3 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Microwave Oven

Microwave ovens, much like the other appliances in your kitchen, are typically purchased with the idea that you won’t be buying another one for several years at minimum, unless you happen to buy one that just doesn’t quite work with the rest of your kitchen and/or your cooking preferences.

Here are 3 factors to consider before buying a microwave oven that will keep it in your kitchen as long as the rest of your other appliances:

* The ways in which your microwave oven will most likely be used – If most the items you intend to cook in your microwave are coming out of the freezer, going into the microwave, and then straight to the dinner table, a microwave without a bunch of bells and whistles will suffice. If you are planning to incorporate the use of your microwave into complex recipes and other culinary delights, look for added features that can play a role in your gourmet creations.

* Deciding between a countertop or wall-mount model – While countertop versions are far more common, wall mounted microwaves are gaining in popularity for their aesthetics as well as for saving room on the countertop. Wall mounted versions will require installation and wiring, so be prepared for these extra costs.

* The inclusion of added features – The advancements in microwave oven technology have enabled one-touch cooking, convection cooking, and brown/ crisp options. While adding these features will increase the cost of the unit, the investment will likely be a good one as long as they are utilized.

Microwaves have come a long way from the machines that just boiled water and made popcorn. Taking these factors into consideration can make sure that your microwave delivers the versatility you need while complementing the style of your kitchen.

Buying the Best Wine Refrigerator for Your Collection

If you are wine enthusiast with a growing collection, proper refrigeration is a must, especially if you plan on aging some of the bottles that have been collected. Here are 4 tips to make certain that the wine refrigerator you purchase stays around as long as the bottles in your collection:

• Take note of types of wine you plan to collect – The majority of wine bottles are “Bordeaux-sized”, with bottles of champagne and burgundy being slightly wider across the body. A collection made up of these wider bottles will require a refrigerator with more capacity than one used for standard-sized bottles.   
• Buy more capacity than you need now – If you plan on continuing to collect wine, estimate the capacity you need now and buy a refrigerator that is about twice the size of your current collection.
• Temperature controls – If you plan on aging wines in your collection, go with the higher precision of digital controls to ensure that the refrigerator’s temperature doesn’t stray from the optimal storage level of 55 degrees.
• Opting for dual temperature zones – If you plan on using your refrigerator for storage only you won’t need separate temperature zones. On the other hand, if you plan on serving directly from your wine refrigerator, you’ll want to be able to set a storage temperature as well as a serving temperature, which should be in the range of 45 to 50 degrees for white wine.   

The foundation of building a superior collection of wine is proper storage. By following these tips, you can make certain that your growing collection can be accommodated and that when you open that $100 bottle you've been aging, you get exactly the taste that you planned for.