The BIG DEAL starts Friday at 8am!  We will have amazing doorbusers from 8-10am only, but the Black Friday sale prices will last all weekend long.  Plus, you can take advantage of zero interest if paid in full within 18 months.  Click here for all of the details.

5 Appliance Myths That Waste Your Time & Money

MYTH: Cold water won’t properly wash your clothes

FACT: Modern washers are designed to clean in cold water and 90 percent of a washer’s energy goes toward the water heating. So by washing with hot water, you’re pouring money down the drain.

MYTH: You must rinse your dishes before they run in the dishwasher

FACT: Dishwashers and detergent clean best when starting with dirty dishes. The detergent needs food to activate and many dishwashers use sensors to determine the “turbidity” level of the water so if the dishwasher thinks the dishes are already clean, it will run shorter and colder. Today, an Energy Star dishwasher uses only 4 gallons of water or less, and some estimates say you’ll use 20 gallons of water from your faucet pre-rinsing dishes. So it’s better to run the dishes through 4 times than to put them in rinsed.

MYTH: More soap = more clean

FACT: Just because dishwashers and washers now require less water to clean properly doesn’t mean that everyone has gotten the message to reduce our detergent use in conjunction. Too much dishwasher detergent can leave a white film on dishes and too much laundry detergent can cause oversudsing in the washer, reducing the performance and lifespan of a washer not to mention leaving soap residue on your clothes that didn’t properly rinse out.

MYTH: Using an old refrigerator as a second beverage refrigerator is a money-saving idea

FACT: The electricity to power an old refrigerator over several years will cost more than an energy efficient replacement…and then some! PLUS many local utilities will actually pay you $35 or more to let them come haul away your second refrigerator.

MYTH: When the oven’s preheating chime sounds, it’s fully reached temperature

FACT: Some preheat chimes are on a timer so it shouldn’t be trusted for finicky bakers, who should test the temperature with a thermometer. For your everyday pizzas and casseroles, you should be fine.

Taken from Warners’ Stellian

The Perfect Finger Foods for Your Next Party

If you’re planning a Labor Day get-together, try some of these easy, tasty hors d’oeuvres from our friends at Electrolux.

Tangy Yogurt Dip. Give your crudité a fresh fix with this bright dip. Stir together Greek yogurt, grated ginger, finely chopped herbs (like basil, cilantro, thyme, and chives), fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve with sliced vegetables or chips.

Spicy Toasted Chickpeas. This crunchy snack is an instant crowd-pleaser, and seriously easy. Just rinse and drain canned chickpeas, toss in oil, and roast at 400ºF until the chickpeas turn brown and crisp, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Toss with salt and your favorite seasoning mix — try the hearty Indian spice garam masala or a tangy combination of chili pepper and lime zest.

Roasted Savory Nuts. This addictive snack is also great for a sports lovers gathering. Toss nuts with melted butter, salt, and seasonings, and then roast at 325ºF until the nuts are glazed and golden. The flavor possibilities are endless — rosemary and chipotle; lemon zest, black pepper, and thyme; and red pepper flake, garlic, and oregano are three classic options.

Jazzed-Up Deviled Eggs. Add a twist to this much loved finger food. Spice up your mayonnaise mix with Sriracha or wasabi; mix-in meaty flavors like bacon or salami; or add diced pickled fennel or onions as a crunchy topping.

Anything Goes Bruschetta. Think outside the basic tomatoes, basil, and balsamic combo. Try everything from olive tapenade to herb-roasted vegetables to cheese and honey as toppings for toast points.

Left-Over Dishwasher Detergent?

If you still have caked detergent after running your dishwasher, try these dishwasher troubleshooting tips.

Before doing anything, check out your Use & Care manual to see what kind and how much detergent the manufacturer recommends.  Your problem could be as simple as using too much detergent.

Was the dispenser cup wet when you added detergent?

If dispenser cup is wet, the detergent can clump. Clean it out and start over.

Is the cycle incomplete?

If the previous cycle did not complete, the detergent can become caked in the dispenser cup if it is left sitting in the dishwasher. This probably isn’t the cause for those with chronic detergent-caking issues. Again, clean the detergent from the cup and start over again.

Is the detergent old?

Older detergent exposed to air will clump and not dissolve well, which will cause the dispenser door to stick to the detergent. Buy new detergent, and this time, keep it in a tightly closed container (i.e. not the box with an open flap) in a cool dry place (i.e. not under your sink right next to the wall where your dishwasher runs hot).

Is the water temperature too low?

For best washing and drying results, water should be 120oF (49o C) as it enters the dishwasher, so check your water heater setting. I also try to remember to run the kitchen sink tap until hot water comes out to help this.

Were items blocking the dispenser that kept it from opening?

Items blocking the detergent dispenser will keep it from opening. Make sure water action can reach the dispenser.

Other good detergent guidelines:

Use automatic dishwashing detergent only.

Add detergents just before starting the cycle.

The amount of detergent to use depends on the hardness of your water and the type of detergent.

Your manufacturer’s suggested amount is based on standard powdered detergent, so follow instructions on the package when using liquid or concentrated powdered detergent.

Taken from Warners’ Stellian

Stay cool with this delicious pomegranate tea sorbet that Frigidaire posted on their Facebook page.  It’s easy and delicious!

Ingredients:

2 Cup Pomegranate Juice

4 Bags Berry Herb Tea

1 Cup Water

3 Tablespoons Sugar

Directions:

In a medium saucepan combine juice and 1 cup water.  Bring to boiling.  Remove from heat.  Add tea bags.  Cover and steep 5 minutes.  Remove tea bags, squeezing out extra liquid.  Add sugar, stirring until dissolved.

Pour juice mixture in a 2 quart square baking dish.  Cover and freeze about 6 hours or until mixture is nearly firm, stirring occasionally so mixture freezes evenly.

Break mixture into chunks.  Transfer to a food processor.  Cover and process just until smooth, but not melted.  Return to baking dish.  Cover and freeze about 3 hours more until firm.

To serve, let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.  Scoop into dessert dishes.

Makes 8 one-half cup servings

Invest in America

For many of us, buying American is important.  Now is a popular time to buy refrigerators so we put together a list of refrigerators that you can feel good about buying because you are investing in America.  These refrigerators are designed, engineered, and assembled in the U.S.

The Maytag® MFT2673BE is a french door model featuring the Store-N-Door Ice® system with window, fold away shelves and a 26 cu. ft. capacity. Plus, 2X Life tested freezer drawer glides.

The Whirlpool® WRF989SD features a stamp of quality with the Good

Housekeeping Seal. Plus, this model puts food at eye level and moves the crispers to waist level for added convenience.

The KitchenAid® KFIV29PCMS is the ultimate in food preservation. It is a 29 cu. ft. french door bottom freezer with a platinum interior and the industry exclusive Preserva® food care system—with three technologies to keep food fresh.

The Amana® ABB1921WE bottom-freezer refrigerator features an 18.5 cu. ft. capacity and Temp Assure™ freshness controls.

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