2018 Spring Home & Garden
Video Magazine

Beyond the basics in small kitchen appliances
By Derek Hurely

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[May 09, 2018]  When we think of the basics of kitchen appliances, we probably all think of the same set of devices found in most homes. We think of refrigerators, ovens, toasters, coffee makers, and so on. But if we want to go beyond the basics, we have to get a little creative with the sort of machines we want to populate our kitchens with.

VIDEO:  Edgestar Compact Dishwasher Demo

Dishwashers are usually thought of as built-in appliances found in between the refrigerator and the oven. They are nestled under a countertop, and they are front-loaded, typically taking up a lot of space when they are opened. However, in recent years, dishwashers have started to shrink, leading to a trend in “portable” dishwashers.

In this first video on kitchen appliances, Nicki Naeve presents an example of such a machine in a video, demonstrating how to use a countertop dishwasher. This dishwasher is hooked up to the kitchen sink, drawing on the same water source one would use to wash dishes without a dishwasher.

First, you need to be sure the kitchen sink is relatively empty. “It’s okay if there are a few dishes, as there will be some water spewing into the sink during the process of washing,” says Naeve.

Naeve also points out that a portable dishwasher is small, so there are some dishes that still need to be hand-washed. She suggests keeping a pad on top of the dishwasher to place larger dishes when they are clean.

Naeve demonstrates that a small container opens up in the lid of the dishwasher. This small container is where she places the dishwashing detergent, which is the same kind of soap used in a larger dishwasher. “I believe this is for twenty-five plates,” says Naeve (although she is unsure if she has ever needed to clean that many dishes at once).

“It’s kind of like having half of a normal dishwasher,” says Naeve.

A small hookup connects to the faucet in the sink, where the hot water is turned on. The dishwasher features multiple settings, just like a normal dishwasher. Naeve says she has done well with the delicate setting for most dishes. When the dishes are done, the machines beeps. Naeve also says to be sure and turn the water off, and press a button on the hookup that releases excess water before disconnecting the machine.

Portable dishwashers have become popular with people living in smaller homes or in apartments. But dishwashers are not the only large machine that is shrinking with time.

VIDEO:  
Air fryer? What is an air fryer? Phillips Air Fryer?

There was a point in time when a fryer was something only owned by restaurants and other food-oriented businesses. A fryer was a giant, oil-filled machine used for serving something relatively greasy, and usually faster than other methods of preparation. This left the average consumer with the option of pan-frying at home, which isn’t really the same thing.

Today, people can buy an air fryer for their home. An air fryer is typically much smaller than the relatively giant fryers found in restaurants. An air fryer can usually sit on a countertop, right next to the toaster oven and the coffee pot.

An air fryer is different from a regular fryer, in that it does not require oil to heat food. According to this demonstration video, a heating element usually placed above the food radiates heat, which fills the cooking chamber. A small fan pulls the hot air back up and then pushes it out away from the chamber. The heat is then pulled back in via an air guide, creating a repeating heating cycle.

Only the bottom of the basket is open to the air. This means that the placement of the food helps to heat itself as the hot air passes through it and around it over and over. The heat is able to reach every part of the serving, even if the food sits in a pile. Food in an air fryer does not need to be turned, as it is being heated from every angle at the same time.

Air fryers also have an exhaust system to control the pressure that builds up over time in such a machine. The exhaust system removes a small bit of air from the fryer, which creates a small undercurrent. Steam and smoke are then filtered and released, much like a vent in microwave dinners.

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Air-fried food is not much different from deep-fried food. Air-fried food is less greasy than deep-fried food, due to a lack of oil used in cooking. Some air fryers still call for a small bit of oil, depending on the recipe. Even then, these machines use far less oil than a conventional deep fryer.

VIDEO:  
TRU 3 Crock Buffet

The crock pot is typically a staple in most kitchens, offering a method to simmer foods at low temperatures over long periods of time. A crock pot is sometimes referred to as a slow cooker, and is usually thought of as a large device that takes up a lot of counter space. Most crock pots are taken up by one meal or side dish at a time.

In recent years, a new type of crock pot has become popular; one that features multiple heating elements and separate pans for different foods.

As an example, the three crock buffet featured in this video comes with three, two-and-a-half quart cookers. Three sets of heating controls work independently of each other. This allows for different food to heat at different rates, but at the same time.

The model shown here features lid rests and spaces for serving foods. This way, even a larger machine like this one takes up less space than one would expect, eliminating the need to place lids and serving utensils all over the counter.

Overall, a machine like this one is useful for anyone who wants to entertain guests with a variety of food to choose from. Alternatively, this could also be helpful for those of us looking to cook both the main dish and the sides at the same time, without the hassle of taking up all the burners on the stove, or using up all of the counter space.

VIDEO:  The 3D Pancake Printer

One last device to consider for the kitchen that is outside of the norm is a pancake printer. A pancake printer is a machine that prints a pancake on a griddle, and operates in a manner similar to an assembly line.

According to this video’s description, a pancake printer “operates like a 3-D printer to create fun breakfast food designs.” Using a mixture of air pressure and suction, it creates visual designs on a seventeen-and-a-half inch long griddle that heats the batter as it “prints.”

Images provided to the machine via an SD card are either downloaded online from company websites, or are created by the owner using art programs. Depending on the model, there may be additional controls present that allow one to adjust the batter dispensing for finer detailing of complex pictures.

A pancake printer is one of the more extreme appliances that go beyond the basics for a kitchen. But when it comes to making your kitchen really stand out, that’s sort of the point. Going beyond in the kitchen calls for some creative thinking, or at the very least, a willingness to pick out something that will make someone stop and wonder.

 

Read all the articles in our new
2018 Spring Home & Garden Video Magazine

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Inviting your laundry room up, out of the dark, dingy, scary basement 9
The "wow factor" flower garden 13
Smart technologies offer security while in and away from home 19
Beyond the basics in small kitchen appliances 26
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Rejuvenate your bathroom and add value to your home 36

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