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September 20 2025

7 Tips for Your Fire Pit

Essential Fire Pit Safety Tips

AW has these 7 top tips to guide you through purchasing and installing a firepit, whether it’s for your own home or even for a gift for someone else! There is nothing like a fire pit to bring family and friends together on a cool evening.

Choosing the Right Location

1. Check the Wind Direction: Before lighting a fire, check the wind direction. If it’s too windy, it’s better to wait for a calmer day to avoid sparks flying toward your home or neighbors.

2. Keep Your Distance: Ensure your fire pit is at least 10 feet away from any structures, including your house, deck, or overhanging branches. Additionally, clear any dry leaves or debris from the surrounding area.

Safe Operation and Maintenance

3. Use the Right Fuel: Only burn seasoned wood or charcoal. Avoid using treated lumber, trash, or lawn waste, as these can release toxic chemicals or create unpredictable flares.

4. Never Leave it Unattended: A fire should never be left alone, even for a minute. Furthermore, make sure children and pets are always supervised and kept at a safe distance.

5. Keep Extinguishing Tools Nearby: Always have a bucket of water, a shovel, or a fire extinguisher within reach. Once you are finished, ensure the fire is completely out and the ashes are cool before leaving the area.

Upgrading Your Setup

6. Use a Spark Screen: If your fire pit didn’t come with one, consider purchasing a metal mesh screen. This acts as a vital barrier against popping embers.

7. Invest in Quality Accessories: Using long-handled tools for moving logs or roasting marshmallows keeps everyone at a safe distance from the heat.

Check this out: https://www.warming-trends.com

May 22 2025

Grilling Season no-nos

bcarey Uncategorized 0

Top 7 Summer Grilling Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Let These Common Errors Ruin Your BBQ!

Grilling season is here, and nothing beats the smell of burgers, veggies, and ribs sizzling outdoors. But even seasoned grillers can make mistakes that lead to dry meat, flare-ups, or even safety hazards. Before you fire up the grill, check out these top 7 grilling mistakes to avoid:

1. Starting with a Dirty Grill

A greasy grill not only affects flavor but can cause dangerous flare-ups. Always preheat the grill and scrape off old residue with a grill brush before cooking. A clean grill = better taste and safer cooking.

2. Not Preheating the Grill

Grilling on a cold grate leads to sticking, uneven cooking, and sad-looking sear marks. Give gas grills at least 10–15 minutes to heat up; charcoal should turn white-hot before you start.

3. Using Lighter Fluid Improperly

Overusing lighter fluid adds harsh chemical flavors. If you must use it, let the flames die down completely before placing food on the grill. Better yet, use a chimney starter for charcoal instead.

4. Over-Flipping the Food

Let your food develop a crust before flipping it — especially for burgers and steaks. Turning too often disrupts caramelization and leads to uneven doneness.

5. Using the Wrong Heat for the Job

Not everything belongs over high heat! Use direct heat for searing and indirect heat for slow cooking thicker cuts. Zone your grill to handle both.

6. Saucing Too Early

BBQ sauce and glazes often contain sugar, which burns quickly. Wait until the last few minutes of grilling to brush them on for a perfect caramelized finish.

7. Skipping a Rest Time

Cutting into meat right off the grill lets the juices run out. Rest steaks, burgers, and chicken for 5–10 minutes before serving to lock in flavor and moisture.

***Bonus Tip: Never Leave the Grill Unattended!
Summer fun can be distracting, but stay close. A moment away can lead to flare-ups, overcooking, or worse.

Keep it clean, keep it safe, and keep it tasty. Happy grilling!
Got a favorite grilling tip or recipe? Share it in the comments!

March 24 2025

ProActive Actions

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ProActive Actions: Spring-Summer Season

1. Schedule a Professional Chimney & Vent Cleaning

Remove creosote buildup from wood-burning fireplaces and stoves to prevent fire hazards.
Ensure gas logs and stoves have clear, debris-free venting to maintain efficiency.

2. Inspect & Repair Masonry or Gas Connections

Check for cracks in the chimney, firebox, or stove that may have worsened over winter.
Test gas lines and connections for leaks and have them serviced if needed.

3. Close the Damper & Consider a Chimney Cap

Closing the damper when not in use prevents energy loss and keeps out pests.
Installing a chimney cap helps keep out birds, squirrels, and rain.

4. Plan for Off-Season Maintenance & Upgrades

Repaint or reseal stove surfaces or fireplace doors if needed.
Upgrade to energy-efficient gas logs or install a smart thermostat for better control.

5. Prepare for Next Season’s Fuel Needs

If using wood, start sourcing and seasoning firewood early to ensure it’s dry for fall.
Check propane or natural gas supply levels and consider summer discounts for refills.

April 30 2024

7 Spring Season Tips

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Spring is a great time to give your fireplace and chimney some attention. Here are some tips:

Inspect the Chimney: Start by inspecting your chimney for any signs of damage or debris buildup. Look for cracks, loose bricks, or nests from birds or animals.
Clean the Chimney: If you haven’t done so already, spring is a good time to clean your chimney. Hire a professional chimney sweep to remove creosote buildup, soot, and any debris that may have accumulated during the winter.
Check for Leaks: Inspect the chimney flashing and chimney cap for any signs of leaks. Repair or replace any damaged flashing or caps to prevent water from entering your chimney and causing damage.
Clear Debris: Remove any leaves, branches, or other debris from around the base of the chimney. This helps prevent potential fire hazards and ensures proper airflow.
Inspect the Damper: Check the damper to make sure it opens and closes properly. If it’s not functioning correctly, consider having it repaired or replaced.
Clean the Fireplace: Clean the fireplace thoroughly, including the firebox, hearth, and mantel. Remove ash, dust, and any leftover wood or debris.
Check for Critters: Spring is when animals like birds, squirrels, or raccoons may try to nest in chimneys. Install a chimney cap with a mesh screen to keep critters out while still allowing proper ventilation.

January 29 2024

Trends 2024

bcarey Uncategorized 0

Let the word go forth that ELECTRIC cars, lawnmowers & leaf-blowers, toothbrushes and bicycles are here to stay and now we add – fireplaces! And with that, let 2024 be the year of the EFP (Electric Fireplace) … or insert, stove, etc., etc. Why? Because they look worlds better than just a few years ago, easy to operate and they can fit almost anywhere! Also, if you have a project coming up and the idea of adding a fireplace was not even a consideration because of all that it typically entails, call us today. A quick conversation could put this idea on the wish list afterall. So, call or come on over and feast your eyes on the amazing selection from top manufacturers that count on August West to install and bring to life.

Visit our Electric pages and peruse the vendors we have vetted and featured and rest assured you will be very satisfied.

Electric Fireplace

October 18 2022

Hello AW FANS!

bcarey Construction, Design fireplace, gas, gas inserts, gas log inserts, stoves 0

Welcome to the world of fireplaces – according to August West!

Welcome fans to our site. We appreciate you visiting us and taking what time you can and see who we are & why we have emerged as the leader.

October 21 2019

Surf-Side: New England Style

bcarey Construction, Design bar, beer tap, counter, exterior bar, outdoor bar, outdoor tap 0

On the Beach: We are so excited about this special, local surf-side project! The setting says it all, and we, and most importantly, our customers, are thrilled with the outcome. (See photo). This was the compromise between him and her owners who were flipping coins on the Heads-New Kitchen and Tails-ManCave. Everybody wins, and everybody is happy! The plan was to use a blonde flat-cut stone with a natural edge and a latex-based mortar. Then we preinstalled a natural gas line from the base of the house for a future planned pizza oven. Lastly, this beautiful, exterior, socially inviting service counter features a custom-made quartz top and a Draft Tap by Perlick.