Kitchen

Spring Cleaning 101: 5 Steps to Deep Clean Your Oven

Posted on April 2, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Home, How-To, KitchenTagged deep clean oven, kitchens, oven, refresh your home for spring, remodeling, spring clean, style1 Comment

From bubbled over sauces to burnt cheese, your oven is the canvas for all kinds of spills and splatters. Ovens seem to present the most anxiety when it comes to cleaning kitchen appliance. With the right knowledge and basic tools, oven cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming chore. So, what is the best way to clean an oven? In the spirit of spring cleaning we have a two safe, natural, and effective methods to get the job done. How to Clean the Oven: What You Need: Baking soda Water Rubber gloves Magic Eraser Damp dish cloth Spray bottle White vinegar Essential Oil (Optional) STEP ONE: Empty the oven, remove your oven racks, pizza stone, oven thermometer, and anything else you have inside the oven. Set aside. STEP TWO: Start by vacuuming out the dirt, dust, crumbs, and debris. You can use the vacuum hose, or if that feels too powerful, try the crevice attachment. How to clean with Baking Soda Make a baking soda paste. This is a timelessly classic way to clean your oven. With a little elbow grease your oven will sparkle like new again. In a small bowl, mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. If you’re adding any essential oils, 2-3 drops will be sufficient, but add more if desired. Adjust the ratio of both baking soda and water as needed until you have a spreadable paste. Distribute the mixture throughout the interior of the oven, except for the heating elements. Let mixture sit overnight in the oven for at least 12 hours. The following day, spread vinegar over the surface and allow it to react with the paste, which will make the debris much easier to scrub off. How to DIY Steam Clean with Water and Vinegar Place a large oven-proof dish, filled with a solution of water and White Vinegar on your bottom rack, then heat your oven to 350°. Bring this solution to a boil. Turn off the oven and let it cool. Open the doors and spray the inside with a solution made of water and vinegar and allow this mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Once the oven has completely cooled down, wipe away all food residue. STEP FOUR: Soak racks in dishwashing liquid for a few hours, scrub with a scouring pad, and then rinse well and dry. If racks need heavy-duty cleaning, apply the paste. Note* Only use stainless steel racks; baking soda can discolor aluminum. STEP FIVE: Use a magic eraser to easily wipe away grease on your oven glass. Are you due for a brand new oven? If your oven is on it’s last legs and cleaning it just won’t do the trick- Cosmo Appliances has a premium selection of wall ovens that are easy to clean and maintain with self cleaning feature. Making Your Home Appliances Brand New Again With the right cleaning method you can have your oven appliance sparkle like new again. Just remember to always consult the instruction manual with each of your appliances. Although vinegar and other mild detergents are generally safe on appliances, there are always some exceptions to the rule. For more recipes, ideas and inspiration follow our Facebook page. For product information visit our website.

Sweet and Savory Brunch Recipes

Posted on April 1, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, KitchenTagged brunch, recipeNo Comments

Many spring celebrations and gatherings have been canceled due to the corona-virus outbreak. So people are getting creative and finding new ways to connect and spend quality time with their favorite people. From virtual concerts to happy hours and Netflix parties there’s something fun for everyone. A group of friends I know are planning a virtual “Sunday brunch” over the weekend and because I love a good brunch that’s the inspiration for this recipe post. Springtime brunches call for fabulous food. A wide variety of recipes may fit the occasion, but a combination of comforting bites with sweet and savory flavors is perfect for appeasing all appetites. This menu of morning recipes includes Chive and Orange Blossom Honey Waffles and Spicy Garlic Honey Chicken as a filling option to base the meal around with Breakfast Casserole as a more traditional dish. For a sweet sendoff, this Brown Sugar Bundt Cake is best served warm as a midday dessert or can be added to your plate as a simple side. Add flavor to your brunch with the sweet taste of honey as part of a remade rendition of a breakfast favorite: chicken and waffles. This recipe for Chive and Orange Blossom Honey Waffles and Spicy Garlic Chicken combines sweet with savory to shine as the main course for your gathering Chive and Orange Blossom Honey Waffles and Spicy Garlic Honey Chicken Servings: 4 Chicken: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons kosher salt, divided 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 1/4 teaspoon rosemary, chopped 2 tablespoons orange blossom honey 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder vegetable oil, as needed Waffles: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons orange blossom honey 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/4 cups whole milk 2 large eggs 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded honey To make chicken: Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels; place in large bowl. In separate bowl, combine buttermilk, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, rosemary and honey. Pour buttermilk mixture over chicken; cover and let marinate 8 hours or overnight. In separate mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining salt, remaining pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and ancho chile powder; stir. Remove each piece of chicken from buttermilk, shake to remove excess liquid and dredge in flour mixture. Shake off excess. In deep fryer, heat oil to 375° F. Fry chicken until internal temperature reaches 175° F or juices run clear, approximately 5 minutes per thigh. Drain on paper towels. To make waffles: In large mixing bowl, mix flour, honey, orange zest, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, chives and cheese until combined. Use waffle maker to cook four waffles in batches. Place chicken on waffles and drizzle with honey. A Traditional Brunch Dish Whether it’s just part of a brunch spread or the focus of your meal, an egg-based casserole is a perfect way to appease a morning crowd. This version of Breakfast Casserole calls for potatoes, ham, eggs, milk and cheese for a simple dish that requires little preparation before popping in the oven. Breakfast Casserole Prep time: 25 minutesCook time: 45 minutesServings: 6 1 pound red or white potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces water 1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup) nonstick cooking spray 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup reduced-fat and reduced-sodium, chopped, cooked ham (about 4 ounces) 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups skim milk 1 tablespoon mustard Heat oven to 350° F. In large saucepan, cover potato pieces with enough water to just submerge. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Add onion. Return to simmer, covered, about 5 minutes, or until potatoes are just tender. Drain well. Cool slightly. Coat 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place potato-onion mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine. Sprinkle ham and cheese on top. In medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Whisk in milk, mustard and remaining salt. Pour over layers in baking dish. Bake, uncovered, 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. A Bundt Cake for Brunch Many brunch festivities may center around classic breakfast foods like quiches and fresh fruits, but you can take your gathering to the next level with a treat to pair with nearly any dish. This Brown Sugar Bundt Cake can be the simple, sweet side your guests crave as a complement to the savory recipes on the table. Made using just a handful of household ingredients it can be created in about an hour and served warm during your next brunch gathering. Brown Sugar Bundt Cake Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 50 minutes Nonstick cooking spray 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 3/4 cups packed Golden Brown Sugar 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt Confectioners’ Sugar, for dusting Heat oven to 350° F. Grease 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix on low speed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with yogurt. Begin and end with flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and use offset spatula to level batter. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out

Stuck-at-Home Easy Meal Hacks

Posted on March 31, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Home, How-To, Kitchen, RecipesTagged cooking at home, easy recipes, green cooking, recipe

Not sure what’s for dinner tonight? You’re not alone. After weeks on lockdown and exhausting your favorite go-to meals you’re probably working extra hard to be creative in the kitchen. Even if you’re stuck at home your meals don’t have to be boring, with a little meal planning your family can enjoy healthy, flavorful meals during the coronavirus quarantine. More cooking can also mean more time spent preparing meals so innovation and technology can make meal prep easier, and kitchen hacks like turning to ready-to-heat meals that take just minutes can enhance your productivity. Consider these simple ways to rethink your dinner routine in an effort to create more moments with loved ones: Look for recipes with as few ingredients as possible. Dishes that include longer ingredient lists typically require more legwork in the kitchen, which usually involves additional prep steps and sometimes longer cook times. Plus, you’re more likely to already have the necessities on-hand for recipes that call for 5-10 ingredients rather than lengthy lists. Buy pre-cut vegetables to trim time spent on prep work. One of the processes that can surprisingly consume more time than you realize is cutting, chopping and dicing veggies prior to even really diving into a recipe’s instructions. If you’d still prefer prepping your own fresh produce, try completing your work the night before when it doesn’t interfere with quality time spent with family. Meal kits certainly save time in the store, but be careful to avoid options that still include a lot of prep and cleanup. Focus on frozen kits that contain pre-chopped and measured ingredients that are ready to go. Stock your pantry with the basics to make cooking quicker and easier. From condiments and canned goods to seasonings and spices, keeping the essentials on-hand means less time scrambling for a quick run to the store and more moments spent at home. For one of the ultimate comfort foods that’s simple to make, try thischeesy baked potato casserole. Stock Up on Pantry Essentials Running to the store every other day isn’t an option when you’re on lock down, so try to keep your pantry stocked with non-perishables that are often necessary in a variety of meals. Seasonings and spices (salt, pepper, dried herbs, cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, etc.) Canned goods (tomatoes, beans, corn, broth, cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, etc.) Grains (flour, pastas, breadcrumbs, rolled oats, instant rice, etc.) Condiments and oils (olive oil, canola oil, ketchup, mustard, vinegars, barbecue sauce, butter, cooking wines, etc.)

6 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Clean in Your Dishwasher

Posted on March 27, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, How-To, KitchenTagged dishwasher, spring, spring cleanNo Comments

Despite being one of the best kitchen inventions ever! the dishwasher has long been an underrated kitchen appliance. There’re more things you can wash in it than just cereal bowls, coffee mugs and forks. The dishwasher with all its capabilities will wash just about anything, like magic! Obviously, there are some things you should never put in the dishwasher, but there are a lot of items you probably never thought of washing in it either. The dishwasher is so handy, especially when spring cleaning. You can really save time while giving your household items a thorough clean. Things you can clean in a dishwasher: Art Supplies You can wash your art brushes, paint bowls, watercolor palettes, placemats, and other art supplies right in the dishwasher. Make sure you scrape any old paint and rinse them before tossing in the dishwasher. Home Decor Vases, decorative pottery, light fixtures, candles and oil lamps can easily be cleaned in the dishwasher. Use the top rack for most things except the heavier items. Avoid chipping delicate figurines and anything with gold or silver gilt. Bathroom Accessories Save yourself some time from scrubbing and sanitizing bathroom accessories caked with soap scum and hard water stains. Put items like soap dishes and toothbrush holders on the top rack for an easy clean. Kitchen Tools Most kitchen exhaust fans have a washable filter to capture grease and cooking odors and keep the air clean. Put the filter and any removable covers in the dishwasher for degreasing. Remove food residue and bacteria from silicone oven mitts, microwave turntables, and refrigerator shelving and bins. Each time you run a load of dishes add your kitchen sponges and scrubbing brushes. Kids Toys Your kids toys have probably been everywhere, dragged across the floor and left outside before finding their way into your kid’s mouth so throw those plastic toys and building blocks in the dishwasher. Small pieces should be placed in a mesh bag or box on the top rack for easy cleaning. Tools and Car Accessories Place tools in utensil holder, but avoid those that are electrical, battery operated or with wooden handles. Run your ca or house keys throw a cycle if they get grimy. You will be amazed how clean hubcaps get after a hot water cycle.

7 Best Kitchen Garden Herbs for 2020

Posted on March 26, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, KitchenTagged cooking at home, garden herbs, green cooking, herb, kitchen, pantryNo Comments

If the dishes you’ve been cooking feel bland and boring, fresh herbs are a great way to give them some liveliness- but herbs can be hard to keep and store in the fridge, and always seem to wilt just when you want to use this. If you want fresh herbs easily accessible year round, you can start a small kitchen garden in a sunny window, and with our top seven picks, you’ll be covered for a variety of cuisines with no worries. Oregano: A far cry from the dried flakes you can find in pizza parlors, fresh oregano packs a punch. This earthy herb pairs well with boldly flavored dishes, proteins, especially poultry, and vibrant veggies like bell peppers. Cilantro: This staple of Mexican food can taste soapy to some, but for others, it’s a welcome addition to tacos, rice and other foods. Parsley: Not just the weird green decoration on the sides of your plate, parsley can add a clean, fresh flavor to almost any dish. It plays especially well with citrus and fish. Chives: This kissing cousin to onions pairs with nearly anything. It’s a friend to baked potatoes, soups and more- chop it up and sprinkle on top for a sweet, almost delicate onion flavor Rosemary: A bush rather than a plant, rosemary is a friend to proteins and potatoes. This woodsy herb is best left on the stem and removed before serving, or chopped finely enough that its sometimes tough texture isn’t a problem. Thyme: Indispensable in so many cuisines, Thyme is commonly used in French, Italian, Greek, Cajun and Creole food. It blends beautifully with other herbs to make wonderful seasonings. Basil: With so many varieties, basil compliments cuisines from Italian to Thai and even more. Pair sweet basil with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and quality olive oil for a dreamy Caprese salad. The best time to have started a kitchen garden would have been a few weeks ago, but the second best time is now. Put your planters together and assemble this all-star team to liven up your foods in no time. For more recipes, ideas and inspiration, visit our website at https://www.cosmoappliances.com or follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cosmokitchenappliances

Spring Cleaning 101: 5 Tips for Quick Pantry Organization

Posted on March 25, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Home, How-To, KitchenTagged kitchens, pantry, pantry organization, refresh your home for spring, remodeling, spring clean, styleNo Comments

Circumstances may have you feeling overwhelmed with a lot of cans and dry goods you wouldn’t normally be dealing with all at once. Conquer your clutter with these five easy tips from Cosmo Appliances to help organize your pantry. Utilize the Door The backs of your pantry doors may all be dead space. If you’ve got a gap between door and shelving, consider hanging a wire rack with smaller items that otherwise get easily lost or shuffled to the back. Stack Food Containers If you can never find the matching lids to your Tupperware, this one’s for you! Take five minutes to organize your storage containers by size on the shelf, then make a vertical rack to store the matching lids. (Have a lid for a container that’s MIA? you have our permission to repurpose it or get rid of it. We won’t tell anyone.) Sort by Category Keeping shelves to a theme can help you find things faster. Group your granola bars, and stash your salty snacks together so they’re easy to find when you have a craving Cycle your shelves As you’re buying new boxed goods, take the extra second as you’re putting away groceries to pull the oldest boxes forward, and put the new box behind them. That way you’re not left with expired food. Hang it up If you have wire shelving in your pantry, you can use hooks and chip clips to hang up small items and lightweight bagged goods, freeing up shelf space, and, as a bonus, keeping you from accidentally crushing your chips. We hope these tips help you keep your pantry feeling fresh! For more recipes, tips and ideas, visit us at cosmoappliances.com, and like our Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/cosmokitchenproducts

Spring Cleaning 101: 6 Easy Steps to Clean Your Refrigerator

Posted on March 19, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Home, How-To, KitchenTagged home improvement, kitchen, kitchen decor, refrigerator, springNo Comments

Spring cleaning your refrigerator is about more than tossing old stuff and restocking it with fresh food. There’s more involved than just that, you’ll need to deodorize and disinfect, then take steps to ensure your refrigerator runs well and use less energy. Follow these 6 simple steps to clear it out, clean it up and restock the fridge. Gather your Supplies: Here’s what you’ll need Old towel for floor Bucket Baking soda Paper towels or rags Sponges, dishcloths or rags Toothbrush Multi-purpose surface spray Cooler Trash bags Vacuum Turn Off the Refrigerator To conserve energy it’s a good idea to turn your refrigerator off unless you have removable shelves and you’re good about keeping the door shut, then it’s okay to keep it plugged in. It’s safer to have the fridge unplugged when dusting the coils and cleaning the drip pan. If you can’t easily move the fridge or access the plug, turn off the circuit breaker that serves the refrigerator. Empty the Refrigerator The refrigerator completely of all items. Put any perishables like milk and meat in a cooler and leave other items on the counter. Do not leave food out for more than an hour. Go through the contents of your refrigerator and remove all expired or spoiled food. Compost old produce and recycle containers when possible. Clean the Removable Refrigerator Parts Take out all the removable shelves, drawers and door inserts; you can clean them more thoroughly when they’re outside the fridge, and this gives you better access to clean the inside of the refrigerator. Mix fragrance-free dish soap with warm water in the sink. Wash the items with a dish soap sponge, as you would hand-wash dishes. Once the removable parts are washed make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in place. Clean the Inside The good news is there’s a variety of cleaning solutions you can use to clean the interior of the fridge. While the choices for what you can clean with are flexible, we recommend making your solution instead of a harsh cleaning spray. You can use baking soda and water mix (1 tablespoon of baking powder per cup of water) or a mild soap and water mix to wash the counters and bins. Thoroughly wash the built-in fixtures, the bottom of the fridge, and be sure you get in the cracks. An old toothbrush is handy for the nooks and crannies. Wipe the inside of the freezer just as you did in the fridge. Wash ice cube trays and replace the ice with fresh water. Thin rags are great for cleaning the rubber seal around the door- one of the grimiest areas of the fridge where crumbs and debris end up. Clean the Outside The exterior of your fridge use microfiber cloths to clean, they’re great at eliminating the streaks and fingerprints on stainless steel. Carefully pull the fridge out from the wall, then vacuum the coils to remove dust that’s collected. Keeping your coils dirt-free can help your fridge run better. If your fridge has a drip tray, remove it and clean it like you did the shelves and place it back. Refrigerator Cleaning Hacks To absorb odors, keep a box of open baking soda in the fridge — don’t forget to replace it every one to three months. Wipe stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Clean your fridge right before a big grocery shop.Clean shelves and drawers in the dishwasher. Tell us: Do you do spring cleaning?

The Ultimate Kitchen Spring Cleaning To-Do List

Posted on March 12, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Home, How-To, KitchenTagged home improvement, kitchen, kitchen decor, springNo Comments

Spring is here! Warmer weather, longer days, and thanks to that extra dose of Vitamin-D we’re feeling more energetic. It’s the perfect time for some spring cleaning and we’re ready to make our homes sparkle and shine! The kitchen is one room in the house that gets messy fast, and since it’s our favorite room, that’s where we’ll start our spring refresh. Here’s a simple deep cleaning step-by-step routine for the kitchen. Having an order in which to clean your kitchen makes getting the job done much simpler and faster. Everything seems easier when you have a plan. PRE-CLEAN: Wash, dry and put dirty dishes away any. Quickly clear counter tops and wipe clean. Clear any clutter that does not belong in the kitchen. Determine if you need new kitchen supplies. Clean under the sink and eliminate the unnecessary. Clean and organize plastic ware and storage containers. GATHER KITCHEN CLEANING MATERIALS Get all of your kitchen cleaning materials so you have everything on hand. Running around looking for cleaning supplies e.g. cloths, sponges etc. wastes time. Here’s a list of suggested items you might need: Sponges. Cleaning cloths. Gloves. Toothbrush. All-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner. Stainless steel cleaner, if you have stainless steel appliances. Glass cleaner. Lysol wipes. Caddy or basket for cleaning supplies. Telescoping duster. Steam mop or conventional mop and bucket. Vacuum or broom and dustpan Empty basket or box. PANTRY When you’re getting things organized in the kitchen the pantry is one area that needs some special attention. To begin, check labels and toss expired, stale and empty items also, go through and top up old herbs and spices. Consider donating unopened items that you won’t use before they expire. Wipe down all shelves with soapy water or kitchen cleaner. After wiping down the shelves, create a separate area for open items, arrange like items together with the oldest items in front; newest in back. MICROWAVE Simply, place a bowl filled with water and slices of lemon into the microwave and heat for 5 minutes. The lemon water boils like a sauna, loosening up all the caked on bits. The inside of your microwave gets dirty with splatters and splashes but cleaning it is “easy peasy lemon squeezy” with this cleaning hack. THE FRIDGE Like the Pantry, the refrigerator gets filled up quickly so first thing to do is go through the contents of your refrigerator and remove all expired or spoiled food. Wipe down the shelves with a soft rag and a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaning agent. Work from top to bottom. Place the crisper drawer in the sink to soak, if you need to. If not, just wipe it out and replace it. For a deep clean, unplug the fridge, pull it out, sweep and mop. Finish with a new box of baking soda stuffed in the back. STOVETOP No kitchen spring clean is complete if you don’t tackle the stovetop. Using a dry cloth, brush loose crumbs to the ground. Remove the grates, if your stove has them, and wipe the stovetop with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. OTHER APPLIANCES Clean and/or polish exterior of dishwasher. For the interior of your oven follow the manufacturer’s instructions to run self-cleaning cycle, if you don’t have this feature Baking soda and vinegar will do the trick. Then clean and polish the exterior of oven. Don’t forget to clean your small countertop appliances, e.g. coffee maker, toaster and toaster oven. CLEAN SINK, COUNTERTOP & CABINETS Free counter space is hard real estate to come by, especially in a smaller kitchen, so get rid of all the clutter from countertops first; try to get them as clear as possible, including countertop appliances. Only keep items out that you use regularly. Spray countertops with kitchen cleaner and wipe them clean. Tip! to make granite shine you can use glass cleaner. Wipe down cabinet exteriors and polish wood cabinet doors with furniture polish. Remember to clean inside cabinets and drawers, they tend to gather dust and crumbs. FLOORS Start by removing any movable furniture, then sweep the entire floor. Spot clean sticky or dirty areas with stains. Mop the floor with a heavy duty floor cleaner or use a solution of equal parts vinegar and hot water. The vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and odor remover. THE WALLS Wipe down the walls, determine if the walls need spot washing in dirty spots don’t forget to clean air vents, doorknobs, doors, and switch plates. DUST Use a telescoping duster and dust the entire kitchen, starting up high and working your way down. Don’t forget light fixtures, the top of cabinets and the fridge. LINENS You may regularly launder your dish towels, but things like runners, oven mitts, and aprons get overlooked, so this is a good opportunity to throw them in the washing machine. GARBAGE DISPOSAL This spot is generally full of germs and can emit all sorts of odors! Give it a thorough flush with hot water, ice cubes, and lemon peels. THE SINK Fill your sink with hot soapy water and pour in 1 cup bleach. Let stand for about an hour, then empty and scrub clean using a paste made from water and baking soda. Rinse well. EMPTY TRASH Finally, wipe down the outside of the bin and lid. Lysol wipes are excellent for this purpose. Place a fresh garbage bag in the bin. FINAL TOUCHES You’re all done! Your kitchen is spotless and boy, does it sparkle! Now add pretty touches with these quick and easy fresh Spring decor ideas. Because kitchen countertops are already at a premium to make the most of your décor, use a tray or cake stand to display smaller decorative items. Remember to include soft spring colors and fruit & flowers of the season are perfect counter pieces. We like fresh flowers and greenery because they look amazing on a kitchen counter. Other decorative pieces we like are wooden cutting boards, you can lean them against your backsplash or stack them under decorative pieces.

How to Elevate Your Cooking Experience with a Convection Oven

Posted on February 27, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, Kitchen, ProductsTagged convection oven, double oven, true convection, true european convectionNo Comments

Why are Convection ovens becoming more and more popular with home cooks? Primarily because they’re faster, more efficient, and they make more delicious results than regular ovens. Even though a lot more homes have convection-capable ovens, many cooks still don’t know how to use them. So we’ve compiled some information that will help you feel confident using your convection oven. Understanding Your Convection Oven First, “convection” is a setting on your oven and your oven has a button that enables the convection feature. Convection ovens can be gas or electric, so when the convection setting is off, you’ll experience all the advantages and disadvantages of cooking in those respective ovens. What happens when that convection setting is on? The oven uses fans to circulate hot air and cook food more rapidly than a traditional oven. Instead of relying on radiated heat from heating elements, a convection oven spreads the hot air so it envelopes food and cooks it from all sides. There are different types of convection: Convection and True Convection. Convection is your normal oven, but with an added fan on the back to circulate air. When shopping confirm that the oven has this third heating element around the fan. True Convection or ‘European convection,’ features a heating element behind the fan, allowing for better cooking results than standard convection. Tips for getting more out of convection Adjust the Recipe Follow the rule of 25, when using True convection experts recommend adjusting any recipe in two ways. 1. Lower the oven’s temperature by about 25 degrees and 2. Expect the food to be ready about 25% faster than the recipe suggests, so reduce the cooking time by roughly 25%. Keep in mind variables such as initial oven temperature, quantity of the food, desired level of doneness, and oven model will all affect cooking time. Experiment with the temperature or cooking time, also start checking early and often until you get used to cooking the convection way. Air Supply To be effective air must circulate over and around the food when using your convection oven. Use trays and baking pans with lower sides that allow hot air to flow freely. You should place trays and pans in a way that they don’t hinder effective circulation. Use shallow roasting pans and rimless cookie sheets when possible. Try to keep a two-inch clearance on all sides. Do not cover the ovens shelves with aluminum foil. Avoid overcrowding the oven Remember, convection relies on air being able to circulate air, avoid overcrowding the oven and blocking the flow of air. When you use multiple racks try not to fill the racks wall-to-wall and make sure you monitor the dishes for browning. When to Use the Convection Setting When you’re roasting Foods like meat and vegetables, convection immediately sears the food, locks in juices and continues to cook it faster, more evenly, and the drier environment yields crispy skin and caramelizes much better. When baking convection heat melts fat and forms steam quicker, which helps create more lift in pies and pastries. When baking a big batch of cookies, with convection you’re not limited to making one tray at a time. When you’re toasting or dehydrating, convection is efficient at removing moisture as quickly as possible. When Not to Use the Convection Setting Not all foods are suited for convection cooking method. The fan disrupts delicate dishes that start out as batter and set while cooking like cakes, soufflés, breads, and custard. Blowing air on these foods can create lopsided results. Don’t use convection when making these foods: *While some argue that convection creates even browning and a great crust, others say that it dries out the interior of bread. The choice here is really up to you.

Bakers Edition: How to Create a Better Kitchen

Posted on February 12, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, Kitchen, ProductsTagged bake, baking, double oven, food, kitchen, kitchen appliances, kitchen designNo Comments

Whether you’re whipping up a big batch of extra fudgy brownies for a school bake-sale or crafting a delicate three-tier Orange Cardamom Cake with Rose Buttercream for a special occasion, we have practical tips and advice for the ultimate kitchen layout, tools, and equipment so you can turn your kitchen into a bakers dream. Do you love to bake? Here are some great ways to make your kitchen work for you. Custom Counter Heights Different tasks call for different countertop heights. Home cooks serious about baking may want to consider custom countertop heights to achieve the most comfortable height. A counter-height surface works fine when mixing or assembling recipes. For kneading or rolling out dough, most bakers prefer a lower surface to get the right amount of leverage. To achieve this, you can Install countertops at a custom height or lower a section of an island so it’s the right height. For a simpler solution, stand on a step stool and use a counter or use a kitchen table to achieve the most comfortable height. Previous Next Turn to Your Pantry Baking often requires lots of ingredients and bulky countertop equipment, so pantry organization is the key to maintain a pristine kitchen. Install pull-out and horizontal pantry drawers that help you easily access your baking supplies. If you have enough space, consider putting your baking station inside your pantry. Also consider extra shelving for mixer storage. Organizing the pantry into specific sections and using bins with airtight lids allow for easier access when you need the basics – flour, sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips, etc. Previous Next The Right Work Station Granite and marble stay cool, making pastry dough easy to roll and clean up easily. Other baker-friendly countertops that can accommodate rolling, cutting and direct heat with no fuss are Quartz and Corian. If you can’t afford to install a whole slab, purchase a small marble section specifically for baking, or place marble on the kitchen island. Previous Next Double Ovens If what you are looking for is more baking and less waiting, double ovens are a bakers dream. They’re Spacious and versatile enough to accommodate your needs and allow a baker to cook two dishes at different temperatures at the same time. The double ovens, with convection are a must as the Convection ovens work with fans that recirculate heat, which evenly bake cookies and crusts. Even baked goods such as croissants develop a crispy, even texture with convection heat. An oven with a warming drawer or built-in Proof mode create the perfect oven environment for proving dough, you can also cook a variety of dishes in the warming drawer like meringues or melt chocolate. Extra Deep Sink The sink is an essential element to keep the kitchen clean. Clean-up will be a whole lot easier with a deep, wide more functional kitchen sink since baking often involves using odd-shaped pans, oversized cookie sheets and large mixing bowls – many of which can’t go in the dishwasher. Previous Next Stand Mixer Serious bakers have more than one, and double or triple up on the bowl attachments so they don’t have to stop to wash them before moving on to the next phase of a baking project. Previous Next Baking Supply Cart It’s easy to run low on countertop space and having your supplies within reach is essential when baking. With a rolling cart you can move around your kitchen more easily and have your baking essentials wherever you’re working. Tech Corner There are thousands of recipes and how-to videos online to access these you can wire in a TV, desktop or laptop computer or an iPad in a small corner next to your countertop. A kitchen desk area works well for multi-tasking bakers so you can monitor the oven when working or catching up on emails and social media.