Kitchen Appliances

While many people are familiar with counter depth refrigerators, they may be unaware of column refrigerators. This type of refrigerator is becoming increasingly popular, as it not only offers additional storage, but it can fit in a smaller space and provides the flexibility to create the ideal kitchen flow and look. So, here we’ll explore the column refrigerator in a little more detail to help you decide if you should choose one for your kitchen. The Column Refrigerator Basics: Column refrigerators may or may not include a freezer, so they can be a freezerless refrigerator or contain a fresh food compartment and freezer compartment as you would get with a traditional fridge. Column refrigerators take their name from being narrower compared to traditional refrigerators. Another key difference is that they are built into the cabinetry, so they blend seamlessly into the kitchen for a cohesive, sleek look. The Benefits of a Column Refrigerator: There are a number of benefits a column refrigerator can offer in your kitchen. These include: Built in look: You can choose to build the appliance into your existing cabinetry or into your wall. So, if you’re looking to create a high end look for your kitchen and want to disguise the appliance, a column refrigerator can offer this benefit. Suitable for small spaces: Since column refrigerators are noticeably smaller compared to a standard, full size model, it makes them a great option if you have a compact space. Column refrigerators are also available in a variety

When you’re shopping for a new range, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you choose a freestanding or slide-in range. Whether you’re remodeling or replacing your existing range to complement your existing kitchen decor, it can be a little confusing to decide which one is best. So, here we’ll walk you through both styles and considerations to help you to make an informed purchasing decision. The Freestanding Range Basics: Freestanding ranges are the most common type of range. It provides the option to install the range freestanding on its own, between cabinets, or at the end of the cabinet run against a wall. This flexibility is one of the reasons why freestanding ranges are the more popular choice, but they also tend to be more affordable compared to their slide-in counterparts. Freestanding ranges also have finished sides, making it possible to install anywhere in the kitchen without a need for cabinetry. They also tend to have a backsplash, which provides protection for the wall from splashing liquids and grease splatters during the cooking process. This style of range typically has the controls behind the burners, with knobs in front of the burners, a large oven capacity and a warming or storage drawer at the bottom. The Slide-in Range Basics: A slide-in range is designed to fit flush with countertops and blend in seamlessly with its surrounding cabinetry. This does mean that installation is required, since the appliance does not have finished sides. The installation will

When you’re shopping for a new microwave, you are likely to find a variety of makes, models, and styles, but one area which tends to create confusion is the wattage. Each microwave model will detail its wattage, but does this mean that it has sufficient power to meet your appliance needs?  Here we’ll explore microwave wattages in a little more detail to help you to choose the right wattage for the complexity and size of meals you tend to prepare. Less Than 700 Watts: Typically, the least expensive microwave models tend to operate on less than 700 watts. This is also the category for smaller units. These types of microwaves are a good option for heating up small dishes of food, cooking instant meals and reheating drinks. But, if you’re used to a higher powered model, you may find this size of microwave a little frustrating as it will take longer to complete the heating tasks. You will need to adjust your cooking times, but many models feature a button to instantly add 30 seconds or a minute to the time, to make it easier to keep heating your food or drink. 700 to 1000 Watts: This size of microwave typically provides decent efficiency for most microwaving tasks. Most microwave recipes feature this microwave power level as a base figure for the cook times. This size of microwave provides adequate power to cook instant meals, defrost foods, prepare microwave popcorn, reheat casseroles or even thoroughly cook raw meat. 1000 Watts

A buildup of frost inside a freezer will affect the taste of frozen food, create bad odors, take up valuable space, and even cause damage to the appliance. Most modern freezers have features to deal with frost and these fall into two broad categories, frost-free and auto defrost. They sound similar, but they work in very different ways and we will cover them both in this article to help you make an informed purchasing decision. What is a Frost-Free Freezer? A freezer with a frost-free feature has an automatic fan system, which is designed to remove warm air. This keeps the internal freezer temperature consistent and moisture is prevented from accumulating and freezing on the walls. The fan keeps the cold air in the freezer circulating to prevent a buildup of frost and there should be no need to manually defrost the appliance. What is an Auto Defrost Freezer? All auto defrost freezers have an automatic self-cleaning function that requires no intervention to work. The system heats coils in the freezer which prevents frosting to ensure that you don’t need to manually defrost the freezer. Many upright freezers have a fan-assisted or direct cooling system with an auto defrost feature in place. Frost-Free vs Auto Defrost: Which is Best? Both approaches do a good job when it comes to keeping the frost off the freezer walls. They both negate the need to defrost the freezer manually and they work without human intervention. So, it can be hard to choose one

Having the ability to freeze food for long-term storage is something that our ancestors would find astonishing. Freezing food is a great way to prevent food waste, expand meal choices and save money at the same time. But, a freezer needs to be set at the optimal temperature to retain flavor and prevent spoilage. This is equally true if you have an upright or a chest freezer to prevent frost build-up, food melt, and freezer burn. In this article, we will take a closer look at how you can set your freezer temperature to keep your food fresher for longer. What is the Optimal Temperature? Most experts agree that a freezer temperature of 0ºF (-18ºC) is the best environment for food preservation. At this temperature the food is free of bacteria, the risks of freezer burn are minimized, and the food will be safer to consume. It’s tempting to set the temperature lower because more or less in this case is always better, right? No, there are significant drawbacks if the freezer temperature is set too low. The compressor unit will need to work harder to maintain the lower temperature which has two consequences. First, when key components are overworked they tend to fail which can lead to an unexpected repair bill. Second, when the compressor is working harder it will consume more energy, and this will drive up the electric bill. How Do I Set the Optimal Temperature? To maintain food freshness, you need to set the freezer temperature

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

Unfortunately, the price of our fresh produce has risen over the last few years, and this makes the effective preservation of our food a priority. After all, no-one wants to spend good money on food and then throw it away because it goes bad. The best way to protect your produce in a refrigerator is to use a humidity drawer. In this article, we will explain what a humidity drawer is and how it works so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. What is a Humidity Drawer? This is a compartment inside your refrigerator that will regulate the humidity levels to keep the produce fresher. Different types of produce require differing levels of humidity to keep them at optimum freshness for longer periods of time. A humidity drawer is sometimes known as a crisper drawer, and it can significantly extend the lifespan of produce. This will negate the need to buy produce more often, and it will save you money by reducing waste. How Does a Humidity Drawer Work? A humidity drawer has a sliding mechanism that can be adjusted to alter the level of humidity inside. This is useful because different types of produce react to humidity in differing ways making it hard to store certain types of produce together. For this reason, many people now have multiple humidity drawers dedicated to different types of produce that can be stored together safely. There are two main types of humidity drawer settings available; they are high and low

Appliance technology seems to evolve continually. Smart devices provide convenience and can change the way you prepare your food and eat. So, here, we’ll explore how appliance technology can help you to become a better cook and change the way you enjoy family dinners. Improve Your Culinary Skills Cooking takes time to develop as a skill; you don’t just find yourself able to make a perfect beef wellington when you wake up one morning. To become a master chef, you need to learn new skills and acquire competence. Fortunately, even if you haven’t attended culinary school, you can make your life easier in the kitchen with the right technology. With the right refrigerator, you don’t need fancy schools to learn the skills to make the perfect Hollandaise sauce; you’ll be able to learn in your own kitchen. Appliance technology has now taken us to where we can listen to music, watch television, and share notes on the device that previously just kept our food cool. Because of this technology, we can now have access to information to make cooking and eating better. You can pull up recipes, watch tutorials, or just enjoy your favorite tunes while you make your latest culinary masterpiece. Use Your Phone to Get in Control Smartphones have been a revolution, and you can basically do anything with them today. This includes helping improve your cooking. Now, you don’t have to wait until you finish at the grocery store and get home to preheat your oven to

The kitchen is often considered the most important room in the home. It is where we store, prepare and create foods that our families can enjoy. So, to make this process as straightforward and easy as possible, you need to ensure that you have access to the best kitchen equipment and an induction cooktop should play a big role. Induction cooktops use magnetic induction rather than the direct thermal heat transfer used by traditional cooktops. The magnetic field heats the cooking vessel directly and can offer impressive heat capability. So, here we’ll explore everything you need to know about induction cooktops to help you make your purchase decision. The Advantages of Induction Induction offers some impressive advantages that make these types of cooktop an excellent choice for busy, family homes. This includes: Greater efficiency: Induction is one of the most efficient types of cooking equipment on the market. Little or no heat is wasted when cooking, so the units are as much as 70% more efficient compared to standard cooking methods. This adds up to some serious energy savings. Increased Safety: Every keen cook has experienced a burn or two when preparing a meal, but this risk is reduced when you have an induction cooker. Most of the cooktop remains cool, as only the cooking vessel is heated. This means that it is far safer, particularly if you have small children in your kitchen, as there is less chance of little fingers being burned. This also makes cleaning your cooktop

These days a dishwasher is considered an essential home appliance. Most homes are equipped with a dishwasher, but this doesn’t mean that everyone is enjoying sparkling clean dishes. Although there are a lot of factors that can affect dishwasher’s performance, one of the most important is the detergent. Using too little detergent will leave your dishes dirty, but too much can also create problems. So here we’ll delve a little deeper into how much detergent you should be using to get those sparkling clean results. How Old is Your Appliance? The first consideration for determining the correct amount of dishwasher detergent is the age of your appliance. If you’ve recently upgraded from an old machine, you’re likely to have experienced some issues if you’ve not adjusted your detergent levels. Modern dishwashers are designed to be as energy and water efficient as possible, so they use far less water than older models. This reduced water use means that you also need far less soap to complete the task. In the late 1970s when dishwashers had started to become very popular, the average model used approximately 15 gallons of water per cycle. This decreased to between six and 10 gallons per average cycle in the 2000s, but has dropped again with today’s dishwashers that can use as little as 2 gallons. This makes it easy to see how using the same amount of detergent that you’ve gotten used to using in your 1980s model is sure to create a problem in a