Tips and Suggestion About Buying Used Kilns

Numerous people are seriously searching the Internet for places to buy or sell a used kiln. Usually, used kilns will cost less than new kilns. Shoppers are often concerned about the functionality of a used oven. Most of the times, they want to know how much money the used kilns are worth of. A few factors affect the pricing of used ovens. Examples include the depreciation rate, working condition, models and age among other factors. If you want to sell any used oven, keep those factors in mind.

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Those who want to buy ovens should expect the sellers to base their prices on the same factors. The most important thing to note is that your second hand kiln has some value. You can find a customer who is willing to pay the amount you desire as long as he or she thinks the price is fair. Make sure that your kiln or the kiln you are about to buy can fire. If it cannot, convincing a customer to buy the kiln would be difficult.

The following tips and suggestions will help you buy a used kiln:

• The heating elements-As a buyer you would hate to pay for an old kiln with damaged heating elements. If you do, it's good to prepare for the extra cost of repair and maintenance. It's better to add money to buy a new kiln instead. The cost of buying spare elements is high nowadays including the cost of hiring an expert installer. Let the seller test the kiln in front of you. This way you can tell if the elements are in good shape or not. You may ask an expert to test the kiln elements by measuring the resistance.
• Consider the lead glazes-When the seller has fired the lead glazes in the kiln already; it might not be a good choice for you. This is because the kiln is impure and you might not be capable of firing any safe wares or dinnerware using it. The home-based lead testing kits may be used to do it. There is no certain way of doing it though. You should try to search the Web for extra notes on carrying out this test.
• Available controls-if you plan to buy old version used kilns, expect them to have simple controls. Any person can directly use these controls. The problem with these controls is that they are not very advanced. You certainly want to be current by buying used kilns with computerized controls. These are not as complex as one would think. You should practice how to use the automatic controls of the kiln once you pay for it. You could even buy an oven and controller accessories. Be warned that these controllers can be expensive. Be sure to negotiate the price of the kiln if you intend to buy these pricey controllers.


• Consider any missing feature- you should consider all the features of a used kiln. If you find out that a kiln has a missing detail, it's good to avoid it. This is because buying them would cost you extra money for shipping.
G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from glass fusing kilns [http://www.kilnsforsale.org/glass-fusing-kilns/] to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!


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What To Consider When Buying Appliances For Modern Kitchens

Modern kitchens aren't just simply about utility, but also offer an enriching and enjoyable cooking and dining experience. This is achieved through perfectly executed kitchen layouts, designed to bring out a specific atmosphere, complemented with efficient and presentable appliances. You can easily enlist the services of a kitchen installation company to design modern kitchens. However, selecting the right appliances would require some extra work on your part.

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Here are two important considerations to make when selecting the best appliances for modern kitchens:

Cooktop - A kitchen is never complete without the right cooktop. Here, you have the choice between electric, gas and induction cooktops. Although you may be inclined to believe that electric stoves are more efficient than gas stoves, the Consumer Energy Center indicates that modern gas stoves with electric ignitions would have much lower operational costs compared to standard electric stoves. This is because the electronic ignition feature reduces gas use by about 30%.

However, induction elements take the top prize in energy efficiency. These appliances utilize 90% of produced energy for cooking. This is a much higher energy efficiency compared to normal gas burners that utilize merely 55% of produced energy for cooking, whereas standard electric ranges use 65% of produced energy for cooking (based on data from the Consumer Energy Center). Therefore, induction cooktops would be the best option, since they have the potential of boiling water 50% faster than regular stoves.

Although induction tops are the most energy efficient, buying such an expensive appliance wouldn't be cost effective if you have very little cooking to do. An electric stove might present the second best option.

Ovens - Ovens are another necessity in every kitchen, apart from cooktops. They are also found in gas and electric varieties, just as with the cooktops. However, you have a further option between self-cleaning and convection ovens, both of which have a lifetime spanning two decades.

Although self-cleaning ovens cost more than ordinary ones, the self-cleaning aspect is a major advantage. The cleaning operation involves a 900 degree Fahrenheit internal heating process, at which point the oven doors are completely locked. All food particles and spills within it are burned off and the resulting ash is then wiped out. Moreover, these ovens are much more efficient compared to ordinary ovens, since they have more insulation.

Frequent use of the self-cleaning feature would also be counterproductive to energy saving, since it utilizes huge amounts of energy. To reduce on the overall energy used in self-cleaning, you can utilize this feature immediately after cooking, which takes advantage of the residual heat.

Convection ovens have the potential of cutting energy use by more than 30% (based on data from the Consumer Energy Center). This is because such ovens utilize fans for circulating air within the interior, hence reducing cooking temperatures and cooking time. Such a mechanism eliminates hot and cool spots, which produces more even cooking. This is quite useful in even browning of foods.

When buying ovens, you should also consider the amount of cooking you will do. If you will use it only occasionally, you should select smaller ovens, rather than buying large and costly appliances.


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Different Oven Trays Impact Cooking

Oven trays come in assorted sizes and shapes for convenience and appearance, but it doesn't end there. There are different finishes that make some stand out from the others. These different finishes on the trays can affect cooking or baking time and the crispiness of the food.

For example, a dark finish on a metal pan usually results in it heating up faster and remaining hot for a longer period of time than a shiny pan would. The dark oven trays actually absorb and maintain the heat quicker and longer. Therefore, the bottom of your foods or baked goods will be cooked faster than they may otherwise be. It is important to pay special attention to how quickly an individual tray heats up. Quick heating trays may not be ideal for the particular food you're trying to cook or bake - while suited to some items such as thin oven chips, it may not perform well for biscuit baking.

In other words, if you are using a shiny metal pan, it may well take slightly longer for it to heat up. This can mean that your baked goods will be cooked more evenly than with the dark finished pans. The shinier the oven trays, the more they reflect the heat.

There are, of course, the non-stick coated trays, which are convenient and have a long life if cared for correctly. The variety of oven trays sometimes seems limitless and although this is not the case, there is probably a different type of tray for every type of cooking or baking need that one might have. There are some that are very lightweight, and others that are very solid.

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In addition to finishes, there are also the different types of materials used in cookware and bake ware. Examples include stainless steel, aluminium, copper, enamel, ceramic and even glass. With every finish and every different type of material, these products offer different properties. Each can be found in varying price ranges to suit every budget.

As you can see, it is important to determine what types of foods you will be baking when you are looking to buy oven trays. Will it be better to use a non stick pan? It is important for the bottom of the food to be crispy? Will you be using it to cook delicate food? All these questions, when answered, can lead you to the right bake ware to meet your needs.

For example, if you are to be using oven trays simply for baking biscuits, then you would probably be better off with a sheet pan that has at least one flat side to it. This flat side will enable you to remove the biscuits by sliding them off easily. Such a pan is sometimes called a cookie sheet. In order to benefit from an all-around pan, you would probably be better off with one that has a raised lip around all the edges to keep food in place and safe from sliding off when removed from the oven.


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Cleaning Your Oven

Cooking with an oven is pretty much an easy job. If you do not know how to cook, then cook books and other forms of recipe books are easy to get. You probably already have one in your library or in your kitchen. But once you are done cooking, ugly little food stains are left in the oven walls, what do you do?

Cleaning ovens are not as simple as grabbing a wet towel cloth and wiping all over the place. You need to know where to wipe and what to do so that you won't cause further damage to your oven and make your oven last as long as it could.

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The first thing you have to do though is to figure out which kind of oven you own. There are various types of ovens which require various ways of cleaning. For both ways of cleaning though you are going to need generally the same materials. You are only going to need three things.

You should have an oven cleaner, sponges and some soft rags. You can pretty much buy oven cleaners in places like grocery stores and others as such.

The first process we are going to tackle is cleaning self-cleaning ovens. Sounds simple right? But there is more to it than just simply turning on the self-cleaning function. Here are the things that you are going to have to do.

First of all, you are going to have to remove all the racks that are inside. Then, prepare a vat of soapy water and soak the racks into it. Let these soak for a while to get rid of all the grime stuck to them.

After you have done all these, now would be the time to turn on the self-cleaning feature. Usually, this would require you to lock the door and turning the function switch to clean. So, just pretty much do all these and the oven will just basically clean itself.

Basically, what it will do is it will just heat for a couple of hours and char of the food that has stuck itself onto the walls of the interiors. Once this whole process is done, just put everything back to where it was and there you have it. A clean oven.

The second process is when you are cleaning just a regular oven. The first step is basically just the same as the other process. You have to take out the racks and let them soak in a vat of soapy water. Let them soak while you complete all the other steps.

The next thing you are going to have to do is to pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees. After it has completely pre-heated, all you have to do is to turn the oven off. Here is when you are going to need your oven cleaner. Once you have turned the oven off, spray the inside of it with some oven cleaner and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

Wipe the oven with a damp sponge to get rid of the cleaner and the dirt. Afterward, just grab your cloth and wipe the oven to dry.

Once you have completed these simple steps, rest assured that your food will taste better than ever.

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Getting To Grips With Silicone Oven Gloves

If you are thinking about forking out for some oven gloves or mitts for your oven and BBQ, prior to purchasing some, you will probably want to find out more information about them.

The days where you could only buy oven gloves made from cloth material have long gone. Today, there are so many different types and designs of gloves to consider that it might become a bewildering task to find a pair that you want or like.

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There are so many alternatives because you combine different features in a number of ways. I have listed below some of the features that you could mix and match from.

Material: silicone, neoprene, cotton, aramid fiber.
Lined or unlined interior.
Short or long cuffs.
5 finger gloves, mitts or pot holders.
Unique, unusual and animal designs.
With the abundance of styles available to you, I would like to go into detail about one particular type of glove that is becoming really popular, and that is silicone oven gloves. They have many benefits that other gloves don't have and that makes them very convenient for the user. I have listed below some of the major benefits of silicone.

The main reason that we buy oven gloves is to protect our skin from the searing heat of the oven and BBQ. The silicone that is used in oven gloves is a food grade quality. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, to work safely within the temperature range of between -40 celcius or -40 fahrenheit and +230 celcius +450 fahrenheit.

One of the disadvantages of a fabric glove is that they can easily get stained and also pick up the smell if they are exposed to some foods. Silicone will not discolor or acquire the odors of the food that they come in contact with.

Being an inert material that has a low chemical reactivity, they are extremely resistant to any form of mold or bacteria and they don't deteriorate when exposed to heat, the elements, time and household chemicals.

Silicone is used to make both gloves and mitts. The 5 finger design offers the wearer a much greater degree of movement and flexibility with the fingers. It is easier to retrieve dishes from the oven and gain a very good hold. Out with the BBQ, a 5 finger design is far superior than the mitts when handling the utensils, skewers and food.

The gloves have little bumps or ridges all over them, often in the shape of hearts and starts. The shape of the protrusions is irrelevant, but they do provide a really strong grip to food and utensils alike. It's similar to the way a car tire grips the contours of the road surface.

As I alluded to earlier, they are convenient because they are very easy to clean, so saving you time. If they are covered in grease and fat from the BBQ, they can simply be washed in the dishwasher with the other dishes. If you have no dishwasher, they can be washed in soapy water and hung to dry. A lot of the time they just require rinsing under the tap.

They are waterproof. This means that if you are boiling something like crab, corn and eggs, you can use the glove to take the food out of the boiling water. The other thing about being waterproof is that any splashes or spillages that occur isn't going to burn you as it would if you were wearing a fabric pair of gloves.

Where the BBQ is concerned, if you have any large things grilling away such as a whole rack of ribs or a chicken, you can wear your gloves to handle the food directly. When the food is cooked, you can pull it apart with your gloved hands without the need for any shredding utensils.

Going in the other direction, you can use them inside the freezer when it gets all frosted up and you need to get rid of the ice. You may have a piece of meat in the bottom of the freezer that needs looking for. When it is icy outside and your car is iced up you can use them there.

Other uses include changing light bulbs, being none electrically conductive. Opening tops of unopened jars or that have become stuck. You can wash the car with them. The list is vast.

If you love to do any type of cookery such as smoking, baking or hob cooking, or are eagerly anticipating the coming summer BBQ season, these silicone gloves will make your culinary experience all the more enjoyable and become an integral part of the equation. For more details, please visit http://www.inform-site.com/siliconeheatresistantgloves.html


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Getting Built in Gas Ovens

If you have decided that you want to get a new oven and that it should be a gas oven then there are several things that you need to think about. Built in gas ovens are very popular because they are effective and once fitted they look great in the kitchen, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are right for you.

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One of the important things when you are buying oven is how much you have to spend. There are so many different types of ovens on the market that it can be quite overwhelming if you don't know what you are looking for. If you set yourself a budget then you will be able to narrow down your options straight away which you really help you when you start looking.

You also need to think about what you want form an oven. Are you just cooking for yourself so only need a small oven? Do you often cook for lots of people? If you do, then you might want to consider buying double gas ovens as these will allow you to have a lot more freedom when cooking.

You should also decide whether a gas oven is really right for you. If you are going for simplicity then buying an electric oven might be a better choice, but a lot of people prefer the way that an gas oven cooks so that will mainly be down to your own personal preference. Take your time when buying an oven as it's a big decision.


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Outdoor Pizza Oven to Complement Your Outdoor Patio Style

How do you like to spend your summer evenings with your family and close friends bonding and cooking pizza right at your backyard? Well, you might thing cooking pizza outdoors is a lot of hard work and having a good time while cooking it is almost impossible, that was before. A couple of years ago oven manufacturers discovered the convenience of installing pizza oven outside houses. It does not only save big space inside your kitchen but also spare the kitchen from hot temperature oven usually make while in use.

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Outdoor pizza oven also adds a special effect in your lawn. It is usually available in a wide range of designs and can be customized to compliment your patio style. This can surely add some romantic atmosphere and make cooking pizza at your lawn with your loved one extra special.

Most outdoor ovens available in local stores now still look archaic and traditional, but that is what makes it much more likable. Most people still love to see old-fashioned outdoor ovens, cooking bread or pizza in open air makes a certain old-fashion effect that can never go out of time.

This old-fashioned design of the oven adds a vintage effect. Many owners consider having outdoor ovens as attraction at their backyard or patio.

The old-school style oven channels smoke from wood to the oven, giving food (like pizza) that is cooked inside on it a unique smoky aroma and distinct flavor that only wood fire ovens can give. It is actually the burning wood which is used in the oven that enhances the flavor of every cheese, meats, herbs and spices on your pizza.

Old-fashioned or old-school outdoor ovens are available in affordable models. Anyone can have a decent set of oven depending on their budget. But if you want to have a sophisticated set of oven, you really have to shell out big amount.

The easiest way to buy ovens is from local wood fired pizza oven stores. Local stores usually have a wide range of choices from cheap to expensive designs. The price of the oven usually depends on its material and quality.

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Getting Started With Dutch Ovens

Camping Cooking Equipment -- Dutch Ovens

Your camping cooking equipment will not be complete without the 'ole standard of camping, the Dutch Oven. When you look at the market for them, there are plenty of choices for a new oven but I want to help you select an oven that will work well for you and will be something you pass down to your kids. I know of ovens that are over a hundred years old, passed from generation to generation. Take care of your oven and you can do that too.

Selecting an Oven

So, what is a Dutch Oven? A Dutch Oven is a round pot used for cooking. The pot holds in heat in to cook the food, much like a oven. Generally, there are two types, kitchen and camp. The kitchen model is made for placing in your oven at home and cooking. The metal is thinner and the bottom is flat. The camp version is heaver, thicker walled and has legs. These legs are used to lift the oven off the ground so you may place charcoal under it.

With camp ovens, they come in two metals - aluminum and iron. Aluminum is lighter weight (7-10lb) and is easier to maintain since it does not rust. Alum ovens are good for canoeing or other camping where weight is an issue. But aluminum ovens do not hold heat as well and can cause inconsistent cooking. Iron ovens are heaver (15-20lbs) and require seasoning to protect the iron from rusting. Iron ovens are great for regular family camping because they hold heat well and cook more evenly. I recommend using the iron oven for family camping because most of the cook books will assume a iron oven and weight isn't an issue for drag and drop camping.

Now that you know what metal to get, you need to select a size. Ovens come in standard and deep heights. Standard sized ovens heat up the center of your food faster than a deep oven. Use a standard oven for fast cooking and a deep for slower cooking like browning rolls. For starting out, I recommend getting the standard size as it is what your recipe will assume. The oven diameters vary also. Large ovens equal more food. For your first oven, I recommend a 14 inch oven.

Your oven will need to have some other typical features for a camp Dutch Oven. First, the lid will have a raised lip to hold the coals on top. This allows you to heat the food from above. Next, a loop handle for the main pot and a small loop for the lid. Don't get lids with 'frying pan' handles.

Seasoning

First, read the instructions that came with your new Dutch Oven. Some Dutch Ovens come pre-seasoned and don't need you to do it. If your new oven is like this, follow the instructions that came with it to prepare it for use.

If you do need to season your new oven or re-season an old oven, start by washing the oven. Your new oven will have a protective coating to keep the Dutch Oven from rusting during transport. Old ovens with rust spots will need to have the rust removed with steel wool. Then, wash with warm water and steel wool. Rinse well. Hand dry your oven when done. Moisture is your oven's enemy.

While you are cleaning the oven, pre-heat your kitchen oven to 350 degrees. Once the Dutch Oven is clean, place it in the kitchen oven for a few minutes, best way is upside down with the lid on a different shelf. This lets any water drain out of the oven. Head the Dutch Oven until it is almost too warm to touch with your hand. This warm up makes sure all the water is gone from the Dutch Oven and opens the pores of the metal for the next step.

With your warm Dutch Oven, apply a coat of oil. Use salt free oil like olive oil or vegetable oil. Coat the entire oven with oil. Then, put t back in the kitchen oven to heat for an hour. You can leave the Dutch Oven upright, but leave the lid ajar so air can circulate. Remove the Dutch Oven and let cool slowly. Once it is only warm, place another coat on the Dutch Oven and put back in the kitchen stove again for 1 hour at 350. Remove it and let it cool down again and then add your third coat of oil. Now you have 2 coats of oil banked in and one final coat applied while warm. Your Dutch Oven is ready to use or store until your campout.

The surface of your oven is non-stick and as yo use your Dutch Oven, the surface will improve. You will not have to do this long seasoning process again unless the Dutch Oven gets rust on it.

Heating

Dutch Oven cooking is done with coals. So first step is to set up an area for setting the Dutch Oven. You can use a fire pit, but I prefer using a metal oil drip pan on the ground. The nice metal ones are hard to find now, but check your auto parts store. Most auto parts store have oil drip pans, but they are plastic. However, I have seen a metal catch pan that is very shallow - almost like a large cookie sheet. Pet cage trays or garbage can lids will work also. It needs to be larger than your Dutch Oven and have some room to store extra coals. We want to use a pan to protect the ground and make clean up easy. Remember Leave No Trace!

Set your pan in a good spot - away from foot traffic or where the kids are playing and get your Charcoal Chimney. This is a metal tube for starting charcoal and is the best way to start coals. Personally, I don't like the smell of quick -lighting charcoal and I think the fuel smell gets into the food. Once the coals are ready, dump them in your pan, but to the side. Leave room for your Dutch Oven. Here's a YouTube video showing how to use a chimney.

I'm not going to cover food prep here, but now is time to put your meal in the oven. ALWAYS put your food in the oven before you start cooking. Never put food in a hot oven. The cold foot could cause your oven to crack. Think about lining the oven with foil for easy cleanup later.

Dutch ovens need heat from above and below for baking. The formula for the number of briquettes is the diameter of your oven plus 3 on top bottom minus 3 on bottom. So, for a 14 inch oven put 17 briquettes on top, 11 on the bottom. This will provide 325 degrees of heat. Since one briquette provides 10 to 15 degrees of heat, so add one on top and one on bottom for 350 degrees. Rotate your oven a quarter turn every 15 minutes and the lid a quarter turn the other direction at the same time. This prevents hot spots in the oven. Gloves and a lid hook are good tools for spinning. A small shovel will help move the coals.

Clean up

Clean up is easy, but you still need to take care. Plain hot water and a nylon brush is the best way to clean your oven. Don't use soap; it may leave a bad taste in your oven. Let the oven cool down some, but not down to cold. For problem stuck on food, use boiling water and a plastic or wood scrape - not metal. Towel dry your Dutch Oven, NEVER let it just air-dry. When dry, but still warm, rub some oil on your stove. Then store with a paper towel between oven and the lid to allow air flow.

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A Buyer's Guide to Countertop Convection Ovens

One of the hottest appliances on the market today is the countertop convection oven. This smaller version of a standard oven has many attractive benefits including the size, the ability to cook foods quicker, being more energy efficient, and allowing foods to be cooked healthier without sacrificing taste.

For some people, a countertop convection oven is the only oven that they can or will own. For others, it's a complimentary item to their kitchen that gives them flexibility and versatility. Regardless of the reason, there are many different types and styles of countertop convection ovens that meet a wide variety of personal needs. Read on for more information about the evolution of the countertop convection oven, some of the features found in a variety of models, and some tips for using and maintaining your own oven.

History of the Oven

Ovens have been around much longer than most people think, albeit in a different form than the modern day version. Early ovens date back to about 29,000 BC and were primarily located in Central Europe. These ovens were used to roast and boil mammoth inside yurts. As ovens progressed and evolved, they became more versatile to where they could be used to cook food or to cook bricks for building.

The Evolution of the Oven

Since the time of the mammoths, ovens have evolved and improved significantly. Front- loading bread ovens were originally developed and improved in ancient Greece. During the Middle Ages, a system similar to today's Dutch Oven was used for cooking. In the early 1800's, cast iron coal ovens were invented and used most commonly. The first gas stove was patented in 1826 and rose in popularity as gas lines were routed to more homes.

Electric ovens were invented in the late 1800's. They have improved significantly since to include the creation of the microwave oven in 1946. The main focus of developing oven technology today is to create more energy efficient ovens that cook food more quickly and at a variety of settings while providing a type of heat that cooks meat in a more healthy way for the user.

The Rise in use of the Countertop Convection Oven

As countertop convection ovens have been developed and improved, their use has increased along the way. This is primarily because of the many benefits to using a countertop convection oven. Meats and foods cooked in a countertop convection oven are cooked more quickly using very hot air that is circulated over the item being cooked. Cook times average 25-30% less than in a conventional oven. This results in more tender and juicier meats, less oil and fats in dishes and fewer nutrients destroyed by a long cooking process.

Countertop convection ovens cook foods in a wide variety of ways. They can be used to warm, bake, roast, sear and broil foods to name just a few. In doing so, countertop convection ovens use much less energy to accomplish the task than does a conventional oven.

Countertop Convection Oven Impacts on Health and Quality of Life

The method countertop convection ovens use to cook foods intrinsically results in healthier, safer foods. A convection oven uses an internal fan to circulate evenly heated air across the entire cooking surface inside the oven. This results in evenly and quickly cooked foods.

Standard ovens can often cook foods unevenly, resulting in patches within a dish where the food may not be fully cooked. This is because of the lack of circulation. In a traditional oven, the heat generally is applied from the bottom or the top with the understanding that heat will rise. But the coils and/ or heat vents aren't evenly spaced and the same amount of heat isn't applied to the top. It's not uncommon to pull a dish out of a conventional oven that is burned on the bottom, but barely cooked on the top.

In contrast, the moving and heated air in a convection oven reaches all sides of the item or the dish and evenly cooks the outside and towards the inside of the item. This same principle gives healthier, tastier foods. The circulated air in a convection oven sears meats on the outside, trapping the juices and moisture inside the cut of meat. Breads, pastries, cookies and other items are tastier because liquids in the butters steam out quickly and the air cooks all items equally for consistent taste in the entire batch.

Structural Basics of the Countertop Convection Oven

When countertop convection ovens first came on the market, almost all looked like a large toaster oven or a smaller version of a microwave oven. While many still maintain that general appearance, that style oven isn't always the case. Here is a bit about the styles of convection oven and the structural basics to help inform consumer's decisions when shopping for an oven to meet their needs.

The most common style countertop convection oven is still the toaster oven style countertop convection oven. These typically have a glass door for easy viewing of the dish being cooked and a door that hinges downward to easily get items in and out of the oven.

There are a few items to be aware of when choosing from this style of oven. First, how large are the cooking dimensions? A good gauge is the diameter of pizza that can be cooked in the oven or how many slices of bread can go on the rack. Next, can the oven accommodate more than one rack to cook more than one item at a time? Another consideration that should go into the buying process is whether the top of the unit heats up when in use or not. In short, some ovens do and some ovens don't. If you know you need the room for storage and it should not get hot, be sure to consider this when shopping for your oven.

There are a wide variety of display types as well. Some are digital LCD displays with easy preprogrammed cooking settings. Others are very simple and sleek with temperature and time toggles. Be sure when shopping for your countertop convection oven that you have a clear idea how you would like to use the oven and be sure that they oven you choose can do that task, whether it's broil meat, bake bread, warm leftovers, or something else.

Another countertop oven style that is gaining popularity is the heavy glass cooking dish with an efficient cooking unit that fits atop the glass oven. These are an excellent way to cook meats in a way that is tasty and very healthy. They're also very easy to operate, maintain, and keep clean. They look very sleek and contemporary and for a modern kitchen and a modern chef, this type of countertop convection oven could be a great choice.

Cleaning, Maintaining and Using Your Oven for Maximum Efficiency

When selecting your countertop convection oven, be sure to look at the maintenance and cleaning instructions to see if it will meet your needs. Some ovens come with racks and pans that cannot be put in the dishwasher but must be handwashed. Some ovens come with a self- cleaning feature and an easy to remove crumb pan. Others have a crumb pan that must be emptied from the back of the oven. Make sure to look at the cleaning instructions and consider how the oven will work in your kitchen.

Glass bowl convection ovens are the easiest to clean. They have a self- cleaning setting that runs for a preset time. Owners then simply wipe the glass bowl and put any other implements in the dishwasher.

Many of the front door style countertop convection ovens have a similar self- cleaning setting that require the oven to run a certain amount of time, then just require a wipe down and any racks or pans to be washed separately.

A countertop convection oven can be a great addition to any kitchen as it adds versatility, extra cooking space, an energy efficient cooking option or just a healthier way to cook everyday meals. With a little research and consideration into the various features and extras on some of the top countertop convection ovens, you can soon select the right oven to suit your needs.

Know The Tips To Avoid Refrigerator Repairs

Refrigerators play an important role in our lives. Irrespective of the fact whether you are rich or poor, you have a refrigerator in your home. It makes life simple and easy. It keeps the temperature cool so that food can be preserved for a longer amount of time. It has a great role to play in our daily life and we all accept the same. In case the refrigerator is not cooling, then it is a real time problem. This will damage the food and spoil it as well. It is necessary to take care about the functionality of the refrigerator and one should not wait until there is a need of a refrigerator repair.

It is easy to maintain the refrigerator. It is necessary to clean the inside cabinets once in a month. This reduces the development of the odors. Wiping out the spills that happen in your refrigerator is also an essential job. You have the option to wash all the removable parts with water and detergent as well. Wiping the walls of the refrigerator is a good job, but care must be taken with the refrigerator gasket because if it goes out of order, then repairing is very much expensive.

It is necessary to clean the gasket gently. Harsh chemicals should not be used that affects the surface. The use of chemicals like bleach or ammonia must be avoided. It is also advised to stay away from the cleaners with lemon scent. These types of scents can get absorbed into the lining of the refrigerator and affect the food.

It is recommended to clean the defrost pan while cleaning the fridge. Defrost issues are very common and servicemen receive a lot of calls for this issue. That is why it is necessary to keep the pan clean to avoid the defrost issues of the refrigerator. Cleaning the condenser coil is also essential that keeps your refrigerator clean and safe.

Refrigerators are highly beneficial to us. They take care of us and preserve our food. They help to store the perishable foods as well as the leftovers. That is why monthly maintenance is essential to keep the refrigerator in working condition. Proper maintenance helps to keep the refrigerator in good condition that helps to remove the odor as well. The tips discussed here will keep the refrigerator in good working condition and help us to avoid the costly refrigerator repairs and replacement that happen from time to time.

The author of this article, named Jeo Nash, has made a detailed analysis of the appliance repairing services and refrigerator repair in Chantilly. He concludes the fact that a professional repair person can do wonders.

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Jet Stream Oven: What Makes It Different From the Other Ovens in the Market?

If you intend to add another appliance in your kitchen, you have to take note of the benefits that you can gain from purchasing an additional item. No matter how expensive or cheap the appliance is, you should make sure that you have numerous gains from it.

Everybody knows that an oven is indeed an essential item in the kitchen. With this kitchen appliance, you can make scrumptious main courses, rich desserts and tasty snacks for you and the whole family. However, you have to consider a number of factors before purchasing the latest or the grandest oven that you can find in the market. First, you must find out how much space it would occupy in your kitchen. If your kitchen is large and spacious, then you do not have to worry about having another item placed in it. Those with small kitchens should lean more towards the compact, streamlined and sleek design of ovens. Otherwise, a bulky oven will only leave you with too little workspace in the kitchen. Another consideration is the functions of the oven. A great buy is one that can perform multiple functions at such a reasonable price. If that oven can bake, broil, grill, fry and do so much more, then it is safe to say that the item is a good buy.

However, in case you do consider an appliance that has more purpose in it than a Swiss Army knife, make sure that it comes with a durable construction that will last for several years. You would not want to splurge on an item that will wear out after a few months or a year. Thus, if you are interested in a truly functional yet highly durable cooking appliance, you might want to consider the Nesco Jet Stream Oven.

This oven offers so much for your cooking pleasure. You can make a variety of recipes in one neat appliance. The Jet Stream Oven lets you bake rolls and other delicacies, broil or grill meats and fry any food item you want. Moreover, you can even cook multiple dishes at the same time. It comes with wire racks where you can place different types of food and cook all of those in one go. This feature is surely time saving because you can make several dishes in only a maximum of ten minutes.

Aside from the great advancement in cooking, you will also have a breeze cleaning up the oven after use. The Jet Stream Oven is dishwasher-safe, thus giving you plenty of time to do other important things instead of scrubbing and tidying up the oven for hours.

Hence, make the wise decision of purchasing this oven for your kitchen. This is very useful for everyday meal preparation and for huge gatherings at home. The oven has a large capacity, and it can even accommodate an entire turkey. Just imagine how convenient it is to make roasted turkey for your next family dinner. You need not own a bulky gas range just to make the best gourmet meals in an instant. With a Jet Stream Oven, you can be an instant top chef with all the amazing meals that you can make in only a matter of minutes.

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A Review on the Sharp Convection Microwave Oven

Sharp Electronics has been in the business of manufacturing convection microwave ovens for years now. Their ovens are considered to be the best in the market and many people prefer them over others.

Features Of Sharp Convection Microwave Oven

There are some outstanding features that make these ovens the most preferred ones. They are:

o The design of the microwave is superb and can be used independently or as built-in.
o The microwave performs well and can be used to microwave, roast, bake and broil food.
o The time taken for cooking is comparatively lesser than the time taken by other microwave ovens.
o It comes with an error-free sensor to avoid errors when cooking.
o It has the option for two-level baking of food.
o The defrosting option of the microwave is automated.
o The keys are customized and user-friendly.
o The interiors are made up of stainless steel and are quite spacious with a turntable. The turntable helps in circulating microwave energy evenly.
o Most of the Sharp convection ovens work on 900 watts power.
o The oven can perform three modes of operation - microwave, convection and a combination of both microwave and convection modes. However, most of the baking and cooking work in the microwave is performed well when using the combination modes.
o Sensors are provided to control all automated cooking programs and reheating function.
o The oven has a 7 digit interactive color display which provides necessary instructions on the programs and hints for cooking.
o The display panel also has a customized help key which is very useful to the users.
o There are built-in kits available which makes it possible to install it wherever the user wants.
o It also has a pre-programmed key which automatically computes the time needed for roasting, baking and broiling.
o The oven also has two convection oven racks that are removable.
o Sharp Electronics provide one-year warranty on the convection microwave oven and two years on its parts. They also provide a five-year warranty on the magnetron tube of the convection microwave oven.
o The oven is available in various colors like white, black or stainless steel.

The Pros And Cons

The pros of the convection microwave oven are:

o It offers large capacity.
o The convection process is more efficient than in any other ovens.
o It does all the work like cooking, reheating, baking, roasting, defrosting and the like.
o Most of these ovens are not very expensive. They are moderately priced.
o It has a two-level baking alternative.

The cons of the microwave oven are trifling as compared to its pros. One main demerit is that some models have a smaller interior as compared to other ovens.

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The Merits and Demerit of Toaster Oven Vs Microwave Oven

In a world riddled with technological advancement, some of the appliances may resemble or have similar functions. This can cause a lot of confusion especially when it comes to purchasing one or the other. When it comes to toaster oven vs microwave, the confusion is even more. This is because of the overlap in their functions, capabilities and their features.

Earlier, toaster ovens were just meant for runny cheese and yummy toast as well as other grilled sandwiches. Currently however, these kitchen appliances are far more advanced in wattage and other features which make them as useful as microwaves in what they can do. Some smart ovens may have even more functions compared to microwaves.

For those planning to buy either a microwave or toaster oven, we have discussed some differences between the two to allow you make the right decision.

Browning Capabilities

Browning of food is the function of a component of an oven called a broiler. Microwave ovens cannot brown foods because they lack a broiler but toaster ovens do. The latter ensures that the browning occurs evenly and in the case of high quality toasters, the browning function occur faster than in conventional ovens.

Energy Efficiency

As regards energy expenditure, a microwave is slightly more energy-efficient compared to a toaster oven. While a microwave uses an average of 700 to 1300 Watts, toaster uses an average energy of between 1200 and 1800 Watts. This means that it uses up to half the energy of the conventional ovens while a microwave uses only a third of that.

Therefore, compared to the regular ovens, the two kitchen appliances are energy-efficient. You will choose what will be more cost-effective based on their energy expenditure.

Kitchen Counter-top Convenience

So many appliances need to fit into a kitchen; it has to be state-of-the-art. It is therefore important to ensure that the appliances you use are easy to handle and occupies lesser space. Toaster ovens fit these specs. They are generally lighter in weight, smaller and user-friendly compared to microwave ovens as well as other conventional ovens.

If you have low set kitchen cabinets or limited space in your kitchen then it would be better to go for a toaster oven rather than microwave ovens. This is because the latter are usually bulky and so occupy more space than the former.

Heating Times

The heating time of these two appliance pretty much depends on whatever is being cooked. In a nutshell, the heating times are comparable between the two but the outcome is what differs. Microwave is quite faster in heating some food kinds but toughens them.

A toaster oven on the other hand may be slower in heating but the broiling function it possesses ensures that there is even eat distribution in the food and this produces softer and fluffy foods, instead of being hard and chewy as would be with microwave.

The Meals Size

When it comes to large meals or meals that take too long to be cooked then microwave ovens have an edge. The reason for this is straightforward- microwaves are larger and faster compared to toaster ovens. If you have a large family or you like cooking meals that take longer then choose microwave oven.

On the other hand, if your family is small and all you need to cook are fast foods, then toaster is the oven of choice. Furthermore, the best toaster oven in the market is large enough to cook a chicken and even a pizza medium in size.

Crispy Cooking And Bread Heating

A toaster oven is primed to produce delicious crispy foods. The same cannot be said of a microwave oven. Its broiling unit is capable of crisping meats, breads and even potato chips without having to fry them. Crisping function is so far only available in microwave toasters.

When it comes to bread heating, the toaster oven is way better. The even heat distribution characteristic of it makes heated bread soft and delicious. Microwave oven on the other hand toughens everything from bread to vegetables.

Now you have it all, those merits and demerits can help you make an informed choice as to which of the two to buy. To give you a head-start, the advantages of toaster ovens outweighs by far those of microwave ovens but the choice remain your very own prerogative.

Principle Behind Microwave Oven

Food is the elixir of life. So, care should be taken to have hygienic and nontoxic food. Microwave oven stands there for that purpose. It is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by using microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum. For shorter wave lengths, there will be more energy in microwaves. This energy in microwaves is ample to vibrate the organic molecules in the food and thereby produces heat. Microwaves judder approximately 2.5 billion times per second. Microwave ovens heat food without affecting the container. Containers made of plastic, paper, glass, ceramic can be used for cooking in microwave ovens, as they are impervious to microwaves as well as they allow the waves to pierce them.

These waves are reflected by metal facades. Because of this, the microwave oven has metal coating inside so as to reflect the microwaves produced by magnetron to pass through the food again and again. Ceramic cook wares are largely preferable. The cookware should be kept open.

Microwave oven requires high voltage transformers for supplying current to magnetron which in turn ignites electrons to produce microwaves of desired frequency, inside the oven. There will be a micro-controller and a cooking chamber to facilitate cooking.

Inspite of having microwave ovens in your kitchens,a good number of you may be unaware of how it works.

It commences its work by passing microwave radiations, which are non-ionizable, through the food item, at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. These microwaves are generated by magnetron, the tube of electrons which is to be had inside the oven. By means of dielectric heating, water, sugar, fats etc. in the food absorb energy from the radiation. Since the microwave ovens use non-ionizable radiations, there won't be any risk of having cancer. Heat is said to be the movement of molecules. Many polarized molecules in the food like water have both positive and negative charges in them.

Based on the alternating electric field produced by the microwaves, the charges tend to align themselves which leads to the movement of molecules whose collision leads to heat. This heat cooks the food. As the microwave energy is immediately converted into heat, there is no harm of radioactivity in the cooked food. Food with more water content is cooked against the clock in comparison with those with less water. This technique causes the outer layers to get heated up first and foremost and from there, the heat is conducted to the inner layers.

The intensity of penetration of microwaves depends on the frequency and food composition. The lower the frequency, the greater is the rate of penetration.

In conservative ovens, the cooked food and the cookware will be at the same temperature which is not seen in case of microwave ovens. Here the cookware will be cooler than the food, because, the microwaves penetrate the cookware and heat the food first and from that one, the cookware is heated indirectly. The microwave oven expends less energy than conventional ovens, as it cooks faster only the food but not the cookware. These ovens don't trim down the nutrition value of the food as it cooks more rapidly.

As it depends on the amount of water used, steaming vegetables in microwave oven results in retaining 77% of nutrients, when compared with heating in stove.

Microwave ovens are used in restaurants, homes, industries, as they are both energy efficient and time efficient, supporting good quality. These microwave ovens are normally used for preparing food and reheating old stuffs in few minutes. Microwave ovens have some limitations, as they are not suitable for flavor-enhancing reactions, browning etc. Sometimes, bacterial destruction is not possible if it doesn't reach the appropriate temperature. This may lead to illness. Apart from these limitations, the role played by microwave oven in day-to-day life is highly appreciable.

Kenmore 0.9 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave White 73092

• 6 Smart Touch settings let you cook your food without selecting cook times and power levels
• With 900 watts and 10 power levels, this microwave allows you to cook a variety of foods
• The 10.6-inch diameter glass turntable is dishwasher safe
• You can increase cook time in 30-second increments
• Open the microwave with the simple push-button door release

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LG LCRT1513ST Countertop Microwave Oven, 1100-watt, Stainless Steel

• Sensor Cooking technology senses humidity levels within the oven and automatically adjusts cooking time and performance to help provide optimal heating performance
• With the new EasyClean interior, you can have quick and high performance cleaning inside and out without using chemicals
• LG's innovative round cavity optimizes interior space in a standard size. The round cavity is easier to clean as there are no hard to reach edges
• One touch settings makes it easy to cook and warm a variety of foods- from a cup of coffee to chicken nuggets
• Core features: custom defrost, child lockout, and turntable

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LG LCRT2010ST 2.0 Cu Ft Counter Top Microwave Oven with True Cook Plus and EZ Clean Oven, Stainless Steel

• TrueCookPlus is patented technology that does all the calculations for you, ensuring the food cooks perfectly every time. TrueCook numbers can be found on leading food distributer's packaging
• Sensor Cooking technology senses humidity levels within the oven and automatically adjusts cooking time and performance to help provide optimal heating performance
• With the new EasyClean interior, you can have quick and high performance cleaning inside and out without using chemicals
• Round Cavity optimizes interior microwave oven space with no hard edges which makes for easier cleaning
• Core features: child lockout and turntable
• TrueCookPlus does the thinking for you. You can forget about vague microwave directions, simply enter the food item code found on the label of your favorite food and the microwave oven does the rest
• The curved interior design maximizes the size of the 16" turntable to accommodate large, round cookware and increases the usable cooking area Read more...