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Best Small Two-Burner Stove: Coleman Camping Stove Whether you’re cooking in cold weather or at high altitudes, this camp stove features controls that offer consistent cooking performance. The stove also comes with side panels that keep wind from putting out its flames. However, these panels are removable if you need to accommodate larger pots and pans. Key Features Has two burners Produces 22,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat total Uses propane gas Weighs 10 pounds Has a three-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Customers appreciated the simplicity and light weight of this camp stove....

Top 5 E-Readers This Kindle has a flush-front and glare-free display that reduces eye strain to make reading on it more enjoyable. Available in multiple colors and storage size options, this device can hold tens of thousands of books, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, comic books, and more at once. Key Features Eight- or 32-gigabyte storage size options Available with or without ads Four color options Available without or without Kindle Unlimited Waterproof body Six-inch display Compatible with Audible One-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Those who were happy with this product said that it was made from stable materials, had an easy-to-use touchscreen, and could be easily taken with them....

Steps for Tightening a Newel Post: Start by identifying structural parts of the stair that could be used to attach additional fasteners from the railing to the stairs. The stringer is usually at least an inch thick on the edges of the stairs. Look for nail holes in the treads to help find it. Plumb up the newel post by holding a level up to the side. Once it’s in the correct position, use a 2x4 or other piece of scrap wood against the wall and the post to hold it in that position....

It’s not every day you purchase a new mattress, which can make it that much more difficult when you do finally take the plunge and get yourself a new bed. We love to have options, and this Brooklyn Bedding mattress review is a great place to start to help narrow down your choices. With several hybrid mattresses that come in multiple firmness levels, and even a few beds that are eco-friendly and designed for plus-size sleepers, this mattress company has worked hard to create a line of high-quality mattresses that has something for everyone....

Landscaping contractor Jenn Nawada heads to a local greenhouse to talk about succulents with the greenhouse manager. After discussing what makes these plants so popular, the two discuss the different varieties, which are beginner-friendly, and how much water each plant needs. Why Are Succulents Growing in Popularity? Succulents are becoming very popular. They’re gracing window sills across the globe, and since they’re low maintenance, colorful, and affordable, it’s no wonder so many folks are flocking to them....

In This Guide: Types of Generators | How Much Power Do You Need? | How To Operate a Generator Safely | What Is a Transfer Switch? | Types of Fuel | How Much Should You Spend? | Differences Between AC and DC | Other Key Features Whether you are a homeowner preparing for potential blackouts or need to power your devices while camping, RVing or tailgating, having a generator on hand is essential....

A frame is the skeleton of a house. If the frame is strong, it provides the necessary support for everything that follows. But if it’s weak, no amount of expensive finishes will hide the flaws: Those perfectly plastered walls will begin to crack every time a door slams, the granite countertops will gradually fall out of level, and the quartersawn oak floors will bounce and squeak like a rusty spring....

Whether you’re installing a brand new deck or shoring up an old one, the trick to attaching a deck that will last for decades is in making sure the wood you use is decay resistant, and the ledger board that carries the supporting floor joists is properly anchored to the house. Using nails instead of bolts is a frighteningly common mistake that can result in a deck collapse that causes serious injuries....

Steps for Building a Swing Set Measure and mark the locations of the holes for all the swing set accessories across the top beam of the swing set. Drill holes all the way through the beam on the marks. It’s important to keep the holes straight, so use a speed square to guide the drill bit. Flip the beam over and insert the T-nuts that come with the playset kit with a hammer....

Smart doorbells have come a long way since they first became available almost a decade ago. Current models have better resolution, better speeds, wider viewing capabilities, and more features than what was previously available. Are you considering adding a smart doorbell to your home? Watch This Old House Home Technology Expert Ross Trethewey talk about what you should consider before purchasing a new smart doorbell. Smart Home Doorbell Features There are a lot of smart home doorbells available today, but most of them offer the same features:...

If you’ve noticed the cost of new appliances, countertops, and cabinets, it’s no surprise that renovating a kitchen is one of the most expensive remodeling projects. While few homeowners find ways to boost the look of a dated refrigerator or tired granite, transforming a kitchen by freshening the cabinets that make up most of the room’s visual space is entirely within reach. But there’s more to the job than buying a gallon of your favorite color....

There are two ways to go about removing grout: with an electric-powered tool, or with a manual tool and a lot of determination. We’ll go over both methods below. Removing Grout Manually If you’d rather not purchase a power tool, the pointed metal tip of a traditional, lever-type can opener (also called a church key opener) works just as well, albeit with more time and effort. Draw the point repeatedly along the joint to scrape out the hardened grout....

Compare the Best Camping Cots Best Padded Cot: Coleman Camping Cot and Air Mattress Combo Best Basic Cot: Coleman Trailhead Cot Best Large Cot: TETON Sports Camping Cot Best Angled Cot: ‎ARAER Camping Cot Best Bunk-Bed Cot: Kid-O-Bunk Children’s Camping Bed Best Padded Cot: Coleman Camping Cot and Air Mattress Combo Pros and Cons ✔ Includes an air pump to blow up the mattress✔ Comes with a carrying bag✔ Has built-in mini tables with cup holders on each side...

Top 5 Steam Cleaners Best Mop Head: Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop Best Design: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Best Medium-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner Best Heavy-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner Most Versatile: PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner Best Mop Head: Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop This mop cleaner features a three-setting intelligent steam blaster that sprays steam directly on tough messes....

Top 5 Trash Cans Best Overall: Simplehuman Kitchen Trash Can This 13-gallon trash can has a semi-round shape and flat rear for easy placement in your room. This model also comes with a strong steel pedal and a silent-close lid for easy operation. Additionally, this trash can features a slide lock to help you keep pets and children from accessing its contents. Key Features Has a 13-gallon capacity Protected by a five-year limited warranty Weighs seven pounds Built with heavy-duty plastic What Customers Are Saying Many customers praised the trash can’s sturdy lid, which some reviewers stated was inaccessible to their curious and stubborn dogs....

Top 5 Weighted Blankets Best Medium Weight: Quility Weighted Blanket Best Value: Qusleep Cooling Weighted Blanket Best Fuzzy Blanket: Wemore Shaggy Long Fur Faux Fur Weighted Blanket Most Breathable: Baloo Soft Weighted Blanket Most Color Options: YnM Knitted Weighted Blanket Best Medium Weight: Quility Weighted Blanket Designed with comfort in mind, the Quility Weighted Blanket is perfect for reading in bed or watching TV. It has an even weight distribution created by quilted sections filled with micro-glass beads....

The best metal cutting tool depends largely on the type of metal being cut, the quantity, and also on your experience level. A few cuts here and there require a much different tool from, say, the bulk cutting of corrugated sheet metal for a new roof. Take Safety Precautions Cutting metal is a dangerous job. Once the cutting tool touches the metal, hot, sharp fragments will get thrown into the air and could cut or burn you....

What do you do with the area under your deck? Nothing will grow there, except for a few weeds. Some people keep the area covered with mulch, so it isn’t a muddy mess, then they forget about it. Wouldn’t it be nice to make that space useful? Well, what about making the space into a storage area for your stuff? If the ground under your deck is relatively level and at least five feet between the ground and the deck floor joists, then converting the area under the deck into storage space is a project worth considering....

Picking out paint colors can be a confusing experience, leaving you racked with indecision as you peruse swatches from paint companies intent on re-creating all of the 7 million colors distinguishable to the human eye. Color Wheel Guide Trying to figure out which of those colors will mix harmoniously on your living room wall is enough to make you turn straight to the ecru- and eggshell-white family and never leave....

This article appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Has more time at home given you ambitions for upgrading your surroundings? Maybe you’re yearning for a “sanity shed” where you can take undisturbed work calls in the backyard. Or you have visions of a family room refresh that also creates space for a family study hall. Ways to Pay for a Home Remodel Once you’ve talked to contractors and worked up a remodeling budget—with room for unexpected expenses, of course—the next step is finding the funds....