Product Guides Archives - Appliance Wise

Find the Perfect Ice Type for You

May 10, 2013 By Sarah Leave a Comment

Whether you’re looking for the perfect companion for your cocktails, a new best friend for your blender or just something to chew on, the type of ice you use can make all the difference. From nugget ice to gourmet, each type has its own benefits and uses. When choosing an ice maker, be sure you take into account what you’re looking for in an ice commitment. To make things a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of the most common ice types, their ideal uses, and our ice maker recommendations for each.

Nugget

Commonly referred to as “Sonic Ice”, this ice is well known for its soft and chewable texture and its ability to retain the flavor of any beverage it’s mixed with. Nugget ice is great for any foodservice establishment because it cools drinks rapidly and for a longer period of time without foaming or sticking together. This makes it the perfect choice for all beverage dispensers as well as those who love to chew ice. It is sure to enhance the enjoyment of any and all fountain drinks. Our favorite nugget ice maker is the Ice-O-Matic 85 lb. Nugget Ice Machine.

Ideal for: Carbonated Beverages • Blended Cocktails • Salad Bars • Produce Displays • Therapeutic Uses – Health Care

Flakers

Similar to the ice found in snow cones, flake ice is most commonly used in food and beverage displays. Flake ice is ideal for the presentation and preservation of seafood, produce and other perishable food items. It extends the food’s shelf life and appearance by maintaining hydration for longer and more consistently, which makes for a fresh display that will help increase sales. Flake ice is also perfect for use in bakeries, perishable food transport and various healthcare applications. For perfectly flaky ice, try the Great Northern Ice Cube Shaver.

Ideal for: Produce, Seafood, Meat Displays • Blended Cocktails • Salad Bars • Therapeutic Uses – Health Care

Bullet Ice

Bullet ice, perhaps the most versatile ice available, is round and hollow in the middle. This is the type of ice typically found in portable ice makers and can be used for everyday ice needs, such as cocktails or iced tea. For bullet ice in an attractive countertop machine, try the award-winning EdgeStar Portable Stainless Steel Ice Maker.

Cubers

Cube ice, the most common and recognizable ice form, is available in two sizes, allowing you to choose the size that best fits your customers’ needs. Cube ice is perfect ice for any occasion and compliments all of your favorite beverages by both cooling your drink and preserving its flavors. This style of ice is most popular in restaurants, bars and convenience stores. Our best-selling cube ice maker is the EdgeStar Undercounter Clear Ice Maker.

Ideal for: Mixed drinks • Carbonated Beverages • Ice Dispensing • Ice Displays • Ice Retailing • Banquet Services

Full Cube ice cubes melt slowly and cool beverages quickly, making them ideal for usage in beverages and food services. These are also ideal for large-volume applications like bagging and bulk cooling.

Half Cube ice is half the size of a traditional full cube and is shaped like a pat of butter. Their easy-to-handle size makes them perfect for blending drinks with a smooth finish. Because of its size it dispenses very easily, making it a perfect choice for self-service dispensing machines, as well.

Full Ice Cube

Half Ice Cube

Crescent Ice
Crescent Ice is shaped like a half-moon and moves freely in any liquid without packing together. Its unique shape allows for excellent displacement and allows liquid to flow over it more easily, so there’s no messy splashing and less waste. For a fabulous crescent ice maker, we recommend the EdgeStar Built-In Ice Maker in stainless steel & black

Gourmet Ice

Uniquely shaped, crystal clear, slow melting and odorless, gourmet ice won’t dilute the flavor of drinks. Gourmet Ice is known for its high quality and is comprised entirely of water. Gourmet Ice adds an elegant touch to beverages and ensures your cocktails won’t be tainted by melted ice. Gourmet ice is ideal for enjoying your favorite whiskey or concocting the perfect old fashioned. The Scotsman Gourmet Ice Machine is one of the most attractive gourmet ice makers on the market.

Ideal for: Bar Use • Upscale Restaurants • Waitress Stations • Banquet Service

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Filed Under: Ice Makers Tagged With: built in ice maker, countertop ice maker, edgestar, ice, portable ice maker, product guide

What is Relative Humidity?

May 3, 2013 By Doug Leave a Comment

Almost everyone knows what humidity is and what it feels like. We know it as a feeling of dampness that can be very uncomfortable. However, what most people do not know about is relative humidity. To the surprise of many, humidity and relative humidity are not synonymous. Additionally, most do not know why it is important to maintain certain humidity levels for a healthy and comfortable living environment.

For a detailed explanation of relative humidity and how it relates to air quality, visit the featured article in the Dehumidifiers Learning Center

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Filed Under: Dehumidifiers Tagged With: dehumidifier, edgestar, humidity

Dehumidify for Allergy Relief

April 19, 2013 By Pam Leave a Comment

With the arrival of spring, many of us look forward to getting out of the house, spending time outdoors, and taking advantage of the warm weather. Unfortunately, along with more daylight hours and warmer temperatures comes one of the pesky draw backs of the season….spring allergies. Many are left suffering from stuffy noses, sore throats, and dry eyes. Allergy sufferers try a number of different ways to combat these symptoms but one of the easiest is to focus on maintaining an ideal humidity level in your home.

EdgeStar 40 Pint Dehumidifier

Ideal humidity? What is that you might ask and what does that have to do with allergies? The humidity level of your home can greatly impact your allergy symptoms. A high level of water vapor in the air, or 50-60% humidity, causes mold spores, dust mites, and even pests to thrive. A dehumidifier pulls water out of the air which will in turn decreases the humidity level to prevent mold and mildew growth. You can use a digital hygrometer, like this P3 digital thermo-hygrometer, to allow you to monitor the humidity level. You should shoot for 40-50% humidity, an ideal level that will dramatically reduce air pollutants.

Before purchasing your dehumidifier, think about the areas of you home that have the most moisture, many times this may be basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, indoor pool areas. For those that live in exceptionally humid environments the best place to use a dehumidifier might be in your kitchen or bedroom. Once you have identified which area or room you want to use your dehumidifier you can select the best unit based on the size of the room. Use the chart below as a guide to help choose the right dehumidifier. Compare with your room size and moisture level.

Many dehumidifiers are portable and easy to move allowing you to easily test where you would like to use it. You can use the unit in multiple rooms to achieve the desired humidity level. Ridding your home environment of harmful allergy triggers like mold, mildew, and dust mites can help you dramatically improve your allergy symptoms this spring season. Happy spring!

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Filed Under: Dehumidifiers Tagged With: allergies, dehumidifier

Water Coolers & Dispensers

April 11, 2013 By Cassidy Leave a Comment

Today somewhere around 75% of the American Population suffer from chronic dehydration, and they don’t even know it. What does notice this dehydration is your metabolism, skin, joints and digestive system. That’s why having a water cooler or dispenser is so beneficial to have close by at all times, whether at home or the office. Other benefits, besides staying hydrated and increasing your body’s metabolism, are saving your finances and the environment from bottled water costs.

When shopping for a water cooler or a dispenser it is first beneficial to understand three different distinctions: cooler vs. dispenser, bottled vs. point-of-use, and freestanding vs. counter top.

Water Cooler VS. Water Dispenser

First, there’s the option of a cooler or a dispenser. Both dispense water for use, but a cooler uses thermoelectricity to cool the water where a dispenser simply allows the water to be used from a 2, 4 or 5 gallon water bottle sitting atop the unit.

Bottled VS. Point of Use

Continuing from your selection of a cooler or dispenser, is the option for a bottled or point-of-use unit. A point-of-use unit is fitted with a float assembly on the top where a bottle would normally sit. A hose, directed from your water source, either tap or purified, is connected to the back of the float assembly and attached to the posterior side of the cooler keeping tubing out of sight. When water is drawn, the float assembly allows water to flow back into the cooler until full, thereby providing a continuous source of water without bottle storage. Bottled water units are typically dispensers and they dispense water from 3-5 gallon bottles.

Freestanding VS. Countertop Units

Lastly, there are freestanding versus countertop units. Freestanding units are best suited for large offices, fitness centers, department stores, and salons. Ranging in height anywhere from 35’’ to 55’’ and in addition to the dispenser can include coffee makers or refrigerators.

Countertop coolers and dispensers are compact units more popularly purchased for the home or small offices. These are designed to easily fit atop tables, counters and bars without using much space. The more contemporary design of the Oasis Onyx Countertop Cooler or Primo Countertop Dispensers make these more desirable for display in small living spaces.

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Filed Under: Product Guides, Water Coolers Tagged With: home, office, water coolers, water dispensers

Home Humidity Problems and How a Dehumidifier Can Help

April 5, 2013 By Faith Leave a Comment

Many people know when they have a humidity issue in their home, but may not be aware of all the different kinds of issues having a dehumidifier can help address. The following are problems excess humidity can cause, all of which having a dehumidifier in your home can help eliminate.

EdgeStar Dehumidifier

Poor performing air conditioning:

In order for the air in your home to feel cool, the air must be dry; otherwise there will be a hot sticky feeling. So when humidity levels are too high, AC units often run more than they need to, to compensate for the sticky feeling. With a dehumidifier, the excess moisture is removed from the air which keeps your AC from having to over work itself, ultimately saving you money on your electricity bill.

Indoor allergies:

Moisture in the air encourages the growth of dust mites, mold, and mildew. This can be detrimental for those who suffer from indoor allergies. Eliminating the excess moisture ensures that these harmful airborne allergies cannot thrive in your living space, giving you cleaner, safer air to breath.

Damp bathrooms or laundry rooms:

When the humidity in your home is high, an issue you may find is that your bathroom never fully dries after showers, especially if you have towels hanging to dry. Keeping a dehumidifier in the bathroom can help clear the air and ensure that towels can dry and moisture doesn’t settle on your mirrors and counter tops. It can also be helpful in laundry rooms to help clothes that may need to line dry, dry faster.

Musty odors:

When humidity is present in the air and settles on your furnishings it can cause an unpleasant musty odor from the allergens and bacteria, not to mention that gross damp feeling on your furniture and skin.

Structural integrity:

If moisture settles into the actual structure of your home it can cause floors to become creaky, paint to blister, wall paper to peel, and settling of walls that can leave cracks. If you have sliding doors, the metal frames can warp or rust which makes them hard to open and close. This is because these elements of your home are made of porous materials that absorb the excess moisture which then causes structural as well as visible damage. Keeping the humidity levels in check can prevent these issues.

Dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes, from mini dehumidifiers (for closets, storage spaces, and bathrooms) to much larger commercial dehumidifier units (for restoration use), so whether you need to tend to only one room in your home, or the entire house, there is a unit that can get the job done.

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Filed Under: Dehumidifiers Tagged With: dehumidifier, dehumidifier uses, home humidity

5 Must-Have Products for the Holidays

December 7, 2012 By Michelle Leave a Comment

The holidays are upon us. If you’re anything like me, you are looking for ways to make entertaining fun and simple. While I can’t personally help you cook, I can offer some products that are sure to make you feel like you have an extra set of hands! Because let’s face it, you’d rather be spending time with family and friends than in the kitchen cooking.

Deni Warming Tray

Warming Tray

Cooking holiday meals requires a PhD in timing. Getting all of the food cooked so that everything is ready at the same time is nearly impossible. Don’t let your hard work get cold! Keep your food hot, fresh and ready to serve to your guests with this Deni triple buffet server/warming tray.

Stainless Steel Rotisserie

Rotisserie

Save the oven space for other delicious creations and cook your turkey or ham in this Ronco stainless steel rotisserie! One of the best features is the 3 hour timer. You can start it and not think about it again until the timer goes off.

Deni Gravy, Sauce and Syrup Warmer

Electric Gravy, Sauce, & Syrup Warmer

Prepare your gravy or sauces ahead of time and keep them warm in this Deni electric warmer. This is a great complement to the Deni Buffet Server (above). No more serving cold gravy or having to reheat it in the microwave.

Broil King Single Burner

Single Burner Range

If you’re anything like me, you never have enough oven or stove space for cooking your holiday meals. Wouldn’t it be great to have an extra cook top You can with this Broil King professional single burner range. It is portable so you can take it anywhere, even outside on the patio to free up some kitchen counter space.

Heart Shaped Waffle Maker

Waffle Maker

If you are hosting your family at your place over the holidays, waking up and cooking a gourmet breakfast for the crew, may not be a top priority for you. Make it quick and easy with delicious waffles. The Kalorik heart shaped waffle maker makes it simple, with lights that indicate when the waffles are done. Like warm syrup? That electric syrup warmer above should do the trick. Plus, your family should really “feel the love” as they dig into those heart shaped waffles!

I hope these products will help make your holiday meal-cooking as easy as possible, and give you more time to spend making memories with loved ones. Eat up!

For more holiday entertaining ideas, check out our Pinterest page!

Pinterest Holiday Board

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Filed Under: Product Guides Tagged With: burner range, holidays, kitchen appliances, kitchen electrics, rotisserie oven, waffle maker, warmers

What is a Halogen Oven?

May 31, 2012 By Kari Leave a Comment

I think everyone who knows me, knows that I am not a cook. I don’t enjoy cooking and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m terrible at it.

When I saw this halogen oven from Morningware at the Housewares Show a few years ago, I was intrigued mostly because I had never seen anything that looked like it before. When we stopped at the booth to learn about this product, I knew it was something we had to add to our website. I also knew it was something I had to have for myself.

The convenience of this oven is amazing! It cooks 50% faster than traditional ovens and can heat up to 400 degrees without pre-heating. It uses convection, conduction, halogen and infrared technology to cook. You don’t even have to defrost your meat, you can put it in frozen and it will cook in about 30 minutes!

The Morningware oven also comes with a cooking chart so you’ll never have to guess how long your different meats and vegetables need to be in the oven. It’s so fast and easy that even I can cook using this!

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Filed Under: Kitchen Appliances, Product Guides Tagged With: compact spaces, halogen oven, kitchen appliances, kitchen electrics, product guide, small living

Immersion Blender Recipe: Garlic Mashed Fauxtatoes

May 18, 2012 By Kara Leave a Comment

Immersion blenders are a product that I have recently fallen in love with. They just take the hassle out of blending. In a previous life, I would often burn myself while I was trying to transfer whatever hot mixture I was cooking up into the blender while making soups. And it never failed that I would splatter ingredients all over my kitchen and my shirt while I was trying to use a hand mixer to whip up some mashed potatoes. Then, one glorious day, I came across an immersion blender (also known as a stick mixer) and I have not looked back since.

Now, when I am cooking soups or whipping up mashed potatoes, I just get out my immersion blender and stick it right in the pot that I have been cooking the ingredients in, flip the switch and that’s it. It makes for less mess which means less clean up and less time.

The latest thing I have been whipping up with my immersion blender is No Potato Garlic Mashed “Fauxtatoes.”

No Potato Garlic Mashed “Fauxtatoes”

Ingredients

1 Head of cauliflower
2-3 Tablespoons of sour cream
3-4 Laughing cow cheese wedges
3-4 Garlic cloves, minced
2 Teaspoons coarse ground pepper
Salt to taste

Directions

1. Steam the cauliflower and drain water from the pan.
2. Add all other ingredients to pan with cauliflower.
3. Take an immersion blender and blend until desired consistency. (I enjoy my “fauxtatoes” smooth, so I blend until there are no chunks left.)
4. Enjoy!

What recipes do you make with an immersion blender?

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Filed Under: Kitchen Appliances, Product Guides, Recipes Tagged With: immersion blender, kitchen appliances, kitchen electrics, product guide, recipe

Who Says There is No Room for a Kitchen?

May 3, 2012 By Kara Leave a Comment

Are you living in a space that doesn’t come equipped with a kitchen but you would spend a lot less money if you could just cook from home? Are you converting a portion of your home into an apartment or other living area but just don’t know how to equip the space with a kitchen without spending an arm and a leg?

In this day and age people have all different kinds of living arrangements that don’t necessarily cater to the typical idea of a kitchen; however, if you equip your space with the following items, you will be cooking in no time.

Rice Cooker – This thing can cook way more than rice and takes up very little space. See our blog post on other recipes you can make with this cooker: Rice Cookers – Not Just for Making Rice Anymore
Slow Cooker – Easily one of the best appliances for cooking convenience. Just see our blog post: Slow Cookers are Back in Style
Multi-Function Cooker – These are best for small spaces since they serve multiple purposes as all-in-one machines. Check out our post on some of the best available: Saving Space with Multi-Function Cookers

Let us know in the comments how you save space in your small (or large) kitchen!

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Filed Under: Kitchen Appliances, Product Guides Tagged With: breakfast maker, compact spaces, kitchen appliances, kitchen electrics, product guide, rice cooker, slow cooker, small living

Saving Space with Multi-Function Cookers

April 13, 2012 By Kara Leave a Comment

Who wants a cluttered kitchen? It seems everyone I talk to is complaining about the lack of counter and/or storage space that they have in their kitchen. There are so many different appliances out there and they are great until you realize you don’t have a place to put them in your kitchen. Many manufacturers have become aware of this struggle and have answered with the multi-function cooker.

Multi-function cookers come in many different varieties from the breakfast makers that include a coffee maker, griddle and toaster all-in-one to the toaster ovens with burners on top. Though they come in many different varieties, one thing holds true with all of them: They save space. What was once 2, 3 or even 4 separate appliances is now in a single appliance. Isn’t technology grand?

Check out our multi-function cookers:

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Filed Under: Kitchen Appliances, Product Guides Tagged With: breakfast maker, kitchen appliances, kitchen electrics, product guide, small living

Slow Cookers are Back in Style

January 31, 2012 By Melanie Leave a Comment

Slow cookers are one of the most convenient small appliances for cooking dinner, especially for a family. The best part being, for most recipes, you can just set it, forget it and ta-da! Dinner is ready!

Slow cookers are easy to use and easily accessible as counter top appliances. They are primarily used for simmering stews, dips, roasts and so much more. They cook over a long period of time as an alternative to baking, boiling, or frying, and can be left unattended. Families are often busy working, running errands, running kids from one activity to the next and slower cookers are one the best ways for busy families to cook and enjoy a healthy meal together.

Another great advantage when preparing slow cooker meals is the fact that it can save money on meals. Instead of going out to dinner a couple nights a week, you can cook a chicken or gumbo, among other recipes, and have leftovers to last a few days. Many of the meals you can prepare in your slow cooker also tend to be less fattening, which is also beneficial for you and your family, keeping you healthy, strong, and energized.

Thanks to the development and evolution of technology, slow cookers have gone digital with set it and forget it timers, like the Cuisinart Programmable Slow Cooker. It takes little to no effort for you to setup a meal in the morning, and it is ready for you to use by the end of the day. Slow cookers are also more energy efficient. They won’t over heat the kitchen, and you can use plastic liners to save you the time and the hassle of cleaning up.

Nowadays there are many options to choose from, making this modern day appliance a valuable kitchen tool. This sleek stainless steel and black slow cooker from Kalorik is great for cooking soups, stews, casseroles, pot roasts and more. There are various brands, types, sizes, and pricing to choose from, however most will range from $20 to $200.

One thing is for sure, on a cold winter evening there is nothing better than coming home from a hard day’s work to find a bubbling stew or creamy casserole sitting ready to eat on the kitchen table. Slow cookers have definitely made a come-back with an ever-increasing army of devotees are returning to the time and money saving device with a newfound enthusiasm. For these penny-pinching and time-conscious cooks the slow cooker is a great solution for making a delicious and hassle-free diner.

CompactAppliance.com carries a variety of slow cookers to suit your busy family’s needs. Come visit us and let us help you find the slower cooker that’s perfect for you.

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Filed Under: Kitchen Appliances, Product Guides Tagged With: kitchen appliances, pressure cooker, product guide, slow cooker

Find the Perfect Ice Type for You

What is Relative Humidity?

Dehumidify for Allergy Relief

Water Coolers & Dispensers

Water Cooler VS. Water Dispenser