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AppliancesSeptember 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 -
AppliancesAugust 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: -
AppliancesAugust 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 -
Plumbing FixturesJuly 13, 2022
A Guest Bathroom Upgrade is a Smart Decision
Why? Well, when it comes to upgrading bathrooms most people tend to focus on the master. But, there is a good case to make a guest bathroom upgrade a higher priority because it can add more value to your home. For many families with older kids in college or frequent visitors, this could be a real game changer. In this article, we will take a closer look at three good reasons to upgrade your guest bathroom. They are: 1. An Upgraded Guest Bathroom is Functional Having access to a second bathroom that’s been renovated to a high standard is a way to add extra functionality to your home. There is no need to fight for bathrooms spare or create complex shower schedules that people won’t follow. A home can be made into a more peaceful space with extra access to a lavatory. This is particularly helpful if there are people with disabilities or limited mobility in the home. 2. Adding Value to Your Home If you want to sell your home or you’re considering selling in the next few years, this could be a great investment. Many prospective buyers will appreciate a renovated guest bathroom in their new home. If the guest bathroom is renovated to a high standard, it will make your home even more attractive and add an extra incentive to buy. 3. Accommodating Overnight Guests There are times when many of us have a friend passing through or a family member coming to stay for the holidays. -
AppliancesJune 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. -
AppliancesMay 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 -
AppliancesApril 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 -
AppliancesMarch 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 -
AppliancesFebruary 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 -
HomeFebruary 04, 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
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