Appliances
Displaying 1 - 1 of 0 Articles
Categories
-
October 09, 2018
Do You Really Need to Set Your Freezer to 0º?
Refrigerator and freezer temperatures can be tricky. Often the first sign that your appliance is malfunctioning is that it doesn’t seem to be cool enough. With many homeowners now focused on saving energy and having a greener home, is it really necessary to set your freezer to 0º? The FDA Stance According to the FDA, refrigerators should be set at or below 40º, while freezers should remain at 0º. Even energy conservation groups and sites adhere to this, with many advocating that while a refrigerator set 10º colder than necessary could be using 25 percent more energy, the appliance should be kept at 35 to 38º. So, with so many legitimate sources promoting the 0º stance, is there still reason to consider otherwise? There have been articles in the media that suggest that it is okay to adjust the temperature of both the refrigerator and freezer while keeping your food safe. In fact, when you look back at studies conducted in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, these temperatures were brought in to maintain food safety in the appliances of those eras. The temperature of 40º was chosen for refrigerators to minimize the potential for bacterial growth. This number continues to be important in the food industry today, even with the flash freezing and newer technologies today. Freezing temperatures are a little more complicated. There is a science behind obtaining the best temperature to slow or stop enzymes while preserving nutrients. Enzymes are responsible for the ripening and eventual rotting of -
September 24, 2018
Top Tips for Storing Your Wine
Most of us enjoy a glass of wine to relax after a tough day, but if you start to become a real wine lover, you’ll need to ensure that you store your bottles properly. Improperly stored wine can suffer from oxidation and lose some of that bouquet and body. So, here we have some top tips to help you store your wine like a PRO. Understand the Proper Storage Temperatures If you have a bottle of cheap white, it is easy to pop it in the refrigerator, but serious wine lovers need to understand the proper storage temperatures. The temperature can dramatically affect the smell and taste of your wine, and if you want to keep those spicy, fruity aromas, when you pour a glass, you need to understand the correct storage temperatures. Generally, sweet wines should be stored at 42ºf for whites, and Rose’ at 50ºf while Reds at 54ºf. These are a good guideline for most wines, but some others require a little more care. For example, Champagne should be stored at 46ºf, while Port should be kept at 60ºf. For the optimal serving temperatures, you should not allow your wine to hit temperatures above 55ºf for whites and 68ºf for reds. Consider Humidity While the proper temperature is critical, you also need to consider the humidity levels. The correct humidity is tied directly to the wine corks, particularly in long-term storage. If the humidity is too low, your wine corks can dry out; compromising the seal and -
September 10, 2018
Can You Keep a Grill Clean While Cooking?
It’s an old adage that the best way to keep a spotless kitchen is to clean it while cooking at the same time. This is a great way to make good use of your meal preparation time as you can get little cleaning tasks completed as you wait for cooking processes to finish. This same concept can also be applied to cooking on your grill, and you will find that cleaning, as you go, can save you a lot of time later. Let’s take a closer look at how you can minimize those dreaded post cookout cleanup woes. Next Level Grilling When you cook on your grill, use a high heat cooking spray to coat your grates. This will help to avoid sticking and remember that less is more when it comes to using oil on your grill. You can also avoid flare-ups by using leaner cuts of meat, trimming away fat and using less oily marinades. This is not only better from a health perspective, but it’s also a great way to reduce the amount of mess on your grill. Some Useful Grilling Accessories Grilling accessories are a great way to keep your grill under control, and many of them are squarely aimed at reducing splashes and mess. A Shelf Mat Cooking with grease and sauces ensures that some messes are likely to happen during a cookout no matter what. A shelf mat can help by offering protection from sauces, oil and marinades dripping off your grilling tools. Check -
August 27, 2018
Taking a Look at Different Refrigerator Door Types
No modern kitchen would be complete without a hard working refrigerator to keep food and drinks cool and fresh. Every household and kitchen is different, and this will have a major effect on how the refrigerator is placed and the size that can be used. Another critical consideration is access to the refrigerator, how much space is there and how will the doors work in your kitchen? Answering these questions is determined, to a certain extent, by the available space, how you use the kitchen and your available budget. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common refrigerator door styles that you may encounter when shopping for your next refrigerator. The Top Freezer Fridge This is a very common type of refrigerator that is seen in many homes because it’s an economical choice. If you have basic needs and require a little extra space for a small freezer compartment, this could be an ideal option. There are a couple of critical disadvantages to bear in mind before making a final decision. Firstly, it will be necessary for you to bend to access the fridge section, and this may be a bad option for those with mobility or bad back issues. Secondly, smaller people or children may have a problem reaching the freezer compartment without a step. The Bottom Freezer Fridge This refrigerator has a freezer door located at the bottom, basically the opposite of the one above. These refrigerators are still a popular choice, and many people prefer -
August 14, 2018
Must Have Features to Look for on Your New Refrigerator
Modern refrigerators have evolved to be more than just somewhere to keep your produce cool. Today’s appliances aim to aid convenient and healthy living, with some fantastic time-saving features. This does mean that you need to know what features you need in your new refrigerator. So, here we’ll explore some must have features you should look for on your new refrigerator. Adjustable Shelves Tempered glass shelves are considered to the standard in refrigerators, but it is also crucial that they are adjustable. Tempered glass is designed to be strong, durable and safe, but to maximize space and make cleaning more manageable, the shelves should be flexible. Adjustable shelves allow you to tailor your new refrigerator to your specific needs, so you can have plenty of space to keep all your chilled items organized. Energy Star Compliance Energy efficient appliances can provide savings of approximately 10 percent on energy bills each year. Only the most efficient models qualify for Energy Star ratings, so it is essential to look for the Energy Star sticker. While you may pay a little more initially, you can not only reduce your energy bills, but also passively reduce your environmental footprint. Counter Depth Counter depth appliances have been around for decades, but this feature is often overlooked. By choosing a counter depth refrigerator, you can achieve a more custom, built-in look. A counter depth refrigerator can add sleek lines to any style of kitchen, but are particularly effective for contemporary kitchens where clean lines are important -
July 31, 2018
Advice for Running a Refrigerator in a Hot Garage
Whether you enjoy entertaining in the backyard or have older children and don’t want them traipsing in and out of your kitchen all day, having a refrigerator in your garage can be a great idea. A garage refrigerator can be a great place to store sodas for the kids, food for the grill or even items you can’t fit in your kitchen refrigerator. Unfortunately, when the summer weather arrives, your garage can become very hot and humid, which can create problems for your refrigerator. When your garage isn’t climate controlled, there is a great deal of stress on your refrigerator during a sweltering summer, but there are some things you can do to keep your refrigerator running. Keep it Charged While a kitchen is specifically designed for home appliances, this may not be the case with your garage. If your garage isn’t equipped with the correct electrical hookup, there is a risk your refrigerator will not receive enough power. This will result in further stress on the appliance as it tries to produce cold air in a hot environment. Your refrigerator should be supplied with a 60Hz, AC only, 115 volt electrical outlet. If you are unsure if your garage is equipped with the proper electrical wiring, you should consult a professional electrician. Keep it Filled Although it may seem strange, a full refrigerator works better. Cold air can escape faster from an empty refrigerator, so an appliance in a hot garage needs to work harder in addition to fighting -
June 26, 2018
Will the New Tariffs Affect Your Appliance Purchase?
The recently announcement on a new tariff is likely to have an impact on appliance pricing throughout the industry. So, here we will explore this tariff in a little more detail to explain why it may affect your new appliance purchase. The Tariffs Whether you agree with the principle of the latest tariffs or not, the reality is that it is likely to have some impact on your new purchases. The tariff will affect any goods that are made using aluminum or steel. The 10% tariff on aluminum and 25% tariff on steel is effectively an import tax on all countries except Mexico and Canada, although very recently Mexico and Canada were also added back into the mix. While only aluminum and steel sourced from foreign countries may be likely to be affected, many industry experts believe that the whole industry will rise with the new tide. The new tariff provides Canadian, Mexican and domestic forges an opportunity to increase their own margins, as their competition will be implementing a significant price increase. Since appliances contain a substantial amount of these materials, we’re likely to see repercussions in the industry. The Market Impact In January of 2018, another tariff went into effect on large home style washing machines. This caused some foreign manufacturers including Samsung and LG to announce establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States. Unfortunately, the latest aluminum and steel tariffs may bring foreign manufacturing back into favor. In reality, the new aluminum and steel tariffs do not -
June 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 -
June 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 -
June 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
Displaying 1 - 1 of 0 Articles