What To Look For When Buying A New Oven

An oven is one of the most common kitchen appliance that is used in various forms of cooking, such as the following:

Heating
Baking
Broiling
Roasting

Ovens are generally grouped into 2 common kinds: gas ovens and electric ovens. Then there are also microwave ovens (uses microwave radiation to cook or heat food) and convection ovens (uses a circulating fan to move hot air around the food inside the oven).

With this range of choices, not to mention the variety of features and designs available in ovens, shopping for one can be a difficult task. Below are some guidelines that you need to consider - helpful hints that will help you buy the right oven.

1. The location. Whether 'freestanding' (set in a range) or 'built-in' in walls (known as wall ovens), make sure that you measure the size of the oven against the location where you plan to have it installed. The location should not only have enough space; it should also be sturdy enough to support the unit.

2. The capacity. The "actual" size of the oven is defined by its capacity. The oven capacity refers to the amount of food or the size of the container that it can hold. The 'size', therefore, that you need to consider when buying an oven is the size of its interior (the cavity). Note that some ovens seem large on the outside but are actually smaller inside.

There are many things to consider when deciding on a particular oven capacity to buy. Some of them are the following:

Family size:

The amount of food you need to cook at one time (i.e., the oven capacity) depends on the number of people in your family. Below are some of the recommended oven capacity (in liters) for various family sizes (denoted by the number of members):

2 members - less than 29 liters
4 members - 20 to 29 liters
6 members - more than 30 liters

Usage:

The oven capacity should also depend on how you intend to use the oven. An oven that will be used for actual and all types of cooking will naturally require a higher capacity than that which shall be used as a mere supplement (such as defrosting or reheating food).

Cookware:

Make sure that the dishes (such as baking sheet, pan, and other cookware) that you regularly use will fit comfortably (and circulate freely) inside the oven.

3. The controls.

The control panel is where you manage and control the functions and operations of your oven, which can be any of the following:

Analog - mechanical switches that use knobs. Are less expensive but more durable; can also be less precise, since everything is set manually.

Digital - electronically-controlled push buttons. The most common nowadays, they can be more expensive and less durable; but they have more accurate and precise settings, since everything is set automatically.

Different ovens have various (and sometimes complicated) control panels, but all of them generally include these basic components:

Clock or timer displays - properly sets the length of time for cooking

Temperature settings - allows you to set the temperature for cooking.

Thermostat - senses and maintains a set temperature to stop or further the flow of heat. This prevents an overcooked food and an overheated oven.

Oven light - enables you to see the interior of the oven to check the status of the food the you are cooking.

4. Additional components. Some ovens may come with additional components, such as the following:

Oven rack - allows you to place more than one dish in the oven at the same time; should be thick and durable.

Rotisserie - a removable grill with a turning spit; for better and uniform grilling.

5. The add-on features. In addition to the basic functions, most ovens today are designed with additional (and advanced) features, some of which are as follows:

Clear-view window - it enables you to watch the cooking process without having to open the door.
Self-cleaning option - found at the control panel, pushing this button enables the oven to clean itself.

Lockout feature - can be a button in the control panel or a door lock switch, it prevents misuse or unintended and accidental operations, especially when cleaning the control panel or when there are children in the house.

6. The price. Of course, everything is greatly affected by the price, so it is important for you to set the amount that you would like to spend.

With these guidelines, you will surely be able to find the oven that is perfect for your money's worth.

Saving Energy in the Kitchen

The kitchen, with all its appliances, gadgets and heat, is a real hotspot for potential energy saving. As the oven uses the most energy and creates a vast amount of heat while cooking foods, it is a good place to start.

 For instance, when baking cookies use two trays. While one is in the oven baking, the other one is prepped with raw cookies – ready to replace the tray in the oven with no wasted heat and some time saved. When we bake bread we also fill the oven with foil wrapped potatoes. The potatoes can be stored in the fridge without the foil and used throughout the week in a myriad of recipes, or as a side dish. This method can be applied to a menu plan in that if you are baking one dish, try to include a side dish that is baked as well.

    By turning off the oven a minute or two before the dish is done, the residual heat will finish the cooking. When done with the oven, open the door to allow any leftover heat to warm the home.

Pasta cooking water can be left out until it has completely cooled – so that the heat and moisture are released back into the air. Before pulling the plug, consider leaving hot dishwater (and bath water) until it cools. Why pay to heat up your sewer pipes? When cooking vegetables, consider steaming instead of boiling. When steamed, more nutrients are retained in the food, and because it requires less water to heat  - there is less energy used.

In summer, consider cooking on the barbecue to help keep the house cool. Most barbecues now include side burners that make outdoor cooking all that much easier.
All these methods are relatively easy to adopt and when added up, the savings in energy and time really do make a difference.

How to buy a green Fridge Freezer

Many items that we take for granted in the home have undergone major design changes in recent years. Our understanding of those changes has sometimes failed to keep pace. Take the humble fridge freezer, for example. How should you go about examining the features of the various models that are available.

To begin with, you need to understand the various features that are advertised by sales people in high street stores or described online. In the UK all fridge freezers are given an energy rating for starters but what do these ratings really mean?

Fridge freezers will probably be one of the largest users of energy in your home - possibly second only to your central heating. This may come as a surprise!

The reason why fridge freezers use so much energy is because they are switched on all the time - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Having an energy inefficient fridge freezer not only costs you money but also has an environmental impact.

Until the last 5 years or so many popular brands were extremely inefficient. The new energy ratings, however, aim to show the consumer how various machines compare. They also help to name and shame brands who do not take the environment seriously.

The ratings scheme grades every fridge freezer on the market, with an A++ rating being the most energy efficient rating available. The ratings scheme then moves down to A+, A, B and C (with C being the least environmentally friendly).

So, put simply, aim for an A++ or an A+ energy rating if you want to be kind to the environment, while also saving some money on your electricity bills.

Tips For Selecting The Right Blender

A blender is an essential kitchen appliance. It can do a variety of tasks from whipping cream, making smoothies, food processing, and crushing ice. Selecting a blender usually depends on what tasks you intend to do with the blender. Some blenders offer multiple features for a high price. Be wary then that you may not need some of these features. So go for a blender that does what you need it for. Here are a few tips on what to consider before buying a blender. * Capacity The blender’s capacity may vary from one to three liters. It may be advisable to get a bigger one if you have the space. However, the first thing that you need to consider here is how much food you are going to blend at the same time. Some small blenders offer ease of storage due to its small capacity. Do not get these if you know you will be blending large amounts of ingredients. * Material The material, particularly, the footing has to be sturdy. Make sure that the footing is stable enough that the blender will not topple off the table while it is filled with contents and performing its tasks. Stainless steel is the best material for this. The containers may be glass or plastic. The ones made in glass are heavier, and sturdier but are more expensive than the ones with plastic containers. * Functions Some blenders have multiple attachments for different functions. You might have to change an attachment to whip cream or chop herbs. Make sure that if you needed these functions, the attachments are easy to detach and replace. Evaluate the difficulty of fitting another attachment. Also check if the attachments have sensitive parts that may break if it is improperly attached. Some blenders also have an ice button which will be perfect if you need to crush ice. Also, there are blenders that have a small opening at the top to allow you to add small amounts of ingredients while blending. * Wattage This can vary from 500 watts for the smaller food processors to 1200 watts for the larger blenders. One with high wattage can blend quickly and easily. The only concern is that these blenders cost more. * Settings Choosing a blender with a variety of settings (speeds and pulse actions) allow you mix a variety of ingredients at different textures. * Safety The blender has to be easily and safely cleaned and stored. Since many people leave their blenders on the countertop, it will be good if the blender has cord storage spaces with lids to prevent the cord from being wet. Some models are also labeled as dishwasher safe. These are better particularly when using a dishwasher. These containers can usually be opened at the top and the bottom to facilitate the cleaning. Many processors also have safety locks to prevent the machine from starting to process without the lid on. * Countertop or immersion blenders Countertop blenders are the most commonly known design of blenders. These have a base and a container in which the materials are blended. Since most people just leave these blenders on the countertops than store these in the closet, these blenders come in a variety of color and design. The price ranges from $10 to $400. The immersion blender, on the other hand, is a stick-shaped handheld device that has a swirling blade at the bottom. These consume less power, about 200 watts; thus, it is limited to a few tasks and for blending some ingredients. These are usually used for pureeing, mixing soups and chopping vegetables. These blenders are now, also being paired with whisks, beaters and attachments for cleaning baby bottles. Since these blenders are not to be left on the countertop, it has fewer options for color and design. The price for immersion blenders ranges from $10 to $100. Now, that you know what you need to consider before buying a blender, when you go to a store, check also the warranty to protect your rights as a consumer. If possible, you may also want to try the blender first, as some blenders that claim to crush ice either fails to do so, or liquefies the ice instead. If you weren’t able to try the blender first, make sure you will be able to return it if it doesn’t function as promised.

Different Types Of Kitchen Knifes

A knife is defined as a type of hand tool with a sharp edge that is used to cut something, whether it be food, rope, or even wood. It is usually composed of a blade, which is commonly around 12 inches or less in length, that is attached to a type of handle. They have been around for a very long time, dating back to the Stone Age where they were used as both tools and weapons. The first knifes used in the Stone Age were made of either flint orflint or rock, their edge was chipped or ground, and they sometimes, but not all the time, had a handle. With later advances in smelting and metallurgy, blades were able to be made of bronze, iron, and even steel. Although time has changed the materials that are used, a knife’s basic design still remains very much the same. As previously stated, a knife is composed of a blade and a handle, as well as a tan. The tang is known as a blade’s extension into the handle. Some knifes also have an attached handguard so that a person, while using the knife, won’t have his/her fingers slip onto the blade’s edge, therefore resulting in an injury. The groove that is found alongside of the blade actually has a name. It’s called the fuller, also known as a blood gutter and/or blood groove. Myth has said that the fuller is used to allow an artery to bleed without having to remove the knife. However, the reality is that a fuller is used to make both knifes and sword lighter without having to sacrifice any large amounts of strength. In fact, on most knifes, a fuller is used solely for decorative purposes. Also, a blade’s groove allows for surface tension reduction that can occur between a blade and whatever is being cut. This means that both easier movement and also removal of the blade is allowed. Another feature of a knife is its shoulder. This is where the blade thickens to meet the handle. This is most commonly seen in kitchen knifes. It keeps the knife from any kind of jamming, for example when cutting into the bone of a chicken. It also allows for the chopped item to stay stationary and not move back toward the person’s hand while chopping with kitchen knifes. Kitchen knifes are the most commonly used type of knife today. It seems that everyone who has a kitchen has at least one, although many of us have several that are used for many different purposes. One of the most commonly known of the kitchen knifes is the French knife, also known as a chef’s knife. It has a broad, tapered shape with a fine edge that is great for things such as chopping vegetables. A slicing knife, with its long and narrow blade, is used to cut through things such as cooked meat. Those kitchen knifes that feature scalloped edges are perfect for slicing those foods that are softer, such as tomatoes, bread, and cakes. One of the most used of the kitchen knifes is the smaller paring knife. A paring knife has a short, pointed blade that is very easy to handle. It is mostly used for quicker jobs such as peeling and removing cores. Other kitchen knifes are used for table service. These are usually named after the service they provide such as a dinner knife, luncheon knife, fish knife, butter knife, and the popular steak knifes.

Cabinets - explained

Whether it’s in your bedroom, your bathroom or your kitchen, cabinets are a good place to store all sorts of things. Despite that, you tend to take them for granted – that is, until you need to replace them.

If you need to get new cabinets – whether it’s because the old ones broke, or you just felt like a change – you should arm yourself with information before you ever walk into the showroom. Unchecked, the salespeople will direct you towards the most expensive cabinets in the place, and then charge you a whacking great fee for installation as well.

As all cabinets must meet a minimum safety standard to comply with regulations, you don’t need to worry that the ones you choose will fall down. This means that you can pick just about any cabinet that takes your fancy. I would recommend that you go for one made of wood, however, as they tend to be more attractive-looking and longer-lasting than plastic or fake-wood cabinets.

Also, even if you’re really taken with the exterior of a cabinet, don’t forget to look inside. You need to make sure that the shelf arrangement is suitable for what you want to use the cabinet for – ideally, you should get one with customisable shelves, so that you can move them around if you ever need to.

When it comes to installation, you can do it yourself, but you may find it to be more time and trouble than it’s worth. Unless you’re experienced in DIY, you’re probably better off shopping around to find a professional who will work for a good rate, especially if the cabinet was reasonably expensive – if you break it by trying to put it up yourself, the shop will have no sympathy for you at all, and won’t take it back.

10 Steps For Cooking-Up Family Memories

The kitchen is the perfect place for making memories. When you spend time baking, cooking and enjoying meals with your family, you create happy memories you and your children will cherish forever.

The benefits of preparing and enjoying food as a family are clear. You save money and eat healthier meals. You create opportunities to connect and communicate with your children and spouse. And most importantly, you show love for your family when you spend time cooking and eating with them. Children of all ages need your attention and your time. By working together to create a meal or bake a batch of cookies, you spend valuable time together.

So, here are 10 steps to get your family cooking up memories.

Step 1:
Teach small children the fun of cooking by helping them bake cookies and cakes. If you are short on time, you can use a boxed cookie mix and spend more time decorating.

Step 2:
Encourage the littlest ones to play pretend cooking. Kids love to play with real mixing bowls, strainers and wooden spoons. These make harmless toys and can be easily thrown in the dishwasher for quick cleanup.

Step 3:
If you live by your day-timer, schedule in baking cookies with your kids. Our schedules can be so hectic that something as simple as baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies can get skipped over. Write it down and do it.

Step 4:
If you have teenagers, let them play their favorite music while they wash the lettuce and set the table.

Step 5:
Work together with your spouse to prepare the dinner and use the time to catch up on each other's day.

Step 6:
Even if you are in a rush preparing dinner, remember to reduce your stress and focus on creating a fun atmosphere that naturally encourages the whole family to participate.

Step 7:
When spending time preparing food with your children, include lessons about healthy eating choices. Keep the conversation positive and avoid listing foods they can't have.

Step 8:
On days where you anticipate time will be tight, consider taking a short cut by using a frozen stir-fry mix or pasta with a jar of pre-made sauce. Your family will appreciate your relaxed mood much more than a made-from-scratch dinner.

Step 9:
Share the job of grocery shopping. One week have mom take one of the children as a helper, the next week dad can go with another child. Always work from a grocery list and let your children help you retrieve items and cross them off the list.

Step 10:
Have big family meals where you share about your day. Keep the conversation fun and avoid negative lectures over dinner. Remember to laugh.

Take these steps today and make your kitchen a fun and memorable place for your whole family.

How to buy a green Fridge Freezer

Many items that we take for granted in the home have undergone major design changes in recent years. Our understanding of those changes has sometimes failed to keep pace. Take the humble fridge freezer, for example. How should you go about examining the features of the various models that are available. To begin with, you need to understand the various features that are advertised by sales people in high street stores or described online. In the UK all fridge freezers are given an energy rating for starters but what do these ratings really mean? Fridge freezers will probably be one of the largest users of energy in your home - possibly second only to your central heating. This may come as a surprise! The reason why fridge freezers use so much energy is because they are switched on all the time - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Having an energy inefficient fridge freezer not only costs you money but also has an environmental impact. Until the last 5 years or so many popular brands were extremely inefficient. The new energy ratings, however, aim to show the consumer how various machines compare. They also help to name and shame brands who do not take the environment seriously. The ratings scheme grades every fridge freezer on the market, with an A++ rating being the most energy efficient rating available. The ratings scheme then moves down to A+, A, B and C (with C being the least environmentally friendly). So, put simply, aim for an A++ or an A+ energy rating if you want to be kind to the environment, while also saving some money on your electricity bills.

Kitchen Shortcuts for Busy Families

Do you need to save some time in the kitchen, but are not quite ready to tackle a lot of freezer cooking just yet? Here are some shortcuts that work for my family, and might just fit with your family, too. Most of the meals my family eats start with the basics, like chicken and beef. A lot of grocery stores lower the per-pound price on meat when you buy in larger quantities. I buy 5 pounds of beef and 3 pounds of chicken at a time. All 5 pounds of beef get thrown in a pot and cooked while I’m cooking dinner that evening. The chicken also gets diced up and cooked. I then divide the beef into sandwich bags, 2 cups each. The chicken gets divided into approximately 1 ½ cups each. I never thaw out meat in advance now, because it only takes 4 minutes to thaw one of our pre-cooked bags in the microwave. As our lives have gotten busier, we have definitely learned to simplify our meals. I am the queen of one-skillet meals and simple dishes. My family enjoys tacos in a pan, goulash, macaroni & cheese with hot dogs, and a ton of other easy dishes. Keep a family favorites cookbook, and add to it when you find any new and easy recipes you would like to try. Determine the ingredients that you use on a regular basis, and keep stocked up on them. Make vegetables the easy way. Most dishes are even better when veggies are thrown into the mix. We try to eat vegetables every evening, so I have become pretty creative in slashing the task in half. Don’t be afraid to throw vegetables into skillet meals, or mix them up with dishes. This will save on washing an extra pot. My family just recently discovered steam fresh vegetable bags. They steam in the microwave in a matter of minutes, which makes the task of adding veggies to the menu even easier. Look for them in your grocery store’s frozen vegetable isle. There are plenty of ways to save you time in the kitchen, and spend a little more time enjoying meals with your family. Try out different techniques, and stick with what works. You don’t have to feel guilty for not making fancy dishes, as long as your family enjoys what you cook. In this day and age, you should feel good about the fact that you are cooking for your family, instead of eating out.