Barbecue Grills
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Outdoor cooking has never hotter, but before you fire up the grill this year, make sure it's prepared for optimum performance. A clean machine for tastier, healthier meals.
To clean a grill, remove the grill grates and clean it inside and out with 2 parts hot water to 1 part grease-cutting dishwashing liquid. (With gas grills, you'll need to cover the gas receptacles with aluminum foil to prevent water from leaking inside.) Scrub with a nylon brush to prevent scratching, follow with a hot water rinse, and towel dry. Finally, apply vegetable oil, using a clean cloth, to the grill's outside surface.That'll keep the grill shining and lubricated against the elements.
To clean grates, several methods work well. First scrub them with a wire brush and the hot water and dishwashing liquid combo described above. If they're too encrusted for elbow grease alone, spray them with oven cleaner or coat with a mixture of 2 parts ammonia and 1 part water. Place the treated grates in a garbage bag lined with paper towels, tie the top closed, and stash the bag, out of reach of pets and children for a couple of hours. or even overnight--powerful chemicals are at work. Take care not to let the chemical cleaner touch any aluminum or painted surface on the grill. When you reopen the bag to remove the grates, point the opening away from your face to avoid inhaling the potent fumes. Thoroughly hose off the grates, wipe them down with hot water and dishwashing liquid, and rinse.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, cleanup couldn't be easier.Just put the pill grates in the oven and let the intense heat do the work for you.
When cleaning a gas grill, you need to take these additional cleaning and maintenance steps, suggested by the National Propane Gas Association--especially at the beginning of the grilling season.
The Thrill of the grill
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The wood-burning smoker in a favorite with serious grill hounds, and it's the weapon of choice of the Iowa Hawgeyes, who were the 1999 barbecue champions of the world pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
When competition is fierce, details count--and that includes the proper care and cleaning of the grill itself. Mike Tucker, who heads the Hawgeyes, based in Ankeny, Iowa, sticks to 'primitive methods" to clean the
inside of his smoker. 'Just build a hot fire in the cooker--hot enough to incinerate everything in there," he says, first, though, in there," he says. First though, he removes the grill's therometer because when the inside heats to the required 300 degree F to 400 degrees F, it can melt nonmetal parts.
His grate-cleaning method is simple too. Tucker hauls them to the local do-it-yourself car wash and blasts them with a high-pressure hose. "That way the mess is at the car wash and not at your house."
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Outdoor cooking has never hotter, but before you fire up the grill this year, make sure it's prepared for optimum performance. A clean machine for tastier, healthier meals.
To clean a grill, remove the grill grates and clean it inside and out with 2 parts hot water to 1 part grease-cutting dishwashing liquid. (With gas grills, you'll need to cover the gas receptacles with aluminum foil to prevent water from leaking inside.) Scrub with a nylon brush to prevent scratching, follow with a hot water rinse, and towel dry. Finally, apply vegetable oil, using a clean cloth, to the grill's outside surface.That'll keep the grill shining and lubricated against the elements.
To clean grates, several methods work well. First scrub them with a wire brush and the hot water and dishwashing liquid combo described above. If they're too encrusted for elbow grease alone, spray them with oven cleaner or coat with a mixture of 2 parts ammonia and 1 part water. Place the treated grates in a garbage bag lined with paper towels, tie the top closed, and stash the bag, out of reach of pets and children for a couple of hours. or even overnight--powerful chemicals are at work. Take care not to let the chemical cleaner touch any aluminum or painted surface on the grill. When you reopen the bag to remove the grates, point the opening away from your face to avoid inhaling the potent fumes. Thoroughly hose off the grates, wipe them down with hot water and dishwashing liquid, and rinse.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, cleanup couldn't be easier.Just put the pill grates in the oven and let the intense heat do the work for you.
When cleaning a gas grill, you need to take these additional cleaning and maintenance steps, suggested by the National Propane Gas Association--especially at the beginning of the grilling season.
The Thrill of the grill
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The wood-burning smoker in a favorite with serious grill hounds, and it's the weapon of choice of the Iowa Hawgeyes, who were the 1999 barbecue champions of the world pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
inside of his smoker. 'Just build a hot fire in the cooker--hot enough to incinerate everything in there," he says, first, though, in there," he says. First though, he removes the grill's therometer because when the inside heats to the required 300 degree F to 400 degrees F, it can melt nonmetal parts.
His grate-cleaning method is simple too. Tucker hauls them to the local do-it-yourself car wash and blasts them with a high-pressure hose. "That way the mess is at the car wash and not at your house."
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- For starters, make sure the gas is turned off at the tank before cleaning.
- Inspect the burners for cracks and corrosion, and if damaged, replace them.
- Using a pipe cleaner or nonmetallic bottle brush, clean the grill's venturi tubes, which carry gas to the burners. These tubes makes an excellent hiding spot for spiders, whose nests can block the flow of gas and cause an explosion.
- Check for leaks in the connector hose. Brush the length of the hose with soapy water and turn on the gas. If you smell gas or see bubbles turn off the gas, tighten the connections, and repeat the test. If the propane is still leaking--a potentially dangerous problem--you'll need a new hose.
To clean lava rocks, use a stiff-bristled brush, or remove the rocks and clean them with a degreasing cleaner. As cookouts continue through the summer, turn the lava rocks periodically to burn off the dripped grease.
To cut down on cleanup, burn off grease from the grates and rocks immediately after cooking. Leave the fire turned on for 10 to 15 minutes with the cover closed. Let the grill cool and then scrape away the residue with a wire brush. This job will be even easier if you coat t?he grates with a nonstick cooking spray just before you throw on the food.
Now, did you want that burger with or without cheese?
Baseboards
To cut down on cleanup, burn off grease from the grates and rocks immediately after cooking. Leave the fire turned on for 10 to 15 minutes with the cover closed. Let the grill cool and then scrape away the residue with a wire brush. This job will be even easier if you coat t?he grates with a nonstick cooking spray just before you throw on the food.
Now, did you want that burger with or without cheese?
Baseboards
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To clean wood baseboards covered with polyurethane or oilbased (gloss or semigloss) paint, remove scuff marks and dirt with a sponge and a grease-cutting all-purpose dishwashing soap. You can also use a household spray cleaner, such as Fantastik, but remember to spray the cleaner on a cloth rather than on the baseboard, to prevent streaking. For really tough stains, test an inconspicuous corner with scouring powder and a plastic scrubbing pad. If it doesn't affect the finish, you can apply the method to the entire baseboard. A general cleaning rule of thumb comes into play here: Use the least aggressive cleaner initially, then resort to more aggressive tactics as the scuffs dictate. Baseboards covered with stain or flat paint require the gentlest cleaning method (water, dishwashing liquid, and a washcloth).
To clean vinyl or rubber baseboards--more properly called cove molding--spray on a wax stripper and let it soak in for a few minutes to loosen old wax and grime. Scrub with a nylon brush and rinse. Then, to make the job easier next time, apply a coat of floor finish, such as Mop Glo.
An ounce of prevention can save you a lot of work. Baseboards take a beating in most homes, especially while you're vacuuming carpets or moppiing floors. So make sur the rubber bumper guard on your vacuum is fully attached and doing its job. If you use a squeegee mop, check for sharp metal edges that will scar baseboards. And if you use a strong cleaner on floors, quickly wipe away spills and splashes that could discolor baseboards.
Basements
To clean wood baseboards covered with polyurethane or oilbased (gloss or semigloss) paint, remove scuff marks and dirt with a sponge and a grease-cutting all-purpose dishwashing soap. You can also use a household spray cleaner, such as Fantastik, but remember to spray the cleaner on a cloth rather than on the baseboard, to prevent streaking. For really tough stains, test an inconspicuous corner with scouring powder and a plastic scrubbing pad. If it doesn't affect the finish, you can apply the method to the entire baseboard. A general cleaning rule of thumb comes into play here: Use the least aggressive cleaner initially, then resort to more aggressive tactics as the scuffs dictate. Baseboards covered with stain or flat paint require the gentlest cleaning method (water, dishwashing liquid, and a washcloth).
To clean vinyl or rubber baseboards--more properly called cove molding--spray on a wax stripper and let it soak in for a few minutes to loosen old wax and grime. Scrub with a nylon brush and rinse. Then, to make the job easier next time, apply a coat of floor finish, such as Mop Glo.
An ounce of prevention can save you a lot of work. Baseboards take a beating in most homes, especially while you're vacuuming carpets or moppiing floors. So make sur the rubber bumper guard on your vacuum is fully attached and doing its job. If you use a squeegee mop, check for sharp metal edges that will scar baseboards. And if you use a strong cleaner on floors, quickly wipe away spills and splashes that could discolor baseboards.
Basements
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Dealing with a dirty or flooded basement can be the most daunting task on a homeowner's cleaning list. It's hard work and potentially dangerous if mold and mildew are present. Short of calling in the professionals, there aren't many shortcuts.
To clean an unfinished basement, roll up your sleeves, strap on a dust mask, and get ready to give those rubber gloves a workout. Start by knocking down cobwebs with a long-handled broom, then throroughly sweep the floor and brush away debris from the walls. In a pail, mix hot water and an alkaline-based household detergent, such as Spic and Span, according to label directions. If the walls need cleaning, wash them first, using a strong-bristled floor brush with a long handle. Always start at the bottom and work up to prevent streaking. While standing in one spot, wash
The Best-Cellar List
Dealing with a dirty or flooded basement can be the most daunting task on a homeowner's cleaning list. It's hard work and potentially dangerous if mold and mildew are present. Short of calling in the professionals, there aren't many shortcuts.
To clean an unfinished basement, roll up your sleeves, strap on a dust mask, and get ready to give those rubber gloves a workout. Start by knocking down cobwebs with a long-handled broom, then throroughly sweep the floor and brush away debris from the walls. In a pail, mix hot water and an alkaline-based household detergent, such as Spic and Span, according to label directions. If the walls need cleaning, wash them first, using a strong-bristled floor brush with a long handle. Always start at the bottom and work up to prevent streaking. While standing in one spot, wash
The Best-Cellar List
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A populate home improvement project is finishing an unfinished basement. professionals say that converting a cinder block basement into a family room, office or guest suite is about one-third the cost of building an addition. when you tackle the renovation yourself, the savings are more even substantial.
Whether you do the work or not, some simple precautions will "save hours and hours of cleanup in the end," says Fred Hightower, owner of Pro Team Construction in Russwell. Georgia.
A populate home improvement project is finishing an unfinished basement. professionals say that converting a cinder block basement into a family room, office or guest suite is about one-third the cost of building an addition. when you tackle the renovation yourself, the savings are more even substantial.
Whether you do the work or not, some simple precautions will "save hours and hours of cleanup in the end," says Fred Hightower, owner of Pro Team Construction in Russwell. Georgia.
- To keep dust and dirt from infiltrating the rest of the house, use plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal the stairway from the house to the basement.
- In a new bathroom, put masking tape around fixtures prior to installing drywall. Before grouting a tile floor, mask off the bathtub or shower.
- During construction, change the filters in your furnace and air-conditioning system weekly. Installing drywall and sanding generate a huge amount of dust, which can clog the unit. It's much cheaper to replace filters than to repair or replace a heating or cooling unit.
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as much as you can reach, then rinse with warm water. Continue until the walls are finished. Next, scrub the floors, again using hot water and household detergent. Because concrete is porous, strong odors, such as animal waste, can be hard to eradicate. If a strong scrubbing doesn't do the trick, you can seal the floor with a concrete sealer, which is stronger than wax. Follow the label directions and spread it on with a mop. Repeat the applications for really tough odors. After cleaning, open any doors or windows to air out the room and help the drying process.
If mold or mildew is a problem, take an extra step cleaning. Mop the walls and floors with a solution of 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to 2 gallons of water, then rinse well. Keep in mind that the bleach will kill existing mildew, but the mildew will return unless the source of the moisture problem is addressed.
To clean a finished basement, use the same methods you would use in other rooms in the house. The procedures will vary depending on whether the walls are painted, paneled, or wallpapered and whether the floor is carpeted.
as much as you can reach, then rinse with warm water. Continue until the walls are finished. Next, scrub the floors, again using hot water and household detergent. Because concrete is porous, strong odors, such as animal waste, can be hard to eradicate. If a strong scrubbing doesn't do the trick, you can seal the floor with a concrete sealer, which is stronger than wax. Follow the label directions and spread it on with a mop. Repeat the applications for really tough odors. After cleaning, open any doors or windows to air out the room and help the drying process.
If mold or mildew is a problem, take an extra step cleaning. Mop the walls and floors with a solution of 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to 2 gallons of water, then rinse well. Keep in mind that the bleach will kill existing mildew, but the mildew will return unless the source of the moisture problem is addressed.
To clean a finished basement, use the same methods you would use in other rooms in the house. The procedures will vary depending on whether the walls are painted, paneled, or wallpapered and whether the floor is carpeted.
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