We have updated our Solaire Price list to reflect the materials offered for our grill covers. Most of our covers are now made of a heavy duty material called “UltraTexHyde” with an embossed Solaire logo, and are made in the USA. Prices of these covers have increased a bit. Those not identified below as UltraTexHyde will be upgraded at a later date once our inventory of the older materials is exhausted.

We have discontinued the Solaire SS Cleaner/Polish, due to a lack of sales. There are many acceptable options in the grocery aisle at a lower price.

We have added two styles of 36-inch built-in doors to complement our 36-inch Solaire Grills.

We have deleted the Rail Mount and Square Post Adapter for the Solaire Portable Grills. We recommend using the SOL-170BR Adapter Plate with many of the rail, deck and fishing pole mounts offered by Magma Products, which are available at leading boating and online retailers.

Here are a summary of the changes made to the price list. All other items and prices remain the same as in the April 1, 2011 price list.

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Are Gas Logs A Cure For Smoking Fireplaces?

(This information appeared in the June 2012 issue of Sweeping magazine as a technical article by Rett Rasmussen)

Q – Is a gas log set a cure for a smoking (non-drafting) fireplace?

A – Yes and no. Most sweeps have worked on a fireplace that, despite applying a cap, trimming back trees, lengthening the stack and many other tricks of the trade, they just can't seem to correct the drafting problem. Gas logs come to mind as a possible solution, but which kind you use can either continue the problem or provide a viable solution for providing a flame in the fireplace.

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June was a busy month in the industry's efforts to right the wrongs created by the US Department of Energy in their "Rulemakings" of April 2010 and November 2011.

The DOE sought to bring Decorative Hearth Products under their regulatory control. While Gas Logs was momentarily reprieved, Decorative Gas Fireplaces are the subject of the lawsuit by HPBA on behalf of our industry (and joined by National Propane Gas Association). On June 1, HPBA received notice that oral arguments would be heard on September 11, 2011, by a three-judge panel of the DC Court of Appeals. On June 20, HPBA and NPGA filed the “Petitioners’ Joint Reply Brief” (http://bit.ly/Lbn6ev) , which is the last of the truly substantive filings in the proceeding. Two largely administrative filings remain, the last of which is due on Thursday, July 5th.

So, on 9/11 while you are honoring those who perished eleven years prior in the attack, please say a prayer for our industry as HPBA and NPGA argue before the Court on our behalf.

By the way, if you are not a member of HPBA, and you derive any portion of your income from gas fireplaces or gas logs, please join at http://bit.ly/join-hpba. HPBA is doing what it does best right now, which is to fight for our industry. As of early June, the various governmental issues currently being fought by HPBA have cost in excess of $2 million, with half being shouldered by manufacturers. All in the industry need to participate in funding these efforts, as the threats are numerous and costly. In the immortal words of Benjamin Franklin, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

(What it is and why we need your fireplace and grill lifestyle photos)

You may have wondered on our new websites (corporate, Rasmussen Gas Logs, Solaire Infrared Grills and Bromic Radiant Patio Heaters) what the purpose is for the "Pin It!" logo in the top right corner. You might have also noticed that when you mouse-over most photos on these site, a “Pin It” logo appears over the photo. These are features we have added that makes our website “Pinterest-friendly.” Why would be do such a thing?

Pinterest is a social photo sharing network that is the fastest social network to break through 10 million unique visitors. In March 2012 it became the third largest social network, surpassing Linkedin and Tagged. 85% of users are women.

Embracing Pinterest is a means of driving traffic to our website. Each photo that is “pinned” links back to the source (our websites). Also, photos on Pinterest can be shared via Facebook and Twitter, expanding further the audience for our photos, and therefore our websites and products.

Pinterest's mission is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting". Therefore, photos that are interesting are more likely to become pinned. Lifestyle photos are of high interest, especially living room photos of the gas log set in action; attractive outdoor kitchen layouts; and photos of food (especially with the grill in the background). Photos with people in them are extra-interesting. This is where you come in. Please send us your lifestyle photos.   We will properly attribute them to you, which provides you with valuable back links to your website to improve your search ranking. More interesting photos will increase traffic to our websites, which means more people will be visiting our dealer search (please make sure your contact information is accurate). More people = more sales. Let's do it!

Please send your photos to rett@rasmussen.biz

www.facebook.com/GasLogs | www.facebook.com/SolaireGrills

Copyright 2012 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

The show is March 1-3, 2012 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta.

We'll be there, in Booth 1407; after you go through the main entrance, turn left and you'll see Rasmussen.

Question: Will you be there, too?

HPBA was informed in early January that the new Music City Convention Center n Nashville, TN would not be completed in time for the March 2013 show.

HPBA found that Orlando was available, and the Board of Directors voted to hold the show there March 13-16, 2013.

We know it's a year away, but what do you think of Orlando? Do you think that you will attend?

1. The "Big Ugly Box"
2. The Big Ugly box requires that the gas log set be downsized in order to center the set; otherwise, the log set is off-centered. Either way, the aesthetics of the gas log set and fireplace are less than desirable.
3. The components are very heat sensitive.

With the Valve Vanisher, Rasmussen has taken the components of the Big Ugly Box and located them underneath the gas log set. The VV raises the log set up just 2 5/8". The control valve is located on the right, and the control module on the left; both are in cool zones proven by extensive testing.

Read More

www.facebook.com/GasLogs | www.facebook.com/SolaireGrills

Here are a few of our most recent testimonials we'd like to share:

"I just wanted to let you know that I got the part for my 27" Solaire before Christmas. I installed it easily thanks to your instructions and the cleverly simple design of the grill. So now you can tell other buyers that replacing parts is "so easy even a 66 year old woman can do it." Thanks again!"
- Noel T., St. Augustine, FL

"Hi Rich,
I received my (3) replacement infrared burners for my 27" Petite Solaire grill. Everything looks great and it FITS….yeah! I wanted to say just how satisfied I am with Rasmussen products and especially its customer service. You are one of the most customer service oriented people I have ever worked with and you sure know how to take care of your customers. You are a valuable assets to Rasmussen and probably the biggest reason I will continue to do business with Rasmussen."
- Scott, S., Raleigh, NC

"I needed someone to help me restart my pilot light on my Rasmussen logs. I called and just spoke to Felix. Felix was extremely helpful and most patient with me. I wanted the company to know that I appreciated Felix's help and most of all his encouragement to get the job done. He wasn't going to let me hang up without being successful. Thank you!!"
- Mary N.,

"My Solaire Anywhere is by far the best portable grill on the market and it's made in the USA."
- Doug A., Port Charlotte, FL

Copyright 2012 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.

The Battle is Won, but the War Still Rages On.

We've won a battle to save gas logs, but the war rages on. Late on November 9, 2011, the US Department of Energy (DOE) gave notice that they will publish a Final Rule to their July 22, 2011 Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register in the near future. Whereas the DOE desired in July to impose four specific restrictions on vented gas log set (eliminating standing pilots and requiring all gas log sets to be listed to ANSI Z21.60 standard being the most damaging), the Final Rule imposes no such restrictions on gas log sets. It does place four restrictions on vented decorative gas fireplaces, but these had been proposed by our industry during previous negotiations with DOE.;

It is evident that the testimony that Rasmussen and others provided directly to DOE, and the comments that gas log supporters submitted to DOE and their congressional representatives had impact on the DOE's Final Rule. Congratulations and thanks to those who participated in fighting for vented gas log sets.

Read More

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, we held our second Dealer Business Alliance conference call.

We used the webinar-type format with slide show and audio. We had a few technical glitches but powered through them to deliver relevant and timely information to help improve your business.

Guest speaker Lee Sweeney of ACG Technologies spoke about recent changes to the Google search algorithm that favors local dealers like you and ways that you can take advantage of these developments. Signing up for and fine tuning Google Places is a no cost (just your time) first step. Lee spoke about "Mobilization" and how important it is to optimize your website for mobile smart phones. In fact, Google can tell if a user is searching from a mobile device, and favors serving up websites that are mobile optimized. Lee also spoke about updating your website to keep it relevant and fresh, just like your physical store.

View the Mobilization Webinar Replay or Download Video File

The era of personal service is back and Rasmussen is committed to assisting our dealers. Please watch our newsletter and emails for announcements of future DBA conferences.

We want more feedback!

Please email to rett@rasmussen.biz a picture and a paragraph that we can share in this newsletter of a success story you would like to share.  Photos showing unique installations or special touches would be helpful.  Perhaps you totally nailed a presentation because you _________ (fill in the blank and send in the story).

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.

–Theodore Roosevelt

From the Rasmussen family to yours. We want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Copyright 2011 Rasmussen Gas Logs & Grills. All Rights Reserved.