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.

How to Pick a New Laundry Set

In today’s modern appliances there are so many more options then years past. You have your standard top load units with an agitator wash, top load unit with the HE non agitator wash, and lastly your front load wash systems.  Each has a variation of washing clothes based on the system within.  Let us take a look at some of the pros and cons of each to better help understand what will work best for you.

Traditional Top Load Systems

 These units are smaller in size and fit in most closets and laundry rooms.  There is less vibration in these units from the way the agitator is set in the unit. There is much less work in loading and unloading due to overall capacity of these units.  There can be shorter wash cycles based on more water consumption and the way the agitator pulls the clothes through the tub.  However, they may struggle with larger heavier items and have a much more limited capacity than all other types.

High Efficiency Top Load Systems

These units are larger overall with capacity and more wash cycles such as steam and sanitize. This is a better option for washing larger items like blankets and comforters. There is more energy saving from reduced water consumption and a higher RMP on the spin cycle leaving clothes dryer. On the other side, all though there is more capacity from not having an agitator, these units are only allowed to use X gallons of water so you have to gauge how much you load and what cycle setting works best for your needs.

Front Load Systems

These units will have the largest capacity on the market and the usability is greater due to the gravity system which makes all the clothes rotate through the water. The ability to stack is also another great benefit when size restrictions apply. Most units will have added cycles and steam features for expanded duties. Again like the HE top load system they also are regulated on the amount of water they can use with the same high speed spin cycles, making you save money, water, and is better for the environment. The down sides are that there are vibrations and there can become an odor in the units from water getting trapped inside the door gasket.  There are some great new cleaning products to minimize that.

All in all there is no true right answer on what works best for you.  Before you purchase, you should really qualify the units by size, features, and benefits and pick the one that is best suited for your needs!

6 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

One of the most popular appliance finishes is stainless steel. It can be a very classy look, but sometimes it can seem daunting to clean all of the fingerprints, especially if you have little kids. When you need to clean your stainless steel appliances there are a couple things to consider.

1. Use a cleaner made specifically for stainless steel and a soft microfiber cleaning cloth. DO NOT just use regular water and a paper towel. There can be minerals in your water that can harm the stainless steel and the paper towel fibers can get trapped in the grain.

2. NEVER use steel wool, steel brushes or other metal cleaning pads. Metal against metal will scratch your appliances leaving you with a not so pretty finish. This will also leave small carbon remnants that can be left in the steel which will leave a rusty looking finish which is not what you want.

3. Always wipe with the direction of the “grain” of the stainless steel.  If you look at the material you will be able to see if the striations in the stainless goes horizontal or vertical, whichever way they go that is the direction you want to wipe. This helps clean deep into the microscopic grooves where oxidation happens.

4. Be careful about the cleaner that you use.  Some cleaners leave a “greasy” film on the product and can be harmful to the environment. While some cleaners, such as Ecosential by Smart Choice, are formulated to clean while still being eco-friendly.

5. Pay attention to stainless steel handles. Sometimes the grime can stick to these areas the most. It might be best to take off the handles to get the sparkly shine. You should also wipe the area around where the knobs are as dirt and grime get trapped in these areas.

6. Don’t forget about the hood. If not careful, the hoods can buildup grease and dust very fast in those hard to reach areas. Make sure to get a ladder and wipe down these areas to get the perfect stainless steel look.

Stainless steel does require more cleaning, but with a little elbow grease it can stay beautiful just like it was brand new. Once you have these tips in your head and clean every few weeks, you will be so happy that you picked stainless steel appliances in your kitchen.