Skip the Gimmicks: 9 Grilling Tools Worth Buying

Forget novelty gadgets. These are the grilling essentials that experienced backyard cooks actually recommend. 

Every summer, the grilling aisle tries to convince you that you're one specialty gadget away from becoming a backyard legend. You're not. Most of what's on those shelves ends up in a drawer by August, next to the fondue set nobody asked for.

Courtesy of RDNE Stock project

But a handful of tools genuinely change how your cookouts go — less time fighting the grill, more time actually eating. After talking to pitmasters, chefs, and the kind of backyard griller who's ruined enough dinners to know better, here's what actually earns a permanent spot next to the grill.

1. A Chimney Starter

If you've ever doused charcoal in lighter fluid and still ended up with half-lit coals twenty minutes later, this fixes it. Fill it, light some newspaper underneath, wait 15–20 minutes, and you've got evenly lit coals with none of that chemical smell clinging to your food. For charcoal grills, this is the single biggest upgrade you can make, full stop.

2. A Digital Meat Thermometer

Poking a burger and guessing is how you end up with something either raw in the middle or dry enough to sand furniture. An instant-read thermometer takes ten seconds and takes the guesswork out entirely. If you're the type who likes to wander off and talk to guests instead of hovering over the grates, a wireless probe model will do the watching for you.

3. Long Stainless Tongs

Skip the oversized novelty tongs — the ones that look like they belong in a hardware store display. A simple, long-handled pair gives you actual control: you can feel what you're gripping, turn a steak without mangling it, and keep your hand a safe distance from the flare-ups. This is the tool you'll reach for without thinking, every single cookout.

4. Heat-Resistant Grill Gloves

You will, at some point, grab something hotter than you expected. It's not a matter of if. A solid pair of heat-resistant gloves means you can move a cast iron pan or a loaded grill basket without the involuntary hot-potato dance in front of your guests. If you're smoking anything juicy, look for a waterproof pair — the fabric kind soaks through fast and stops protecting your hands right when you need it most.

5. A Grill Basket

Shrimp, cubed potatoes, sliced vegetables — anything small enough to vanish through the grates will find the one gap and disappear into the coals. A grill basket solves that without you having to thread everything onto skewers, which, let's be honest, nobody actually enjoys doing at 6pm with hungry people waiting.

6. A Grill Brush — Just Not the Wire Kind

Nobody wants tonight's chicken tasting like last week's salmon. Clean the grates while they're still warm, before anything has a chance to bake on. One note worth taking seriously: skip traditional wire-bristle brushes. Loose bristles can break off and end up somewhere you really don't want them. Chainmail cleaners, bristle-free brushes, or a grill stone do the job without the risk.

7. Disposable Foil Trays

These aren't glamorous, but they're the tool you'll use without thinking about it — catching drippings, holding prepped vegetables, hauling food to and from the table. Cheap, disposable, and one less serving dish you have to scrub after everyone's gone home.

8. A Basting Brush

Sugar-based barbecue sauce burns fast, and there's a narrow window where it goes from glossy to blackened. A dedicated basting brush lets you apply it evenly in those last few minutes instead of dumping it on and hoping. Some models come with a covered container, which keeps bugs out of your sauce — a small thing until it isn't.

9. A Real Towel, Within Arm's Reach

Least exciting tool on this list. Probably the one you'll use the most. Greasy hands, spills, condensation off a cold drink — a sturdy towel handles all of it without a trip back inside every ten minutes.

None of this requires a shopping spree.

Courtesy of Marco Carlo Gutierrez Aguilar

You don't need every item on this list to grill well — you need the ones that solve the problems you actually have. Start with a thermometer and a decent pair of tongs if you're building from scratch, and add from there.

And while you're getting the outdoor setup ready for the season, don't forget what's working overtime inside: your fridge, freezer, and ice maker are all under more strain in summer heat, keeping everything cold for the cookouts you're planning. If one of them starts slipping, Appliance Rescue Service can get it back on track — so the only decision left is who gets the last burger.

Dream Outdoor Kitchens: How to Create a Backyard Cooking Space You’ll Actually Use

 From grills and prep space to refrigerators, pergolas, and entertaining areas, learn what makes an outdoor kitchen truly functional. 

There was a time when an "outdoor kitchen" meant dragging the grill out onto the patio, balancing a plate of burgers on the nearest folding table, and making a dozen trips back inside because you forgot the tongs... again.

These days, outdoor kitchens have become true extensions of the home. They're places where friends gather while dinner cooks, where kids play in the yard while the adults catch up, and where a weeknight meal somehow feels a little more like a vacation.

Courtesy of Felipe Hueb.

The best part? Your dream outdoor kitchen doesn't have to look like a magazine spread or cost as much as a new car. The most enjoyable outdoor kitchens aren't necessarily the biggest or the fanciest. They're the ones designed around the way their owners actually cook and entertain.

So, if you're dreaming about creating an outdoor cooking space of your own, here's how we'd prioritize the features.

The Essentials

Every outdoor kitchen needs exactly two things to earn the name.

A Way to Cook

This doesn't have to be a massive built-in gas grill with every bell and whistle. It needs to be the cooking method you enjoy using. The one that you’ll use over and over because you enjoy doing it.

Maybe that's a traditional gas grill. Maybe you're devoted to charcoal. Perhaps you're happiest tending a smoker all afternoon, or you've fallen in love with a flat-top griddle. Some homeowners even build their entire outdoor kitchen around a wood-fired pizza oven.

There isn't a wrong answer here. The best cooking appliance is the one you'll actually use.

A Stable Prep Surface

Once you've got heat, you need somewhere to prepare food safely.

Courtesy of Hayden Walker

Even a modest countertop makes an enormous difference. Instead of balancing cutting boards on patio furniture or running inside every few minutes, you have a dedicated workspace for seasoning meat, assembling burgers, slicing vegetables, or plating dinner.

That's really all you need for a functional outdoor kitchen. Everything else simply makes the experience easier, more comfortable, or more entertaining.

The Features You'll Appreciate Every Time You Cook

Once you've covered the basics, these upgrades quickly become the things you'll wonder how you ever lived without.

Shade Makes Everything Better

If you're grilling in Texas, you already know the sun isn't exactly subtle.

A pergola, covered patio, pavilion, or even a retractable louvered roof can completely change how often you use your outdoor kitchen. Shade keeps the cook cooler, helps protect food from direct sunlight, and makes outdoor dining far more comfortable for everyone.

Better yet, a covered space lets you keep enjoying the backyard when the weather decides to throw one of those quick summer thunderstorms your way.

Built-In Counter Space

The more prep space you have, the more useful your outdoor kitchen becomes.

Long counters provide room to prepare ingredients, serve food buffet-style, or just set things down without balancing plates on every available surface. Built-in cabinetry also gives you a convenient place to store grilling tools, serving trays, and outdoor cookware.

Remember to keep cabinets clean between cookouts. Leftover crumbs have a funny way of convincing local wildlife they've been invited to the barbecue too.

An Outdoor Refrigerator

A small refrigerator may not seem exciting until you're halfway through cooking and realize you don't have to sprint inside for every bottle of sauce, slice of cheese, or cold drink.

Whether you choose a compact beverage refrigerator, under-counter model, or drawer-style unit, cold storage makes entertaining dramatically easier.

If you add refrigeration outdoors, be sure you're planning for the proper electrical service and using appliances specifically designed for outdoor conditions. Summer heat makes refrigeration systems work much harder, so choosing the right equipment and keeping an eye on temperatures helps everything perform as intended.

Lighting Extends the Party

Nobody wants to race against sunset while flipping burgers.

Good lighting turns your outdoor kitchen from a daytime-only feature into a place you'll enjoy well into the evening. Task lighting over cooking surfaces makes preparing food safer, while overhead fixtures, pendant lights, or string lighting create a warm atmosphere for family dinners and weekend gatherings.

If you're already building a covered structure, it's the perfect opportunity to include lighting from the very beginning.

Luxury Touches Worth Considering

This is where your outdoor kitchen starts reflecting your personality.

A Dedicated Drinks Station

Nobody enjoys running inside every ten minutes to refill the ice bucket.

A beverage refrigerator, small bar area, or dedicated drink station keeps refreshments close at hand and lets guests help themselves without wandering through the house. It also frees up your indoor refrigerator when you're entertaining larger groups.

Comfortable Seating

Indoor kitchens naturally become gathering places. Outdoor kitchens can do the same if you give people somewhere to settle in.

A bar-height counter with stools lets guests chat with the cook without getting underfoot, while a nearby dining table or comfortable seating area encourages everyone to linger long after dinner is finished.

Some of the most inviting outdoor kitchens aren't focused solely on cooking. They're designed around spending time together.

Storage

Drawers and cabinets might not be the flashiest addition, but they're among the most practical.

Dedicated storage keeps utensils, grill brushes, serving platters, spices, charcoal, propane accessories, and outdoor dishes exactly where you need them. Less time hauling supplies back and forth means more time enjoying the meal.

A Pizza Oven

Let's be honest. A pizza oven probably isn't essential.

But if homemade pizza nights sound like your idea of fun, or you've always wanted to experiment with artisan breads, roasted vegetables, or cast-iron desserts, it can become the centerpiece of the entire backyard.

Just remember that these appliances generate serious heat. Keep children and pets safely away from the cooking area while everything is in use, and always allow equipment to cool completely before anyone gets too close.

Make It Uniquely Yours

One of the biggest advantages of an outdoor kitchen is that there isn't a universal blueprint.

Courtesy of Esteban Santiago Gonzalez

Some homeowners add side burners for seafood boils or breakfast cookouts. Others install sinks to make cleanup easier or ice makers for effortless entertaining. Outdoor televisions, sound systems, ceiling fans, fireplaces, decorative backsplashes, herb gardens, accent lighting, and even retractable screens can all help shape the space around your family's lifestyle.

The trick is resisting the urge to chase every trend.

Instead of asking, "What does everyone else have?" ask, "What would we actually use?"

The answer will almost always lead to a better outdoor kitchen.

Three Ways to Bring It All Together

There are several approaches to building an outdoor kitchen, and each has its advantages.

Some homeowners choose complete outdoor kitchen kits that include cabinetry, appliances, and countertops designed to work together. Others purchase modular components and create a custom layout over time. And for ambitious DIYers, building the kitchen piece by piece can spread the cost across several seasons while allowing the design to evolve naturally.

Whichever route you choose, don't skip the planning.

Every successful outdoor kitchen begins with three fundamentals:

• A level foundation. Whether you choose concrete, pavers, or tile, your appliances need a stable surface.

• Proper utilities. Electrical service, gas lines, and water should all be planned before construction begins, not after.

• Good drainage. Rainwater, spilled drinks, and routine cleaning all have to go somewhere. Proper drainage helps prevent standing water, mold, and unwanted pests beneath your cabinets and appliances.

Courtesy of Dalila Dalprat.jpg

Finally, remember that outdoor appliances spend every day exposed to the elements. Clean surfaces regularly, cover equipment when practical, remove food debris from cabinets, and inspect electrical outlets after severe weather. A little routine care goes a long way toward keeping your outdoor kitchen ready for the next family cookout.

The Backyard You'll Love Coming Home To

A dream outdoor kitchen isn't defined by the number of burners, the size of the refrigerator, or whether there's a pizza oven tucked into the corner.

It's defined by how often it brings people together.

Whether your ideal evening is grilling burgers for the family, hosting neighbors for the big game, or enjoying a quiet dinner under the stars, the best outdoor kitchen is the one designed around the way you actually live.

Build the essentials first. Add the features you'll truly appreciate. Skip the trends that don't fit your lifestyle. And when you invest in quality outdoor appliances, take good care of them so they're ready whenever your next backyard gathering rolls around.

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The 9 Mistakes That Cause Most Grill Fires Before You Even Start Cooking

Learn the overlooked mistakes that contribute to grill fires, food safety issues, and expensive backyard mishaps.

There are few things that say "summer" quite like the smell of something sizzling on the grill. Burgers, steaks, vegetables, maybe even a rack of ribs if you're feeling ambitious. But while most homeowners worry about overcooking dinner, the biggest grilling mistakes usually happen long before anyone flips the first burger.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas grills are involved in roughly 9,200 home fires every year, and grill-related injuries send more than 21,600 people to emergency rooms annually. Nearly one in five grill fires involves a grill that wasn't properly cleaned, and July consistently ranks as the busiest month for grill fires.

That's a lot of ruined dinners.

The encouraging news? Most of these incidents aren't random accidents. They often come down to maintenance, preparation, and a little overconfidence. Here are nine mistakes that can turn your backyard cookout into a story you'll be telling for all the wrong reasons.

Maintenance: The Problems That Start Days or Weeks Before the Cookout

Many grill fires begin before anyone even buys the hot dogs.

Grease is one of the biggest culprits. Over time, grease and fat collect inside the grill and in the drip tray below. When enough builds up, all it takes is a little heat to turn leftover residue into an impressive flame. That's why experts recommend cleaning both the cooking grates and the grease collection areas regularly, not just scraping off yesterday's burger bits.

Another maintenance issue isn't even about fire.

Wire-bristle grill brushes have come under increased scrutiny because loose metal bristles can break off during cleaning and stick to the cooking grate. If one ends up on your food, it can be swallowed without anyone noticing. Several medical organizations now recommend inspecting your grill carefully after cleaning or considering alternative cleaning tools that don't use metal bristles.

Finally, there's the mistake that's equal parts maintenance and planning: discovering an empty propane tank just as your guests arrive.

Courtesy of RDNE Stock Project

It isn't dangerous, but it may be the fastest way to turn "Dinner's ready!" into "Does anyone know if the pizza place is still open?" Checking your fuel before guests arrive is one of the easiest grilling habits you can develop.

Preparation: Small Shortcuts Tfhat Can Create Big Problems

Some grilling disasters start with perfectly reasonable ideas.

One cook, trying to light charcoal quickly, stuffed extra newspaper into the grill. Instead of speeding things along, burning scraps of paper floated out of the grill and drifted across waiting guests. Lesson learned.

Another infamous story involved using gasoline instead of proper charcoal starter. The result wasn't a faster fire. It was an exploding gas can that singed hair, eyebrows, and nearly damaged the house itself. It's an extreme example, but it illustrates why manufacturers and fire safety experts repeatedly recommend using only products designed for lighting charcoal grills.

Food preparation can also create problems.

One barbecue guest recalled chicken being brushed with the same marinade that had held the raw meat. Everyone who ate it became sick afterward. If you're marinating meat before grilling, make a separate batch for basting or serving. Reusing marinade that has already touched raw meat is a shortcut that simply isn't worth taking.

Preparation isn't the glamorous part of grilling, but it may be the most important.

Complacency: "I've Done This a Hundred Times"

Confidence is a wonderful thing. Until it convinces you that the rules no longer apply.

Some of the funniest grilling stories begin with someone thinking, "I've got this."

One backyard pig roast seemed to be taking forever to cook, so more hot coals were added around the meat. Unfortunately, rendered pork fat ignited, and flames erupted from every crack in the makeshift cooking pit. As it turned out, the thermometer was inaccurate. The pig had been cooked all along.

In another story, a rooftop barbecue attracted enough attention that someone called the fire department. Instead of a dangerous fire, firefighters found friends grilling burgers and steaks. The embarrassment lasted much longer than the meal.

Indoor grilling can be just as memorable. While testing spice rubs, one home cook filled an apartment with enough smoke from grilled chiles and spices that guests had to leave the apartment until the air cleared. It certainly made for an unforgettable party, just not for the intended reasons.

Then there's the homeowner who looked outside to discover flames shooting from a gas grill, hot enough to melt the control knobs and side shelves. A suspected propane hose problem may have contributed, but stories like this are exactly why experts recommend routinely inspecting hoses and connections before grilling season begins.

The common thread isn't bad luck.

It's assuming that because yesterday's cookout went smoothly, today's will too.

A Better Backyard Starts Before You Strike the Match

Nobody expects their family barbecue to become a cautionary tale.

Fortunately, most grilling mishaps are preventable with a little preparation. Clean away grease buildup. Inspect your propane hoses and fuel supply. Use the right lighting materials. Keep food safety in mind. And remember that familiarity shouldn't replace good habits.

Because the best grill stories are about the food, not the fire.

If you're the kind of homeowner who believes regular maintenance is easier than emergency repairs, you're speaking our language. At Appliance Rescue Service, we help homeowners keep the hardworking appliances inside the house running reliably all year long, so you can spend less time dealing with breakdowns and more time enjoying summer in the backyard.

Courtesy of Kampus Production

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The Fifth Wall: Why Statement Floors and Ceilings Are Transforming Modern Homes

Discover how thoughtful flooring and ceiling choices can add character, warmth, and lasting style without overwhelming your home's design. 

When most of us think about decorating a room, we start with the walls. That's where the paint goes, where the artwork hangs, and where family photos tell our story.

Courtesy of Andrea Davis

But designers have increasingly turned their attention somewhere unexpected: beneath our feet and above our heads.

Floors and ceilings are increasingly being called the "fifth wall," as designers encourage homeowners to think beyond paint colors and furniture. Instead of treating these surfaces as purely functional, many are embracing patterned hardwood, decorative ceiling beams, wallpapered ceilings, bold paint colors, and architectural molding to give rooms more personality.

The appeal isn't simply about following the latest trend. It's about creating a home that feels thoughtfully designed and uniquely yours.

Looking Beyond the Four Walls

Most homeowners want their homes to feel inviting and memorable. At the same time, few people want to invest in a design choice that feels overwhelming or quickly falls out of style.

Courtesy of Max Vakhtbovych

That's one reason the "fifth wall" movement has gained traction. Instead of filling every room with bold colors and dramatic décor, it encourages homeowners to focus on two of the largest surfaces in the room that often receive the least attention.

A herringbone hardwood floor can introduce movement without changing the room's color palette. Decorative ceiling beams add warmth, while tray ceilings, wallpaper, or bold paint can turn an overlooked surface into the room's focal point. Rather than competing with every other design element, these features create interest in places homeowners often ignore.

It's less about making a loud statement and more about making an intentional one.

Statement Floors: Building Character from the Ground Up

Flooring has always been expected to work hard. It needs to stand up to daily life, pets, guests, and everything else a busy household throws at it.

But today's designers are also asking it to do something else: tell part of the home's story.

Patterned hardwood floors, particularly herringbone and parquet, have appeared again and again in recent design inspiration. Rather than changing the material itself, these layouts use familiar hardwood in unexpected ways to create visual interest.

While herringbone and parquet remain popular choices, designers are also showcasing checkerboard tile, geometric mosaics, decorative border inlays, cork flooring, and patterned luxury vinyl. Each offers a different look, but they share the same goal: giving the floor a more active role in the room's overall design instead of simply blending into the background.

Although these styles look very different from one another, they all ask homeowners to see the floor as more than something to walk on. It becomes part of the room's design story.

The most successful statement floors often rely on timeless materials while letting the pattern become the feature. That approach helps create rooms that feel fresh today while remaining comfortable to live with for years to come.

Don't Forget to Look Up

If floors have become one half of the "fifth wall" movement, ceilings have become the other.

For decades, ceilings were almost expected to disappear into the background, painted white and rarely noticed unless they needed repair.

Today's statement ceilings come in many forms. Homeowners are installing exposed wood beams or coffered ceilings to add architectural character. Others are choosing tray ceilings with indirect lighting, applying wallpaper overhead, or painting the ceiling in rich colors that make a room feel cozier or more dramatic. Even simple crown molding or wood paneling can help transform a ceiling from an afterthought into a design feature.

Even subtle changes can have a surprising effect. A ceiling treatment naturally draws the eye upward, changing how a room feels without changing its footprint.

It's a reminder that great design isn't always about adding more. Sometimes it's about looking at familiar spaces in a new way.

Bold Doesn't Have to Mean Busy

One lesson appears throughout this growing design movement: the most memorable rooms aren't necessarily the ones with the most decoration.

A dramatic floor often works best alongside simple furnishings. For example, a striking herringbone floor may become the room's centerpiece when paired with neutral furniture and understated décor. Likewise, a wallpapered ceiling or exposed beams can make an impact without requiring every wall to compete for attention.

A patterned ceiling can become the room's focal point when the surrounding walls remain understated.

By allowing one element to take the spotlight, the rest of the room has space to breathe.

That balance is what gives many of these homes their sense of comfort. They feel curated rather than crowded, distinctive without becoming distracting.

For homeowners, that's an encouraging takeaway. Creating a memorable home doesn't require redesigning every surface. Sometimes one thoughtful choice is enough to transform the entire room.

Designing a Home You'll Love for Years

Trends naturally come and go, but the best design decisions are the ones that continue bringing joy long after the excitement of a renovation has faded.

Whether you're drawn to a timeless herringbone floor, decorative ceiling beams, a bold painted ceiling, or simply appreciate the creativity behind the "fifth wall" movement, the goal isn't to copy someone else's home.

It's to create spaces that feel welcoming, comfortable, and reflective of the people who live there.

When every design decision supports the way you want to live, your home becomes more than a collection of rooms. It becomes a place you genuinely enjoy spending time in, today and for years to come.

Keeping Every Part of Your Home Working Beautifully

Thoughtful homeownership extends beyond great design. The homes people enjoy most are the ones that are both beautiful and well cared for.

At Appliance Rescue Service, we're passionate about helping homeowners make informed decisions about every aspect of homeownership. While we specialize in keeping your major appliances running reliably, we also believe that a well-maintained home is one you'll enjoy for years to come.

If your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washer, dryer, or other major appliance needs expert attention, Appliance Rescue Service is here to help homeowners throughout Dallas, Frisco, Plano, Richardson, Garland, McKinney, Allen, The Colony, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, and the surrounding communities. Contact us today to schedule a repair or ask about our maintenance plans, and keep the heart of your home running as beautifully as the spaces you've created.

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Storm Safety Quiz: Do You Know Which Appliances to Unplug?

Severe weather doesn't have to spell disaster for your electronics. Here's what every homeowner should know. 

Let's have a bit of a game, shall we? We're going to play a quick round of True or False to see how much you know about protecting your electronics during a thunderstorm.

Keep track of how many you get right, and let us know over on Facebook. Bragging rights are absolutely on the line.

=True or False

Courtesy of Ketut Subiyanto

Turning your television off is enough to protect it during a storm.

False! Unfortunately, your television doesn't care that you used the remote. If it's still plugged into the wall, it's still connected to your home's electrical system. If a power surge moves through your wiring, those sensitive internal components can still be damaged. Off and unplugged are two very different things.

=True or False

You should wait until the storm arrives before unplugging your electronics.

False! In fact, that's exactly what you shouldn't do. If severe weather is in the forecast, unplug important electronics before the storm reaches your area. Once lightning is nearby, it's safest to stay away from outlets and power cords altogether. Nobody needs to turn storm prep into an extreme sport.

=True or False

Your router and modem are worth unplugging before a storm.

True! We know. Nobody wants to volunteer to disconnect the internet. However, routers and modems contain delicate electronics that can be vulnerable to power surges. Since these devices are often connected to both power sources and communication lines, they have more than one potential pathway for damage.

=True or False

If your phone is plugged into the wall, it's perfectly fine to keep using it during a thunderstorm.

False! Research suggests that wireless devices are generally safe to use during storms as long as they aren't connected to a wired charger. If your phone is charging from a wall outlet, it's probably a good excuse to finally pick up that book you've been meaning to finish.

=True or False

Surge protectors guarantee that your electronics are safe.

False! Surge protectors can absolutely help protect against smaller fluctuations in electricity. However, multiple sources noted that they aren't foolproof, especially when lightning is involved. Think of them as seat belts. They're an important safety measure, but they don't make you invincible.

=True or False

Only expensive electronics need protection during a storm.

False! The television and computer tend to get all the attention, but they're hardly the only things at risk. Chargers, coffee makers, microwaves, smart home devices, garage door openers, and other electronics can also be affected by power surges. Modern homes are full of gadgets that quietly do their jobs until the day they decide not to.

=True or False

Lightning has to strike your house directly to damage your electronics.

Courtesy of tom analogicus

False! A nearby lightning strike can potentially cause a power surge that travels through electrical systems. Several sources also pointed out that surges can happen when power is restored after an outage. Lightning doesn't necessarily need your exact address to ruin your afternoon.

=True or False

As soon as the power comes back on, you should immediately plug everything back in.

False! Some experts recommend waiting a few minutes after power is restored before plugging devices back in. This can help reduce the chance of exposing electronics to additional fluctuations as service stabilizes. Besides, your coffee maker can survive another five minutes. We believe in you.

=True or False

Garage door openers can be damaged during a storm.

True! This one surprises a lot of people. Many modern garage door systems rely on electronic control boards. According to some electricians, those components can be susceptible to power surges. You don't realize how much you depend on your garage door until you're standing in the driveway wondering why it's suddenly refusing to cooperate.

=True or False

You should unplug every single appliance in your house before every thunderstorm.

Courtesy of Tim Mossholder.

False... sort of.

Here's the catch. The research wasn't entirely consistent on this point. Some experts recommend unplugging as many appliances as possible. Others note that major appliances are generally designed to handle typical storm-related surges.

What everyone agreed on, however, is that if you choose to unplug devices, you should do it before the storm arrives. If unplugging every appliance in the house isn't practical, prioritize the electronics and devices that are most valuable or sensitive.

=True or False

Phone and laptop chargers should be unplugged during severe weather.

True! Chargers might seem harmless, but research suggests they can still transfer surge damage to connected devices. It's a simple step that can potentially help protect the electronics you rely on every day.

=True or False

Storm preparation starts before you hear thunder.

Courtesy of Ndumiso Mvelase

True! Whether that means charging your phone, checking the weather forecast, or unplugging a few important devices, planning ahead is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress during severe weather. Once lightning is already striking nearby, the safest place for you is away from outlets and electrical cords.

How did you do? Did you ace the quiz, or did a few of these catch you by surprise?

The truth is that thunderstorms are part of life, especially during the warmer months. While you don't necessarily have to unplug every single thing in your house every time dark clouds roll in, taking a few simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting the devices and appliances you depend on every day.

And if a storm does pass through and you notice that one of your appliances suddenly isn't working quite right, don't ignore it. Electrical damage isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's as subtle as inconsistent performance, unusual behavior, or an appliance that simply doesn't seem like itself anymore.

If you suspect one of your appliances has been affected after a storm, we're always happy to help. You can reach out to us through our website or give us a call at ((214) 599-0055).