What to Look for When Buying an Electric Smoker

Let’s face it, there a lot of different smokers out there.  We find charcoal, wood, gas, pellet, but that which we are interested are the electric smokers.  Electric smokers do have advantages for which the other ones do not.  Here you will read about what to look for when buying an electric smoker, including what to avoid.

Why Go Electric?

Wood is the oldest type of smoker.  These are the ones that your grandfather used way back in the day.  They were often very heavy and well-built for their purpose.  They may have been built out of scrap pieces of metal or brick.  And granddad would not have moved it because it weighed so much or it was built in-place.  One of the reasons they were so heavy is that they had to be able to withstand the heat, which could be intense.  A drawback of wooden smokers was that they tended to have fairly uneven heat, especially if they were made of various bits of sheet metal, or when there were gaps in the metal.  Wood does not burn exactly the same every time, even if it is of the same type of wood.  They could be tricky to use.  It was as much art as it was science.  Although, there are plenty of people still using them today, often with modern enhancements, there are many alternatives.

However, there are many more reasons to buy an electric smoker.

The reasons to go with electric are that they usually come with wheels, they come with insulated metal, have humidity and temperature control, and they tend to be much lighter weight.

The Wheels

The wheels are an obvious feature that comes standard on many modern smokers.  However, the shape of the unit will factor into ease of movement.  For example, an offset pit will be awkward to move around.  You will also want large wheels, for ease of rolling over rough surfaces.

Insulation

The insulation of the metal panels is important for keeping the heat even inside.  The last thing we want is for some slab of meat to be undercooked, while others are overcooked.

Humidity Control

Also known as “heat evaporation facilities”, the humidity inside the smoker is controlled by a gauge on the side of it.  This determines how quickly and well the product inside dries.  It is central to the quality of the smoked meat.

Temperature Control

In the old days the heat level was exclusively controlled by a damper that would be opened or closed.  Now, the heat can be set to an exact degree, so you may cook a turkey at a very high temperature, and then drop it to 100°F for smoking some cheese. 

The nature of smoking has reached almost a level of perfection.  Today’s smokers, especially the electric ones, are so advanced that you can basically set it and forget it.  Walk away for a few hours and it will be exactly the same when you get back.  So head over to the Electric Smoker Center and buy one!

RESOURCE: Best 10 Rated Electric Smoker For Sale In 2018 (Reviews & Guide)

Home Security Doesn't Have to be a Hassle!

When it comes to home security, if you've never been burgled it's easy to think 'it will never happen to me.'  However, an estimated 3.7 billion burglaries take place each year in the US, and they happen to people from all walks of life, rich or poor, so it really is something to be aware of as a homeowner. If you're looking to up your home security, here are some ideas.

Focus on Windows and Doors

The windows and doors in your home are the weakest links when it comes to burglars since these will be their points of entry. For this reason, good quality models are essential. Older wooden window frames can easily be jimmied and broken into (not to mention are draughty and generally out of date) so if you're due new windows and doors then purchase new ones with security as well as energy efficiency in mind. If you're not able to completely replace your windows, one thing you can do is look into a company like window tinting now. Not only will this prevent burglars from being able to see inside, but the film will prevent anyone being able to smash a window and enter since it will keep everything together and create a barrier. However, with all that being said, even the world's best windows and doors won’t be any good if you leave them left open. In fact, most burglars enter through an unlocked door or window so don't overlook this simple line of defense.

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Upgrade Your Locks

Even if you're not in a position to buy brand new doors, you can still upgrade your locks. Having an additional deadlock installed is a smart move, as these can only be opened by turning the key in the cylinder. This means if you have a glass window pane in your door a burglar can't simply smash it, reach in and unlock it from the other side.

Invest in CCTV

CCTV acts as a deterrent against burglars, as well as a way to get them convicted if a crime does happen. Most burglars are opportunistic, and they will target houses that they think are easy since they don't want to get caught. Therefore, just having CCTV  installed is often enough to put them off. Display stickers showing that you have CCTV as a warning, and make sure all cameras are mounted in a place that they can't be damaged or covered over. If you choose a system that backs up your footage to the cloud, it prevents a burglar getting in and simply stealing the hard copy of the footage. You will want something with a clear picture, police and courts won't accept grainy video so if you do want a successful prosecution this is essential- make sure it has clear night vision too. Some newer CCTV systems will allow you to stream the footage to your smartphone, so you can keep tabs on your property wherever you are.

Have a House Alarm Installed

A house alarm is by far one of the most effective ways to protect against burglars.  Most will not stick around to clear out your possessions with this going off, so even if a determined burglar does get inside this is likely to send them packing. Again, stickers displaying that you have an alarm can act as a deterrent and put them off trying in the first place.

Utilize Smart Home

Smart home technology has really taken off, and investing in it is one of the best things you can do from a home security point of view. You can turn lights on and off remotely, giving the appearance that someone is home. If you're running late at work and it's getting dark, you can pop on the lights right from your phone. You could invest in a smart doorbell which has motion sensors, these send an alert to your smartphone if they are activated allowing you to see who is at your door. It is the ideal way to monitor your home while you’re not there.

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Invest in an Automatic Curtain Closer

Another cool piece of tech which can help you to keep your home safe is an automatic curtain rail. These can be programmed to a timer, some even have dusk/ dawn detectors based on light levels and will open automatically. This means if you're away on vacation or ever have to leave your home overnight, the curtains will open and close as they need to and give the appearance of your property being occupied. While most burglars are opportunistic, some will scope out houses first, if yours looks empty it's likely to be a target. The simple use of an automatic curtain rail, especially with timed lighting or smart lighting turning lamps on and off it will throw burglars well off the mark.

Try a TV Simulator

An alternative to using a TV on a timer switch would be to use a simulator- these will use much less energy. They come on automatically when it gets dark, there’s no wires or plugs so is completely hassle-free. They display flickering patterns of random light which mimic a real TV, but without the need to leave on energy consuming appliances. Especially when used in conjunction with other security measures it can be a really handy device, and could even be the difference between someone walking past your property or someone deciding it looks empty and trying to try and break in.

Dont Neglect The Garden

Often, burglars will use items from your own garden to break into your home. For this reason, tools, ladders and anything else that can make a burglar's life easier should be locked up securely in a shed or garage. You should make sure that shrubs and bushes are no taller than waist height, that way burglars don't have any cover when they're trying to get into your windows or doors. Install a floodlight too; that way they don't have the cover of darkness and that is likely to put many burglars off.

When is a Child Old Enough to Be Responsible for a Pet?

Having pets around the house is a great way to introduce your kids to animals, and how to love and care for them, at an early age. Having a family pet is a good place to start, but at some point, they will probably show interest in having their ‘own’ pet. Sites such as petsarethebest.net talk about the great reasons that pets in the home are good for your kids. But, when are your kids old enough to be responsible for them?

Newborns to Toddlers

At such a young age, your kids will still be learning about themselves, let alone taking care of another. At this age, you should make sure your family pet is introduced calmly to the children. You should not leave your pets and young children together unattended, as it is very easy for them to hurt each other by mistake, under the pretense of ‘playing’. It is important they build a positive relationship with each other and you can begin teaching your child about how pets need taking care of. If you already have a dog and are expecting a baby, you should also take care when introducing the baby. Dogs can get jealous too, so it’s important to make sure your dog does not feel pushed out by the new baby. Even the most gentle, loving animals, can become unpredictable when excited or jealous.

Three- to Six-Year-Olds

At this age, you can start getting your kids more involved with taking care of your pets. Do not expect them to take full responsibility for an animal, but letting them help you with certain tasks is a good way to start. Every child matures differently, but at around six-years-old, you can begin assigning small tasks. You should still be present, but let your child feel like this is their task. Feeding the pet at a certain time every day can help them to establish a positive routine and a feeling of responsibility. Gentle encouragement and reminders can reinforce your child’s positive attitude towards taking care of your pet and help them develop empathy towards animals.

Six- to Twelve-Year-Olds

By this point, you can give your kids small tasks to take care of, but keep in mind that you are the one responsible for the pet’s wellbeing. You can incorporate tasks into the daily routine, such as giving the dog dinner before your child sits down for dinner. This can work well as a reminder and mean you have the option to reinforce the importance of the task. If your child does not give the dog dinner, then your child misses out too. If your child is hungry, they can empathize with your pet, who will also be hungry. You can help them to understand things from the pet’s perspective, and how we must take care of our pets as they cannot take care of themselves.

The type of pet you choose will also come with different levels of difficulty. A small pet such as a goldfish, gerbil or guinea pig is a good option for a child that wants their ‘own’ pet. Whereas a puppy that requires training and walks will deliver different challenges. Whichever type of animal you have or choose, supervision is always important, to ensure your child and your pet’s safety. Your child and your pet will develop their own bond and an animal around the house is a great way to promote positivity towards animals. 

Check out this piece on reasons for annoying puppy noises and how to deal with them!

Reasons for Annoying Puppy Noises—and How to Deal with Them

A year ago I bought my girlfriend a puppy. It was supposed to be a gift that would bring us joy and fun—and it did.

But this particular puppy had a serious anxiety problem. Since we got him, he whined a lot for no apparent reason.

It drove me crazy!

Couples do fight over their dogs, and this was one of those times. The whining soon escalated to barking. Excessive barking!

So among very little peace and quiet, I decided to hit Google and do some research on what causes annoying puppy noises and what I can do to make them stop.

Here’s what I discovered.

Anxious Whining

The most common reason puppies whine is because they are anxious.

A lot of puppies get taken away from their mothers too soon. This leads to an ongoing anxiety that can last the dog’s entire lifetime.

If you suspect your puppy is anxious, you should ask yourself why that might be.

-          Is the puppy being hurt by some person or some pet in the house?

-          Was your puppy taken away from its mother too soon?

-          Does Your puppy need something? (Food, water, affection, etc.)

-          Are you home with your puppy often enough or is it feeling neglected?

There are several ways you can calm your puppy’s anxiety which we’ll discuss further down.

Excessive Barking

The first time any of my puppies barked I thought it was the cutest thing. But if that barking become excessing and uncontrollable, you could be set up with some problems down the line.

Deal with your puppy’s barking while it’s still young and your dog will learn when it is appropriate to bark.

Excited Whining

Puppies quickly learn your routine. They also learn when they can expect to be fed, walked or tucked into bed. Excited whining is also common in puppies when their owners come home after being out.

Some puppies can’t control their excitement and it soon turns to loud whining. This is another puppy sound that seems cute at first, but after a while it gets annoying.

Boredom

Puppies who feel constricted or away from the fun will usually whine. This annoying puppy noise is a natural instinct that helps the puppy’s mother find it if it’s lost.

But puppies will also whine if they feel they are excluded from—what they see as—the pack. If your puppy is bored, it’s probably craving some attention, playtime or exercise.

Now let’s talk about what you can do to mitigate annoying puppy sounds. It will take some patience, but it will help you understand your puppy better and even bond with them on a new level.

Reassurance

One of the most important things your puppy needs from you is security. To them, you are their new mother or father. You need to take care of them, and they need to be felt taken care of.

Always make a point of reassuring your puppy when they show signs of anxiety through whining or barking. Let them know everything is okay. Give them a treat to reinforce that feeling of safety if you must.

Exercise

I know we sometimes forget, but it’s important to go out and do stuff with our dogs. They’re cooped up all day, which must drive them as crazy as what barking drives us!

Taking your dog for regular walks or playing with them often will reduce anxiety and boredom in your puppy.

Positive Reinforcement

We’re quick to scold our dogs for misbehaving, but should remember to reward them when they’re being well behaved.

When your dog is quiet, reward it with a treat or a tummy rub. A few kind words will encourage your dog to continue in that behavior. 

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