Appliance Holiday Cooking Tips

       Don’t think of a holiday meal as a one-day cooking project that will only take a few hours to cook. Be prepared and start in advance. Our advise to you is to Prep, Prep, Prep!

       Start a couple of days ahead of time. Plan what you are going to make way in advance, make your grocery list a week before the event, and start getting some of your items ready just a few days before the big holiday feast. Here are some helpful tips of things that you can do with your appliances to make it easier for you on those big important holiday meals.

Refrigerator

       About a week in advance, clean out your refrigerator. The best time to do this is right before you go grocery shopping. This will make it easier for you because all of the things that you do have will be fresh in your mind.

       Make sure to start unthawing your turkey about 4-5 days before the feast. That big turkey will take a lot of room in your refrigerator, so utilize your refrigerator's special features like the extra shelves, airtight crisper drawers, herb storage, or the adjustable fridge freezer compartment. If you still find yourself not having enough storage space, utilize a second refrigerator stored in the garage or basement.

       A few days in advance, you can start cutting your produce and store them in air tight containers in your refrigerator.

       You can organize your refrigerator by putting the ingredients that take the longest to cook in the front of your refrigerator. The things that take the least amount of time to cook can be stored in the back of your fridge.

Range

       Preheating your oven can sometimes be a struggle. A great tip for preheating your turkey is to have the temperature at about 500 degrees Fahrenheit while it's preheating and then lower it back to the cooking temperature at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit when you put your turkey in. Because the turkey is so big and cold, it sometimes can shock your oven and make the temperature decrease even as low as 90 degrees Fahrenheit making cooking times even longer. So to avoid longer cooking times, make sure your oven is at the right temperature at the beginning.

       On the day of cooking, more burners can be a blessing on a busy day in the kitchen.  If you can, consider adding an induction cook top to your Kitchen. What I like about induction cooking is there’s no flame, so you’re keeping the surface area cool making it safer making sure none of the kids or guests get hurt. It’s going to be more efficient than gas, and it can be as precise. If you want to melt chocolate, it can set it at 78-79 degrees. It’s more about the precision temperature than anything else. Of course, if you use induction cooking, you’ll need cookware made from cast iron or another magnetic material.

       Some ranges have a fifth burner in the middle and/ or a griddle on gas burners. The griddle is nice because you can just place some of your food directly on the surface without using pans. As an extra bonus your meat and veggies can have those nice grill marks on them to make them look like you grilled them outside.

       At the bottom of most ranges is a warming drawer. Utilize this space for big meals by placing bread in there to rise the dough before you cook it and keep it warm after they are done.

Microwave

       A week before your event, make sure to clean inside and outside of your microwave. This appliance is sometimes the thing that we forget about during the holidays. None of your guests want to open up a dirty microwave.

       A microwave oven is made for a Thanksgiving feast! Microwave ovens use the precision of convection cooking with an element and fan the distribute the heat better. This speeds up cooking times three times faster than conventional microwave cooking.

Dishwasher

       About a week before your holiday feast, clean your dishwasher. Use an Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablet and have your dishwasher run a cycle with no dishes in it. This cleaning product will take out any mineral build-up and will clean inside of the machine making it work more effectively.

       Make sure that your dishwasher is completely empty at the beginning of the day of your feast. That way it is ready for new dishes.

       On the day of, pre-wash your dishes while you are cooking by filling half of your sink with hot soapy water. Once they have soaked for a little bit, place them in your dishwasher.

       If you have a quiet dishwasher (a sound rating of about 46 dba or lower) will make your life so much easier on event day. Once everyone is done eating and you load up your dishwasher, you can run it while mingling with your guests. It is so quiet, no one will even know that it's running.

       With these tips, you will be ready to tackle the challenge of cooking for 10 plus people. You can always have helpers in the kitchen and remember to have fun!

Advantium Oven by GE Monogram

Celebrity Chef Mark Kalix is here today to show you the future of cooking with Advantium Ovens made by GE Monogram appliances.

This is a speed oven with 4 sources of heat to cook things quickly and accurately. It uses:

• Standard Convection
• Halogen Lamp
• Ceramic Heat
• Radiant Cooking Elements

There are already 175 + programmed recipes and cook times for different meats depending on the size and quantity that you have for perfect cooking times. The cooking technology allows you to cook food up to 8 times faster compared to a conventional oven. The halogen lamps are really nice in that they make sure the top of the food has that perfect brown crisp look and taste.  There is no preheating required for cooking with Advantium ovens and microwaves. With the rotation platform inside, it can even rotate your casserole dish inside for even levels of cooling with convection technology too.

Stop by one of our locations to check it out for yourself. You will be amazed at how fast you can cook a big turkey and more!

What is a Downdraft Range?

Bob is here to share with you three options for your cooking ventilation in your home.

1.The most common way to vent the air is with an over-the-range microwave. This is the most common way to circulate the air.

2. Hoods made over the range or cooktop with no microwave. These are common for kitchens that are more custom, but are used for standard kitchens as well.

3. The third option, not a lot of people know about. Downdraft ventilation is located in the range in itself. It is located in the middle of the range and had filters and fans that move the gases and air underneath the unit. This is a great options for ranges and cooktops that are located in the island, where hoods might get in the way. 

A great example of this is the Kitchen Aid 30-Inch 4-Burner Dual Fuel Downdraft Slide-In Range (KSDG950ESS)

We hope that we gave you an inside look at the different types of ventilation systems out there. Now you can decide which one is best for your needs. Give one of our stores a call and our team can answer anymore questions that you may have.

Pros and Cons of Double Oven Ranges

One of the most popular trends in the appliance world today is the double oven range. Its rise in popularity can be attributed to the desire for cooking multiple dishes at separate temperatures. But, does the hype live up to its functionality? Let us look at several pro's and con's of this category of ranges.

Pros

1. Big oven with "quick use" secondary oven 

Most double oven ranges include one large cavity oven, with a capacity ranging from 3 cu. ft. to 5 cu. ft. This large oven is capable of handling large dishes such as roasts. Ranges with this size of oven also include what I call a "quick use" oven. The reason I have given it such a name, is because of its small size it allows you to cook everyday items quicker. The size of these secondary ovens range from 1 cu. ft. to 2.6 cu. ft. Don’t let the size scare you as they will accommodate most casserole dishes. 

2. Cook your whole meal at the same time!

With these dual ovens you now have the luxury of cooking all your items at the same time. When my lovely wife and I cooked (without our double oven, of course) our biggest complaint was having to wait for the lasagna to finish, before we could cook the rolls! With 4 boys screaming and fighting, being able to have the food ready 15 minutes earlier saved us a few headaches. Not to mention, our rolls came out amazing because we could cook them at a higher temperature.

Cons

1. Side effects may include the need to see a chiropractor!

One down side to the big lower oven is its proximity to the floor. With the secondary oven typically on top, the lower oven is forced lower to the ground. We have found that larger items, which are typically only in the bottom oven, are burdensome to pick up. By consequence you may be left with a few backaches! I recommend using proper lifting techniques with this style of oven (bend your knees).

2. Upper oven requires some getting used to. 

The upper oven is much smaller and closer to the heating elements inside the oven, therefore making the way it cooks very distinct compared with single oven ranges. We burnt the first half-dozen frozen pizzas as a result.  However, there is an easy fix by lowering your cooking time by about 10%. 

These are only a few pros and cons I have experienced firsthand with the double oven ranges. Manufactures have released many different options that may solve these issues. My best advice is to try before you buy, bring in your heavy dishes and play with the features. Best of luck!

Let us know if you have any follow-up questions about double oven ranges. Give us a call today!

Learn How to Make Heavenly Crab Cakes

Chef Mark is here to teach you a few tricks to make perfect sauteed crab cakes. Use your cooktop or range to cook this recipe in a skillet. There are some great techniques to help you make your patty into a cylinder looking patty. Chef Mark also goes into details about how to saute your crab cakes instead of frying them. This is a healthier option that still gets that golden brown crispness that you want.




Here are the ingredients that are used in this video:

• Old Bay Seasoning
• Lemon
• Sauteed Onions 
• Sauteed Green Peppers
• Crab Meat
• Panko Bread Crumbs
• Mayonnaise
• Mint Parsley

What other food items do you want to learn how to cook better? Leave it in the comments section.

Samsung Dual-Fuel Range Review

Are you having a tough time finding the perfect range to fit the needs of your kitchen?  Are you looking for a powerful solution that can handle all of your family’s cooking needs?

Introducing the Samsung NX58K9850SS Dual-Fuel, Flex-Duo, Slide-In Range!

This amazing Slide-In range from Samsung boasts some truly innovative technologies and ideas in cooking convenience. 

The powerful dual-fuel configuration offers a superior convection system in the electric oven, providing even heat throughout both oven cavities, while offering a powerful gas cook top.

This range can be used as a single oven, or a double oven, thanks to the unique flex-duo oven door design.  The removable barrier insulates the upper cavity, giving you true double-oven capabilities with dual temperature controls for both top and bottom oven cavities.  This unit boasts a large 5.8 Cu-Ft oven cavity when used as a single oven.

Up top you will see a cast-iron griddle and wok attachment, both are included.  A 22k BTU machined brass dual-ring burner sits up front to handle your largest cookware, but can also be used for a true simmer.

The sleek look and feel of the Samsung will enhance any kitchen, come see us today so we can help you select the best range for YOUR kitchen.

Thanks again, we’ll see you soon!

Contract Appliance

YOUR local appliance team, right here in Colorado!

Benefits to Duel Fuel Cooking In the Kitchen

Cooking to many is a chore and to others just part of the daily processes but for lots it’s an art of creating something for others to enjoy! Today we will focus on duel fuel ranges and how it’s the best of both electric cooking and gas cooking. Duel Fuel combines a gas cooktop with an electric oven. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of these great duel fuel ranges.

GAS COOKTOP

Cook top Control
Gas burners allow instant changes in heat while cooking because a flame doesn't need any time to warm up or cool down like electric burners.

DurabilityMetal grates on gas stove tops are sturdier and more durable than the electric range smooth tops. Smooth top surfaces are made of glass or ceramic, which entails more care in order to avoid scratching or cracking the surface. Metal grates will be able withstand heavy or rough-textured cookware and are dishwasher safe.

Cost EffectiveGas is generally cheaper form of cooking over using electric. Although the cost of your gas range is initially more expensive, paying less in utilities will save you money in the long run. These savings can especially add up if you cook substantially.

Cookware CompatibleIf you cook with a wok or other cookware with rounded bottoms, gas burners are a must. The flame from a gas burner will heat your pots more evenly, making them perfect for everyday cookware and unusually shaped cookware alike.

ELECTRIC OVENS

Gas ovens create heat in its cooking chamber from the use of gas burners, which ignite natural gas; electric ovens create heat by applying a current to specialized coils, known as heating elements. While chefs tend to favor gas ovens, as they produce visible flames that allow for more precise temperature control, electric ovens still offer several advantages.

Energy StarAccording to Energy Guide, ovens are the least energy-efficient cooking appliances, as oven walls end up absorbing the majority of the heat that ovens produce. In contrast, a typical electric oven can convert between 12 and 13 percent of the energy it consumes into heat for cooking.

More Even Cooking TemperaturesElectric ovens are better at creating even and more uniform internal cooking temperatures. Even cooking temperatures help eliminate the development of cold spots or hot spots in foods and also help to prevent burning. Unlike with the flames of a gas burner, which can be somewhat unpredictable, electric heating coils always release consistent amounts of heat. The use of convection cooking will help circulate heat and further help electric ovens cook foods evenly.

DryingSince gas ovens tend to produce a more moist heat within the unit, which keeps foods moist, electric ovens produce a dry heat. Although this dry heat may not be ideal for cooking cakes and other baked goods the use of convection cooking comes in to play, it can be beneficial for other culinary applications, such as drying fruits and dehydrating meats.

 If you are ready to learn more about duel fuel ranges please give us a call. One of our specialists can help you find the perfect duel fuel range for your home.

Size Does Matter

 Buying a new appliance is a big deal and a big purchase.  There is nothing worse than spending hours finding the right fridge, range, or cooktop and you get it home and it doesn’t fit.   It might not be just the overall dimensions that are an issue.  What if your fridge can’t hold enough food for your family, or your standing freezer can’t hold all the meat from your latest hunt.  Maybe you need more burners on your cooktop to manage all your culinary creations, or one oven just isn’t enough when cooking the holiday meals.  The size of your appliances is just as important as the look of them.

When shopping for appliances take the time to look at the layout of your kitchen.  Here are a couple of things to think about when deciding what you may need and to make the buying process easier:

• Are there things about your current appliances you like or don’t like?  
• Does your fridge stick out too far?  
• Are your able to prepare all the foods in a comfortable, none stressful manner?  
• Does it take too long to boil water?  
• Do you have to cook in stages? 
• Is your dishwasher or fridge tucked into a corner making it harder to gain access? 

These are just a few questions that can help your product specialist find the best appliance for your family and home. With the amount of brands, styles, sizes, and colors of appliances we carry, we will be able to find the best fit for you.  

One of our product specialists can help you with improving your kitchen to make your kitchen work better for your needs. Stop by one of our stores today!

Benefits of Slide-in Ranges

Slide-in ranges are easy to clean because the top overlaps the counter. This eliminates food and crumbs from dripping down the range sides like a free standing range does.

These ranges have the controls on the front for easy access. This eliminates you from reaching over hot surfaces when changing the temperature settings like a free standing range does.

 Slide-in ranges sit on top of the counter and will give your kitchen a built-in look. Unlike the cost associated with custom cook tops and wall ovens, you can get a similar look without “Breaking the Bank”.

These types of ranges will showcase your kitchen's tile work. The main advantage is seeing your kitchen tile work without seeing a stove back like with a free standing range does.  

When switching from a free standing range to a slide-in there will be about a 2” space behind the range. You’ll have to install a piece of countertop or purchase a metal filler strip that will finish off the custom / built-in look.

Slide-in ranges are ideal for island peninsulas because

they create that built-in look and feel. They also create a great custom look when installed against the wall between cabinets. This will allow you to showcase your kitchen’s tile work.

It really comes down to the price and style that fits within your needs. If you are designing or remodeling a kitchen with custom tile work and backsplash, than a slide-in range is a great option.

Visit us at one of our locations if you are interested in learning more about the different types of ranges. We can help you find the one that fits your kitchen needs.

3 Benefits of Induction Ranges

Induction cooking has great benefits. Watch the video to see the demo about how awesome induction ranges are. You may find yourself wanting to invest in one today.



The benefits include:
1. Induction Ranges use qualities of gas, but is electric which can save you money on your energy bill. You can also get a rebate from your utilities company because it is more energy efficient.
2. They use magnets to know what it should heat up. You can use any pan that is magnetic.
3. Because induction ranges use magnets, when you take the pan off the heat will shut off. This can be a safe option for the kids at home.

Let us help you find the best induction range for your customized kitchen. Give us a call today at one of our stores!

Do You Need Makeup Air for Your New Range Hood?

Your lack of makeup air might be the next reason your home does not pass inspection.

A code from 2009 dictates kitchen range hoods with exhaust rates of 400 CFM or greater must have makeup air, or replenishment air, added back into their homes to replace the oxygen exhausted outside.

The need for makeup air has become more and more relevant as newer homes allow less and less air to enter or escape. A 400 CFM hood was not likely to suck out all of the oxygen in an older, drafty home, but in today’s energy efficient, virtually airtight homes, high powered hoods can and are dangerous.

Specifically, makeup air significantly reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Without the addition of makeup air, air pressure can eventually drop causing a back draft to occur, which then creates a vacuum that inhibits carbon monoxide (from the gas range, furnace and water heater) from venting outside. Carbon monoxide can then reach unsafe levels that even lead to death.

So yes, you probably need makeup air if you want a powerful range hood.

If adding makeup air is not feasible or too costly, then look into Zephyr’s hoods with Airflow Control Technology (ACT). Exclusive to Zephyr, the feature allows the exhaust rates of their hoods at the time of install to be lowered to 390 CFM, which is safe and to code, and still a powerful ventilation option. The only downside? It can’t be reversed. 

Find the right makeup air by Zephyr on Contract Appliance. Contact us if you have any questions.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Most people love the sleek look of stainless steel appliances. Most people struggle with keeping that look. All the finger prints, smudges, swirls, streaks, water marks, etc……..

There are lots of products on the market that promise to return that stainless steel appliance to their showroom origins. Some of these contain harsh chemicals while others offer a more eco-friendly solution to this problem. There are also some home remedies out there, such as vinegar and oil. Which may seem weird, but some people swear by it.

Whichever way you choose to go there are 3 things you need to know:

1. Find the direction of the grain. Yes stainless steel has a grain just like wood. It will be either horizontal or vertical. If you look close, you will see the very faint striations. Cleaning in the direction of the grain, will greatly improve the effectiveness of any cleaner.
2. Use a very soft cloth or paper towel.
3. Rub very gently. Let the cleaner do the work.

If you have “smudge proof” stainless, never use harsh chemicals or anything abrasive. Smudge proof stainless has a top coat, kind of like a clear coat finish on a car. Using these types of cleaners can ruin this top coat, thus ruining the finish.

Ceramic Cookware 101

Last Christmas, my husband gave me a beautiful set of ceramic-coated cookware. Unlike Teflon or other types of traditional non-stick cookware, ceramic coating is much safer and healthier, not to mention heat- and scratch-resistant. After trying out my new pots and pans I was thrilled to see that they were every bit as nonstick as my old cookware set, with none of the unpleasant side-effects (Teflon-sprinkled eggs, anyone?) Here’s a helpful guide to get you the most use and highest performance out of your ceramic pots and pans:

Before the First Use:

Unlike traditional skillets and frying pans, it is not necessary to “season” your ceramic cookware with oil. It is, however, good practice to wash your new pots and pans in warm, soapy water and wipe dry with a paper towel. This will remove any leftover ceramic dust particles from manufacturing. Once it’s washed, it’s ready to go!

Use Proper Utensils:

Make sure to always use only wooden, silicone or plastic utensils when stirring or serving the contents of your cookware. Metal whisks, spatulas or spoons can leave scratch marks on the surface of the cookware. Though ceramic coating is more scratch-resistant than other nonstick surfaces, it is not entirely immune to scratches or gouges, so it’s best to stick with the safer utensils.

Skip the Cooking Spray:

Here’s one I didn’t know at first. Cooking sprays can cause a buildup of residue on your ceramic cookware, so use a tiny bit of oil or butter to coat the inside of the pan when you cook instead. The amount of oil or butter you have to use is so insignificant it will hardly add any calories to what you are cooking, and it will help the coating last longer.

Avoid High Heat:

Though ceramic cookware is heat-resistant, it performs best on low or medium heat settings. Because ceramics distribute heat effectively, foods will be cooked more evenly and quickly on low to medium heat. On the other hand, high heat can cause the food to stick, which can damage or discolor the surfaces of the pots and pans.

How to Clean Ceramic Cookware:

A year has come and gone and those pots and pans get put to use in the kitchen almost every day. Needless to say, they’re no longer as sparkly and white as they were out of the box. Luckily, washing ceramic cookware is easier than washing other types of nonstick pots and pans. Ceramic cookware should always be hand-washed in warm soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive sponge or scrubber. Soak pots and pans in hot water for 30 minutes prior to washing to make cleaning burnt food from pans easier. If you want to get your ceramic-coated cookware back to its original gleaming state, periodically give them a good deep cleaning to remove stains, buildup and discoloration. To do this, soak the pot or pan in hot, soapy water and wash with a non-abrasive sponge as usual. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda to the affected areas and let stand for 20 minutes. Using a plastic dish brush, scrub the pot or pan in circular motions until stains have lifted, then rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel.

What is Make-Up Air and What Does it Have to Do With Buying a Hood?

Make-up air is outside air purposefully brought back into your home to replace the air hoods exhaust outside. Providing for make-up air protects against carbon monoxide poisoning and ensures hoods perform at their best.    

We won’t bore you with too many details, but high-end range hoods with faster exhaust rates inhibit normal air pressure from pulling in clean, outside air through chimneys, window and door seals, and so on. Without make-up air, “backdrafting” occurs which pulls poisonous carbon monoxide back into the home when it should be venting outward. This same phenomenon can occur in a dryer vent and push highly flammable lint into a gas-burning motor, hence why cleaning out your lint trap is so important.

The need for make-up air is stressed even more so in today’s energy efficient homes because they’re practically air-tight. Section M1503.4 of the 2009 International Residential Code notes that you don’t need a make-up air system for range hoods rated at 400 CFM or less.

Implementing a make-up air system is the only “right way” to meet code and protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. The concept shouldn’t be new to any licensed contractor and there are many acceptable methods (like the example below).

However, if the “right way” isn’t an option, Zephyr Hoods introduced a new feature called ACT (Airflow Control Technology), which allows the blower strength to be reduced down to 390 CFM. Many popular hood styles are only available on units with 600 - 1,200 CFM and the ACT feature allows for those styles to be used safely without the need for make-up air. The downside? It’s not available on all models.