Refrigerator

Those that enjoy outdoor entertaining or have teens that they don’t want to have coming in and out throughout the day may benefit from a second refrigerator in the garage. This is an excellent plant to store cold drinks for kids and adults, and food that’s destined for the grill. It’s also a handy location for any extra food items that cannot be accommodated in the kitchen refrigerator too. The only real drawback is the warmer summer weather which can turn the garage into a hot and humid environment. If you don’t have a climate controlled garage this can introduce a lot of stress on the garage refrigerator. In this article, we will look at ten tried and tested tips to run your refrigerator in these hotter conditions. 1.  Fill the Refrigerator to Capacity Some people believe that a fuller refrigerator places the appliance under additional strain. In reality, the exact opposite is true, when a refrigerator is fuller it will work far more efficiently at any time of the year. An emptier refrigerator has more space where warm air can enter and this needs to be cooled down reducing the efficiency. Remember that the refrigerator door will be opened multiple times each day and warmer air can enter the space. If you don’t need all the refrigerator space, it’s a great idea to fill it up with bottles of water to keep it closer to full capacity. 2.  Check the Power Hookup A modern kitchen should be designed to

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

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

Many fridges are supplied with a hand crisper drawer that keeps your produce fresher for longer. These are often located at the bottom of the fridge space, and some people purchase extra ones if they typically buy more fresh produce. But, some people don’t understand how a crisper drawer works, and they are often used as a storage area for things that don’t fit on a fridge shelf. In this article, we will explain how a crisper drawer works and how to get the best out of it. How Does a Crisper Drawer Work? The crisper drawer is sealed off from the rest of the fridge, and it has a lower or higher humidity compared to the rest of the appliance. There are fridges that have multiple crisper drawers with pre-set humidity settings, and others allow the user to set their own humidity levels. Adjusting the humidity is simple; if you need high humidity and small vent at the rear of the drawer closes, and this seals the compartment. If you need lower humidity, the same vent is opened, and this allows some of the moisture in the crisper drawer to leave. The tricky part is deciding what to store in the crisper drawer and the humidity that you need for different types of fresh produce. What Produce is Stored in a Crisper Drawer? You can store any kind of food in a crisper drawer if you need extra space. But, a crisper drawer will always work better if it’s

Statistics show that households in the USA throw $2,000 of spoiled food in the garbage each year on average. In these trying financial times, there is even more pressure to avoid this waste. Fortunately, there are some practical ways to keep your food fresher for longer. Make Sure Everything is in the Right Place Many of us have a habit of simply putting items in the refrigerator wherever they will fit. Unfortunately, this can compromise your produce lifespan. There are actually zones in your refrigerator, which provide optimum conditions for particular items, so you need to become familiar with the right place for each item. The temperature in the door compartments can fluctuate, so it is important that any items are resistant to spoiling. Many people place milk and cheese in the door, but this can be a mistake, as it is also the warmest spot in your refrigerator. So, you could be reducing the lifespan of your dairy and other delicate products. The door compartments should be reserved for items such as condiments, soda, juice, bottled water, and other items that can withstand the temperature fluctuations. The top shelves provide the most consistent temperatures, so you should put items that don’t need reheating or to be cooked on these shelves. For example, olives, deli meat, hummus, and even berries should be placed here. The lower shelves are the coldest place in your refrigerator, so this is the place for more sensitive items. This is the place to put eggs,

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

Whenever a new energy bill arrives, it’s a daunting moment, and many of us wonder if it will be higher or lower than last month. Although the prices of energy have increased in recent years, there are other factors that we have at least some control over. In this article, we will look at the top four energy using appliances and some ways to make them more energy efficient to save money. The Washer and Dryer We all need to clean our dirty clothes, and this makes a washer and dryer a necessary expense. It’s estimated that the average home energy cost for home laundry is $143 annually. Doing your laundry at home costs less when you consider traveling times to and from the laundromat. But, it is possible to reduce that annual laundry energy bill if you wash your clothes in a smarter way. The primary reason for energy use when washing clothes is the heating of the water. So, if you can switch to using cold water whenever possible, this will have a significant effect on your energy use. If you have an older washer or dryer, it’s tempting to hang onto them to save money, but this may be a false economy. The modern washers and dryers are far more energy efficient compared to older units, and this will save you money in lower energy bills over the lifespan of the machines. The Refrigerator The refrigerator is the second highest energy consuming appliance, and this is too

The fridge is likely to be the most important appliance in any home. The fridge acts as a hub in any kitchen; it is used every day for preparing meals, getting snacks or enjoying a refreshing drink. So, if you’ve invested in a new fridge, it is essential to think about how you can increase its lifespan. Fortunately, we have some easy ways you can ensure that your new fridge lasts as long as possible. Clean Your Coils Your refrigerator cooling coils can be found underneath or behind the unit. Either of these places is likely to collect a great deal of dirt, dust and pet dander. When the coils get buried beneath a layer of gunk, they are unable to keep your fridge functioning. If this is not addressed, your coils may burn out. So, it is a good idea to vacuum your coils every few months and remove any debris to reduce extra strain on your appliance that can compromise efficiency and performance. Clear the Top Although it may be tempting to see the top of your fridge as an extra shelf to store cereal boxes or other items, this is not a good idea. Refrigerators release excess heat out of the top of the appliance; you’ll find it feels a little warm to the touch. When you have items on the top of your fridge, it will trap heat and this forces the motor to work harder. Over time, this can cause serious damage, and your fridge

Food storage methods have evolved a great deal in recent years. The advances in technology have created a variety of refrigerator options, so refrigeration is now not just about keeping perishables fresh. With the hundreds of features to choose from, buying a new fridge can cause a great deal of consumer confusion. So, here we’ll explore some important features you should look out for when you’re shopping for a new refrigerator. The Right Door Style Fridge opening options have significantly changed over the years, making it easier to choose the right door style to suit your kitchen. Side by side models allow you to get access to certain foods without opening the whole refrigerator. French doors offer similar benefits and make organizing easier. If you want quick access to your frozen foods, you may prefer a traditional top or bottom freezer door. Door Alarms If you have toddlers or young children in your household, safety should be a consideration for your purchase. Some models have door locks and alarm systems that will alert you if the door has been left open or if a child may be playing with the refrigerator. This type of alarm can save energy, as the internal temperature is reduced if the door is left open. Additionally, you may wish to choose a refrigerator with a door lock, so you don’t need to worry about little ones spilling drinks or getting into the treats without permission. Adjustable, Sliding Shelves There are a lot of considerations when