Buying Guides & Expert Advice

Fireplaces

Direct vent gas fireplaces, inserts, gas logs, troubleshooting and the venting rules that decide what you can install.

FireplacesDirect Vent Gas Fireplace Buying Guide: Sizing, Venting, Heat Output and What to Look ForHow to choose a direct vent gas fireplace: sealed combustion, wall vs. roof venting and run limits, BTU sizing, linear vs. traditional, glass barriers, ignition, and NYC rules.Read the guide →FireplacesGas Insert vs. New Direct Vent Fireplace: Which Is Right for Your Home?Have an old masonry wood fireplace? Compare a gas insert with a co-linear liner, a new direct vent fireplace, and vented gas logs: cost drivers, heat, look, chimney condition and NYC rules.Read the guide →FireplacesGas Log Set Buying Guide: Vented vs. Vent-Free, Sizing and Ignition OptionsHow to measure a wood fireplace for gas logs, choose vented or vent-free (vent-free is prohibited in NYC), pick an ignition system, and compare Real Fyre, Napoleon and Hargrove sets.Read the guide →FireplacesGas vs. Electric Fireplace: Heat, Cost to Run, Installation and Realism ComparedDirect vent gas vs. electric side by side: BTU output, running cost math, venting and permits, flame realism, hot glass vs. cool glass, resale, and which one fits a Manhattan condo, Queens two-family, LI colonial or Westchester reno.Read the guide →FireplacesHow to Measure a Fireplace Opening for a Gas Insert or Log SetThe five firebox measurements, plus hearth, mantel, damper and chimney numbers, with real minimum openings from Majestic, Napoleon, Kozy Heat, Kingsman and Real Fyre manuals.Read the guide →FireplacesLinear vs. Traditional Fireplace: Which Style Fits Your Home?Linear or traditional? A showroom pro's comparison of proportions, mounting height, media, heat, TV placement and finishing for gas and electric fireplaces.Read the guide →FireplacesNapoleon vs Majestic Gas Fireplaces: Which Is Better?A model by model comparison of Napoleon and Majestic gas fireplaces: lineups, heat, flame and media, glass, IntelliFire Touch vs eFIRE controls, venting, warranty and price positioning.Read the guide →FireplacesVent-Free vs. Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces: Differences, Safety and Where Each Is AllowedHow direct vent and vent-free gas fireplaces work, real efficiency numbers, moisture and air quality, BTU caps, and why NYC homeowners must choose direct vent.Read the guide →FireplacesWhy Won't My Gas Fireplace Light? Pilot, IPI, Blower Noise and Glass Haze ExplainedA symptom by symptom guide to gas fireplace problems: standing pilot vs IPI, remotes, blower noise, cloudy glass, first-burn odor, soot and power outages, with clear call-a-technician lines.Read the guide →

Electric & Water Vapor

No-vent fireplaces for apartments, media walls and renovations: electric, water vapor and ethanol, including EcoSmart.

Electric & Water VaporElectric Fireplace Buying Guide: Types, Sizes, Heat Output and Features That MatterWall mounted, recessed linear, inserts, log sets, water vapor: what each type does, how much heat a 120V or 240V unit really gives, how to size and frame it, and why electric is the easy fireplace for NYC co-ops.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporBest Fireplace Under a TV: What Works, What Does Not, and How to Do It SafelyWhich fireplaces can sit under a TV without cooking it: front-discharge electric, water vapor, and direct vent gas with heat management, with manual clearances, mounting heights, wiring and NYC co-op rules.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporDo Electric Fireplaces Actually Heat a Room? Heating vs. Decorative Use ExplainedThe math on electric fireplace heat: 1,500 W plug-in units (about 5,100 BTU, 400 sq ft) vs. 240 V hardwired models up to 10,000 BTU, cost per hour, circuits, thermostats and when gas wins.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporElectric Fireplace Not Working? Troubleshooting Dimplex, Modern Flames, Napoleon and AmantiiNo heat, no flame, a remote that won't pair or a breaker that keeps tripping? Brand-by-brand resets, error codes and safety limits for Dimplex, Modern Flames, Napoleon and Amantii.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporEthanol Fireplace Buying Guide: How They Work, Safety, Burn Times and Ethanol vs. ElectricHow bioethanol fireplaces work, real BTU and burn time numbers, ventilation and room size rules, refueling safety, NYC co-op and FDNY considerations, and a straight ethanol vs electric comparison.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporFireplace Mantels and Media Walls: Sizing, Clearances and Materials That WorkHow to choose and size a fireplace mantel, read the manufacturer clearance chart, pick wood vs. cast stone, and build a TV media wall with proper heat management and a recessed niche.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporHow Much Does an Electric Fireplace Cost to Run Per Hour and Per Month?At New York's 29.5 cent average rate, a 1,500 W electric fireplace costs about 44 cents an hour on high and under a penny with heat off. Per hour and per month math, 240 V, and gas compared.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporWater Vapor Fireplace Buying Guide: How Mist Fireplaces Work, Plumbing, Maintenance and Best ModelsHow ultrasonic mist fireplaces work, which water to use, reservoir vs. plumbed lines, humidity, heat options, multi-unit runs, cleaning schedules and the best Dimplex, NetZero and Aquafire models.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporWater Vapor vs. Electric Fireplaces: Which Should You Choose?Water vapor and conventional electric fireplaces both avoid combustion, but they differ in flame realism, heat, installation, maintenance and price. Compare Dimplex Opti-Myst, NetZero and electric options.Read the guide →Electric & Water VaporWhich EcoSmart Burner Do I Need? XL vs AB vs BK vs Flex, Burn Times and e-NRG FuelA burner selector for the full EcoSmart lineup: which XL, AB or BK burner fits your opening, burn time per fill, e-NRG fuel use per hour, clearances, refueling safety and NYC approvals.Read the guide →

Grills

Built-in and freestanding gas grills, sizing, burners, stainless grades, costs and brand comparisons.

GrillsBuilt-In Gas Grill Buying Guide: Size, Burners, Materials and What Separates a Premium GrillHow to choose a built-in gas grill for an outdoor kitchen: width, cutout planning, burner types, 304 vs 430 stainless for salt air, gas type, insulated jackets and warranties.Read the guide →Grills304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel Grills: Does Marine Grade Matter Near the Coast?304 vs. 316 vs. 430 stainless explained for grill buyers: the magnet test, tea staining, which brands offer 316 marine grade, when it is worth it near Long Island, Jersey Shore and Florida water, care and warranty.Read the guide →Grills36-Inch vs. 42-Inch Built-In Grill: Which Size Should You Buy?Real cooking area, burner counts, cutouts, rotisserie capacity and gas demand for 36 and 42 inch built-in grills from Twin Eagles, Lynx, Hestan, Fire Magic, Summerset and XO, plus who should buy which.Read the guide →GrillsBlaze vs. Summerset: Which Value Premium Grill Is Better?Blaze Prelude, LTE+ and LUX versus Summerset Sizzler, Sizzler Pro and TRL Pro: stainless grades, BTU, grates, briquettes, rotisserie, verified warranty terms, accessories and value.Read the guide →GrillsBuilt-In vs. Freestanding Grill: Which Should You Buy?Built-in or freestanding? How permanence, cost, gas line vs propane, NYC fire code, small yards and rooftops decide it, and how to buy a cart grill you can build in later.Read the guide →GrillsHestan vs. Lynx: Two California Luxury Grills ComparedHestan Trellis burners, DiamondCut grates and 12 colors versus Lynx Trident infrared, ceramic burners and the 54 inch Professional: searing, heat control, rotisserie, build, lighting, suites and warranty.Read the guide →GrillsHestan vs. Twin Eagles: Which Luxury Grill Should You Choose?Compare Hestan and Twin Eagles luxury built-in grills by burners, searing, rotisserie capacity, hexagonal vs DiamondCut grates, color options and Eagle One lighting, with verified specs.Read the guide →GrillsHow Many BTUs Does a Gas Grill Need? Why BTU per Square Inch Beats Total BTUTotal BTU is mostly marketing. Divide main-burner BTU by primary grate area, aim for 80 to 100 per square inch, and judge burners, briquettes and hood. Real numbers from Blaze, Fire Magic, Lynx, Hestan and Twin Eagles.Read the guide →GrillsHow Much Does a Built-In Grill Cost? Price Tiers, What Drives the Price and Where to SpendTypical 2026 price ranges for built-in gas grills by tier and width, from Blaze and Summerset to Hestan and Twin Eagles, plus the jacket, island, doors and gas line costs most people forget.Read the guide →GrillsInfrared vs. Traditional Grill Burners (and Cast Stainless vs. Tube Burners): What Actually MattersHow infrared sear zones differ from conventional burners, verified BTU and temperature figures by brand, cast vs tube vs ceramic burners, briquettes vs flame tamers, and which hybrid grills to buy.Read the guide →GrillsNatural Gas vs. Propane Grill: Cost, Convenience, Conversion and NYC RulesWhy NG and LP grills differ, which costs less to run, how a natural gas line gets installed in NYC, which brands allow conversion, and the FDNY propane limits for apartments and houses.Read the guide →GrillsTwin Eagles vs. Blaze: Premium vs. Value Built-In Grills ComparedAn honest tiered comparison of Twin Eagles and Blaze built-in gas grills: construction, burners and BTU, grates, rotisserie, ignition, lighting, warranty terms and who each brand suits.Read the guide →GrillsTwin Eagles vs. Delta Heat: Same Company, Two Grill Tiers ComparedTwin Eagles and Delta Heat are Dometic sister brands built in California. We compare 304 construction, 25,000 BTU vs U-burners, hex grates, rotisserie, lighting, sizes and warranties so you can pick the right tier.Read the guide →GrillsWhat Size Grill Do You Need? 30 vs. 36 vs. 42-Inch Grills ExplainedStated width is not cooking area. We compare primary grate, burners, BTU, rotisserie capacity and island cutouts by size class, with manufacturer numbers from Blaze, Fire Magic, Lynx and more.Read the guide →

Pizza Ovens

Wood, gas and hybrid ovens from Alfa, Gozney and the grill brands, and which one fits your patio.

Pizza OvensOutdoor Pizza Oven Buying Guide: Wood vs. Gas vs. Hybrid, Sizes and What Actually MattersHow to choose an outdoor pizza oven: wood, gas or hybrid, dome vs box, floor material, insulation, pizza size, weight, natural gas vs propane in NYC, placement and what owners complain about.Read the guide →Pizza OvensAlfa vs. Gozney: Italian Refractory Ovens vs. British Design, ComparedAlfa vs Gozney pizza ovens compared: capacity, brick vs cordierite floors, preheat and max temp, fuel flexibility, weight, warranty, looks and accessories, with our picks for families and design-led patios.Read the guide →Pizza OvensGas vs. Wood-Fired Pizza Oven: Flavor, Convenience, Heat and Which to BuyGas vs wood vs hybrid pizza ovens compared honestly: what wood really adds to flavor, verified preheat times, recovery, fuel cost, smoke and NYC propane rules, built-in options and our picks.Read the guide →Pizza OvensGozney Dome vs. Arc vs. Roccbox: Which Gozney Pizza Oven Should You Buy?Every current Gozney oven compared: Roccbox, Tread, Arc Lite, Arc, Arc XL, Dome Gen 2 and Dome XL Gen 2. Fuel, pizza size, stone, weight, preheat, natural gas, stands, accessories and owner reviews.Read the guide →

Outdoor Kitchens

Planning, budgets, cabinetry, refrigeration, side burners and ventilation.

Outdoor KitchensHow to Plan an Outdoor Kitchen: Layout, Appliances, Utilities and Mistakes to AvoidA planning guide from the crew that designs and installs outdoor kitchens across NYC and Long Island: layouts, landing space, the appliance list, gas and electric, island construction, and NYC permit rules.Read the guide →Outdoor KitchensDo You Need a Vent Hood Over an Outdoor Grill? Covered Patios, Pergolas and CodeWhen a covered patio, pergola or porch grill needs a vent hood, what Blaze, Lynx, Hestan and Twin Eagles manuals require, CFM and width sizing, mounting height, ducting, and what NYC inspectors ask.Read the guide →Outdoor KitchensHow Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost? Realistic Budgets by Tier (2026)Typical 2026 outdoor kitchen budgets in four tiers, from a prefab island to a luxury build with pizza oven and pergola, built from current store prices and national cost surveys, with NYC and Long Island factors.Read the guide →Outdoor KitchensOutdoor Refrigerator, Beverage Center and Ice Maker Buying Guide: What "Outdoor Rated" Really MeansWhat UL outdoor rating, ambient temperature range, 304 stainless and front venting mean for an island fridge, plus how to pick a beverage center, wine cooler, ice maker or kegerator and winterize it in New York.Read the guide →Outdoor KitchensSide Burners, Power Burners and Griddles: Which Outdoor Cooking Add-Ons Are Worth It?Single vs double side burners, 60,000 to 70,000 BTU power burners, sear stations and 30 to 40 inch built in griddles: real specs, gas line sizing, island placement and who actually uses which.Read the guide →Outdoor KitchensStainless Steel vs. Aluminum Outdoor Kitchen Cabinetry: Durability, Cost and ClimatePowder-coated aluminum, 304 or 316 stainless, or a masonry island with stainless doors: how each handles salt air, NYC winters and Florida sun, plus weight, color, cost and lead times.Read the guide →

Outdoor Heating & Fire

Fire pits, fire tables, outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters for New York seasons.

Outdoor Heating & FireGas Fire Pit and Fire Table Buying Guide: Burners, BTU, Media, Ignition and InstallationHow to choose a gas fire pit or fire table: formats, GFRC vs steel, natural gas vs propane, BTU, ignition safety, brass vs stainless burners, media, ventilation, decks, and NYC propane rules.Read the guide →Outdoor Heating & FireBest Patio Heater for a Covered Patio or Pergola: Electric vs. Gas, Mounting and ClearancesWhy electric infrared wins under a roof, Bromic and Infratech mounting heights and clearances, coverage per heater, recess kits, 240V wiring, controls, pergola materials and a 12 by 16 foot sizing example.Read the guide →Outdoor Heating & FireBromic vs. Infratech: Which Electric Patio Heater Brand Is Better?Bromic Platinum, Tungsten and Eclipse compared with Infratech W, WD, C, CD and Slimline heaters on heat output, glare, stainless grade, mounting, controls and warranty, with picks for NYC terraces.Read the guide →Outdoor Heating & FireOutdoor Fireplace Buying Guide: Gas vs. Wood, Linear vs. Traditional, and What to Plan ForHow to choose an outdoor fireplace for a NYC, Long Island, NJ or Florida patio: gas vs. wood vs. electric, linear vs. traditional, clearances, gas line sizing, propane rules, and salt air materials.Read the guide →Outdoor Heating & FirePatio Heater Buying Guide: Electric vs. Gas, Bromic vs. Infratech, Mounting and CoverageHow to choose an infrared patio heater: electric vs gas, Bromic vs Infratech, coverage per heater, mounting height, 240V wiring, controls, clearances, NYC propane rules and coastal corrosion.Read the guide →

Design & Installation

NYC codes, permits, installed costs and what is legal in your apartment, brownstone or house.

Design & InstallationNYC Fireplace Code Guide: What's Legal in Your Apartment, Condo, or BrownstoneA practical, fact-checked guide to NYC fireplace rules: which codes apply, why vent-free gas is out, the 2023 New York State gas fireplace standard, permits, and the right fire feature for each building type.Read the guide →Design & InstallationAre Wood-Burning Fireplaces Legal in NYC? The Ban, the Grandfather Rule, and Your OptionsNYC stopped permitting new wood-burning fireplaces under Local Law 38 of 2015, effective May 2016. Existing ones are grandfathered. What the law says, what you can still install, and how to convert.Read the guide →Design & InstallationHow Much Does a Gas Fireplace Cost Installed in NYC and Long Island?Typical 2026 ranges for a gas fireplace project in NYC and Long Island: the unit, venting, gas line, mantel and finish, and permits, with what drives each line item.Read the guide →Design & InstallationWhat Is the Best Fireplace for a NYC Apartment or Co-op?The best fireplace for a NYC apartment by building type: what the city allows, what boards approve, electrical needs, delivery logistics and the electric, water vapor, ethanol and gas models we recommend.Read the guide →

Talk to a specialist

Still not sure which product is right for your home?

Our team can compare models, review venting, gas and electrical requirements, and design the fireplace or outdoor kitchen around your space. Consultations are free and we install and service everything we sell.

Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens.