Rob

Rob's beat is everything that happens after the buying decision — the install, the maintenance, the thing that broke in year three and how to fix it. Install walkthroughs cover gas-line sizing per NFPA 54, cutout dimensions for built-in grills, concrete-pad specs for fire tables, bond-beam coping details for pool-flanked fire bowls, and the clearance-to-combustibles rules that fail inspection when ignored. Maintenance pieces cover annual burner cleaning, winterizing a gas system, repainting Corten, polishing stainless, replacing an igniter module without voiding warranty.

The writing style assumes the reader isn't a pro — but doesn't dumb down the content either. Code references stay where they belong (if NFPA 54 §5.6 applies, the article cites it). Tool lists stay honest (if you need a torque wrench, the article says 'you need a torque wrench,' not 'specialty tools may be required'). Photos and diagrams come from real installs, not stock libraries.