Versatile Wax

Understanding Popular Lighting Tracks and Their Fixtures

Track lighting is rapidly becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. Not only are they good sources of light, but they are also quite versatile. The individual lamps, called fixtures or fixture heads, can be moved around the track to any desired location. They can also be swiveled in order to provide lighting to any particular area.

Track systems are especially good for rooms where various activities are carried out, or that have multiple items to be highlighted. Family rooms, dens, game rooms and bar areas are all accentuated by the versatile lighting of track units.

Once popular back in the 70s, they were soon considered to be bulky and obsolete by many consumers of that period because the fixtures were quite large and not too varied in design. However, their rise in popularity today is due mainly to the vast advancements in technology. Manufacturers are now creating much smaller fixtures, in various styles and that can house different types of bulbs. It's quite easy today to find the perfect track lighting system to fit into your particular decoration style.

If you are considering utilizing an older track currently in the home, make sure that the new fixtures you are interested in are compatible. Older units were exclusively two wire units, and most current track lighting systems are quickly converting to three wire units which include a grounding wire. You also will have an easier time finding replacement fixtures if you utilize a three wire system.

If you end up selecting a brand new track light system then your choices of style and fixtures will be greater. There are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of various styles and models to choose from in track lighting.

When shopping around, check the compatibility of the desired fixtures with the specific track systems to make sure you get what you want. Specific fixtures often don't work with certain tracks and vice versa. However, installing a new track system gives you much more flexibility in selecting what you want.

There is also a greater selection of fixtures that utilize various bulb choices. Not only are traditional incandescent bulbs still used, which was exclusively what the older units accepted, but there are now fixtures which house CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), halogen and low voltage bulbs as well. You can even get suspension fixtures for the low voltage bulbs in order to drop the light source closer to an area.

Understanding the use of track lighting systems and the various fixture heads used should help to select the perfect unit for a specific need and provide a great deal of pleasure for family and friends.

About the Author

Barry Wax of Brodwax Lighting offers a variety of lighting fixtures, including LED under cabinet lighting. Please visit Brodwax Lighting online today. www.Brodwax.com

Weber Q320 Gas Grill Provides 5 Star Grilling Experience

The Weber Q320 Gas Grill (like the the Q300) is a superbly engineered gas grill and constructed of the same top quality materials used for the Q300, but with some extra and useful features. The various componenets of the grill are manufactured from glass reinforced nylon, a cast aluminium lid & body, durable thermoplastic and then the most critical component from heavy duty porcelain-enameled cast iron....where the steaks will be grilled. Although the Q320 is very similar to the Q300, it does have some useful extra features that are worth paying a bit extra for. The additional features of the Q320 include a bigger total cooking area, an electronic ignition, a handle light and a warming rack.

The cast iron grates provide for brilliant and effortless grilling. There are some other useful and impressive features, but it’s the heavy duty porcelain-enameled cast iron grates that makes this grill superb quality and an absolute joy to cook on.The slats on the grate are wider, flatter and spaced a little closer together so that you can even grill fish & veggies without the use of other equipment. The Weber Q320 sears steaks wonderfully and with 393 square inches of primary cooking area that provide great and even heat distribution (no hot or cold spots), you’ll have enough surface space to easily grill for 6-8 people. With a 69 square inch warming rack also included you end up with a total cooking area of 462 square inches.

Two Stainless Steel Burners deliver maximum heat and are responsible for heating up the grate to cook fast and effortlessly. The burners light up extemely easily thanks to the electrnic ignition. Just turn on the gas, push the button and click click you’re in business. Before you know it the grill would have heated up to between 500 - 600 degrees F (5 - 10 minutes). The temperature can be monitored with the built-in thermometer which is placed on the lid, so you’ll know exactly when to start grilling those steaks. With one burner down the center and the other around the perimeter indirect cooking is as easy as a knife through hot butter. Just leave the center burner off and you’re able to cook a delicious whole chicken with some indirect heat.

The Q320 Gas Grill comes with a 20lb hose and regulator for connecting to a 20-LP tank (tank not included). The stationary cart, which is supplied with the Q320, has a tank screen that keeps the tank discreetly out of view. The cart is not fully stationary as it has two wheels for relatively easy mobility around the back yard. Gas bottle installation couldn't be easier thanks to some clever engineering - place the bottle on the bottom rack of the cart, turn until locked into place and you’re done. The cart and grill can be detached from each other by merely removing a few bolts if you wish to use the grill at a remote destination. The Q320 comes with a functional and elegant looking collapsible shelf system (one on each side). The shelves are great for keeping any grilling requirements like your grill tools close by and when folded up for storage ensures the Q320 has a small footprint in your back yard. The addition of a automatic BBQ light that turns on and off when the lid is opened or closed was a great idea and very useful – no more need for those torches. Another feature that definitely deserves a mention is that Weber Grills under go testing for extreme weather conditions – from humidity to bitter cold to salt water conditions. All to ensure the grill will hold up against the harshest conditions.

Cleaning the Weber Q320 is actually easy when considering the effort required to clean most grills. Heat up your grill and when the temperature reaches 600 degrees F it pretty much becomes self cleaning. Once cooled the grate can be scraped with a bronze-bristle brush. The grates can also easily be removed (once cooled of course)  and cleaned with some hot soapy water (mild dish washing liquid)  and a bit of scrubbing if you wish to. This type of cleaning (burn-off / soapy water) will however require the grill to be seasoned again. The drip pan is easily accessible at the bottom of the grill itself – where all the drippings collect.

The Weber Q320 Gas Grill is perfect for anyone who requires:
(a) A grill for smaller entertainment area’s.
(b) A good value for money grill that will last (Weber is synonymous with Grilling and Quality).
(c) A grill that can accommodate 6 – 8 people but is still portable.
(d) A compact grill that isn’t too small, but also not big enough to cook for an army.
(e) A grill that can prepare any meal whether with direct or indirect cooking.

FEATURES:
- 393 Square Inch Primary Cooking Area
- 69 Square Inch Warming Rack
- Total: 462 Square Inch Cooking Area (Primary Cooking Area + Warming Rack)
- 2 Porcelain-Enameled Cast-Iron Cooking Grates
- 2 Stainless Steel Burners
- Infinite Control Burner Valves
- 21 700 BTU-Per-Hour Input
- Electronic Ignition (Who needs matches or a lighter?)
- Stationary Cart
- Cast Aluminum Lid & Body with Drip Ducts
- Glass Reinforced Nylon Frame
- Tall Lid Profile with Built-in Thermometer
- 1 Grill Out Handle Light
- Removable Catch Pan
- 2 Removable Folding Work Tables
- Heat Resistant Lid Handle
- Tool Holders
- Weber Q Recipe Booklet
- Limited Warranty

Weber Q320 Limited Warranty:
Weber offer a limited warranty on different parts of the grill:
> 5 Years on the Aluminum Castings with 2 years on the paint (excluding fading or discoloration)
> 5 Years on the Thermoplastic Parts (excluding fading)
> 2 Years on the Stationary Cart
> 2 Years on all Remaining Parts

CONS:
As with the Q300 there are also very few complaints about the Weber Q320. Some of these are hardly worth mentioning as they are obviously just operator errors or goods being damaged while transported, but we will note these complaints non the less. The complaints ranged from flare ups after replacing burners to damaged parts upon receiving the grill. Even though flare ups are common in grilling it's hardly ever mentioned in any of the customer reviews. In actual fact there are more mention of no flare ups than the other way around suggesting Weber is one up over their competitors in this department. Weber ensures the grill parts are extremely well packed with plenty of padding to protect the grills from damages. Unfortunately though the world of transport is not perfect and sometimes unavoidable mishaps occur when goods are in transit. Although there are a few reviews claiming customers received damaged parts, most customers were over the moon with how their online order was handled including shipping. If you are very unlucky and end up receiving a damaged part then just get on the phone to Weber and they will replace it in no time. Their customer service and product support is excellent and unbeatable.

ADVICE & TIPS:
(1) Heat up the grill for about 5-10 minutes with the lid closed before you start cooking. Once sufficiently heated up, you can just drop the heat when you start cooking.
(2) Investing in a vinyl cover is a good idea - it will protect the grill from dust, debris, discoloration etc and prolong the life of your Weber for many a year. (Weber 6553 Premium Vinyl Cover fits perfectly).
(3) Wait a few seconds after turning on the burners before pushing the electronic ignition button.
(4) Wash the protective wax coating off the grate with a bit of mild dish washing liquid before your first grill otherwise your food might taste a bit funny as a result of the coating.
(5) Seasoning the grill before it’s first use is a good idea and recommended. Apply a thin coat of solid vegetable shortening over the entire grill. Preheat grill for 15 minutes and then place grates in the grill. Now turn burners to Medium-Off-Medium with lid closed. Allow grill to heat grates for 1 to 1.5 hours and turn all burners off. The grill now needs to cool with the grates inside. Seasoning is not a must, but recommended and will just provide even better performance.
(6) Get a tank with a pressure gauge on – it takes the guess work out of trying to figure out how much gas you have left.
(7) You will need some AAA batteries for the light as well as the electric starter – these are not included with the grill.

CONCLUSION:
Overall the Weber Q320 Grill is a fantastic, functional, versatile and high quality grill that has brilliant and even heat distribution that will allow you to prepare just about any delicious meal you can think of. Add to this that it’s easy to clean, durable, reknowned Weber quality, the perfect size for a small family or large enough to entertain, and you just about have the perfect grill. The Q320 is the result when the engineering department and the sales department work together – a high quality, functional gas grill that cooks as well as what it is visually appealing with features that are more than just gimmicks. All these brilliant features and more than 9/10 customers absolutely loving the Q320, makes recommending it to anyone (in the market for this size grill) an absolute must!

BUYING OPTIONS:
Love this grill and want to know where you can buy a Weber Q320 Gas Grill online with peace of mind? Just click on the following link - Weber Q320 - or any of the links in the article and you will be directed to the review page for the Q320 at Smokin Hot Gas Grills.com. There you will find images for the Q320 as well as buying details for the online retailer. They offer:
> Secure Online Shopping (secured by McAfee and VeriSign for Secure and Confidential transactions)
> FREE Shipping
> HOT Prices (& Price Match Guarantee)
> NO Sales Tax

Questions on pastel pencils, wax colour pencil and watercolor pencil?

I am looking to invest in some colored pencils... People recommend me Derwent pastel pencils, prismacolor pencils and Faber Castell aquarelle.. The thing is I want a versatile tool. I do portraits and still life images most of the time. I want colour pencils that are hard enough tho capture detail and vibrant.. So which do recommend? What are the difference between all three?

I suggest buying a FEW of all three types of pencils to see which one you like. If you are looking for pencils that are hard enough and can capture detail, then colored pencils is probably the medium you will like, so go ahead and try Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. Wax based colored pencils will leave behind a wax bloom, so simply use a spray art fixative to prevent it. Pastel pencils are similiar to pastel techniques, plus you will have to blow away particles on your paper that pastel can leave behind. Watercolor pencils are similiar to watercolor techniques, you will need to use a paintbrush and water.

COLORED PENCILS:
Caran Dache Luminance - wax base
Caran Dache Pablo - oil base, soft lead
Derwent Artists - wax base, medium hard lead
Derwent Studio - wax base, hard lead
Derwent Coloursoft - wax base, soft lead
Faber Castell Polychromos - oil base, soft lead
Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor - oil base, soft lead
Prismacolor Premier - wax base, soft lead
Prismacolor Verithin - wax base, hard lead

Stonehenge Paper is excellent for colored pencil drawings. Prismacolor Colorless Blender looks like a pencil. It blends colored pencils for a smooth blended look and it can soften hard edges. Buy art supplies at Dick Blick Art Materials website.

Armor All Wash and Wax Detailer: The Versatile Touch-Up Tool