|
|
What's New:
This capable Breville Smart oven comes with innovative Element IQ which suggests the ideal temperature and time for every of its 9 preset menu functions. The stainless steel toaster oven also lets you control the cooking power for perfect results no matter what you are preparing. Equipped with 5 powerful quartz elements that evenly distribute 1.8 kW of heat, the toaster oven allows you to broil, bake and toasts. Its broil function activates top 3 heating elements to melt and brown. Toast function activates top 2 and bottom 2 heating elements to seal and crisp. And bake function employs top 2 and bottom 2 heating elements with the convection fan to ensure the food is thoroughly cooked.
The stainless steel blends nicely with blue backlit LCD screen giving this toaster oven an attractive appearance. Its sturdy top doubles as a warming tray while rack conveniently auto-ejects halfway when you open the oven door. Other features and accessories include intuitive dial controls, memory function to store settings, retractable crumb tray, nonstick pizza pan, baking pan and baking rack. This Breville stainless steel toaster oven is seen in stores for $250. Previously, stainless [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
With its .5 ft³ cavity which can bake two 12″ pizzas or toast 6 bread slices, the stainless steel convection oven, DeLonghi DO1279 allows you to feed the entire family at once. You can also broil, convection fan/bake, keep warm and defrost with the oven user-friendly digital controls and LCD display. The thermostat lets you choose the exact temperature and lets monitor current temperature during the heating process. And with convenient 2-hour timer with auto shut-off, you just set it and forget it. Several preprogrammed settings for baking and toasting make you life much easier. End-of-cycle signal alerts you when toast is hot and ready to eat. Special Durastone enamel interior distributes heat evenly for maximum consistency of cooking results. Such an interior and stainless steel exterior assure that this convection oven is quite easy to clean.
The oven also saves time since the convection cooking uses fan-circulated hot air to distribute heat faster and more evenly, the food cooks almost 40% faster. And result is always a perfectly browned outside and moist, juicy inside. Comes with interior light, slide out crumb tray, Durastone low profile bake pan, broil tray and 2 cookie sheets. [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
There are many new looks and styles for sinks that depart from the typical bowl configuration.
Newer designs include geometrically shaped sinks made from glass, and stainless steel sinks with long, narrow stream-shaped basins.
A distinctive, contemporary sink gives a stylish flair and becomes a striking attraction in your kitchen, while still remaining functional. There are just a few things to consider when selecting a kitchen sink.
Size and Shape
Sink sizes range from S to XXL, so there’s a model to fit every kitchen. If space is an issue or if you want something really different, a corner sink could provide a stylish solution.
Usage
Many sink units contain different sized bowls and compartments, so you can store, clean and drain foods in different areas of the sink at the same time, which is a useful feature if you are a keen cook. Some sinks are traditionally styled while other have features such as pull-out sprays that allow you to wash items and surfaces outside of the main bowl.
Bowl Size and Draining Area
Choosing the size of bowl you need all depends on what accessories you use. If you regularly need to wash bulky items, you may need a sink with a [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
Ovens are available in gas or electric, and using a number of heating methods, conventional, convection, microwaves or combination oven/microwave.
They come in many shapes, sizes and finishes. Your choice will be influenced by the design of your kitchen, the space available and what you enjoy cooking.
A single oven can be placed in a cabinet below the counter top or in a tall cabinet. A regular double oven or an conventional/microwave double oven combination will be placed in a tall cabinet.
Wall ovens are either 24, 27, or 30 inches wide.
Look out for:
Controls that are easy to use
Logically arranged and simple to operate
Electronic type controls are easier to clean and faster and more accurate to set than dials
Prices of ovens range from $500 to $4000
Conventional Ovens
Have two heating elements, one for baking and roasting and another for broiling. Heat for baking comes from the bottom. As the heat rises, it creates different temperature areas, or ‘zones’ within the oven. The hottest area is at the top, the centre is moderate while the coolest part is at the bottom of the oven.
Some ovens use both elements during baking to compensate for uneven heating patterns and for more even browning.
Available [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
The cabinets may be the face of the kitchen but the countertops are where all the action happens. A countertop will have to cope with hot pots and pans, knives, dirt and therefore needs to be durable.
So it is usually best to make your choice based on the performance of the material and ease of maintenance, as well as the sink mounting option.
Notes on edge styles and backsplash options are given at the end of this page (click here).
The countertop choices are listed below very roughly by price (least to most expensive). If you are replacing countertops measure the tops at the wall edge (not the front edge) and make a rough drawing when you go to the kitchen store to get a quote. Also measure the depth and indicate how the ends need to be finished, meaning whether there is a wall, an appliance or a walkway. Draw your plan from above, as if you were on the ceiling looking down.
Laminate
Tile
Wood and Butcher Block
Stainless Steel
Corian, Avonite and Other Solid Surfaces
Swanstone
Granite
Quartz Surfaces: Cambria, Zodiaq and Silestone
Concrete
Soapstone
Laminate
Laminate is a very popular choice for kitchen countertops [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
Your budget will normally dictate your choice of products but there are other considerations you need to take into account when working out how much your new kitchen is going to cost.
Prices vary quite a lot, so the figures given below are just a guideline and, as always, shopping around is the best bet.
But work out roughly how much money you want to spend and use this figure when talking to designers and contractors.
Below are some guidelines for establishing a realistic budget.
Budget Guidelines
First of all, if you limit your spending to 15% of your home’s value you should recoup 90% of the costs when you sell. Try to keep your investment relative to your homes worth, but at the same time make it worth your while by spending on the items that you really want.
Second, figure your product costs to be 1/2 to 2/3 of the total remodel. Choose your appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring and all other fixtures first. The remaining money will go towards installation and design.
Third, if you become overwhelmed with selection choices hire a design consultant to help you. A designer can save you money in the long run by helping to prevent [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
Think about what happens to your food and you will get a good idea how an efficient kitchen works. The steps are usually:
Purchase
Storage
Pre-preparation
Preparation
Service
Dish Washing
Bear all these in mind when planning and you won’t go far wrong. For example, put the fridge near the door where you bring in the shopping (to save you walking acros the kitchen each time), put the baking supplies in a cupboard near the oven, the clean-up materials under the sink and snack items near the microwave, and so on.
The Work Triangle
For maximum efficiency, the kitchen’s three primary appliances, the sink, the refrigerator and the cooktop or range should be located in a triangle and as close to each other as possible. The triangle is measured from the center of the sink to the center of the refrigerator to the center of the cooktop.
Although not a hard and fast rule, the perimeter of the work triangle should measure at least 12 feet but not more than 26 feet. Each side should measure at least 4 feet but no longer than 9 feet.
//
Most kitchens will have service points for all three appliances already installed so the decision s to their layout may [...]
(click here to continue reading ››)
You may also be interested in reading:
|
|
July was another amazing month of Kitchen Contraptions – filled with kitchen gadgets, grilling, and other kitchen wonders. We had our first ever video reviews