Lux vs. Low: MakeupJul.19.2020
It’s always good to learn new things. Especially when it comes to learning how to do things correctly that you had no clue you were actually doing wrong. Enter the world of all things kitchen tools, gadgets and the like. We’re about to let you in on a few kitchen related secrets, and give you the low down on some important tips. If you’ve been guilty of any of these, you’re in good company. Make your kitchen tools work for you, but in the right way. C’mon, let’s improve together.
Garbage disposals are miraculous things. They keep your kitchen garbage bag from filling up quite so quickly, and that means less is going to the landfill. But, there might be a few things that you are doing wrong when it comes to this kitchen tool. Firstly, you never want to use hot water to run your disposal. Water from your tap can get pretty darn hot. That means there is a risk of that food you just sent down the disposal melting. The melted food then turns into a thick gooey paste that will stick to your pipes and cause all sorts of nasty things to happen. You could get a clog, a backup, or even damage the pipes themselves in the long run. Use cold or cool water instead. You also need to be aware of what NOT to put down your disposal. Some things like bones or egg shells are no brainers. But, also on the no-no list are coffee grounds, pasta, onion skins, potato peels, and cleaning chemicals.
You know that little drawer right at the bottom of your oven? The one between the floor and the actual heating space? You’ve likely got it filled with random baking tins, cookie sheets, or pots and pans. We’re all about extra storage, but that is not what it is really there for. That drawer is actually a warming drawer. That’s right, it’s supposed to be a place to keep hot foods warm until it’s time to serve them. Say whhaaaaa?!
Some of us pride ourselves on our ability to load a dishwasher with almost inhuman skill. It’s nearly shocking how much we can get in there. Yet, did you know that properly loading a dishwasher is much more than a simple game of Tetris. Yes, the “it will fit!” game is fun and all, but it doesn’t necessarily optimize your dishwasher’s potential. There is more to the art of loading than you may know. The middle of the machine is where the spray of water is the strongest. That means you’ll want to put your dishes with the most heavy stains there. Dishes with tomato or carb based stains belong there. But, the dishwashing detergent is at its most potent along the edges. So, place your things that could most benefit from a good soak in those areas. Think protein based food smudges, like egg yolk.
Need to pop something in the broiler to get a nice crispy crust, or melt some cheese? Don’t shut the door! Leaving the door closed can lead to a build up of steam and heat. Instead, leave the door slightly ajar to let some air out and keep the heat concentrated up top. This will help you avoid overcooking the entire dish.
This one may not be so much a case of doing it “wrong” as it is of under-utilizing the handy kitchen tool. Yes, you can use it to peel potatoes and carrots. But, you can also use it to shave chocolate, fresh parmesan cheese, or even use it to slice an onion. Oh, and that pointy tip? It’s for cutting out the eyes of the potato, or other “iffy” spots.
If you love you some smoothies, there is a correct way and a wrong way to load up your blender. The wrong way is just chucking everything in in any ol’ order. Ideally, you should start with the liquids, like juices or milk. Then, add more solid components like yogurt, ice creams, etc. Then come the full on solids like fruits, veggies and so on. Lastly, you will want to add super hard things like ice. This method will ensure that the liquids swirling around closest to the blades will help suck down the solid items more slowly and evenly. This way, you’re less likely to get random chunks that are still large where the blades just tunneled up through the solid mass, instead of actually blending.
