• Appliances
    Things You Need to Know about Smart TVs

    Smart TVs or connected TVs, as they were earlier called are one of the most popular technological innovations in the entertainment segment. Basically, this TV allows you to connect to the internet and therefore, opens up a world of possibilities.

    Since smart TVs let you use the Internet, they make for an amazing gaming experience, on-demand movie streaming, seeing videos from free programs like YouTube or Vimeo, listening to online radio stations, Facebook, Twitter, app downloads, and lots more.

    Some TVs come built-in with valuable apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and even Spotify. So, if you love your music, this latest technology is going to surprise you!

    All you need to know about smart TVs

    Built-in cameras allow for a more personal interaction with people through apps like Skype or other face-to-face calling options. Many new models also have voice recognition tools. Some popular smart TV makers are LG, Samsung, Panasonic, TCL, Sony, Toshiba, Hisense, Philips, and Vizio.

    Check your model carefully to know exactly what apps are accessible through its operating platform. Some TVs might have certain limitations, and you want to make sure that you choose a smart TV that allows you to use your favorite apps.

    Most high-end smart TVs have built-in Wi-Fi or an ethernet port so you can connect them directly to the router. You need good Wifi at home to make the most of your investment. This point cannot be stressed enough—you need a good Wifi connection to complete the immersive entertainment experience.

    If you have a large home and the internet router has low efficiency near the area where you have installed the set, chances are that you may not get smooth streaming of your favorite movies or music. If the streaming is slow or inconsistent, that can take the charm and spontaneity out of the situation.

    There are easy solutions to fix this issue. You can use devices like Netgear Orbi and Linksys Velop To extend the router coverage. Chinese makers like TCL and Hisense have built-in Roku technology in their smart TV models. High-end models have microphones, and voice and gesture recognition.

    The price range of smart TVs varies widely. You can get deals starting from around $200 and easily going up to $2000 for the high-end versions. Several online and offline stores have good offers all year round. For example, the Insignia – 39″ Class (38.5″ Diag.) – LED – 1080p – Smart – HDTV Roku TV for around $299 with $80 savings is available at Best Buy.
    Target sells LG 60″ 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV with Active HDR. IPS Technology, Channel Plus, True Color Accuracy, Ultra Surround Sound, webOS 3.5 Smart TV for around $799 with a flat $100 savings.

    Target has more amazing offers. For example, the LG 55″ Class 2160p 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart OLED TV – OLED55B7A is available for around $1600. That translates to a savings of around $700 off. This model has features like 4K Ultra HD Resolution, Intense Color on Perfect Black, Active HDR with Dolby Vision, Wide Viewing Angle, webOS Smart TV, Netflix Recommended TV and Blade Slim Design.

    Some excellent mid-range options for smart TVs at Target are the TCL 65″ 4K HDR 120Hz CMI Roku Smart LED TV with 4K UHD picture performance (3840×2160) with high dynamic range (HDR) technology. Manufacturers claim that you can stream thousands of movies and TV episodes. It has dual-band Wifi & Ethernet port, 4K Creative Pro upscaling engine, and a 120Hz CMI effective refresh rate. It is priced at $799 approximately at Target.

    Another popular mid-range smart TV option in this range is the Samsung 55″ Class 2160p 4K Smart Ultra HD TV – 55MU6300. Sold for around $699, the model has 4K resolution and 120 motion rate for high picture quality.

    Note that changes in offered discounts may shoot up or bring down the costs of the above-mentioned items. So, what are you waiting for? Invest in a smart TV now.

  • Appliances
    Tips for Purchasing the Right Refrigerator

    Life has been made easier these days by home appliances. These electrical or electronic mechanical devices foster maximum convenience in carrying out our daily household work and in ensuring a comfortable lifestyle. Major home appliances, such as refrigerators, are common in almost every household. Minor appliances like mixers, juicers and grinders, toasters, induction cookers, and microwaves are must-haves in your home’s kitchen for a comfortable, easy, and healthy lifestyle. Kitchen appliances such as refrigerators are usually one-time investments.

    Today, a refrigerator has become a kitchen essential. You can store drinks and food without any worries about your edibles getting spoilt prematurely. Thus, you can maximize the shelf life of the food items. However, while purchasing refrigerators, you need to consider quite a few factors. This article gives you an insight into the points that you need to keep in mind while purchasing a refrigerator.

    Choose a refrigerator of the right capacity

    You must purchase a refrigerator taking into consideration the needs of your home and accordingly, the refrigerator’s ideal capacity. If your family is small, the preservation and storage requirements in your kitchen will also be small. In such a case, you may purchase a small refrigerator and utilize it to the fullest.

    A variety of small refrigerators are available online as well. They enable you to store and preserve around five to six bottles of drinks and adequate food as well. These refrigerators usually do not come with a crisper for storing veggies, but typically do have a freezer.

    If the needs of your family are bigger, you need to buy a refrigerator with a higher capacity. You can choose from a variety of family refrigerators available online. You can easily store food, vegetables, and fruit on the spacious shelves and the crisper. There is enough space for you to store quite a few bottles as well. Choose a refrigerator which has a regulated and spacious freezer.

    Freezer placement – Top or bottom?

    This is something that you definitely need to address while buying a refrigerator. If you want more space to accommodate bigger platters, birthday cakes, or boxes of pizza, you can choose a refrigerator with a freezer on top.

    If you make use of ice on an everyday basis or consume a lot of frozen edibles, a top freezer is a perfect choice for you. However, you may need to bend a little to be able to reach the stuff that you keep on the shelves.

    If you do not have much use for the freezer, you should purchase a refrigerator with a freezer at the bottom. You do not have to bend forward much, and hence, the food and drinks that you store in the fridge will be within better reach.

    These refrigerators are pretty spacious as well. These appliances are perfect for fresh and raw food lovers as you can preserve fresh fruit and vegetables and retrieve them without the need to bend forward.

    Check for warranty

    While buying a refrigerator, you should check if it comes with a warranty. Never purchase a refrigerator without a warranty, be it small or big. Be careful while purchasing online and make sure that the brand provides you a proper warranty card along with your purchase. It is always better to purchase from reputed and trusted brands so that you can be assured of the durability and quality of the product.

    Carefully consider the warranty period duration. It is important to do so in order to avoid any unnecessary expenses which you may have to incur due to premature damages to the product. Small refrigerators may come with a smaller warranty period than the bigger ones.

    Make a proper comparison in order to make an informed choice while buying a refrigerator. Check out the specifications carefully and order online to have the refrigerator of your choice delivered to your doorstep.

  • Appliances
    Over-Range Microwaves – A Great Help in the Kitchen

    In today’s society, microwaves have become almost a necessity in every kitchen. This electronic gadget saves your time as well as makes cooking easier in a number of ways. The manufacturing companies of microwaves are enhancing the features of the gadgets to meet the demands of the customers. A number of pre-programmed features and shortcuts have been included in the manufactured microwaves, thus making them more user-friendly. It depends on the discretion of the buyer to buy the right kind of microwave according to his or her need.

    Over-the-range microwaves

    Microwaves that are over the range are generally great for opening up more options for preparing the glorious meal that you are planning to cook. Before going out to buy your first ever over-the-range microwave, you should make sure that it has the basic qualities of a high-quality microwave; for example, it must have a table that is large enough to prepare and cook the food and also have a rack of two-levels so that you can make the quantity of the cooking amount of your food almost double.

    The power setting of over-the-range microwaves

    You must make sure while purchasing an over-range microwave that it gives you the authority to control the power settings of the device. You should generally look for an over-the-range microwave that has at least ten kinds of power settings, a button that controls the auto reheat system of the device, an auto defrost button to cool the device, and also an additional option that will allow the food to be kept warm while you wait for the other dishes to get ready and cooked.

    Other features to look out in an over-the-range microwave

    Another factor that you should keep in mind while buying an over-range microwave is that the device must include a fan of good quality attached with it so that while preparing food on the range, you can allow the smoke and the steam a place through which it can go out. It will be further beneficial if you look for other features such as touchpad controllers, a kitchen timer, a clock, safety features for children, and a light that will help in cooking at night.

    In the present electronic market scenario, one of the most popular over-the-range microwaves is the LG LMV1680. This over-the-range microwave satisfies all three requirements for a great microwave, which are features, size, and price. The microwave costs around $180 and offers 1000 watts of power to cook, a space of 1.6 cubic feet, a fan that is 2-speed and other customizable features of cooking. The users of this product love the cooking rack that is adjustable in nature and also the feature that allows the turntable to be turned off or on according to the need of the user. This over-the-range microwave cooks in a manner that is quite effective and also vents out the smoke efficiently and can be said to be the best in this category.

    Another option that the customers can opt for is the slightly smaller device named Sharp R-1405. This over-the-range microwave offers a space of 1.4 cubic feet. It offers a power of 950 watts, which helps in speeding up the cooking time of the food. This device is endowed with a number of auto cooking options that allow you to cook in a relaxed manner and spend less time on calculating the ratio of a pound per minute. This feature and the quality service it offers makes the money spent on it worth it.

    You should ensure to do ample of research and check your needs before you decide on a microwave oven. It is also recommended to check for sales so you can get the best possible deal on the microwave oven you want.

  • Appliances
    Factors to Consider When Choosing from the Top Refrigerators

    Refrigeration is a process where food and beverages are stored at a much lower temperature than that of the room to lower the spread of microbes, thus prolonging the shelf life of that food or beverage. Refrigeration has been used for preserving and storing food since the mid-1700s. In the early 1900s, refrigerators for home use were created. This revolutionized the way people stored and ate food. As a result, food could be bought in bulk and stored for longer durations. People could keep food fresh for longer periods of time and could, therefore, save money by buying in bulk.

    Refrigerators have become a necessity in the modern world and are the number one must-have appliance on wish lists after TVs and mobiles.

    Factors to consider before buying a refrigerator

    A refrigerator is a big investment and thorough research needs to be done before buying one. The vast variety of choices in the market can make this task challenging. Some of the factors to consider before buying a fridge are as follows:

    Family size and food habits

    The size of the family will determine the capacity of storage required for the fridge you purchase. For example, a single person will require a smaller refrigerator, while a big family will require a larger fridge. Food habits are also a key factor. For example, a family that consumes large quantities of beverages will need a fridge with adjustable shelves to store milk cartons and juice bottles. If a person buys in bulk and freezes the food, a fridge with a larger freezer is required.

    Spatial consideration

    Size of the kitchen or room where the fridge will be installed is a key aspect to take into account while buying a refrigerator. The fridge should fit into the room and care should be taken to ensure that the open doors of the fridge do not block any doorways or bump into walls, counters, or other appliances.

    Type of fridge

    Although refrigerators come in a multitude of variants and with varying features, the basic types of refrigerators can be classified as a top freezer, bottom freezer, French door, and side-by-side. Top and bottom freezer fridges have the freezer compartment positioned on the top and the bottom respectively. The French door fridge has 3 doors of which one is usually the freezer door at the bottom, and the other two doors open outwards to reveal the main compartment of the fridge. The side-by-side is a two-door fridge where the freezer and the main fridge compartment are alongside each other. Refrigerators can also be stand-alone or built into the kitchen shelving.

    Budget

    The amount of money you decide to invest in a fridge should be fixed before you begin looking for one. This will help in narrowing down your search to models that suit your requirements and also fit into your financial plan.

    Mentioned below are some of the popular refrigerators in the market.

    LG LFX28968ST French door refrigerator

    This is a French door refrigerator with the freezer at the bottom. It is stainless steel, very spacious, and has an especially tall ice and chilled-water dispenser that can fit almost any container under it. The freezer has a large capacity and is split into 3 compartments. The fridge has 4 adjustable shelves of which 3 are slide-out and 1 is a folding one. There is also a spacious crisper for storing fruits and vegetables. The doors have spacious shelves to store juice, milk, ketchup, and more.

    GE GSS25GSHSS side-by-side refrigerator

    This fridge is 36 inches wide and has a capacity of 25.4 cubic feet. It has a dispenser for ice and filtered water tall enough to fill sizeable containers. The filtration system can remove impurities and trace chemicals. It comes in stainless steel, slate grey, and glossy white or black. This is ideal for a large kitchen and is perfect for a big family. The side-by-side doors contain 1 fresh food compartment and 1 freezer compartment respectively. It has adjustable glass shelves that are spill-proof. It has a spacious crisper for vegetable and fruit storage.

    Frigidaire FFTR2021QS top freezer refrigerator

    This frost-free, two-door refrigerator has the freezer compartment on top. It is very affordable and also consumes less power. It has a width of 30-inch and 20.3 cubic feet capacity. It features a roomy vegetable crisper, 2 glass shelves, spacious door storage, and an optional ice-maker.

    LG LDCS24223 bottom freezer refrigerator

    This two-door, frost-free refrigerator has the freezer at the bottom. This enables you to see your stored food at eye-level and avoid bending or stretching to reach it. It has a capacity of 24 cubic feet LED lighting, glass shelves, and a spacious pull-out freezer. It has several bins and drawers to organize your food.

  • Appliances
    Top 3 Over-Range Microwaves to Choose From

    There is probably no kitchen device that is as efficient and multipurpose as a microwave oven. Microwaves have changed the way modern kitchens work, and whether you have a single room apartment, a suite, or a studio apartment, microwaves are a necessity to your kitchen. In the following, a brief insight into all you need to know about microwaves has been given and also some information about the best models you can buy right now.

    Modern microwave ovens can perform functions like cooking, heating, defrosting, melting, baking, etc. While the microwaves that need to be permanently installed can be tough to install, the over-range microwave can fit in anywhere in your kitchen and is also easy to shift from one place to another.

    Things to consider

    The four main things that define whether a microwave oven is good or bad are size, performance, functions, and ease of installation. Another very important aspect to consider while purchasing an over-the-range microwave oven is “range hoods” which comprise of fan speed and air flow. Some of the other important aspects are the sensors, fan speed, etc. While these microwave ovens can perform up to their full functionality with ease, they also need maintenance and a well-balanced kitchen to give their best performance.

    Top over-the-range microwave ovens

    The market is now flooded with hundreds of brands and models of over-range microwave ovens, and it can be pretty tough to pick one right off the bat. In this section, some of the best microwave models available right now have been listed.

    GE PVM9179SFSS Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft.

    General Electric has always been a household name when it comes to kitchen appliances. This is almost one of those brands that you can trust with your eyes closed. While the 1.7 cubic feet of space will easily fit some of the bigger utensils, if you still have something that doesn’t fit, the turntable in this microwave can be shut off to stop the utensil from constantly grazing the walls of the microwave. One of the central features as to why this is one of the best over-range microwaves is due to its convection cooking which allows a huge amount of energy to be saved. There is also a humidity sensor which ensures that your food is not cooked over an unnecessary period of time resulting it to be overcooked. The GE microwave oven has 10 different power levels to get your work done.

    KitchenAid KMHC319ESS

    Although priced a little above its range, the KitchenAid KMHC319ESS is easily one of the best over-range microwaves you can get for your money’s worth. This spacious piece of equipment sports a 1.9 cubic feet capacity with a 14-inch turntable thereby leaving you to never have to worry about fitting a utensil into this machine. The latest model comes with a steam setting which works with a sensor allowing you to steam your food. There are also 6 different microwave settings and 3 types of convection settings. If you want a classy microwave at an affordable price, this is your definitive pick.

    LG LMV2031ST

    If you aren’t really in for the looks and if all that you care about is the space and functionality, then this is the best over range microwave oven you can buy. Along with a 2 cubic feet capacity and a 14-inch turntable, it also features a special triple exhaust making the microwaving process easy and efficient. It features a very strong sensor system allowing you to cook your food to a pristine level of perfection. The eight sensor cook function has been reviewed to be one of most sensible cooking formats available to microwave ovens. This microwave oven is also easy to clean and install.

  • Appliances
    A Concise Guide to Purchasing a Microwave Oven

    Microwave ovens are a huge blessing if you are looking for a device that can help make popcorn or thaw frozen meat or even defrost your pizza! They are good not only for saving time but also for saving energy as they get the job done quickly. If you are looking to buy a new oven, then you will find that with all the different models and variants available in the market today, the task can be daunting. The questions that haunt you may be which size is appropriate or how much power would it need or even what the difference between a convection and a conventional oven is. If these questions are making your decision to buy a new oven confusing, then read on to get some help in answering them.

    Conventional versus convection microwaves

    The difference is that a convection microwave works as a normal microwave oven with the added advantage that it can use hot air as well as radiating heat to grill or roast your food. Moreover, a conventional one allows microwaves to radiate through glass containers as well as plastic ones! Convection microwaves are more efficient compared to conventional ones as they are very thorough in cooking. They are good for making pot roasts that are juicy or even to cook thick crust pizzas! Some variants even come with bacon and bread crisping options. Convection microwave ovens are more expensive than the conventional ones; however, they are worth it!

    Microwave oven styles

    As all things do, microwave ovens come in different styles and sizes. There are four types of microwave ovens that you can choose from. Each has its own pros and cons, and it depends on the user to decide which is most suitable to their needs!

    Countertop microwave ovens

    These are portable and compact and are good for people who only have small spaces to accommodate an oven. They are very popular for making popcorn, thawing meat, and other simple tasks. They usually require about 500 to 1000 watts of power and are usually priced for less than $100! These are good for people who do not wish to invest a lot of money on the device as well as those who have lesser uses for microwave ovens.

    Over-the-range microwave ovens

    As the name suggests, these types of microwave ovens are specifically designed to be over the kitchen range! They are not as popular as countertop microwaves mostly because of the exhaust that comes with it. However, newer models have made major improvements in terms of venting the exhaust as well as filtering it! These require quite some space and one may have to use an entire cabinet space to accommodate such a device. The price for these ovens ranges from around $250 to $1,000.

    Microwave oven drawers

    These types of microwave ovens are relatively new to the market as compared to the other devices mentioned in the list. Most people prefer these because they do not consume a lot of space and it does the job of a traditional oven without any difficulty. While the installation of such a device may not be as easy as installing a countertop microwave, it is easy to use.

    Combination microwave-conventional ovens

    These are not for people who are looking for economic devices. These microwave ovens are luxury ovens that offer the functionality of both a conventional oven and a microwave. They offer a lot of different designs but most come with stainless steel drop-down doors. These cost around $3,000!

    Size and power

    If you require a microwave oven that does more than the average job of cooking popcorn, it would be wise to invest in a full-size oven. To cook full meals, a larger microwave with more power is preferred. These may require a power of around 1,000 to 1,600 watts. While it may consume a lot of power, it will heat your food quicker! It is important to check your kitchen space and other requirements before choosing a microwave oven.

    This being said, the choice is all yours as to which oven is best suited to fulfill your needs. Feel free to consider all these factors before leaping into the investment of a brand new microwave oven. Happy shopping!

  • Appliances
    5 Popular Countertop Microwave Ovens to Choose From

    Cooking of different types of foods requires a microwave oven. That’s the best way to describe the dependability on microwave ovens. As we are so dependent on our microwave ovens, we are always on the search for an upgrade or the best oven that money can buy. The options are divided into the countertop ovens and over-the-range ovens. When there are a lot of varieties available in the market, the decision-making process can be a tough one. The following are some of the popular countertop microwave ovens available on the market. Features such as heating evenness, defrosting evenness, the speed of heating, microwave noise, and ease of use have been taken into consideration.

    Countertop microwave ovens

    Let us start rolling with the more popular version of microwave ovens, the countertop ovens. The following list includes some of the highly rated microwave ovens among mid-sized countertops, large countertops, and built-in countertops.

    Mid-sized countertop ovens

    LG LCS1112ST

    The LG LCS1112ST is one of the most popular microwave ovens in the mid-sized countertop variant. It has excellent evenness in defrosting and the ease of use is excellent as well. This microwave oven also boasts of evenness in heating and less noise generation; moreover, the speed of heating has a very good rating. It is an attractive device with a button door opener. Moreover, with ratings like that, it is a popular choice among consumers.

    Avanti MO1250TW

    Avanti MO1250TW is also one of the popular ovens in this variant. It has excellent ease of use and has received very high ratings for heating and defrosting evenness, the speed of heating, and less noise generation. With simple controls and an easy installation procedure, this product is definitely one of the best out there.

    Large countertop ovens

    Panasonic NN-SD945S

    The most popular one in the large countertops is the Panasonic NN-SD945S. It is sensor based and has a stainless steel look. It has received excellent ratings because of its defrosting evenness and ease of use. It has got a “very good” rating for the speed of heating and low generation of noise. It has a usable capacity of 1.4 cubic feet. This 9 x 15 dish countertop is one of the best in large countertops.

    Oster OGG61403

    Among popular large countertop ovens is the Oster OGG61403. With a usable capacity of 0.8 cubic feet, this device has excellent ease of use and even defrosting. Even heating, speed, and microwaving noise take the “very good” stance.

    Built-in countertops ovens

    Sharp SMD3070AS

    Equipped with features such as sensors and auto defrost, this oven is rated very good in low noise and ease of use. Moreover, it is rated as good for speed, heating, and defrosting evenness. It has a 1.1 cubic feet usable capacity and can fit a 9 x 15 baking dish. Considering all the aspects, it has received high ratings in the built-in countertops variant.

    GE Profile PVM9215SKSS and GE JVM3160RFSS are some of the over-the-range microwave ovens that are rated the best in the market. Their tests and ratings also include airflow or venting which is an important part of their operation.

    You have to ensure to do your research before you go ahead and make a decision to buy from some of the most popular microwave ovens. You can also check for various offers and sales at your nearest store or even online to get some of the best deals on microwave ovens.

    A microwave oven is a handy appliance that aids in your cooking feats. With the right oven for your kitchen, you can cook amazing dishes for you and your family.