The kitchen should be an enjoyable space that inspires you to cook. In recent years, the kitchen has developed into a space which is used not only for cooking, but also for eating and entertaining. As we spend more time in the kitchen, it’s becoming more important to us that it should be an aesthetically pleasing environment. Creating such a space not only requires a lick of paint and some desirable furniture, but a change to your appliances, too.

Here, we take a look at a few appliances and consider how they can improve your home life.

Washing machine

We used to do our best to keep appliances like the washing machine away from the kitchen. They were large, noisy and unsightly; while their introduction to the home was welcome, we weren’t keen to be reminded of them.

Today, it is a different story. Washing machines not only look sleek, but they are far less intrusive than ever before in terms of size, shape and sound. The result is that we can gladly incorporate the machine into our kitchen environment to make life a little easier.

[Photo courtesy of Ela Haney/pexels.com]

Cookers

The kind of cooker you choose for your kitchen is, of course, a matter of personal choice. With so many to choose from, it’s now possible to tailor our cookers to our cooking style. This means making decisions on looks, size and power options. If you’re unsure of what might suit you, it’s worth researching belling cookers to understand what each style of cooker can offer you and your kitchen.

Dishwasher

If you’re using your kitchen as a space for entertaining, the last thing you want after dinner is a pile of washing up. Dishwashers can transform a kitchen, allowing us to tidy away the dirty dishes immediately, without that lingering feeling that we’ve got something to do.

Fridge freezer

One effect of the changing way in which we use our kitchens, is that the rooms are getting bigger. As such, more of us are opting to include large American style fridge freezer combinations into the room. Not only are these stylish, but they can offer us plenty of cooling space, not to mention the host of smart features included on top-of-the-range models.

There are many simple tasks around the home that could be taken care of by modern technology.  You could free up your life to do more enjoyable things and save yourself a lot of time and hassle.  Options like gate automation can make your life so much easier and really improve the functionality of your home.

Automated Timing Switches

Timing switches can be a great way to automate a variety of different devices and gadgets around the home.  You can buy these switches and plug your electrical items straight into them.  You will then be able to program in a schedule of times when you want these appliances to turn on and off.

For example timing switches can be used for electric heaters.  The switches will automatically turn heaters on and off at the programmed times.  This enables you to heat rooms in advance so that they are nice and warm for when you get home.  This will also save you money as the heaters switch off again automatically so you never need to worry about leaving them on wasting energy.

Timing switches can also be used for other tasks like pumps for fish tanks.  You will be able to program when you want the pumps to turn on and off automatically and this saves you a lot of hassle.

Automated Washing Cycles

Many modern washing machines can now offer scheduled programming.  You will be able to load washing machines and then program what time you want them to come on.  This can save a lot of time as you can load the machine the night before and program it to automatically start the next morning.  No more rushing around before work trying to get the washing on!

[Photo courtesy of Gratisography/pexels.com]

Automated wash cycles can also save you money as you can program machines to wash at the cheapest tariff point of the day even if you are out and about.

Automated Gates

Gate automation can offer a practical way to secure your home whilst still making it accessible to you and your family.  These gates can also add style to properties and have a certain upmarket appeal.  The great thing about automated gates is that they can be opened remotely.  This means you don’t have to get out of your car and open the gates to access your property.  The gates can either be opened by someone inside the property or you can have a wireless controller in your car that triggers the gates to open for you.

[Photo courtesy of Daniel Frank/pexels.com]

This offers an incredibly convenient way to secure your property without making access difficult for you or your family. There are many benefits to installing automated gates on your property including:

• Increased Security – locked gates offer a powerful visible deterrent to opportunistic criminals. Automated gates have specially geared motors that make it very difficult for someone to force them open.  For additional security electromagnetic locks can be installed which power up when the gates are shut.  These exert a very powerful force that makes it incredibly difficult to force gates open.  Automated gates make it much easier for you to control who enters your property.
• Increased Convenience – automated gates enable you to enter and leave your property with ease. Some remote controller devices can be used up to 20 metres away.  This means you can ensure the gates slide open just as you approach so that you don’t have to stop your car and wait.
• Long Lasting and Durable – quality automated gates are available in a range of robust materials. Metal gates offer a tough and lasting option.  You can also get wooden electric gates for those that prefer a more traditional, natural finish.  Whatever material you choose with a little careful maintenance your automated gate should last for many years.

You find a recipe you want to make. The picture is tantalizing, the ingredients are already in your cupboard, and you’re going to cook it better than the chef in the picture ever could. Ah, hubris.

It’s not uncommon to find a recipe that claims to take 30-40 minutes and emerge from the kitchen, sweaty and irritable, more than hour later. You begin to wonder if the problem is the author – do they exist in a different universe where time runs differently? Or could the problem be… you?

One of the major contributors to the slowing-down process is clutter. We have all come to value our kitchen appliances; not just the cooker (although its importance is obvious) – but we love all those little gadgets we have that make cooking fun and seemingly easy. When thought about it… how many of those gadgets do you actually need? How many do you really use?

Therefore it’s necessary to wonder if you’re getting the most out of your kitchen or if perhaps a few tweaks to your behavior could improve on perfection.

Do You Really Need Those Gadgets All At Once?

[Photo courtesy of Amigos3D/pixabay.com]

It’s important to be harsh with your kitchen appliances – and no, that doesn’t mean using lifespan-reducing steel wool to clean them. What it does mean is following a simple rule of necessity. Ask yourself if you really need everything that you have in the room.

Many cooks follow a rule of “one in, one out” when it comes to their gadgets. So, if for example, a meal calls for the use of a blender, then you make space for it in the room by moving out the steamer. If you have to use a bowl mixer, then it’s bye-bye blender. They don’t have to go into deep storage – just remove them from the work surfaces into cupboards. With more available space to work in, it’s easier to see what you have done and – importantly – what you need to do.

Your Kitchen Is For Kitchen Things

[Photo courtesy of stevepb/pixabay.com]

It’s not uncommon to come home from work and, before heading to the kitchen, pick up the mail. Once in the kitchen, you put the mail down on the counter, adding to the pile your keys, bag, and your phone.

Just like that, in one mindless moment, your belongings are spreading through the room without your knowledge. If you don’t clear these items away quickly, they begin to mount up – and will get in the way when you cook.

Create a space outside the kitchen – a cubby, or a shelf – to deposit items in before entering the kitchen. If you need to use your phone for a recipe, then put it back in a pocket when done rather than abandoning it on the counter.

Use Dead Time For Clean Up

Most meals offer you a certain amount of “dead time” while food is simply cooking and there is nothing for you to do to it. Sure, stir the sauce every few minutes or turn the steaks when one side is done – but mostly, it’s hands off for a short while. Use this time to cast an eye over the counters and clear away any mess, spills, or equipment you no longer need. It might sound small and simplistic, but it genuinely is an effective way of preventing things getting on top of you and disrupting the meal!

Our home appliances are one of the biggest investments we make in our property. We expect them to work overtime for us, cooling and heating us, helping with our cooking, cleaning our clothes and keeping our food fresh. There are myriad brands out there to choose from, and if budget allows it’s better to go middle ground instead of the cheapest. And of course, if money isn’t an object, go for the very best with the most advanced technology! But no matter what appliances you choose for your home, you certainly expect them to have a certain amount of longevity to them. However, to keep them in tip-top shape, you also have to do your bit for them. Below are some ideas on how to love your appliances so that they love you back. And if you are looking to buy some technology smart new appliances, have a look at my blog posts on the latest gadgets and gizmos.

Picture source: En.Wikipedia.Org

Ovens

We probably use our ovens on a daily basis even if we’re not the domestic goddess we like to think we are. They work so hard for us that we have a duty to look after them too. To keep your oven working at optimum levels, you should make sure you clean your oven every week. Faulty ovens are not only frustrating but expensive too. Every week you should wipe down the inside and outside of your oven to save on the stress of scrubbing it every three months. You should also use baking trays inside the oven below the racks you are cooking on. This can catch any spills and leaks and help reduce the cleaning effort needed. Every two weeks place a bowl of boiling water and in your oven and set at a high temperature for twenty minutes. This will help release dirt and grime much more easily. And consider investing in a professional oven clean once a year.

A/C Units And Boilers

Our A/C units and boilers work hard to cool us down, heat us up and bring us hot water. Air conditioning filter require regular maintenance so always make sure to clean or replace them. Dirty and clogged filters will heavily reduce the unit’s efficiency. If you do need to call in a repair company, read AdvantageAirllc.com for details on swift and thorough fixing services. It is better to get your unit repaired before the temperatures start to rise. And in the winter when you are not using you’re A/C be sure to cover up your unit to protect it. Boiler breakdown can be extremely expensive so always be sure to take care of this appliance. If you are not using your boiler in the summer still make sure to turn it on once a month for fifteen minutes or so to make sure it is working. Make sure the pressure always remains at 1- 1.5 bar to ensure it is running properly. And if you are worried about the efficiency of your boiler you can call in the professionals to give it a power flush once a year. Always get your boiler serviced when suggested to keep it running efficiently.

[Photo courtesy of Kars Alfrink/flickr.com]

Refrigerators

Keep your refrigerator running like new by always looking after it well. After all, it is doing a great job of keeping your food fresh on a daily basis! Clean the seals every few months with an old toothbrush, baking soda, and water, and make sure that they are airtight. Twice a year pull the refrigerator out and give the coils a good clean to get rid of dust and grime. Clean your fridge once a week to keep it working at peak performance. This will ensure your food is also fresh and hygienic too. Equal parts of white vinegar and water work well as a cleaning solution. And keep half a lemon in your fridge to deodorize smells