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When you own a hot tub, it’s important to maintain proper levels of pH to reduce eye and skin irritants caused by the disinfectants in the water. pH is a scale that tells you how alkaline or acidic a substance is. Pure water has a pH of 7, and a spa or hot tub should be between 7.2 and 7.8. If your water’s pH is too high or too low, purchase pH increaser or decreaser at your local home improvement store to change the levels accordingly. You can use hot tub test strips to test the pH of the water. To use a strip, submerge it in the water for about 15 seconds. The strip will change color according to your water’s pH, and you can match that color to the label to identify it. If your calcium levels are too high, you’ll notice cloudy water and scaling on the sides of the tub. On the other hand, if the calcium levels are too low, the water can cause erosion and damage to the tub. You can use water hardness test strips to check the calcium levels, then take action to make the necessary adjustments.  It is recommended that calcium levels remain between 175 and 275 ppm (parts per million). But keep in mind that the ideal calcium hardness depends on the type of hot tub you own. Make sure to check with your hot tub’s manufacturer for this information. Add calcium booster if calcium levels are low. If calcium levels are too high, drain water from the hot tub and add low calcium water to balance it out. You can choose either bromine or chlorine to keep your hot tub clean. Both of these chemicals come in either powder or tablet form. Bromine levels should stay between 3-5ppm, depending on whether you use tablets or powder. Chlorine levels should always stay between 2 and 5 ppm. Check the levels of these chemicals using test strips, and then make adjustments accordingly.  Bromine and chlorine in tablets are added to a dispenser that floats around the pool and gradually dissolves in the water. These chemicals in powder form are measured and poured directly into the water. Whether you use chlorine or bromine is up to you. Some people prefer bromine because it doesn’t have that chlorine bleach smell. However, it will break down from sun exposure, so it should only be used in spas that are not in direct sunlight. Some advantages to chlorine are that it is cost-effective, easy to manage in the water, and it’s very aggressive when killing bacteria. It is important to keep your hot tub clean to remove any impurities and buildup. To give it a proper cleaning, you’ll first need to completely drain the hot tub. Then, using the manufacturer’s recommended hot tub cleaner, wipe down the entire surface. Make sure to clean the filters thoroughly by spraying them with water and soaking them in an oil-cutting solution. Clean your hot tub cover when you clean the rest of the hot tub because it is constantly exposed to dirt and other germs. When you have a group of people using a hot tub, users will be constantly getting in and out and walking around. Make sure the areas around your hot tub are clear of debris. If there is a lot of dirt and grime near the hot tub, someone may step in it and get it into the tub, dirtying up the water. Keep a broom nearby to sweep any dirt, leaves, or other loose items from around your hot tub. The maximum temperature in a hot tub depends on a few different factors. The ideal hot tub temperature for adults is 100 °F (38 °C). For children at least 10 years of age, the temperature should not be above 98 °F (37 °C). As a general rule, a hot tub should never be hotter than 104 °F (40 °C). Most hot tubs have thermostats that read the water temperature, but they may be inaccurate by as much as 4 degrees. It’s better to check the water temperature using a thermometer. Pregnant woman should not be in a hot tub over 102 °F (39 °C), and should only stay in for 10 minutes at a time. Regular hot tub maintenance is important for both safety and to keep in good working condition. You should have your spa checked by a professional quarterly. They have access to advanced testing equipment and can perform tune-ups to evaluate any hardware or wiring issues. Keep in mind that if you’re about to enter a hot tub, you should be able to listen and hear the pumps and filtration systems running. This is a good sign that the hot tub is working effectively. Keeping the cover on will save energy and prevent animals and young children from falling in. Plus, it will keep dirt and debris out. Consider using a locking cover to prevent children and unwanted guests from using it when you are not around. Also, remember to clean the hot tub cover regularly when you clean the rest of the hot tub.

summary: Maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.8 with pH increaser or decreaser. Test your calcium levels to protect the water from impurities. Add chlorine or bromine to sanitize the water and prevent the spread of germs. Clean your hot tub monthly. Keep surfaces around the hot tub clean. Maintain an appropriate temperature during use. Check the hot tub water and equipment regularly. Always keep the hot tub locked and covered when you're not using it.


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The length of time it will take to completely cook your meat is determined by the heat of the grill, the type of meat and the size of meat cut, but you should factor in at least 6 - 8 hours of cooking time - and sometimes many more. Check your recipe to determine about how long your meat will need to smoke. Pork and beef ribs typically take up to 8 hours, while a big cut of brisket could take 22. It's very important to look at your recipe to figure out how long your meat might cook, so you can plan ahead. You can either place it directly on the grill or put it in a shallow aluminum tray. Don't wrap the meat in foil, though, because this won't allow the smoke to touch the meat. You want it to be able to surround the meat during the cooking process.  The positioning of the meat will change according to what you're cooking. If you're make smoked brisket, for example, you'll need to place the meat side down and keep the fat side up. Be sure the meat isn't over direct heat. As mentioned, if you're using your grill as a smoker the hot coals should be scooted to the side of the grill so that the meat won't cook too quickly. Again, depending on what you're cooking, you might want to baste the meat to keep it moist throughout the cooking process. This technique is a popular choice for brisket and ribs. Read the recipe you're using to decide if basting is necessary. If you cook your meat low and slow, it should come out moist and tender whether you baste it or not. Smoking meat can be basted, or "mopped," with a thin solution such as water or a combination of water, vinegar and spices. It should be applied with a barbecue mop, which looks exactly like it sounds. Some smoking recipes follow a "3-2-1" process: the meat smokes for the first 3 hours, then you cover it with foil for the next 2 hours, and finish it uncovered in the last hour. The smoke flavor infuses the meat first, then the meat warms up internally during the second two hours, and finally develops a nice thick crust to finish. Check your recipe to determine whether covering your meat at some point during the process is recommended. You'll need to monitor the temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer to determine its doneness. Poultry should reach 165 degrees. Any pork and all ground meats should be 160 degrees. The internal temperature of steaks, roasts and chops should be 145 degrees. During the smoking process, a pink ring will form just underneath the delicious outer crust of the meat. This is a result of a chemical reaction that happens when the smoke infuses the meat; the pink color is caused by the formation of nitric acid. When you cut into your meat and see a pink smoke ring, you'll know that you smoked it right.
summary: Calculate your cooking time. Place the meat inside the smoker. Baste the meat if necessary. Cover the meat if necessary. Remove the meat when it reaches the right temperature. Check for the smoke ring.