to keep air circulating properly. Vents allow for this airflow, but they also leave vulnerable openings for critters to exploit.

Animals may get in simply through damaged sections of a home; a mouse can squeeze into a hole in a roof just a little wider than the width of a pencil.

That said, there are four common entry points animals use to get into attics:

1. Dormers
2. Gable vents
3. Ridge vents
4. Static roof vents

Dormers

Dormers jut out from a roof. They’re walled structures that contain a window and an overhang above that window. As animals (like mice, rats, or squirrels) find their way onto roofs, they notice that this overhang provides overhead protection from flying predators.

Most overhangs on these dormers aren’t sealed completely tightly. As critters take cover in the dormer, they notice vulnerable openings and either squeeze or chew their way through. From there, they gain access to the attic.

Gable Vents

Gable vents are vital for attic ventilation. They allow air to flow in one side and out the other, avoiding stagnation and dissipating heat buildup on hot summer days.

They’re also a vulnerable entry point for animals to get into an attic, though. Most gable vents are made from relatively flimsy materials that animals can just push right past. Some have screens on the inside that do help keep bugs out, but these screens won’t do much to stop a determined raccoon.

Ridge Vents

Ridge vents exist for the same reason gable vents do: they help facilitate proper attic ventilation. As with gable vents, though, ventilation means openings, and openings mean critters can find their way in.

These vents are located at the peak of the roof, and they’re arguably one of the easiest entry points for wildlife to get into an attic. As the roof settles over time and seasonal temperature swings cause the roof to expand in the heat and contract in the cold, the vents warp, allowing in animals.

Static Vents

Static roof vents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: like gable vents and ridge vents, they provide additional airflow to an attic. Most of them are created with some form of animal exclusion in mind, but the level of protection tends to be minimal.

Static vents tend to be made of weak materials like aluminum that won’t offer enough protection against chewing from squirrels, mice, rats, or raccoons. Like gable vents, they also have bug screen installed in a lot of cases and, like gable vents, they just can’t stop animals from getting in.

Signs of Animals in Your Attic

Some signs of animals having invaded an attic will be obvious, but others are a bit more subtle than you may expect. When it comes to determining whether or not you have an attic full of critters, there tend to be two ways to tell: looking and listening.

Detecting Animals in an Attic by Sound

Different animals make different noises in an attic. A mouse makes different sounds than a squirrel; a raccoon makes different noises than a bat. Listening for animals above your ceiling is a bit like diagnosing a car with engine trouble — the type of noise gives clues as to the type of animal that may be up there.

Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of some sounds to look out for:

• Heavy thumping (like someone dragging suitcases around above you) may indicate raccoons
• Skittering or scratching all day and night may indicate mice
• A flurry of scratching only at dusk and dawn may indicate flying squirrels
• Scampering sounds on and off throughout the day (and not at night) may indicate red squirrels

Pay attention to the type of noise you hear, the time of day (or night) at which it occurs, and how frequently you hear it. Relay this information to a wildlife control operator.

Detecting Animals in an Attic Visually

Obviously if you poke your head up into your attic and see an animal, that’s confirmation enough. But even if they’re hiding up there, there are some things you can look out for that may indicate the presence of a critter.

Check the entry points listed above (dormers, gable vents, ridge vents, and static vents) for signs of damage or chewing. Damaged vents are a good indicator that a critter may have forced their way in.

You may also inspect these areas for trails of discoloration. Animals are dirty; their fur is oily, and they tend to track feces behind them. A stain near a hole in a vent is a pretty good bet that something with four legs has been coming and going.

Finally, you can peek up into your attic and check the insulation. If it’s disturbed, discolored, or you see animal feces, there’s a good chance that one’s been nesting up there.

What to Do if There Is an Animal in Your Attic

If you’re hearing noises above your ceiling, your roof vents are damaged, or you see any other signs of an animal’s presence in your attic, there are four things you should do immediately to take care of the problem:

1. Call a wildlife control operator. These professionals are well-versed in local animal laws and the habits of critters in your area. They know exactly what is needed to diagnose which animal is in your house and how to remove it.
2. Repair any damage to your home. You’ll have to fix any damage the critters may have caused in your attic, but you’ll also need to fix the damage to the entry point those critters used to get in there in the first place (or else they’ll just come right back).
3. Add exclusion devices to the entry point the animal used. Repairing the damage is a start, but if you really want to keep critters out, you’ll have to add additional exclusion protection to your roof vents.
4. Add exclusion devices to any other potential entry points. Covering just the initial entry point won’t be enough. Animals have a strong sense of smell, and they’ll know that other critters called your attic home at one point. They’ll want to move in themselves.

How Do You Keep Animals Out of Your Attic?

A critter invading your attic is an unsettling thought. Animals wreak havoc, carry diseases, and even multiply, causing even more damage.

By now, though, you know what kind of animals tend to invade attics, how they get in, how to look and listen for them, and even what to do if you wind up with a critter in your living space.

As with most things in life, preventing problems is often a lot easier than having to fix them. If you want to get ahead of animals invading your attic, consider adding some kind of wildlife exclusion devices to your home. The best part is that these devices aren’t limited just to roofs and attics; they’re designed to keep pests out of any of the vulnerable spots on your home.

In most cases, a seasoned wildlife control operator can install them, covering everything from your chimney to your foundation to your dryer vent. Wildlife exclusion devices aren’t necessarily the most fun or exciting purchase, but they will go a long way toward saving you costly, frustrating headaches down the road.

A smokeless fire pit provides a warm, relaxing way to enjoy a cold fall or winter evening. These cleverly designed products allow you to sit comfortably around a fire without having to deal with troublesome, irritating clouds of smoke blowing in every direction.

If you’re considering getting a smokeless fire pit, the question naturally follows: which one should I buy?

With so many makes and models on the market today, it can be tough to narrow down your choices. But in this guide, we’re going to help you do just that.

We’ll compare two smokeless fire pit manufacturers: Solo Stove and Flame Genie. We’ll go through the models each manufacturer offers, how those models are designed, the fuel each model utilizes, and how much each model costs.

Before we get going, a quick disclaimer: at HY-C, we manufacture Flame Genie smokeless fire pits. Despite that, we’re going to keep this comparison as objective as possible, pointing out only the tangible specifications of each smokeless fire pit model.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of each smokeless fire pit manufacturer. Armed with that information, you’ll be able to make the best buying decision for you.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Models

Flame Genie’s family of models is pretty straightforward: there’s the Flame Genie (with a 13.5” diameter), and the Flame Genie Inferno (with a 19” diameter). Both models are available in either stainless steel or a cost-effective galvanized steel with a black powder coating.

Here’s a look at the specifications of both Flame Genie models in both finish options:

Solo Stove, on the other hand, offers four models: the Mesa, the Ranger 2.0, the Bonfire 2.0, and the Yukon 2.0. Like Flame Genie, each model functions similarly and looks identical; just think of them as small, medium, large, and extra-large.

Here’s a look at the specifications of each of the four Solo Stove models:

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Design

Older Solo Stoves were designed as one solid piece with a perforated, non-removable ash pan in the bottom. After the fire died and the fire pit cooled, you’d simply turn your Solo Stove over and dump out all the ashes to clean it.

Newer models like the Ranger 2.0, Bonfire 2.0, and Yukon 2.0, on the other hand, are made with a removable ash pan. Instead of having to turn the entire fire pit over to clean it, all you have to do is lift out the ash pan, carry it away, and dump it out. These new and improved models offer a much easier cleaning experience.

By contrast, Flame Genies come in two distinct pieces: the base (pictured left) and the combustion chamber (pictured right). As the fire burns in the combustion chamber, ash and embers fall through small holes in the bottom and filter down into the base.

After the fire is out and the fire pit cools, you can take the combustion chamber off and carry away just the base to dispose of the ashes.

The two components are designed to fit into each other when the fire pit is not in use, too. The base is sized to fit into the combustion chamber, helping to cut down on storage space and assisting with portability.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Fuel

Solo Stoves are designed to accommodate standard firewood. The design of the airflow system on a Solo Stove preheats outside air that filters into the fire pit, helping to mitigate or even eliminate smoke. The drier and more seasoned the firewood, the better the burn in the fire pit.

Flame Genies, on the other hand, are made to burn wood pellet fuel. Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust and, as a result, they have very little moisture content. This fuel, combined with the intentionally placed airflow holes on the fire pit, allow for a smokeless burn.

While Solo Stove suggests standard firewood and Flame Genies are made with pellets in mind, note that you can burn either fuel in either fire pit. Flame Genie works well with regular firewood (though pellets offer the best chance at a smoke-free experience), and Solo Stove manufactures and sells a pellet adapter for their fire pits.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Price

Solo Stove’s pricing model is very straightforward: if you buy a bigger model, you’ll pay more for it. Each model is made of the same stainless steel material, so prices increase consistently with size. Here’s a look at the price of each Solo Stove model (keep in mind that these are subject to change over time):

• Solo Stove Mesa: $79.99
• Solo Stove Ranger 2.0: $199.99
• Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0: $224.99
• Solo Stove Yukon 2.0: $399.99

Our Flame Genies, on the other hand, have a less consistent price model. That’s because we don’t enforce a minimum advertised price (MAP), allowing retailers to charge what they think is the best price for their customers. As a result, you’ll see Flame Genies priced differently from retailer to retailer.

With that in mind, though, here’s what you can excerpt to pay on average for each Flame Genie model (though you may see prices much higher or much lower than these):

• Flame Genie (black): $135
• Flame Genie (stainless): $210
• Flame Genie Inferno (black): $199
• Flame Genie Inferno (stainless): $380

Another factor that may affect price is the manufacturing location of each fire pit. Solo Stoves are made in China, meaning their prices may be affected by tariffs, freight fees, and other international pricing logistics.

Flame Genies are made in the USA and, as a result, aren’t subject to these international price variables.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Which One Should You Get?

We know the smokeless fire pit market is filled with all kinds of options and, as a result, it can be confusing to figure out which one to buy. This guide only covered two manufacturers, too; there are dozens more smokeless fire pit makes and models out there to choose from.

By now, though, you should have a solid understanding of the bells and whistles of Solo Stove and Flame Genie smokeless fire pits. You know about how they’re designed, what kind of fuel they burn, and how much they cost.

The question remains, though: which model should I buy?

That entirely depends on which features you’re looking for. Solo Stoves are good for firewood while Flame Genies are made for pellet fuel. Flame Genie’s two-piece design allows for good portability, but that also means that one part can’t work without the other. Solo Stove’s fixed prices are easy to digest, while Flame Genie prices may differ from retailer to retailer (either in your favor or not!).

In the end, try to imagine how you’re going to use your smokeless fire pit and buy the option with the features best-suited to that experience. You’ll wind up with a great heating device that’s warm, enjoyable, and — maybe most importantly — smoke-free.

A fire pit provides a warm, cozy way to relax outdoors during the fall and winter months. But as enjoyable and welcoming as they are, fire pits have a major problem that you’ve probably experienced yourself: smoke from the fire can become overwhelming, irritating you during what should be a relaxing experience.

Smokeless fire pits solve this problem, eliminating the obnoxious fumes and allowing for a much better outdoor experience.

But have you ever wondered how a smokeless fire pit works its magic?

As the manufacturers of Flame Genie smokeless pellet fire pits, we’re well aware of what makes a smokeless fire pit work — how fuel and design combine to offer a pleasant, smoke-free experience. And we want to share what we know with you.

By the time you’re done here, you’ll understand how a smokeless fire pit works and, armed with that knowledge, you’ll be able to decide whether or not you should get one for yourself.

Wood Pellets

Every fire needs fuel, and in a smokeless fire pit, wood pellets are the fuel of choice. But how does burning wood pellets instead of logs help eliminate smoke? The answer lies in the moisture content of both fuels.

Logs may have more water in them than you might expect. A freshly cut, unseasoned log could contain up to 50% of its weight in water. Smoke from a fire is a result of this moisture content; the more water in the log, the more smoke it will produce. That’s why veteran wood burners follow good burn practices and allow their logs to season for at least six months.

Wood pellets are made of compressed sawdust and held together by lignin (an organic material found in wood). Unlike a log, these wood pellets contain virtually no moisture in them, allowing for a highly efficient, smoke-free burn.

Smokeless Fire Pit Design

The lack of moisture content in wood pellets helps to reduce or even eliminate smoke, but that’s not the whole story. The design of the fire pit itself also plays a hand in keeping the environment smoke-free — particularly the airflow system.

The Flame Genie, as an example, is divided into two pieces: the upper portion in which the fire burns, and the lower portion which catches ashes as the pellets burn up. The upper portion is made of a hollow cylinder with an outer wall and an inner wall.

As the fire burns in the fire pit, cool air from the outside enters through two spots: holes in the lower portion and holes in the upper portion.

The air entering through the lower portion rises up through the pellets, providing oxygen to the fire. The air entering through the upper portion rises through the hollow cylinder and heats up. This superheated air exits through the inner wall of the upper chamber and interacts with gasses from the burning pellets.

When the gasses from the pellets meet the superheated air, they catch fire, resulting in a secondary combustion. If everything is functioning properly, there will be flames coming from two locations: the pile of pellets, and the airflow holes in the top of the fire pit.

Do Smokeless Fire Pits Really Work?

In short, yes! The combination of the airflow design and the pellet fuel work together to produce a truly smokeless fire that provides plenty of warmth and a great ambiance. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t caveats to consider, though.

For one, wood pellets tend to burn up a lot more quickly than logs. You may find yourself having to fill your smokeless fire pit with pellets much more frequently than simply adding an additional log to a fire.

You also need to be careful when adding new pellets to the fire because it’s very easy to smother the fire accidentally. Keep a cup on hand and add pellets frequently and in small amounts. Be sure to spread the new pellets out well as you add them, and use hearth tools (like a shovel or fire poker) to mix the new pellets in with the burning pellets.

Finally, it can be tough to get a pellet fire going initially. You can spray a little bit of lighter fluid around the perimeter of the pellets before lighting them, but do so sparingly. If you do this, be very careful when lighting the pellets.

Should You Get a Smokeless Fire Pit?

The old adage goes, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” So it can be surprising to learn about smokeless fire pits and easy to wonder about how they work.

At this point, it should be clear that the pellet fuel and the airflow design of the fire pit itself work in tandem to create a smokeless burn.

But should you get a smokeless fire pit?

The answer depends; if you have a traditional fire pit that you like and you don’t mind the smoke it produces, you may not need to invest in a smokeless fire pit.

But if you’re tired of getting smoke in your eyes and your clothes and you tend to build a lot of outdoor fires, a smokeless fire pit may be just what you need. Flame Genie is a great place to start; it’s a well-reviewed, tried-and-true smokeless fire pit made right here in the USA.

And if Flame Genie doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, it’s a good time to be in the market for a smokeless fire pit — there are plenty of great options out there in all kinds of sizes and price ranges.

Wood heat is a time-tested, reliable way of heating your home, even in the 21st century. One of the biggest problems with wood stoves, though, is wasted heat. While much of the heat from the appliance radiates into the room, a not-insignificant amount is expelled through the chimney and out of the home.

Heat reclaimers were invented to solve this issue, and Magic Heat has been saving heat that would have otherwise been lost since the 1970s.

But how does it work? What does it do well? And what are some potential issues to be aware of?

In this guide, we’re going to provide an honest review of the Magic Heat Heat Reclaimer. And before we get started, understand that we manufacture this product. Even still, we’re not shy about being completely transparent about its caveats.

The goal of this piece is not simply to sell a Magic Heat to every wood stove owner in the country. Instead, we’re going to do a deep dive into its capabilities and limitations to help you discover whether or not Magic Heat is a good fit for you. By the time you’re finished here, you’ll have everything you need to know to answer that question.

How Does Magic Heat Work?

We took an in-depth look at this question in another article (how does a heat reclaimer work?), but we’ll cover the basics here, too.

At its core, Magic Heat is a black box with stovepipe connectors on the top and bottom and ten horizontal tubes running through its body. It also has a fan on the back that blows air through the ten horizontal tubes.

Magic Heat is installed in a wood or coal burning stove’s chimney pipe. As the fire burns in the appliance, heat rises through the chimney pipe and into the Magic Heat, heating the ten horizontal heat transfer tubes.

As the heat reclaimer warms up, a thermostat in the device monitors the temperature of the chimney pipe. When the pipe gets hot enough, the fan on the back of the Magic Heat turns on, blowing hot air from the heat transfer tubes into the room.

This heat would have otherwise been wasted, rising through the chimney and out of the home. Magic Heat is capable of reclaiming up to 30% of heat lost from your heating appliance.

Three Pros of Magic Heat

1. It’s the Only UL-Approved Heat Reclaimer on the Market Today

Underwriter Laboratories (UL) is one of the oldest safety certification companies around. Products that are UL-approved demonstrate competency on the part of the manufacturer and ensure that the product is tested and safe to use.

The Magic Heat Heat Reclaimer has the distinction of being the only heat reclaimer approved by Underwriter Laboratories. People who use a Magic Heat can rest assured that as long as they’re operating it in accordance with the owner’s manual, it’s totally safe to use.

2. It Operates Automatically

The fan on the back of the Magic Heat is controlled by a thermostat inside the appliance. After you install the device and plug it into a wall outlet, it will detect the temperature of your chimney pipe and run automatically, turning on when pipe temperatures exceed 150 °F and shutting off when pipe temperatures fall below 120 °F.

Another perk, though, is that you can still control the fan manually if you want. Magic Heat comes equipped with a fan switch on the back. Just set it to the ON position when you want it to run. Shutting the switch off will deactivate the fan if the pipe is below 120 °F and put Magic Heat back into automatic operation mode.

3. It’s Made in the USA

Each and every Magic Heat unit is manufactured by skilled craftspeople who have been making them for years. They’re familiar with the electrical components, the metal housing, the internal fan, the flue pipe connections, and everything else that goes into making a Magic Heat tick.

This process helps to ensure quality that’s hard to beat in the heat reclaimer category. Magic Heats are made with care, and it’s this precise construction that helps them to last on stovepipes throughout the country for years.

Three Cons of Magic Heat

1. It’s Pricey (Relative to Other Options)

A Magic Heat unit will set you back around $300 or more. That price tag is about double that of other heat reclaimers (like Miracle Heat). The reason for that goes back to what was mentioned above — Magic Heat units are made in the USA, while our competitors make theirs overseas.

The nice thing about the high price tag, though, is that given enough time — like any other wood burning-related appliances — the unit will end up paying for itself through the heat that it reclaims (and drawing just 0.3 amps to run the distribution fan, its electrical usage is essentially negligible).

2. It Could Be Dangerous During a Power Outage

Speaking of the distribution fan, it’s a vital component of the device, pushing heat out of the transfer tubes and into your home. If your power goes out, though, and that heat is left to accumulate in the appliance (because the fan can’t run without power), the electrical components can become ruined, or the heat transfer tubes may glow red-hot and even begin to deform.

During a power outage, it’s vital to remove the back panel from your Magic Heat within about 15 to 20 minutes. This allows heat to escape the device, ensuring the electrical components and heat transfer tubes remain intact.

3. It’s Limited to Coal or Wood Burning Appliances with 6” or 8” Chimneys

We used to manufacture Magic Heat units for gas-powered heaters, but, over time, demand slowly fell for those units until it just didn’t make fiscal sense to manufacture them.

We also used to make Magic Heats specifically designed for 7” chimney pipes, but again, demand fell over time, so we stopped.

Unfortunately, if you’re one of the few who wants to use a Magic Heat on a gas appliance or a 7” stovepipe, you won’t be able to find a new unit. Rather, you’d have to find one second-hand. Thankfully, though, in this day and age, these cases are few and far between.

Should You Get a Magic Heat Reclaimer?

By now, you should have a pretty clear understanding of what Magic Heat does, and the types and sizes of heating appliances they’re made for. Devices like Magic Heat take the frustration out of lost heat, allowing you to blow some of it back into your home.

But should you get one?

If you have a gas heating appliance or a 7” chimney pipe, Magic Heat isn’t right for you unless you’re able to find an older model.

But if you have the right heater and the right flue size and you want to start saving some extra heat, Magic Heat is designed just for that. They’re pretty easy to install, and they essentially run themselves. If you think you’d be a good fit for one, we’d encourage you to give one a try.

Cleaning your gutters is a tough job. Typically, you’ll need to hop on a ladder, scoop out some leaves, climb down, move your ladder, and repeat the process around the entire perimeter of your home. You could get on the roof and clean on your hands and knees, but that’s dangerous (and the process gets even more dangerous if you have a two-story house).

At HY-C, we manufacture and sell GutterSweep under our Gardus brand. It’s a drill-powered, extendable rotary cleaning tool to help you clean your gutters without a ladder.

But what’s included with a GutterSweep purchase? What are the pros of the tool — and what are the cons?

In this guide, we’re going to provide an honest, in-depth look at GutterSweep, where it excels, and even where you may run into some difficulties with it (and how to overcome them).

By the time you’re done here, you’ll know how GutterSweep works, what’s included in the kit, and how to get the best use out of one to keep your gutters nice and clean.

What is GutterSweep?

GutterSweep is an extendable rotary cleaning tool. It consists of two poles, an attachable handle, a curved tube, and a pair of rotating rubber paddles at the end. Attach a cordless drill to the device, reach up and set the rubber paddles in the gutter, and pull the drill’s trigger to sweep debris out of your gutters.

The kit can also attach to your hose, allowing you to run water through your gutters to spray out any small debris you may have missed in your initial cleaning. GutterSweep allows you to avoid climbing a ladder to clean out your gutters (and all the hazards that come along with doing so).

What Does GutterSweep Come With?

GutterSweep isn’t just a tool; it’s an entire kit that comes with all the bells and whistles you need to clean your gutters as thoroughly as possible. Here’s a look at what the kit comes with:

1. Extension poles
2. Rotary paddle brush
3. Curved tube
4. Grip handle
5. Button release tool
6. Right-angle gear drive
7. Drill adapter
8. Camera mount
9. Hose attachment
10. Gutter brush (with water jet nozzle)
11. Threaded tool attachment

How to Use GutterSweep

To use GutterSweep, start by attaching the two extension poles together. Add the curved tube to the end of the extension poles. On the end of the extension poles opposite the curved tube, attach the drill bit adapter. Then attach the right-angle gear drive to the curved tube, and attach the rotary paddle brush to the right-angle gear drive. Finally, attach the grip handle to the same extension pole that has the drill adapter attached to it.

From there, attach your drill to the drill adapter. Reach up toward your gutters and set the rotary paddle brush in the gutters. Now, power on the drill — the rotary paddle brush will spin, sweeping debris out of your gutters.

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned the gutters of large debris, you can swap out the rotary paddle brush with the gutter brush to sweep out anything you may have missed. Be sure also to take off the drill adapter and replace it with the hose attachment, and instead of attaching a drill to the GutterSweep, attach a garden hose. This will let you run water up into your gutters to rinse out smaller debris.

The GutterSweep also comes with a camera mount tool so you can take a video recording of your gutters to see if you missed any spots that need cleaning. It’s vital not to attach a camera while using the rotary paddle brush or the gutter brush as you could ruin your camera.

Also, be sure not to lose the button release tool. It’s specifically designed to disassemble your GutterSweep. You will still be able to take everything apart without it, but the process will be much more difficult.

Three Pros of GutterSweep

1. It Allows You to Clean Your Gutters without a Ladder

We’ve mentioned this already, but perhaps the biggest benefit of GutterSweep is that it saves you the trouble of getting up on a ladder to clean your gutters. Climbing a ladder or getting on your roof can be dangerous; GutterSweep offers a safer alternative.

2. It Tackles Large and Small Debris

All kinds of junk can end up in your gutters — everything as big as sticks and leaves down to stuff as small as acorns and shingle granules. Within the full scope of the pieces available in the kit, GutterSweep is designed to help homeowners tackle it all.

Starting with the rotary paddle brush allows you to sweep out large debris like leaves and sticks. Following up with the gutter brush allows you to take care of smaller obstructions, and using the hose attachment to rinse your gutters especially helps.

3. It Can Clean Two-Story Houses, Too

GutterSweep comes standard with two three-foot extension poles. These poles, coupled with the curved tube attachment on the end, allow you to reach up and clean out the gutters on a single-story house.

We didn’t forget about two-story homeowners, though; we also offer a GutterSweep extension kit that allows for six feet of additional reach. The kit operates the same way with these additional poles. All they do is give the GutterSweep some additional range.

Three Cons of GutterSweep

1. You’ll Be Cleaning Blind

Say what you want about the dangers of being up on a ladder or a roof, but at least you can see what you’re doing while you’re up there. This isn’t true with GutterSweep. You’ll be on the ground while you clean, so you won’t visually be able to make sure you clean every nook and cranny.

We tried to solve this issue with the camera mount attachment, and it certainly helps. But it may take some time to inspect your gutters with your camera, and even if you can spot some additional debris on film, you’ll still be guessing by the time you get your GutterSweep back up there.

Another point of frustration to prepare for is the gutter hangers. These anchors help to connect the gutters to your house, and they’re usually located inside the gutters every few feet. You may have trouble maneuvering a GutterSweep around them; in fact, when you run into one, you’ll have to lift the paddle brush (or gutter brush) up and over the hangers to avoid them.

2. It May Have Trouble with Shingle Granules

Shingle granules are tiny, crushed pieces of stone that are glued to your shingles. They help to protect shingles from the elements (specifically solar radiation), and if you’ve ever cleaned gutters before, you know that these granules will inevitably accumulate in gutters over time.

The gutter brush attachment of the GutterSweep — with its accompanying water jet nozzle — was designed to help clear out tiny debris just like this. Still, they’re hard enough to get out by hand, and it may prove difficult to get them out with a GutterSweep, too.

3. The Debris Gets Everywhere

If you clean gutters by hand, you at least have some control over where the debris winds up when you drop it from the top of the roof. GutterSweep, on the other hand, proves to be a little wild, flinging debris in every direction.

On the bright side, the debris will be out of your gutters. On the downside, though, it could take a while to clean it all out of your yard, and it may even end up landing directly on you. We’d suggest wearing a pair of protective goggles when using a GutterSweep (just in case).

Should You Get a GutterSweep?

It can be intimidating to have to get up on your roof to clean your gutters. Some people hate it, and their fear of heights makes the job exponentially more difficult. It can be frustrating to overcome that fear to keep your gutters clean.

By now, though, you should understand how GutterSweep helps you to clean your gutters without the need to climb a ladder and get up on your roof. You know what the kit comes with, and you know some of the caveats and how to overcome them.

But should you get a GutterSweep?

If you’re comfortable on your roof and you’ve cleaned gutters before, it may simply be quicker and more convenient just to stick with what you know.

But if you have a fear of heights, if you’re getting a little older and less spry, or you just want to try something new, GutterSweep is a useful and powerful tool for keeping your gutters clean without the need to ascend your roof. If it sounds like it could help you, we’d encourage you to give it a try.