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Build your own smoke-free fire barrel: DIY instructions from a 200 L oil drum with secondary ventilation
Building your own fire barrel is an exciting DIY project for the garden that not only provides warmth, but is also sustainable. An old 200-liter barrel or oil drum can be turned into an efficient and virtually smoke-free heat source with a little manual skill. I built my own fire barrel and tested different variants – from simple burnout to optimized secondary ventilation. In this article, I’ll show you step by step how I went about it and what to look out for when baking, drilling and choosing materials.
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MOVA Z60 Ultra Roller Complete test: Fully automatic cleaning with AI and hot water
The MOVA Z60 Ultra Roller Complete is one of the most modern vacuum and mopping robots in its class. With 28,000 Pa suction power, a rotating mopping roller, intelligent obstacle detection and a self-cleaning base station, MOVA sets new standards in terms of convenience and efficiency. In my test, I used the Z60 Ultra Complete for several weeks in everyday use and analyzed how reliably it cleans floors, handles carpets and what advantages the automatic hot water cleaning actually brings.
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Installing and programming the Hunter Hydrawise irrigation computer – step by step
Automatic garden watering with the Hunter Hydrawise controller brings more convenience, efficiency and control to my lawn, bed and hedge watering. In this article, I will show you the complete transition from the classic Hunter X-Core to the smart Hydrawise control system – including WLAN setup, zone programming, sensor integration and weather-based adjustment with Solar Sync and Predictive Watering. I describe how my existing system was expanded and modernized, which functions make the difference and what to look out for during installation. A field report with many technical details – from practice, for practice.
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Network wireless smoke detectors across several floors: How X-Sense Link+ protects your whole house!
X-Sense wireless smoke detectors in the test: In my multi-storey old building with thick walls, it was clear that normal smoke alarms were not enough. I installed the X-Sense Link Plus system with wirelessly networked smoke detectors and CO detectors and put it through its paces. In this article, I show how smoke detectors with wireless technology perform in practice, how the setup works with and without an app and which variant is suitable for which application scenario. You’ll also find information on mandatory smoke alarms in Germany, the technology behind the devices and my detailed practical test with video.
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Build your own pool terrace with stone slabs on a slope
Building a poolside terrace on a slope is a real challenge – especially when there is hardly any space for a classic substructure. In this article, I show you how I created a stable, long-lasting plateau using formwork stones, gravel, chippings and patio slabs. I document the entire construction process in detail, from excavation to setting the formwork stones and laying the slabs – including all tips on material selection, height adjustment and joint filling. Ideal for anyone who wants to upgrade their pool area in the garden both functionally and visually.
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Dreame A1 Pro in test – Cordless robotic lawnmower without boundary wire & RTK
The Dreame A1 Pro robotic lawnmower is a wireless robotic lawnmower without a boundary wire, RTK or external antennae – and I was able to test it extensively for several weeks. In this article, I will show you how the Dreame A1 robotic lawnmower with LiDAR navigation, app control and intelligent obstacle detection works, where its strengths lie and where there is still room for improvement. All the technical data, my everyday experiences and a detailed comparison with other robotic lawnmowers – now in the full test report.
