Appliances

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,

Refrigerator shopping is tricky; there are many makes, models, and configurations to consider. The finish and energy efficiency characteristics are pointless if the appliance cannot meet your basic needs for efficient food storage. The two most common refrigerator/freezer configurations are top freezer and bottom freezer models. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both models to help you make an informed decision. Top Freezer Refrigerators This is a timeless design that may not add much in terms of aesthetic appeal to a modern kitchen. But, they are reliable, dependable, and affordable appliances. They are also easy to access, energy efficient, and have a lot of food storage space. If you don’t need much freezer space or the latest features, a top freezer refrigerator is a good choice. Pros: These refrigerators are a great fit for smaller kitchens.They have plenty of easy to access food storage space.The energy efficient models are cheap to use.The freezer compartment access is easy for most people.Top freezer refrigerators are affordable. Cons: There is no freezer drawer to pull out.There are no ice or water dispenser options.The organization options are limited due to the space constraints.These models may not match a very modern kitchen design. Bottom Freezer Refrigerators This refrigerator configuration has become very popular in the last decade with French door and side-by-side door options. But, even a single door model is easy to access, and there is ample food storage space for families that make bulk food purchases. The refrigerated

When it comes to choosing a new refrigerator, many people focus on the extra features. But, the most basic requirement, the size of the appliance and how much food it can store is often overlooked. A modern refrigerator should have a lifespan of around 13 years and you will be using this appliance for a while. So, it makes sense to choose a refrigerator that meets all your current and future needs. In this article, we will look at how you should size a new refrigerator for your kitchen. The Basics As a starting point, it’s a good idea to examine our basic needs as food consumers. An average adult will require around 3-6 cubic feet of refrigerator storage space. Experts agree that a family of four would need a bare minimum of 20 cubic feet capacity to store their groceries. So, the number of people that you need to feed should be the primary determining factor plus any anticipated additions to the family in the future. Other considerations include a love for regular dinner parties, extended family visits and entertaining large groups of people which will increase the need for more refrigerator space. Let’s take a look at the needs of various home occupants in more detail. 1-2 People A top or bottom freezer compartment will necessitate a larger refrigerator compartment. Choosing a smaller freezer will create more refrigerator space without increasing the footprint. These are popular options because they are tried and tested technology and they are affordable

There are many things to consider when you’re researching a new appliance for your home. To maintain or improve the aesthetic appeal, the appliance finish is important for many people. The classic black, white or stainless steel finish choices have widened as manufacturers offer a wide range of colors, styles, and finishes to make their products stand out from the crowd. But, these three classic finishes are still the most popular choices, and we will examine their merits and flaws in this article. White Kitchen Appliances These are a safe choice, white appliances are not exciting, but they do work well with most kitchen designs because they are neutral. Most home appliances are available in white, even if no other colors are offered. This color can endure some wear and tear, and the surfaces are easy to wipe clean. But, a low budget white appliance can look cheap and nasty if it’s paired with classier surfaces and high-end appliances. Pros: White is a neutral color that works with many kitchen decor choices.Fingerprints don’t show on white surfaces.White appliances are easy to clean.There are plenty of appliance choices in white.White is a color that makes smaller areas look larger. Cons: Budget models can become discolored over time,White is a predictable and safe choice that won’t excite most people.White appliances can look old-fashioned in a very modern kitchen. Black Kitchen Appliances Interior design was influenced by the industrial era, and this was reflected in black kitchen appliances. Black gives an appliance a

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

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: