Appliances

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:

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

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.

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

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

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