5 Free Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

February 24, 2015Uncategorizedappliance energy usage tips, energy efficient kitchen, energy saving tips, how to save energy, how to save energy in the kitchen, kitchen energy saving tips, tips to reduce energy usageadmin

If you
are looking to reduce the amount of energy you consume each month,
the best place to start is in the kitchen. Large appliances such as
your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher require a significant amount
of energy to use; but these five tips can help you slash your monthly
bills.

Don’t pre-wash your
dishes before putting them
into the dishwasher. Most newer dishwashers are powerful enough to
remove any food which may have hardened onto your plates. Washing
your dishes beforehand wastes water, time, and money.
Cook with
flat-bottomed pots and pans. The
larger the surface that comes in contact with your stove’s burner,
the faster it will heat up. The difference is significant; pans with
warped bottoms can take 50% more energy to heat up than ones with
flat bottoms.
Clean the condenser
coils on your refrigerator every
six months. These coils are located on the back of your refrigerator
and can accumulate a thick layer of dust and grime if not regularly
vacuumed. This dirty coating can put additional wear-and-tear on
your refrigerator’s compressor and increase your monthly energy
bill.
Cook small meals in
a microwave or toaster oven
instead of a full-sized oven. If you are cooking an individual-sized
meal, save yourself time and money by cooking it with a small
appliance – a full-sized oven will consume over twice the amount
of energy of a microwave.
Unplug your small
appliances when they aren’t
being used. Things like toasters, coffee makers, and electric can
openers constantly drain energy when they are plugged into the wall
– even if they are not being used.

A
malfunctioning refrigerator can also cause your energy bill to
skyrocket. If you notice your monthly electricity bill creeping up
but you aren’t changing your consumption habits, your refrigerator
may be to blame. If you live in New York, call 24/7 Refrigerator
Repair at 866-782-9376 – we offer around-the-clock emergency
support and one-hour service to Long Island, New Jersey, and
Connecticut. For more information about 24/7 Refrigerator Repair,
click here to visit our website.

How to Maximize Storage Space in Your Refrigerator

February 20, 2015Uncategorizedhow to fit as much in refrigerator as possible, How to Maximize Storage Space in Your Refrigerator, make use of space in fridge, maximize space in refrigerator, refrigerator organization tipsadmin

There
are three things in your life that can never be big enough: your
smile, your bank account, and your refrigerator. No matter how hard
you try to stay organized, it seems like you are always running out
of space to keep your food. If this is a problem you constantly
experience, use these tips to maximize space in your refrigerator.

Adjust Your Shelves

Nearly
every modern refrigerator comes standard with adjustable shelves, a
function that allows for storage flexibility and optimization. On
most models, these shelves can easily slide out of one slot and into
another in order to allow you to fit almost any item in your fridge.
Since you likely buy the same foods over and over, adjusting your
refrigerator’s shelves will not only allow you to fit as much food in
it as possible, it will also provide a blueprint for where different
foods should go.

Be Mindful of Your
Containers

Containers
can really make or break a refrigerator’s storage space. When used
correctly, you will be able to fit more food than you could imagine;
but the misuse of containers can quickly cram your fridge. Stick to
using square or rectangular containers, as round ones make an
inefficient use of space. You should also stack containers on top of
each other to make more room for your other food.

Constantly Clean

Out
with the old, in with the new. That’s a motto you should live by when
it comes to organizing your refrigerator. Always be aware of what is
sitting in your fridge and when it will expire. Clean your
refrigerator out every week or two and throw away items which have
expired or will expire soon. Not only does this create more space, it
saves your refrigerator from developing unpleasant odors.

Add An Extra Shelf

Adding
an extra shelf to your refrigerator is a great way to maximize
vertical space. How many items sitting in your refrigerator right now
are tall enough that they almost touch the shelf above it? Chances
are not many; so make more use of this space by adding another shelf.
It does not have to be straight from the manufacturer, here is a shelf you can buy for about $5 that will work.

Bonus
Tip: Place delicate food items such as bread and eggs under the
shelf for extra protection.

24/7
Refrigerator Repair is located in New York and offers one-hour
service to Long Island and New York City. Our technicians keep their
vans fully stocked and our phone lines are always open for emergency
repairs. To schedule a service visit, call us anytime at
866-782-9376.

Valentine’s Day Recipes

February 13, 2015Uncategorizedvalentines day cocktail recipes, valentines day dessert ideas, valentines day dessert recipes, valentines day dinner recipes, valentines day drinks, valentines day recipesadmin

Valentine’s
Day is tomorrow and love is in the air. If you are looking to stay in
with your significant other and do something more quiet and relaxed,
try using these recipes. From cocktails to dinners to desserts, this
list has something that everyone can enjoy.

Valentine’s Day Cocktail
Recipes

A
well-made cocktail is the perfect way to kick off your date. Loosen
up a little and get the conversation rolling with these recipes.

Valentine’s Day Dinner
Recipes

A
staple in every great date night is dinner. If you want to impress
your valentine and show off your culinary skills, check out some of
these recipes.

Valentine’s Day Dessert
Recipes

Every
good dinner should be accompanied by an equally-as-good dessert.
Everyone craves something sweet on Valentine’s Day, so satisfy your
sweet tooth with one of these desserts.

24/7
Refrigerator Repair is New York’s premier fridge-fixing service. With
over 75 years of experience and one-hour service available to Long
Island and New York City, we can have your refrigerator back to
normal condition in no time. All of our technicians are fully
licensed and insured and we offer emergency services 24/7, so call us
today at 866-782-9376.

7 Foods to Never Freeze

February 10, 2015Uncategorizeddon't freeze these foods, foods don't freeze, foods not to freeze, foods to avoid freezing, foods to never freeze, list of foods not to freezeadmin

The
kitchen is full of misconceptions; people often have the wrong idea
of what they can microwave, refrigerate, and even freeze. If you have
the mindset that all foods are created equal, read this list of seven
foods which should never be frozen under any circumstance.

Milk. Freezing
milk permanently alters its consistency, and not in a good way. Even
after thawing, the milk will feel lumpy and undesirable.
Other Dairy
Products. Dairy products in
general do not freeze well. Freezing items such as sour cream and
yogurt causes some of the components to separate, and don’t even try
freezing cheese.
Eggs. Freezing
eggs still in their shell is a mess waiting to happen. Since liquid
expands when frozen, the liquid inside the eggs will harden and
crack through the shell.
Fruits &
Vegetables. Freezing fruits
and vegetables with high water content – such as lettuce,
cucumbers, watermelon, and citrus fruit – will turn them icy and
cause them to become limp and soggy after thawing.
Cooked Pasta/Rice.
Cooked pasta and rice becomes
mushy and unsavory if you try freezing it.
Fried Foods. One
of the best things about fried foods is the crunch you get when you
sink your teeth into them. The freezer will cause this crunch to go
away, and the only way to get it back is to re-fry the foods, which
adds even more fat.
Sauces &
Condiments. Ketchup,
mayonnaise, gravy, marinara sauce, etc. – keep these foods out of
the freezer! Not only do they have long shelf lives in the
refrigerator, freezing them will cause separation and the taste and
consistency will not be the same after thawing.

If
you live in New York and notice that your freezer is no longer
freezing your foods properly, call 24/7 Refrigerator Repair
immediately at 866-782-9376. Our technicians keep their vans fully
stocked, allowing us to provide one-hour emergency service to Long
Island and New York City. Don’t wait for the other repair men who
need 48 hours notice; all of your food will spoil!

For
more information, check out our page on Facebook and give us a like.

How to Limit Germs in the Kitchen

February 6, 2015Uncategorizedfood safety, food safety tips, how to limit bacteria in the kitchen, how to limit germs in the kitchen, kitchen bacteria prevention, kitchen germ preventionadmin

As
discussed in yesterday’s article, the kitchen is a dangerous place.
Besides the sharp knives and pots of boiling hot water, your food can
be dangerous too. That’s right; the food in your kitchen could
potentially be ridden with bacteria and foodborne illnesses such as
salmonella if you don’t take proper precautions. Use these four tips
to limit germs in your kitchen.

Disinfect counters and
tables daily.

The
counters and tables in your kitchen are some of the dirtiest surfaces
in your entire home. Clean these areas twice every single day using a
paper towel and soap or a disinfecting wipe. Don’t use sponges to
clean tables, you risk transferring germs onto your dirty dishes or
vice versa.

Keep raw meat on the
bottom shelf.

Store
raw meat, fish, and poultry on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator.
This area is the coldest, so they will stay fresh for longer, plus it
has benefits in terms of food safety too. By being on the bottom
shelf, the packaged meat can’t leak or drip and infect the foods
below it.

Wash your hands.

Failing
to wash your hands before every stage of food preparation is putting
you at risk for cross-contamination. If you are handling raw chicken
then begin to chop vegetables without washing your hands first, you
are transferring all that bacteria without realizing it. A thorough
hand-washing should take at least 20 seconds and include soap and
warm water.

Keep your sponge clean.

With
all of the bacteria that your sponge comes in contact with on a daily
basis, it doesn’t take long before the sponge itself becomes ridden
with germs. If you use the same dirty sponge for too long, it begins
spreading more bacteria than it cleans. To be safe, replace your
sponge every two weeks or throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds to
disinfect it.

For
refrigerated food to stay fresh for as long as possible, it is
critical that your refrigerator is consistently below 40° F –
anything higher than that and bacteria growth rates begin to
skyrocket. If your refrigerator is not maintaining a constant
temperature, it could be heading towards a complete breakdown. If
your refrigerator isn’t operating properly and you live in New York,
call 24/7 Refrigerator Repair at 866-782-9376. We have more than 75
years of experience and provide emergency support every hour of every
day of the year.