Two Relatively Unknown But Very Useful Appliances!
Everyone knows that it is quite hard to shop for a stainless steel rice cooker simply because there are a lot of choices available in the market. There are small cookers and big cookers with different brands and functions. A person looking for one of these cookers might feel overwhelmed with the decisions that he/she has to make.
GABA also known as Gamma-aminobutyric acid is becoming well known to people who want to go on a rice diet. According to research, GABA has a lot of benefits that were not known before. GABA can actually improve the blood pressure and can also make the kidneys function better. Contrary to popular belief though, GABA is not a type of rice but rather an amino acid present in rice that can be released through a certain method wherein the rice is soaked in water for two hours at 104 degrees.
For those who are not really that conscious about their diet but like cooking rice, rice cookers can also cook a variety of other things such as oatmeal and certain light and healthy desserts. Those who like Japanese food can also cook sushi and if they want to steam fishes, some rice cookers have steamers on top.
Before buying a rice cooker though, there are other factors that you have to consider such as the different features that the rice cooker has. There are some rice cookers that have timers and this will work best for people who are busy because if the rice cookers do not have timers then the rice will be overcooked and it really won’t be edible anymore. Another feature is the number of cups that can be cooked all at the same time. If you do not really have much storage then it would be advisable to buy a small rice cooker.
Another item that is being sold abundantly in markets is the stackable washer dryer combination. This is the normal type of washer that renters and even homeowners are purchasing lately.
It is becoming one of the most popular appliances that people buy because of the space that it consumes. It is perfect for people who have small homes or houses with small rooms. However, there are negative aspects to this item. There are times wherein one unit would not function well and the other would. The loads that would have to be put are relatively smaller than when you use a normal washer. These are some reasons why this appliance is not for everyone.
We do have to take note at all times that before we purchase anything we scout for the items first. Buying impulsively might make us regret the decision that we have already made.
5 Useful Tips For Cleaning Large Kitchen Appliances
Maintaining your large kitchen appliances will not only mean a longer life for the appliance but can also prove to be a great way to save you money when it comes to paying the power bill. Here are five useful tips to cut through the time spent on these chores.
Fridges
Inside and out is equally important when it comes to cleaning fridges. Unless your fridge is a sealed unit there will be coils at the back that attract grime and dust. Make sure you have castors on the base so you can easily roll the fridge out and wipe over the back as easily as the front on a regular basis. Replace any filters before the due date in case you forget when the time comes.
Freezers
Not all freezers defrost automatically especially the older types. Regular defrosting eliminates that crusty build up that takes forever to thaw out. Let the insides of the unit melt completely, take out the shelves and then wipe all surfaces with a solution of vinegar and water.
Defrosting also gives you a chance to get rid of old food that should not be reheated or cooked. While freezers do keep the food for a relatively long time there are limits. Follow the guide that comes with your freezer for safe handling of frozen foods.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers and your dishes will benefit greatly from being cleaned from the inside. Check the filter regularly and scrub out. While it may seem like a waste of water and electricity, running an empty cycle from time to time will clear the inner workings and hoses which will give a better result to your wash cycles.
Ovens and cooktops
Instant wipe overs are quicker and easier than trying to remove baked on grime. This is true for stove tops and ovens. Make it a habit as part of your dishwashing routine. Remove racks and shelves and scrub with a brush. For electric ovens check the elements and wipe over. For gas make sure the jets are clear of food.
Wine Coolers
Keep it clean inside and out with a simple wipe over on a regular basis. Remove racks and scrub with a brush from time to time. Non abrasive cleaners can be used inside and out or a solution of vinegar in water. If you do have nasty stains or built up grime, bi-carbonate soda mixed to a paste with a little water is a much gentler way to remove the dirt than harsh chemicals.
By being diligent with the cleanliness of your large appliances you are saving yourself time from heavy scrubbing if you leave the dirt to spread and stick to surfaces. The appliances will have a longer life if you maintain them carefully and the overall running costs may be reduced greatly. Motors that have to work twice as hard to get through built on dirt will use more power.
The Latest Products For Your Green-Friendly Home
Finding environmentally friendly furnishings and home decor used to be a challenge. Products were either hard to find or out of reach price-wise for the average consumer. Today however, eco conscious flooring, window coverings, and countertops are becoming much more accessible. Even major national retailers are selling things like bamboo linens, biodegradable cleaning products, and energy efficient appliances.
Here are a few of the latest green products for your home. They’ve been selected based on their aesthetics, functionality, and their innovative use of recycled materials.
1. Green Planet Paints has created a line of interior paints that produce zero volatile organic compounds, so they won’t negatively affect your indoor air quality. Non-toxic and reasonably priced, these environmentally friendly paints are available in over forty colors that will match any décor.
2. Vetrazzo has become one of the hottest products around. Made out of recycled glass shards, Vetrazzo surfaces can be used for flooring, countertops, and more. Vetrazzo is smooth to the touch, heat-resistant and beautiful to look at, and offer a great alternative to marble or granite.
3. Another option for countertops comes from a small business owner in Washington State. Squak Mountain Stone was created by Ameé Quiriconi as a means of reducing landfill, and stimulating the local economy. Defined on its site as “a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and cement,” Squak Mountain Stone has all the good looks and durability of natural stone, but weighs much less and is made from recycled materials.
4. Featured in several national publications, the designers of SCRAPILE have developed quite a fan-following. SCRAPILE’s Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado’s goal was to create lasting pieces that are stylish to look at, functional in the home, and good for the environment. They have achieved their goal by building stunning tables, chairs, and accessories out of scrap pieces of lumber.
5. Along the same lines as New York’s SCRAPILE, the talented coppersmiths of Cobre take scraps of discarded copper and make hand-hammered copper sinks, wall hangings, and vases. Reclaiming unused copper keeps materials out of landfills, and provides homeowners with a unique surface that has naturally germ-killing properties. In addition, Cobre is a Fair Trade company, so you can feel good knowing that the artisans who make the products receive a competitive wage for their work.
6. Philips’ Eco TV is a 42-inch, flat-panel LCD television set that runs on only 75 watts of power. The unit contains no lead-based materials, has an energy saving stand-by mode, and comes in a recycled box. You get all these benefits plus high definition picture quality, and the unit retails for just under $1400.
7. For green laundry enthusiasts, there are now new options for washing your clothes without wasting water or energy. Wonderwash is a new hand crank washer that handles a 5lb load in minutes, without the use of electricity. You also only require about 10% of the water used in traditional washing machines, and it’s a real space saver too. An added bonus is the great arm workout you get when you have multiple loads to do, and the product is afford ably priced at only $42.95.
8. The Spin-X Spin Dryer would make a lovely companion appliance to the Wonderwash. Clothes dry in half the time, which means that the machine uses half the energy of standard units. Clothes last longer because they’re exposed to less heat and tumbling action, and less heat is pumped into the room, which makes doing laundry on a hot summer day less of a chore.