The basic duty of a dishwasher is to wash your dishes. If you open your dishwasher after a full cycle and see food particles and other signs of dirt on your dishes, your machine isn’t doing its job. Sometimes this comes from your dish detergent, but it could also mean that the dishwasher is failing.
Another sign of dishwasher failure is cloudy dishes. The cloudy appearance often comes from hard water, but it could also mean your machine isn’t washing the dishes properly. Try to add a hard water filter to your water system. If that doesn’t work, you may need a new machine.
Dishwashers finish a cycle with heat to dry your dishes. Wet or cold dishes after running your dishwasher means the drying cycle isn’t working. Make sure you have your dishwasher plugged in properly so that the heating element can work. If it is and you still have these issues, a replacement is on the horizon.
Your dishwasher should drain while it runs. That means something’s wrong if you open your dishwasher at the end and there’s still water in the machine. Sometimes the problem is a clogged drain, which a technician can fix. Other times, your machine needs replacement.
Leaking water is another sign that you need a replacement. A machine leaks if it has improper sealing. You can replace the seals on some dishwashers, but not on all of them. These leaks can drip around the base of your dishwasher and cause it to rust. This combination of problems often warrants a replacement.
Lastly, pay attention to how your dishwasher latches, especially if it doesn’t latch right. Sometimes a dish is blocking the area, but sometimes the latch is broken. You can replace the latch, but there’s a chance it will break again. Buying a replacement with a newer, better latch is often a more lasting solution.
You need to replace your dishwasher if you notice any signs that something is wrong. If you’ve already noticed these signs and want a new dishwasher, ROBAM can help. Our luxury kitchen appliances include dishwashers that will look great in your kitchen and function better.
]]>Determining which fuel type you prefer is one of the most important aspects of choosing a new cooktop. Often, the fuel type will determine the cooktop material as well. For example, glass cooktops are often electric, while metal cooktops are often gas. You can readily find metal electric cooktops, but glass gas cooktops are rare.
If you prefer to cook on an electric stovetop, then either glass or metal will work for you. However, if you prefer gas, then metal is right for you. Those who want glass and gas will need to dedicate more time to shopping to find their perfect match.
Many people shop for a new cooktop because they’re updating their kitchen and changing aesthetics. You must choose the right cooktop for your current or new kitchen aesthetics.
Glass provides a sleek modern look, while metal provides a more traditional aesthetic. Since glass is clear, it also blends into more kitchen aesthetics than metal. Metal is a common appliance material, though, so a metal cooktop won’t look out of place.
While many people prefer the aesthetics of a glass cooktop, they’re more time consuming to clean. Many glass cooktops require special cleaners and more frequent cleanings since they show dirt like fingerprints easily. However, metal cooktops also require regular cleanings and can scratch easily in some cases.
While all cooktops require regular cleanings, especially after a spill, metal is easier to keep clean. It doesn’t require special cleaners and doesn’t show dirt as much as glass.
When comparing glass and metal cooktops, it’s difficult to determine which is right for you. Asking yourself thoughtful questions about the function and aesthetics of each cooktop option is the best way to make your decision. Once you know which you prefer, you can look at the luxury cooktops here at ROBAM. We offer both glass and metal cooktops that’ll look great in your kitchen and make you feel like a home chef.
]]>You’re probably thinking, “my kitchen already has an oven, why would I need a steam version?” A steam oven is different than traditional ovens; using hot steam instead of hot air to cook your food.
Since a steam oven uses hot steam instead of hot air to cook your food, many wonder about the oven’s water source and how it works. Steam ovens come with small water tanks, which you must either fill or connect to a water source. The oven then draws water from this tank and heats it with a built-in boiler. The boiler releases the hot steam into the oven chamber to cook whatever food you’ve placed inside.
While the steam oven name is straightforward, don’t assume that there’s only one type. You can find steam ovens and combination steam ovens on the market. Steam ovens cook only with steam, as we described above.
Combination steam ovens allow for steam cooking and convection cooking, which uses hot air like traditional ovens. You can cook with one method or combine them through different settings for specific recipes. Many prefer combination steam ovens to steam ovens since the combination allows for greater variety.
Steam and combination steam ovens come at various price points. You can find countertop versions for around $600, which is a good investment since they normally last around ten years. ROBAM proudly offers combination ovens within this price range so you can afford to bring home this wonderful cooking device.
If you want a larger built-in steam or combination steam oven, then you will pay more. Built-in ovens can cost around $2,000 on average, but fancy ones have much steeper prices. While they are a great investment for active kitchens, they perform the same job as a countertop steam oven. Consider this price difference when choosing the size of your steam or combination steam oven.
Cooking with steam produces healthier, more flavorful food. This result is due to the steam, it is hot enough to cook your food without destroying important nutrients like vitamins and minerals. The steam seals in the natural moisture of your food, helping to preserve its natural flavors.
Since the steam seals in moisture, you won’t need to use unhealthy oils to coat your food and keep it from sticking. Of course, you don’t have to rule out using oils entirely. Some oils provide healthy fats that our bodies need. So, consider adding them after the cooking process instead of drowning your food in oil beforehand.
Cooking with steam doesn’t just offer health and flavor benefits. Steam often heats and cooks faster than traditional ovens. That means if you’re in a rush and you still want to create a healthy meal, you can. Steam ovens are ideal for people with busy lifestyles.
Busy people will also appreciate how quickly a steam oven can defrost and reheat food. The steam provides a gentle, but thorough defrosting experience that saves the day when someone forgets to thaw your favorite protein or veggies. This gentle process warms food evenly without drying it out, effectively replacing your microwave. You also won’t have to worry about the forgotten metal utensil left on your plate in the steam oven either, although you will need to let the utensil cool when you remove it along with your food.
Lastly, many enjoy cooking with countertop steam or combination steam ovens because they’re cooler—literally. Cooking with a bigger, traditional oven can heat up your whole kitchen and house. This excess heat in your home can make working in the kitchen while something is in the oven uncomfortable. A smaller device that fits on your countertop and can still cook your food without overheating your space? Now that’s cool.
What can you cook in a steam or combination steam oven to reap those aforementioned benefits? The good news is that you can cook almost anything! We referenced protein and veggies above, which are popular ingredients in many steam oven recipes. Many cooks want to seal the moisture in the proteins and the vitamins in the veggies they prepare, which is why this oven style is so popular. However, you can cook almost anything you want in this device.
Grains such as rice, pasta, and quinoa all cook well in a steam or combination steam oven. You’ll notice that rice and quinoa cooked this way are often fluffier. If you want fluffy baked goods such as breads and cakes, you can also use a steam or combination steam oven. Combination steam ovens are often better for baked goods since a hint of dry heat will create a flavorful crust.
After reading about the benefits of a steam or combination steam oven and how versatile it is, some people recognize this device as a kitchen necessity. Others view this oven as a beneficial device that they may not have the countertop space or budget for. Both opinions are valid. However, if you can find the countertop space and money for a steam or combination steam oven, you won’t regret it.
There is much to know about steam ovens and why you might need one. Everyone has different needs for their kitchen, but most agree that a steam oven or combination steam oven is an excellent investment. ROBAM offers combi steam ovens for sale at a reasonable price that will look great in your kitchen. Make this investment now so you can start reaping the benefits of countertop steam cooking.
]]>One of the best ways to improve your kitchen and ensure it’s ready for your new skills is to install a range hood. If you don’t know what to look for when choosing a range hood, that’s okay. ROBAM is here to help.
The first thing to consider when looking at range hoods is the potential placement. Are you redesigning the kitchen and planning to include a range hood, or are you adding a range hood to your current kitchen? If you’re redesigning the kitchen, you can choose a range hood with any placement. You’ll simply need to place the stovetop beneath the hood during installation.
If you’re adding a range hood to your current kitchen, then the placement design will depend on your stovetop or range’s location. If the stovetop is on an island, then you’ll need an island range hood. And if your range is underneath cabinets, then you’ll need an under-cabinet range hood.
Once you know the range hood placement design you need, you can start looking at chimney lengths. Most range hood chimneys, no matter where the range hood is in your kitchen, fit well with eight- or nine-foot ceilings.
There are two options for taller ceilings: a special range hood or a chimney extension. You can find a specific range hood designed for extra tall ceilings or simply add a chimney extension onto whatever range hood you choose.
The last quality to look for when choosing a range hood is strength. The units for range hood strength are CFMs or cubic feet per minute. You’ll need roughly 100 CFMs for every 10,000 BTUs. BTUs, or British thermal units, only apply to gas ranges or stovetops.
If you have an electric stovetop, you’ll multiply the stove width by the number 10 to get the necessary CFMs. Depending on how much you cook, you may need more CFMs than the minimum you’ll calculate with these formulas.
Now, you can find the perfect high-end range hood that’ll fit in the right position in your kitchen, have the correct chimney length, and possess the best strength. Your new range hood will keep your kitchen clean and safe while you work on becoming a home chef.
]]>Make the kitchen safe and fun by including them in the cooking process. Try the following three tips for cooking with toddlers and kids to successfully introduce them to your meal prep routine.
Before you consider cooking with your child, ensure they feel comfortable in the kitchen. Most children feel comfortable when they can have fun and know they’re safe. Start by removing adult-only items, such as sharp knives and heavy equipment, from your child’s reach to make your kitchen fun and safe. Allow children to watch you as you prepare a meal.
You can help your child safely interact with cooking items in different ways. Toddlers still using a highchair may enjoy sitting with a few safe utensils like spoons and whisks. Older toddlers enjoy sensory bins full of food items, like scooping frozen peas from a big bowl into a smaller one. Older children can start getting more involved in the cooking process, such as cutting soft foods and sprinkling in seasonings.
Cooking with kids isn’t for the faint of heart. As your children get older and more comfortable in the kitchen, they will want to cook with you more. Before you let them jump in on the next meal, familiarize yourself with the recipe. If it’s a new recipe, try to cook it alone first. Doing so will allow you to know if there are any problem areas in the recipe where it’s best to work alone. Once you’re familiar and comfortable with a recipe, get your kids involved and give them safe, age-appropriate jobs.
Small, safe, age-appropriate jobs don’t even have to involve cooking. Kids can retrieve ingredients, set timers, set the table, or help clean up a spill. If your young child wants to help cook, you can teach them how to wash fresh produce, crack eggs, or stir ingredients together. Older children can cut soft foods with a child-safe knife, peel fruits and vegetables, read recipes aloud, and grease cookware. Let them try all different jobs to discover what they love about cooking.
Cooking with toddlers and kids is challenging but rewarding. Following the three tips we shared above can make the process easier as you help them develop necessary life skills. If you want to give them the best kitchen to cook in, consider buying your kitchen appliances online at ROBAM. Our high-quality appliances provide the perfect training grounds for young cooks!
]]>Before you can pick out your gas cooktop, you must learn where the gas hookup location is in your kitchen. If you already have an older cooktop or gas range in a specific spot, the gas hookup is probably in a nearby wall or cabinet. You can extend a gas line to your kitchen if you have gas appliances elsewhere in your home. However, if you don’t have any gas appliances, you’ll need to contact your local gas company. They can find the nearest gas line and extend it into your kitchen.
If you’re adding a gas line into your kitchen or considering moving your gas cooktop, you need to measure your kitchen and countertops. Smaller kitchens allow for limited cooking space, so you must measure your kitchen dimensions to figure out where the new cooktop should go. Place a piece of paper on the countertop where you want to install the cooktop. Imagine cooking in this spot, and make sure you have enough room to do so.
The most popular gas cooktop size is 30 inches, so make your piece of measuring paper that size. Measure your countertops to ensure that the new cooktop will fit comfortably.
In addition to the gas hookup location and the dimensions of your kitchen, you also need to know where your kitchen ventilation spots are. The best ventilation comes from a range hood, so if you have one installed that you’re not planning to move, you should place your cooktop underneath it. If you don’t have a range hood, you should consider investing in one. You’ll need to measure your upper cabinets and ceilings to discern the best spot to place it.
Ideally, the gas hookup and ventilation should be in the same area. If they are not, you should move the ventilation to the gas hookup location. This is because it’s easier and more affordable to extend ducting for your ventilation than it is to extend a gas hookup.
Now that you know the most important locations and dimensions in your kitchen, you can start shopping for your gas cooktop. First, you should look at the material of the cooktop surface. Gas cooktops can come in various surface materials, but stainless steel is best. Stainless steel is ideal for a gas cooktop because it conducts and distributes heat evenly. It also responds quickly to temperature changes, just as the gas itself does. This material is also durable and long-lasting, so you can trust that your investment will be worthwhile.
As you look through your stainless-steel gas cooktop options, you’ll see various burner sizes and burner options. Smaller cooktops, which are popular in smaller kitchens, such as those in studio apartments, will only have two small- or medium-sized burners. Larger cooktops for bigger apartments and homes will have at least four burners. Sometimes these cooktops contain two small and two medium or large burners, so you can choose the flame size and save energy. Other times, the cooktops will contain multiple burners that are all the same size.
Choose the burner sizes based on your cooking habits and pan sizes. For example, if you cook a lot with smaller or medium-sized pans, you’ll probably be fine with a cooktop that has four small or medium burners. You do not need all the size options. However, if you cook a lot with pans of various sizes, including large ones, a cooktop with four or five burner sizes is best for you. And if you don’t cook much, consider a smaller cooktop with two smaller burners.
One of the major concerns people have while shopping for a gas cooktop is the safety of their cooktop. While all cooktops can reach high temperatures that can cause burns, gas cooktops use natural gas or propane. Many people worry that if the flame goes out on their cooktop, these gases will flow into their homes. Inhaling natural gas can cause health problems, such as headaches and breathing difficulty.
Don’t call off your gas cooktop search because of this safety concern, though. Most modern gas cooktops have flame failure devices that will shut off the gas if the flame on your cooktop goes out. This will help keep your kitchen and household safe. Additionally, you can place natural gas detectors around your home. These can alert you of a leak in the gas line itself.
The most important thing you need to know before buying a gas cooktop is the cost. A good four- or five-burner stainless steel gas cooktop will cost around $1,000. This can feel expensive at first, but most gas cooktops last around at least 15 years. That means a good gas cooktop only costs about $66 a year, which is a great investment for your home.
If you don’t have a gas line in your kitchen or home, you’ll spend more on a gas cooktop. Extending a gas line within your home, which is often called a gas branch, can cost around $500. Adding a new gas line to your home can cost around $1,000. However, these changes are permanent and are great investments for your home.
Installing gas in your kitchen or home and buying a gas cooktop is a great investment. You can cook like a professional in the comfort of your own home and add new cooking methods to your skillset. If you’re currently shopping for a gas range cooktop, ROBAM can help you find the best option for your home. All our gas range cooktops offer at least four burners, are stainless steel, and have flame-failure devices.
]]>While sweet potatoes aren’t in season in the summer, they make the perfect base for this versatile dish. You can load these potatoes with any toppings you like, but if you want to enjoy the best seasonal flavors, we recommend bell peppers, garlic, and corn. Add leftover roasted chicken or bacon for protein.
Set your combi oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash your sweet potatoes and poke them with a fork. Wrap them in tinfoil and then place them in the steam oven for roughly 45 minutes or until knife tender. Remove and serve with the vegetables and the meat toppings we suggested above or whatever you prefer.
For a treat, turn your potatoes into dessert by adding butter, brown sugar, or even mini marshmallows! Set your combi oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash, peel, and cut your sweet potatoes into cubes. Cut butter into small cubes and place on a pan with the slices. Sprinkle brown sugar on top. When the sweet potatoes have finished cooking, top with some mini marshmallows and put them back in the oven for just a few minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on your dish as the marshmallows cook to avoid burning.
Some people wonder if a steam oven can bake, and this pizza oven will prove that it can. You’ll need premade pizza dough and fresh seasonal toppings. We recommend prosciutto, zucchini, mozzarella, basil, garlic, and arugula.
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit on steam roast. Open your premade pizza dough and cut it into 12-inch disks and place it on a flour-dusted baking tray. Then, add tomato paste or another sauce of choice and place your toppings. We recommend slicing the zucchini and mozzarella thin and crushing the garlic. You’ll add the arugula and basil after cooking. Bake the pizza for 12–15 minutes, then serve with hand-torn basil and a sprinkle of fresh arugula.
While salmon isn’t in season during the summer, pineapple is, and it will complement the salmon perfectly. To balance the acidity of the pineapple, we suggest buying or making a honey-maple glaze. Simply mix ¼ cup of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of honey, ¼ tablespoon of cayenne pepper, and a dash of salt for this glaze.
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit on combination steam. Brush the salmon and slices of fresh pineapple with the glaze we described above. Bake for roughly 7 minutes, less if you prefer your salmon blushing in the middle. Remove and serve with rice.
These quick and easy summer steam oven recipes allow you to enjoy fresh seasonal meals without overheating your kitchen. If you need a countertop steam oven to get started, ROBAM can help you find the right one. Our combi steam ovens make a great addition to your kitchen and will help you easily cook all year round.
]]>Many overhead cabinets have built-in range hoods above stovetops and ranges. Luckily, this placement doesn’t prevent you from adding an under cabinet range hood that you can vent into ducting. Depending on your home’s layout, you have several venting options for this ducting. You can add horizontal or vertical ducting that vents the dirty air from your kitchen through an exterior wall or roof. Many under cabinet range hoods are against an interior wall, and the best choice is vertical ducting that vents the air through the roof, but you will have to decide which option is best for your home.
If you don’t have upper cabinets in your kitchen or you’re designing your kitchen around your range hood, then you can choose a wall-mounted range hood. This style is like the under cabinet range hood, except that the hood isn’t hidden within a cabinet. Wall-mounted range hoods are often bigger and more powerful. The same venting options apply to ducting for under cabinet and wall-mounted range hoods. However, since the hood is taking up more vertical space on your wall, many choose vertical ducting with roof venting.
You don’t need a wall to install a range hood. Ceiling-mounted island or chimney range hoods are available for stovetops and ranges placed within a kitchen island or peninsula. They are like a wall-mounted range hood, except there isn’t a wall behind them. Since they are essentially free-standing, the ductwork must vent into the ceiling. While the duct work within the ceiling can vent horizontally or vertically outside of the home, many vent it vertically since it will match the range hood’s positioning.
Downdraft range vents are technically a type of range hood, even though they come in a different form. Instead of hanging over your stovetop or range, these vents slot behind the worksurface and pull the air downward, hence their name. Although they do not have a literal hood like the other options, they still require ducting and venting so that the air leaves your kitchen. Many homeowners duct them horizontally underneath their cabinets since the vents are horizontal. They then vent them through an exterior wall.
Consider one of these four ducted range hood venting options so that your kitchen can function at its best. Robam has range hoods for sale that will look great in your kitchen and will keep your air clean and safe.
]]>Many parents want their children to develop culinary skills and to bond with them while cooking, but they’re nervous about all the dangers a kitchen can hold. Kitchens are dangerous for people of all ages, from young children to experienced adults. To protect your child from these dangers, you must start them with safety lessons before they enter the kitchen as a chef.
Make your safety lesson age appropriate. Most children, even at preschool age, can understand that stoves and ovens are dangerously hot and knives are dangerously sharp. Teach young children how to avoid these objects. Older children can learn how to safely interact with these objects. For example, they can learn how to use oven mitts to pick up hot pot lids and keep a firm grip on a sharp knife. Keep the rules for avoidance or interaction hard and fast. No exceptions, no matter what, so they understand the severity of these rules that keep them safe.
Once children understand what they can’t and shouldn’t do in the kitchen, you can show them what they can do. Assign each child a spot in your kitchen where they will work and contribute to the family meal. This is where they should always stand unless they need a device that’s placed elsewhere, such as the sink or food processor. Make sure this spot is completely safe and temptation-free so you can trust them to stay safe without reaching for an interesting bubbling pot or knife set nearby.
To avoid disagreements while working in these spots and continue to protect your children from kitchen accidents, assign them specific tools. For example, young children can have a butter knife they can safely cut soft food with. Label a specific butter knife for this purpose so each child knows what they can safely grab and use. No one will fight over the available butter knives, and everyone can easily follow safety precautions if you do this. It also gives your children an idea of how many tools go into cooking and how much cleaning follows the cooking process since they can easily spot their dirty tools.
With the appropriate tools, your children can cook and contribute to building a meal. Choose simple recipes for these meals featuring ingredients your children can safely work with. While they’ll likely need adult supervision and actual cooking assistance, finding and using kid-friendly recipes they can help create will ensure the work is more evenly divided.
Break down your chosen kid-friendly recipe together at the beginning. This will help children learn about real-world applications for many of their school lessons, such as following directions and taking measurements. After looking through the recipe together, assign children their safe task in their safe spot with their safe tools, and you can all start cooking together.
There’s a popular saying that claims “many hands make light work.” When you first imagine dividing up the recipe and giving roles to so many more cooks, you may think this is true. However, children are new to the kitchen and cooking process. They’ll make mistakes and need assistance, ultimately taking more time to cook something than you may originally imagine. When those many hands are little hands, there is no light work.
However, this extra work in the beginning is worth it. The more your children are in the kitchen learning, the better skills they will develop. Eventually, that popular saying will become true. As your children grow, they may even be able to cook without your help, and then you’ll definitely get to enjoy “light work.” Until then, give yourself and your family plenty of time to work. Make sure you’ve stored up plenty of mental patience for this long process.
Some of your mental patience will go to scheduling, and the rest will need to go toward the expected mess. Anyone who has children or has worked with them knows they’re naturally messy creatures. They’re learning about the world through all their senses, including touch, meaning they often leave their sensory experiences behind them in a mess. This is unfortunately true for cooking as well. Your meal will take more time to prepare and will leave behind more of a mess when you cook with children.
However, if you prepare for this mess ahead of time and accept it as it happens, you can still enjoy the cooking process. For example, you can put protective cloth or paper on your countertops to prevent fruit juice from running everywhere while your child chops with a butter knife. You can also help older children tie on an apron to protect their clothes from bread flour. Expect fruit juice drippings and flour dust anyways, and use that mess to educate children about cleaning responsibilities as well. Cleaning is an essential part of cooking, so the mess doesn’t have to exacerbate you or go to waste as they learn.
With all these directions and processes happening, you may lose the entire intention of cooking together: having fun and bonding as a family. Keep conversation starters, such as cards or mementos, nearby so you can easily start a conversation and talk as you work together. If you’re making a recipe from a family member or friend, tell stories about the food. This shows your children that cooking is about more than food; it’s about love, which is way more fun than learning to cut strawberries just because.
Our children are still learning perseverance and patience, which means they may feel frustrated and not want to cook. Take a picture of the dish you made and your family to capture the cooking accomplishments as they happen. This gives children something tangible to look back on so they feel pride in their work and want to continue cooking.
Cooking can be a fun family bonding activity if you make it so. Following these seven tips can make the process easier for everyone. Another way to make cooking easier is to invest in the right kitchen appliances. ROBAM sells appliances online, so you can easily find the equipment to make your kitchen a happy place for your whole family.
]]>Most professional and home chefs prefer gas stoves to electric. This means that if you’ve started cooking more and want to switch stoves, you should switch from an electric to a gas stove. However, there’s a lot you need to know when making this switch.
Before you can consider a switch from electric to gas cooking fuels, you need to find out if gas is even available in your area. All areas are different, and some will have gas lines nearby. Depending on what other fuels you have in your home, such as gas heating, you may already have a gas line on your property. For fully electric homes, though, this often isn’t the case. Contact local gas experts and a local plumber about extending a gas line onto your property and into your kitchen.
Once you know you can make the electric-to-gas upgrade, you must ensure your kitchen can handle that change. Your current vent hood can handle heat and fumes from your current cooktop. While it will still work if you change that cooktop from electric to gas, it won’t work optimally. Learn the strength of your vent hood compared to what a new gas stove will require. Gas stoves give off more fumes and get hotter than electric ones, which means you’ll probably need a larger and more powerful vent hood to handle your new appliance.
Now that you know how much work goes into switching from an electric to a gas stove, you may second-guess your decision. While everyone has to decide for themselves which cooktop is better when comparing gas and electric, gas often wins once you consider the benefits. The upfront work is worthwhile since a gas cooktop reacts to temperature changes faster, opens up new cooking methods like charring, and saves you money.
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of a gas stove, ROBAM can help. We offer high-end gas range tops in various sizes that’ll take your cooking to the next level and make your kitchen feel professional. We can’t wait to help you improve your home.
]]>If your steam oven doesn’t have a defrost setting, you need to program it manually. While defrosting temperatures and times can change based on the type, amount, and thickness of the food that you’re defrosting, the general rule is that you should defrost your food quickly.
Set your steam oven to convection steam, which combines dry and wet heat so that the food doesn’t dry out or start to cook as it defrosts. Program the temperature at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for smaller amounts of thin food and at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for larger amounts of thick food. Program a temperature within this range for medium food amounts and medium thicknesses. Allow the steam oven to run for 10 to 20 minutes.
If your steam oven doesn’t have a defrost setting, you can manually program it to reheat individual servings or larger food portions. Similar to defrosting, the suggested temperatures and times can change based on the amount and type of food.
Set your steam oven to convection steam, allowing for a combination of dry and wet heat. This allows food to return to a safe, delicious eating temperature without drying out. Program the temperature to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller individual servings may reheat well at a lower temperature, while larger containers full of food may need a slightly higher temperature. Allow the steam oven to run for roughly 10 minutes. Increase or decrease the time based on the amount and type of food.
While defrosting your food, make sure the moisture has somewhere to go. Otherwise, the defrosting ice will collect in a puddle underneath your food, making it soggy. Place the food in a container with holes in the bottom, such as a steamer, and put that container on top of another container with a solid bottom. This lets the ice melt off your frozen food and drip into a different container.
While reheating your food, remember that the heat will transfer to both the dish and the container it’s in. It’s safe to place various materials, from China to metal, in a steam oven. However, these materials can get very hot. Use an oven mitt or similar protective device when removing reheated food from your steam oven.
This quick guide to defrosting and reheating in a steam oven provides ideal temperatures and times and reminders of what type of containers to use. If you want to start defrosting and reheating food in your kitchen with a steam oven, ROBAM can help. Our countertop combi oven will easily fit in your kitchen and provide the versatile settings you need for efficient food prep and cooking.
]]>Range hoods have one primary function: to take in the fumes and grease dirtying your kitchen air and either filter them or remove them from your kitchen. Non-ventilated range hoods filter the air and release it back into your kitchen, while ventilated range hoods remove the air from your kitchen and deposit it elsewhere.
One of the first signs your range hood isn’t performing this important function is smoke buildup. Smoke can build up in your kitchen if there’s a problem with the fan or filter in your range hood. Sometimes, cleaning or replacing one of these components is enough to fix the smoke buildup problem. However, in other cases, you may need to replace the entire unit.
Another reason you should upgrade your range hood is if your current one is leaving lingering odors in the air. Lingering odors is another sign that something is wrong with your current range hood, as range hoods should filter these odors away or completely remove them from your kitchen. Like with smoke buildup, you may have a problem with the fan or filter on the range hood.
Lingering odors can also come from electrical problems such as burning wires. This will give off a burning plastic smell, which is different than food odors. Pay attention to exactly what the odors smell like so you can determine what’s wrong with your range hood. Hire an electrician to examine your range hood if you think the problem is electrical.
The last obvious sign that something is wrong with your range hood is if the surfaces in your kitchen are sticky. The filtration process of your range hood normally removes vapors, grease, and moisture from your kitchen air. If this isn’t happening, then those vapors, grease, and moisture are settling onto your kitchen surfaces.
While you can wipe down these surfaces to help keep them clean, that’s not getting to the heart of the matter. The heart of the matter is that your range hood isn’t working properly. Like the other problems we mentioned above, you may only need to replace the filter or the fan on your range hood. However, if the problem persists or your range hood is too old for these replacements, then it’s time for a new, upgraded range hood.
When we mentioned lingering odors in the kitchen, we mentioned that one of those odors could come from burning electrical wires. This occurs when electrical wires overheat, and their insulation starts to break down. You’ll need to hire an electrician to fix these burnt wires and protect both your range hood and kitchen from additional problems.
However, burning wires aren’t the only electrical problems range hoods can have. The circuit board, which controls the functions of your range hood, can also malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction is from a burning wire, but it may also come from a blown fuse. You can check your fuse box to see if you simply need to reset the fuse to fix the problem. However, if the fuse is truly blown, then you’ll need to hire a professional electrician to replace it.
And sometimes, electrical problems stem from the outlet your range hood is plugged into, not the range hood itself. So make sure your range hood is fully plugged into a working outlet before panicking about electrical problems. If your range hood is fully plugged in and it continues to malfunction, then call a professional electrician to examine the wiring in your home. You may have faulty wiring inside your walls.
Electrical problems can affect your entire kitchen and force a kitchen upgrade as your home undergoes rewiring. Alternatively, some people upgrade their kitchen to match new aesthetics and enhance functionality. No matter the cause of the total kitchen upgrade, you should upgrade your appliances along with the rest of the kitchen. This allows your kitchen to continue to function at its best and appear as cohesive as possible.
Plus, if you upgrade parts of your kitchen without upgrading your appliances, including your range hood, then your kitchen can have problems later. For example, if you built your cabinets around a range hood that needs replacing, but you can’t find a range hood small enough, then you must redo the cabinets. This costs more money than simply replacing the cabinets and range hood at the same time.
Lastly, one of the most common reasons why people should upgrade to new range hoods is if they are planning to sell their homes. Updated home appliances, including range hoods, increase the value of your home. Most potential buyers want a move-in ready house that won’t require them to replace appliances within the first few years. Therefore, they are willing to pay extra for the convenience and quality of new appliances. Once you’ve upgraded to a new range hood, share when you made that upgrade with potential buyers. Recent upgrades are enticing for future homeowners. Overall, upgrading your appliances may allow you to increase your asking price and also increase the demand for your home.
Upgrading any home appliance is a big task, but there are many reasons to do so, especially in a room you use as much as your kitchen. Upgrading your range hood brings many benefits to your kitchen and home, from eliminating smoke problems to increasing your home’s value. These upgraded appliances also look better if you’re updating your kitchen or home. If you’re looking for range hoods for sale for functional or aesthetic purposes, then Robam can help you find the perfect one. We offer range hoods in various sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your kitchen and home!
]]>Since gas and electric cooktops have different heat sources, they heat differently. Gas is more responsive to temperature changes, which means it can heat or cool quickly. Electric is slower to respond to temperature changes, so it heats and cools slowly.
In addition to the speed of temperature changes, gas also gets hotter than electric. While natural gas can burn hotter than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, most electric cooktops can only reach around 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit with a larger burner. Smaller burners can only reach about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since gas stoves use natural gas for their power, they pose a greater safety risk than electric stoves. Natural gas can leak and poison people in the household. Electric stovetops can’t since they’re all electric.
However, electric stovetops do pose a greater risk for burns. Since the burners can stay hot even after you turn them off, you can accidentally burn yourself. Gas stoves cool faster, so people are less likely to burn themselves if they accidentally get near a burner after cooking.
If you have a small kitchen or don’t have a vented range hood, then the cooler temperatures of an electric cooktop are better. A gas cooktop will work fine if your kitchen is big and has plenty of ventilation, including a vented range hood.
Also, if you’re prone to accidents or have children or elderly people in your home, then a gas cooktop is safer. The surface will cook quickly to prevent potential burns. An electric cooktop is better when you’re concerned about natural gas. However, many newer gas cooktops have automatic shut-off valves and other safety precautions that can help protect households from gas leaks.
Knowing whether a gas or electric cooktop is better for you comes down to the ventilation in your kitchen as well as how safe you feel with each option. When you’ve made your choice, head to ROBAM. We provide professional kitchen appliances, including gas and electric cooktops. Our cooktops look great and will help you cook like a pro, no matter your power source preference.
]]>You’re cooking because you’re hungry and want something on the table. If you have to wait a long time for your burner to heat up and then wait again while you adjust the temperature, you’re going to stay hungry longer. Since gas stoves use open flames, you can quickly adjust the temperature and see that temperature reflected in what you’re cooking. That means your food will get on the table quicker too.
The quick response of open flames also gives you better temperature control over what you’re cooking. If you notice that something is too hot or cold while you’re cooking on gas, you can quickly and easily adjust the flame to the desired temperature. Electric stoves take longer to heat or cool to the desired temperature, which some home cooks find frustrating.
Open flames also provide more versatile cooking options. The flames will evenly heat any cookware, even if it’s not perfectly flat. Since electric stove burners are perfectly smooth, they often struggle to properly heat uneven cookware.
You also have more cooking methods available with a gas stove. For example, you can char many food items, such as vegetables, over a gas burner, but you can’t do so on an electric burner.
When you finish cooking on your gas stove, you need to clean it. The cleaning process for these types of stoves is easier than for electric stoves. This is because gas burners will cool down faster, and you can move the grates for precise cleaning. Electric grates are more difficult to move and clean around than gas. If you have a flat electric cooktop, you must invest in special cleaning agents for it instead. Gas requires no special treatments, which most cooks appreciate.
If your home already has gas lines in place, installing and using a gas stove is more affordable than getting an electric one. This is because gas stoves often give off less heat than electric ones, which saves you money on your electric bill. However, if you don’t already have gas lines in place, you may discover that it’s costly to install them before your gas stove arrives. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of installing gas lines for a new gas stove against using an electric one.
People love gas cooking stoves for many reasons, but the top ones often involve the benefits of cooking on open flames. If you want to reap these benefits in your home, head to ROBAM. We have gas range cooktops for sale. These high-end cooktops allow you to cook with precision so that you’ll feel like a professional chef in the comfort of your own home.
]]>Before we can get deep into techniques and methods, you need to know the basics of steaming. Steaming is a cooking method that uses moist heat from boiling water to cook food. When water boils at a certain temperature, it vaporizes into steam, which is hot enough to heat and cook food.
Most steam cooks food at about 212 degrees Fahrenheit. At first glance, this seems like a low temperature. Trying to cook food in a 212-degree oven would take forever, and many people would worry that the food wasn’t cooked enough to destroy dangerous bacteria. However, since steam is moist and in a hot, confined area, you can trust that steam cooking will thoroughly and safely cook whatever you want.
Now that you understand the basics of steaming, you can better understand the advantages of this cooking method. Since steaming is a moist cooking method, not dry like an oven, it doesn’t require the grease and oils of other cooking methods. Leaving these unhealthy oils out of your meals means that your food is healthier and cleaner.
Another reason steamed food is healthier is it retains more vitamins and minerals. Other cooking methods can deplete your food, especially vegetables, of the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. Since steaming is so gentle, it leaves most of those vitamins and minerals in your food.
Not only does steam keep vitamins and minerals in your food, but it also keeps the natural flavors and colors in your food. Most Americans are so accustomed to overprocessed foods that we forget how naturally delicious vegetables, meats, and carbs are. Gentle steam cooking helps your food keep its flavor so you can enjoy it.
The last major advantage of steam cooking over other types is how much space it saves in your kitchen. Other cooking methods, such as roasting in an oven or boiling on a stovetop, require you to have large appliances in your kitchen. Steam cooking requires only a countertop steam oven or a steaming basket to use on a stovetop. If you don’t have a steaming basket, you can steam with other devices on your stovetop, in your oven, or in a microwave.
The easiest way to steam food is in a steam or combination oven. With this method, you can set the oven as necessary. Most of these convenient appliances have multiple settings and functions so you can steam at various levels or use alternative cooking methods such as air frying or baking. Some even have built-in recipes to help guide you as you steam food for the first time.
One specific method for steaming without a steam oven is using a stovetop. If you want to experiment with steam cooking before investing in this new appliance, you can do so on your stovetop, in your oven, or in a microwave. To steam on your stovetop, you can invest in a steam basket or use a colander and a pot. We have the specific technique for stovetop steaming below.
Ovens are traditionally thought of as a dry cooking method. How, then, can you successfully use this cooking method to steam? The answer is that the oven provides the heat while you provide the water that will become steam within that heat. You’ll need an oven-safe container for your food as well as a baking sheet or casserole dish for this cooking method.
Microwaves also give you the option to easily steam food in your home. While many people think that steaming in a microwave is the same as using a steam oven, that’s not true. Steam ovens are roughly the same size but allow for more precise temperature control. However, you can steam in a microwave if you don’t have a steam oven yet. They are one of the best steaming alternatives because of the quick, high heat they provide. You’ll need a microwave-safe container, a sharp tool, and plastic wrap for this steaming method.
Steam cooking is one type of cooking method, and within that are the various methods we listed above. Each allows you to steam with whatever appliances you have available. Each of these methods requires a specific technique as well so you can successfully steam. These techniques have more steps and require more tools than the easiest method, which is cooking with a steam oven. However, you can still successfully steam cook without a steam oven if you follow these techniques.
To successfully steam on the stovetop, you can place a steam basket or a colander in a pot. Simmer water in the pot, place your food in the steam basket, and then place the basket over the pot. The steam will rise from the pot, get trapped in the steam basket, and cook your food.
To steam without a basket, find a heat-safe colander. Simply place a colander containing your food over the simmering pot and cover the colander with an appropriately sized lid. This will also trap the steam around the food so it can cook properly.
Gather your oven-safe container and a baking sheet or a large casserole dish for oven steaming. Place your food in the oven-safe container, then put the container on the baking sheet or in a large casserole dish. Pour water around the container into the baking sheet or casserole dish and place it in the oven at the appropriate temperature. The oven should trap the heat, so you shouldn’t need to cover the dish containing your food, but some recipes may tell you to do so. Use your discretion to decide which method is best.
To successfully steam in a microwave, place your food in a microwave-safe container and add water. You don’t need to completely cover your food with water; you just need enough to steam the amount of food in the container. Cover the container with plastic wrap, then use a sharp tool, such as a fork, to poke holes in the plastic wrap. This will allow some of the steam to escape so the plastic doesn’t explode off the container from the quick exposure to high heat.
The science behind steaming is fairly simple: hot water vaporizes into steam which heats and cooks food when trapped. The methods and techniques you should know are the ones that allow you to cook with whatever appliances and tools you have available. However, the best and easiest steaming method is using a combi oven. ROBAM provides combination steam ovens that allow you to steam with the push of a button.
]]>All cooktops and stoves need a kitchen hood, even if they’re electric. While electric cooktops produce less heat than gas ranges since there’s no open flame, they can still benefit from having a kitchen hood. An electric cooktop still produces heat, and whatever you’re cooking will still release grease, fumes, smoke, and other pollutants into the air. A kitchen hood will suck up this hot air and various pollutants to keep your kitchen surfaces and air cleaner.
Kitchen hoods are measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), which calculates how much air a hood can exhaust per minute while working at full speed. While that acronym sounds complicated, measuring CFM for your range hood is fairly easy, especially for electric stoves and cooktops. All you need to do is measure the width of your stove or cooktop and multiply that number by ten. For example, if your stovetop is thirty inches wide, your kitchen hood size minimum is 300 CFM. However, most manufacturers suggest using a 600 CFM kitchen hood at minimum to ensure air quality.
Another sizing rule of thumb is that the hood should extend beyond your stovetop. Think about how grease can splatter to the side of your cooktop, or smoke can curve away from your stove. A hood that extends an inch or two on either side of your cooktop can better absorb this grease and smoke, keeping your kitchen clean and safe.
Now that you know the minimum size hood for your electric cooktop, you can pick one out. There are two types of hoods for you to pick from: vented and non-vented. Vented hoods require ducting so that they can suck the dirty air out of your kitchen and deposit it elsewhere, ideally outside of your home. Non-vented hoods do not require ducting and filter the dirty air out before redistributing clean air throughout your kitchen.
Your choice between the two will depend on whether you have ducting in your kitchen or how much you can spend to add it. Non-vented hoods are frequently cheaper since they don’t require you to add ducting, so they’re ideal for people on a budget. Vented hoods are often better since they completely remove the dirty air, but they are more expensive.
Do you need a hood over your electric cooktop or stove? Choose a hood with at least 600 CFM, then select the type of hood you want in your kitchen. Robam offers kitchen hoods for sale to fit your CFM and hood type needs.
]]>When someone says their oven doesn’t work, they often mean it won’t turn on and heat. A faulty ignitor is one of the most common reasons a gas oven won’t heat. Electric ovens use a different heating element, but those heating elements can also have problems. When the ignitor or heating element doesn’t turn on when you activate your oven, it’s useless. A technician can check your oven and determine what is causing the issue.
Most ovens depend on electricity, even if they use gas. This is because we depend on electricity to light the gas spark to ignite the gas. When the fuse malfunctions and doesn’t properly light, you can’t use your oven. Fuse malfunctions can happen to any electric appliance. Check the fuse box and breaker—you may need to install a new fuse.
One reason your oven may not turn on or heat properly is because of a damaged or faulty sensor. A damaged or faulty sensor may assume your oven has reached the proper temperature when it hasn’t. You can check the sensor with an ohmmeter and recalibrate the oven if necessary. An oven technician or electrician can also help you check the sensor if you need more assistance.
Like all electrical appliances, your oven has wires inside it and leading out of it. Since your oven has heating elements, these wires sometimes burn. You’ll likely smell these burning wires before you realize your oven isn’t working. Hire an electrician to test and replace the wires to make sure they’re in the right place and the new wires won’t burn.
The problems we described above are obvious parts of an oven not working. However, another integral part of your oven’s function is the door closing all the way. If the door doesn’t close, your oven can’t retain heat. New oven models may not even turn on if the door is not closed. Most door problems come from something stuck in the hinges or the latch not working. Check that everything is out of the way of the door and that the latch is clean. This normally fixes door problems.
There are many reasons why your oven is not working. If you follow all the troubleshooting options we listed above and your oven still doesn’t work, you may need to replace it. Fortunately, ROBAM has many kitchen appliances online, including ovens, that you can peruse until you find the right option for your kitchen.
]]>Since 1950, the GOOD DESIGN® award is the world’s oldest and most recognized achievement for design excellence, founded in Chicago by Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Earnes.
ROBAM is excited to accept not one but two prestigious awards for two of its fan-favorite products. As a worldwide market leader, ROBAM understands the customer journey. ROBAM uses professional grade components to meticulously design and craft high-end kitchen appliances that elevate the cooking experience for customers without breaking the bank.
Each year, leading manufacturers and industrial and graphic design firms of the design industry submit their works into the draw. Over 1,000 winners across more than 50 countries were selected to receive the 2022 GOOD DESIGN® award and were chosen based on original established criteria which considers innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.
ROBAM is a world-class leader of premium kitchen appliances. ROBAM has been ranked #1 in global sales for over 7 consecutive years. ROBAM maintains good relationships with excellent international designers. These relationships and ROBAM’s dedicated team help ROBAM continue to make impactful innovations in design year after year.
]]>The burners are the star of your cooktop. If your burners aren’t working properly and need constant repairs, then the star of your show is down, meaning you can’t cook how you want. One of the most common cooktop issues you may encounter is the inability to turn it on. This issue is most common in gas cooktops when an ignitor goes bad, but electric cooktops can also wear out their heating elements. Sometimes you just need to replace the ignitor or similar heating element. If this repair isn’t enough, or you’re constantly replacing that heating element, then you may need to replace the whole cooktop.
Every chef spills things when they cook, and home chefs are no exception. While you shouldn’t berate yourself for these spills, you do need to clean them up as quickly as possible. Otherwise, these spilled liquids can cause your burners to corrode. The most obvious form of corrosion you may notice is rust. If you already see rust or another form of corrosion on your burner, you need to replace the burner. You can try to clean it, but the metal is already deteriorating, which means that cleaning won’t reverse or stop that process. If rust appears on the burners despite your best efforts to keep them clean, you may have a problem with your stovetop and should consider replacing it.
While corrosion can occur on gas or electric stovetops, cracking is a phenomenon you’ll probably only see in electric gas cooktops. Cracks can come from various sources, such as extreme temperature changes or dropping something heavy onto the cooktop. Whatever the cause, there is no way to repair the crack. At the least, you’ll need to replace the glass top of the cooktop. If cracks continue to appear despite your best efforts to avoid them, you may need to replace the entire cooktop.
We mentioned above that the burner is the star of your cooktop. While this remains true, those burners cannot properly function without the cooktop controls, just as the star of a stage performance couldn’t properly perform without a light and sound crew. Depending on the type of cooktop you have, you may have various kinds of controls that you use each time you cook. The most popular control forms are knobs and buttons. Some cooktops use both, while others only use one kind of control.
No matter what kind of control your cooktop uses, a problem with this feature is a big deal. Control panels include plenty of wiring, and repairing part of that wiring or the visual part of the control panel is expensive. Instead of making a costly repair on an old cooktop, it’s often best to replace the cooktop entirely.
Maybe your cooktop’s parts seem to work fine, but the burner isn’t heating as it should. Gas flames may flicker constantly, go out for no reason, or burn at a lower temperature than what you need. Electric burners may not glow red or take longer than necessary to reach that red glow. Sometimes your burner heats up but does so unevenly, leading your food to cook unevenly as well. No matter what heat problem you have, you need to address it as soon as possible. When your burner isn’t as hot as you need, you waste time waiting for food to cook and even risk food poisoning caused by unevenly cooked food.
Sometimes you can solve the heat problem with a quick repair. However, no heating element lasts forever in a stovetop. Even if you replace it, you’ll eventually need to replace it again when it wears out. Instead of constantly replacing or otherwise repairing the heat source in your stovetop, you may need to replace the entire appliance.
Cooking is a sensory experience, but your cooktop should never emit strange smells. Some smells have simple explanations that shouldn’t cause you to panic, such as a spilled substance burning. However, if your cooktop is clean and you notice a strange smell coming from it whenever you turn it on, something may be wrong inside the cooktop. Gas cooktops may have a problem with the gas line, which is dangerous for you and anyone else in the household. Electric cooktops may have a problem with their wiring or heating elements.
Regardless of the cause, you should turn the cooktop off if it emits a strange smell. Call a professional to examine it. You may only have to make a simple repair, but depending on the cause of the smell, you may have to replace the cooktop.
All the signs that you need to replace your cooktop that we listed above are serious problems that require attention. Sometimes, though, you can opt to replace your cooktop for a fun reason, such as updating your entire kitchen.
Updating and renovating your kitchen is a fantastic way to ensure your kitchen is meeting your cooking and hosting needs. While finances may limit how much you can update and renovate, it’s always best to replace kitchen appliances at the same time. This step helps you match aesthetics and allows you to enjoy a fresh start in such a crucial area of your home.
Replacing appliances can feel stressful, but if you know the signs to look for and where you can find the necessary replacement, you don’t need to worry. If you’re looking for high-end gas cooktops for your oven for any reason, ROBAM is happy to help you find the right one. Our gas cooktops come in various sizes, and any replacement cooktop you choose will make for an excellent addition to your kitchen.
]]>Technology has changed our lives in many ways. One way it continues to improve lives is in the kitchen. Manufacturers are creating ovens that don’t just cook food but make the cooking process easier with built-in recipes. All you have to do is click a few buttons to start cooking a recipe from scratch. These built-in recipes are a great feature for anyone to have, especially if you’re learning how to cook. Also, many of the ovens with this impressive feature are small enough to fit on your countertop, so you can invest in one no matter how small your kitchen is.
How safe is your oven? That’s one of the most important questions to ask when buying a new one. Safety features aren’t as fancy or fun as an oven with built-in recipes, but they can make the difference between a fire hazard and a successful new recipe. If you’re buying a gas range, one of the best safety features to look for is an automatic shut-off valve for the gas when the flame goes out. Whether you’re buying an electric oven or a countertop oven, look for insulation and multiple layers of glass. These safety features keep your kitchen from overheating and protect you from burning yourself.
Buying a new oven gives you the opportunity to change your kitchen and cooking habits for the better. One of the features or settings to look for is the ability to cook in various methods. Steam cooking and air frying are two popular cooking methods that require their own appliances unless you invest in an oven that can do both. Many ovens with multiple cooking settings also allow you to bake just like you would with a traditional oven. It’s the best of both worlds.
If you want to create the perfect kitchen for a home chef, you need to invest in an oven that offers built-in recipes, helpful safety features, and multiple cooking settings. ROBAM can provide exactly what you need with our combi steam oven for sale. These ovens are small enough to fit on your countertop but include all these features and more. They’re the perfect new oven for your kitchen.
]]>When you look at most of the appliances that help you cook, you’ll realize that many of them are surprisingly small. Microwaves, toaster ovens, and stovetops offer limited room for how much food you can put in or on them.
Ovens also offer limited room. No home appliances offer unlimited cooking capacity. However, compared to these other cooking appliances in your kitchen, ovens offer the most capacity. Most ovens are large enough to fit large casserole dishes, whole turkeys, and other big dishes that can’t fit in other cooking appliances.
An oven is also the only appliance you can get stacked into a double. Double wall ovens are a popular choice for many homes and expand the cooking capacity of a kitchen. Some people place one smaller oven on top of a larger oven, while others stack two ovens of the same size on top of each other. Both options provide a larger cooking capacity.
If you have a large household or like to cook food ahead of time and save, then an oven is the best appliance to use. This cooking capacity, whether a double or a single oven, is unmatched by other appliances. Larger dishes for entertaining and guests are guaranteed to fit in your oven.
Few appliances are singe use now. Everyone wants appliances that offer various uses, from countertop ovens that can microwave and steam to standing mixers that can shred chicken and mix brownies. The more an appliance can do to save time and space in your kitchen, the better.
Ovens are the original versatile appliance. You can cook almost anything in an oven with the right recipe, from baked spaghetti to roasted meats and sweet treats like cakes. The wide heat range and adjustable racks in most ovens allow you to make whatever you want.
Some ovens offer even more versatility. Combination ovens combine the benefits of steam cooking with other conventional oven techniques, such as roasting and baking. You can choose the setting you want or even switch settings during the cooking process. This allows you to cook even more dishes in even more ways with a delicious result every time.
One of the most important qualities of an appliance is how easy they are to install in your home, especially in your kitchen with all the water and power lines. Most homes are already set up for an electric or gas oven, so replacing or upgrading your oven is easy. Just measure your space, pick out an oven that fits, and allow a professional to install it.
Two factors might complicate your oven installation: switching from electric to gas and adding a wall oven. Most ovens are electric now, but gas ones still exist. If your home already has gas lines for a gas cooktop, your installer can probably attach the gas oven with ease. If your home doesn’t have gas lines in place, then the installation will take more time.
Adding a wall oven to a home that’s not designed for one also takes more time. Many people like wall ovens because they’re easier to access and don’t require the user to bend down. However, when a home doesn’t have a wall design setup, it takes longer to redesign the kitchen and get your oven installed. Despite these potential problems, it’s generally true that ovens are easy to install, which is important for your kitchen to run smoothly.
Another reason why the oven is the most important appliance in your kitchen is because it has a long life span. All home appliances should have a long life span to save you from constantly replacing them, but especially your oven. As we mentioned above, your oven has the most cooking capacity out of any of the cooking appliances in your kitchen. If it stops working and you have to wait to find a new one and pay someone to install it, then you miss lots of cooking opportunities.
Ovens also offer the most versatility out of any of your cooking appliances, which we also mentioned above. If your oven stops working, you also lose that versatility. You can cook some foods using other appliances, such as a cooktop or microwave, but not all foods can successfully make that transfer. A long life span is necessary when you want to enjoy your oven’s versatility as much as possible.
So, how long is a long life span for kitchen appliances? The average oven lasts 15 to 20 years. Since most people move at least seven times in their lives, this means you’ll probably only need one oven in your home. You won’t need to replace it unless something damages it, or the oven was in your home before you moved in. This means you can avoid any potential installation problems, such as the ones we mentioned above, and you can save money.
The large cooking capacity, great versatility, easy installation process, and long life span of an oven make it a vital part of your kitchen. No kitchen can properly function without an oven in it. If you’re shopping for luxury kitchen appliances such as ovens, Robam offers various products that will look great in your home and help your kitchen function at its best.
We offer countertop steam ovens, four different built-in oven options, and three ranges that include both an oven and a stovetop. No matter what type of oven you’re hoping to add to your home, we can help you find it. Our bundles make it easier for you to bring home an oven and additional appliances you may need, such as cooktops and range hoods. Please reach out to us to discuss your options.
]]>Vented range hoods suck in the air from your kitchen through a vent and deposit it outside of your home through a ducting system. While some of these ducting systems are elaborate, getting the dirty air out of your kitchen is important for keeping your kitchen air clean and safe. These range hoods can fit any style of range or stove, from an island to under cabinet and more. No matter your kitchen design, you can have a vented range hood. If your kitchen doesn’t already have a ducting system in place, you may have to spend more money to install one before adding the vented range hood.
A non-vented range hood sucks the dirty air out of your kitchen, filters it, and releases it back into your kitchen. While these range hoods are often cheaper and easier to install, the air recirculation isn’t as healthy or safe as the air removal from a vented range hood. Certain home circumstances can prevent you from installing a vented range hood. If your choice is between a non-vented range hood and no range hood at all, then a non-vented model is better.
Most experts agree that vented range hoods are better. While they may require a bit more effort if your kitchen isn’t prepared for a range hood, they provide better results. When the dirty air completely leaves your kitchen, you don’t have to worry about breathing in dangerous fumes or grease building up on your surfaces. As we mentioned above, a non-vented range hood is better than no range hood at all. It will still clean your kitchen air, which is important if you want to stay safe and keep your kitchen operating at its best.
The factors that determine which is better between a vented and non-vented range hood are your kitchen design and preferences. Most of the time, vented range hoods are better since they completely remove the dirty air from your kitchen. If you’re looking for stove hoods for sale to add to your home, ROBAM can help. We offer various sizes and designs to meet your kitchen needs.
]]>Propane is a highly concentrated, powerful fuel extracted from crude oil and petroleum gas during their refinement processes. It creates over 2,500 BTUs in one cubic foot, which generates lots of heat and energy. While it’s not a green fuel, it’s safer for the environment than natural gas since it won’t damage the environment if it leaks out. Another benefit of propane is that it often comes in portable canisters that work without electricity, which is good for off-grid experiences like grilling or during power outages.
Very few companies create propane lines for in-home appliances like cooktops, which makes it difficult to use it for cooking inside your home. The high BTUs per cubic foot it gives off also require a large range hood to cool your cooking area to a safe temperature. As you might expect, propane is highly flammable, so you must exercise caution when using it as well.
Natural gas is primarily methane and comes from the ground. People consider it one of the cleaner fossil fuels. Many homes already have natural gas lines, which means you can install gas cooktops with relative ease and start cooking almost immediately. The roughly 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot that natural gas creates seems low compared to propane, but this is still a good amount of energy for most cooking needs. Natural gas cooktops are more responsive to temperature changes than the common electric alternative, so many people prefer it because it allows for more precise cooking.
Unfortunately, gas leaks are a risk when using natural gas. A gas leak is poisonous to the environment and people’s health. It is important to have a carbon Monoxide alarm in your home to detect any leak of natural gas..However, as a safety precaution, newer gas cooktops often have shut-off valves when the flame is out. Plus, range hoods can help expel the dangerous gas in an emergency...
Comparing cooking fuels is necessary as you decide how to outfit your kitchen. Propane and natural gas are both viable cooking fuels, but natural gas is often easier to access, and many in-home appliances can already use this fuel. If you’re looking for gas cooktops for sale, ROBAM offers four high-end options to pick from that you’re sure to love in your home.
]]>There are numerous benefits to cooking your food in a steam oven. Steam cooking is fast and effective for everything, including meats, grains, and even baked goods. If you prefer homecooked meals but don’t have a lot of time to make them, then a steam oven is a good choice for you.
Since steam adds moisture to your food, you also don’t need to use much grease when you cook. This helps keep your food healthy and preserves its natural flavors. While you can still use oil and butter when cooking in a steam oven, they won’t be necessary to fully cook or season your food.
Most likely, your home came with a traditional oven when you moved in. This oven is probably large enough to fit several racks, which means you can cook several dishes at once. Unfortunately, steam ovens don’t come in this size. Most are countertop steam ovens that can only fit one dish. While this works perfectly for singles or small apartments, it may not be the best option for serving large family meals.
Steam ovens also require some adaptation as you learn how to cook with them. Since they are uncommon kitchen appliances, it will take time to learn what cookware you can use in them and how to cook different foods in them.
Some people might look at these pros and cons and immediately know that a steam oven is for them. Learning how to use one so you can have fast, delicious, and healthy meals is something that many people want. Others don’t think that they need another appliance in their home and that the benefits aren’t worth it. If you can’t decide, spend more time learning about this appliance and considering whether it will fit into your lifestyle.
There are many pros and cons you should know about steam ovens before you purchase one. Although they’re not always the best fit for everyone, if you have the patience to learn to use a new appliance and don’t need to consistently cook many dishes at once, you’ll probably enjoy having one. The countertop steam ovens we offer at Robam will make a great addition to your home if you want to try something new.
]]>We’ve already explained that CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, but what does that mean? How can you measure cubic feet per minute in an appliance that doesn’t move? The answer is that you’re not just measuring and calculating the size of the range hood. Instead, you’re measuring how it moves the air in your kitchen. CFM measures how much cubic feet of air a range hood can exhaust per minute when operating at full speed. The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the range hood, the higher the CFM since larger range hoods have bigger fans and can move more air. However, you don’t just want to buy the biggest range hood possible in order to achieve the highest CFM. You want an appliance that’s the right size for your kitchen so that it can perform at its best and help your kitchen function well.
You need several pieces of information to find the right CFM for the size of your kitchen. Since range hoods are designed to go above stovetops, you need to know the strength of your stovetop, or how many BTUs or watts it gives off. Gas stoves are measured in BTUs while electric stoves are measured in watts.
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) measures how much heat is required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. Most stovetops create around 10,000 BTUs, although some can create as few as 500, and some can create over 100,000. When you purchased your stovetop, the retailer should have told you its BTUs, but if you can’t remember, it should be written on your stove. You can always call the distributor or manufacturer if you can’t find the BTUs anywhere.
Once you know how many BTUs come from the stovetop, you can start calculating. Your stove will require at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs. So, a gas stove with 20,000 BTUs needs a range hood with 200 CFM.
A watt is a unit of power that quantifies the rate of energy transfer. Since electric stoves use electricity instead of flames, this unit of measurement makes more sense than BTUs. If you want to calculate the power of an electric stove, the conversion rate is 1 to 3.41 BTU/h. To convert watts to BTUs, you must multiply the number of watts by 3.41.
Luckily, you don’t have to do all that math to calculate CFM. Instead of using watts or BTUs, you can measure the width of your electric stovetop and multiply by 10. So, a stovetop that’s 50 inches wide would require a range hood with 500 CFM. If your stove has a high wattage, you may want to get something bigger than the bare minimum, but you don’t need to know the wattage of an electric stove to choose an appropriate range hood.
The strength of your stove tells you the minimum CFM requirement for your kitchen. However, if you have a medium to large kitchen that you use often, you should also calculate the minimum CFM for your kitchen size.
To do so, you need to calculate the cubic feet of your kitchen. This requires calculating the length, width, and height measurements of your kitchen. Make sure to measure height from the floor to the ceiling, not from the countertop to the ceiling. Multiply these numbers together to find out the cubic feet of your kitchen.
Once you know the cubic feet of your kitchen, you need to divide the number based on how much you plan to use your range hood. Most people use their range hoods enough to need an appliance that will exchange the air in their kitchens 10–15 times an hour. Multiply the cubic feet by how often you expect to need that air exchange; this will tell you how many cubic feet per hour your kitchen needs.
Divide that number by 60, since there are 60 minutes in an hour, to discover how many cubic feet of air need to move per minute. This is the minimum CFM based on your kitchen size. It might be the same as the CFM from your BTU or measurement calculations, or it might be different. Always choose the bigger number to make sure your stovetop and kitchen get the air exchange they need.
The measurement and calculation guides that we’ve given you all explain the minimum CFM you need for your stovetop and kitchen. But what is the ideal CFM? The tricky answer to that question is that there is no universal ideal. An ideal CFM for one kitchen, even with the same stove and same measurements, isn’t ideal for another because lifestyles are different. You don’t need as high of a CFM if you don’t use your kitchen much or tend to cook on low heat with little grease. While your stove and kitchen still have a required CFM for safety reasons, the minimum accepted level will probably suffice in that scenario.
If you cook a lot and tend to use high heat and a lotof grease, you’ll want a more powerful range hood. The minimum CFM won’t be enough. You don’t need to find the largest range hood on the market, but you do need to pick something a few hundred CFMs above the minimum to make sure you don’t burn your range hood out by running it so much.
If you’re not sure what’s ideal for you, go with something bigger. This will keep your kitchen safe and help keep your air clean, even if it turns out to be a little more powerful than what you need.
Our guide to measuring CFM for your range hood covers gas stove tops, electric stovetops, and the CFM of your entire kitchen. Take the time to measure and calculate everything properly, ask someone else to look over your work if you’re unsure, and find the range hood that gives you the CFM you need. Here at Robam, we offer kitchen range hoods for sale that will work well with various stove and kitchen sizes. You can find what you need and add this helpful appliance to your home with ease.
]]>If an oven is going to be the right choice for your kitchen, then it needs to run off your preferred power source. While most ovens are electric, some are still gas, and some are combination or steam. Consider how you use your oven and what power source is best for your cooking methods.
Designing a kitchen means you get to decide where your oven goes. Do you want a typical range that sits on the floor, or do you want a wall oven? If you’re not sure, look at both and talk with your interior designer so you can find the oven that will work best for you. If you’re replacing an old oven and don’t get to choose its location, then focus on getting the best oven option for that location, whether range or wall.
For many people, having an oven that provides super even heating is very important. If this is one of your priorities, know that convection and steam ovens offer the most consistent heating. You may also want to consider a combination convection and steam oven.
While some people throw a dish into the oven and leave it until the timer goes off, others prefer to keep a more watchful eye on their food. If you’re one of those watchers, then you know how important it is for an oven to have good visibility. Look for tempered glass doors and a powerful oven light that will allow you to keep an eye on what’s going on without having to open the door and let heat escape.
We’re well into the 21st century, which means it’s reasonable to expect new kitchen appliances to have some smart capabilities. Among the most useful smart applications is a smart timer. These timers can delay starting, giving you time to prep and even turn off the oven once the timer beeps, so nothing gets burnt.
The top 5 features to look for when buying an oven are power source, location, heating, visibility, and smart features. If you’re in the market for a new oven, look no further than Robam. We sell ovens and other appliances online that offer these features and more, so you can bring home the best oven for your kitchen.
]]>Stainless steel is the best type of cookware for electric stoves because it’s heavy and smooth, although the exact weight will depend on how many bonded layers it has. The lack of texture on the bottom of this cookware is especially important if your electric stove has a glass cooktop. Glass cooktops are becoming increasingly popular since they’re more aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean than older electric stoves. However, they also require more careful handling when cooking. Stainless steel cookware takes that extra care into consideration and provides you with a smooth cooking surface that’s heavy enough that it doesn’t slide around your cooktop haphazardly. Depending on the type of stainless-steel cookware you get, you may even be able to use it in your oven as well.
One of the only cons of using stainless steel cookware is the tendency of some foods to stick to the pan. Avoid this problem and take care of your electric stove with a hard anodized non-stick cookware set. These sets are heavier than other types of non-stick cookware, which is good for preventing slipping and sliding on your cooktop. It also doesn’t use any harsh chemicals like older non-stick cookware used to, so it’s safe for you and your family. Many sets are oven safe too, which offers great versatility when you’re cooking. If you want to prevent your food from sticking and protect your electric stove, then hard anodized non-stick cookware is for you.
Like stainless steel and hard anodized non-stick cookware, ceramic cookware is smooth on the bottom and safe for your electric stovetop. It’s also heavier than the two other options we mentioned, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around your cooktop. Furthermore, it’s more aesthetically pleasing than the two options we listed above, as it comes in more color options. So it’ll look great in any kitchen. Many ceramic pieces are also non-stick and oven safe, so they’re easy to use and versatile.
The best cookware for electric stoves include stainless steel, hard anodized non-stick, and ceramic. If you have luxury cooktops in your kitchen, you need to use one of these types of cookware to keep them safe. If you’re hoping to create a luxury kitchen and cooking experience, you need to invest in a glass cooktop and one of these types of cookware as soon as possible.
]]>The biggest difference between kitchen gadget finishes is whether they’re shiny or matte. Both are good options for your kitchen, and the finish shouldn’t affect how the appliance functions in your home. However, both will create a different atmosphere and have different care options for you to consider.
When asked to imagine a refrigerator or similar kitchen appliance, most people imagine a shiny one. Stainless steel and other types of shiny finishes are among the most common finishes. This means it’s easy to find a shiny appliance if that’s the look you want in your kitchen.
Sometimes, shiny appliances are easier to match. While different manufacturers may have distinct names for metallic shades, many of them will look the same in your home. This makes it easier to buy your household staples from different sources and create a cohesive look in your kitchen.
Unfortunately, shiny devices tend to show more dirt and prints than matte ones. If you live in a big household, especially one with lots of children, then a shiny appliance may not be the best choice. You’ll feel like you constantly have to clean it to maintain that signature shiny finish, and you may not have time for that extra chore.
As mentioned previously, people love matte appliances because they don’t show dirt and prints as easily as shiny ones. This makes them ideal choices for big households, especially with pets and children, since they require less cleaning. Many people think matte appliances are prettier than shiny ones and make a space feel warmer since they absorb light instead of reflecting it. Most manufacturers offer matte appliances in more colors than shiny ones, which gives you the opportunity to make a colorful statement in your kitchen.
Matte appliances are not quite as popular as shiny ones, so you may struggle to find the specific item you want with a matte finish. Once you track down the matte appliance you want or agree to a different one with a matte finish, you may discover it comes with a higher price tag.
Deciding between shiny and matte finishes will lead you to choose a color for your appliances. As we mentioned above, some finishes don’t come in the same colors as other finishes. To choose the right color for your appliance, consider what you already have, the color of your kitchen, and the atmosphere you’re trying to create.
Current home decorating trends feature neutral colors, especially combinations of white, black, and gray. These neutral colors look great with a shiny or matte finish, so you can’t go wrong with either option. However, many people think shiny black appliances look the most luxurious. If you’re trying to achieve a high-end atmosphere in your kitchen, then shiny black appliances might be for you!
Again, matte finishes tend to come in more color options than shiny finishes, and this is especially true with bright colors. You’ll struggle to find a bright green, red, or blue device with a shiny finish, but you can probably find any of those colors and more with a matte finish. If you’re dedicated to the idea of adding a colorful household staple to your kitchen, you’ll have to commit to the color before you commit to the finish.
Instead of reserving metallic colors for hardware, some people are embracing metallic colors throughout the kitchen and on appliances. You can find matte and shiny finish appliances in metallic colors! However, they will look better with a shiny finish since it implies metallic materials, which is the inspiration behind the metallic color. While you can choose between the two, a shiny finish on a metallic color is your best choice.
Some appliance manufacturers and providers will allow people to design custom finishes. Consumers often do this when they want their gadgets to blend in with their kitchen cabinets. However, you can also create a custom finish for other reasons.
A custom finish is a great option for people looking for something specific or unique. If you want your appliances to blend in perfectly with the rest of your kitchen or stand out in a specific way, then a custom finish is the best choice. The only limits on custom finishes are what the manufacturer can accomplish.
Initially, many people like the idea of a custom finish. The cohesive design and unique beauty of custom appliances make many people want to choose this option. Unfortunately, custom finishes are expensive and rare. Many appliance manufacturers cannot provide custom finishes, even if you have enough money to pay for one. If you want a custom finish, you’ll have to spend a lot of time finding the right manufacturer and pay a lot of money to get the job done.
Our guide to kitchen appliance finish options covers everything from shiny, matte, and custom finishes to color choices. As you consider the colors and atmosphere already present in your kitchen, you can make informed decisions between these options. If you’re in need of high-end kitchen appliances that come in various finishes and colors, we can help. ROBAM offers high-quality appliances that will help you function in your kitchen function to the best of your ability and create the perfect atmosphere for any event. While we don’t offer custom finishes, you can still find kitchen staples that will look great and work well in your home.
]]>No appliance runs perfectly. Therefore, you may dismiss a few problems with your range hood. If these problems occur over several months or years, then the appliance is probably still okay. However, if issues become frequent and make it difficult for you to consistently use your range hood, then you might need to replace it instead of constantly repairing it.
One of the problems you may notice as your range hood gets older is that it releases a higher airflow. It requires more air intake and creates more air output to do the same job that it used to do with less. While this may just be a sign to clean your filter, it can also mean your range hood is getting too old to effectively do its job.
All appliances make noise, including range hoods. Since range hoods suck up air, they’re noisier than most other kitchen appliances. But they still shouldn’t make an excessive amount of noise. If you notice your range hood making excessive noise even though all the parts are working correctly and the filter is clean, you may need to replace it.
As we mentioned above, the entire job of your range hood is to suck up dirty air to keep your kitchen clean and healthy. If your range hood fails to do that job and lets grease, smoke, and fumes stay in your kitchen, you know something is wrong. While this may just be a problem with the filter, it can also indicate that your range hood is getting too old to properly function.
The last sign that shows that you need to replace your range hood isn’t necessarily a problem with your old one. Instead, it’s the recognition that you want to upgrade. Think of how much better a new one could be. If you’re remodeling your kitchen and know your old range hood will look out of place, you should replace it. The same is true if you see a newer range hood with more benefits for your kitchen. While this change is more about cosmetics than functionality, your kitchen should always look and perform its best. Sometimes, remodeling and upgrading is the key to that.
If you notice the problems mentioned above or are making cosmetic changes to your home, you may need a new range hood. ROBAM offers high-end range hoods that will keep your kitchen functional for years to come while complementing the aesthetics you already have in place or are remodeling to achieve. No matter what reason you have for buying a new range hood, always invest in the best.
]]>Stainless steel is the best type of cookware to use in a combination oven because stainless steel is lightweight but conducts heat quickly. Steam cooks food faster than conventional heat, so it’s crucial that the cookware you choose conducts heat just as quickly. Otherwise, the food can take longer to cook and may cook improperly. This material works just as well with conventional heat, though, which is what makes it such a great choice for combination ovens where you can use either or both.
Any form of stainless-steel pans will work, from traditional cookie sheets to muffin pans, but make sure you clean and dry the pans well afterward, especially if they have a lip around the edge. Moisture from steam cooking and washing can get trapped beneath these lips and cause rust buildup if you don’t clean and dry them properly.
Like stainless steel, enamel-coated pans are another lightweight choice that quickly conducts heat, making them an excellent choice for cooking in a combination oven. However, these pans also tend to have a lip or ridge around the edge where moisture can collect, as we warned about above. Make sure to clean and dry these pans thoroughly after use to avoid any problems.
While you can use cast iron for conventional heat, combination heat, and steam, it is not the best choice for quick dishes. Since cast iron pots and pans are so much thicker and heavier than the stainless steel and enamel-coated pans we mentioned above, they take much longer to heat. It is difficult to thoroughly cook food with steam in a cast iron pan. This is because cast iron does not get hot enough to cook the bottom of the food, while the steam only cooks the top. Only use cast iron for dishes that require long cook times or when using combination heat.
Like cast iron, glass and ceramic are safe to use in a combi oven, but they are not well-suited for steaming since they also take longer to heat. You can use these dishes for food that takes a long time to cook or when cooking with combination or conventional heat. Because ceramics are safe to use in these ovens, this means that you can also use everyday crockery in a combi oven if you’re hoping to heat up a single serving of something.
The best cookware to use in a combi oven is stainless steel and enamel coated. Cast iron, glass, and ceramic are safe to use but are best for dishes that require a long cook time. If you want to add a home combi oven to your kitchen, Robam can help. Our combi ovens will help you grow as a home chef, and they make an excellent addition to any kitchen.
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