Find helpful kitchen appliance tips and product recommendations. I share reviews and advice to help you choose, use, and care for the tools that make cooking easier.
It’s inevitable: everything breaks at some point. And while most Crock-Pots last decades, what do you do when yours breaks? Are Crock-Pots recyclable? Neither the ceramic insert of a Crock-Pot nor the metal base can be recycled curbside. Ceramics that get recycled with glass make for a structurally weakened new product. And the metal base … Read more
A blender is great for smoothies, soups, sauces, and a lot more. But let’s face it, they can get messy. And when that happens, I naturally want to use water to clean it up. But are blenders waterproof? Blender bases are not waterproof, although the glass or metal removable container and blade assembly are typically … Read more
There is a big difference between being waterproof and water-resistant. And waffle-makers get messy and it would be great to give them a quick rinse in the sink. But are waffle irons waterproof? Waffle irons can be classified as water-resistant as you can wash them and get them a little wet, but they are not … Read more
We know that the best blenders have the most powerful motors. But sometimes all that power, while needed, gets really loud. So in trying to pick my next blender, I wondered, are Nutribullets loud? The Nutribullet is one of the loudest blenders and has been known to measure 100 decibels. By comparison, a jackhammer is … Read more
Most chefs prefer gas ovens, and we also hear a lot about convection ovens which use a fan to circulate the warm air, speeding up the cooking time and consistency of cooking. But do gas ovens have fans? Not all gas ovens have fans. Both gas and electric ranges can be fan-assisted or have no … Read more
I love my Instant-Pot, which is the best-known brand of pressure cooker. But with all the sputtering, clicking, and steam that comes out of it when I’m using it, I’ve wondered are pressure cookers supposed to make noise? Yes. It is normal for pressure cookers to make noise. Both noise and steam can come from … Read more
Pizza from a restaurant that uses a wood-fired oven is delicious. In fact, pizza ovens have become the perfect addition to outdoor kitchens. But since they burn wood or connect to propane, it’s common to wonder are pizza ovens safe? Yes, outdoor pizza ovens are safe. However, it is essential to monitor the temperature accurately … Read more
Convection ovens are definitely a better way to bake. After all, they use a fan to circulate the hot air around the food, resulting in both a faster and more even cooking experience. But with that fan, I’ve wondered are convection ovens loud? Yes, convection ovens can be loud due to the convection fan that … Read more
I worked in many kitchens for more than 20 years, and one of the questions that often came up from customers and employees alike was how often should you change the oil in a deep fryer. Deep fryer oil should be changed after 6-8 uses for non-breaded vegetables & 2-4 uses for breaded items or … Read more
These days people want both health and convenience when it comes to meal-time. Many people think microwaves are dangerous due to radiation. Toaster ovens can also be used to reheat food. But are toaster ovens healthier than microwaves? No. Toaster ovens are not healthier than microwaves despite the lack of radiation. This is because, while … Read more