Kitchen Gadgets Archives - The crafty woman Blog

Avoid Doing These 3 Things To Help Your Knives Last Longer

Your kitchen tools are essential to be able to cook effectively and easily. When you have everything you need, cooking is a pleasant activity that you look forward to. When your tools don’t work the way they should then it becomes a chore. A dull knife is one of the worst offenders. It makes preparing your meal a chore since it takes more effort.

One kitchen tip you should never ignore is how to keep your knives sharp so that you aren’t faced with a dull knife. They will get dull over time naturally and it will take using a whetstone sharpening stone to get them sharp again. But if you avoid doing certain things then they won’t need as frequent sharpening and this saves you time. In this article, we will go over the things to avoid so they stay sharp for longer.

1 – Washing Them In A Dishwasher

In an effort to make cleaning up easier, many people put their knives in the dishwasher. This is a really bad idea because it ruins the knives in general and will wear down the edge very quickly and make them dull.

The reason is that the heat of the water plus the harsh chemicals in the soap are not suited for the material your knife is made out of. You will notice a steep decline in the sharpness very quickly after washing them in the dishwasher.

It is also possible that you will be ruining the handle and even rusting the metal underneath it. If you have a wooden handle knife then it is only a matter of time before it cracks. It will also allow water underneath which will cause it to rust on the inside.

2 – Improper Storage

Most professional chefs keep their knives in a leather bag with slots inside so they can be kept protected when rolled up. This is because they can’t be banging into each other otherwise they will nick the edge of the blade and cause it to cut poorly.

The same idea should hold true at home. Avoid putting the knives into a drawer with other utensils. Instead, put them on a magnet strip on the wall so they stay away from other knives. Or, you can get a type of sheath for them so they stay separated.… Read more

Kitchen Gadgets

Tips on Choosing Espresso Portafilter Machines

You don’t have to be a passionate coffee lover to know that this hot beverage moves the world, but literally. Numerous studies show that most people cannot function without a daily dose of caffeine. Coffee wakes up, raises alertness, improves concentration, and affects memory. But the list of benefits does not end there. Check this web source for more information on the health benefits of a hug in a mug.

Espresso is just one of many subtypes of coffee with billions of fans worldwide. It’s obtained from specialized machines. These devices pour boiling water over the coffee grind under pressure, thus ‘rinsing’ the flavor right into small cups (usually 30ml). The process takes about 20 seconds, resulting in a hot drink of intense taste and aroma.

Espresso Machine Types

The various espresso machine types differ in how they grind beans and heat water. They can be divided into three categories: manual, semi-automatic, and fully automated appliances. Each of these types has its users and will suit different lifestyles.

The water to coffee ratio determines the quality of your drink, and too much water can upset the balance of flavor. Manual espresso machines allow you to have more control over the brewing process. You can monitor water flow and find the best water-coffee ratio.

The fully automatic machine uses capsules or pods. These are handy for people with a hectic lifestyle, as their favorite grind is already packed in pods. They just need a single click of the button to have their coffee ready. Pods machines typically come with a frothing wand, although some come with this feature already.

Semi-automated devices bring the best from both worlds. They feature electric pumps, allowing for faster grinding and water heating. That makes them much easier to use than manual coffee makers. But you still have some level of control over making your favorite drink.

Ease of Cleaning

When purchasing an espresso machine, consider how easy it is to clean and maintain it. Regular servicing might be necessary for high-end appliances or those for commercial use. That will ensure your machine is working at its best and prevent costly repairs.

You can ask authorized service centers about the maintenance needs of particular espresso machines. Whenever you can, look for service providers specialized in particular brands. They usually work closely with the manufacturer … Read more

Kitchen Gadgets

Best Espresso Cups For The Rich And Full-bodied Brew

You’d never put a vintage Dom Perignon in a cheap plastic cup, would you? Although a little more forgiving, the same can be said of espresso, the purest form of the coffee bean. In fact, only the best espresso cups should hold the very essence of the bean.

Bubbly served in a champagne flute usually, comes after a great achievement. The same great success for you was most likely investing in a premium espresso machine and a quality coffee grinder. Finally, all you need now is a vessel worthy of this achievement and for the delicious golden brown brew that you’ll be making.

However, there is considerable uncertainty in both the best espresso cup options and the need for them. First of all, is it necessary for espresso to have its very own cup, and if yes, which one?

Therefore, we’ve reviewed for you five of the best espresso cups so you can find the perfect one that displays your taste and sophistication. Also, you’ll find in this article a guide to help you understand what makes a great espresso cup.

Before that, though, let’s take a brief look at the top five chosen espresso cups.

Quick Look

Product Name	Quality	Price
Konitz Coffee Bar Espresso Cups and Saucers	A	$
DeLonghi Double-Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses	A	$
Harold Stackable Porcelain Espresso Demi Cup and Saucer Set	A+	$
Bormioli Rocco Oslo Espresso Cup With Stainless Steel Handle	A	$
Zurich Double Wall Stainless Steel Espresso Cups	A	$

A Guide On Espresso Cups

Espresso Origins

Before Starbucks and Third Wave Coffee conquered the world, espresso started humbly, yet exquisitely in a small kitchen in Italy. Furthermore, the earliest but crude form of espresso machine came in 1884.

Like many other things, espresso was born out of necessity. Coffee lovers wanted a quicker alternative to brewing their beans. Hence the name “Espresso,” meaning “fast” in Italian. As a result, a type of coffee culture was born as espresso bars grew in number and became the vogue for socializing. Then came cappuccino, lattes and so forth. The rest is history.

Does it matter what cup I use?

Have you had lukewarm coffee? Yes, it’s bad. Lukewarm espresso maybe even more so.

You’d want your drink hot and to stay that way for as long

… Read more Read More

Kitchen Gadgets

Best Tea Kettle For Gas Stove

If you’re a fantastic lover of coffee and tea, you’d be interested in receiving the best and best tea pot for gasoline stove available.
From cost range to the advantages and disadvantages accrued into distinct tea kettle to get gasoline stove, it is my hope that this list can help you select the Best Tea Kettle For Gas Stove.

Here’s a quick look at the best tea kettles for gas stove that we’ve reviewed:

Products	Quality	Price
Chef’s Secret® 2.75qt Surgical Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with Copper Capsule Bottom	A	$
Circulon 2-Quart Circles Teakettle	A	$
DEMMEX 2017 Hammered Copper Tea Pot 1.6-Quart	A	$
Medelco 12-Cup Glass Whistling Kettle	A+	$
OXO Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle	A	$

The Kettle Calls

For tea lovers, there are a few things as exciting as the sound of a whistling kettle. If you’re looking to replace your old tea kettle or add to your tea kettle collection, you’ve come to the right place! Let me save you the frustration of looking through the myriads of tea kettles. Here, I’ve collected five of the best tea kettles for gas stove, so you’ll know the perfect fit for your kitchen

Descendants of the cooking pot, kettles were originally used by travelers and soldiers to boil and purify their drinking water. When they began adding tea leaves to the boiling water, tea was created! It has since conquered the world along with coffee and beer.

Whether it’s for coffee, tea, or plain boiling water, the tea kettle has become one of the most used items in the kitchen. Hence, a tea kettle should not only be durable, and long-lasting but should also complement the kitchen with great aesthetics and the melody of a good whistle.

Buyer’s Guide

Use this guide to help you choose the best tea kettle for gas stove that fits your needs and your kitchen’s theme. I’ve listed all the factors below that you can consider before purchasing your new tea kettle. If you’re a tea kettle expert, however, then you may skip to the review section.

Budget

The first thing to consider, of course, is your budget. A low-end kettle will be a quick and cheap buy that will do its job, at least for a while. On the other hand, if you’re

… Read more Read More