Universal Appliance And Kitchen Center
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August 21, 2020
A Brief History of the Domestic Oven
For many of us, our oven is a familiar staple in the kitchen. Even if you’re not a keen baker, you’re likely to use your oven for family roasts, reheating leftovers, or even warming breakfast. Since the oven is such an essential part of the kitchen, it can be easy to overlook, and many of us have given very little thought to how the domestic oven evolved. So, here we’ll delve into a brief history of the domestic oven. Modest Beginnings Across different civilizations, stone was used to cook foods. In many areas of the world, including the Mediterranean and throughout the Roman Empire, stone was used to contain flame and provide heat to cook food. Typically, wood was used to feed the fire within the enclosure to roast meat and bake bread. This method of cooking differed from the open air fire, which was used to boil water and make soup. Containing the heat was the primary goal of the oven, and this allowed for different types of cooking. Despite the advancements over the years, the basic function of these ancient ovens has remained. The European Influence When the Europeans arrived in America, the traditional stone stove had an upgrade. Colonial homemakers had ventilated brick ovens to cook foods and feed their families. While these ovens lacked the control knobs that we have on modern ovens, they essentially had the same function. Oven users of this time needed to manually add and remove fuel, typically wood, to stoke the -
July 31, 2020
How to Get the Best Out of Your Fridge Crisper Drawer
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 -
July 03, 2020
5 High Tech Kitchen Innovations to Make Your Life Better
A more efficient appliance can undoubtedly make your life easier, and this is particularly true when it comes to working in the kitchen. In the last decade, we have had a number of high tech kitchen innovations that were beyond the range of an average budget. But, these technologies have matured, they are becoming more affordable, and we are starting to see them in many new appliances. In this article, we will look at five exciting new kitchen innovations to make your life better. Microwave Barcode Scanners Many people are unsure of the times required for microwave cooking or defrosting, and this can lead to less than impressive results. Some of the most up to date microwave ovens coming onto the market may have barcode scanners. The microwave barcode scanner with read the barcodes on your food packaging, and it will automatically set itself to the correct settings. This takes all the guesswork and math out of the process, and your microwaving results will improve. 2. WiFi Connectivity A casual glance around yourself in any location will reveal a large number of people checking their smartphones. Our world is now connected via WiFi, which leads to a number of interesting possibilities. A smartphone with an accompanying app is an excellent tool for remote control over smart devices in your home. We can now adjust many aspects of our home remotely, and this includes pre-heating the oven as you make your way home from work. 3. Trivection Ovens For many decades -
May 21, 2020
How to Keep Your Food Fresher for Longer
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, -
April 24, 2020
How Does a Refrigerator Humidity Drawer Work?
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 -
February 14, 2020
4 Home Appliances the Consume the Most Energy
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 -
January 25, 2020
Can Your Washer do More than Wash Dirty Laundry?
The washing machine is an ideal way to wash your dirty laundry, and it’s a great time saver. But, a washer is capable of washing much more than clothes, and you may be surprised at some of the items that can be cleaned. Here are a few things that you need to bear in mind if you want to get the most out of your washer. Shoes Check the directions on your shoes before attempting to wash them in your washer. Many canvas shoes and even some leather shoes can be washed in this way, and it’s a great way to get them fresh. Make sure to remove the insoles and laces first and then place the shoes inside a mesh laundry bag. Wash your shoes with a mild detergent and warm water for the best results. If you cannot find out if your shoes can be washed in this way err on the side of caution and don’t put them in the washer. Kids Toys Many stuffed toys and certain plastic toys can be safely washed in your washer. Stuffed toys that contain electronic or mechanical components cannot be washed in this way. If the stuffed toy is old and worn, it may come apart during rigorous washing, so wash it by hand instead. If your child is sick, you can disinfect their stuffed or plastic toys by adding a little disinfectant to the washer. If the plastic toys can be washed this way, place them in a mesh -
January 10, 2020
Is a Ventless Dryer a Good Choice for Your Home?
It’s estimated that almost 80% of us have a dryer to dry our clothes indoors. A dryer is a modern convenience that most of us rely on, but a traditional dryer may not be suitable for every type of home. A typical vented dryer needs a vent, and installing a vent in many homes is simply impossible without incurring a significant cost or altering a historic building. There is an alternative; a ventless dryer is a compact option that can dry effectively without the need for a vent. In this article we will take a closer look at ventless dryers, are they safe to use? Are they energy efficient? How well will they wash your clothes? Let’s find out. Are Ventless Dryers Safe to Use? Many people are concerned that a lack of venting will lead to a buildup of heat that could pose a risk of fire. This is unfounded; a ventless dryer is perfectly safe to use; they are designed to operate safely for years. When you use a ventless dryer, there is no need to remove collected lint from the trap or a vent. This effectively reduces the risk of a fire rather than increasing them, and this makes a ventless dryer safer to use. If you need to dry your laundry indoors and you don’t have an option to install a vent, a ventless dryer is a safe alternative. Is a Ventless Dryer Energy Efficient? The short answer is yes, a ventless dryer actually uses less -
December 20, 2019
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Appliance Finish
A kitchen with no major appliances is basically a blank canvas. When you plan a new kitchen, choosing the right appliance finish is crucial to tying together the overall design. Unlike days gone by, when you were limited to white appliances, now there are a number of different options to choose from. So, here we’ll explore how to choose the right appliance finish for your new kitchen. Contemporary Stainless Steel Stainless steel is an appliance finish that appeals to everyone. This finish does well with every type of kitchen style and design, making kitchens feel modern and new. Most modern stainless steel appliances are fingerprint resistant, so even if you have curious kids who put their fingers everywhere, your appliances can retain their immaculate appearance. If you want to play it safe, a stainless steel finish for your major appliances is a sensible choice. Bold Black If you enjoy creating a dramatic aesthetic for your home decor, black or black stainless steel is a great option. This creates an intense hue when paired with other colors, particularly white, to make a vivid contrast. If you want to make a statement, black can be a bold choice. Unfortunately, black doesn’t work well in all kitchens. If you have a smaller space, you may want to avoid black. Having black throughout your small kitchen can make the area look crowded and even smaller. So, if you want to create an open, bright aesthetic, you should avoid this finish. The Warmth of Slate -
November 01, 2019
Technology to Change the Way Your Prepare Your Food and Eat
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
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