How Convection Ovens Work

“Convection” is defined as the transfer of heat via circulation caused by external factors. The term is commonly used in meteorology to describe the vertical movement of warm air masses and in cooking refers to the equalization of heating temperatures in an oven, which is usually facilitated by a fan in the rear of the compartment.

Using a convection oven solves one of biggest challenges in cooking; uneven heating in the oven compartment that results in the bottom and the corners of baked dishes getting browned first while the center and top require more time to be completely cooked. If you’re considering the purchase of a convection oven, there are several different types to choose from, with different methods of equalizing temperatures.

 * Convection – A standard convection oven will have heating elements that are similar in design to non-convection options with a fan in the rear of the compartment to transfer and equalize heat.

* “True” convection – A true convection oven incorporates the heating element with the fan on the back wall of the oven so that generated heat can immediately start circulating throughout the oven. This design offers uniform temperatures and is ideal when cooking on several racks simultaneously.

* Reverse air convection – Rather than having the fan blowing outward to the oven, reverse air convection pulls air from the oven, runs it through the heating element, and then pushes the heated air through holes in a baffle, to diffuse the heat source and keep temperatures consistent throughout the compartment.

Choosing the best convection oven option for your kitchen is a matter of defining your cooking/baking style. While the standard method of convection will work very well in household sized ovens, true and reverse air convection systems may deliver better results when cooking with larger ovens on multiple racks.

3 Tips for Helping Yourself and the Environment in the Laundry Room

Doing the laundry, especially when measured by the time in which the washing machine and dryer are in use, is one of the most energy and water intensive activities that take place around the house. With the release of soap and dirt filled water throughout the wash cycle, this chore effects the environment negatively as well. Fortunately, there are several ways you can reduce your utility bills related to doing your laundry while also lessening the effects on the environment.

These steps include:

* Upgrading – If you have a washing machine with an agitator in the middle of the basin, you are using a traditional style machine that probably uses over 40 gallons of water per load. At 300 to 400 wash loads per year, the average amount for a household, that adds up to between 12,000 and 16,000 gallons of water per year. New models, whether front loading or top loading, use less than half of the water required by older machines. You can also cut your energy use by heating less water per load.
* Going cold – Cold water is effective on most stains, with the exceptions being oily or greasy ones. Using cold water washes drastically reduces energy usage as heating water creates the biggest demand for electricity during each cycle.
* Experimenting with drying times – One of the most common energy wasters in drying clothes is using default settings that continue the cycle well after clothes are dry. Test your drying times to see how long different materials take to dry and use timed drying to end the cycle when the load is dry.

It’s not often that saving money and helping the environment go together. By following these tips you can do both while saving time as well.

Avoidable Kitchen Remodeling Expenses that Bite into Your Budget

The budget that gets dedicated toward a kitchen remodel is usually substantial and tends to grow as unplanned expenses crop up. While some unplanned expenses are part of the territory of a remodel, there are others that occur due to haste, impulse and lack of preparation.

Here are a couple of mistakes that can turn into expenses that bite into the budget of your kitchen remodel:

• Failing to plan for the cost of installing the incoming appliances – Omitting the cost of installation is usually the result of assuming that each appliance will simply be slipped into place moments after delivery. While some appliances can be installed in this manner, like a free-standing refrigerator, a cook top with a wall mount oven will most likely incur an expense that will increase if the location is not equipped with the right hookups.
• Not getting accurate measurements – There are two sets of measurements that need to be done with precision; the dimension of each appliance that will be installed and the space that each one will occupy. Incorrect measurements in either case can result in costly changes to counter tops that need to be re-cut and cabinetry that must either be moved or re-sized to compensate for an appliance that is either too big or too small.

With some preparation, discipline and knowledge of the mistakes that can bite into your budget, you can bring your new kitchen in under budget with great appliances that fit your lifestyle. The money you save might even get you out of the kitchen and out on town so that someone else can do the cooking and cleanup for you.