Zeuspaul writes: > Cooking outdoors robs heat because of the moving air. If you want slow and even then thermostically controlled 1500 watts and a 12 quart pot would be fine for outdoors. It would be best if you could shelter it from the wind. Jim in So. Calif. writes: > ...I use a propane burner so I can get my stock pots and canner up to temp. fast and adjust them to where I need them. Thanks for the info and ideas. I already use heavy duty foil to shield my propane burners from the wind and it's amazing how little it takes to blow out a flame. My two fav double and single units are ones Ken recommended. So I think I need to make two 4-sided enclosures (open front and bottom) to trap heat and shield from the wind. Bring to boil and cook whatever I'm canning in the 12 qt stockpot on a propane burner and then transfer to elec burner to keep hot enough for hot packing while the 16 qt canner is brought up to temp on the propane unit. Still anxiously waiting on Wal-Mart for the pot. Next problem is what to use to make the enclosures. Cement board? But I've hijacked this thread too much already and will start a new thread if I can't come up with something.

These windows have been discussed here before so you should search "all forums". Ply Gem sells vinyl and aluminum windows of many different grades so it is impossible to generalize about all of their windows except to point out that the company was formed when a private equity firm bought a bunch of unrelated window manufacturers (Nortek vinyl windows, MW Windows, CertainTeed Windows, Patriot Windows, Great Lakes Windows and Alenco Windows). Typical of this kind of private equity deal, the new company slashed costs by combining operations, closing facilities and eliminating about half its work force. The usual goal of these deals is to load up the company with debt and either sell it or take it public which apparently has not happened. I would not consider using a company with a track record shorter than the glass warranty.

+1 to the above two posts. Windows are no different than any other consumer product. The warranty gives protection to the customer, but most certainly will have some limitations to protect the best interest of the manufacturer. That is just the the way it is, as sure as the sky is blue. Regarding the product in question, be careful in researching the Plygem offerings. Most of the info that you'll find across the web is regarding the product that they offer in the eastern and midwest region. Out west, it is completely different. I can't comment on that particular product simply because I'm not familiar with it, but perhaps someone from your region will weigh in on that. There are a couple of Califonia guys floating around here somewhere ;) ... In fact, at the risk of creating a redundant thread, you might create a second one and put California in the subject for a better response.

Where are you located? Not a bad product, but you may very well be able to get a better performer for the price. Definitely better than most builder grade choices. The fact that you are actually researching windows in your new home building process puts you miles ahead of most folks, so do it right and do more research. Compare u-values, air infiltration, and design pressure ratings. For reference, the top products get .25-.28 u-value with double pane, DP of 50+, and air infiltration as low as .01cfm. The Plygem Premium is .19 which is actually below average as vinyl windows go. I have installed a lot of them over the years and they are solidly designed, (they were formally Great Lakes Grandview) they just don't have very tight tolerances imo. Upgrade to the stainless spacer if you do opt for that product.