Appliances
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September 15, 2022
How to Efficiently Store Food in the Refrigerator
Premature food spoilage can be avoided if the food is stored efficiently in the refrigerator. The basic techniques outlined in this article will help you to keep the food safe and healthier for longer. Understanding the Refrigerator Many people regard their refrigerator as a cold box to store their food. But, this is a complex device that controls the light, temperature and humidity at optimal levels for food storage. The refrigerator can be divided into different zones to preserve the nutrients of the food and to extend their lifespan. Improperly stored foods are still prone to premature spoiling in the refrigerator if contaminants are allowed to occur. Bacteria, mold growth and bad odors are a real risk if the refrigerator is operating above 40ºF and bad storage methods are used. 4 General Food Storage Tips 1. Don’t Keep the Refrigerator Overfilled If the refrigerator is too full, the airflow is inhibited and this makes some areas of the appliance warmer than others. The refrigerator may need to work harder which leads to higher energy bills and an unexpected repair bill. Adopting a proactive approach to food storage can promote better airflow to keep the temperature uneven. Foods should not touch the sides or back of the refrigerator and a distance of ½” should be maintained between food items. 2. Regular Refrigerator Cleaning Regular cleaning of spills is advisable, but a deeper clean every 3 months is highly recommended. All the trays and shelves should be removed and cleaned with hot -
August 26, 2022
Electric vs. Induction Cooktop: Which Cooks Faster?
If you’re in the market for a new smooth-top stove, this is the key question that you need to have answered before you look at makes, models and other data. At first glance, these two cooktops look similar, they have a glass ceramic surface, but don’t be fooled as they work in very different ways. In this article, we will take a closer look at both to help you make an informed purchasing decision. Induction Cooktops An induction cooktop comes at a premium price when compared to a standard electric model. They cook very quickly, they are responsive and they use less energy. This may seem like a condemnation of an electric cooktop, but some people may prefer to use them. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, they are: Pros: The cooking times are significantly faster.An induction cooktop boils water faster than gas or electric models.There are multiple built-in safety features.This type of cooktop is very easy to clean.The temperature control is extremely precise.These are energy efficient cooktops. Cons: An induction cooktop will only work with magnetic cookware.To get the best results the cookware must have a flat bottom.These cooktops come at a premium price. Electric Cooktops When you purchase and install an electric cooktop, you’re probably dealing with an appliance that you fully understand. The cooking times may be a little longer, but you don’t need to invest in new flat bottomed magnetic cookware. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, they are: Pros: -
August 05, 2022
5 Small Kitchen Appliances for Your New Home
Moving into a new home can be a daunting process and it can take a moment to figure out what you have and what you need. Some people focus on cool kitchen gadgets that won’t get much use, such as electric can openers and an egg maker. But, a manual can opener works fine and you can cook eggs in a pan of boiling water. In this article, we will look at five small kitchen appliances that will improve your daily life. 1. Immersion Blender This is a smaller handheld blender that you can easily move around the home or outdoors if you wish. It has a long handle with a sharp blade at the business end which is partially covered for your protection. The blade can be removed for cleaning and the partial cover will prevent most food splatters. When you’re cooking veggies or broth on the stove, you simply put the immersion blender in the pan and puree it to make the perfect soup. This is a great small appliance to create your favorite sauces too. 2. Coffee Grinder If you don’t drink coffee, you can skip this small appliance, but for many of us, it would be hard to start the day without our morning joe. Buying whole coffee beans and grinding them at home is a great way to extract the most flavor and aroma from your coffee. A fresh grind each morning will ensure that you never drink instant coffee again. Even a higher end -
June 20, 2022
6 Outdoor Kitchen Benefits
The interest in outdoor projects was limited during the recent pandemic. But, people now have renewed interest in outdoor living upgrades that are comfortable, practical and life affirming. This is especially true with an outdoor kitchen, food tends to taste better in the fresh air and this is a great way to combine cooking and socializing. In this article, we will look at six outdoor kitchen benefits in more detail, they are: 1. Increasing the Livable Space in Your Home Let’s face it, most people don’t use their backyard much and this is a huge waste of potential. Indoor kitchens are an evergreen focus of remodeling projects because they add a lot of value and they serve a practical purpose. But, an outdoor kitchen can form the core of an entire entertainment, dining and socializing area. 2. Cooking Outside When the weather is gorgeous outdoors, why should you have to prepare dinner indoors? A modern outdoor kitchen can have all the usual amenities that you need, including a refrigerator, an ice machine, storage, a dishwasher, cooking surfaces, an oven, counterspace, and much more. As an added bonus, you have ready access to your grill which is something that you certainly could not do indoors. When you cook outdoors the experience is much different, it’s easier to be social and prepare dinner at the same time. 3. Effortless Expansion of Your Summer Menu When we split our cooking efforts between a kitchen and the grill outside, it’s easy to make mistakes. -
May 27, 2022
A Brief Guide to Compact Appliances for Smaller Kitchens
If your living space is limited, it’s easy to believe that you cannot have all the appliances to meet your needs. But, this is not the case, there are compact appliances on the market that can help you to make meals, wash dishes and get your laundry washed efficiently. In this brief guide, we will take a look at some appliances that can be installed in smaller homes to make the most of the available space. Compact Cooktops and Ranges A kitchen range is a popular choice because you get two appliances in a single unit. As such, they are an ideal space saver for any size of home. There are electric and gas options and a standard kitchen range is 30” wide. But, if you have a smaller space there are compact electric ranges with a width of 20” up to 24” and gas ranges at 24” only. If you want a dedicated cooktop instead of a range stove, you can choose a two element electric or two-burner gas cooktop instead. These cooktops range in size from 12” up to 21”. A Compact Wall Oven If you go with a cooktop, you will need to consider a separate oven and this can be tricky when you have limited space. An ideal solution may be a wall mounted oven and microwave combo that gives you two great appliances in a single unit. This will preserve the counter space and the oven can be accessed easily. A compact wall oven can -
April 08, 2022
5 Advantages of a Warming Drawer for Your Kitchen
Certain premium grade ranges have a built-in warmer drawer and other standalone appliances may have them as a separate installation option. A warmer drawer is a useful appliance that could change the way you prepare and serve meals in your home. When you take food from the kitchen to the table, there are a number of things that can go wrong. But, if you have a warmer drawer, cold food doesn’t need to be a problem anymore. In this article, we will look at five warmer drawer advantages in more detail. 1. Preventing Food from Getting Cold When you’re putting together a meal, it can be tricky to coordinate the sides with the entree. Keeping mashed potatoes and green beans warm when you need to finish off the sauce is far easier when you have a warmer drawer. There is even room to keep entire finished dishes warm as you finish other tasks. For example: if you made a pizza, you can store that pie in the warmer drawer as you sear the veggie toppings. The best temperature range for food warming is 140ºF up to 250ºF depending on the food. 2. Warming Plates During Meal Prep Warm food served on cold plates can ruin the entire meal and retaining heat is the only way to prevent these problems. To keep the food warm, it’s often a good idea to warm the stack of plates in a low temperature setting. In most cases, the lowest temperatures are ideal for keeping -
March 18, 2022
Buying a New Oven? Cleaning Features to Consider
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a consistent oven performance. If your oven is not clean, it can not only ruin the aesthetics, but also compromise the quality, flavor, and safety of your food. Fortunately, there are some excellent self cleaning features on modern ovens that you may wish to consider if you’re buying a new oven. Catalytic Cleaning This is one of the most common types of oven models. They are popular as they are also one of the most affordable options. The interior walls of the oven are porous, which allows cooking grease and other residue to be absorbed. This helps to keep the interior surfaces clean at all times. After every use, the oven switches to its maximum temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to remove any residue. This type of oven is a great choice for those who use their oven to roast meat and vegetables, but don’t tend to often bake cakes or bread. Pyrolytic Cleaning Pyrolytic cleaning can eliminate sugar and fat, so the oven will not require additional cleaning. The temperature of the appliance can reach over 900ºf during the cleaning cycle, so everything inside is completely burned away. This type of appliance tends to be more expensive initially, but there is a lower cost of ownership compared to a catalytic cleaning oven. This type of oven is well suited to those who tend to bake often, since the self cleaning mode can remove both grease and sugars that tend to be typical -
February 25, 2022
Top Tips for Your Appliance Shopping
When it comes time to upgrade your appliances, many people love the idea of checking out the options at local appliance stores. While browsing the new models can be a good place to start, it can also lead to an impulse purchase that may not be the best choice for your kitchen. There are many things to consider before you make your final purchase decision, so here we’ve compiled some top tips for your appliance shopping. Set a Budget: This must be your first step before you even set foot into a showroom. While you will need to have a rough idea of how much new appliances will cost, it is important that you have a realistic budget. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, new appliances can be a significant portion of your budget. So, if you overspend, you may need to compromise in other areas of your renovation. There is a vast choice of appliances on today’s market and the ones with the latest technology will have a higher price tag. So, if you head into the showroom without a budget in mind, you may be tempted to pick one with all the latest features. This makes it crucial to keep your budget in your mind and only look at the appliances that are within your financial reach. If you do find a model with some interesting functions, you will need to assess the additional cost to determine if it is worth the extra cost. Verify Your Measurements: Many -
January 17, 2022
Should You Replace Your Appliances During Your Kitchen Remodel?
A kitchen remodel can be a fun way to improve your home, but it can be a costly process. If you want to set your budget, you may end up asking yourself if you should replace your appliances during your remodel. Aesthetics While price is an important factor in your remodel, you do need to think about how your current appliances will impact the overall aesthetics. There is no point in going to the expense of new cabinets and countertops if the eye will be drawn to tatty, old appliances. Unless you are planning on putting your appliances behind cabinetry, you will need to take an honest look at the appearance of your appliances. Most kitchen appliances can have a tough life, and this can show in the finish. So, if your white appliances are looking a little yellow or the shine has gone from your stainless steel finish, it could be time for an upgrade. You also need to think about the new look of your kitchen. If you’re going for a more traditional look, contemporary appliances will look out of place. Functionality You also need to consider the functionality of your appliances. If your oven struggles to get to the desired temperature, your fridge tends to run hot or your dishwasher is prone to leaks, these appliances have no place in a new kitchen. You should also think about whether a new appliance with the latest features will add to the functionality of your kitchen. If your appliances -
December 23, 2021
Should You Buy New Appliances For Your Kitchen Remodel?
When you’re remodeling your kitchen, there are lots of things to plan and budget for. One of the most difficult decisions is should you buy new appliances for your new kitchen. While you may want the aesthetics of a shiny new appliance, what should you do if it is basically in good working order? So, here we’ll explore the argument for replacing each of your kitchen appliances. Refrigerators The refrigerator is likely to be the hardest working appliance in your home and it is vital to keep your food safe for consumption. The average lifespan of a typical refrigerator is 10 to 15 years, but the older the appliance is, the less likely it is to be energy efficient. Today’s energy efficient models use up to 60 percent less energy compared to models made in 2000. However, you can expect to pay $900 to $8,000 for a new refrigerator depending on the type, size and features. So, you need to think about the expense vs the savings. If your refrigerator is only five or so years old, you are only likely to save less than $20 a year on your energy bills by upgrading. However, if your appliance is older, there is the potential to save up to $200 a year. Ranges A range is typically one of the most durable kitchen appliances and you can expect it to last up to 20 years with maintenance and some minor repairs. A new model can cost $650 to $2,000+, so if
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