What's Your Range

 The stove is the most integral part of the home kitchen. We use it for baking roasting, pan frying and sauteing. Picking the right one and the best one all depends on how much you use it. There are so many different ones out there. which one is the best.

Ovens have been around since the 1400's. Most wealthy families had their own , mostly to bake bread. Poorer ones had to share in a communal oven. These were mostly brick and mud and were surprisingly good in keeping in the heat. They could reach temperatures up to four hundred degrees Farenheit. The only problem was regulating the temperature. There was no Celsius or Farenheit back then. Home chefs just tossed some flour into the oven and if it browned at the correct speed then it was ready. By the end of the 1700's ovens became more compact. They used wood or coal and then around 1820 gas was introduced as one of the fuels to heat them. Great Britain was the first country to have used gas stoves throughout the country. It was only until the end of the 1800's that temperature settings were introduced. It became easier to bake and roast with accuracy. Cakes and breads weren't burned and roasts were evenly cooked, eliminating undercooked or burned areas on chickens and briskets.

Now there are so many different kinds of stoves from the traditional gas to to electric. There are also single and double ones, Larger kitchens can definitely benefit form the double ones, These are roomier and perfect for big families.They're also perfect for roasting such dishes as London Broils and twenty pound turkeys. Single ovens are better for smaller families who aren't into making elaborate meals or throwing large gatherings. These are still good for big roasts (you will have to remove the shelving to accommodate hefty hams and poultry) along with baking of any kind. Many home chefs prefer convection ovens. These are built more or less the same as regular ovens except they have fans and an extra heating element found in the back. They cook twenty-five percent faster than regular ovens. This is great however you will have to constantly adjust cooking, roasting and baking times. You also have to think about the stove top. Do you want to stick with four burners or six? Six do come in handy for holiday cooking, when you have a lot of sides to heat. A four burner does the job just fine and it's less space to clean.

Ovens have been a part of home cooking since before the Renaissance. Now there are so many different kinds. Pick the ones that satisfy your baking and cooking needs.

Microwaves Which One Is For You?

As much fun as cooking is, shopping for the  perfect microwave that facilitates it is not. There are different sizes and types to think about as well as availability.The best and easiest way to approach this is to be prepared. Go into the store with not just an idea but some knowledge too.

One of the first questions to ask when considering a new microwave is its' use.  Will it be used for reheating lasagnas and casseroles or its it just for making popcorn or heating up coffee?If it's the first then you'll need a bigger model.Aim for one that's over 1.2 cubic feet. If it's just you and you rarely use one then buy a smaller one,, about .5 cubic feet.Another choice to consider is conventional or convection.A conventional microwave oven emits waves that pass through glass and plastic containers to cook all different types of foods.and drinks.Convection microwaves step it up a notch by having a fan to circulate the warm air. This results in more thorough cooking  which translates to juicier pot roasts and crustier pizzas instead of greyish meat and soggy slices. Some convection microwaves have a quartz halogen bulb that emits an intense heat used for roasting  and grilling. This is perfect for those who want a more flavorful chop or crisped burgers and dogs.They also have more cooking modes than the average microwave so expect to pay more.One of the best is from Samsung that even has a slim fry which is an oil-less fryer (!) Cuisinart also has an excellent one that has an outstanding grill , perfect for getting that barbecued taste in the upcoming winter months.

The next aspect to consider is style. Most home chefs prefer the compact counter top ones. These are perfect for reheating or cooking frozen dinners. A typical size for this kind is 18 inches wide by 14 inches deep and 12 inches tall. These are one of the most affordable and can be taken from one home to another. The colors are usual, stainless steel, black, white or red. There are some that comes in aqua ,cream yellow and pink, A handy extra is a microwave cart if you don';t have one already. Target can't be beat for them. It has the most elegant and pared down styles that can also hold microwave accessories and even cookbooks Then there are built in microwaves.These would appeal to those who are planning or thinking about a complete kitchen makeover. They often feature oven style front facing doors. They have a variety of features that make them a luxury item. Look for those with a range hood which makes them better at venting.. Some microwaves have child locks which eliminates any worries and fears about the little ones experimenting.When looking into a microwave , think about how it ill look in your cabinets. Choose one that is stylish and will look good with the cabinet's style.If's it a sleek modern then go with the stainless steel or black , if it's a French Provincial cream, then go with the white. Think about a black one if your ideal kitchen is going to done in fruitwoods  or teak.

Microwaves make home cooking easy. Looking for one should be even easier. Just go in with the right info and a definite idea of what you want. It means fitting the right appliance in the right kitchen.

What Makes A Good FOodie Kitchen

This guest blog was written by my very dear friend, Neil Parsons of Mark of Excellence Remodelers out of West Long Branch, New Jersey. Neil has had twenty years of experience in the home remodeling trade and is considered the guru of both interior and exterior remodeling.
Kitchens have always been, and continue to be, the heart of every home. Less traveling and more entertaining have made certain that dust doesn’t gather on most countertops. Also, many socio-economic factors have made household sizes grow to numbers that were last seen fifty plus years ago. While some lifestyles have come full circle, today’s kitchen does not resemble any predecessor from another period.
Kitchen renovations continue to be a common request by homeowners across the country. Hanley Wood Publications does a comprehensive annual study of remodeling projects nationally and by region. The article is printed in its Remodeling Magazine and named “Cost vs. Value”. The study reviews typical projects and the average investment amounts for a midrange and upscale options. The midrange kitchen remodel is listed to have an average national investment of $55,503. The upscale version for a 200 square foot kitchen, which includes stone countertops, cherry wood cabinets, gourmet appliances and an extensive lighting package, is valued at $109,394. Every project is individualized for each client and home, therefore pricing and options vary tremendously. While not the definitive price list, “Cost vs. Value” has served as a helpful, planning guideline for homeowners for the last twenty years.
Neil Parsons, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mark of Excellence Remodeling, has seen many remodeling requests and trends evolve through the years. Kitchen remodeling is no exception. Neil lists five items or features below that are being incorporated in today’s kitchen designs that were usually not included or even discussed as recent as ten years ago.
One item is a convection oven. Convection ovens utilize fans to force heated air across the food. The forced air breaks the thin insulating layer of air that surrounds food. This process decreases the cooking time or the temperature required for the food preparation. Convection ovens are typical the second oven in a kitchen as part of a double wall oven unit or as microwave-convection oven combination.
Beverage centers can be found free standing or built into base cabinets. Beverage centers are smaller refrigerators designed to store wine, beer and soft drinks. The more expensive units have the ability to set separate temperatures for each shelf making the multi-use beverage storage possible and enjoyable for all tastes. It cuts down on the use of the much larger main refrigerator. Sizes, features and prices will vary. The price range is typically $200 to $2,000.
If the room or area permits, fireplaces are on the wish list of many families. Direct vent, natural gas fireplaces are the common choice. The options here are plentiful. Free standing, simulated wood-burning stoves require only a small area and are reasonably priced. Built-in units with a stone wall, hearth and a wood mantel can transform any room.
A generation ago every kitchen had a telephone on the wall with a phone book and note pad in the closest draw. Today cabinet layouts often contain a work station. A place for a chair, leg room and counter space. Yes the telephone is still there but it is usually accompanied by a personal computer, laptop or PDA, therefore the phone numbers are stored electronically or located on the internet. These work stations are a convenient place for note taking, children’s homework and home office use.
Now what room is not complete today without a television? Yes, televisions are on most kitchen design surveys and many families want to see them included in the final plan. While placing a television in the kitchen is not completely new the difference between placing a portable unit on the counter with cords and cables dangling and having an under-cabinet unit with a flip-down flat panel screen is vast. These built-in televisions often have other media or internet capabilities. When working in the kitchen cooks can by companioned by the news, soap operas and of course the Food Network.
Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been Appreciating Homes Since 1987. The New Jersey design + build remodeling firm has been honored with several awards for its projects and business acumen. The company has been featured in various national publications throughout the years.
One of Neil Parsons’ kitchen designs, currently being built in Monmouth County, incorporates four of the five features listed above. The addition and kitchen area has been referenced to as the “Gathering Room” from the onset of the design and development. If you would like pictures sent as the project progresses and completes send your request to info@MarkofExcellence.com or visit the website www.MarkofExcellence.com.