3 Thanksgiving Turkey Tips You Need to Know!

Before you start cooking for a big meal for the holidays,take these pro tips from Celebrity Chef Mark Kalix. These tips will help you make sure that you have your turkey ready on time for dinner.



1. Prep your oven before hand by taking out all the extra racks and putting the rack about 3/4 down in the oven. You can also save time by cutting all of your produce and herbs the day before.

2. When deciding when you should start cooking the turkey, work backwards. Think about the time that you want it done and on the table. It takes about 15 minutes per pound to start with. Add an extra hour for resting and an extra 20 minutes for carving.

3. Before you put your turkey in, make sure to over preheat. Set your oven at 500 degrees Fahrenheit and put it on induction bake. Roasting it for a long period of time will burn it.  The reason why you want to have the preheating so high is because when you put in your oven it actually shocks it because it is so big and cold. The temperature of the oven will actually go down to almost 90-120 degrees and will take about an hour to get back up to the temperature that you want to cook it at, usually 350 degrees Fahrenheit. By having the heat higher it will drop down to the correct temperature and can save you about an hour of cooking time.

We hope that with these simple tips, you will save time and make sure you start eating the meal right when everyone arrives.

5 Steps to Clean Smooth-Top Cooking Surfaces

The sleek design of a smooth-top stove can be very appealing to have installed into a kitchen. Choosing this option can make your kitchen have a modern and clean look. It will provide extra countertop space and can be easier to clean than traditional coil burner options.

Cleaning the surface will take a little bit of effort, but after every clean your cook-top will look sparkly clean just like when you first installed it.

We recommend to wipe down your cook-top after every use to help keep it clean, once of course, the surface cools down. We know that spills can happen and that you can get busy after cooking and forget to wipe it down. Here are a couple of steps to get the gunk off and have your smooth-top shine!

1. Use a cleaner specifically recommended for cleaning smooth-top cooking surfaces as some substances may harm your cook-top with chemicals like ammonia and bleach. We recommend using Cerama Bryte as it is the best choice when trying to remove tough stains. It is formulated for heavy-duty cleaning without making scratches on glass surfaces. When used regularly, it helps maintain shine and performance.
2. Wait until the cooking surface is cool to the touch.  To remove any burnt on food residue use a single edged razor blade scrapper. Scrape off the thick areas and wipe it off of the cook-top with a paper towel.
3. Use a quarter-sized amount of cleaner and a nylon cleaning pad to remove residue.  DO NOT use a metal abrasive cleaning pad such as steel wool. Don't be afraid to rub hard on the surface with the right materials as it won't scratch the surface.
4. After cleaning with nylon pad, use a dry paper towel to remove any remaining cleaning residue.
5. The last step it to take a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface to give your cook-top that shine.

Following these simple tips will keep you smooth-top looking just as it did when your first purchased it. These steps are great to follow before having family or friends come over for dinner.

Why You Should Consider White or Black Colored Appliances

White and black appliances have been popular for many years; almost everybody has had them at some point in their lives and are some of the first colored appliances ever in kitchens. In recent years, many people have moved to the industrial stainless steel look. But don’t decide so quickly about getting stainless steel, you should still consider white or black appliances. Here are a couple of reasons why you should think about buying white or black colored appliances instead of stainless steel.

Cost

The materials used in white and black appliances are more affordable than stainless steel finishes in most cases. Because stainless steel is newer and more popular, the appliance cost can be a little more. If you are trying to save $100-$500 on appliances, consider buying white or black.

Durability and Cleanness

It is also more durable and can be easier to clean. Most stainless steel appliances show fingerprints, with having white or black more matte finishes; you won’t have to worry about that at all with these colors.

Lighting in the Room

White appliances give a warmer look to any kitchen. They literally feel warm, compared to other colors like black or stainless steel. Also with white appliances, light will bounce off of the appliance and make the room lighter in appearance.

On the other hand, picking black appliances can make the kitchen have a very dark color. Make sure that you have great lights if you choose to have darker colors in your kitchen. Black colors will absorb in the light and not reflect or bounce off of the room. If you like the idea of black appliances, make sure to have lighter colors in your countertops, cabinets, and/ or floors so you have lights bounce around the room.

Different Hues and Colors

One consideration to take into account is that all appliances should be paired with cabinets that compliment them. Placing these white appliances with white cabinets may give your kitchen a modern look or it may give a washed out look to your kitchen if there are no accents. White or black appliances also look fabulous when paired with a countertop that works with your color scheme.

Another thing to consider is that there is not one specific color that all brands use; there are different tones and hues of white and black available that also have different levels of gloss. Because of this, it is important to try and stay within the same brand so that the hue is the same and matches.

Summary

White appliances are perfect for someone who isn’t interested in the extra cleaning or cost that stainless steel appliances require, but are looking to brighten up the room. Black appliances are perfect for someone who does want to darken or balance out their room colors while also saving time on cleaning and who wants to save money. Only you can decide which appliances are going to be best in your kitchen. Let us know if you have any questions about picking the right finish for your appliances.

Keep Up With These 3 Kitchen Trends

There are constant changes coming to kitchen design and it's a struggle to keep up. These changes are fresh and refreshing. Likely they will remain longer than a simple trend.

Horizontal wood grain is becoming huge for cabinetry in kitchens. This new trend is revitalizing traditional wood cabinetry. Less recessing and molding details on this style of cabinet and more flat. Horizontal wood grains actually makes the kitchen seem wider. Hardware is kept simple and understated. The most popular style of hardware is simple metal, horizontal pulls.  A huge benefit of installing this kind of cabinetry is that it can be paired with other types of wood. The cabinet grain is very prominent, easily pair a wood flooring that has a smaller visible grain. Also, run the other kind of wood grain in a different direction, preferably vertical. This will create a focal point with a clean look!

Another trend is to mix two kinds of cabinets to add dimension and interest. You can even add three different materials to create your own unique cabinet design. The key to pulling this off is to keep the cabinet design simple. Refraining from raised panels or ornate moldings on the cabinet doors. Each different cabinet material is in the same flat panel design, same design to link the cabinets together with different wood grain.

2017 is all about contrast which can easily be seen by the newest appliances coming out in dark but classic colors.  Contrast is the key to keeping a design looking unique and interesting. Monochromatic schemes can be great if done well, but beware of washing out the room. Details get lost in a monochromatic setting and everything just sort of blends together. Creating contrast is one of the best ways to add interest and dimension. Details are noticed and appreciated when contrast comes into play!

If you're looking to set yourself apart but still be trendy try out these ideas.

What is your favorite modern kitchen trend? Leave it in the comments section.

Toss It! Things You Should Throw Away During Spring Cleaning

We’ve all heard that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and most of the time that’s true. “Upcycling” has become downright trendy, with people turning their dumpster-diving finds into one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture for their homes. Likewise, repurposed, recycled and reclaimed items are a badge of honor among the younger crowd. The “waste not, want not” mindset behind giving items a second life as something new and unique is commendable and fantastic. Most of the time.

Then there are those things you should absolutely toss in the garbage without delay- things that are so gnarly that they can’t be repurposed by even the most optimistic dumpster-diver. Here are a few household items it’s almost never a good idea to hang on to when you’re organizing your home for spring.

Old cosmetics- If you are or ever have been female, or if you have lived with a female member of society at any point in your life, chances are you are familiar with the Mascara Conundrum. Though common wisdom dictates that a tube of mascara, an eyeliner, or any other cosmetic that touches your eyes should be thrown out once every three months to avoid contamination which leads to eye infections, few women have the heart to actually go through with it. For one thing, cosmetics can be quite pricey, with even the drugstore brands of mascara costing upwards of $6 per tube. Secondly, when you are faced with the possibility of conjunctivitis or the prospect of chucking your limited-edition plum eyeliner sample you received as a free gift with purchase, a good number of women will roll the dice and opt to keep the eyeliner. Hard as it may be, you really need to purge your eye makeup at regular intervals to keep your eyes healthy and infection-free.

Expired food- There are probably no people on earth who need to be told to get rid of their spoiled dairy, meat or produce- at least we hope not! However, dry goods and spices are another story. Since you don’t have to refrigerate these items, people can mistakenly think they never go bad, or that they should be able to keep just fine for indeterminate periods of time in your cupboards or pantry. This is not accurate- there’s a reason for the “use by” dates stamped on most dry goods and non-perishable items. It may seem like a waste to toss out unused food because of an arbitrary date on the box, but you’ll be glad you did.

Broken toys- As your kids get older, it’s natural to want to keep some of their toys as keepsakes or mementos, or even put them away in case they want to pass them onto their own children someday. Additionally, any toys that are still in good shape can be donated to charity so they can be enjoyed by other kids. But there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to keeping toys that are broken. Dolls without heads, trucks without wheels, or puzzles that are missing pieces all need to find their way out of your attic and into a garbage truck ASAP.

If you have any spring cleaning tips, including suggestions for where to toss unwanted items, let us know in the comments below.

Why is Bosch 500 Series Dishwashers Rated so Highly???

Superb value is the simplest reason for the 500 series’ Bosch Dishwashers have high ratings. Here are 8 features that make these such a great value:

1. Low 44 decibel sound rating, one of the lowest in the industry.
2. “InfoLight”, a handy feature that projects a small red beam onto the floor beneath the dishwasher when a cycle is in operation. Since these are so quiet, this lets you know that it is on.
3. Convenience features like the optional split-apart cutlery basket, customized tines, and a 3^rd rack.
4. Three different handle designs and 3 different finishes make it very likely you will find one to fit your kitchen.
5. Each of these 500 series can be flushed-mounted with cabinetry to achieve a built-in aesthetic.
6. The 500 series dishwashers are made in the US, New Bern, North Carolina.
7. “AquaStop” leak protection, this will detect if the machine is leaking and automatically stop the cycle.
8. “Speed Perfect” cycle cuts average times in half. This cycle runs in about an hour, instead of the typical 2 hours. This cycle uses more water though. 

The 500 series comes in a variety of exterior colors. Check out this 24" Recessed Handle Dishwasher 500 Series in Black.

Recipe- Old Fashioned Gingerbread

Nothing quite like the smell of freshly-baked gingerbread to get you and your guests in the holiday spirit! This recipe is easy and delicious, sure to bring cheer to even this biggest Scrooge!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 1 egg, large
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup hot water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Beat in egg and mix in molasses.
3.  In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Blend into creamed mixture. Stir in hot water. Pour into the greased, floured pan.
4.  Bake for one hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.

Prep time: 25 minutes   Cook time: 1 hour  Serves 9  375 calories per serving

Choosing the Right Dishwasher for You

When it comes to choosing appliances for your kitchen, nothing has larger differences than those found in dishwashers. Before heading out to your nearest Appliance retailer or ordering one online, you need to ask yourself a few questions to ensure to make the right choice for you and your family.

• Do you pre-wash your dishes?

If you do, then features such as hard food disposers may not be a worthwhile feature.

• Do you run your dishwasher at all times of the day?

If your answer is yes, then look for a unit with a decibel rating below 50db. This will allow you to have a conversation in the same room as your dishwasher and it won’t interrupt your rousing anecdote.

• Do you use a rinse agent such as Finish or Jet Dry?

This is important as not all dishwashers have a heated dry feature. Condensation dry units require a rinse agent to effectively remove spots and allow the water to sheet off your flatware and cups. In addition, heated dry units will dry considerably faster, but at a cost in terms of energy consumption.

• How big are your plates?

I always encourage clients to bring in plates  or tall glasses and test them in a perspective dishwasher. Not all racks are the same, and nothing will frustrate you more than installing something that doesn’t accommodate your dishes.

If you can answer all these questions, your dishwasher buying experience will go much smoother, and ultimately you will be happier with your purchase. 

Really, What Is The Best Time of The Year To Buy Appliances?

You’ve been seeing the commercials; the ads in the magazines, your fridge just decided to give up, or you moved into a new home and the appliances are avocado green from the seventies. There are so many reason why you may of started you appliance shopping journey, and one of the most important questions you’re asking yourself is “how” and/or “am I getting the best deal possible”.  Chances are you’ve seen an ad from Home Depot, Lowes, and even us Interstate Appliance and every week there seems to be some special deal or sale going on; and you’re stuck questioning when to buy. Or even worse you’re forced to buy right now, and waiting is not an option. If you take a few moments to review these tips you’ll be more prepared no matter the time you buy.

Expert Tip: If you don’t take anything from this article outside of this one tip you’re going to be in great shape. No matter where you purchase, make sure the retailer has a price match guarantee. But wait; not all price match guarantees are created equal. Make sure your retailer just doesn’t price match the day of the purchase but for at least 30 days after the purchase.

Recap: If the retailer will not price match 30 days after the purchase, even against their prices: DO NOT BUY!

Now that we’ve discussed one extremely important item to appliance shopping in general, lets talk about the best times of the year to buy appliances. Okay, let’s play a little game; take a few moments and think what the world and maybe even you think the best time of the year to buy appliances? 

………. …… Let me guess you said “Black Friday”? While Black Friday generally has some great deals, fun door busters, and lines around the corner; the best appliance deals are rarely during Black Friday; or even in the 4^th Quarter.

Okay, you’ve waited long enough; the best deals and the best time to buy appliances is over the 4^th of July holiday. However, don’t just focus on that one day; chances are most retailers will start their 4^th of July pricing weeks before. Yes, that means you don’t have to rush to shop for appliances on one of the most fun family days of the year. Let’s make these numbers real so you can understand the discounts a little better.

At Interstate Appliance we are known for the value we offer in our prices; our customers love to tell us how much money they’ve saved just by walking through our doors. We like when our customers save money, it makes us happy; and we know it’ll make you happy.

• Everyday customers on average save 15% when shopping with us over the competition.
•  During the 4^th of July our customers have reported saving over 27% – 33% over the competition! WOW!
•   In comparison to ‘Black Friday’ where our customers reported savings from 21% - 28%

Now that that’s cleared up we can’t wait to hear from you; so we can learn more about your project and partner together and find the right appliances for your needs and wants. 

Why Invest in a Convection Microwave?

When shopping for a new microwave there can be more options available than you may know. A commonly asked question is “why would we need/want convection in our microwave”?  When shopping for a new microwave, please consider the following:

1. How do we want to use our microwave? Do we need a unit that we can use as a primary cooking vessel, or simply a reheat machine?
2. Where are we going to put our microwave? Do we want a counter-top unit or a unit that we can mount over-the-range?
3. Who is going to use the microwave? Will the kids be using it, or do mom & dad do all the cooking?

    If you are cooking for your family on a regular basis, having a convection microwave can be an invaluable addition to your kitchen.  A convection microwave can be used to bake, roast, and broil.  It can truly be used as a secondary oven.  If you would like to have a microwave that you can use for more than just a bag of popcorn, or a baked potato, then you should seriously consider a convection microwave. Nothing heated in a microwave will ever be browned or crispy.  Pizza, egg rolls, pizza pockets, chicken tenders, and French fries are always better in the oven or the deep fryer, and you would never cook pork chops or a pie in your microwave…..right???  Well, now you can!  With the benefits of a convection microwave, you will truly have a second oven at your disposal.  Prepare your main dish in your standard oven, have your casserole or dessert in your microwave….yes, I said your microwave. 

Contact us today so we can help you pick out the right microwave for you and your family. They are available in counter-top, and over-the-range models, ranging from $399 and up.

What’s the deal with all the choices?

     Walk into your friendly neighborhood appliance store and the first thing you’ll notice is a collage of color and material choices your appliances can come in.  Black, White, Stainless Steel, Slate, Black Glass, White Ice, Uber Glass Finish, Colored Stainless, Retro Colors, Modern Colors, Precious Metals, etc.  What happened to the good ol’ days when all you had to decide was whether you wanted a frost or frostless freezer?

     The truth of the matter is appliance manufacturers recognize consumers want more choices.  Everyone wants to make their home unique and “their own.”  Today’s appliance market offers more choices than ever to help accomplish this.  From a Big Chill Buttercup Yellow Retro Fridge to a BlueStar Infused Copper Gas Range; you can pretty much find whatever custom look you are going for in your home.  So get out there, look at what’s available and bring home something that will make your kitchen different than any other on the block.

Like one of these Samsung French Door Refrigerators? Find your perfect color here.

Omelet Muffin Recipe

These nutritious and protein-packed muffins are a great way to give your kids a healthy start to their day AND get them out the door in time for school!

Ingredients:

8 eggs

8 oz. cooked ham, crumbled

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup diced onion

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin tin or line with paper baking cups.

Beat eggs together in large bowl. Mix ham, bell pepper, onion, salt, black pepper and water into the beaten eggs. Pour egg mixture evenly into prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins are set in the middle.

Prep time- 15 minutes/Cook time- 20 minutes/Makes 8 muffins

Dorm Room Checklist: Essentials for College

It’s that time of year again- millions of families are getting their young adult children ready to embark on their journey to college. It’s an exciting time for students and parents alike as the kids get ready to fly the nest. Make sure your college student has everything he or she will need to make himself or herself feel at home with this handy checklist for dorm room supplies.

Kitchenware- Due to safety regulations in place in most of the college dorms across the country, items like hot plates and toaster ovens aren’t always allowed, but that doesn’t mean your child won’t need some basic kitchen supplies in the dorm room for quick study snacks. Make sure to add these basics to your school shopping list:

• Non-breakable, microwavable dishes- 2 large plates, 2 small plates and 2 bowls
• Flatware- at least 4 forks, spoons, and knives
• 2 plastic water bottles, reusable
• Water pitcher
• Regulation-size dorm fridge, if allowed
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula/turner
• Liquid dish soap
• Dish towels
• Dish scrubber
• Can opener
• Pizza cutter

Bedding- Since dorm beds are a little differently-sized than standard twin-size beds, make sure all bedding specifically says it is sized for dorm mattresses before purchasing.
• 2 sheet sets
• Comforter or duvet with cover
• Mattress pad
• Pillows (both bed and throw pillows)
• Throw blanket
• Bedbug-resistant mattress cover

Cleaning Products- Help your college kid keep his or her dorm room clean by sending them off with the right cleaning supplies to tackle basic chores.
• Glass cleaner
• Multipurpose cleaner (make sure it also cleans electronics safely)
• Microfiber cloths
• Dusting tool (such as Swiffer duster)
• Handheld vacuum cleaner

Laundry Essentials- Help your student tackle laundry effectively so they don’t start bringing it back to your house on breaks!
• Pop-up space-saving hamper
• Drying rack
• Detergent, bleach and fabric softener
• Emergency sewing kit
• Iron with emergency shut-off feature
• Ironing board
• Delicate clothing wash bag
• Lint rollers
• Approximately 4 dozen hangers


What other items are on your necessity list for dorm rooms?

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Here’s a summertime favorite sure to make everyone at your barbecue or picnic smile!

Ingredients:

5 potatoes

3 eggs

1 cup celery, chopped

½ cup onion, chopped

½ cup sweet pickle relish

¼ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon celery salt

1 tablespoon mustard

Ground black pepper to taste

¼ cup mayonnaise

Prep time: 45 min.  Cook time: 15 min. 

Directions:

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm (about 15 minutes). Drain, cool, peel and chop potatoes.

Place eggs in saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat and let eggs stand in hot water for 10-12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.

In a large bowl combine potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

Makes 8 servings

Get your Granite Gleaming!

Congratulations! You’ve just upgraded your kitchen, and now you have gorgeous granite countertops. But what do you use to clean them? You may be tempted to use household disinfectant wipes and spray cleaners as you would with other materials of countertop, but the harsh chemicals can dull the granite over time. Here are three recommended cleaners for granite surfaces that will keep your kitchen counter looking as beautiful as the first day it was installed.

Method Daily Granite Cleaner- $5.99, Target

This non-toxic, naturally derived, biodegradable cleaning formula is 100% safe for use around children and pets, yet is surprisingly effective in cutting grease and grime to get your countertops clean. The Apple Orchard fragrance is mild and pleasant, not overpowering like bleach cleansers. Best of all, it has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, with many favorable consumer reviews swearing by its efficiency.

Formula 409 Natural Stone & Steel Cleaner- $6.99, retail stores

Clorox brand Formula 409 is a household brand name when it comes to cleaning products, and the company’s new cleaner for granite and other natural stone finishes lives up to its reputation. The best part about Formula 409 Natural Stone & Steel Cleaner is right there in its name- in addition to cleaning your granite countertops, you can use the cleaner for your stainless steel appliances, as well as glass, wood, Formica, Fiberglass, and plastic. This means virtually everything in your kitchen can be cleaned with one product, which saves both time and money!

Granite Gold Clean & Shine- $7.99, Bed Bath and Beyond

In addition to cleaning countertops effectively, Granite Gold also works as a polish to keep your countertops shiny and new looking. The manufacturers also claim that Granite Gold reinforces the protective seal on stone surfaces, making it easier to clean up future spills. It is a little more pricey than the previous two options, but it maintains a dedicated following of happy customers and has received rave reviews on Amazon.

Of course, if you would rather save your money and go the do-it-yourself route, many owners of granite countertops insist that all you really need to do is wipe them down with warm, soapy water (use a mild dish soap), dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking and shine with a spray-bottle mixture of equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol. The choice is yours, but whatever you do, take care of your granite!