Wood pellet smokers have reshaped the barbecue landscape. Where smoking once required constant attention and skill to maintain low, steady heat with offset or charcoal setups, pellet smokers have simplified the process, making consistent, delicious smoked meats accessible to many more home cooks. Operating a pellet smoker is nearly as straightforward as using an oven: … Read more

Our family is serious about drinking filtered water. Los Angeles tap water looks clear and tastes acceptable, but what worries us are the invisible contaminants. We used to rely on a refrigerator water filter pitcher, but constantly refilling it became a nuisance. So when we had the chance to test A. O. Smith under-sink and … Read more

We’ve partnered with United Mayflower to highlight their portable container storage service. These secure containers are ideal not only for moving but also for home improvement and remodeling projects. Whether you’re renovating a kitchen, installing new flooring, or painting interiors, a portable storage container keeps furniture and belongings safe, clean, and out of the way … Read more

Yosemite National Park ranks among the planet’s most breathtaking natural places, drawing roughly four million visitors each year. Lodging inside the park is often scarce and competitive, so the recent opening of Autocamp Yosemite is welcome news for travelers who want the experience of trailer life without towing, setup, or ownership hassles. Recently I attended … Read more

We’re excited about WGBH’s new series, Rough Cut with Tommy Mac, which guides viewers through building furniture and other wooden pieces—many fashioned from rough-sawn lumber that hasn’t been pre-cut or milled. The show highlights hands-on woodworking techniques and practical solutions for working with raw materials. In a recent interview, host Tommy Mac discussed the program … Read more

Beyond Clothing continues to refine its layering system each season, pairing practical performance with a clean, modern aesthetic. Their latest release, the Clutch Field Liner K3 Jacket, is a strong example of that evolution: a collarless, hoodless liner designed specifically to layer comfortably under or over other pieces without adding unnecessary bulk. At first glance … Read more

Commercial properties face a challenge residential spaces rarely encounter: keeping a professional appearance amid heavy daily use while controlling renovation costs and minimizing disruption. Full replacement of fixtures, surfaces, or flooring is costly, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. An increasing number of commercial property owners and facility managers are choosing surface restoration as a cost-effective strategy. … Read more

Our bathroom sink had been draining slowly for several months. We tried drain cleaner and a Zip-It tool, but nothing solved the problem. The next step was to remove the P-trap to see what was causing the blockage. The house was built in the 1950s, and the P-trap was clearly original galvanized steel. As soon … Read more

A dripping faucet, a small crack in the foundation, or a musty basement odor—these are everyday issues homeowners often ignore. Yet those minor annoyances can be the first sign of much larger problems lurking behind walls or beneath floors. The difference between a $200 repair and a $20,000 project usually comes down to timing. Hidden … Read more

After beginning my career at This Old House, I’ve come full circle: I’m now a regular columnist for Bob Vila’s blog. I’ll be writing about a wide range of home improvement topics. So far, I’ve reviewed Husqvarna’s hovering mower and covered several of the newest tools from Milwaukee. Bob Vila’s team recently refreshed the site’s … Read more