by Milcarsky's Staff | Mar 31, 2020 | Appliances, Outdoor Cooking
When the weather is nice, you might want to head outdoors for some fabulous food and fun. Designing an outdoor kitchen with space for other entertainment may seem complicated, but you can get very creative and bring your wildest outdoor kitchen dreams to life. Here are a few tips for you to follow.
Create Cooking Space
When planning your outdoor kitchen, you should do a strategic layout. There are a variety of features to consider when customizing your own cooking space. Your meal prep area can be separate from the eating space and the entertainment space or it can be an open floor plan where guests can be entertained and you’re not locked away from them. Make sure you plan in enough room to freely move about the kitchen. Keep in mind that you need space for a stove or grill, a sink, and possibly other appliances like a refrigerator or an ice maker. Don’t forget to have plenty of counter space.
You’ll want to make sure you choose a great counter material that can stand up to rain and harsh weather. You’ll also want the material color and design to go well with your yard.
Make It Entertainment-Friendly
Make sure, as you’re designing your outdoor kitchen, that you have enough room for a nice sized table and chair set, plus room for people to roam around and mingle. More importantly, make sure this area is set away from the kitchen. You may want to consider using your counter as the area divider. This way people won’t be in your way as you’re cooking or get injured because they’re partying and not paying attention to appliances.
Go Big or Go Home
Don’t spare any luxuries. When people think of an outdoor kitchen, they expect to see something mind-blowing. Get the best dining set, the best appliances, the most fabulous stone counters, and more. Aim to be the envy of the neighborhood. Another unexpected plus to this is that it will raise the value of your home in case you ever want to sell it. This means that your fabulous outdoor kitchen isn’t only for entertainment – you’re making a long-term investment.
If you live in an area with a lot of beautiful weather, you may as well take advantage of luxurious outdoor cooking and partying. The sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your perfect outdoor kitchen and entertainment area. With proper planning and a decent budget, you can build an outdoor kitchen that will make you forget all about your boring indoor kitchen.
Looking for the perfect grill for some serious barbeque? Click here to check out our Pro-style grills!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Nov 7, 2019 | Appliances, Uncategorized
The first time ammonia was used for refrigeration, it was 1876. America was celebrating her centennial, and Ulysses S. Grant was wrapping up his last term in office. Even though it has now been used for a little over 140 years a refrigerant in industrial applications, it still remains popular today. However, there is still some debate as to whether it works in all circumstances. Are you wondering if ammonia would work for you and your industrial refrigeration requirements? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pro: More Efficient
Ammonia is widely recognized as one of the efficient energy applications out there. First of all, Ammonia is 3–10% more efficient than the standard CFC refrigerants. Secondly, ammonia usually beats their DX R404A counterpart by a good 15–20%. Ammonia is even more efficient when it is paired with NH3 and CO2.
Pro: More Environmentally Friendly
An ammonia refrigerant is better for the environment. One of the reasons is that ammonia is classified as a natural refrigerant. Ammonia also has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) that is equal to zero. Another great thing about ammonia is that it is a renewable resource. Ammonia consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. More and more individuals are recognizing ammonia as an effective green alternative fuel. Indeed, there are so many things you can do with it. You can burn ammonia, store it, ship it, or even convert it back into hydrogen and nitrogen. Additionally, although fuel cell cars seem to be a dying trend in the United States, Japan is still interested in this product and they continue to eye ammonia as a fuel choice for this efficient mode of transportation.
Con: Toxic
Unfortunately, ammonia is poisonous in high concentrations. It can be extremely hazardous to humans, and it definitely should be kept out of the reach of young children. Moreover, you should never mix ammonia and bleach. Even though ammonia will generally leave behind a foul odor, you shouldn’t take any chances if you are using this as a refrigerant. It’s always a good idea to label your pipes, but ammonia pipes, in particular, should always be marked.
Though figuring out which component is best to use as a refrigerant may be difficult, it’s important to figure out what will work best for you and your company. If you keep all of these factors in mind you will be better equipped to determine if ammonia is the right component for your industrial refrigeration system.
For all your refrigeration needs, Milcarsky’s Appliance Centre is here to help. Check out our selection of refrigerators!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Oct 1, 2019 | Appliances
No longer merely a utilitarian space where food is prepared, the kitchen countertop has become an important part of the overall decor of the room. For some homeowners, the countertop is so important that they design the rest of the kitchen around it. Here are three common kitchen countertop materials that make any kitchen look amazing.
Granite
While granite is often chosen for its beauty, it is as hard and durable as it is attractive. Though it comes in the familiar salt-and-pepper design, granite also comes in many colors, shades, and patterns. Granite is easy to maintain and needs to be dusted once or twice every week and wiped down with a damp cloth at the end of the day. One con of granite is that it is hard on dishware, and it can crack. As it’s a natural stone, a chip or crack can be hard to repair. Granite also needs to be sealed every other year or so because it’s porous.
Quartz
When people refer to a quartz countertop, they’re most often thinking of engineered stone. This material is made from powdered quartz that’s mixed with resin and a pigment. The great thing about these countertops is that they do not need to be sealed, and they’re easier to repair if they are chipped as long as the homeowner knows the batch number. Quartz countertops require less maintenance than granite countertops, needing little aside from wiping the surface of spills to keep it clean. As for the drawbacks, some homeowners don’t think that engineered quartz countertops look as raw and organic as natural stone.
Marble
Marble is unsurpassed in its beauty. White marble seems to sparkle and reflect light, and the stone often features beautiful veins and clouds. Marble is cool to the touch, which makes it a great choice for making pastries. Marble is extremely durable, but at the same time, it’s also softer than granite or quartz and it needs to be sealed every so often to protect it from stains. People should be aware that marble can be expensive, and it’s so soft that it etches and scratches more readily than other types of stone.
Granite, quartz, and marble are only three of the materials that can add beauty to any kitchen countertop. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also long-lasting and easy to care for. A homeowner can’t go wrong choosing any of them.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Oct 1, 2019 | Appliances
In a home, the kitchen is a very popular place to congregate. This is where you gather with family for dinner each day, you host your extended family during the holidays, and you have friends over for a fun time. A kitchen is a happy place, but the kitchen is a much better gathering spot when it’s clean. You’ve likely invested a lot of money in your appliances. That’s why you should learn how you can properly maintain these items and keep them clean. When it comes to your oven, this is an area that can get dirty quickly. All it takes is one messy meal to spill over and you’ll be stuck with a pretty stubborn mess. So let’s talk more about ways to keep your oven clean.
Why You Need to Clean Your Oven
When you have an extremely messy oven, this can end up being a danger for your home. About 1 in 10 homes is estimated to have a kitchen fire, so it’s important to regularly clean your oven to avoid causing a fire. Not to mention, you could be affecting the flavor and quality of your food when you have too big of a mess going on in there. You’ll be protecting your investment by keeping your oven clean.
Cleaning Your Oven
There are several products that you can purchase in a grocery store or other retail store, that are designed for cleaning a very messy oven. Once you have heated up your oven with food residue in the bottom, you’re essentially baking on that mess. You’ll need some heavy-duty products to cut that grease and grime. Some ovens have a self-cleaning function. You set the function to start. It will heat the oven up to a very high temperature, which should loosen up and clear off some of the mess in the oven. You must be careful with this process. It can produce quite a smell, so make sure you have all your windows open while your oven is being cleaned.
However, if you have exotic pets like birds, it’s best not to use the self-cleaning function at all, as the fumes will kill them!
Keeping Your Oven Clean
You can keep your oven clean in the future by using a few simple tips. Regardless of what you’re cooking, you’ll want to place a cookie sheet underneath the baking dish that you’re using. If you have any kind of spill-over occur, you can simply clean off the cookie sheet. This will be much easier than trying to clean out the bottom of your oven.
Look for a stove that has a steam clean function. You pour a small glass of water into the bottom of your stove. Set the steam clean cycle. The oven will heat up, causing the water to turn to steam. The concept revolves around the oven cleaning itself.
Also, if you’re looking for new appliances for your kitchen, pay attention to the type of oven that you’re selecting. Some oven interiors are designed to be easier to clean. There are also a variety of cleaning functions you may or may not get with your choice. Remember, it’s easier to keep an oven clean than it is to clean an already messy one.
Looking to buy a new oven? Check out our selection here!
