Under no circumstances should you use gasoline to ignite a grill. I wanted to make sure that part was plainly clear before going any further with this article. However, intrepid reader Carol Marcus wrote in and asked this very question.

With autumn here and an army of fire pits being deployed nationwide, I thought I’d take a moment to make sure folks have the information they need to store their firewood properly. This is very important — wood can ruin in as little as one season, leaving you with a pile of rotten, smoke-inducing, and …

One of the biggest annoyances in summertime is all of the flying insects. Flies, gnats, mosquitos, and wasps can all be annoying to humans, but at least we can swat them away with our hands. Unfortunately, with their paws dogs aren’t so lucky. Sure, their tails can protect them a bit, but that just isn’t …

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — outdoor rugs make almost any area look better and more alive. But can you use them around a fire pit? The answer is relatively simple. It depends entirely on the rug in question! While you can place some outdoor rugs underneath a wooden fire pit, …

It doesn’t matter what type of ants are around your home, you simply want them gone. Whether the ants are inside or building mounds in the yard, you’re probably searching for ways to repel them. Well, you’re in luck. You can get rid of ants permanently using either natural or chemical methods, and I’m going …

Sunrooms and enclosed porches both add fantastic ambiance and utility to any house. They both offer a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy the feeling of being “outside” into the winter months. In fact, they’re extremely alike! But what are the differences between sunrooms and enclosed porches? If you were to build a new addition to …

Fire pit spark screens really are the unsung heroes of outdoor accessories. If you have pets or children, or live in an area where wildfires are common, their usefulness cannot be overstated. Even if you don’t have pets or children, they still keep those popping, burning embers inside the fire pit and out of the …

Propane torches are typically used to weld metal objects together. Plumbers and other craftsmen use them frequently as portable tools that are convenient to bring along. I find myself reaching for them often when getting rid of pesky weeds or even cooking something! However, the torch’s convenience reduces substantially when it stops working as it …

In some areas of the world, lizards are wild desert animals or a part of rainforest wildlife. However, many of us know what it is like to spot these creatures crawling around in our outdoor spaces, perhaps right on your own patio. Since you’re here, I’m guessing this describes you! So, what can you do …

You know what’s really close to my patio? My driveway. And I expect this is a common setup for the vast majority of people. It was certainly true for reader John Huckabee, who wrote in with the following question: “Hey Captain, my wife and I are going camping soon and we were wondering about using …