fire extinguisher

What You Need to Know About Fire Extinguishers

When fire strikes, a portable fire extinguisher is usually the fire line of defense. They are crucial for saving lives and containing small fires. Even though they play a vital role, they have their limitations. The fire extinguishers we have in our homes and offices do not put out large fires. They only offer help until the fire department arrives. However, even when combating small fires, they are only effective when used as per instructions. Because of the rate at which fire spreads, your priority should be to safeguard the safety of the people.

In this article, we highlight safety tips to observe when using a fire extinguisher. Here is what you need to know:

The Type of Extinguishers

ExtinguishersThere are different classes of fires that require specific extinguishers. The extinguishers are labeled with distinctive signs that show the fire they put out. For example:
i. Class A is for ordinary materials like timber, rubber, and synthetic materials.
ii. Class B is are for fires caused by combustible liquids like kerosene, grease, and paint.
iii. Class C is for fires involving electric appliances.
There are ABC fire extinguishers that are multipurpose.
Common in most households, they can be suitable across all classes fires.

Where to Fit a Fire Extinguisher

The location of the fire extinguisher can help in saving lives and prevent property damage. It will help if you fit it in a place that is easily accessible to everyone. At home, areas like the kitchen, stairwell, garage, and near exits are excellent locations. Keep it out of children’s reach. In organizations, it is advisable to place it in a position clear to all employees.

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Compact fire extinguishers are the first line of defense when combating small fires. However, using them without proper thought can end up doing more damage than harm. Only use a fire extinguisher when no one is in the building, and the fire is in a small space and not spreading when the room is smoke-free and after the one contacts the fire station.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher


We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the fire extinguisher. When in use, follow the PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) technique:
Pull the needle from the fire extinguisher to break the seal to allow you to discharge it. Aim the hose at the lowest visible part of the fire. Squeeze the bar below to release the discharge. Sweep the outlet from side to side, aiming below the fire. Repeat the last three steps in case the fire reignites and call the fire department.

Fire extinguishers can save lives when used correctly. Following the above tips ensures the extinguisher is put into use as per its purpose. Ensure you are safe at all times when handling fire to prevent injuries.…

percolator for brewing a coffee

A brief review of the best electric percolators

Introduction

Coffee percolators are still popular today, long after automatic coffee machines came into being. A coffee percolator looks like a small pot. It brews coffee through the process of percolation. This is a process where coffee is filtered by keeping water flowing over the grounds until they lose their flavors. There are pressure percolators and gravity percolators. There are also stove-top percolators and electric percolators.

Electric percolators have an inbuilt electric heating element that is used to provide heat during the percolation process. These percolators keep coffee at a temperature that is good for drinking when percolation ends. Here, I will briefly review three of the most popular electric coffee percolators- Farberware percolators, Presto percolators, and West Bend percolators.

Farberware Classic Yosemite

FarberwareFarberware Classic percolator is made of stainless steel. Its design may not be trendiest, but its functioning is one that you will like. Its interior walls are non-corrosive while the exterior wall is sturdy and shiny. Its handle is very strong. It has a plastic knob that indicates when percolation begins. It also has a permanent filter basket, and it is dishwasher safe. It makes 8 cups of coffee easily and effectively, spreading the sweet aroma of coffee everywhere during the percolation process.

There are other Farberware percolator models in the market that are great for the discerning coffee brewer. For instance, the Farberware 4-Cup percolator is a smaller version of the Farberware 8-cup percolator. There is also the Farberware 12-cup Percolator which is the largest of the three. The features of these brewers are very similar, what differentiates them is their capacities. They all have detachable power cords great handles and automatic keep warm modes.

Presto 12-Cup coffee maker

Just like the Farberware models, this percolator is made of stainless steel. It is a small and simple percolator that makes flavorful coffee in a few minutes. With this brewer, it is easy to know when the coffee is ready by looking at the light indicator. It also has a filter basket and a detachable power cord. It has the keep war mode like the Farberware models.

The speed of percolation is one of the areas where this percolator beats others in the market, brewing a cup of coffee in approximately one minute. Another area where this percolator is superior is the presence of perk tube and an easy-pour spout. However, most users have complained that its power cord is short and it does not look as strong as other models. There is the Presto 6-Cup percolator which is smaller than this one but with almost identical features.

West Bend 12-Cup percolator

FarberwareThis is another stainless steel percolator that has gained popularity in the recent periods. It is automatic, with an indicator light to show that brewing is complete. It has the keep warm mode like the rest of the percolators here. It is easy to make 12 cups of coffee with this percolator.

Overall, the best electric percolator for your needs is one that is both effective in coffee brewing and costs less for what it does. All the three models of electric percolators discussed above have their advantages and disadvantages. The best one for you will depend on your preferred capacity, brand loyalty, and cost.…