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Home appliances have an extensive safety track record, but only when they are used properly. There are rigorous safety tests for appliances before they ever make it to the shelves in your local retailer. This means that many appliance accidents are preventable and these tips can help you to stay safely cooking in your kitchen. Be Aware of Hot Surfaces It may sound obvious, but you need to avoid touching any hot surfaces. Manufacturers design areas of appliances, particularly portable appliances that can be safely handled to reduce the risk of injury. For examples, crock pots are designed with two handles to be carried safely. Other areas that tend to stay cooler are the control knobs, so if a knob or handle breaks ensure that you obtain a replacement from the manufacturer. Unplug Your Small Appliances There is a risk of electric shock from any appliance, whether it’s switched on or not. So, you should unplug all your small appliances when you’ve finished using them. This will not only drop the risk of an electric shock to almost zero, but it will also protect you and your home if the appliance develops a fault and starts to spark. Don’t Allow Cords to Hang Hanging cords can be a dangerous hazard around your home. Not only is a cord a trip hazard, but children can also be injured by snagging a cord and pulling an appliance down on themselves. This scenario can be made even worse if the appliance is hot

Trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle can be challenging. Fortunately, it need not all be hard work, as your appliances can be a great tool in helping you to eat healthier. High-quality appliances and some meal prep can help you to get the best from your kitchen appliances and adopt that healthier lifestyle. Organize Your Refrigerator Having easier access to healthier food choices means that there is less temptation to just grab your phone and call for takeout. Ideally, your food should be in easy to use containers, so you can grab what ingredients you need when you want to make a meal or snack. Prep some fruits and vegetables into slices and store them in containers or sandwich bags as a quick snack. If you want to encourage your kids to eat healthier, ensure that all the healthy snacks are on the lower refrigerator shelves within their reach. Plan Your Freezer Your freezer can be a fantastic resource and provide you with healthy ready meals when you need them. Try batch cooking healthier recipes and divide into portions for the freezer. These can be quickly defrosted and reheated on busy days. You can also make quick breads and muffins and store them in your freezer for a quick breakfast. All you’ll need to do is microwave them or up to 30 seconds. Set Your Rice Cooker to Work A good rice cooker can be the cornerstone of a healthy kitchen. You can cook almost any type of grain in

Experts maintain that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and no appliance is more vital for breakfast than the toaster. When you start shopping for a toaster oven or toaster, you’re likely to find yourself looking at a massive selection of options ranging from simple pop up toasters to more sophisticated toaster ovens with the latest features. So, here we will explore the considerations to assess when buying a new toaster. The Capacity In a typical morning, how much bread will you be toasting? If you have a large family, a simple two slice pop up toaster is not likely to be enough, unless you have a very patient family that doesn’t mind lining up. Most toasters offer two or four slots, but there are some models that offer more. Toaster oven models list their capacity based on how many slices they can hold. These appliances can also handle pizzas and other food items, so they provide greater flexibility, particularly in a smaller kitchen. The Aesthetics In most kitchens, the toaster will live on the countertop, in full view of anyone who steps into your kitchen. This means that your toaster is likely to become an integral part of your overall decor. Fortunately, toasters are available in a rainbow of colors and styles, today from contemporary designs to the classic “retro” appearance. So, you can choose a style and color that suits your personal preferences and helps you achieve your kitchen design aesthetic. Additional Settings It is

The heart of any successful party is the kitchen. Whether you’re having a house party or having friends over for dinner, your kitchen is an essential area for entertaining. Unfortunately, if your kitchen is not properly equipped, it can lead to your event being a flop. So, here we will explore the best tips for successful entertaining in your kitchen. Set Up a Bar Your guests will need drinks, and whether this is cold lemonade, punch or craft cocktails, you need an area set aside as a bar. Create a beverage station on a kitchen island or countertop where you can place glasses, an ice bucket and your selection of drinks. If you have an under counter beverage center outside, on a warm evening, you could create a bar area on your patio for an alfresco event. Even if you intend to prepare your guests’ drinks, keeping this area separate from food prep areas will help keep your kitchen flow at its best. Prepare Delicious Snacks Whether you’re planning on serving a gourmet meal at a dinner party or are hosting a sophisticated soiree, it is a good idea to have some delicious snacks available for your guests. Plan your hors d’oeuvres in advance and store them in your refrigerator until they can be baked off before your party. Even something as simple as mini quiches or fresh bruschetta will keep your guests happy. If you’re not planning on serving a meal, it’s a good idea to designate an area

The mistakes listed here are common even in the most seasoned of laundry-doers. Even if you’ve been washing clothes your entire life, you might have been causing harmful damage to fabrics all along. And with the mind-numbing consistency of doing laundry time and time again, it’s easy to commit some unnecessary errors while cleaning your clothes. Consumer mistakes might not be the only problem. Be sure your washing machine is high quality and not the actual cause of any issues. Let’s review these tips below to keep clothes fresh, damage-free and looking their best. Mistake #1 Sort Properly Sort your clothes! You will thank yourself in the long run. It’s hard to carefully sort clothes when you’re in a rush, but doing so will keep your clothes fresh. Separate really dirty pieces of clothing from clothes that are only lightly soiled. It’s also good to sort abrasive or heavy fabrics like jeans from more delicate pieces. Mini-tip: Turn denim inside out, gently wash in cold water and dry at low temperatures. You don’t want your sheets to twist either. Wash sets separately instead of everything at once. It’s a good idea to include smaller items like underwear with the load. Mistake #2 Detergent Never put detergent directly on top of your clothes. There’s a proper way to load the washing machine. Distributing the detergent is key. This is the most important element when it comes to clean clothes. The best way to ensure detergent distribution, is to place laundry in

It’s officially spring, and summer is right around the corner. We’re in the peak season for afternoon parties and gatherings, and if you’re playing host and looking for ways to keep guests entertained during your events, you might be inclined to gather in the living room or parlor. But if you’ve never considered your kitchen a space for fun, you’re missing out on a prime opportunity. When you’re all together in the kitchen, you have the chance for a more relaxed, intimate setting, and you’ll have the bonus of keeping all the tools you need for a great get-together right at your fingertips. Fridges and Chillers What’s a proper reception without drinks? When prepping a party area, the best tool to utilize is without a doubt a reliable wine cooler. Whether for storing wine or if you just want a place to chill non-alcoholic bottles, this can be an integral part of both your party and your kitchen. The wine cooler will cultivate the best temperature for drinks when a refrigerator isn’t quite specialized enough for the task. You won’t have to fuss about running out of ice with a chiller like this handy, either. Additionally, no party is complete without snacks, and a wine cooler can be great extra storage for cheeses, chocolate, olive oil, or anything else that might otherwise bulk up the fridge. With a handy wine cooler, it also offers you the freedom of versatility. Whether you’re pouring drinks or allowing self-serve, this appliance allows easy

Most of us give very little thought to the energy used when cooking. While you may think about the time spent preparing a meal, you may not have thought about what gas or electricity was used. Although quick meals can be a boon when you are busy, you may be inadvertently wasting energy, so here are some ways you can be a more energy efficient cook. Clean Your Drip Pans and Burner Caps Regularly Keeping your cook surfaces clean and tidy is not just about keeping your kitchen looking presentable, it can actually impact your energy efficiency. A dirty surface cannot reflect the heat as effectively as a polished one, so it wastes energy. So, while you may be in the habit of wiping down your cooktop, be sure to clean your drip pans and burner caps regularly. This will improve the energy efficiency and prevent any debris accumulating to cause a clog that will compromise the performance of your appliance. Match Burner Size to Your Cookware Unless you have an induction range or cooktop, using mismatched cookware means that you’re wasting energy heating the air around your pot or pan. One of the most appealing aspects of induction cooking is that it is 20% more efficient compared to electric cooktops and up to 70% more efficient compared to gas. This is because induction heats the cookware through magnetic fields, so only the pot is heated, and the surrounding surface is not. Unless you’re planning on upgrading your cooktop, you

Like Dacor and JennAir, Monogram has now raised the stakes in the luxury home appliance space. With their new slogan, “Elevate Everything,” the industry giant is bringing to the market a lineup of high-end branded products for the kitchen. By utilizing the creative skills of world renowned fashion designer and cookbook author Zac Posen, Monogram has announced its collaboration with Posen to have his brand reflected in their premium products. Posen has dressed more than a few leading ladies in his time, including Michelle Obama, Rhianna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Uma Thurman. Now, Monogram will have his signature style in their kitchen line. Partnerships to Impress and Excel Monogram has brought in the fashion icon to design a column refrigerator panel that will serve as inspiration for how a product can be distinctively personalized. This is the first of several projects planned with Posen in 2018. With his sense of style and his more recent interest in the culinary world, it’s no wonder that he’s been made “the perfect ambassador for Monogram,” according to Ed Mammorella, Monogram’s marketing manager. This is not the first time they’ve partnered with someone outside of the appliance universe for their line, either. As seen in their latest campaign video, Monogram is also working with William Campbell of Anvil Goods in order to create uniquely hand sculpted pieces that show off the precision of the Monogram product, and in doing so, create luxury designs that are as authentic as they are detailed and functional. Monogram’s goal

Hestan has long been recognized as a brand that reimagined the restaurant kitchen. In later years, the manufacturer went on to create a line of well received, premium outdoor residential grills. What the company was missing was a line of indoor appliances. This summer, Hestan will continue to make their mark on the industry and please chefs everywhere with the release of their entire indoor collection. Among the collection, Hestan’s indoor professional range looks particularly exciting. Below are the top five features of this promising kitchen appliance. The CircuFlame Power Burner The CircuFlame Power Burner comes in at number one because of its sheer power. The burner generates an astounding 30,000 BTUs. This feature alone puts Hestan’s commercial kitchen roots on full display. Imagine if necessary, wielding the abilities of a restaurant kitchen, but inside of the home. The CircuFlame Power Burner is the most powerful burner available in the residential market. Precision Sealed Burner System As impressive as this is… power definitely isn’t everything. While the Hestan boasts 30,000 BTUs, never before seen on a residential range, it also smartly delivers the lowest simmer setting. This feature is especially ideal for delicate sauces. Simmer Flame Capability is made possible by Hestan’s precision sealed burner system. The system maintains continuous gentle temperatures without flickering. Marquise Display iTouch Control Innovation has been a mainstay of the Hestan brand. This is seen on the residential range with the Marquise Display iTouch Control. It’s a sleek, technological innovation to the appliance. Aesthetically, the

Appliances are an essential convenience in our modern lives, but this does come at a cost. While most modern appliances are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, there are some appliance myths that could be wasting both your money and time. So, here we will explore some of the more common myths to help you avoid paying over the odds. You can’t Wash Clothes Properly in Cold Water Of course, you want your clothing to be clean and fresh, and no one likes to have to rewash items. For this reason, the myth that you can’t wash clothing properly in cold water has gained a lot of traction. In fact, most modern washing machines are designed to provide effective cleaning at a range of temperatures from cold water up to 90 degrees. Since up to 90 percent of the energy of your washing machine is used to heat water, the hotter your washing temperature, the more your laundry is costing. Unless you have specific cleaning requirements, such as stain removal, you should try using cold wash cycles to save money on your wash. Dishes Should Be Rinsed Before Running the Dishwasher Many people have an established routine of scraping and rinsing all their dishes before they are loaded in the dishwasher. While this may seem like a logical practice, it could be costing you money. Modern dishwashers and detergent products clean at their best when they begin with dirty dishes. Most detergents need food in order to activate,