Get the Most Out of Your Charcoal BBQ

I love barbecues and having one on a summer's evening really is a lovely way to end the day. I must admit I'm a little bit sad when the time comes for me to pack my grill away, especially if I feel I haven't got as much use out of it as I'd have liked.

As tempting as it is to just put your BBQ into your shed or garage and not think about it again come next year, avoid doing this, as it could end up costing you. Instead, I've laid out a few simple steps that will ensure your cooking equipment is raring to go once the warmer months arrive again.

It won't take you too long and will save you time and money further down the line.

Step 1: Clean

Cleaning your BBQ is not likely to be a task you look forward to, but it's not as bad as you think and once it's done, you don't have to worry about it for a while. If you've forked out for a high-end BBQ like the charcoal Weber One Touch Deluxe with removable ash catcher, you certainly want to look after your investment.

If you have bought a quality model that comes with features like an ash catcher, at least you know cleaning it will be that little bit easier. Throwing the old ash away is not enough, though, and you really need to take the equipment apart and give it a good scrub with a wire brush.

This includes the lid and outside, as if you've paid for a good brand you will want it to not only work efficiently, but also look the part. If you don't clean your charcoal barbecue before putting it away, it will be even harder come next summer, plus a build-up of dust and dirt could cause damage.

Step 2: Dry

Your job doesn't end with cleaning, as you'll also need to make sure every part is totally dry before storing. Water can cause rust, and you'll regret not drying it properly should you pull out a rusty and broken barbecue a few months down the line.

Even though the Weber One Touch Deluxe, for example, comes with a rust-proof ash catcher, aluminium vents, lid and bowl, I think it still makes sense to not tempt fate and to look after your BBQ.

Step 3: Give it a once over

Now you've got rid of any grime and dirt, you can clearly see all of the parts and check for any damage. If you do notice you need new bits and bobs, or something needs fixing, autumn is the time to do it. That way, you'll remember to do it, rather than realising during the warmer months when you try to whip up a feast on it, only to find that it doesn't work properly.

My top tip is to buy from a well-known and reputable brand, like Weber, as that way you should be covered by a long warranty so you won't have to spend a penny on new parts.

Step 4: Protect it in storage

Just because your barbecue is clean does not mean it can now be placed in storage with no protection. While your BBQ might describe itself as weather-proof, it's still sensible to purchase a cover for it to make sure it really is protected from the wind and rain.

Even better, keep it in your garage or shed, if you have one, to be doubly sure.

Points to Consider to Ensure that You Buy Top Quality Hotpoint Spares!

You need to choose the right company in order to ensure that the spare parts you by for any type of good are genuine, of a high quality and at a good price. After all, spare parts result in money being spent that you probably did not account for. Therefore, you need to make doubly sure that this money is well spent. This article aims to give you a helping hand by providing you with some tips regarding things that you should consider when on the lookout for great appliance spare parts.

The first thing that you will obviously need to consider is the price of the spare parts. This is something which is important when it comes to buying any product. You should visit several websites in order to get an idea of the average price for the appliance spare part that you are looking for. This will equip you properly on your search to finding the best deals. It is also a very good idea to have a look online to find discount codes, coupons and vouchers. These are readily available online and you may be able to find something which saves you quite a bit of money. Furthermore, on a final note there are also a lot of companies that offer a price match option – this is another aspect which is highly beneficial.

In addition to price you also need to ensure that the company you go for offers high quality quality hotpoint spares. This is something which obviously goes hand in hand with the previous option. The best way to find out whether something is of a high quality, and just as importantly – genuine, is to search the product online. When you do this you will be faced with a lot of results, the majority of which will either be expert reviews or customer reviews. It is highly advisable that you read a good selection of these because it will give you a general overall as to whether the spares you are considering are good or not.

Another aspect worth thinking about is that the company in question should offer a good customer service option. There should always be people on hand ready to give you advice on what products and parts you should be going for.

A final point worth thinking about is all of the ‘little things’. These include things such as; delivery options, delivery prices, order tracking and more. These are aspects which may be important to some and may not be so important to others. It all depends on personal preference and how soon you actually need your spare points.

All in all, it is important to make sure that the spare parts that you buy are genuine, of a high quality and available for a good price. Take note of all the aspects mentioned in this article in order to ensure that this is the case. After all, as previously stated, you are going to be spending your money on these products and therefore it is critical that your money is well spent.

Author bio – Anna Mathews  is a multimedia journalist. She used Buy Spares as a resource for this article. For further information on quality hotpoint spares visit their website.

Some Simple Tips for Caring for Your Pet Cat

A cat is generally regarded as a low maintenance pet, however, low maintenance does not mean that they do not need to be cared for. Like any other pet, he or she will depend on you for attention, training, health care, food and a place to sleep.

Feeding Your Cat

As a general rule, cats prefer variety in their diet and this is considered by many to be a healthier option than feeding them the same dish every day. As well as providing them with dry food each day, you may want to add in moist tinned food once in a while. Keep in mind, however, that whilst dry cat food can easily be stored for several months, opened wet cat food is likely to spoil quite quickly, so always serve it within one or two days. Avoid giving your cat scraps from the table on a regular basis and never feed them bones, as these are a choking hazard.

Indoor Or Outdoor?

Regardless of whether you choose to keep your cat as an indoor or outdoor pet, pet experts Dierenspeciaalzaak say that it is important to make sure that they have a warm bed inside, in a safe and quiet part of the house, preferably away from any drafts. However, cats tend to find several other napping spots around the home which they use in addition to their designated bed.

In terms of whether to keep them inside or outside, they are generally safer when they are indoors, as cats that are allowed to roam around the local area can fall victim to fighting with other cats, which can cause infections and injuries. They are also likely to bring home mites, lice or fleas and are obviously at risk of being hit by cars. Having said this, dierenspeciaalzaak adds that cats are very intelligent animals and so, provided they are properly vaccinated and you do not live by any busy roads, it should be fine to allow them out during the day and bring them in at night.

However, if you decide that the indoor life is best for your cat, it is important to ensure that they have enough to entertain themselves with. Ideally, it is better to have another pet in addition to your cat, so that they can be companions whilst you are away during the day. The cat should also have a scratching post and toys (this will keep them amused, but will also save your soft furnishings!) as well as of course, plenty of attention.

General Health Care

In order to keep your cat healthy and happy, they require exercise and a good diet. However, they also need a good level of care from a veterinarian too. Whatever age your cat is when you first adopt them, make sure to take a trip to your local vet; they will inform you about the vaccinations the cat will need, as well as any potential health problems the cat may have and how to treat them.

AUTHOR BIO : Joana Sweeney writes regularly for a wide range of pet health magazines, websites and blogs. An owner of both a cat and a dog and a regular customer at Dierenspeciaalzaak, she provides simple tips and advice on how to keep pets healthy.

The Best Colours to Create the Perfect Bathroom Environment

Whether you have a large family bathroom or a small ensuite, the colour you choose can say a lot about yourself. Some people want a practical space, whereas others are looking for a luxurious retreat. Here are some colour choices to help you create the perfect mood in your bathroom. 

Relax In a Sea Of Blue

If you are looking to create a calming, soothing and relaxing space, then blues and greens will work well. These colours are often used by spas and bring in influences from the ocean. There are so many different shades, ranging from pastels to bolder and deeper colours, that you can really create a unique look simply by changing the colour. If you want to make a small room look bigger then pale aqua shades are a good choice. Blues can sometimes look a bit cold, so to avoid this go for a warm shade and help to brighten the room further by the use of gold accessories, such as light fittings and mirrors. Black and white fittings also work well with a blue colour scheme.

Classic Whites and Neutral Hues

With a family bathroom you might want to adapt the accessories and bath towels as the children grow up. Therefore, a white or neutral colour scheme is a good choice. With this you can easily match fixtures and fittings and change them as required without having to re-decorate. White is a classic look, but if you are looking for something a bit more warm and inviting then add a subtle hint of colour through the paintwork. Not only are these neutral colour schemes soothing and peaceful, but they also work exceptionally well in smaller spaces where natural light is limited. If you want to bring in a splash of colour then go for a few bright, colourful or patterned tiles.

Pastels are Not Just for Girls

Any type of pastel colour, such as peach or lilac, is a good choice for bathrooms. They help you to create a stress free zone, allowing you time to think and contemplate the day's events. To bring the room alive and complement the paint work, use black or silver bath towels to create a statement style. Glass shelving will work well alongside these, as well as chrome taps and fixtures.

Let the Sun Shine Through

To create a cheerful oasis in your bathroom, go for shades of yellow, which evoke memories of the summer and endless days of sunshine, even in the middle of a gloomy winter's day. A bright and refreshing bathroom will help to wake you up in the morning and also opens up small and dark spaces. To complement the colour scheme use natural stone or wood on the surfaces and flooring.

There are many ways in which your bathroom can say something about the type of person you are and evoke a specific mood. Next time you are looking to redecorate, have a think about how you use the bathroom, whether you are straight in and out or prefer to spend a long time in there and this will help you with your colour choices.

AUTHOR BIO:

Shirley Jones writes on a regular basis on interior design for a variety of property and home websites and blogs. As an interior designer she worked with many clients looking at ways they could create the perfect bathroom, through the use of colours, accessories and bath towels.

Tips for Choosing the Garden Play Equipment That’s Right for Your Children

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Honestly speaking, I was quite surprised to find a number of selections when it comes to toys for children. One would usually see children playing with their high-end electronic gadgets nowadays. I believe, though, that these are not the ideal toys for children in this day and age, even if we are highly dependent on technology. It’s all well and good that apps and gadgets exist, but playing with traditional toys is still the best option if you want a well-balanced child.

This is why just recently, when my children asked me to buy them an iPad that they said they would share with each other, I declined their request in an instant and told them that I would buy them something else. That’s when I started looking for garden play equipment that I knew for sure would be better anyway.

To cut the long story short, my children were so amazed at how “cool” their new toy was and said that it was way better than an iPad. Since my purchase, my children have also become more active, something that I am really happy about because I know with an iPad (or any other gadget, for that matter), my children would just be sitting around most of the time.

If you are interested in buying your own garden play equipment, here are some tips that I want to share with you.

Compare prices

One of the first things that I did was to compare the prices of outdoor play equipment. I wanted to make sure that whatever I would be getting wouldn’t hurt my pocketbook too much. After all, my purchase happened on an impulse and I didn’t have spare budget for it. Speaking of which, it might be a better idea to set aside a specific budget for your purchase. Even if what I got is fairly cheap, it would still be better to know that it was well planned, financially.

Compare quality

The fact is, there are tons of garden play equipment out there that you can purchase. I would suggest, though, that you purchase the ones made of wood for two main reasons. One, they are safer compared to playground equipment made of metal (and they don’t rust, either) and they last longer compared to equipment made of plastic. Also, wooden play equipment is easier to clean and maintain.

Weather-resistant

Another great tip to consider is to find garden play equipment that can weather the storm. In case of emergency, it would be impossible to grab your equipment and transfer it indoors. So you can either choose one that is weather-resistant or purchase a cover that you can use to keep it protected.

At the end of day, sticking to the traditional types of kiddie enjoyment is still the better option. If you come to think of it, this kind of toy fosters top-quality enjoyment, encourages your children to become more adventurous and imaginative, and helps them live a healthier lifestyle.