Appliances 101

In the heart of every home, the kitchen stands as a hub of culinary creativity and nourishment, where Cosmo Appliances reign supreme. At the core of this culinary universe lies the mighty range, a stalwart appliance that transforms raw ingredients into gourmet masterpieces. Choosing the right Cosmo range for your kitchen is a decision not to be taken lightly. With a myriad of options available, from gas to electric, freestanding to slide-in, the possibilities can seem overwhelming. Fear not, Cooking Enthusiasts, for we embark on a journey to demystify the world of Cosmo kitchen ranges and uncover the perfect match for your culinary endeavors. Gas vs. Electric: The Great Debate! The age-old debate between gas and electric ranges continues to divide home cooks. Gas ranges offer instant heat control and precision, making them a favorite among chefs for their responsiveness. On the other hand, electric ranges provide consistent heating and are often easier to clean. Consider your cooking style and preferences when deciding between the two. Freestanding vs. Slide-In: Finding the Right Fit When it comes to installation, freestanding and slide-in ranges offer different advantages. Freestanding ranges are versatile and can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, while slide-in ranges provide a seamless, built-in look that blends seamlessly with your cabinetry. Evaluate your kitchen layout and design aesthetic to determine which style best suits your needs. Choosing the Perfect Range: A Personal Journey Ultimately, the perfect range for your kitchen is a reflection of your unique cooking style, preferences, and lifestyle. Take the time to research and explore your options, considering factors such as fuel type, installation requirements, and desired features. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an aspiring home cook, investing in the right range can unlock a world of culinary possibilities and transform your kitchen into a culinary haven. From gas to electric, freestanding to slide-in, the options are as diverse as the dishes we create. By understanding your needs, preferences, and cooking style, you can confidently select the perfect range to complement your kitchen and elevate your culinary endeavors to new heights.

Electric stoves with coil heating elements can get soiled overtime with food spills. If left unattended, these can create unpleasant smoke, smells or even flame when the stove is operated. As with any other appliance, start with your user manual to find the appropriate cleaning methods. Remove the completely cooled burners. Most burners will have two prongs that unplug from socket fittings on the stove. You may need to squeeze the prongs together to loosen mounting collars in order to pull them free. Be careful when unplugging the coil as bending the prongs may ruin them. Use a cleaning cloth and a mixture of mild dish soap and water to remove any food residue. Since the heat from the coils will cook off most residue, this step is usually all that is needed. Don’t submerge the coils in water as this may ruin the electrical connections. If burnt-on food persists, try making a baking soda and water paste. Use it to gently scrub residue off the electric heater coil. You can let the paste sit on the coil for up to 20 minutes before scrubbing for tough stains. Rinse off the paste thoroughly afterwards. Clean drip pans at this point in the process. Dump out any charred remnants and wipe down the pans. Replace once dried. Carefully plug the prongs back into their sockets. Careful not to bend or damage the prongs during this process. For regular maintenance, simply wipe down the heater coils whenever you wipe down the stove during routine cleaning. Source: the Spruce

In a world of air fryers, sous vides, instant pots and blenders, it’s easy to look past the functionality of a traditional microwave. While you may be tempted to get rid of your microwave altogether, here are a few reasons why it still has a place in your kitchen. Healthy Dinners. Microwaves often have a negative relation to unhealthy and bland frozen microwavable dinners. Microwaves are much more useful than that. You can use your microwave to make a tender baked potato in just a few minutes. You can also steam veggies with very little cleanup. It can help get dinner on the table without turning on an oven. Oatmeal is a classic microwave meal, ready in just a few minutes. Safety. You may have come across myths claiming microwaves are dangerous or add toxins to food. However, studies have shown microwaves are better at retaining nutrients in food compared to other methods such as roasting at high temperatures. There also have been no studies to claim microwaves cause cancer in humans. One important thing to remember is to skip out on plastic containers. These containers can contain BPA which can get in food when heated. Choose glass containers instead. Other Valuable Uses. Microwaves are a quick and easy way to heat up items for home remedies. Warming up a small towel in a microwave can help alleviate certain pains or aches when applied for a heat press. There’s also special heatable bags that can be used to help alleviate chronic migraines. Much quicker than relying on other methods like an oven. Source: the Kitchn

Cooktops are not without their dangers. From overcooking and accidental burns, you can be putting yourself at risk without even realizing it. Here’s what you need to know and why you should be safer in the kitchen. Glass stove tops are becoming increasingly popular for their sleek and seamless appearance. These cooktops match popular kitchen decor and style while also being easy-to-clean. One downside to a glass stovetop is they can crack if you’re not careful. A sudden shift in temperature from cold to hot can create damaging effects. For example, think of putting a hot pan under cold water, this creates steam because of the temperature shift. It can also cause warping in pans because it moves from a higher temperature to a lower one. A stovetop is no exception to this. Avoid putting a hot lid face-down on a glass stovetop. A hot lid on a stovetop can create a seal between the two surfaces. The hot air gets trapped as it rises creating a push-and-pull effect which can damage the surface and even break under added pressure. This can also occur with cold lids as well, it all depends on the difference in temperature. Check your stovetop regularly to ensure it is cooking consistently and there are no electrical problems. If you find any issues it’s a good investment to seek out a service professional to avoid unnecessary risks. Source: the Spruce

You may have come across appliances referred to as counter-depth or cabinet-depth. These kinds of appliances are designed to fit neatly in-line against countertops and base cabinets. It’s most common in refrigerators since these appliances most often come out further than countertops or cabinets. Other appliances such as dishwashers or wine coolers are already designed to fit under a countertop. A refrigerator can extend as far as 5 to 10 inches than cabinet faces which can make some designs look awkward or clumsy. The counter-depth design is a popular solution to keep the appliance’s profile low and aligned with cabinets or countertops. While these designs are more elegant and seamless, they are not without their drawbacks. Here’s a list of the most common pros and cons for a cabinet-depth appliance. Cost. Typically, a counter-depth appliance will cost more than a standard refrigerator with comparable features. It’s also not uncommon for the appliance to have slightly less capacity than their standard counterparts. Maintenance. A counter-depth appliance is typically repaired and maintained the same way as a standard appliance. The shallower design does require certain components such as water filters to be repositioned. This may make accessing them slightly more difficult. A repair will cost you about the same as a standard appliance. They’re also no more prone to problems than a standard appliance. Design. This design is favored for a modern and streamlined profile. A luxury kitchen will often make use of this design, since uninterrupted looks are essential. The counter-depth design is also useful in smaller kitchens where a standard appliance can come out much further and be a hindrance. Convenience. A counter-depth refrigerator is shallower in depth, meaning you have a shorter reach to access contents. Finding and retrieving foods is easier and requires less bending. The easier access does come with a cost of capacity. You can expect a smaller storage volume unless you opt for an even wider refrigerator. The shallow design can improve traffic flow since the appliance won’t get in your way as you move about. However, the doors are often wider meaning they will swing wider as you open and close them. In the market for a new refrigerator to add to your kitchen? Check out our product line here! Cosmo refrigerators come in a variety of designs including counter-depth and standard. Source: the Spruce

A kitchen range hood has taken on more prominence as a focal point in the space. Range hoods are built out of many types of materials such as stainless steel, bronze and copper. Whether you have a range hood as a statement piece or a simple vent, it is important to keep it clean for optimal performance. If you are cooking with and using the hood daily, try to clean it monthly. If you aren’t cooking as often, then seasonal cleaning should be sufficient. Always clean it after a bigger holiday feast. The range hood suctions up grease and food particles that naturally cling to the surfaces. Cleaning is essential not only to keep it looking and smelling better, but to also prevent a house fire. If a pot or pan is left on the stove for too long, flames can appear and if the range hood is greasy it can lead to extensive structural damage. As with any product, you should always reference the manufacturer’s manual before cleaning. This will give you a more specific procedure for taking care of your range hood. What You’ll Need: Baking Soda Degreasing dishwashing liquid Boiling Water Soft nylon-bristle brush Spray-on degreaser Paper towels or cleaning rags Cleaning a Range Hood Filter Range hood filters all help catch grease and food before it enters the ductwork. Some are metal that can be cleaned and reused for many years while others are disposable charcoal filters. Check your manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning. Remove the filter. To remove a reusable filter, either slide it out or find the latch that will pop out the rest of the filter. Prepare a solution. Fill the sink with boiling water or use a large pot or baking dish that is heatproof. Add a tablespoon or two of dishwashing liquid to the water. Check that it contains a degreaser. Add 1/2 cup baking soda and mix the solution. Soak the filter. Submerge the filter into the solution and let it soak for at least fifteen minutes. Try to remove it before the water cools completely or the grease will resettle on the filter. Scrub and Rinse. Use the scrub brush to remove any grease and food particles that are still clinging onto the filter. Rinse with hot water and dry completely before placing in the range hood. Cleaning the Range Hood Interior/Exterior Apply degreaser to interior surfaces. Clear out the stovetop below as you may get drips. Spray on the degreaser and let it work for at least fifteen minutes. Wipe away. Use paper towels to wipe away the cleaner and grime. For stubborn particles, spray a bit of degreaser on a nylon-bristled brush and scrub the area. Rinse well. Dip a clean paper towel in warm water and rinse the interior to remove any remaining cleaner. Cleaning the exterior surfaces. Depending on the material, use an appropriate cleaning product recommended for those finishes. To prevent streaks on stainless steel, use a drop or two of olive oil on a microfiber cloth for a final polish. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for other materials such as painted metal, copper and brass. Source: the Spruce