Introduction
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Introduction
The good news: The 4-inch white plastic or aluminum-foil exhaust ducting commonly used to connect a clothes dryer to an outside vent is easy to install, its spiraled-wire interior is extremely strong and flexible and, at 50 cents to $1 per foot, this hoselike product is inexpensive. But the ducting isn't the best choice: It doesn't do a good job of exhausting hot air and, in some cases, it can be dangerous.
The ribbed, corrugated surface inside the pipes acts like hundreds of tiny speed bumps, disrupting and slowing the airflow. As a result, it takes longer to dry clothes, wasting energy and money. In addition, the interior traps lint, which also reduces airflow and, in extreme cases, overloads the motor and shortens the life of the dryer. More important, an accumulation of lint is a fire hazard. In a gas dryer, a lint fire can melt the plastic ducting and start a house fire. For this reason, building codes prohibit using it, and owner's manuals warn against it.
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Tools List
Screwdriver
Dryer Vent Brush
Shopping List
1. ADJUSTABLE PERISCOPE BOX VENT2. A VENT KITIncluding two 4-inch diameter * 4-foot-long round aluminum flex vent, two elbows, and two band clamps(whirlpool)
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How to shape and fill vol-au-vents
Roll out a block of puff pastry to a thickness of 5mm/ 1/4 in. With a pastry cutter, cut out the vol-au-vents to the size you want. Remove the excess pastry. This can be rerolled to make more vol-au-vents. With a slightly smaller pastry cutter, press halfway down into the pastry circle, taking care not to cut through the bottom. Brush a little beaten egg mixed with a pinch of salt over the top of the cases, making sure not to cover the sides. This would prevent the pastry from rising up evenly.Bake in the oven at 200C/400F/Gas 6 for 10-12 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown. When ready, remove the cases from the oven and allow them to cool.
Using a knife, dig out any raw pastry from the centre of the case and discard. Return the cases to the oven for a further 4-5 minutes to dry slightly. Fill the cases with a filling such as spinach and ricotta for a delicious canapé.
Skill level
Intermediate
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Related techniquesHeatersOutdoor HeatersFireplacesAir ConditionersCoolersFansWine CoolersBeverage & CigarsIce MakersWater DispensersHome AppliancesAir PurifiersHumidifiersDehumidifiersBBQ GrillsOutdoor FurnitureView MoreXcloseBecome an Appliance Expert. Subscribe to our Knowledge Base!Email* How to Vent&Your Portable Air ConditionerPortable air conditioners are air conditioning units that can be transferred from one room to another. They're self-contained systems that do not require any permanent installation. However, portable air conditioners do require venting via a window or wall. Once you've positioned the portable air conditioner where you'd like it, you must set the exhaust hose through an opening to the outside so that it can vent hot air out of the room.Why you need to vent your portable air conditionerIt's necessary to vent because they extract hot air. If you want your air conditioning system to cool the room effectively, you need to let the hot air vent to the outside. When you purchase a portable air conditioner, the venting kit will almost always be included.Portable air conditioners can also be vented through a window, wall, ceiling or even a door. Plexiglas is generally used for venting through casement windows. First, you need to cut the Plexiglas to the size of the window. Then cut a 5" hole and set this over the open window. With this, the portable air conditioning unit will vent the hot air to the outside. Also, Plexiglas will allow the same amount of light to pass through the window as regular glass.Venting a portable air conditioner in 5 easy stepsThe portable air conditioner venting kit must be installed in order for the unit to work correctly in air conditioning mode. Although portable air conditioners come in a range of different styles and sizes, the venting steps are generally the same across the board. Here are the steps to take to vent a portable AC:Decide where you want to vent your AC. The most common location is out of a sliding window, but some customers choose to vent a portable air conditioner out of a drop ceiling or wall.Connect your AC to the exhaust connectorConnect exhaust connector to exhaust hoseConnect venting window kit adapter to window kit.Install sliding window kit in window by sliding it to the right height and shutting the window on the kit. (If required, mark the kit and cut it down to fit the opening properly.)Your portable air conditioner is now ready to use!Make sure you keep the exhaust hose very straight while using the venting system. Try not to increase the length of the exhaust hose (it can, however, be shortened). Using an extension cord with a portable air conditioner is also not recommended.Remember: venting instructions may vary from unit to unit, but the most important thing to remember is to follow the instructions provided with your air conditioner. By venting the unit properly and following the care instructions provided, your portable air conditioner will last you for many years.Venting Your Portable Air ConditionerLike our article? Subscribe for more!Email* Air & Water NetworkCustomer ServiceCorporate AccountsWe AcceptNewsletterEmail Address *}