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AppliancesJune 18, 2018
Understanding Energy Efficient Appliances
Choosing energy efficient appliances is a sensible decision. Not only will these appliances save money on your energy bills each month, but you can also do your part for the environment. Unfortunately, many consumers find themselves feeling confused about energy efficient appliances, so here we’ll explore what you need to know. The Energy Star Basics The first thing you need to know is to look for the Energy Star mark and what this means. The Energy Star program is offered by the Environmental Protection Agency, and it is designed to help you make smarter decisions when powering your home. The Energy Star logo is easy to recognize, but you also need to know what all the information on those labels actually means. An Energy Guide label is designed to provide a roundup of all the features and costs associated with the appliance. This label will let you know how much energy this appliance will use and an estimate of what this will add up to on your energy bills. Only products with the highest efficiency standards are awarded the Energy Star logo, so this is a great place to start shopping. An Efficiency Guide There are a number of factors to consider when you choose a new appliance. You not only need to look at the space available for your new appliance, but also your usage needs and the features you’d like. There is no sure way to determine that this model is better than another, as a tiny refrigerator -
AppliancesJune 11, 2018
Unlocking the Secrets of the Convection Oven
If you’re planning on replacing or upgrading your oven, you’re likely to have discovered convection ovens. While a convection oven may cost a little more, they can provide some fantastic benefits for any keen chefs or bakers. So, here we will explore convection ovens and whether one could be the right option for your kitchen. The Convection Basics The term “convection” may take you back to your high school science class. Don’t let this discourage you, as the basic principles of convection ovens are actually quite simple. Unlike a regular oven, convection models have a fan and exhaust system, allowing hot air to be blown around the oven cavity around your food before it is vented out. As the warm air surrounds your food, it promotes quicker and more even cooking. The Benefits of Convection Ovens There are a number of reasons why convection ovens have become a popular option for home use. The most obvious reason is that they provide faster cooking. The circulating hot air speeds up the cooking time, making these ovens an excellent option for people with a busy lifestyle. Convection ovens also provide more even cooking. This is a great feature for any type of cooking, but it is particularly beneficial for baking. Great baking results need even heat, or you can end up with lopsided bread or unrisen cakes. Convection also promotes even and beautiful browning. Regular ovens can create a humid atmosphere as the moisture is trapped inside the oven cavity. Convection ovens -
AppliancesJune 06, 2018
When Should You Buy New Large Appliances
While many of us may leave buying a new large appliance until the old one completely breaks, this can be a costly mistake. As Benjamin Franklin said “Necessity never made a good bargain,” and impulse buying means you’re not likely to find the best deal. Planning ahead will allow you to find the good times to make a purchase, as there are certain times during the year that will enable you to get the best deals on stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers. Plan Ahead While you may be concerned with the maximum use and continue using your current appliances until they die, this doesn’t allow you to plan your purchase for when you can get the best deals. A more cost-effective idea is to think about when your appliances are going to need to be replaced to help you get bang for your buck. Most manufacturers provide an estimated appliance lifespan, so you can be aware of when it is likely to start to fail. So, think about when you originally purchased your appliance, so you can monitor when you need to start shopping. Additionally, you need to consider whether your appliance has started to perform poorly. If you notice that your refrigerator is struggling to keep everything cool, it is not only going to be driving up your energy bills, but it is also on the road to failure. The Best Times of the Year to Buy Your New Appliances One of the best times to buy many -
AppliancesJune 04, 2018
2018 Kitchen Appliance Trends to Look For
If you’re thinking about giving your kitchen a makeover, you’re likely to want to be up to date on all the latest kitchen appliance trends. An appliance can enhance the functionality of your kitchen, but if you make a poor choice, you could find yourself stuck with something that is outdated before your renovation is fully complete. So, here we will explore some of the 2018 kitchen appliance trends you should look out for when you’re planning your new dream kitchen. Black Stainless Steel Stainless steel appliances have been around for years, and they offer perhaps the most versatile finish, but there is no hotter kitchen appliance trend today than a black stainless steel finish. This finish offers many of the benefits provided by traditional stainless steel, such as being scratch and smudge proof, but with a new contemporary edge. Black stainless steel complements bold, darker colors, with versatility to match many design styles and other finishes. Whether you’re planning a sleek modern aesthetic or a more traditional look, you can seamlessly incorporate black stainless steel. There are a number of kitchen manufacturers who have embraced this new trend, started by LG in 2015. The LG STUDIO line, which is a high end, luxury line inspired by Nate Berkus, includes everything from ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers to many more in this fantastic finish. KitchenAid, Samsung, Dacor and Whirlpool also offer some great black stainless steel appliances, so don’t assume you’ll be stuck with a choice of white or traditional stainless -
AppliancesMay 21, 2018
Appliance Tips for Safely Cooking in Your Kitchen
Home appliances have an extensive safety track record, but only when they are used properly. There are rigorous safety tests for appliances before they ever make it to the shelves in your local retailer. This means that many appliance accidents are preventable and these tips can help you to stay safely cooking in your kitchen. Be Aware of Hot Surfaces It may sound obvious, but you need to avoid touching any hot surfaces. Manufacturers design areas of appliances, particularly portable appliances that can be safely handled to reduce the risk of injury. For examples, crock pots are designed with two handles to be carried safely. Other areas that tend to stay cooler are the control knobs, so if a knob or handle breaks ensure that you obtain a replacement from the manufacturer. Unplug Your Small Appliances There is a risk of electric shock from any appliance, whether it’s switched on or not. So, you should unplug all your small appliances when you’ve finished using them. This will not only drop the risk of an electric shock to almost zero, but it will also protect you and your home if the appliance develops a fault and starts to spark. Don’t Allow Cords to Hang Hanging cords can be a dangerous hazard around your home. Not only is a cord a trip hazard, but children can also be injured by snagging a cord and pulling an appliance down on themselves. This scenario can be made even worse if the appliance is hot -
AppliancesMay 14, 2018
How Your Appliances Can Help You Eat Healthier
Trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle can be challenging. Fortunately, it need not all be hard work, as your appliances can be a great tool in helping you to eat healthier. High-quality appliances and some meal prep can help you to get the best from your kitchen appliances and adopt that healthier lifestyle. Organize Your Refrigerator Having easier access to healthier food choices means that there is less temptation to just grab your phone and call for takeout. Ideally, your food should be in easy to use containers, so you can grab what ingredients you need when you want to make a meal or snack. Prep some fruits and vegetables into slices and store them in containers or sandwich bags as a quick snack. If you want to encourage your kids to eat healthier, ensure that all the healthy snacks are on the lower refrigerator shelves within their reach. Plan Your Freezer Your freezer can be a fantastic resource and provide you with healthy ready meals when you need them. Try batch cooking healthier recipes and divide into portions for the freezer. These can be quickly defrosted and reheated on busy days. You can also make quick breads and muffins and store them in your freezer for a quick breakfast. All you’ll need to do is microwave them or up to 30 seconds. Set Your Rice Cooker to Work A good rice cooker can be the cornerstone of a healthy kitchen. You can cook almost any type of grain in -
AppliancesMay 07, 2018
Considerations for Buying a Toaster or Toaster Oven
Experts maintain that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and no appliance is more vital for breakfast than the toaster. When you start shopping for a toaster oven or toaster, you’re likely to find yourself looking at a massive selection of options ranging from simple pop up toasters to more sophisticated toaster ovens with the latest features. So, here we will explore the considerations to assess when buying a new toaster. The Capacity In a typical morning, how much bread will you be toasting? If you have a large family, a simple two slice pop up toaster is not likely to be enough, unless you have a very patient family that doesn’t mind lining up. Most toasters offer two or four slots, but there are some models that offer more. Toaster oven models list their capacity based on how many slices they can hold. These appliances can also handle pizzas and other food items, so they provide greater flexibility, particularly in a smaller kitchen. The Aesthetics In most kitchens, the toaster will live on the countertop, in full view of anyone who steps into your kitchen. This means that your toaster is likely to become an integral part of your overall decor. Fortunately, toasters are available in a rainbow of colors and styles, today from contemporary designs to the classic “retro” appearance. So, you can choose a style and color that suits your personal preferences and helps you achieve your kitchen design aesthetic. Additional Settings It is -
AppliancesMay 03, 2018
Tips for Successful Entertaining in Your Kitchen
The heart of any successful party is the kitchen. Whether you’re having a house party or having friends over for dinner, your kitchen is an essential area for entertaining. Unfortunately, if your kitchen is not properly equipped, it can lead to your event being a flop. So, here we will explore the best tips for successful entertaining in your kitchen. Set Up a Bar Your guests will need drinks, and whether this is cold lemonade, punch or craft cocktails, you need an area set aside as a bar. Create a beverage station on a kitchen island or countertop where you can place glasses, an ice bucket and your selection of drinks. If you have an under counter beverage center outside, on a warm evening, you could create a bar area on your patio for an alfresco event. Even if you intend to prepare your guests’ drinks, keeping this area separate from food prep areas will help keep your kitchen flow at its best. Prepare Delicious Snacks Whether you’re planning on serving a gourmet meal at a dinner party or are hosting a sophisticated soiree, it is a good idea to have some delicious snacks available for your guests. Plan your hors d’oeuvres in advance and store them in your refrigerator until they can be baked off before your party. Even something as simple as mini quiches or fresh bruschetta will keep your guests happy. If you’re not planning on serving a meal, it’s a good idea to designate an area -
AppliancesApril 30, 2018
The 7 Laundry Mistakes Most People Make
The mistakes listed here are common even in the most seasoned of laundry-doers. Even if you’ve been washing clothes your entire life, you might have been causing harmful damage to fabrics all along. And with the mind-numbing consistency of doing laundry time and time again, it’s easy to commit some unnecessary errors while cleaning your clothes. Consumer mistakes might not be the only problem. Be sure your washing machine is high quality and not the actual cause of any issues. Let’s review these tips below to keep clothes fresh, damage-free and looking their best. Mistake #1 Sort Properly Sort your clothes! You will thank yourself in the long run. It’s hard to carefully sort clothes when you’re in a rush, but doing so will keep your clothes fresh. Separate really dirty pieces of clothing from clothes that are only lightly soiled. It’s also good to sort abrasive or heavy fabrics like jeans from more delicate pieces. Mini-tip: Turn denim inside out, gently wash in cold water and dry at low temperatures. You don’t want your sheets to twist either. Wash sets separately instead of everything at once. It’s a good idea to include smaller items like underwear with the load. Mistake #2 Detergent Never put detergent directly on top of your clothes. There’s a proper way to load the washing machine. Distributing the detergent is key. This is the most important element when it comes to clean clothes. The best way to ensure detergent distribution, is to place laundry in -
AppliancesApril 23, 2018
Party in the Kitchen
It’s officially spring, and summer is right around the corner. We’re in the peak season for afternoon parties and gatherings, and if you’re playing host and looking for ways to keep guests entertained during your events, you might be inclined to gather in the living room or parlor. But if you’ve never considered your kitchen a space for fun, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity. When you’re all together in the kitchen, you have the chance for a more relaxed, intimate setting, and you’ll have the bonus of keeping all the tools you need for a great get-together right at your fingertips. Fridges and Chillers What’s a proper reception without drinks? When prepping a party area, the best tool to utilize is without a doubt a reliable wine cooler. Whether for storing wine or if you just want a place to chill non-alcoholic bottles, this can be an integral part of both your party and your kitchen. The wine cooler will cultivate the best temperature for drinks when a refrigerator isn’t quite specialized enough for the task. You won’t have to fuss about running out of ice with a chiller like this handy, either. Additionally, no party is complete without snacks, and a wine cooler can be great extra storage for cheeses, chocolate, olive oil, or anything else that might otherwise bulk up the fridge. With a handy wine cooler, it also offers you the freedom of versatility. Whether you’re pouring drinks or allowing self-serve, this appliance allows easy
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