Appliances

When it comes to making a change in your kitchen, you’re likely to want a new range. We have many excellent models available with the latest features. But, when it comes to powering or fueling the range, which is the best choice, gas or electric? A Brief Primer When it comes to replacing a larger appliance such as a range or stove, there are some challenges that you may need to overcome. Most people go with an appliance that uses the same fuel source as their older model. This is because it’s easier to hook up the appliance without any extra work and the higher installation costs that follow. But, in recent years we have seen a surge in the popularity of cooking shows and associated social media. Many professional cooks prefer to use gas and this has encouraged a lot of people to make the switch. But many of us don’t have a gas line or it would be very hard to run a line out to the kitchen. Only 50% of American homes have gas service and the rest of us need to use electric appliances. So, the natural question on the lips of many cooks is does gas cooking live up to the hype? When you cook with an electric range can you achieve similar cooking results? Let’s take a look at some simple cooking tests to compare gas and electric performance against each other. 3 Simple Cooking Tests Over the years, cooking experts and consumer groups

Most dishwasher users load their machines every night without thinking too much about how the cycle works. We simply get up in the morning and our dishes are sparkling clean and ready to put away. But, there is a lot more to the process than simply pressing a start button. A modern dishwasher has a number of useful cycles that can save time and energy and even extend the expected lifespan of your appliance. In this article, we will take a closer look at how dishwasher cycles work. A Brief Primer The dishwasher is programmed to operate for a certain period of time to make the best use of the water and break down the grime on dishes. The water flows into the appliance and agitates the food debris that’s left behind on the surfaces of your dishes and cookware. The process begins when the discharge pump empties the remaining water into the appliance and then hot water is introduced. This fills a reservoir at the base of the dishwater and energy is expended to heat the water. The exact temperature used will be determined by the cycle that you choose. You want to select a dishwasher cycle that’s effective and yet you want to use the least amount of energy to save money. This is a delicate balancing act and the situation is exacerbated because different makes and models of dishwashers will not perform in the exact same way. So, when you want to get the best performance and

Many homeowners dread the arrival of their energy bills. The cost of energy seems to continually increase and it can be daunting to anticipate whether your bill will be higher or lower this month. While you may be aware that heating and cooling accounts for a large proportion of energy bills, you may not know which of your major appliances are contributing to those hefty bills. Here we’ll explore the four appliances that use the most energy and the ways you can boost their efficiency to lower your utility bills. The Dishwasher: According to Connect4Climate data, dishwasher’s only require approximately $49 of energy per year. While your dishwasher may not be using a lot of energy throughout the year, it can use lots of water. There are a few ways to decrease your dishwasher water usage. The best way is to only run a cycle when the dishwasher is full. While some models have a half load program, it is more efficient to only run the dishwasher with a full load. This will also save on electricity and detergent costs. If you switch to an Energy Star model, you can save gallons of water and energy each year. So, spending a little more initially on your new appliance can be well worth it in the long run. Your Electric Oven or Range: If you used your oven every day set at a 350ºf temperature, you would spend $90 a year on energy costs. So, if you use your oven more

The prices of produce have significantly increased in recent years. This makes it crucial that you properly preserve the produce you purchase. Fortunately, this is easy to accomplish with proper use of your refrigerator humidity drawers. Your humidity drawers are more than a handy place to store beers or awkward items that do not fit on the shelves; they are actually specifically designed for produce. So, here we will delve into how your humidity drawers work and how you can best use them. The Humidity Drawer Basics Humidity drawers are compartments in the refrigerator that regulate the humidity levels for your produce. Different types of produce have different humidity requirements. This is why many people often refer to these drawers as crisper drawers. The optimum humidity will keep your produce fresher for longer, saving money and avoiding the unnecessary cost of food waste. The Different Humidity Requirements for Different Produce The most important lesson to learn about humidity drawers is knowing the different humidity requirements for different produce. Generally, fruits require drier conditions for optimum freshness; excessive moisture can encourage spoiling. For this reason, they should be separated from other produce items as these items emit ethylene gas, which causes ripening and breaking down, encouraging spoiling. Vegetables such as onions can also spoil in higher humidity, so prefer lower humidity conditions. Conversely, leafy vegetables thrive in high humidity. This keeps the leaves crisp and delicious rather than limp and sad. If you tend to have a mixture of different fruits

Like many major appliance purchases, the final choice comes down to a comparison between price, performance, and functionality. Many people use their kitchens in different ways, and there is no single right answer. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the available choices, how they differ, the main benefits, and more. Hopefully, this will help you to make an informed purchasing decision when you upgrade your kitchen appliances. Understanding the Major Differences It’s important to understand the terminology because many people use cooking appliance terms in an interchangeable manner, and this can be confusing. A kitchen range is best defined as a combination of a cooktop with an oven. A cooktop may also be known as a stove or perhaps a stovetop depending on the manufacturer or where you live. A kitchen range is an all-in-one appliance because it is possible to purchase and install an oven and a cooktop separately. 4 Benefits of a Kitchen Range A kitchen range has historically been one of the most popular appliances in a kitchen, and this trend is set to continue in the future. Let’s take a look at the four benefits of buying and installing a kitchen range in your home. A kitchen range is a more affordable option when compared to buying and installing a separate cooktop and oven.Installing a kitchen range is easier.This is a more space efficient option.Many modern kitchen ranges are aesthetically pleasing and form a focal point for the entire kitchen. The main

The average household in America does 300 loads of laundry each year. This can add up to considerable water and energy usage. Fortunately, there are ways to conserve energy in your laundry room without compromising on cleaning performance. Look for ENERGY Star Label Appliances: The first step in creating an efficient laundry room is to look for ENERGY Star label appliances. ENERGY Star promotes the use of energy efficient products, and washers can only have a certified label if they use up to 40 percent less energy and up to 65 percent less water. These appliances can also remove more water from your laundry, so you can save energy when you put them in the dryer. Adjust the Water Temperature: Many people have their preferred laundry settings and tend to avoid changing them, but this can be a mistake. You should always adjust the water temperature to suit your laundry load. In most cases, you can wash clothing in cold or warm water and achieve the same results as you would with a hot water temperature. This can save up to 50 percent on your energy costs per load. If you are concerned about cleaning with cold water, you can use a cold water detergent. You can also treat any oily or ground in stains before washing to ensure the best results. Try to Only Wash Full Loads: Most washers use approximately the same energy regardless of the size of the load. So, try to avoid washing partial or small

According to research, the average family in America washes 300 laundry loads each year. So, Washers and dryers are not only big home purchases, but also crucial for keeping your bills under control. The marketplace is packed with offerings, with appliances of all sizes and designs. So, how do you choose the best ones for your home? In this buying guide, we will explore the crucial features to help you avoid paying more for bells and whistles you don’t actually need. Capacity: The first thing that you need to consider is the capacity of the appliance. You need to think about how much laundry you do each week. If you need to wash multiple loads each day simply because your washer is too small, it can be frustrating and inefficient. Bear in mind that a larger capacity washer will have a longer cycle time. So, if you prefer to wash quick, small loads, then a smaller capacity machine would better suit your needs. The capacity of washers and dryers is measured in the weight of the laundry. Unfortunately, it is a little different for the different machines. While washers measure the dry weight of clothing, dryers refer to the weight of damp laundry. So, if you have a 10 pound capacity washer, all the clothing will not fit in a 10 pound capacity dryer. Efficiency: Another consideration is how much water and energy the machine uses. Many homeowners are concerned about their energy bills, so you need to ensure that

Washing machines are a crucial necessity in any busy home. Many of us wash several loads of laundry each week. So, it is important that you choose the right machine to make your life easier. There are two basic types of washers; front load and top load. Each machine has its own pros and cons. So, here we will delve into whether you should choose a front load or top load washer for your home. Top Load Washers: As the name suggests, top load washers have a door sitting on the top of the machine. This opens into a large tub with either an impeller or an agitator inside. An agitator is a post in the center of the tub. It moves back and forth, so the laundry rubs against it, breaking apart any dirt or stains on the items. An impeller is a newer feature in top load machines. Rather than having an agitator post, there are rotating discs that are low profile at the bottom of the drum. This provides more space for a larger load while the clothes are still spun to rub together and get clean. The Pros and Cons of Top Loaders: The main advantage of top load washers is that they are far easier to load. Since the door is at waist height, you can toss in your laundry without needing to bend over and reach into the machine. However, if you are on the shorter side, using a top loader can be a

Whether your household has recently increased or you have guests over, it can sometimes be a challenge to fit everything you need into a refrigerator that is just a bit too small. Of course, the ideal scenario would be to upgrade your refrigerator, but you may not have the kitchen space or funds to do this right now. So, here we will delve into some great hacks to help you to fit everything into your small fridge. Assess Whether it Needs to be in the Fridge? First things first. You need to assess whether you have items in your refrigerator that don’t actually need to be there. There are actually lots of things that you may automatically put in your fridge that can either survive at room temperature or even last longer when they are not kept in the cool temperatures inside your appliance. Some common examples include: Potatoes and Onions: Providing your potatoes and onions are kept in a cool, dry environment, they will last far longer than if they were in the refrigerator. In fact, refrigerator conditions can make these items more prone to rot.Bread: Bread can stay fresh in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature. When your bread is in the fridge, it can actually go stale faster as the conditions dry it out faster.Tomatoes: Tomatoes can be sensitive to strong flavors, so they may be better kept in a bowl on your counter.Squash: Most types of squash, particularly those with a thicker skin can last

Your choice of kitchen appliances can make or break your kitchen design. These items are home staples that will be used on a regular basis. Fortunately, there are lots of shapes, sizes, and designs of appliances to suit any household requirements. So, even if you’re on a restricted budget, there are lots of options to choose from. Here we’ll explore this in more detail to help you to make your final purchase decision. Upgrade or Repair? If you’re on a limited budget, the first thing you need to consider is whether you upgrade or repair your existing appliances. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, there is a temptation to buy all new appliances, but this can significantly increase the costs. In many cases, an appliance upgrade may not be necessary. Even if your appliances are looking a little tired, it is possible to hide them behind cabinet fronts if they are still working well. On the other hand, if your appliances are subject to break down issues or are costing you increasing amounts on your energy bills, an upgrade is likely to be the best choice. Fortunately, there are some great ideas to save money when you upgrade your appliances. Bundle Deals If you need more than one appliance, you can save money by bundling your appliances into a deal. Consider what appliances you need and what you may need to replace in the near future, so you can maximize your savings. Many retailers will offer significant discounts when you buy