Michigan Internet Marketing Club: Get Ready for Winter Storm Jonas

Get Ready for Winter Storm Jonas

Compared to last winter, this season has been a breeze on the East Coast, but that’s about to change with an approaching storm that could dump as much as two-feet of snow as it moves out of the Southeast and up the coast this weekend. At Consumer Reports, we started getting ready months ago with our tests of snow blowers, generators, and other emergency gear. Here’s what our experts have to say about getting ready for the winter storm.

Check Your Snow Blower Now

If you made the mistake of leaving gas in your snow blower since last winter, chances are it may not start. Before trying, siphon out as much gas as you can before adding fresh fuel to which you’ve added a stabilizer. If you neglected to change your spark plug, do that too and stock up on shear pins in case yours breaks in the middle of clearing. Here are some more tips from our experts including the snow blower mistakes homeowners make most and other maintenance tips.

Match Your Snow Blower to Your Driveway

If the forecast for Winter Storm Jonas has you mulling a snow blower, don’t buy more machine than you need or have room to store. If you have a small driveway and typically get less than 9 inches of light snow, you can manage with a single-stage snow blower like the Toro Power Clear 721E, $570, or the Craftsman 88782, $600. For larger driveways and heavier snow, consider a two-stage machine that’s 24 to 30 inches wide such as the top-rated Cub Cadet 3X 30HD 31AH57SZ710, $1,650, or the CR Best Buy Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, $1,300. For other tips read, “The Right Snow Blower for Your Driveway" and the ”Best Snow Blowers for Quick Clearing.“

Take Some Tips From the Plow Pros

No one knows more about snow business than the department heads of the country’s snowiest cities. To find out how to do the right stuff with the white stuff, Consumer Reports spoke to four northerners plus a director from Dallas, which gets more ice than snow. One of their chief complaints is that residents throw snow back into the freshly plowed street causing the plow to make another pass. They also ask drivers to heed local warnings and stay off the roads when directed to. Learn how plow pros get rid of snow.

How Much Generator Do You Need?

The best of the nearly four dozen generators in Consumer Reports’ tests supply power for everything from the bare necessities to your whole house. Some generators deliver more juice than others. Some, including pricey inverter models, provide power that’s cleaner and won’t make appliances run hotter and sensitive electronics run less reliably. Stationary generators are the most convenient because they switch on when the power goes off but there’s no time to install one before the storm. Consider one of two portable CR Best Buys on our list, the Generac RS7000E, $900, or the Troy-Bilt XP7000 30477, $900. For more information read ”Is It Time to Finally Buy a Generator?“

Best Emergency Gear of the Year

If the winter storm turns out to be a triple whammy and you need a snow blower, a generator, and a chain saw, take a look at the emergency gear that made our 2015 winner’s circle. The inverter-style, gasoline-powered Honda EU7000is, $4,000, topped our generator Ratings and it’s hard to beat the Stihl MS 180 C-BE, $230, for a fine, all-around performing chain saw. For more great choices, consult the best emergency gear of 2015.