Kitchen Appliance Safety
Kitchen appliances can make our life a whole lot easier or they can be more trouble than they are worth. Some people do fall in love with gadgets and end up with more things than they will ever really need or even know how to use. If you have a lot of kitchen appliances, you need to know how to use them not only effectively but also safely. There are some appliances that are commonly used every day, some that are used occasionally and some that are only used for very special occasions. This is how to use each of the safely.
The Big Boys: Kitchen Appliances You Use Every Day
The most commonly used kitchen appliances, the ones that you use at least several times a week if not every day include:
Microwave oven Toaster oven Blender Toaster Electric skillet Coffee or tea maker Mini food chopper
Some safety rules for these appliances apply to all of them, including:
Children should be supervised closely when using any appliance. All cords should be kept away from the edges of counters so they do not present a tripping hazard. Never plug appliances into an extension cord unless it is rated as safe for doing so. Never plug too many appliances or other items into the same extension cord at all.
Kitchen Appliances You Use Occasionally
There are other kitchen appliances that you use less frequently than the others. These can include:
Mixers: hand held, stand or immersion Larger food processors Graters (electric or hand held) Pressure cookers Crock pots or slow cookers
In addition to the rules already listed, keep in mind that you have to use great care with the items that have motors (they can overheat) or blades (they can be very, very sharp).
Special Occasion Kitchen Appliances
There are several kitchen appliances that may only come out when company is coming or a special meal is going to be prepared. These items are usually large and bulky and may require more than one person to get them moved from storage to the kitchen area. These can include:
Large coffee urn Electric knife Chafing dishes or other servingware
These items can be very bulky and may present a problem, especially if kitchen counter space is at a premium. The same rules apply to these as well as keeping track of where everyone is, where all cords are and where food is going to be placed especially when a crowd has gathered.
In addition to care when these items are being used, you have to be careful when you are cleaning them. A quick tip for cleaning the microwave oven is to zap a cup of water and baking soda and then wipe the interior clean with a soft cloth. The exterior of the microwave oven should be cleaned with non-abrasive cleaners so that it does not get scratched or dulled.
Additionally, a fast and easy way to clean your blender or food processor is to squirt a little dish soap and water into the machine and run its cycle for a few minutes. For really tough foods, toss in an ice cube or two to shake things loose.
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