Electric Kettles

12 tips to buy an electric kettle

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Electric kettles for a rapid boil for tea and coffee :

How to find a good electric kettle?

Well,everyone looks at price. first the less price the better .

that's fine.but sometimes I prefer to look to features before I decide if the price is good or not!
Here is 12 tips to buy an electric kettle.

-How quickly the kettle boils.
-Cordless or not: cordless seems to be easier to move than the one with electric cords
-Easy to pick up and tip: good solid hand
-Not energy –hungry.
-lot people avoid plastic inside electric kettles and prefer stainless & glass interiors
-easy to control
-quick boils water
- heats the water to the indicated temperature
-turns off automaticaly after a certain amount of time
-easy cleaning
- the lid is easy to remove and put back
- goes directly to the temperature you specify

How to clean an electric kettle?

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Maintaining your electric kettle is very important to keep it clean & remove mineral deposits wich can harm the equipment .

Here is a good way how to clean your electric kettle :

-make a mix of same quantity of water & white vinegar

-fill the kettle to half

-leave it till it boils

-turn off the kettle and leave the mix in the kettle for 15 minutes

-remove the power cord

-throw the mix away and rinse very well

-wipe the inside of the kettle with a cloth and leave it to dry

-if the vinegar smell persist you can boil water in the kettle several times

-as an other alternative in case you don't want to use vinegar or you can't use it because you found a warning in your kettle manual,you can use lemon

Watch a step by step video here

Do not forget that minerals present in tap water will cause scale to build up inside your
electric kettle when water is heated.

So,cleaning your electric kettle from time to time is a good way to

keep the inside of your electric kettle clean.
Reducing the boiling time and save energy.
Extend the lifetime of your electric kettle.
Limit the risk of premature breakdown.

Sometimes,the electric kettle comes with a descaling agent from the manufacturer to clean it.

But I prefer the natural way (white vinegar).

In case you chosed to descale your electric kettle with a agent.i advise you to follow exactly

the instructions on the package!

Electric Kettles Make Life Easier

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 16:07:00 +0000

Tea connoisseurs know that really hot water is essential for good tea. Heating the water can be much easier and quicker if you use an electric appliance designed especially for this. These are also called electric kettles, and are perfect for lots of kitchen uses, such as brewing coffee, baby formula, instant noodles, and oatmeal. They also won't go dry on the hot stove if you forget about it. Remember, it is not optimum to boil the water for tea, but to use it just before it boils.

If you are not an expert at brewing tea, it may be time to learn more. Lots of cooking web sites offer advice, but one of the best I found is on About.com. In a short article the author provides a guide to varieties of tea (e.g. black, green, oolong, etc.) and the best water temperature and steeping time for each.

Before you Purchase an Electric Kettle

There are numerous choices to be made before selecting a kettle. I just assumed that size was about the only thing I would care about, but after looking at choices I quickly realized that there many more options. I also found that several electric kettle and instant hot water vendors offer expert assistance online.

There is a really large array of sizes and appearances, but before you start looking at units for sale, you need to decide what options will best suit your use. Among the things to consider are:

1. how much water do you want to use at once?

2. how hot do you need the water to be? (Different types of tea are brewed at different optimum temperatures.) Good boilers allow you to select the temperature you want.

3. how long will the water stay hot? Some can be turned off and will keep the water warm for a long time. Some maintain constant temperature until you turn if off. (Check what happens if it goes dry.)

4. how is the water dispensed-e.g. does it have a dispenser powered by a pump of some kind, or must you pour the water yourself?

5. would having a timer be beneficial?

6. is it cordless? Can it operate on batteries?

7. does it have a water-level indicator?

8. will it chime or beep to alert you when it's hot? (I think this is the Cadillac of features.)

9. is it small enough to use on my kitchen counter?

10. if it will be lifted to pour water, how heavy is it? Does it have a good handle?

11. what type of guarantee is offered?

12. and, of course, how much does it cost?

Don't forget to look at systems that are installed on the faucet. They are a type of point-of-use tankless water heater and are ideal for large amounts of water.

After all of these questions are answered, it is the time to look for appearance. Again, there is an almost endless array of choices.

Readingreviews

Since most online outlets provide reviews it would be useful to read them first. Look for reviews that mention the things you really want. I found that the selection is much larger on online retail sites if you search for hot water dispenser for tea, rather than a tea water boiler. One review I read even mentioned the ergonomics of the hot water dispenser. (A great idea; I will look for this with other things I buy.) Several magazine and other consumer agencies review small appliances. The one published by Good Housekeeping in 2011 reviews 24 electric kettles.

Who knew that there are so many choices just for heating water? It may seem like a lot of effort to make for this purpose, but selecting just the right hot water unit means that it will fit your needs-to a TEA!

Beant Bajwa is an information junkie who lives to ferret out fascinating ideas for her readers. She writes blog posts on a variety of topics such aswater coolers, wall mounted water cooler and water dispensers. Since she has become a tea fanatic, buying just the right one from all the water boilers for tea is really important!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beant_K_Bajwa

Types of Electric Tea Kettles and Their Advantages

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 16:27:00 +0000

Boiling water for preparing beverages or drinking is an unavoidable practice in most households. With the right kitchen appliances, you could save both energy and time everyday. For instance, electric tea kettles are quicker than microwaves or stovetop kettles. Unlike the stovetops, the electric styles have an automatic thermostat. This important thing turns off the kettle instantly if the water has reached its boiling point.

This protects the heating element of the kettle. You can buy either a corded or a cordless electric tea kettle. The corded styles are relatively old fashioned than the cordless. They have an electric cord just as other related gadgets. The cordless have no batteries or cords. Their bases have unique power elements that connect to the electric main supplies. After your water is already hot, you should detach the kettle from its base.

Then, pour it into a vacuum flask and refill the kettle again. Since the base and the kettle join perfectly, you cannot have any problems reconnecting the two. One thing you should know about both electric styles is that they only boil water. If you do not store the water in a vacuum flask, then it will become cold. By storing it in the flask, you can avoid boiling water many times a day using the electric teakettle. The flask keeps it steaming and you can make a cup of tea or coffee any time.

Both corded and cordless electric tea kettles can boil water capacities, ranging from two to four liters. Boiling a full tea kettle could consume about one thousand to fifteen hundred watts and take five to ten minutes. Compared to stovetops, the electric models are very reliable because of their advanced features. These include the instant turn off switch, a thermostat, an indicator light to show when power is on, and a hidden heating element.

In addition, both styles have a power switch, and a capacity for boiling one to two cups of water. If you want to buy the electric style, perhaps you should consider the cordless style first. According to some previous user reviews, these are user-friendlier that corded models. You do not have to drag an electric cord when you want to refill the teakettle. Cordless are manageable because the base and the kettle body dock very well.

The cost for most electric teapots ranges from twenty to eighty dollars. Some American Appliance brands tend to satisfy the needs of the users very well. You should conduct a thorough research to discover the best brands. Most electric kettles feature steel and plastic construction. Even so, you can get silver, copper, iron, and aluminum styles. Simply use the Internet as many businesses are already in operation.

Try Amazon and related web stores that have won the hearts of many worldwide shoppers. The advantages associated with online shopping are many, including exposure to a wide variety of items. Moreover, a shopper gets a chance to compare prices offered by many online vendors. This makes their shopping decision relatively easy. The electric tea kettles are too many for you to miss your favorite.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from stainless steel electric tea kettle [http://www.teakettleelectric.org/stainless-steel-electric-tea-kettle/] to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G._Smitty

If You Decide to Buy an Electric Kettle

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:56:00 +0000

The first electrical kettle was invented in 1891 by the Carpenter Electric Company. It boiled water in about 12 minutes. In 1922, the Swan Company improved on the Carpenter Electric Company's design by having the heating element, a metal rod, inside the kettle. This helped the kettle heat water faster.

Today, an electric kettle can boil water in as little as five minutes. Most modern tea kettles are also cordless, meaning the pot sits on a base and it's the base that's plugged into the wall socket, not the kettle itself. This makes the cordless electric kettle as convenient as a stove top kettle.

You can use electric tea kettles to boil water for tea, instant coffee or instant hot cereal. They trump stove top kettles when it comes to portability. If you want to sit in your living room and enjoy a cup or two of tea, you can take the electric kettle into the living room with you and enjoy as many cups of tea as you like with the amount of water available in the kettle. The fast boiling time allows you more time to enjoy your morning drink or breakfast.

Electric tea kettles come in a variety of colors and styles. They are often made of stainless steel, glass or plastic. People who worry about the toxins in plastic often prefer the glass or stainless steel varieties because no plastic ever comes in contact with the boiling water. Another drawback to plastic tea kettles is that they sometimes make the water taste like plastic. Some electric kettles look like their stove top cousins, some look like old fashioned coffee percolators and some have very modern, streamlined designs. People who have hard water have the option to buy electric tea kettles with water filters inside for an even better tasting cup of tea or instant coffee.

The only real drawback to using an electric kettle is the fact that it's electric. If you have a gas stove in your home, then when the power goes out, you can simply boil water on the stove. But if you don't have a gas stove or a backup generator and your power goes out, you will have a hard time boiling water.
If you decide to buy an electric kettle to save yourself some time, make sure you read reviews of the brands you like best. After all, you want the best quality kettle your money can buy.

You can find the best electric kettle or cordless kettle [http://www.bestcordlesskettles.com/cordless-kettle] online by visiting [http://www.bestcordlesskettles.com/cordless-kettle], a popular kettle website that is specialized in cordless kettles for homes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Brown_Johnson

Buyers Guide For Electric Cordless Kettles

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:56:00 +0000

Thinking about buying an electric cordless water kettle? If so, there are several points you should consider and think through before buying. With the huge selection of electric cordless kettles on the market today it can be difficult to choose the best one for your needs.

Firstly, where are you going to have your new electric cordless water kettle? Are you
buying a new kettle for you home kitchen, office, dorm room or maybe one you can bring on travels? Many people have an electric kettle in their dorm room, office or on travels so they can easily brew a cup of tea, hot chocolate or a instant soup when they need a break. An electric cordless water kettle for this kind of use can be a neat kettle with just the most basic features. The basic features you should look for are an automatic shut-off function and maybe a 360-degrees swivel base to make pouring more convenient.

If you are going to buy a new electric water kettle for your home kitchen you probably want a nicer kettle that is either built of glass or stainless-steel and has fancy features. Some of the fancy features you might want are a variable temperature control and a hold temperature function. The hold temperature function is perfect for the user that like to drink two cups. Electric kettles with many features are of course more expensive than simple kettles and this brings us to the next point, the prize.

You can find electric cordless kettles prized in a range from $20 to $150, but generally you can find a good quality kettle with stainless-steel or glass housing for $50 or more. The cheapest kettles are often made of plastic and lack many useful features. These are usually made with poorer quality as well so if you are going to use the kettle daily I would spend a little bit more. A good electric cordless kettle will last you five years or even more with daily use.

You can find kettles in all different styles and shapes these days. The styles and shapes can vary from the more traditional stove top look to the more modern look with displays and lights. You should be able to find a kettle that will fit right in on your kitchen.

Mr. Berg regularly writes articles and reviews about the various electric cordless kettles you will find on the market today. You can read the full buyers guide or read more articles and reviews on http://www.electriccordlesswaterkettle.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mads_Berg

Why a Cordless Kettle Has Become So Important Today

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:12:00 +0000

One of the newer utensils made for kitchen use is a kettle cordless. Surprisingly, the 1980s was the first era that they started being used. It certainly caught on and became incredibly popular very quickly which is quite unusual. Way back in the stone age our ancestors almost certainly used something to heat water as one of the very first utensils.

Wrought iron was probably the most popular of materials used in the manufacture of the kettle one hundred years ago. They were used for boiling water to mix with drinks such as coffee and tea in addition to for many other things such as preparing a bath. Keeping the water heated after it had boiled was the major advantage of wrought iron as it keeps the temperature well although boiling it was quite slow.

The kitchen stove was the normal place to boil a kettle so some people called them a stovetop kettle or a stove kettle then. As tea was the commonest drink to be made from them they were sometimes known as a tea kettle.

It was sure that the electric kettle would need to be designed as soon as household electricity started to be commonplace. Although the first one was tested around 1909, they were not widely used before the 1930s onwards. The fact that just the cities and built up regions had electric available to them was the main reason for this.

The kettles and the cords joining them to the electricity supply were made of many varied materials. How far away from the supply that you could use it is a problem because of the cord length.

This was the major reason for the appearance of the kettle cordless. Using a bottom to join the cord to while sitting the kettle on top seems obvious now. Electrocution which was caused by the meeting of water and electricity has been almost avoided now that it can be carried any distance to be used.

Since the start of the 21st century the kettle cordless has been manufactured mainly out of stainless steel as it too holds the heat well. It is now safer to use them because it was decided to fit them with a polymer handle which does not hold the temperature hardly at all making them safer to pick up. Most kettles have now been saved from boiling over as they were fitted with a cut off switch.

Using the correct kitchen accessories makes all the difference when cooking. Helena likes to use a cordless kettle [http://kettlecordless.com/] as she thinks that with a kettle cordless [http://kettlecordless.com/cordless-kettle/] is best.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helena_Duthie

Tea Kettles - The Best Option For Boiling Water

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 22:19:00 +0000

The electric model of a tea kettle is best for boiling water for any purpose. Not just used in homes, it also finds application in hotel rooms or while traveling. One needs to boil water for a variety of purposes- including for making tea, coffee, soups and a number of other food products. The safest and quickest way to do this is by using a tea kettle.

Advantages Of Tea Kettles :

The best kettle is one which not only boils water quickly but also gives an indication when the water reaches the boiling point. Most of them include a whistle or an indicator to show when the water starts to boil. In the traditional model which is meant for gas stoves, a whistling sound was used to indicate that the boiling point had been reached. As compared to this, the newer versions have an inbuilt thermostat which shuts off automatically when the water gets heated. This prevents any kind of damage to the kettle. The water in these kettles remains quite hot for some time even after the auto shut off.

These are generally made of stainless steel, copper, iron or plastic to give a good exterior besides ensuring that the outer body does not get very heated up. In case of a metallic kettle, the inside part is coated with a non-reactive metal to retain the usefulness of the water. Another feature that makes this product useful is a handle that it allows one to carry and clean the kettle easily. An electric tea kettle is considered to be the best one, since it has an auto shut off system and is quite easy to use. It also does not require a gas stove and is instead connected to the electrical supply.

Several new models with additional features are available in the market and can be purchased or viewed through the internet. One can easily choose among these models depending on their requirements or liking. These kettles can be made of glass, copper, stainless steel or any other material that is heat resistant.

Visit CORE online to get free access to more information on shopping for tea kettles [http://www.coreteakettles.com/tea-kettles/].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_D_Hunter

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1946330

9 Energy Saving Ways to Reduce Your Electrical Bills

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 22:29:00 +0000

Simple energy saving methods can save you thousands of Rands a year. Let's face it - electricity costs in South Africa are increasing at an alarming rate. If Eskom is accurate in its assessments, by 2012 electrical tariffs will have increased by as much as 300%! For most of us, energy saving is not a priority until we start feeling the pinch on our pockets. So, if you've watched with silent alarm at steadily increasing electrical bills from month to month, then it is definitely time to start think of ways to reduce your electrical usage. And there are a number of key methods that mostly require you to apply a little effort, invest a small amount and most importantly transform bad energy wasting habits into energy saving, energy efficient behaviour.

Here are some immediate energy saving tips you can put into practice right now:

Turn off and turn down your Geyser

This is the most important tip of the lot as geysers utilise as much as 45% of most home owner's electrical bills! As the most wasteful appliance ever to be created, geysers, like incandescent light bulb, generate a whole load of heat and chew up a lot more electricity mostly for nothing. Turn your geyser off for most of the day and only turn it on again an hour or so before you need to use it - which is often only twice a day. What's more, you don't need to warm up the water until it's a piping, 3rd degree burning hot! Turn down the thermostat on your geyser to 50 degrees - that's still hot enough and simply requires a little less cold water thrown into the mix. Simply change how you use your geyser and enjoy the easiest and most impactful energy saving results!

Stop using that drier and start using the sun

Driers are the second big energy chewing device in most households next to the geyser. Besides ruining your clothes over time and making others hand-me-downs because they won't fit anymore - driers are simply one of the lazy, modern appliances that we use far too often. In summer time, the energy saving think to do is to put in a little effort and hang your clothes up outside to dry or a few hours out in the fresh air and sunlight.

Turf energy inefficient appliances

Those nice old electric heaters work like a bomb, but can use over 2000W! Check all your appliances to see what kind of electrical output they require and turf those that chew your electrical bills up. When buying new appliances, ensure you buy ones that have been specifically designed to operate in an energy saving way.

Use Gas for Cooking

Besides being the best to cook with, gas is an energy saving & energy efficient means of heating food. Gas is still VERY cheap and can save you a stack on your monthly electrically bills. Electric kettles, toasters and other electrical appliances utilise a huge amount of electricity because they need to generate a lot of heat very quickly - so use your gas stove to do the trick for you. It may take a little longer, but it is a smart energy saving alternative.

Turn off your lights!

Very typical and very wasteful behaviour that most of us are guilty of! If you're not in a room, it generally doesn't need to be lit up. Remember that lighting makes up as much as 25% of most house hold electrical bills, so a great energy saving habit is to turn lights off when you don't need them on.

Replace your Incandescent Lights with ultra efficient LED Lights

Incandescent (and Halogen to a somewhat lesser extent) is an ultra wasteful, truly energy inefficient means of lighting. Over 90% of the electricity required to run an incandescent bulb is used to simply heat the tungsten metal filament to a temperature hot enough to produce light. With most households burning 60-100W incandescent bulbs, a great energy saving investment can be made and implemented by buying quality LED Lights - whether they be downlights, tubes, strip lights or bulbs. LED Lights utilise a fraction of the electricity required, produce virtually no heat, contain no hazardous materials and have an operational lifespan of +50,000 of continuous use. They can and will save you as much as 90% off your lighting bills!

Keep Doors and Windows Closed or dress warmly in winter

There's no point keeping the heating on full blast if you enjoy fresh air when it's cold outside. Indoor heating is often the precipitator of the common cold so a great energy saving method to reducing your heating bills while keeping your nose clean is simply to dress a little more warmly than usual while inside your home or business.

Take care of your Refrigerator

Clean under your refrigerator and ensure that the coils at the back are clean as an accumulation of dust and other materials can make your compressor work overtime. Ensure also that you defrost the fridge from time to time as an ice build up (especially in your freezer) can create air leaks again causing the compressor to work overtime to try and keep the temperature inside your fridge cool. Remember the harder your compressor works, the more heat it generates and the more electricity it uses to cool its contents.

Unplug / Turn off Appliances you are not using

Turn appliances and electronics that you are not using off to start with but know that even though the TV, computer or stereo system is not "on", electrical charge is still passing through them and can waste a lot of electricity over time - kind of like the dripping tap.

There are many other energy saving methods and means that can save you heaps on your electrical bills, but the list above is a simple and quick way to instantly reducing your electricity costs by mostly changing the way you think about energy while becoming more conscientious about energy saving behaviours that become habits in time for you, your family and your business.

LED Lights are the the future of lighting and with rising energy costs they are the smart forward thinking investment. For more information about how LED Lights can save you time, money and energy while ensuring a clean and green lighting environment, visit http://www.lightsavers.co.za

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Byron_Levey

Travel Tea Kettles - Easy to Carry and Use

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 22:39:00 +0000

Travel tea kettles are increasingly in demand since they are easy to carry and use. Tea and coffee are the very basic drinks required by any person and the main ingredient for making them is hot boiling water. The best way to make these drinks oneself is to carry a tea kettle, and coffee and tea bags in the travel bag. The only requirement for using these kettles is an electric connection.

Features :

Most of the models available in the market have a stainless steel, copper or glass body to ensure that it doesn't get heated up much. The inside of the kettle is usually coated with a non-reactive metal to retain the quality and the advantages of the water being boiled. This product is easy to use because of their ergonomically designed handles that facilitate easy carrying and handling. Not only this, an electric version of the product also includes a thermostat which shuts off automatically once the water starts boiling in it. Tea kettles are available in several sizes, many of which are suitable for carrying during travel.

Several models of tea kettles also have features to control the temperature of the water. This feature comes handy while boiling water for various purposes, whether it is tea or coffee or any other food product.

Even cordless models are available in the market. This type of a model generally has a base for housing the electrical connection for heating the kettle. In some other models, the base is detachable and allows for the kettle's conversion to stovetop usage. The wide, no-spills spouts of this product enable easy cleaning besides avoiding spillage. Availability of these features makes it an attractive choice for carrying during travel.

Essentials Of A Good Travel Tea Kettle :

o It should be small in size so that it can be easily packed.
o It should have a water gauge to check the amount of water being filled.
o It should have an auto switch off feature.
o It should be easy to clean.
o It should have a sturdy handle.

Tea kettles of various sizes and models are easily available in the market and can be purchased online too.

Visit CORE online to get free access to more information on shopping for travel tea kettles [http://www.coreteakettles.com/tea-kettles/].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_D_Hunter

How to Save Money on Electricity

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 22:33:00 +0000

Doing an energy audit

Challenges in maintaining comfortable living standards vary enormously around the globe, so it is impossible to provide exact steps to reducing your electricity consumption in every scenario. An energy audit however will help you to identify exactly where your electricity is going and how you can reduce the use of it.

Once we figure out where our power is being used around the home it is easy to suggest ways of reducing wasted power,

i.e. electricity which is being used to do the same job that a smaller amount of electricity could do whilst maintaining the same level of comfort. This is a key point to understand; saving money on electricity doesn't mean you will have to live in a cold dark house in order to see significant energy savings, and in most cases considerable reduction in home energy use can be obtained by making some simple changes around the home.

So where do I start looking?

By far the biggest electricity hog in most homes can be attributed to the heating and cooling requirements. Heaters and air conditioners have high power ratings, and if used frequently during hot or cold seasons, resulting electricity bills can end up as quite a shock. Now you may be surprised to know that by localising some of these comforting sources you can save massive amounts of energy whilst maintaining the same level of comfort. Here are some practical tips to consider:

Hanging sheets or curtains in open hall ways to keep heat in common living areas

Adding box pelmets above curtains to reduce heat loss through air movement past poorly insulating windows Add insulation, carpets or double glazing to reduce heat conduction between living areas and external environment

Wear appropriate clothing to extend human comfort levels in less comfortable environments

Use localised heating during cold periods

Use localised cooling or evaporative cooling in cold but drier climates

These are just some of the things worth considering, however a detailed energy audit will pinpoint the best heating and cooling practices to adopt for your particular home.

Lighting

Although the electricity used from lighting is somewhat minimal, lights tend to be used for longer durations, so we can immediately see long term financial incentives to replacing less energy efficient bulbs with more expensive but less power hungry fluorescent or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs.

Kettles If you are a heavy tea or coffee drinker, you may be running up the cost on your electricity bill since kettles are big electricity users. A simple tip to help you cut back your electricity cost for running a kettle is to fill your cup with water and then pour that into the kettle before heating. In this way we know exactly how much water to boil. Most people just guess an amount of water which provides 3 or 4 times greater more hot water than is actually consumed. If you boil a few cups of water every day, this simple habitual change could save you around $50 per year off your electricity bill.

Fridges If you have an old fridge, it may have bad seals allowing the cool air to escape. The fridge has to work extra hard to keep your food cold and this can chew through your power use. An electricity meter can be used to work out how efficiently the fridge operating and you may decide that a more energy efficient model could save you considerable money in the long run.

Computer and TV screens

Plasma screens are typically higher energy users than LCD screens, and LED screens are even less than LCD screens, however there seems to be significant variance in the market. If you watch a lot of TV or spend significant time browsing the internet, then the power usage of your screen may be an important consideration.

Standby Power

Think of standby power as a dripping tap that we cannot hear or see but which is gradually using up your electricity. Many plug packs, phone chargers, stereos, washing machines, TV's, computers and a variety of other appliances draw electricity when they are either off, or nothing is plugged into them. This is called standby power, and although it only accounts for a small rate of energy trickling through the system, this constant drain happens 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so a small power drain can add up significantly.

To combat standby power issues you can either:

Purchase switchmode power supplies (lighter versions of the heavy electromagnetic power packs)
Manually switch off devices when not in use
Purchase a power board which automatically shuts off power to devices when a single device is powered off. This is useful when many separate components run off the same power socket such as a stereo or computer system.

As an example I measured the standby power consumption of my home desktop computer and found that leaving it plugged in for 10 years would cost more in electricity than the whole computer cost me to buy in the first place. By unplugging my computer from the wall when it is not in use, I will accumulate some significant electricity savings.

Calculating the cost of running an appliance:

You can calculate how much an appliance uses by multiplying its wattage with the time it is on with the cost per unit of electricity. For example if I use a 100W light for 5 hours per night and electricity costs 20c per unit (one unit = 1000W for one hour). Then I will spend 365 x 5 x 0.1 x 0.2 = $36.50 per year running that light. Of course these values may be different between countries and regions but it gives us a rough idea of costs.

If I invested in a light which cost $10 more, but only consumed 20W, then I would save 80% off my electricity use for that light. In the case above, I would start saving money in only a few months and over 10 years I would save almost $300! Furthermore, some of the more energy saving bulbs last considerably longer and hence you will reduce the bulb replacement time and cost.

Working out the power usage of appliances:

Some appliances will say on their nameplate how much electricity they use. For example a light will say 60W or 25W etc and a TV could say 200W or something and a kettle may be 2400W. Calculating the cost of running these appliances is fairly easy as we simply consider that this power is being used consistently when the device is on.

Calculating the electricity use for devices which use electricity sporadically such as fridges, washing machines, computers etc will require the use of a power meter which adds up all the power used over a period of time. These cheap devices can be purchased for around $20 and are invaluable in running a home energy audit or at least getting an idea about how much electricity each device uses.

What to do next:

Here we have touched on some ways in which electricity is commonly wasted in the home and some practical steps to reducing that sometimes scary power bill. Living intelligently and with a more sustainable approach to living can not only vastly reduce your carbon footprint and increase your living comfort, but can also save you considerable hard earned money every time your power bill comes around. If you want to reduce your power bill it may be time to work out where all your electricity is being used, and make the changes necessary to reduce wasted energy in your home. Doing an energy audit can be a great way to find out exactly what will work, yet doing some simple calculations yourself and investing in energy efficient devices or even changing some simple living habits could already see you on the way towards lower electricity bills in the future.

For more information, energy calculators and additional ways to save money on electricity, please visit www.savemoneyonelectricity.com.

Author: Richard Watson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_G_Watson

Six Advantages of Choosing a Cordless Electric Tea Kettle Style

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:58:00 +0000

Owning an electric teakettle is very important. Although electric models are relatively new in the US, today their popularity is growing quickly. Soon or later, most users will utilize the electric styles more than their stove kettles. The electric tea kettle serves the sole purpose of boiling water. Most of them could boil up to one and three quarter-liters of water very fast. Either these electric gadgets have cords or they do not. The cordless electric tea kettle is very advantageous, compared to the older corded models. Let us analyze the few advantages to an electric cordless style.

• User-friendlier - if compared with the corded styles, the cordless tea kettle is very easy to use. With the cordless, you do not have to endure constant hindrance from the cord. Simply remove the kettle from its base and pour the steaming water to a cup. Refilling it is effortless because you do not have to drag an electric cord and risk wetting it.

• Cleaning task - The cordless teakettle models are very easy to clean and store. You do not have to interfere with the hidden heating element. Thus, you can help increase the life span of the kettle. When the heating element spoils, the kettle is useless.

• High efficiency - The last thing you need in the morning when preparing to go to work are slow cooking appliances. With a cordless electric tea kettle, you could have hot water to quickly make a cup of tea. According to reliable facts, the best European kettle can take only two minutes to heat up to two liters of water. The only limit that USA natives might have is the power supply. Even so, this high-speed kettle is capable of boiling one or more cups of water for making your tea.

• Safety - You could use your cordless electric tea kettle as if it is a stovetop style, but do not touch its body. This will keep you from burning. A steel model is just amazing and applicable in most households. Apart from the danger of burns, which you can prevent, a cordless kettle is a very secure appliance. You can choose one among the plastic models.

• Durability - Cordless teakettles are made of high quality steel, silver, iron, and aluminum metals. A factor that determines a kettle's durability is the quality of metal itself. If a kettle is made of high-grade metal, then it will last longer. You can find plastic models, constructed of high quality polystyrene, polypropylene, and low-density polyethylene. Aside from user complains that water boiled with this tea kettle has a plastic odor, it has many advantages. It can last longer if only its user can take care of it. However, you should really be careful when buying your cordless plastic electric teakettle.

• Prices - If you visit many websites that sell cordless electric tea kettle models, you will notice that their prices are low. Although some vendors tend to overcharge, you can still find reliable ones. Simply read product reviews to find out the best quality kettles that cost less.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from electric tea kettle [http://www.teakettleelectric.org/electric-tea-kettle/] to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G._Smitty

Top Tips to Choose an Electric Kettle

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:55:00 +0000

This guide gives you essential information you need to know when choosing and buying a new electric kettle.

Kettle Size

Unless being used for travelling/holidays, an electric kettle for your home should have a capacity of at least 1.4 litres.

Wattage

The higher the wattage of a kettle the more powerful it is and the quicker it will boil. Many kettles have a "rapid boil" function. If you want your hot drinks quickly the go for this.

Additional Features of Electric Kettles

Wide spout

This enables you to fill the kettle with water without the hassle of removing the lid. Look out for a non-drip spout too, an added safety feature.

Cool-touch casing

As a kettle can reach 100 degrees centigrade it is important to look for one that has "cool-touch casing". This considerably reduces the chances of an accident in the home.

Limescale filters

Water tastes better when limescale is filtered out. Look for a kettle with a removable limescale filter.

Concealed heating element

Whilst making a kettle easier to clean, a concealed element also increases the speed at which the water boils as the heat is dispersed more evenly.

Price

As with most home products, electric kettles have greatly come down in price over the last few years. However, the better models with the features listed above will cost more than those without such features. Buy the best within your budget.

Warranty

Before you purchase your new kettle be sure to check the warranty guarantee, these do vary between models and manufacturers. Choose a model that includes a warranty you are happy with.

As we can see there is a large range and a number of factors to consider when choosing a new electric kettle. Decide which features you want and set a budget. Choose the kettle that has the most number of features you want and is within your budget.

Jim S Smith is a researcher and writer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_S_Smith

A Few Stainless Steel Electric Tea Kettle Issues You Must Discover

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:03:00 +0000

Are you searching for a reliable teakettle? As many of you know already, a teakettle's sole role is boiling water for making beverages. It could be made of steel, aluminum, iron, silver, copper, and even plastic. A stainless steel electric tea kettle is very popular among shoppers. One of the main reasons why steel teakettles are popular is because they are safe. Unlike some plastic teapots, criticized for health safety reasons, steel styles are safe.

Many stainless steel kettles have plastic parts though. These include the lids, maximum water lever mark and window. This does not make them less preferable at all. The problem with plastic teakettles occurs if you are not careful when picking. If you indeed want to enjoy using a stainless steel style, you should buy the double walled. These kettles have an insulation to prevent any danger of burning your hands if you involuntarily touch them.

According to many users, you should avoid the models with seams. The seam traps filth that you cannot clean properly. The seamless are the best because they have no spots that could trap and hide dirt. If you do buy a one-walled model for yourself, you should ensure not to touch it when functioning. In fact, you should not allow your small kids anywhere near the electric kettle. To enjoy using stainless steel electric tea kettle, you should avoid leaving water to cool inside it.

If you allow this to happen, you might not enjoy the taste of the water anymore. Always keep the kettle dry after using it to boil water. Although stainless steel kettles are somewhat heavier, you cannot get enough of them. As all of you know, stainless steel is one of the most durable metals existing. Therefore, if you buy a teapot made of steel, you can expect to use it for many years ahead. When buying this item, you should consider many factors.

First, you want to make sure that it has good features. The handles are a major consideration when buying any style of teakettle. The handles can be at the side or at the top. A side handle has many advantages to it. First, it allows easy handling and pouring of boiled water. Your hands do not have to touch the lid located at the kettle's top. If the lid accidentally loosens, it could let steam out and it could burn your hands. Not all this makes the top handle teakettles dangerous.

Just learning how to handle them carefully is enough. Ensure that you can open the lids wide so that you can refill, empty, and clean the kettles easily. The water level indicator is a perfect consideration as well. Most of the styles have it. Look for corded or cordless stainless steel electric tea kettle. They are available at many stores that sell kitchen appliances online. Since you want to pay for high quality appliances, please choose your vendors carefully. You should only buy factory stainless steel tea kettles because they are relatively cheap and durable.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from tea kettle electric [http://www.teakettleelectric.org/] to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G._Smitty

Importance of Owning an Electric Tea Kettle Kitchen Appliance

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:07:00 +0000

Every kitchen looks incomplete without an electric tea kettle. Since most households can afford electricity, they can easily use this gadget. According to recorded facts, a kettle is one of the oldest types of metal cooking appliances. In the past, manufacturers would use pressed steel or wrought iron to make cooking kettles. The kettles were mainly for the same use as today. Teakettles or tea kettles developed from the ancient iron cooking kettles. However, in USA, the teapot evolution has a closer link to that of stoves.

They are chiefly for boiling water that you require for making beverages, such as tea or coffee. Steaming hot tea is good for you to drink it in a chilly morning or evening. Unfortunately, without a reliable gadget, you cannot enjoy drinking cups of tea every morning. As a result, you should get yourself a good kettle that uses electric power supply. All you have to do is to connect it to an electric socket after filling it with cold water.

You can expect to have boiling hot water in minutes. The kettles are made of materials such as aluminum, steel, iron, silver, copper or plastic. You can choose any style that pleases your eyes. The shapes of the electric tea kettle body, brim, and base differ a lot. Thus, you can get round bottomed and flat-bottomed styles among other shapes. If you give yourself a chance to view the online kettle images, you would notice how elegant they look.

The handles are in particular, very attractive, as they feature different decorations. Rust is ugly and some metals such as steel are vulnerable to developing it. Even so, the manufacturers of teakettles perform a coating procedure called anodizing. Through it, they manage to give you high quality kettles whose parts are safe from corrosion. They treat and paint the metal in very special ways to make it durable.

Thus, when buying an electric teakettle, you should be keen not to buy a replica. A genuine kettle should not feature any scratches, discolorations or any stains on it. This explains the reason why you should not buy the items from just any buyer. If you will be doing your shopping over the Internet, a web store such as Amazon is perfect. This common shopping spot even allows previous users to post product reviews. If you are into flavored teas, then you probably want to make them at home.

In this case, the electric teakettles will suit you a lot. They are very quick and reliable, not to mention their high degree of safety. Many brands such as Braun, T-fal, Alessi, and Cuisinart are very popular. You only have to find the written reviews about them on the Internet to realize it. Do not be surprised that many previous shoppers think highly of them. Stores that sell excellent electric tea kettle styles are very many, but ensure that you choose them cautiously. Pay more attention to the quality than price, as you could prevent another shopping task soon. Look for a store that provides a range of products.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from electric tea kettles [http://www.teakettleelectric.org/electric-tea-kettles/] to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G._Smitty

Changes Over the Years in the Electric Tea kettle

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:11:00 +0000

The electric kettle certainly has changed since it was first invented by Arthur Leslie Large in 1922. His amazing new kettle, one that plugged in instead of having to use the heating element on the stove, was a step in technology that made making tea so much easier. There was less crowding on the stove. The kettle could sit on the counter and be used even when there was a meal being made on the stove. Doing one thing no longer meant you could not do the other. A few years later, in 1930,

another advance was made with the introduction of an automatic cut-out. This safety feature was much appreciated since it kept the water from potentially boiling away if the person became distracted and forget about the boiling kettle. The next big step came in 1959 when the classic style of kettle appeared. Known as the K2 is was the next step in this product's development.

Since then the electric kettle has continued to develop and improve. Kettles have changed size and shape making them an indispensable part of the average kitchen. There are small ones for people living alone or large ones to meet the needs of a family of tea or coffee drinkers. There are even cordless electric models now. These kettles sit on a heating element that is plugged into the wall. The kettle sits on it until it boils and then is lifted off to pour the water and returned until needed the next time.

But this is not the only advance the electric kettles have made. Recently a new kettle was invented in Britain that is designed to make better use of electricity. It can easily be filled up, though of course one can fill it partially if that is a person's preference. But the kettle is made to give the user the opportunity to take a full kettle and siphon off lesser into a special compartment so that it only boils as little as the person wants. The premise is that this way the customers can save thirty percent in power usage. Some think it is a great idea; they see new technology at work. Others wonder why a person would not simply fill the kettle only as far as they need to.

Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://www.tea-kettle.tea-universe.com/. Please visit for information on all things concerned with Electric Tea Kettle

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mayoor_Patel

Types of Electric Tea Kettles

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Boiling water for drinking purposes or for preparing beverages is one of an unavoidable practices in almost every household. With an appropriate and suitable kitchen appliance, one can easily save both time, as well as energy, almost everyday. For example electric tea kettles boil water much quicker as compared to stove top kettles and microwaves. Also, electric tea kettles help in saving power by switching off automatically, once the water has reached its boiling point.

Electric kettles are generally available in corded versions as well as cordless versions.

• Corded versions of electric tea kettles:

These versions are comparatively old-fashioned and have electric cord attached to them, just like any other similar gadget. These versions are far less user-friendly compared to cordless ones.

• Cordless versions of electric kettles:

These versions do not have cords or batteries. Their base has a unique power elements which are connected to the main electric supply. Once the water is boiled, the kettle should be detached from its base. As the base and the kettle settle perfectly, there are no such problems related to reconnecting the two parts. These versions are easily manageable and are more user-friendly.

It is essential to note that both the version boil water only. Once the water has been boiled, it is essential to store it in a vacuum flask, or else the water will no longer remain hot. This prevents boiling water again and again throughout the day. Both the corded as well as cordless kettles have the ability to boil water up to four liters. Boiling a full tea kettle could take around five to ten minutes and consume around one thousand watts to around fifteen hundred watts. Both the versions feature a power switch.

Purchasing electric kettles is no more a daunting task. You can now make use of internet technology to browse through numerous models, styles and designs of electric kettles and even place order for the one that you prefer.

More information is available on teakettles.net. They offer information on purchasing tea kettles, including which type of tea kettle is right for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_N_King

Using Kettles - 6 Important Safety Tips

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 21:40:00 +0000

It is natural for anyone working in a restaurant to be constantly on their toes and therefore in a rush to service customers fast, which is something that can result in careless accidents at times; this is the reason why safety experts recommend taking heed of necessary prevention tips to ensure cooking equipment kettle safety tilts can be avoided.

We know that kettles come in many sizes and with different brand-names, but they are all prone to being responsible for some form of accident or other.

1. Taking care of the cooking equipment kettle safety tilts is a big part of ensuring water or other hot liquid kept on the boil does not prove a danger to the people working around the area, be it an industrial kitchen or a home kitchen.

2. The best feature

of a cooking equipment kettle safety tilts idea is to prevent the kettle from precariously pitching over to spill its contents on the floor or on bystanders in the work area. Kitchen safety experts consider this a great innovation and a necessary concept to introduce in commercial and personal establishments using kettles upright and safe since these tilts pertain to keeping kettles at a 90-degree angle.

3. Many a time kettles are used for a variety of purpose, including foodstuff and liquids but the need for a reliable cooking equipment kettle safety tilts is never diminished as this feature allows for no-mess, easy pour option anywhere, anytime. Fitted with bigger lip feature, these tilts offer convenience of use and added spill-proof safety that every café-owner wants

4. While home and industrial use for the cooking equipment kettle safety tilts is emphasized over and over again by experts, the added beauty of different designs and variety offered in this segment also adds to the user?s appeal for doing away with chances of accidents.

5. Fast and easy to use, great for warming water, soups or other fluids, the kettle with varied features and uses like temperature control options and adjustable heat controls, is the best buy as it maximizes user value besides being safer to use as compared to boiling the same in a pot on the cooking range. Kettles with an electronic cut off option are also a smart buy because they prevent accidents in case of forgetfulness or the cook getting involved in some other kitchen chore and neglecting to put it off, which can lead to unnecessary stress and delays any hotel kitchen can well do without.

6. Assets to the kitchen, kettles are a welcome addition to the home or commercial kitchen as they allow for more free time to the cook who can concentrate on making soups, pasta, or sweet dishes for the upcoming meals instead of standing guard over a pot of boiling water, the traditional way of boiling foodstuff. Thus, functional and new-age, the cooking equipment kettle safety tilts device is a great bet for those keen to save time, effort and ensure a safe mealtime!

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

How To Save Electricity Daily

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 21:43:00 +0000

The two main consumers of electricity in any average household are the electric geyser and your electric stove.
There are many very simple ways to economize, and save on electricity, without suffering any discomfort at all.

Here you will find just a few small things to get you started with:

Electric geysers
Most electric geysers account for nearly half the monthly consumption. You can easily save electricity and yourself some money, in the following ways:

• Set the thermostat lower; 50 to 55 degrees Celsius is adequate. (This would be 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Never allow hot water taps to leak; the trickle of cool water into the geyser as it needs to top up, will keep it switching on and heating up.
• If you do not have a double-bowl sink, fill a separate suitable container for rinsing dishes. (A plastic basin works well). If you wash and rinse under the hot tap, you will use a lot more electricity.
• Use as little bath water as possible and avoided topping up with hot water during a bath.
• Switch off the geyser when away from home.
• Switch off the geyser for the day, warm it up in the evening. Switch it back off just before you start emptying it for bath time.
• Insulate your geyser with a geyser blanket.
• Insulate hot water pipes in the ceiling space. Apart from saving you electricity, you will not have to wait as long for the water to heat up as it travels along cold exposed pipes.

Cooking
In the world of small appliances, even a toaster uses a surprising amount of electricity, but probably only half of what most kettles use, in turn a kettle uses half of what a dishwasher may use. Here are a few simple ways to save electricity while cooking.

• Pressure-cookers use a lot less electricity than open pots.
• A slow cooker, simmering all day can use less electricity than two plates set on high for half an hour.
• An electric frying pan uses a fraction of the electricity used by a stove.
• When cooking on plates, match the pot size to the plate size. Pots with dented bottoms require more heat.
• Once a pot is boiling, turn the plate down or off.
• Do not fill the kettle more than necessary. Always make sure though that you do fill it above the element.
• Heat tea water in a kettle and not over the stove.
• Check refrigerator and freezer door seals, make sure they all seal firmly. Defrost regularly, ice build up makes fridges and freezers use more electricity.

Ticking off any of these points as something that you practice daily, could save you a surprising amount of electricity.
Get an electrical contractor to make sure that there are no major electrical faults in the electric system of your home, faults can be the cause of unnecessary leaks or even pose a danger to you or your property. Make sure your system has a electrical compliance certificate. These are obtainable through a qualified electrical contractor.

Niky Rahner writes informative articles for Electrical Contractors Cape Town [http://electricalcontractorscapetown.co.za] and Painters Tips Cape Town [http://painterscapetown.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niky_Rahner

Top 10 Kitchen Appliances That Make Your Life Easier

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 22:00:00 +0000

With so many competing calls on our time every day, when we come home and start to prepare a meal we want to do so with the minimum fuss and the maximum ease. Luckily, many modern kitchen appliances are designed to meet that need, and there are certainly some appliances that no kitchen can do without.

Whether you are buying new or upgrading existing appliances,

downsizing your home and need more functional equipment, leaving home or setting up on your own for the first time, or choosing a gift for someone else, it helps to think through what functions you perform most often in the kitchen and where an appliance can streamline that function for you.

A little time spent assessing your needs can save wasted money on appliances that sit in the back of the cupboard and never get used. With regularly used equipment, it often pays to consider upgrading as a newer model may quickly pay for itself in increased efficiency, saving money, resources (like water and power) and time.

Here is a quick summary of what I believe to be the top 10 most indispensable small kitchen appliances - you may want to add some (or all) to your shopping or wish list today!

Microwaves -- These bench top ovens use microwave radiation to heat or cook food quickly. They are compact, super-convenient and very versatile (if you learn to do more than heat water or defrost meat in them).

Toasters -- Small kitchen appliances purpose-built for toasting bread and bread products like muffins, crumpets etc. Much more energy efficient than using a stove-top grill, these are considered an essential by most households.

Dishwashers -- Dishwashers take the boringly repetitive task of cleaning dishes and automates it - someone still has to load and empty it, though. Terrific for larger households. Recent models are extremely efficient in their use of resources.

Electric Kettles -- Another appliance considered an essential by many. Boil water for hot drinks by running a small electric current through the base or element of the kettle. Much quicker and more efficient than boiling a bot of water on the stove.

Coffee Machines -- For the coffee devotee, a home coffee machine seems indispensable. Fresh hot java in the morning at the touch of the button, and no ugly styrofoam cups.

Multi-Stack Electric Food Steamers -- The biggest advantage of these devices over the stove-top method of steaming is the ability to cook different foodstuffs, for example, a piece of fish and some vegetables, at the same time without the flavour of one affecting the other. Plus, you can cook a whole meal in one unit.

Slow Cookers -- Another terrific meal-in-one-pot device, the slow cooker makes up in convenience what it seems to cost in time. This appliance allows you to put the entire contents of a stew, bake or casserole into the cooker in the morning, set it on the appropriate setting and head for work. Your meal will slowly cook all day, allowing you to make the most of your time in the evening.

Turbo Convection Ovens -- A great choice for roasts and baking. Due to the air circulating around the food throughout the cooking process, they cook evenly and efficiently, usually cutting about 20% off the regular cooking time. Compact and portable, you can take them camping too, or save space on a larger range.

Indoor Grill -- Grilling is a popular style of low-fat cooking these days, and the indoor grill brings convenience into the equation - no need to fire up the BBQ.

Deep Fryer -- Frying is still very popular, and having a safe convenient way of doing it in your home kitchen means that you can choose the best oils to make quick, healthy deep-fried snacks and meals like tempura vegetables in your own kitchen.

When it comes to working out which small kitchen appliances are essentials in your kitchen, take the time to think about the types of foods you cook most often and where you need to save time, space or money. You will then be able to enjoy purchasing your new kitchen whiz-gadgetry, knowing it is not just for its shiny stainless steel finish!

Price Pirate has everything for your home. Fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, LCD TVs and more with the best price on the Web. For more information or to see view our products, visit Home Appliances.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Malcolm_Bill

How to Remove Limescale

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:49:00 +0000

If you live where there is hard water, you may find yourself dealing with a disgusting, white residue on taps, washers and even kettles, that is so hard, it looks like you'll need a chisel to get it off. Thankfully, the solution is much easier than that.

It's as easy as sour wine. That's what vinegar is...literally. It comes from the French "vin aigre". Vinegar is the result of bacterial activity that creates a type of acetic acid. Not only does that produce the sour taste, it also produces the "power" that has made vinegar a favorite cleansing agent for thousands of years, not a surprising fact when you consider how popular wine has been throughout history.

One of the most common places to find limescale is in your electric kettle. To clean it off, pour in 1/2 cup each of white vinegar and water, or the same proportions in whatever amount needed to cover the element. Bring to a boil, then let it set with the mixture inside, overnight. Wash out the next day, and it's ready to use.

Scale on taps or in toilet bowls, can be cured by a blend of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 borax. Put the mixture on your taps and leave for a couple of hours before scrubbing. For use in the toilet, drain the bowl, put the mixture on the scaled areas and let set for a few hours before cleaning.

In the shower, straight vinegar can be used on tiles, which you can wash with soap and water after. Or if needed, scrub with the vinegar/borax solution. Shower heads benefit from simply soaking in a container of white vinegar for several hours.

Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life. And for more great ideas for women, visit Schmoozins.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_H._Murphy

Green Cooking - 24 Ways to Reduce Kitchen Energy Consumption and Increase Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 22:08:00 +0000

Home cooks of all skill levels can save money by using their kitchens more efficiently. By modifying cooking habits, making better use of existing appliances and purchasing new appliances that are energy-efficient, home cooks can save money, extend the working life of cookware and lessen the time spent cooking. These tactics are part of Green Cooking, which is about reducing waste, using less energy, less water and making less noise during the cooking process. Incorporating Green Cooking principles, the average household can minimize their home's energy consumption and save hundreds of dollars per year on utility bills.

Using the following tips, you can maximize the efficiencies of your kitchen's appliances

and refine your cooking habits to save energy, save money and "cook green."

1. Full-size ovens are not very efficient when cooking small quantities of food. When cooking small-to medium-sized meals, use a smaller toaster oven. In general, the smaller the appliance, the less energy used, so choose the smallest appliance suited to your cooking task. The more energy-efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run.

2. Keep kitchen appliances and cookware clean. When surfaces are clean, you maximize the amount of energy reflected toward your food, cooking more quickly and evenly.

3. Utilize residual heat. Turn off the oven or electric stove top a few minutes before the end cooking time. The appliance will remain hot enough to complete the cooking process.

4. Energy-efficient appliances may sometimes cost more to purchase, but savings on utility bills will be realized in the long run. Try to gradually replace your old appliances with more energy-efficient models. Look for appliances with the Energy Star designation indicating that the appliance is up to current energy-efficiency standards. New and better appliances continue to be developed, cooking food faster and with greater convenience. And faster cooking times mean less energy use.

5. If you have an electric stove top, make sure your pan completely covers the heating element and is the same size as the burner. Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the elements. For example, a six-inch pan on an eight-inch element wastes 40 percent of the element's heat output. With gas burners, make sure the flame is fully below the pan; otherwise, heat is lost and energy is wasted. The moral is, if you use a small pan, use a small burner and vice versa.

6. Don't preheat the oven unless a recipe (such as bread or pastry) requires it. A good rule of thumb is that any food with a cooking time of more than 60 minutes can be started in a cold oven.

7. No peeking. Every time you open the oven door, it can lower the internal temperature as much as 25 degrees. Use a timer to set the cooking time, and be sure your oven window is clean enough for you to see how your dish is progressing. Be sure to check the seal on your oven door to make sure it is working properly.

8. In the oven, stagger dishes at different rack levels to ensure proper air flow. Good air flow helps the oven work more quickly and efficiently. Rearrange oven shelves before you turn the oven on. Doing it after the oven is hot not only wastes heat, but is an easy way to burn yourself.

9. Piggyback dishes on top of each other, either by using the same heat source for two or more chores, or by baking such items as cookies using retained heat from prior baking or roasting. Multitask wherever possible. Cookware such as a Chinese steamer, can cook different dishes on different tiers simultaneously and inexpensively.

10. Choose your cookware carefully. Glass and ceramic cookware conduct and retain heat better than metal. If a recipe calls for a metal baking pan, you can usually switch to glass or ceramic which will allow you to lower the cooking temperature by 25 degrees.

11. By warming food first (either on the counter or in the microwave-it uses less energy than an oven) you can cut down on the amount of time your oven is on.

12. Take Cover! Water boils more quickly and foods cook faster if there is a lid on the pan, keeping the heat in. Also, don't boil more water than you will be using.

13. Cooking frozen foods uses more energy - thaw them out first. Thawing in the refrigerator is best because it helps the efficiency of the refrigerator, cooling it down and reducing the energy required to keep it at its working temperature.

14. Cook with a microwave when possible. Microwaves use between one-fifth and one-half as much energy as conventional stoves. They are most efficient at cooking small portions and for defrosting. To cook food in the microwave faster, place it on the outer edges of a rotating tray rather than in the center, allowing more microwaves to interact with the food. Food cooks faster as the surface-to-volume ratio increases. When cooking potatoes, for example, thinner slices will cook faster than cubed or quartered sections. During warm weather when air conditioning is in use, microwaves generate less radiant heat reducing the energy load on your air conditioner.

15. Use pressure cookers. They use 50-75 percent less energy than ordinary cookware and it's the easiest and fastest method of cooking..

16. Induction cooking uses 90% of the energy produced compared to only 55% for a gas burner and 65% for traditional electric ranges. Induction cook tops have the same instant control as gas and are the fastest of all cook top types to heat and cook food.

17. Use electric kettles to boil water. They consume half the energy needed to boil water on the stove.

18. Turn down the heat after water boils. Lightly boiling water is the same temperature as a roaring boil.

19. Toaster ovens, although generally not very well insulated are good choices for small to medium portions of food that cook relatively quickly. For baking and broiling, they use about one-third the energy of a regular oven.

20. Slow cookers also reduce energy use in cooking. Slow cookers such as crock-pots will cook an entire meal for about 17 cents worth of electricity.

21. Convection ovens consume up to one-third less energy than standard ovens. Heated air is continuously circulated by the oven's fan, for more even heat and reduced cooking times.

22. Pressure-cooking is the easiest and fastest green cooking method. A new pressure cooker can reduce your energy consumption for cooking by more than 50%.

23. Electric skillets, like a deep griddle with walls, can steam, fry, saute, stew, bake, or roast a variety of food items - some can even double as serving dishes.

24. Soak dinnerware and cooking utensils that are heavily caked with dried food in cold water with a small amount of soap. This eliminates the need for prolonged scrubbing and using large amounts of water.

Visit Frosting Recipes for delicious cake frosting recipes and decorating tips.

Realize the health benefits of chocolate at Chocolate Is Healthy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarita_Haines

The Benefits Of The Electric Hot Water Heater

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 22:11:00 +0000

When it comes to water heaters, there is strong disagreement as to which one type of electric hot water heater is better: whether gas hot water heater or the electric hot water heater. Between the two type of heaters, there are both similarities and differences, and there are also both pros and cons. But ultimately, it comes down to which type of hot water heater a person prefers because both the gas hot water heater and the electric hot water heater perform the same type of heating function. However, many people are concerned With an electric hot water heater, the electric bill and how much it is costing to operate an electric hot water heater, and so they choose to use a gas water heater instead of the electric hot water heater.

The Costs Of The Electric Hot Water Heater - It is Not High As Some Perceived it To Be

Many people think that electric hot water heaters are very expensive, and there are commercials seen often that indicate that gas water heaters are a better choice because they cost less and they keep working when the power goes out. While it is real that a gas hot water heater will keep working when there is no power, and an electric hot water heater will not (unless one has a generator), this is should not be the only factor to consider when deciding whether one should have an electric or gas hot water heater. There are other concerns that have to be addressed too, and these ranges from whether natural gas or propane is available in the area to whether individuals are concerned about whether natural gas or propane is safe for the family, or whether there is a danger of explosion or other problems.

The benefits Of the electric hot water heater that are seen with the electric hot water heater include faster heating and higher safety ratings, as natural gas or propane can potentially cause fires and explosions. It is not impossible for an electric hot water heater to cause a fire too. Though most people associate the fire and explosion problems with gas hot water heaters, which makes them looks more 'dangerous' in the eyes of many people. It is important to that when determining whether one wants to purchase a gas hot water heater or an electric hot water heater. Electric water heaters provide many years of good and quality heating service, and there are various brands and sizes that can be purchased so that a person can ensure that he or she gets the hot water heater that meets their needs. The benefits of hot water heater certainly outweigh the gas water heater.

TangoPang is a writer. He runs several informational websites dedicated to providing unbiased information on Finance and Home Improvement topics. For more information please see [http://www.guidetoheaters.com]

Click Here to Read More About Heaters [http://www.guidetoheaters.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tango_Pang

Black Coffee - How to Make a Cup of Strong Black Coffee

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 22:15:00 +0000

Actually there are a number of ways to make strong black coffee, but not all of them are good for you. One of the ways to make strong black coffee is to us a French press coffee maker. A second way is to use a percolator, third is a cold water method and fourth is an espresso maker. For all these ways, use the freshest roasted beans possible.

French press coffee makers allow you let your coffee steep as long as you want. The longer the coffee steeps the stronger the coffee gets. These presses also use a grind that is slightly larger and chunkier than the regular grind you use with your drip coffee maker. To see the difference, you can grind a small amount at a local store. Better still, grind your coffee beans for the amount you need as the beans, once ground, start to deteriorate. Use a Turkish grind in a press pot as it offers a larger absorption area, if you use a regular grind it will make the coffee taste bitter, not stronger. Whether steeping for a short time or long time always pour the water over the beans when it is 190 to 195 degrees.

Percolators can also be used to make strong coffee. Percolators perk water then hot coffee water up over the grounds in a basket at the top. If the coffee is not strong enough you can perk it a little longer to get the coffee stronger. Running the percolator through an entire cycle again will create a bitter take taste. As with the French press or press pot use freshly ground coffee if at all possible and always use the best water possible.

The cold water method is not easy as you need to do it in specific steps. Start with a container that has a drain that can be opened on the bottom. Add 9 cups of cold water to one pound of coarsely ground beans and let them steep for 12 hours. This extracts the flavor of the coffee beans, but not the oils or compounds. This creates a brew with a lot less acid. When you open the drain, the thick coffee syrup needs go through a filter; a good regular coffee filter will do, into a glass container that has a lid. Store the coffee "syrup" in the refrigerator. When you want to make regular coffee in an 8 ounce cup add three-fourths cup of hot water to a quarter cup of syrup, the more syrup the stronger the coffee. With all the coffee having about two-thirds of the acid gone, strong coffee will be better tasting and better for you. To make it easier, cold water systems and glass carafes are available at coffee shops and online.

Making coffee in an espresso machine of any kind will make strong coffee. However, use a semi-automatic espresso machine or better to make a better cup of strong coffee. The semi-automatic espresso machines run between $200 and $500.

Joyce has written many articles about coffee making products and coffee. She invites you to check out her blog website at http://www.Todayscoffeeblog.com where you will find information on household coffee making products and electric kettles as well as commercial products from Bunn and Grindmaster-Cecilware. P.S. You'll also find seasonal coffee recipes you can make at home like Pumpkin coffee, Peppermint coffee and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joyce_Kaaland

Cast Iron Teapots: Make Best Tea Accessory

noreply@blogger.com (rabmo) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 22:37:00 +0000

Tea drinking has become the new healthful and restorative beverage available commercially as it embraced popularity because of the healthy benefits. Similar to what it gives as compared to another beverage that is also brewed and that is coffee. Below are the lists of tea accessories that may be owned by a tea drinker to help in his tea preparation.

1.Cast iron teapots - choose the right size of cast iron teapots that will do you a big favor especially in your daily cup of tea sessions. Getting a great tea depends on the perfect temperature of tea you will make so if you think that you can only consume one mug of tea then get a smaller cast iron teapots that may be perfect for a single serving. Too large teapots may allow air to come in thus affecting the aroma, flavor and temperature of the tea. Reheated tea or tea that is kept in thermos does not taste as good as tea that has just infused in recently boiled water.

2.A wire strainer - a strainer must be used to filter the loose leaf that may go with the liquid from the cast iron teapot. This basic strainer has various variations depending on the usage that you want to employ it such as strainers that fit perfectly in your cast iron teapot, or strainers that may be attached to the cup or strainers that may stand alone.

3.A good storage container - storing your tea in the right place and the right container will help a lot in maintaining its freshness or shortening its expiration. Containers that are airtight may be considered the best proper container and this should be placed away from direct sunlight. In this regard, jars and containers with glass lids that are clear or transparent are not good as containers. Room temperature is the perfect temperature when storing tea. Remember, not in too hot or too cold places such as freezer. When properly stored, tea can be preserved for 6 months with its leaf still fresh for brewing and good for infusion.

4.A superb kettle - a good cast iron kettle that may boil water is best for your tea preparation as it has been known that boiling water or water that has just boiled brings out the best aroma and flavor of any tea. An electric kettle with an automatic shut and whistle may be advantageous especially for busy people.

5.Lastly, timer or a stopwatch could just help you with the infusion process or steeping. Though seconds won't really hurt your tea, the right approximation of steeping time depending on the size of your loose leaf could definitely affect the taste of your tea. Remember smaller leaves have longer steeping time than those of larger leaves.

Besides a collection of beautiful cast iron tea pots a true tea drinkers know how to take care of their tea preparation. They give devotion and love to every cup of tea they serve even just for themselves while enjoying an afternoon sunset in a nearby shore.

Cast Iron Tea Pots - Find Great Deals on Cast Iron Teapots & Tea Kettles!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=SA_Perillo