Tag: small appliances

Cooking Appliances For Tiny Living

The concept of tiny living has taken the world by storm, and more people are aspiring to downsize their lives. Tiny living is both economically beneficially and eco-friendly, but it can be difficult to find great appliances for a tiny home. So, here we will explore some of the best cooking appliances that are great for tiny living.

The Tiny Living Phenomenon

Tiny houses have been shown to be far more environmentally friendly compared to a standard home. The average tiny home occupies just 186 square feet compared to the average standard home in the U.S with a 2,598 square foot area. Tiny houses also use only 6 light bulbs compared to an average of 45 in a standard home.
What is even more compelling is that 18% of greenhouse gases can be traced to residential houses. The average home needs approximately 28,000 pounds of CO2 annually, while a tiny house needs only 2,000 pounds.

Those choosing to adopt the tiny living lifestyle can appreciate the value of smaller living. Most tiny homeowners don’t have a mortgage and typically have more savings compared to an average American. It costs an impressive 10 times less in order to build a tiny house, and they are designed to be DIY friendly. While you will be able to enjoy a greener lifestyle, you will be faced with the decision of using grid electricity or running your appliances on propane, which can make the prospect of finding the right appliances even more challenging. When you start looking for cooking appliances, you’ll need to really consider how often you’ll cook and how many people you’ll be cooking for to make the right choice.

Avanti

Avanti is a good brand for tiny homes as they specialize in offering compact appliances. The brand even offers complete compact kitchens designed to provide a fridge, electric heating elements, a storage drawer and a sink in the space needed for a standard range.

Avanti has a great selection of small sized appliances with freestanding ranges in both gas and electric. You can even create a more upscale aesthetic with some modern looking models to create a sophisticated look to your new tiny kitchen.

Ranges

If you prefer to go for a small-scale version of a tradition range, there are some great options. Fagor and Fisher & Paykel both offer some excellent dual fuel options that are just 24”. These ranges provide warming drawers, 4 burners, and a 2 cu. Ft. oven with neat features like a self-clean mode. Some models even provide convection ovens and variable BTU burners, so you can create a culinary hub in your tiny house.

Cooktops

If you’re not a serious foodie or keen chef, you may prefer to opt for a cooktop. There are plenty of options available for the space conscious. You can choose a 2 or 4 burner model in both electric or gas. You’ll need to ask yourself whether you plan to cook full meals or eat out more. If all you need it to heat a pan of soup, a 2 burner cooktop will take up next to no space and suit your requirements.

Electric cooktops are easy to clean, but gas offers excellent heat control and reliability. Either option will provide a quality appliance as the industry continues to advance rapidly. Some brands now offer induction technology in smaller models that provide fantastic efficiency, easy cleaning and fast cooking, making them ideal for a smaller home.

A tiny home is a test of creativity as you’ll need to think about multiple uses to fit your aesthetic. Before you start shopping for your appliance, you will need to seriously consider your daily habits, lifestyle, and dietary habits. If you are considering tiny living, you can explore the cooking options with this online collection of small cooking appliances. For further help or advice, you can also speak to a home appliance expert.

Simple Solutions to Clean Your Small Appliances

No kitchen is complete without a range of small appliances. These small devices improve the convenience of our kitchens and improve quality of life. Unfortunately, many of these small appliances can be a little tricky to clean, compromising their use. So, here we have some simple solutions to clean your small appliances.

Clogged Coffee Maker

Even the best coffee maker can become clogged with hard water deposits and coffee residue. This can mean that it not only takes longer to brew your cup of Joe, but also leaves it tasting less than fresh. If you want a bright start to your morning with the awaking aroma of a fresh pot of coffee, you need to ensure that this small appliance is crystal clean.

The best way to get rid of any unsightly stains inside your coffee pot is to use a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts of water. Pour this mixture into the reservoir and switch your coffee maker on. The solution will run through the coffee maker, and you’ll need to allow it to cool for approximately 15 minutes. Repeat this process before rinsing by running through fresh water. You should also wash the pot and filter with soapy, warm water. This will not only remove any stubborn coffee stains, but also eliminate hard water mineral accumulation.

Grubby Blender

Whether you need a morning smoothie to get you started or like to make soups and sauces, blenders can easily become stained with leftover particles stuck on the blades and glass. It is a good idea to give your blender a really good clean at least once a month. This will help to remove any stains or particles and freshen up any lingering odors. Fill your blender to the halfway point with warm water, a slice of lemon and a little dishwashing liquid. Set the blender running on a low setting for approximately 30 seconds. Drain the liquid and rinse the blender thoroughly.

Messy Microwaves

Frozen dinners and warming up leftovers can often result in splatters of food stuck to the interior of your microwave. Unless these particles are cleaned immediately, they can easily turn into tough stains that are difficult to remove. This can not only look unappealing, but can also make you reluctant to put food or drinks in your microwave. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to remove all these messy marks and stains. Every six to eight weeks, place a half cup of water, a tablespoon of vanilla extract and two tablespoons of white vinegar into a microwave safe dish or bowl. Microwave this for 30 seconds on high power. Carefully remove the container, being cautious as any remaining liquid will be very hot. You can then wipe down the interior surfaces of the microwave with a damp cloth. You should find that any leftover splatters of food or stains can be easily wiped away and you’ll even be left with a fresh-baked and clean cookie odor.

Although dirty small appliances can be frustrating, it is important to ensure that they are safely cleaned. You should never submerge any small appliance in water and avoid allowing any liquid to come into contact with the motor or power cord. It is always best to err on the side of caution and use these simple steps to ensure that your small appliances are clean and safe.

No kitchen is complete without fully functioning small appliances. If you’re struggling to get your small appliances clean and need to upgrade, there are plenty of models available.

If you’re in the market for a new small appliance, explore the options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for a specialized service.