How a Propane Gas Grill Works

There are two basic types of grills today — gas and charcoal. Gas grills are becoming more popular with each passing year, but they are also more complex. They are more difficult to set up and require more maintenance than traditional charcoal grills. In addition, the user of a gas grill is recommended to have some basic knowledge of how the grill works in case of any problems with the grill.

Most people can figure out how to operate a gas grill simply by following the directions. But understanding how your grill works will ensure that your grilling is safe and that your family and friends are protected against potential accidents.

Gas grills run from either a liquid propane or a natural gas source rather than the traditional charcoal grill which usually has a wood source. Upon inspection, it will be noted that the tank which contains the fuel source connects to the valve regulators though special tubing. The valve regulators, as expected, regulate the flow of gas from the tank to the burner. The flame is controlled by twisting the valve regulators, or control dials. Adjust the dials to allow for more gas and you get more heat. In the same manner, less gas means less heat.

Of course, the gas alone does not create heat. It just flows, swirls around, just gas. It needs a source of ignition to create the flame you’ll use to cook your food. Ignition requires three things — fuel, oxygen, and a spark. Two of these three are already present as soon as you turn the control dials. The fuel is the gas and oxygen is present in the air. All you have to add is the spark. In most gas grills, this spark is provided by the starter or ignition switch. Usually, this will be the large red button, though some grill styles will use something else. Consult your owner’s manual for details. When this button is pushed, it produces a spark that ignites the gas and creates the flame you need.

This ignition switch works almost like the engine of a car. Once it is pressed and the gas ignites, the gas flows to the burner electrodes. The burners are arguably the most essential part of your grill, as it is the area that will directly supply heat, cooking your food. A close look at the burners will reveal tiny holes that allow the gas to spread out, distributing even heat across the entire cooking area. Modern grills usually have two separate burners with their own temperature controls. This helps to maintain temperatures and cook more than one dish at once.

Another important component of your gas grill is the hood or lid. This lid helps to create even heat distribution and maintains a safe cooking temperature. It will also prevent your fire from going out when the occasional wind kicks up. If you’re shopping for a new grill, you should look for one with an internal temperature gauge on the lid. It will allow you to constantly monitor the cooking temperature.

Though many people will claim that gas grills do not give food the same unique flavor as charcoal grills, these grills do have the advantage of producing a uniform cooking temperature. And while it may seem more dangerous in regards to possible leaks and generally requires more maintenance, gas grills also do not have hot coals or charcoals to dispose of. In any case, if you do choose to own a gas grill, it is important to understand the basics of how it works to ensure your safety and that of your family.

Safety Concerns of Charcoal Grills

Despite the growing popularity of gas grills, a significant number of people still love their charcoal grills. Most people using charcoal grills will not willingly switch to a gas grill, often citing flavor as the primary reason for this decision. However, there are some safety concerns regarding charcoal grills and their use that everyone should take note of.

Cancer Hazards

It might seem odd to say that grilled food might cause cancer, but there are studies that suggest it is possible. The use of charcoal can release carcinogens, in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

Some types of PAHs form from the fat in meats as they cook. This is especially important because as meat cooks the fat drips down into the charcoal, PAHs form and rise in the smoke, possibly depositing on the food itself. PAHs can also be found in meat that was cooked in high temperatures for a long period of time. However, there is some good news. Though PAHs are found in and on meat cooked over charcoal, there are many different kinds of PAHs. Some are not at all toxic, others are extremely toxic. The PAHs in your grilled meat, while not completely benign, are far from highly toxic.

HCAs are a different story. They can be found on all meats cooked at high temperatures. This includes grilled meat but also broiled or pan-fried meats. Research has discovered more than 15 types of HCAs present in cooked meat. There is the chance that consuming large amounts of this meat might increase the risk of pancreatic or breast cancer. This doesn’t mean you have to stop grilling. Simply don’t eat four large steaks every evening.

Fire Hazards

Anything that involves fire is a potential fire hazard. Charcoal grilling, because it involves cooking over fire, presents its own danger. Though grills and barbeques are responsible for almost 8000 fires annually, most of these are from gas grills, perhaps because gas grills have become so popular in recent years. However, charcoal grills do cause their fair share of house fires. To reduce the risk of fire follow some simply safety tips.

Instead of lighter fluid, use an alternative starter, something made specifically for charcoal grills. If you do use fluid, make sure it’s lighter fluid and not kerosene, gasoline, or another volatile fluid. These can explode, causing damage to people and property. Also remember to keep the vents of your grill in the open position while cooking to allow for adequate airflow.

For additional safety tips, refer to the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association (HPBA).

Environmental Hazards

If you’re concerned about the environment, it might be better to choose an alternative method of cooking your food. There is no such thing as ‘clean charcoal.’ It all damages the environment, and in a variety of ways. Burning charcoal of any kind pollutes the air and can worsen heart or lung problems. Though grilling of any kind, even charcoal grilling, pollutes far less than automobiles or industry, it is still a possible concern.

If you’re using lump charcoal, you may be contributing to unnecessary deforestation. Lump charcoal is produced from charred wood, and trees are cut down to produce this charred wood. Not only does this practice damage natural ecosystems around the world, but the burning of the wood contributes to climate concerns around the world.

 

Some of the health and environmental concerns can be prevented by the use of natural charcoal brands. These are made with 100% wood. There are no additives that form carcinogens and they do not contain coal, limestone, oil, petroleum, sawdust or starch. They are also more environmentally friendly as they are usually harvested in a more controlled manner.

Anyone choosing to grill with charcoal should be aware of the potential risks and take steps to prevent or deal with the resulting dangers. Some of these dangers can be guarded against with common sense. Others can only be lessened by switching to a product such as Greenlink, Lazzari, or Noram of Mexico. If you prefer to grill with charcoal, it is important to be aware of the risks, both to you and your family.

Financial Benefits of Marriage

I'm  single parent. I've been a single parent since my youngest son was born more than five years ago. I enjoy being a single parent. I enjoy it so much I have no intention of remarrying at any point. Because of this, I can sometimes come off as anti-marriage. I'm not. I even enjoyed most of my marriage. But I do understand that when I write about single parenting, it might come off like I'm promoting it. I'm not. I promote whatever works best for you. So when a reader asked if I could write about the benefits of marriage, I agreed. I even agreed when she suggested the first of these articles be on the financial benefits of marriage.

Marriage brings with it many benefits and involves sharing many things. One of these things is finances. Combining the income and expenses of two people almost always results in more money available, but this isn’t the only financial benefit of becoming legally married. Some of the benefits are obvious. Others are less so.

Living Expenses

Many expenses that can cripple a single person are much easier to manage for a married couple. The mortgage or rent is easier to manage as a couple, as are utility bills, car payments, and other monthly expenses. A married couple only needs one of many items, such as furniture. In addition, it is actually cheaper to buy food as a couple than it is for two single people to feed themselves. Buying food in larger quantities is inevitably cheaper and there will be less waste.

Car Insurance

Insurance agencies view a married couple, especially a married couple with children, as less of an insurance risk for a variety of reasons. Married couples gain a significant discount when they combine their plans into a single policy.

Health Insurance

It is usually more expensive to maintain two single health plans than it is a single plan to cover both parties. One policy can usually provide for an entire family, including children, at a fraction of the cost of individual policies.

Financial Stability

Two incomes simply make for a more stable financial reality. It enables the couple to afford a higher standard of living, save more money for emergencies and future luxuries, and weather financial disaster with greater ease. If one partner loses his or her job and must begin receiving an unemployment check, the second income can mean the difference between bankruptcy and scraping by. A second paycheck also enables one partner to take parental leave in the event of a baby. This is much more difficult for a single parent surviving on one income.

Credit Scores

When two people marry, their credit scores do have some effect on each other. This means that someone with a lower credit score may be able to recover their credit faster by marrying someone with a higher credit score. The partner with the higher credit score may suffer slightly, but in the long run both parties will be better off, assuming that both parties are responsible about their finances from the point of the marriage onward.

Obtaining Credit

Lending institutions such as banks are more comfortable lending money to a married couple. There is more security in lending to a two-income family, but this isn’t the only reason. Banks often feel that a married couple is less likely to default and disappear than single people with no attachments. A married couple also usually has more assets, which again reassures potential lenders. Married couples are even sometimes offered a better rate on borrowed money.

Assets

Assets are usually greater in a marriage. And though no one likes to think about divorce, in the event that the couple decides they must go their separate ways, assets are normally divided equally between the couple. Without the protection of marriage, it is more difficult for one spouse to claim some of the assets of the other.

Social Security Survivor Benefits

For a couple that has been married in excess of ten years, social security survivor benefits can be claimed in the event of the death of one spouse. If this death occurs before the required ten years have passed and there are children of the marriage, these children become entitled to receive social security survivor benefits.

Tax Benefits

For the most part, a married couple is able to claim more tax deductions than single people. There are also deductions available for couples who have children. Many of these deductions are available for single parents, but some are very specifically intended for married couples who have children either through adoption or birth.

The financial benefits of marriage are immense. They allow a couple to be protected through the birth of a child, unexpected death, retirements, or even divorce. While this should not be the deciding factor when it comes to marriage, it is certainly something to consider. Your future financial security may depend on your decision.

Board Games to Teach Children Math

Board games can be used to teach children many skills, and they’re entertaining enough to engage kids while they’re learning. Children can learn verbal skills, creativity, cognitive thinking, and math skills from a variety of board games. Almost any game will teach these skills to some degree or another. However, if you’re looking for games that will help your children understand math and apply to their daily lives, there are five games you should consider investing in: Aggravation, Candyland, The Game of Life, Math Animals Game, and Monopoly.

On the surface, Aggravation may not seem to teach math skills beyond the average board game. However, this game, featuring marbles, requires that the values of the dice are added together, teaching addition and counting. In some cases, subtraction is also involved. Aggravation also teaches some strategic thinking, which is an important problem solving and math skill. This game appeals to all ages (and parents will love it too), so it’s a great game for the entire family.

Candlyland is generally a game for younger children. It teaches simple skills such as taking turns and basic counting. It is an excellent game to start with and can be fun for parents and children. Try enjoying this game with your young children and see how much they learn from such a simple game.

The Game of Life teaches many skills that are necessary in real life. It involves spinning a spinner, counting spaces, and dealing with money. This exciting game is good for the whole family and introduces children to concepts such as addition and subtraction, counting, and simple money management. There is even some basic multiplication involved in The Game of Life.

Math Animals Game is designed for children over the age of 5, but younger children often enjoy it as well, with a little help. This game involves rolling the die, moving around the board according to the number displayed, and landing on the highest number. All of this teaches children basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and even multiplication.

Of all the board games involving mathematics, Monopoly is by far the best. There are few math skills that Monopoly doesn’t teach, and it’s a great game for any age, not simply for children. Younger children will learn to count and even add as they roll the dice and move around the board. Money management is the key focus of this game and helps children learn to deal with money is a straightforward and responsible way. Even multiplication is frequently introduced as players land on utilities and have to calculate rent. Problem solving is also an integral part of the game and will help children develop cognitive strategic thinking. In sort, Monopoly is a great game for teaching many mathematical skills.

There are many other games that will teach basic math skills to children. In fact, most games involve some math, even if it’s only simple counting. It is important to make board games a regular in your household to promote the development of many of the skills your children will need later in life.