What’s a Steam Oven?

As the name suggests, steam ovens uses steam (instead of simply heat) to cook your food. While conventional ovens can dry out food, steam ovens keep moisture in the oven making your food more flavorful. We will take a look at what steam ovens are and some of the benefits to make the switch.

How it Works

On the side of the oven, there is a section where you add water to it. Some steam oven models, can be hooked up to your water line to automatically fill up the water; in other versions, you have to fill the water up manually.  Once you turn on the oven, it will use the water to turn it into steam. There is a valve that releases the pressure of the steam into the oven similar to a tea kettle. Using steam is great to cook delicate foods like croissants and specialty bread. You can also use steam to cook vegetables, fish, meats, and even make your leftovers taste like they were just made.

Leftovers

If you eat a lot of leftovers, a steam oven will be your best friend. Most of the time when you reheat your leftovers in a normal microwave, the food comes out dry and losses it's flavor. When using steam to reheat food, it keeps the moisture in and you have fresh tasting food all over again!

Space

There is more space to cook food in a steam oven than a conventional microwave. Go ahead and put in a big casserole dish or even a turkey inside.  Another great thing about using steam technology is that it can eliminate flavor transfer. Meaning, if you have one item on the top and another item on the bottom, you will not have the bottom item taste like what is on the top dish.

Healthy Cooking

The main reason cooking with a steam oven is getting more popular is because it's the healthiest way to cook! Because it heats your food with water into steam, there is less to no need to use oils, butter, and other un-healthy ingredients. Steaming your food retains more vitamins, minerals, and nutrients than any other way of cooking. All of your vegetables will be moist and taste much more fresh.

Cleaning

With steam technology, your cleaning worries will go away! The steam helps lift food splatter off for the surface making it extremely easy to clean. Just remember that after cooking, you can wipe down the inside and most of the spills will come right off.

Technology Options

Steam ovens can't do everything, of course. They aren't useful for browning meat, for example. It’s no problem if you have a combi-steam oven—you can just finish your roast off with the convection setting—but if you only have a steam setting, you may want to finish it off with a quick range top sear. You should consider getting a convection steam oven which combines the steam oven with the capabilities of a convection oven. The two modes can be used separately or even together giving you the luxury of both cooking methods. You can have your food be moist and have them be browned at the same time! Make sure to check out all the different steam cooking options.

The steam technology is becoming more popular in some of the higher end brands like Thermador, Monogram, Cafe, Miele, Bosch, and Jenn Air. Take a look at the different features and types of ovens that use steam to find the right version for you and your kitchen.

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!

How To Determine The Right Range Hood For Your Kitchen

Keep in mind range hoods are usually not required by most local building codes, however cooking without them can lead to smoke and smells left in your kitchen. Check with your local county for any codes that would be required before starting your kitchen remodel. Here are a couple of measurements and tips before you start your project.

To properly calculate the amount of CFM’s (cubic feet per minute) for your range hood you’ll need the following:

 Size of your range

Gas ranges you’ll need the total BTU’s (British thermal units)

Size of your kitchen (Width Length & Height)

 Length & angles of ductwork being used

Range Size Calculation:

A basic rule used to determine your range hood would be for the hood to move a minimum of 100 CFM for every 12” of range width.

·         Example a 30” range would be 2.5’ x 100 = 250 minimum CFM range hood

Gas Range BTU Calculation:

Gas ranges produce a lot more heat than electric ranges so gas ranges will require larger CFM requirements. You’ll need to combine each of the range burners to determine the total BTU’s for your range and divide the total by 100 to determine the correct CFM for your range.

·         Example of a 5 burner range (1 x 15,000, 2 x 10,000, 2 x 5,000 = total of 45,000 BTU’s)

·         45,000 ÷ 100 = 450 CFM for the range

Kitchen Size Calculation:

Your kitchen size should also be considered when calculating CFM to help maximizing the correct amount of air flow within your kitchen. Range hoods should be able to exchange the air a minimum of 15 times per hour or once every 4 minutes.

·         Example of a kitchen 16’ wide x 12’ length x 10’ high (16 x 12 x 10 = 1920)

·         1920 cubic foot room x 15 air exchange = 28,800 cubic feet to move per hour

·         28,800 ÷ 60 = 480 CFM for your kitchen

·         Or total cubic feet of 1920 ÷ once every 4 minutes = 480 CFM

Ductwork Calculation:

Every length, turn and cap in your ductwork adds resistance in air flow, there for these things must be noted to determine the correct amount of CFM required for your project.

When using an 8” round ductwork the following additions will be added.

·         Add 1 CFM per foot of pipe length used.

·         Add 25 CFM for every elbow being used.

·         Add 40 CFM for roof caps being used.

·         Example: 10 foot pipe length + 25 elbow + 40 roof cap = 75 CFM

The final calculation is to take the largest CFM rating plus the ductwork to determine the hood for your project.

Example of the above calculation:

Range size (250 CFM) Gas range (450 CFM) Kitchen size (480 CFM) and the added ductwork (75 CFM)

The following CFM would be required. Largest CFM was (480) plus ductwork (75) = total of 555 CFM as the minimum requirements for the project.

We hope that these measurements will help you figure out what you need. After reading this and you feel lost, please give us a call and we can help you with the specs and make sure that you are getting the right hood and appliances for your kitchen. 

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!

Recipe- Blueberry Pecan Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Be the star of brunch with this surprisingly easy, mind-blowingly delicious casserole.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 c. chopped toasted pecans
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 c. milk
• 1/3 c. sour cream
• 5 large eggs, divided
• Unsalted butter, for griddle
• 1 6-oz. package fresh blueberries, divided
• 2 c. half-and-half
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Honey Sour Cream

• 1/3 c. sour cream
• 2 tbsp. half-and-half
• 2 tbsp. Honey
• 2 tsp. lemon zest
• Kosher salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, pecans, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Whip together milk, sour cream, and 1 egg in a second bowl. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture until just blended and smooth.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or a griddle over medium heat; butter. Pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook until plump and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Slice each pancake in half and arrange, flat side down, in two snug rows in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Scatter half of blueberries over pancakes, tucking a few between pancakes. Whisk together half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, remaining 4 eggs, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Pour egg mixture over pancakes. Chill at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Bake until puffed and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining blueberries and drizzle with Honey Sour Cream. Serve warm.
• Honey Sour Cream: Whisk together sour cream, half-and-half, honey, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Makes 1/2 cup.
• Serves 6

Source: Country Living

Must-Have Smart Appliances from CES 2017

CES (Consumer Technology Association) 2017 Conference- the biggest, most highly-anticipated tech convention of the year- just wrapped up in Las Vegas, with smart appliances making a big splash with merchants, reviewers and consumers alike. Here are some of this year’s highlights- which ones fit best in the high-tech smart home of your dreams?

LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator

Move over, Samsung Smart Hub refrigerator- there’s a new kid on the block! Last year’s most talked-about appliance, the Smart Hub drew large amounts of praise from both consumer reviewers and tech critics, completely overshadowing LG’s InstaView offering on its latest, greatest fridge model. What a difference a year makes! LG came back swinging with the Smart InstaView Refrigerator (LFXS30796D), complete with a 29” touchscreen that is 7.5 inches bigger than the Samsung fridge display. Not only that, but this smart fridge has the amazing InstaView technology which allows the user to simply knock on the refrigerator door to have it turn clear, making the contents visible without the energy-wasting habit of letting the door hang open. Superior also to the Samsung smart fridge are the voice controls- LG’s model comes equipped with Alexa voice controls, making it compatible with the Amazon Echo and all other smart-home devices that use Alexa as their primary AI voice assistant.

Samsung FlexWash and FlexDry Laundry System

Finally, an answer to the prayers of people everywhere with tight living quarters and lots of laundry. The wizards at Samsung have engineered a two-in-one washer with a second, smaller compartment over the main one, allowing the user to wash two loads at once. The dryer, which is a separate machine, follows the same thought process, with two compartments to allow for drying two loads simultaneously. This could be the beginning of a whole new era in laundry technology! Follow our blog, and we will keep you updated when we will offer these products.

Whirlpool’s new Alexa Skill

Whirlpool used CES 2017 as the stage upon which to demonstrate its new Alexa skill, set to become available in early 2017. This skill will enable users of the Amazon Echo, Dot or Tap to ask Alexa to control several different Whirlpool smart appliances, performing tasks such as preheating the oven, setting a wash/dry cycle or timer, and many more practical applications. We will let you know when this is available.

If you are a tech enthusiast who is dreaming of creating your very own Home of Tomorrow, this is a great time to be alive! Share your favorite smart-appliance innovations in the comments section below.

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 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.