Appliances 101

Your air fryer is capable of so much more than just frying. It’s faster than an oven and healthier than a deep fryer. Here are a few things you may not be aware your air fryer can do. Bake bread. Your air fryer can make delicious mini loaves. You’ll still need small enough pans and allow time for the dough to rise, but your air fryer can get the job done. Perfect for Cookies. If you’re looking to cut down on the number of cookies your oven usually puts out, try it in an air fryer. You’ll be able to make them quicker and with less mess in no time. Oil Shouldn’t Be Forgotten. While air fryers are usually branded as healthier alternatives, it doesn’t mean you should skip oil altogether. You should use a bit of oil on most food to ensure they crisp perfectly. Apply it either with a spray or mist. Cleanup is Necessary. Food debris can accumulate in your air fryer basket. Don’t let the season of one dish lead to another. Luckily most air fryers have nonstick baskets so soap and warm water can get them back in top shape. Hard-Boiled Eggs. No more waiting around for water to boil, pop your eggs into your air fryer and let it do the work for you. You don’t even need the water with some recipes! Looking to upgrade your kitchen with a new air fryer? Check out our available models here. Source: the Kitchn

If your kitchen is cluttered and disorganized, there are three steps to manage your kitchen space. This will vary depending on the type of cook you are and what you eat. A pressure cooker front in center may be more optimal for a vegan, while a blender could be more useful for a raw food lover. Group Your Appliances. Sort out your appliances by their frequency of use. Split every appliance into one of the following categories: frequently used, rarely used and never used. Consider appliances that can have multiple purposes. A high-quality blender can double as a food processor, leaving you more kitchen space. Rid the Never-Used Appliances. This may be obvious, but do away with the appliances you aren’t using. Think about those rice cookers, juicers and egg poachers. Your kitchen space is valuable and should be reserved for appliances you’ll be using constantly. If you’re having trouble getting rid of an appliance, allocate 30 days to consistently use it. If it becomes a habit, keep it. Organize Cabinet Spaces. Now that you’ve cut back on appliances, it’s time to organize what you have. Take time to wrap cords around appliances before storing them. This will decrease clutter and look more organized. Cut back on paper clutter by accessing manuals online or saving them to your computer. Gather all the smaller parts in your kitchen, such as appliance attachments, and organize them in bags with the proper labels. Store Less Used Appliances. The appliances you use infrequently like a waffle maker or slow cooker, should be stored in harder to reach places. Reserve optimal cabinet space for the appliances you use the most. You can also swap these around if your needs change over time. For example, an ice cream maker can be moved down from the top shelf when it’s summertime. Source: the Spruce

There’s no need to dread cleaning out your fridge. Follow with these 10 easy tips to get your appliance back in top shape. Create an all purpose cleaner by combining 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup baking soda into a gallon of hot water. Pour the solution into a bottle. This will act as a degreaser and prevent any mold or mildew. Wipe everything down with this solution, including your shelves and drawers. Clean out the dust from below your fridge by removing the grill and clearing out everything underneath. Check the pan of water under the unit which can contain unpleasant-smelling water. To fix odors, sprinkle vanilla extract on cotton balls and place in a shallow dish in your refrigerator. Orange extract also works. Check the insulating seam around the door for any cracks. This will help to pinpoint any leaks. You can test this by placing a flashlight inside your fridge and closing the door. Turn the lights off in the room and see if any light escapes through the seams. If your refrigerator is ever empty, place a large bottle of at least one gallon of water inside. It helps keep the refrigerator cool and running efficiently. Keep your refrigerator at 37 degrees. Looking for more ways to connect with us? Follow our Facebook and Instagram for more updates! Source: HGTV

If you’re in need of a new range, you’ve probably come across slide-in or drop-in variations. While they may be similar in build, each has their unique design features with different installation requirements. Freestanding ranges are among the most popular but a slide-in or drop-in model gives a unique integrated look. Here are the main differences between a slide-in and drop-in model. Features Slide-in ranges usually have a bottom drawer below to store cookware. A drop-in range has to fit with existing cabinetry so it typically doesn’t have a storage drawer. This should be considered since you’ll need additional cabinet space for your cookware and pans. It’s also important to note that a drop-in installation is typically more expensive to install since it requires custom cabinetry to drop into. Cabinetry A drop-in range is often placed in islands or on top of custom cabinets. A slide-in range on the other hand, has contoured sides to slide in between two adjoining cabinets and allows for the cooktop to rest on top of either side. This prevents food from falling in any spaces between the range and cabinetry. When deciding on a range, look for the kinds of cabinets available to you in your kitchen. There are many different models to fit your needs whether it’s freestanding, slide-in or drop-in variations. Source: The Spruce

A smooth top electric cooktop is often favored for its stylish appearance versus traditional coil element types. The maintenance for a smooth cooktop differs in that it can discolor or scratch if used incorrectly. Owners should also be proactive in cleaning their smooth cooktops to keep them in pristine shape. Here’s some of the things you should avoid to help your cooktop. Avoid iron cookware. The bottoms of cast iron cookware are usually very rough and any sudden movements can leave scratches behind. Ceramic and stoneware also have unfinished, rough bases. Use these for your oven instead. Skillets or pans with rounded edge bottoms aren’t recommended for smooth cooktops. Pans will perform better if they are flat to evenly distribute heat. A smooth bottom will also offer more stability and prevent any rocking. Never use abrasive cleaners or metal pads which can scratch the surface. Opt for a soft sponge or cloth and cream cleaning solution made specifically for ceramic or glass cooktops. Avoid dragging heavy pots on your cooktop. Always lift and transfer to another area to reduce the risk of scratching. Clean your cookware regularly before placing it on your cooktop. A build-up of grease can leave aluminum-looking rings or marks on a cooktop. These are often very difficult to clean. Avoid spilling when boiling or cooking sugary substances. This can discolor the cooktop leaving yellowish areas. Clean up these spills as quickly as possible. Avoid placing utensils on your cooktop. These may have food which will mark and burn, leaving a mess that will need to be cleaned. Source: The Spruce

Although you’re not technically frying, since that involves submerging something in oil, air frying is a great alternative to reducing fat. An air fryer actually works very similarly to a countertop convection oven in that it has a heating element with a fan to blow air around a cooking chamber. The difference is an air fryer swirls the air around very quickly in a circular fashion to reach all of the surfaces of the food to create a crisp crust. An air fryer also takes advantage of a perforated basket which increases the food’s contact with the hot moving air. You won’t need to toss or shake fries during cooking for the perfect crisp. Conveniently sized to sit on a countertop, air fryers can help save valuable space in a kitchen as opposed to full sized ovens. Oil Content Many air fryers will need far less oil than typical frying would. However, a small amount of oil or spray can still prove beneficial to help with crisping. It’s best to go by the recipe and the type of air fryer you have. Non-Frying An air fryer can actually be used for many other things besides just creating a delicious crisp. Try roasting and baking in an air fryer for delicious desserts. It’s important to note that pastries won’t rise in the same way it would in a full-size oven. Source: The Kitchn

If you’re in the market for a new range or cooktop you may come across some different fuel types. A gas range can often work with natural gas or liquid propane after a conversion process. You may wonder what the differences are between the two fuels and if one is better than the other. See our guide below on some of the differences you should know. Natural Gas. This gas fuel is distributed through a centralized pipeline network. Underground utility pipelines deliver it in a gaseous state all the way to a cooktop. This can be a cheaper fuel depending on the location as well as the state of the fuel market. Natural gas differs from liquid propane in that it is delivered at a much lower pressure and heats at a slower rate. Liquid Propane. One of the most distinct characteristics of propane is that it is in a liquid state rather than a gas. Unlike natural gas, propane can be stored at room temperature so long as it is kept under pressure. This makes it easily transportable and available in many differing tank sizes. Liquid propane would have to be delivered regularly to a home for propane fueled appliances. Propane can have a higher upfront cost than gas, but offers almost twice as much heat. Cost can differ by area and the fuel market, similarly to natural gas. In order for an appliance to work with another fuel type it’s important that a proper conversion kit is installed. Since propane and natural gas work in differing pressure, certain orifices must be installed to accommodate this. It’s critical that these kits are installed properly to prevent any damage or possible danger when operating the appliance. Here at Cosmo, select gas appliances can be converted to liquid propane with a unique conversion kit which is sold separately. Kits are available at our parts and accessories page here. Guides for conversion are also available at our Customer Support Hub.

Contrary to popular belief, dishwashers are designed to be more efficient than hand-washing dishes. On average a person uses four gallons of water every two minutes washing at the sink where dishwashers use less than four gallons per cycle. In the long run a dishwasher could be more beneficial not only to your water bill but the environment. But there remains the question of how frequent a dishwasher should be used. On average, the number of dishwasher cycles per week in a household is about five. Surpassing this number could increase the need for repairs or a replacement in the long run. A typical dishwasher will last about 10 years. If you can cut down your cycles fewer than five per week your dishwasher could last 12 years or more. While running a dishwasher everyday of the week may not be best for the longevity of the appliance, it could be more efficient for water use and the environment. Source: Apartment Therapy