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Most of us enjoy a glass of wine to relax after a tough day, but if you start to become a real wine lover, you’ll need to ensure that you store your bottles properly. Improperly stored wine can suffer from oxidation and lose some of that bouquet and body. So, here we have some top tips to help you store your wine like a PRO. Understand the Proper Storage Temperatures If you have a bottle of cheap white, it is easy to pop it in the refrigerator, but serious wine lovers need to understand the proper storage temperatures. The temperature can dramatically affect the smell and taste of your wine, and if you want to keep those spicy, fruity aromas, when you pour a glass, you need to understand the correct storage temperatures. Generally, sweet wines should be stored at 42ºf for whites, and Rose’ at 50ºf while Reds at 54ºf. These are a good guideline for most wines, but some others require a little more care. For example, Champagne should be stored at 46ºf, while Port should be kept at 60ºf. For the optimal serving temperatures, you should not allow your wine to hit temperatures above 55ºf for whites and 68ºf for reds. Consider Humidity While the proper temperature is critical, you also need to consider the humidity levels. The correct humidity is tied directly to the wine corks, particularly in long-term storage. If the humidity is too low, your wine corks can dry out; compromising the seal and

It’s an old adage that the best way to keep a spotless kitchen is to clean it while cooking at the same time. This is a great way to make good use of your meal preparation time as you can get little cleaning tasks completed as you wait for cooking processes to finish. This same concept can also be applied to cooking on your grill, and you will find that cleaning, as you go, can save you a lot of time later. Let’s take a closer look at how you can minimize those dreaded post cookout cleanup woes. Next Level Grilling When you cook on your grill, use a high heat cooking spray to coat your grates. This will help to avoid sticking and remember that less is more when it comes to using oil on your grill. You can also avoid flare-ups by using leaner cuts of meat, trimming away fat and using less oily marinades. This is not only better from a health perspective, but it’s also a great way to reduce the amount of mess on your grill. Some Useful Grilling Accessories Grilling accessories are a great way to keep your grill under control, and many of them are squarely aimed at reducing splashes and mess. A Shelf Mat Cooking with grease and sauces ensures that some messes are likely to happen during a cookout no matter what. A shelf mat can help by offering protection from sauces, oil and marinades dripping off your grilling tools. Check

No modern kitchen would be complete without a hard working refrigerator to keep food and drinks cool and fresh. Every household and kitchen is different, and this will have a major effect on how the refrigerator is placed and the size that can be used. Another critical consideration is access to the refrigerator, how much space is there and how will the doors work in your kitchen? Answering these questions is determined, to a certain extent, by the available space, how you use the kitchen and your available budget. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common refrigerator door styles that you may encounter when shopping for your next refrigerator. The Top Freezer Fridge This is a very common type of refrigerator that is seen in many homes because it’s an economical choice. If you have basic needs and require a little extra space for a small freezer compartment, this could be an ideal option. There are a couple of critical disadvantages to bear in mind before making a final decision. Firstly, it will be necessary for you to bend to access the fridge section, and this may be a bad option for those with mobility or bad back issues. Secondly, smaller people or children may have a problem reaching the freezer compartment without a step. The Bottom Freezer Fridge This refrigerator has a freezer door located at the bottom, basically the opposite of the one above. These refrigerators are still a popular choice, and many people prefer

Modern refrigerators have evolved to be more than just somewhere to keep your produce cool. Today’s appliances aim to aid convenient and healthy living, with some fantastic time-saving features. This does mean that you need to know what features you need in your new refrigerator. So, here we’ll explore some must have features you should look for on your new refrigerator. Adjustable Shelves Tempered glass shelves are considered to the standard in refrigerators, but it is also crucial that they are adjustable. Tempered glass is designed to be strong, durable and safe, but to maximize space and make cleaning more manageable, the shelves should be flexible. Adjustable shelves allow you to tailor your new refrigerator to your specific needs, so you can have plenty of space to keep all your chilled items organized. Energy Star Compliance Energy efficient appliances can provide savings of approximately 10 percent on energy bills each year. Only the most efficient models qualify for Energy Star ratings, so it is essential to look for the Energy Star sticker. While you may pay a little more initially, you can not only reduce your energy bills, but also passively reduce your environmental footprint. Counter Depth Counter depth appliances have been around for decades, but this feature is often overlooked. By choosing a counter depth refrigerator, you can achieve a more custom, built-in look. A counter depth refrigerator can add sleek lines to any style of kitchen, but are particularly effective for contemporary kitchens where clean lines are important

Whether you enjoy entertaining in the backyard or have older children and don’t want them traipsing in and out of your kitchen all day, having a refrigerator in your garage can be a great idea. A garage refrigerator can be a great place to store sodas for the kids, food for the grill or even items you can’t fit in your kitchen refrigerator. Unfortunately, when the summer weather arrives, your garage can become very hot and humid, which can create problems for your refrigerator. When your garage isn’t climate controlled, there is a great deal of stress on your refrigerator during a sweltering summer, but there are some things you can do to keep your refrigerator running. Keep it Charged While a kitchen is specifically designed for home appliances, this may not be the case with your garage. If your garage isn’t equipped with the correct electrical hookup, there is a risk your refrigerator will not receive enough power. This will result in further stress on the appliance as it tries to produce cold air in a hot environment. Your refrigerator should be supplied with a 60Hz, AC only, 115 volt electrical outlet. If you are unsure if your garage is equipped with the proper electrical wiring, you should consult a professional electrician. Keep it Filled Although it may seem strange, a full refrigerator works better. Cold air can escape faster from an empty refrigerator, so an appliance in a hot garage needs to work harder in addition to fighting

As an award winning brand, Hestan is continually developing innovative kitchen technology, but with the launch of the new Hestan Indoor Ranges, your cooking experience could be taken to a whole new level. About Hestan The team at Hestan has been reinventing kitchen appliances with innovative designs and insightful functionality for years and the brand has already earned Kitchen Innovation awards and Excellence in Design Awards. Hestan’s French top, modular salamander, and modular broiling system are well regarded as offering consumers cutting edge technology. With over 200 years of commercial kitchen experience, Hestan doesn’t isolate itself in a development lab, it takes pride in talking to the best kitchen design consultants and chefs, listening to their perspective and making the best use of their input. This results in purpose built kitchen appliances that live up to your culinary passion and can handle the demands of daily abuse. The company has a state of the art manufacturing facility in California that includes a certified testing lab, testing kitchen and showroom. This means that every Hestan appliance is proudly made in the United States. The company continues collaborating with professional and innovative chefs to create appliances that will not merely maintain pace with culinary evolution, but keep ahead of it. The Hestan Indoor Ranges Made by the same team that produces the award winning commercial equipment, the new Hestan Indoor Ranges offer a powerful performance that is sure to appeal to aspiring chefs and home cooks. Hestan is continuing to revolutionize home

Buying new appliances is often the most expensive element of a kitchen renovation. Unfortunately, the aesthetics of the best cabinetry, countertops, and accessories can be immediately compromised by old appliances. A brand new kitchen is just not complete without new appliances, but from July 1st, you can continue to save on your kitchen renovation with the Dacor Jumpstart Rebate program at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center in Studio City or in Calabasas. This new rebate program features a simple two-step process to ensure that you can save thousands of dollars on your new kitchen appliances to complete the look of your sophisticated and sleek new kitchen. So, if you’re planning a new kitchen or want to give your existing kitchen a new look, there has never been a better time to explore the Dacor range and enjoy some fantastic deals and savings. The Rebate Program The Dacor Jumpstart Rebate program has been designed to help you jump start your dream kitchen. Selected Dacor models are available with exceptional rebate offers to help you to plan your new kitchen. Refrigerator models are available with up to $1,000 as a mail-in rebate, while there is a $500 rebate on selected ranges, rangetops, cooktops and wall ovens. Additionally, you can enjoy a free dishwasher and 50% off ventilation when you buy refrigeration and cooking together. You will be able to select a choice of specific dishwasher models at the time of your purchase. This adds up to best-in-class offers and rebate opportunities that

The recently announcement on a new tariff is likely to have an impact on appliance pricing throughout the industry. So, here we will explore this tariff in a little more detail to explain why it may affect your new appliance purchase. The Tariffs Whether you agree with the principle of the latest tariffs or not, the reality is that it is likely to have some impact on your new purchases. The tariff will affect any goods that are made using aluminum or steel. The 10% tariff on aluminum and 25% tariff on steel is effectively an import tax on all countries except Mexico and Canada, although very recently Mexico and Canada were also added back into the mix. While only aluminum and steel sourced from foreign countries may be likely to be affected, many industry experts believe that the whole industry will rise with the new tide. The new tariff provides Canadian, Mexican and domestic forges an opportunity to increase their own margins, as their competition will be implementing a significant price increase. Since appliances contain a substantial amount of these materials, we’re likely to see repercussions in the industry. The Market Impact In January of 2018, another tariff went into effect on large home style washing machines. This caused some foreign manufacturers including Samsung and LG to announce establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States. Unfortunately, the latest aluminum and steel tariffs may bring foreign manufacturing back into favor. In reality, the new aluminum and steel tariffs do not

Choosing energy efficient appliances is a sensible decision. Not only will these appliances save money on your energy bills each month, but you can also do your part for the environment. Unfortunately, many consumers find themselves feeling confused about energy efficient appliances, so here we’ll explore what you need to know. The Energy Star Basics The first thing you need to know is to look for the Energy Star mark and what this means. The Energy Star program is offered by the Environmental Protection Agency, and it is designed to help you make smarter decisions when powering your home. The Energy Star logo is easy to recognize, but you also need to know what all the information on those labels actually means. An Energy Guide label is designed to provide a roundup of all the features and costs associated with the appliance. This label will let you know how much energy this appliance will use and an estimate of what this will add up to on your energy bills. Only products with the highest efficiency standards are awarded the Energy Star logo, so this is a great place to start shopping. An Efficiency Guide There are a number of factors to consider when you choose a new appliance. You not only need to look at the space available for your new appliance, but also your usage needs and the features you’d like. There is no sure way to determine that this model is better than another, as a tiny refrigerator

If you’re planning on replacing or upgrading your oven, you’re likely to have discovered convection ovens. While a convection oven may cost a little more, they can provide some fantastic benefits for any keen chefs or bakers. So, here we will explore convection ovens and whether one could be the right option for your kitchen. The Convection Basics The term “convection” may take you back to your high school science class. Don’t let this discourage you, as the basic principles of convection ovens are actually quite simple. Unlike a regular oven, convection models have a fan and exhaust system, allowing hot air to be blown around the oven cavity around your food before it is vented out. As the warm air surrounds your food, it promotes quicker and more even cooking. The Benefits of Convection Ovens There are a number of reasons why convection ovens have become a popular option for home use. The most obvious reason is that they provide faster cooking. The circulating hot air speeds up the cooking time, making these ovens an excellent option for people with a busy lifestyle. Convection ovens also provide more even cooking. This is a great feature for any type of cooking, but it is particularly beneficial for baking. Great baking results need even heat, or you can end up with lopsided bread or unrisen cakes. Convection also promotes even and beautiful browning. Regular ovens can create a humid atmosphere as the moisture is trapped inside the oven cavity. Convection ovens