Appliances

When you’re shopping for a new range, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you choose a freestanding or slide-in range. Whether you’re remodeling or replacing your existing range to complement your existing kitchen decor, it can be a little confusing to decide which one is best. So, here we’ll walk you through both styles and considerations to help you to make an informed purchasing decision. The Freestanding Range Basics: Freestanding ranges are the most common type of range. It provides the option to install the range freestanding on its own, between cabinets, or at the end of the cabinet run against a wall. This flexibility is one of the reasons why freestanding ranges are the more popular choice, but they also tend to be more affordable compared to their slide-in counterparts. Freestanding ranges also have finished sides, making it possible to install anywhere in the kitchen without a need for cabinetry. They also tend to have a backsplash, which provides protection for the wall from splashing liquids and grease splatters during the cooking process. This style of range typically has the controls behind the burners, with knobs in front of the burners, a large oven capacity and a warming or storage drawer at the bottom. The Slide-in Range Basics: A slide-in range is designed to fit flush with countertops and blend in seamlessly with its surrounding cabinetry. This does mean that installation is required, since the appliance does not have finished sides. The installation will

When you’re shopping for a new microwave, you are likely to find a variety of makes, models, and styles, but one area which tends to create confusion is the wattage. Each microwave model will detail its wattage, but does this mean that it has sufficient power to meet your appliance needs?  Here we’ll explore microwave wattages in a little more detail to help you to choose the right wattage for the complexity and size of meals you tend to prepare. Less Than 700 Watts: Typically, the least expensive microwave models tend to operate on less than 700 watts. This is also the category for smaller units. These types of microwaves are a good option for heating up small dishes of food, cooking instant meals and reheating drinks. But, if you’re used to a higher powered model, you may find this size of microwave a little frustrating as it will take longer to complete the heating tasks. You will need to adjust your cooking times, but many models feature a button to instantly add 30 seconds or a minute to the time, to make it easier to keep heating your food or drink. 700 to 1000 Watts: This size of microwave typically provides decent efficiency for most microwaving tasks. Most microwave recipes feature this microwave power level as a base figure for the cook times. This size of microwave provides adequate power to cook instant meals, defrost foods, prepare microwave popcorn, reheat casseroles or even thoroughly cook raw meat. 1000 Watts

If you’re a keen home cook, you may have wondered whether you should purchase a pro range or stick to a standard model when you’re next updating your kitchen. While standard ranges offer superb features, pro-style ranges tend to offer greater functionality. So, here we'll explore some of the reasons why a pro range may be a good option for you. More Cooking Features and Power: One of the best ways to boost your cooking power is to use a pro range. These appliances typically have a far higher BTU output compared to standard ranges. They also typically have an expanded selection of cook modes including air fry and steam with features such as star shaped power burners and infrared broilers that can expand your cooking repertoire. Greater Durability: While standard ranges have a decent lifespan, pro ranges are designed to handle the rigorous demands of a professional kitchen. This means that you can expect greater durability in features such as heavy duty knobs, soft close hinges and ergonomic handles. It is also common to see continuous, sturdy cast iron gates on pro ranges which allow you to slide heavy pans and pots across the cooktop without needing to lift the heavy items. High End Controls: One of the main advantages of a professional range is that they offer heavy duty controls. Many units feature solid and durable knobs, while others have sleek touchscreens, there may even be LED backlighting to make it easier to see if a burner is

A buildup of frost inside a freezer will affect the taste of frozen food, create bad odors, take up valuable space, and even cause damage to the appliance. Most modern freezers have features to deal with frost and these fall into two broad categories, frost-free and auto defrost. They sound similar, but they work in very different ways and we will cover them both in this article to help you make an informed purchasing decision. What is a Frost-Free Freezer? A freezer with a frost-free feature has an automatic fan system, which is designed to remove warm air. This keeps the internal freezer temperature consistent and moisture is prevented from accumulating and freezing on the walls. The fan keeps the cold air in the freezer circulating to prevent a buildup of frost and there should be no need to manually defrost the appliance. What is an Auto Defrost Freezer? All auto defrost freezers have an automatic self-cleaning function that requires no intervention to work. The system heats coils in the freezer which prevents frosting to ensure that you don’t need to manually defrost the freezer. Many upright freezers have a fan-assisted or direct cooling system with an auto defrost feature in place. Frost-Free vs Auto Defrost: Which is Best? Both approaches do a good job when it comes to keeping the frost off the freezer walls. They both negate the need to defrost the freezer manually and they work without human intervention. So, it can be hard to choose one

Having the ability to freeze food for long-term storage is something that our ancestors would find astonishing. Freezing food is a great way to prevent food waste, expand meal choices and save money at the same time. But, a freezer needs to be set at the optimal temperature to retain flavor and prevent spoilage. This is equally true if you have an upright or a chest freezer to prevent frost build-up, food melt, and freezer burn. In this article, we will take a closer look at how you can set your freezer temperature to keep your food fresher for longer. What is the Optimal Temperature? Most experts agree that a freezer temperature of 0ºF (-18ºC) is the best environment for food preservation. At this temperature the food is free of bacteria, the risks of freezer burn are minimized, and the food will be safer to consume. It’s tempting to set the temperature lower because more or less in this case is always better, right? No, there are significant drawbacks if the freezer temperature is set too low. The compressor unit will need to work harder to maintain the lower temperature which has two consequences. First, when key components are overworked they tend to fail which can lead to an unexpected repair bill. Second, when the compressor is working harder it will consume more energy, and this will drive up the electric bill. How Do I Set the Optimal Temperature? To maintain food freshness, you need to set the freezer temperature

With more and more consumers becoming concerned about their environmental impact, the buying local movement has gained traction. As the name suggests, buying local means foregoing online shopping and supporting local businesses. While this may be an easy decision when you’re purchasing small items, should you buy local when shopping for kitchen appliances? Here we’ll explore the argument for and against. Big Box Stores: One of the first places where you may begin your appliance shopping is a big box store. These retailers tend to offer a large selection of kitchen appliances with a large display area. This can be highly beneficial if you’re not sure which appliance would work best in your home. You can open appliance doors, check out inside and get an idea of the overall size. You can even assess the different finishes to decide if you want to stick to classic white or go with another finish. Big box stores also tend to have kitchen display features showing built in appliances. Since you’re looking at the kitchen appliances in their intended setting, you can get a better picture in your mind of what your finished kitchen will look like. Another advantage of big box stores is that the showrooms tend to offer convenient hours of operation and there are more frequent sales promotions. On the other hand, the staff at big box stores don’t tend to be appliance specialists. They lack the proper appliance training to help you make the best purchase decision, you’re also

If you’re shopping for a new washing machine, you’re likely to be aware of the sheer number of different sizes, styles and designs. While top loading machines tend to be the most common, with more consumers focused on saving water and energy, front loaders have become increasingly popular. So, here we’ll walk you through how to choose the right washer for your home. Front Load vs Top Load vs Hybrid: The first thing you’ll need to decide to narrow down your choices is which design style is the best fit for your home. Front Load: These machines typically have a 50% larger capacity compared to a standard top load. Plus you can benefit from innovative features such as steam settings, auto dispensers and WiFi connectivity. Front load machines also tend to be easier on your clothes, as they are washed using friction rather than an agitator. Another benefit of front loaders is that they are more efficient. They use less water, electricity and detergent compared to other types. The spin capacity is also far faster, so more water will be spun out of your clothing to reduce drying times. The downsides to front load washing machines include potential for mold and mildew issues caused by standing water, more complicated repairs and a higher initial purchase cost. Top Load: Top load washers tend to be less costly as they are a more basic form of appliance. Even newer models lack the bells and whistles available on front loader or hybrid models.

An efficient laundry room can be a fantastic resource inside your home. If you want to make the best use of the space you may have considered stacking your washer and dryer. But, is this a good idea? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of stacking your laundry appliances. The Argument for Stacking: If you have a front load washer and dryer, you’ll need to seriously consider the argument for stacking them. There are a number of reasons why this may be a good option for your laundry room. These include: Make the Most of Small Spaces: If you don’t have the largest of homes, you may find that every square inch of your home needs to be put to work. When you have a small laundry room, being able to stack your appliances will free up floor space. With the average size of stackable laundry appliances averaging approximately two square feet, you can even have your appliances in a closet.Efficient Cleaning: While a top loading machine may be the go-to in many homes, front loading washers actually use less energy and water. Rather than filling the whole drum with water, front loaders mix the minimal amount of water with the detergent for great cleaning performance and efficiency. Just bear in mind that if you choose a High Efficiency front loader, you’ll need to switch to a high efficiency detergent to avoid excess suds and cleaning issues.Easier Access: If you have your washer on the bottom,

A kitchen remodel or appliance upgrade is a great way to breathe new life into any home. A well designed kitchen can add a lot of value to the home and it’s a more pleasant place to cook and entertain. But, when it comes to kitchen decor and appliance finish choices, there is a dizzying array of choices to consider. The functional and aesthetic needs can be met, but how can you make a final decision? In this article, we will examine how you can choose the right finish to match your kitchen design vision. Kitchen Appliance Finish Basics In the past, the choice of kitchen appliance finishes was extremely limited. Most kitchens were restricted to white appliances, and cheaper models can discolor over time. The premium-grade models may have been available in stainless-steel, but these were only available at very high prices. Now, we have a huge range of appliance finishes that may not be available on every model and they are more common than ever before. Let’s take a look at four popular appliance finish options in more detail: 1.  Stainless-Steel Although stainless-steel finishes have been around for a while, they still work very well in a contemporary kitchen. This is still one of the most popular appliance finishes, and it will match most kitchen designs and decor choices. It’s easy to create a minimalist feel when stainless-steel finishes are matched with pure white cabinetry. An alternative is to add these contemporary finishes with a rustic kitchen to

Many people have opened their refrigerator for a few moments and noticed that some neglected food has spoiled. This could be leftovers from the night before or some healthy leaves that you were planning to eat last week before you forget about them. The contents of your refrigerator can become uncontrollable in short order if you don’t have a system.  In this article, we will look at two simple tips to help you organize your refrigerator to improve the efficiency of your cold food storage. 1.  Sanitary Considerations Let’s face it, the main cause for concern for most people will be the chance that they may become ill when they eat food that went bad in the refrigerator. It’s tempting to place the food items that you reach for the most, in areas that are easier to access. But, the primary consideration must be food safety and the most sanitary ways to store food. There is a real science to chilled food storage that’s beyond the scope of this article. So, to keep things simple let’s look at a typical sanitary setup that you would see in a professional kitchen where good food hygiene is practiced. We can broadly divide food storage in the refrigerator into the upper and lower shelves as follows: The Upper Shelves: This is the ideal location for cooked foods that are safe to eat right now, including leftovers, cold cuts, and chilled drinks. The Lower Shelves: Here you will store any raw foods, such as chicken,