From not self-cleaning your oven before the big holiday gathering to emptying your ice maker for better tasting ice, Art Handler’s Appliance Center gives suggestions for getting the most out of kitchen appliances during the busy holiday season.
In most households, the kitchen is the center of all the action. But during the holiday season, the activity kicks into high gear, especially if you host holiday gatherings. Here are some tips to get the most out of your premium kitchen appliances and ensure your kitchen runs smoothly this December.
WHAT TO DO (AND NOT TO DO) BEFORE HOLIDAY MEAL PREP
Don’t self-clean your oven before holiday cooking. It is true that your oven’s self-cleaning feature is engineered to make cleaning easy, but those who use it right before the holiday cooking begins could be in for a catastrophe.
If you don’t use your oven’s self-clean option regularly (at least two times per year), and decide to try it out right before a holiday gathering, you could cause an oven malfunction that can damage your oven.
It is also best to avoid using chemical oven cleaners right before your event. They might work well to remove baked-on grease and food particles, but they may leave behind a layer of chemical residue that can be cooked into your holiday dishes, creating a nasty taste and potential health hazard for you and your guests.
Be sure to empty your ice maker a couple of days before your holiday gathering. Dirty ice can ruin an otherwise perfectly delicious drink. You’ll want to make sure your guests have plenty of fresh, clean ice to serve with the holiday cheer. Your ice maker can become contaminated by the flavors of food stored in your refrigerator and freezer as air moves through your appliance. This can result in an odd, chalky taste and bad smelling ice.
To prevent such impurities, start two or three days before your gathering by emptying your entire ice compartment. Next, let it refill with fresh ice. Then, empty the fresh ice into a plastic bag and store it in your freezer, protecting the ice from the air circulating in the appliance. Repeat until you are confident you have enough ice to cool your guests’ beverages throughout your holiday event.
WHAT TO DO DURING HOLIDAY MEAL PREP
If you have a convection oven, use it! Perhaps you have a convection oven, but you’re not sure of how to use its convection setting properly. The convection option helps your oven cook food faster and more evenly, and is generally better for browning dishes.
Your oven’s owner’s manual is a great starting point for instructions on using the convection settings, but here are some general tips for doing so:
1. You should either reduce the baking time by 25 percent or lower the recommended cooking temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. To bake small pastries, cut the cooking time by 15 percent.
3. Preparing a large roast? Cut the cooking time by 30 percent.
WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER THE HOLIDAY MEAL
Don’t overload your dishwasher. After the big meal, it may be tempting to cram every dirty dish, glass, pot, pan, and utensil into available space in your dishwasher, but you should avoid overloading your appliance. Doing so often results in ineffective wash cycles making your unit work too hard.
You’ll also want to be sure to use the proper amount of dishwashing detergent for each cycle. Excess suds created by using too much detergent will fill your dishwasher, making your cycles less effective. Excess food particles can clog your appliance’s jet streams, therefore you should scrape off all food residue from plates, bowls and silverware. At the same time, you should avoid over-rinsing dishes, because enzymes in dishwasher detergent need some food residue to activate its cleaning properties and be effective.
GET THE MOST FROM YOUR APPLIANCES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
You depend on your kitchen appliances all year and their peak performance is a must during the holiday season. Knowing how they operate puts you in the best position to have memorable holiday gatherings for your family and guests.
Should your home appliances show signs of excess wear and tear, the holiday season is also a great time to upgrade to more modern options. You can take advantage of deep discounts and generous rebates across many of our most popular brands in our virtual showroom at www.handlersappliance.com or by visiting us in person at 10 East Black Horse Pike in
Pleasantville, NJ. Remember, we offer 50-percent off New Jersey’s sales tax every day.
At Art Handler’s Appliance Center, we have been offering customers throughout the tri-state area unmatched savings for more than 70 years. Inside our showroom, you’ll find the latest models from major brands like Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, Jenn-Air, and more. You’ll also meet sales associates who have a long history in our community and will take the time to help you find the perfect product at the perfect price. Our company’s commitment to satisfaction doesn’t end with the sale, either - Art Handler’s is the only dealer in the Atlantic County area authorized to service the brands we carry. So, customers can rest assured knowing that help is available, if needed, after appliances are installed.
Visit Art Handler’s Appliance Center online at www.handlersappliance.com or call 609-641-1044.
