Rich's for the Home

Big Green Eggcessories

A Big Green Egg is a must-have for the avid griller in your household. The most versatile outdoor cooking device on the planet, the Big Green Egg is a smoker, a grill, and an oven rolled into one (it’s constructed out of heavy ceramic that holds heat in).

The EGG comes in five sizes to fit your needs—and your budget:

1. Mini EGG, perfect for picnics and tailgating.
2. Small EGG, good for individuals and small families
3. Medium EGG, for families of 2-4 
4. Large EGG, the most popular size Rich’s for the Home sells 
5. XL Egg, for the grilling aficionado  

Even more fun than owning an EGG is investing in EGGsessories. Rich’s carries an amazing variety of low-cost EGGcessories you can gift to the griller in your life. Here are a few we spotted at Rich’s Bellevue showroom:

Baking stone
Rich’s most popular EGGcessory, a baking stone is perfect for pizzas, breads, cookies, and other fire brick oven yummies.

Vertical roaster
This gizmo holds your turkey or chicken upright during cooking, which ensures your bird gets evenly browned.

Natural lump charcoal
Burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes. Comes in a big bag. Wrap it and put it under your Christmas tree – it’ll look just like Santa’s bag!

Grill gripper
Easily and safely remove the cooking grid, even when your EGG is hot. http://www.biggreenegg.com/thermo.html

Smoke Pellet Variety Sampler
Different flavors of pellets with which to smoke your meat - $31.99

Wood Smoking Grilling pellets (1 lb packages)
Mulberry, apple, orange, and Jack Daniels Whiskey – adds delicious flavors to your food- $6.00 (wonderful stocking stuffers, or gifts from the kids to Dad)

Big Green Egg Gourmet Seasoning (several flavors)
11.7 oz - $15.70; 5.5 oz - $7.10 (more stocking stuffers!)

Grilling Aprons

Rich’s also carries a good selection of “manly” grilling aprons for around $21

Salt and pepper shaker set

Unique, affordable gift - $28

Stop by any of Rich’s five Seattle-area showrooms to browse our selection of EGGcessories.  We’re located in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Southcenter, Silverdale, and Tacoma.

Related articles:

• What IS the Big Green Egg?
• What people are saying about the Big Green Egg
• What Archie Lopez has to say about his Big Green Egg

Travis House of Fire Factory Tour Gets Rave Reviews from Rich's Customers

Lloyd and Anthea Milton of Mukilteo were in the market for a gas freestanding stove. After browsing at Rich’s Lynnwood showroom, they narrowed their choices to two models, but they couldn’t decide which they liked best.

So they registered for the free tour of Travis Industries (manufacturer of Avalon, Lopi, and Fireplace Xtrordinair brands).

When Lloyd and Anthea walked through the door of Travis Industries, they were immediately impressed with the “friendly, family feeling.”

“The gentleman who led the tour (Travis Industries president, Kurt Rumens) has so much passion for the product,” says Lloyd. “He has an enlightened view about how to run a factory.”

Lloyd would know; he’s been in manufacturing all his life, first at Rolls-Royce and now at Boeing. “I’m trying to coerce some of managers at Boeing to tour the Travis factory,” says Lloyd. “It’s a wonderful example of a lean factory layout.”

In fact, Travis Industries’ Mukilteo plant is located on the site of a former Boeing factory. Lloyd likes the way the factory is laid out neatly and efficiently. “Everything is under one roof, so they can really streamline operations, and everyone can understand each other’s job.”

The work environment is very clean, adds Lloyd. “There were no noxious smells and no rubbish anywhere. You can tell people take pride in working there.”

He noticed how management takes great care to create an ergonomically-friendly work environment (they structure their equipment to lessen wear and tear on one’s body). Lloyd also noted that workers aren’t just funneled onto an assembly line, but that management accesses each person’s strengths and puts them in jobs that utilize those strengths.

“[Kurt] is looking for the best in his people, not just someone to do a job. Anyone is welcome to come forward with a new idea – not just the design department or certain engineers.”

Halfway through the tour, Lloyd and Anthea pinpointed which stove they wanted, and asked Kurt, “When can we have it?”

“We went straight from the tour to Rich’s and ordered the Avalon Tree of Life model with an enamel finish and fan,” says Lloyd.

They’d been wavering over whether to buy a stove with a fan. After learning about the latest technology during the tour and listening to the whisper-quiet stove fans, they opted to go with a fan. They chose an enamel finish over cast iron because “it’s easier to keep clean.”

Lloyd and Anthea say they came away from the Travis House of Fire tour asking each other, “When can we afford another stove?”

Their new Avalon will be installed this week, and they’re already brainstorming adding a second stove to another room in their home.

“This tour put the icing on the cake,” says Lloyd. “It helped us decide exactly which features we wanted on our stove. I’d recommend the tour to anybody who wants to buy a stove – or just see the factory.”

“To see the quality on the build… these are the people we want to work with,” says Lloyd. From now on, “We won’t go anywhere else.”

Take advantage of two more opportunities in December to tour Travis Industries:

• Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

The tour is from 9-11 a.m. and includes lunch. 

Pre-registration is required and you must show the registration e-mail and ID at the door. When you register online, put "Rich's blog" in the space that asks, "How Did You Hear About the House of Fire Factory Tour?"

More tour highlights:

• Take This Hot Factory Tour – You Won’t Regret It
• A Man Who Loves Fire: Kurt Rumens, Founder of Lopi Stoves

What's Cooking: Trout Grilled With Wild Rice

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 4 cleaned trout (8-ounce)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

STEPS:

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 3 minutes.
2. Add water, rice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil.
3. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 50 minutes or until rice is tender. Drain rice, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid and set rice aside.
4. Return cooking liquid to pan. Bring to a boil, and cook 8 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat; set broth aside, and keep warm.
5. Place 1 thyme sprig in the center of each of 4 (10-inch) squares of aluminum foil. Place 1 fish on top of each thyme sprig. Sprinkle remaining salt and pepper over inside cavities of fish.
6. Stuff 1/2 cup rice mixture into the cavity of each fish. Wrap fish in foil, twisting the ends to seal.
7. Prepare grill, and place the foil wrapped fish on grill rack; grill 10 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Unwrap fish; remove and discard skin. Set the fish aside, and keep warm.
8. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Drizzle 2 tablespoons broth over each fish, and sprinkle with parsley. 

Recipe By Cooking Light, Sept. 1995, page 100 and featured on Grilling Recipes.

Seven ways to stay warm this winter

Are you feeling the chilly air the past few days? I went out for my run this morning and almost turned around and came back inside. I did wrap it up early. It is COLD outside. Although we are still having some heavenly sun, it is time to start thinking about more indoor activities for everyone.

While you are at it, do you know how to keep your family warm as well as save energy?

We have some tips to help you stay warm this season and beyond, until the sun gets warm again.

1. Don't discount warmer clothes for everyone. My daughter has been wearing tee shirts and expecting to stay warm in our home. Goosebumps aren't convincing her otherwise yet. So budget for a few warm sweaters for each member of the family and when someone is chilly, encourage them to put it on. Warm socks or slippers help too.
2. Consider a Snuggie or some extra blankets accessible to the area where people like to gather and sit.
3. Purchase appropriate outdoor wear for everyone. Don't wait until it snows. Everyone should have boots, gloves, warm coats and gloves on hand. And don't forget a few umbrellas and/or rain hats.
4. Purchase extra fuel for your heating sources. There's nothing like running out of fuel on a 20 degree day. Stock up and you will feel better about making sure everyone stays warm this winter.
5. Don't forget the pets! If they are indoor pets, they need to stay inside with you. And sometimes it even gets too cold outside for outdoor pets. So keep an eye on that thermometer and keep in mind that even outdoor pets should not be outside long term in 30 degree weather.
6. Make sure that your home is being heated the most efficiently. Travis Industries has a heating worksheet that was extremely helpful for my family when we were looking at options. Even if you think you have chosen the best option for your home, I would encourage you to fill it out. It was very enlightening information for us to learn and list out the cost of each option for heating our home.
7. Next time that it is cold, or the wind is blowing, take a walk around the inside of your home. Put your hand near registers, windows and feel around doors. Do you feel cold air coming in? If so, warm air is also getting out. Even a storm door can help to seal in a great deal of warmth in your home.

Before you know it, Spring will be here and it will once again be time to take out that outdoor furniture and get your yard ready for entertaining and fun! In the meantime, cuddle up and enjoy some warmth.

A Man Who Loves Fire: Kurt Rumens, Founder of Lopi Stoves

By Laura Christianson
Guest columnist

It all started when a rock ‘n roll drummer named Kurt Rumens began selling wood stoves so he could pay for gas to drive his band to gigs.

Kurt began examining the stoves he was distributing and thought, “These stoves need heavier steel. They need to burn more efficiently. And they need to be prettier.”

When he shared his ideas with the manufacturer, they weren’t interested. “Stick to selling, not product development,” they told him.

So Kurt and his friend Dick Miller decided to start their own company. Thirty years ago, on August 29, 1979, they founded Lopi Stoves in the garage of Kurt’s Bellevue home. “I made up the name Lopi,” says Kurt. “It sounded Indianish.”

Starting Small

Production started on a small scale. “We invested $400 in steel to build our first stoves,” says Kurt. Their staff of six built eight stoves per week.

After building a couple hundred stoves, they sold them and used the profits to purchase two welding machines.

As the company grew, Kurt kept one goal at the forefront of his mind: “We keep trying to make our stoves better.” Ask Kurt what his favorite stove is, and he’ll reply, “The next one.”

Changing Names

In 1988, Travis Garske, who owned a company that produced castings, legs, and doors for hearth products, bought Lopi from Kurt. Travis purchased the Avalon brand of stoves at the same time, and re-named the company Travis Industries. Travis told Kurt he’d keep him on as president until he could find someone else to take over the job. Twenty years later, Kurt remains as president and general manager of Travis Industries.

Travis Industries’ Mukilteo, Washington plant is “the most sophisticated steel fabrication site in America,” says Kurt. They currently build 7,500 wood, gas, electric, and pellet stoves per month for more than 1,200 authorized retailers throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and China (Rich’s for the Home is Travis Industries’ largest U.S. dealer). 

In 2008, Travis Industries sold $100 million in Lopi, Avalon, and Fireplace Xtrordinair stoves to wholesalers.

Every year, they buy:

• 30 million pounds of steel
• 5 million pounds of cast iron
• 50 pounds of gold

The high-tech, 11-acre building houses:

• 11 assembly lines
• 50 welding stations
• 300 active fiber-optic computer stations
• 1 million amps of power
• 20,000 square feet devoted to research
• 18,000 square feet devoted to sales, marketing, accounting, and executive offices
• A training center that certifies 1,000 students per year
• 13,000-14,000 finished stoves and fireplaces in inventory

Their fabrication department makes the parts for their stoves, churning out 30,000 parts per day. “When we come up with a new idea for a design, we can make the part within 30 minutes,” says Kurt.

They maintain their tools in an on-site machine shop, and use a sophisticated system to scrub and recycle the air from their welding stations and paint booths.

Hand-Crafted Products

Despite the high-tech equipment, all of their products are hand-finished. Many of the artisans have worked in the plant for 20 or more years. “Everybody who started the business with me is still here,” says Kurt.

Kurt still has the same passion for fire that he did 30 years ago, and he’s proud to be “unfashionable.”

“We make stuff in America,” he says. “We take raw materials and turn it into finished fire products. We just love fire!”

• Take a free tour of Travis Industries and experience the entire stove-making process. When you register, tell ‘em Rich’s sent you!

• Be sure to read Part 1 of this series, where I review my Travis Industries factory tour.

Take This Hot Factory Tour – You Won’t Regret It

By Laura Christianson
Guest columnist

I love to tour manufacturing plants. I’ve toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory (multiple times), the Aplets & Cotlets factory, CNN, and the Elegant Gourmet candy factory, among others. So when Rich’s for the Home announced that Travis Industries – the home of Lopi, Avalon, and FPX hearth products – was offering their first-ever tours to the general public, I signed up.

After finding my way to the Mukilteo, WA Travis House of Fire plant (which is 11 acres huge, but hidden behind a housing development), I meandered into the showroom and instantly received a warm handshake from a man who introduced himself as Kurt Rumens.

I surreptitiously checked out his name tag. “Company President.”

Are you kidding me? The president of Travis Industries was there, in person?

Yep. And he wasn’t just making an executive appearance. He personally conducted the tour.

Before the tour started, Kurt introduced me one of his “babies,” a gas stove that apparently does everything but wash your dishes. Kurt was like a kid in a candy store, fiddling with the remote, showing me how to make the flame flicker high and low; how to regulate the temperature on the stove; and how to turn off the flame but leave on the decorative backlighting (which doubles as a night light). I want one!

After donning electronic headsets so we could hear Kurt over the factory noise, we embarked on our 1 ½ hour walking tour (if you’re wheelchair bound, never fear; the plant is wheelchair-friendly). Kurt showed us nearly every area of the plant. He told us about how he founded Lopi stoves 30 years ago (details in my next post), and he showed us exactly how stoves and fireplaces are made, starting with the mammoth $250,000 lasers that precisely cut the raw materials.

The neat thing about this tour is that we got to see stoves being built (unlike many tours, where employees are nonexistent and all the machines are shut down). We learned about metal munchers, computer punch presses, welding stations, air scrubbing, and much, much more.

We got up-close-and-personal with 11 assembly lines, and eyeballed many of the 40 ways to finish the same fireplace.

We were the first members of the public to ooh and aah over a brand new model just off the assembly line that day: the “Eden,” a 3-sided glass stove with a gothic arch design. (Rich’s Lynnwood store has it on display, so buzz by and see it; it’s beautiful.)

At the end of our tour, we were treated to a delicious box lunch. And yes, Kurt sat down and ate lunch with us!

In case you haven’t already figured it out, I highly recommend the Travis House of Fire Tour. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s interesting. They don’t try to sell you anything. And they feed you. What could be better?

You have three more opportunities in December to tour the plant:

• Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
• Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

The tour is from 9-11 a.m. and includes lunch. 

Pre-registration is required and you must show the registration e-mail and ID at the door. When you register online, put "Rich's blog" in the space that asks, "How Did You Hear About the House of Fire Factory Tour?"

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post -- I’ll share the fascinating story of how Kurt Rumens founded what is now Travis Industries.

Visiting Rich's for the Home

When you visit a Rich's for the Home Showroom, several things will stand out to you:

The knowledge, confidence and friendliness of the staff- Our staff has knowledge over and above your standard customer service member. We are quick to help, truly listen to your needs and know what recommendations to make to best meet those needs.

The educational opportunities available- Rich's for the Home customer service experts will not only help you while you are on the floor, but also are quick to ask other staff members questions if need be and present several options to you, including potential ones housed in catalogs behind the counters. The educational opportunity to learn more truly is outstanding.

The massive choices available- The showrooms are much more than a showroom. With the massive inventory available, you can shop for hours and see many options that will likely meet your needs. From hot-tubs to patio furniture and grills, Rich's for the Home truly does have everything that you need for outdoor living. We even have accessories for your patio, grill and outdoor rooms. 

In addition, because Rich's for the Home has several locations, it gives you the ability to access several different sets of inventory to find exactly what you need.

The option to test out merchandise- Yes indeed, if you are looking for a hot tub, you can take a soak test before you buy. Many customers really love this option. So bring your swimsuit and towel with you to your nearest location and hop on in. You will be glad for the chance to test out before you buy and your muscles will thank you too.

The back-up support of a good company- Rich's for the Home has been in business for years and has built their entire business on a solid reputation of taking good care of people. Not only will we help you with shopping, purchasing, tax credit questions and financing, but we remain there for you even after you have purchased your items. Many people visit Rich's for the Home on the advice of their family and friends and we know that you will find a good experience each time you visit as well.

House of Fire Tour

Travis Industries, the largest privately-owned manufacturer of hearth products in America, has opened an amazing opportunity for people to see in person how stoves and fireplaces are manufactured and view all the particulars that goes on behind the scenes.

They are opening their 11-acre manufacturing plant in Mukilteo, WA for scheduled tours this winter.

According to the Website:

"Observe as robotic welders, turret punches, state-of-the-art lasers and our factory artisans turn raw materials into hearth products. Witness the 'birth' of newly-assembled products as they come off the end of the line, ready to create warmth and comfort for your family."

The tours, which are free are scheduled for the following days. They start at 9:00 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m. and include lunch.

• Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
• Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Due to insurance stipulations, pre-registration is required and you must show the registration e-mail and ID at the door.

Travis Industries stresses that no sales presentations will be made during the tour and no sales transactions can occur.

They are available, however, to answer questions and provide you with recommended retail locations where you can purchase the products, if desired. And of course, here in the Northwest, Rich's for the Home will be happy to assist you with any purchases.

Here are some other particulars you will find helpful:

"Closed toe shoes are required (NO sandals).  No pictures, videos, cameras or cellular phones are allowed. No backpacks, purses, fanny packs or other containers may be brought on the tour except by special request (e.g. medical reasons, etc.). There are no holding facilities onsite for personal belongings; those items must be left in your car."

Please note that children are welcomed. However, they must be supervised.

I'll be taking the tour November 18 and will blog about my experience. Hope to see you there!

Purchase a Fireplace or Stove at Rich’s and Get $325 in Freebies

As the thermometer continues to plummet here in the Pacific Northwest, you may feel an uncontrollable urge to curl up in front of a crackling fire with a good book.

If you’re in need of a new or replacement fireplace or stove, Rich’s is offering a terrific, limited-time deal on qualifying models from Avalon, Lopi, and FireplaceXtrordinair (FPX).

When you purchase a qualifying wood, pellet or gas stove, insert or fireplace, you’ll get your choice of a FREE blower, remote, or fireback – up to a $325 value!

Rich’s Early Winter Sale begins Friday, November 13 and ends Sunday, November 22, 2009. You can print out a discount coupon from the following links:

• Avalon
• Lopi
• FireplaceXtrordinair (FPX)

When you visit one of our five showrooms in Bellevue, Lynnwood, Southcenter, Tacoma, or Silverdale, be sure to ask about the $1,500 stove tax credit – the tax credit is good on all stove and fireplace brands Rich’s carries, including Lopi, Hearthstone, Avalon, Morso, and Harman.

Also ask about the new GreenSmart technology available in Lopi gas models. GreenSmart efficiently heats the home while saving on energy usage and lowering heating bills.

Here are some additional articles from my blog about the $1,500 stove tax credit:

• $1,500 Tax Credit on Purchase of All Rich's Wood Stoves, Pellet Stoves, and Fireplaces
• Q & A on the Stove Tax Credit
• Stove Tax Credit - Profile of a Family Who Purchased a New Stove

Again, Rich's Early Winter Sale goes from November 13-22, 2009.

Weber announces new holiday grilling site

As more consumers continue to grill year-round, preparation of traditional holiday meals are moving from the kitchen to the backyard. In fact, 53 percent of American grill owners say they are grilling all year long, according to the latest results from the Weber GrillWatch™ Survey. And with more and more Americans firing up their grills throughout the year, Weber has launched a new site devoted to the art of grilling your holiday meal. The site includes:

1. Grilling Tips
2. Instructional Videos
3. Grocery Lists that can be emailed

“Grilling your holiday meal is a great way to spice up the conventional fare, and with this Web site you can become an expert at grilling,” said Jamie Purviance, author of Weber’s Way to Grill™, a New York Times Best Seller. “One of my favorite holiday recipes is the Apple-Brined Turkey with Big Time Gravy, which features the method of brining to create a juicy, succulent bird. Many people are intimidated by grilling the holiday turkey, but by watching the demonstration video featured on the Web site there are no mistakes. You are taken step-by-step through the process so grilling becomes easy.”

In addition to the Apple-Brined Turkey recipe, there are recipes for the entire holiday meal—from side dishes such as green beans and squash, to pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. The Web site has helpful advice for grilling your main dish, and each recipe can be downloaded with the option of emailing a grocery list to make shopping easy. The site is a “one-stop shop” for creating the perfect holiday meal.

Weber-Stephen Products Co., headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the world’s premiere manufacturer of charcoal and gas grills, grilling accessories and other outdoor room products. In 1952, founder George Stephen sparked a backyard revolution with his invention of the Weber® kettle. More than 55 years later, the family-owned company remains the industry leader with its Weber®, Weber® Q®, and Ducane® brands. Weber has the strongest consumer outreach program in the industry with its Weber Grill-LineSM (1-800-GRILL-OUT®), Weber’s On The Grill™ mobile application and a content-rich Web site with grilling tips, techniques, and original Weber recipes at www.weber.com. (The Weber Grill-Line and Weber Customer Service are closed on Christmas).

What's Cooking: Berry Delicious BBQ Cheesecake

Cheesecake is hands-down my fave dessert. Nothing beats it. So I love to find variations on cheesecake recipes and give them a try. Of course, I was delighted beyond words to find one that you can actually make on the grill. Yum! I can't wait to try it!

This recipe is courtesy of Lois Forsyth and was originally posted on The Recipe Center at the Vermont Casting website. A ton of great BBQ recipes are on there so make sure to check it out soon.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 3/4 of a box of Dare's Oatmeal Cookies
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 large packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cups mixed fruit, fresh or frozen (raspberries, blueberries and blackberries)

STEPS:

1. Put the oatmeal cookies into a food processer and chop until fine. Mix in the melted buttter to create a paste like texture. Pour mixture into an alluminum pan (approx 12 X 10 inches) greased or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and press firmly creating a crust.
2. In a bowl beat the cream cheese until it is fluffy and smooth. Add the the eggs, butter and vanilla all at once and beat until fluffy.
3. Coat the cookie crust with the honey spreading it thinly. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the fruit on top of the honey and then add the cream cheese mixture. Keep the other 1/2 cup of fruit aside. Cook on a preheated BBQ at medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. Do not cover while cooking but do close the BBQ lid. Cool completely and then refrigerate.
   Serve cold and top it with the remaining fruit.

TIPS:

Check often. Mmmmmmm

Q/A on the Stove Tax Credit

Do you have questions about the stove tax credit? You are not the only one. Questions abound from our customers when they come in to look at our selection of stoves and we don't blame them. Some of the initiatives with the most benefit are confusing in their terminology and clearness about the benefits.

Fortunately, we have trained our staff members here at Rich's for the Home to answer your questions. Here are some of the most common ones:

Q- How much is the tax credit for?

A- It is for up to 30% of your purchase price, up to $1500.00. 

Q- How do we get the tax credit?

A- After purchasing your stove, keep your receipt. There will be room on the bottom of your tax forms for your credit. In addition, if you file your return electronically through a service, many have added the question to the list that you answer as you prepare your return. Retain your receipt with your tax records.

Q- Can I claim this credit for a stove placed in my vacation home or a home that I use as a rental?

A- No, the credit covers only a stove for your primary residence. Vacation homes and homes that you rent out to others do not qualify.

Q- We bought a stove right before the legislation was approved. Is there anything that we can do to receive the credit?

A- Yes, if your stove was purchased January 1, 2009-June 1, 2009, your purchase will still qualify for credit. 

Q- We've heard of the 75% efficiency requirement. How is that determined?

A- According to HPBA, the manufacturer of the stove must provide certification that the product tests for at least a 75% efficiency rating using the lower heating value i.e. the heat value of a combustion process assuming that none of the water vapor resulting from the process is condensed out, so that its latent heat is not available.  

Q- What should a retailer provide?

A- According to HPBA, retailers (and consumers) must keep exact records of any sale or purchase.  Retailers should provide a consumer with the manufacturer's certification statement for the specific product model purchased. A consumer may rely on a manufacturer's certification statement that their products are qualified energy property. Manufacturers should make this certification document available to consumers on the web, in the product packaging, or in some other easily accessible manner. 

Q- What should I do if I have more questions?

A- The IRS Notice is available for your review. In addition, feel free to come by a Rich's for the Home location to browse our selection of stoves. We are happy to help!

How to Grill Your Holiday Turkey on a Charcoal or Gas Grill

If you haven't yet tried grilling a turkey on your backyard grill, I highly recommend it. Somehow, more juices of the turkey stay in it when grilled and the result is a delicious, fall-off-the bone tenderness.

You can grill with either a gas or charcoal grill. To grill a turkey on a charcoal grill, I recommend that you watch the video below from You-Tube. Note the comments as well. The readers do make some good points below the video.

Broilmaster was kind enough to provide us with instructions for grilling a turkey on both charcoal and gas grills. Here is their recipe and grilling recommendations:

Ingredients

• 1 Whole Turkey (14-16 lbs), Thawed
• Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Dill Weed
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Prep

1. Remove the neck, giblets and any excess fat.
2. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Brush the turkey with Olive Oil and lightly sprinkle on the seasonings.
4. Place the turkey breast-side up on the cooking grate on a charcoal grill or on a roasting rack in a disposable foil roasting pan on a gas grill.

Cooking

• Cover and cook 11-13 minutes per pound or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) registers 180ºF and the juices run clear.
• Transfer the turkey to a platter and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
• *Charcoal grillers will have to add about 12 briquettes to each side ever hour.
• Serves 12-15

Recommendations

• Method In-direct
• Lid- Closed
• Grids- Medium
• Temperature- Med to High
• Smoker Shutter- Closed

Let us know how your turkey comes out!

Buying a hot tub cover

So what should you look for when purchasing a hot tub cover? Caldera Spas has a list of 20 questions that we found very helpful when considering a cover. We hope that you will find it helpful as well.

1. What kind of foam is in the hot tub cover? What is the density, and the taper?
2. Specifically how is the foam core sealed?
3. How is the hinge reinforced? What material is it made from?
4. What is the expected R-value of the cover?
5. What kind of material is used for the top covering?  What are the specifications? How is it treated for UV and mildew?
6. What kind of material is used for the bottom covering? What are the specifications? How is it treated for UV, mildew and cold?
7. How is excess water drained out of the spa cover?
8. Is it labeled a safety cover? Is it in compliance with the ASTM standard?
9. How many tie-down straps are on the cover?
10. Does each hot tub cover come with child-resistant locking hardware with keys?
11. What keeps the heat from escaping at the hinge area?
12. Is the hot tub cover internally reinforced? If so, how many places and where?
13. What kind of thread is used and how is it treated?
14. What is the expected life of the cover?
15. Is the hot tub cover warranted? Please explain.
16. How should I care for the cover? Are there any special guidelines for winter time?
17. What's the best way to get the cover on and off?
18. What are the most popular colors?
19. How long has the manufacturer been making hot tub covers?
20. Why should I purchase from a local dealer versus on the Internet?

Caldera has a Color Selector tool that helps you see what certain colors of covers will look like on your hot tub. They have various color options for you to try out on the selector tool before you buy them. You can even choose your hot tub colors and add the cover in various colors to get the full picture.

Visiting Caldera will also provide you with potential accessories for your hot tub cover and information on how to care for your hot tub cover. It is a wealth of information. Of course, Rich's for the Home is also happy to answer your questions so come visit or give us a call if you have any.

Safety for your outdoor firepit

Fire pits can offer a cozy and fun way to spend clear, Fall evenings. They offer a variety of activity for your family including s'more making, marshmallow roasting, singing, visiting and more. They can even assist you with educating your children about how to make a safe fire and keep it burning brightly.

Here are some safety tips that Rich's for the Home recommends to keep your fire and family happy:

1. Use Fire Starters to start the flames as opposed to paper. Paper breaks apart easily. It can blow away and spread flames.
2. Make seating around the fire movable so that people can move back if flames get too big or too hot.
3. As tempting as it is to place your fire pit right on your back porch, you should consider other placement if your porch is made from wood and/or if your house is within 8 feet of it.
4. Don't use your fire pit to burn garbage.
5. Stack wood near your fire pit in a safe (not towering) small pile. Better yet, keep it enclosed via a bin or wheelbarrow. Move remainder of wood far away from fire pit when done with fire.
6. Don't toss in items that won't really burn. It is not the place for soda cans.
7. Buy a screen for the top of your fire pit. Use it if embers start flying.
8. Teach children not to run and play around the fire pit while a fire is burning.
9. Teach children to respect the fire and the power of it. Show them what a flying ember can do to nearby leaves, for instance. Or how a stick turns black when it is placed in the fire.
10. Instill rules such as not starting a fire without an adult home and how to make sure the fire is out when people are done with it. 
11. If you have small children, practice the "Stop" concept. Children need to learn that when you say "Stop!", they are immediately to stop moving and freeze wherever they are. Practice it often, reteach it as often as you can and demand respect of it. (This also helps you if you have a busy road near your home).
12. Use long-handled lighters as opposed to short, wooden matches.
13. Make sure that your wood supply is dry, versus green, and that you have a good amount of smaller pieces to assist in starting the fire.