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The Best Gas Stoves and Ranges for 20209/30/2020 Any range will cook your food. But after talking to a bunch of experts and comparing more than 60 models, we think that these are the most important features to look for in a freestanding gas range: CooktopsAny decent range will have, at a minimum, a 13,000 Btu power burner, but you can expect 17,000 or 18,000 Btu on the better models. The stronger burners heat up your cookware faster, so you’ll save a couple of minutes waiting for water to boil or for a pan to get hot enough for a good sear. Some readers have told us that they prefer to have the strongest burners in the front row of the cooktop for easier access. But one advantage of having the strongest burners placed diagonally is that it’s easier to fit two large pots or pans on the range in that arrangement, and we’ve heard from some people who would rather have one strong burner in the back row so that they can boil water where kids can’t reach the pot. Most gas ranges also have a 5,000 Btu simmer burner. Most manufacturers are mum about how low this burner turns down, but Frigidaire told us that theirs can get as low as 500 Btu, and we’d imagine it’s a similar figure on other brands’ stoves. On any model, this burner is useful when you need to simmer, hold, or melt and want to minimize the risk of scorching. If you spend more than $700, gas ranges typically come with a center griddle that’s handy for cooking eggs, bacon, pancakes, or grilled cheese without a pan. Continuous grates are a nice feature because they make it easy to slide cookware around the surface of the cooktop and help keep larger items balanced better than smaller, single-burner grates can. Most people seem to agree that continuous grates just look nicer, too. Any stove that costs more than $700 usually has this feature. OvensCapacity matters a little bit, but most ovens are larger than 4.8 cubic feet, which is plenty of room for a huge 26-pound Thanksgiving turkey, a 16-inch pizza stone, or all but the very largest sizes of baking sheets or roasting pans. Every oven comes with at least two racks, but some pricier models have three, which offers a bit more loading flexibility. If you’re spending more than $700 on a gas stove, you should absolutely expect the oven to have a convection fan. If you choose to turn it on, you can cook at lower temperatures for less time. Large batches of cookies will bake more evenly, pastry crusts get flakier, and roasted meats and veggies are both crispier on the outside and juicier on the inside. Almost all gas ranges come with a broiler. In mid-tier and high-end ranges, it’s an overhead broiler in the main oven cavity. Cheaper models usually have a dedicated broiler drawer beneath the oven, which can be difficult to reach and often doesn’t work as well as integrated broilers. If you expect to use your broiler a lot, you might want to avoid models that cost under $700. We think that a self-cleaning mode is worth having, particularly a high-heat (aka “pyrolitic”) mode. Repair technicians tend to believe that high-heat cleaning will shorten the lifespan of your range by burning out the heating element or damaging the electronics. But it’s also by far the easiest way to clean an oven. Manual cleaning is hard, unpleasant work, even if you use a (smelly) cleaning spray. Some ranges have a steam-based, pseudo–self-cleaning feature, but it’s not very effective, according to most user reviews. Here’s our take: If you spend more than $700 on a range, it should have a high-heat cleaning mode. If you’re worried about damaging your appliance, use it sparingly or not at all. Build quality and designThe more finish options there are, the more flexibility you have in outfitting your kitchen. We gave a slight preference to those with at least three options, one of which should be stainless steel. For the models we were able to check out in a store, we looked for knobs that felt securely fastened to the front of the range, without too large a gap between the dial and the body. We checked for oven doors that opened smoothly but not too lightly, racks and drawers that glided, and a tightly laminated control panel. And we jiggled the grates to see how secure they were on the cooktop and how easy they were to remove for cleaning. (All of the units we saw were floor models, so they may have seen more wear-and-tear than a range in a typical house.) Reliability and customer serviceReliability and customer service are difficult to pin down. But here’s the standard we’ve set for our picks: Owner reviews shouldn’t reveal any clear, consistent pattern of widespread defects, design problems, or egregiously bad product support. For this reason, we favored slightly older and more-popular models because they tend to have more user ratings, so we know more about them. We also took into account reliability data from J.D. Power and Yale Appliance + Lighting. Neither source is comprehensive, though. Over our years of reporting on appliances, we’ve also gathered feedback from repair technicians about the brands that they think are the most reliable. But this is highly anecdotal and not especially consistent, so we don’t weigh it too heavily in our decisions unless there seems to be a consensus about a brand or product. Less-important featuresA wok grate, temperature probe, or any other cooking accessory can be cool and useful, and many ranges come with one or more of these as a toss-in. But you can buy any of them separately, too. Extra cooking modes like delayed starts, food-specific presets, or scan-to-cook modes are all fine, but we doubt that most people ever use them. We didn’t go out of our way to avoid models with these kinds of cooking modes, because they’re hard to avoid, but we didn’t favor them, either. Wi-Fi connectivity won’t baste the turkey or turn the cookie sheet. Maybe you can think up some edge case where connectivity will come in handy a couple times per year, but we don’t think this is a useful feature. Not too many freestanding ranges offer it, anyway. via Best Appliance News https://ift.tt/2Say1Pw
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As wildfires continue to burn in multiple states, millions are turning to air cleaners (sometimes called air purifiers) to manage the effects of smoke on the air quality in their homes. How an air cleaner is maintained and operated can affect its performance. If you are using an air cleaner in an area affected by wildfire smoke, take these steps to ensure that your air cleaner continues to operate at a high level: Change the filter regularly: Your air cleaner’s use and care manual will recommend how often to change your air cleaner’s filter. These recommendations are based on the manufacturer’s testing, but can vary depending on how often you use the filter and the level of pollutants in the air. Extended operation in an area affected by heavy smoke may require more frequent filter changes. If the filter is changing color or if the level of air coming out of the air cleaner drops, it could mean the filter should be changed. Keep extra filters on hand, especially during wildfire season. Some air cleaners do not require filters, relying instead on an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), which charges particles and attracts them to a plate. Clean the plates regularly. Check your use and care manual for specific cleaning instructions. Clean the outside: Some manufacturers recommend using a vacuum to remove dust from the outside of the air cleaner. Vacuum or gently clean the dust from the outside of the air cleaner when you notice a buildup. An air cleaner that is dirty on the outside is likely dirty on the inside, so make this part of the process when you are replacing or cleaning the filter. Vacuum regularly: Air cleaners are only part of the equation if you are seeking cleaner indoor air. Do a thorough cleaning of the area and vacuum regularly to remove particles so they are not kicked back into the air you breathe. Change your furnace filter: If you change your furnace filter regularly, you might not have to change the filter in your air cleaner as often. However, a furnace filter is not a substitute for an air cleaner because it is designed to trap large particles. In addition, it is common for particles to miss the furnace filter and end up inside the home. Give your air cleaner room to breathe: It might be more convenient to place an air cleaner against a wall and in a corner, but that will restrict airflow and reduce performance. Move the air cleaner toward the center of the room and operate it on high in an area free of obstructions. The more air that goes through the air cleaner, the more pollutants it will remove. Are you shopping for an air cleaner? Here is how to make the right choice If you are shopping for an air cleaner, you will likely come across models that use different types of technologies to clear the air. More important than the method the air cleaner uses is whether the air cleaner is appropriate for the size of the room in which it will be used. Look for the AHAM Verifide® Mark and the air cleaner’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) on the air cleaner packaging. The mark means the air cleaner has been independently tested for its ability to remove tobacco smoke, pollen and dust and meets CARB ozone limits. The suggested room size for the air cleaner will be noted prominently on the label. Under normal circumstances, you could choose an air cleaner with a smoke CADR two-thirds the size of the room in which you will use the air cleaner. However, those in areas heavily affected by wildfire smoke should select an air cleaner with a smoke CADR that matches the room size. For example, an air cleaner with a smoke CADR of 200 would be appropriate for a 200 square-foot room in an area affected by smoke. Tell us your top concerns with your indoor air quality. We’d like to hear from you. Subscribe to the AHAM Consumer Blogvia Best Appliance News https://ift.tt/3jda467
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With a Miele coffee maker, you can skip the long line at Starbucks and savor a custom cup of joe in the comfort your own kitchen. These industrial-grade coffee machines blend commercial performance with the freedom to express your unique taste. In other words, you can save your preferences when it comes to temperature and grind level, among other parameters, to ensure your coffee is made to your exact specifications. Miele coffee makers not only look stunning with their visually pleasing and timeless design, but also brew a fantastic cup of coffee each and every time. You can rest assured that Miele’s engineering team has thought of every small detail to please even the most critical coffee connoisseurs. Some say that Miele coffee makers are a luxury indulgence, even avant-garde. However, we believe that a good coffee maker helps bring the spirit of shared values, found only in unique coffee houses, to our homes. It makes the home welcoming and gives you the satisfaction of being able to serve your guests a high-quality cappuccino after a long day. In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know about the family of Miele coffee makers. We’ll discuss everything from built-in coffee machines to countertop models, and all the parts and accessories in between. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to select the best coffee maker for your needs. Just as a summary, we prepared a video with great visuals to give you a hint of what you should expect from a Miele espresso machine: Types of Miele Coffee MakersThere are two types of Miele coffee makers: built-in and countertop. Miele built-in coffee machines are installed into your cabinets for a seamless finish. You even have the option to pair your built-in coffee maker with a cup warming drawer or place it on top of a wall oven. Countertop machines, on the other hand, have an equally effective brewing system but are more versatile and fit in any space. Overview of Miele Coffee Machines
We’ll focus more on the features of each type of coffee maker in the upcoming sections. While doing their research, most people ask; “What is the difference between the Miele built-in coffee machines?”. To summarize, the Miele built-in coffee makers come in two variations; plumbed (i.e. connected to a waterline) and water-tank only models. Most people choose the plumbed version for convenience. In addition, the company makes iPhone-like elegant touch controls (a.k.a. M-touch). We like the M-touch screens because they are intiutive and user friendly. Although the traditional control panel (Miele CVA6401 or CVA6405) coffee machines come in at a lower price point, most people find these controls frustrating. Also, if you have other Miele appliances in your home, you may find the menu of M-touch controls to be consistent with the rest of your suite. As for the countertop coffee makers (a.k.a. CM6 series), Miele makes two versions. The CM6350 has a hot water spout and comes with a milk flask for one-touch espresso drinks with milk. However, the CM6150 lacks these upgraded features. Before we go into the details of each type of coffee maker, let’s go over why the Miele coffee makers brew the best coffee/espresso drinks. 4 Reasons To Choose a Miele Coffee Maker1) Easily make coffee shop style beverages at homeBrewing your favorite beverage at home has never been easier with the latest built-in coffee systems by Miele. With the touch of a button, you can brew everything from a classic cup of coffee to an espresso, or coffee shop-style milk beverage like a latte or cappuccino. Miele’s espresso machines are capable of making many popular specialty drinks with just one touch. There’s also a spout that dispenses hot water with a maximum of about 180 degrees. The results speak for themselves and each drink is perfectly brewed every time. For drinks requiring milk, you can use the included glass container. The container easily slides into place, and since it’s clear, you’ll always know how much milk is left. The glass container is also much easier to clean than the previous stainless steel versions. Since it’s removable, you can put the container in your refrigerator when it’s not in use. Make Barista-Quality Coffee Drinks with One Touch The one-touch system really shines with complicated drinks like the latte macchiato, which requires three separate steps to make. First, the brew unit will automatically lower to the height of your cup. Next, the system dispenses hot milk. Then, the machine will freshly grind coffee beans to make a strong espresso. Since the brew unit has lowered to your cup, there will be minimal temperature loss from exposure to air as the espresso is dispensed. Finally, a milk froth is dispensed and sits on top of the beverage. The lowered brew unit is the ideal distance to ensure the froth sits perfectly on top. The result is an extremely impressive at-home beverage that will make you want to pursue a new career as a barista (…maybe). 2) Brew the best coffee you’ve ever tastedMaking a perfect cup of coffee comes down to the amount of beans that you use, the brewing temperature, and the pre-brewing time. Miele achieves coffee perfection with their Aromatic System, which is made up of five components:
3) Great for your morning coffee, flexible enough for an entire partyThe Miele coffee system is all about convenience. Miele has introduced the ability to create custom drink profiles so everyone in the house can easily set and save their preferences. You can even brew two beverages at the same time, which is perfect for busy, on-the-go couples or roommates. But – I have guests coming over! Can I make an entire pot of coffee? Yes, you can! Miele’s coffee pot feature demonstrates the effectiveness of the pump system (which is otherwise lacking in other manufacturer’s models.) It enables you to make either eight consecutive cups at a time or dispense this amount into a coffee pot so that you can have it ready when your guests arrive. Miele has also introduced a stylish, one-liter coffee pot so that you can easily serve coffee to your guests while relaxing in your home or garden. 4) Durable for decades to comeMiele coffee makers definitely live up to their German heritage. Whether built-in or countertop, these machines are known for their automatic self-cleaning regimens. I once asked the product manager in charge of the coffee maker why I could not override the cleaning program. He was not amused by my question and responded that he cannot leave things up to chance when his customers expect a 20-year operational longevity with their coffee machines. Miele patented its easy-to-open comfort door design to provide user-access to the internal components. Inside, you’ll find a removable drip tray that comes in handy if you overfill your cup. The drip tray also serves as a major component of the automatic cleaning system and will collect water as the system automatically rinses the coffee and milk systems. You’ll also find waste containers for used coffee grinds. For optimal convenience, the system will automatically notify you if either the grinds or drip tray need to be emptied. To keep your Miele coffee maker working with optimum performance, regular cleaning and maintenance need to happen. The more you look after your machine, the longer you’ll be able to use it. To make things easier for you, Miele has included pre-programmed features to remind you when it’s time to clean your machine. So – when should you plan on cleaning your machine? Daily: Both built-in and countertop CM6 models run a quick rinse program. This lasts less than 10 seconds and helps to keep the internal pipes and nozzles clean after each drink. Otherwise, on a daily basis, there’s not much to do other than basic sanitation. At the end of each day, you should clean the milk flask and empty the waste unit and drip tray, if prompted. Weekly: Once a week (or more if you’re a heavy user), we recommend that you clean the front of the machine, main dispenser, sensor cover, interior, inside drip tray, and brew unit. You should also clean the milk valve with a cleaning brush. Monthly: The coffee bean container should be cleaned once a month. It’s also suggested that you lubricate the cap on the main dispenser connector. When prompted: As mentioned, the Miele coffee maker will tell you when the waste needs cleaning, along with the milk pipework and brew unit (degrease with cleaning tablets). You’ll also be notified when the machine needs to be descaled. While most of the machine’s parts are dishwasher safe, it’s important to only hand wash the main dispenser cover, brew unit, coffee bean container, and service cover. Since calcium deposits stemming from the hard water are harmful, you will find a water hardness test strip in your package. Based on the results of this test, you can further tune the descaling routine of your coffee machine. You have everything you need to get you startedMiele really thought of everything when it comes to their built-in coffee makers – including everything you need to take care of your machine. Here is the list of accessories that come included in your Miele espresso maker packaging: For coffee and machine preparation:
For cleaning and maintenance:
As you need to replenish your cleaning supplies, you can use the following links to order your Miele accessories:
Which Miele Coffee Maker should I buy? Our Top 2 Picks:All Miele coffee machines (countertop or built-in) are capable of brewing a great cup of coffee, and making espresso drinks with or without milk. There are only subtle differences among the different models. Below we will talk about our top two picks and why they stand out from the pack. 1) Best Built-in Coffee Machine: Miele CVA6805Miele Built-in Coffee Machine Direct Sensor Controls vs. M-Touch (Recommended) When it comes to the two available control styles, we tend to prefer the M-Touch controls. The large touch-screen is similar to that of a modern phone or tablet. You can easily swipe and navigate to the available beverage options and settings. We’re surprised to still see the direct sensor controls in this day and age. However, if you are price sensitive you will notice a savings of approximately $400, which may make your struggle with the menu worthwhile. Plumbed (Recommended) vs. Non-Plumbed The Miele coffee system can be ordered as either plumbed or non-plumbed. The plumbed version will allow you to directly connect a water supply line to the system, which is a major convenience. It also means that you won’t have to constantly refill a water tank. The non-plumbed version has a water tank that needs to be refilled with water periodically. If you are on the fence about which machine to buy, the plumbed version also has a water tank. So if you don’t currently have a water line but want to have the flexibility to add one in the future, we recommend going with the plumbed version. 2) Best Countertop Coffee Maker: CM6 Series Miele CM6350OBSWMiele Countertop Coffee Machine Unless you’re renovating or already have an older, built-in machine, odds are you’ll have a hard time working a built-in coffee machine into your kitchen design. Luckily, you can still get all of the same great features of the built-in models with the Miele CM6350 countertop model! The Miele CM6 countertop models come in 3 colors – black, white, or gray. Known as the “pocket Hercules,” this loyal personal barista is there for you to grind fresh beans, apply perfect 15 bar pressure, administer precise amounts of heat and water, or froth your milk for a perfect cup of joe. Best of all, your personal barista self-cleans after each session, all with the touch of a button. Consistently. Every time. When you own a Miele coffee machine, you’ll never have to worry about running out of filter paper. Moreover, you’ll have the right to put your friends to shame for feeding the plastic mountain that Keurig and its competitors are building. With the CM6, you can conveniently whip up the following drinks (and their popular variations): espresso, coffee, cappuccino, long coffee, ristretto, latte macchiato, caffè latte, hot milk, and milk froth. The CM6 family of coffee machines come under two model series: the CM6150 and CM6350. Both models share the same great conical burr grinder, which ensures uniformly ground beans. Users can also select the quantity and grade of coarseness. This high-quality grinder will not overheat your beans and will have them ready for the press. The Miele CM6 coffee makers are also able to accept ground coffee to include the “outliers” of the coffee universe (you know…your buddy who only drinks decaf or coffee with exotic flavors.) When making your drink, you can program the quantity and temperature of the water as well as the amount of milk and froth. This coffee maker comes with a large water tank (1.8L) and the sealed bean container can hold 300 grams (10.6 oz) of coffee beans. What’s different between the CM 6350 and CM 6150?
Attention to detail has always been important for Miele, and the CM6 series of countertop models is no exception. For example, the plastic tube that comes out of the froth spout connects to the drip tray to facilitate cleaning. There’s even a compartment to store the plastic tubing to prevent clutter and chaos in your kitchen. These are just a few examples of the thought process that went into creating these products. The Bottom LineAll in all, if you are in pursuit of the best at-home coffee experience, you will love Miele’s family of built-in and countertop coffee machines. Why? Because with these machines, you get… 1- The convenience and instant gratification to make the perfect cup of coffee or espresso. 2- A heavy-duty machine that you can even use in your office. (Cup after cup, the pump will always perform consistently!) 3- Amazing cleaning ability that ensures great-tasting coffee with maintenance-free longevity. 4- Commitment to Quality – If you happen to receive this product and notice ground coffee residue don’t panic. Miele tests each and every unit before shipping it out to a customer. FAQsMy brand new Miele coffee maker has coffee grinds in the unit. We get this call once or twice a week from customers who worry that they may have gotten an old coffee maker. Miele is one of the handful of companies that test every product that they make. In terms of the coffee maker, the final quality assurance test involves testing the burr grinder with actual coffee beans. This is the reason why you run across remant ground coffee. I have a plumbed coffee machine. Can I disconnect it from the waterline and use the water tank? Yes. You can always use the water tank independently. You don’t even need to disconnect the plumbing line. What does “plumbed” mean? Do Miele coffee makers have wifi? I drink decaf coffee while other family members drink regular. How can we manage this with the Miele coffee maker?
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Best Electric Ranges and Stoves 20209/26/2020 Any stove will cook your food. But after talking to a bunch of experts and comparing more than 60 models, we think that these are the most important features in a freestanding electric range: CooktopsAny decent range will have, at a minimum, a 2,400-watt power burner, but you can expect up to 3,300 watts on nicer models. The stronger burners heat up your cookware faster, so you’ll save a couple of minutes waiting for water to boil or for a pan to get hot enough for a good sear. Some readers have told us they prefer to have the strongest burners in the front row of the cooktop for easier access, and a few manufacturers have told us their own research shows that most stove buyers have the same preference. But one advantage of having the strongest burners placed diagonally is that it’s easier to fit two large pots or pans on the range in that arrangement, and we’ve heard from a few people who would rather have one strong burner in the back row, so that they can boil water where kids can’t reach the pot. Most ranges have a 1,200-watt simmer burner and a low-wattage “keep warm” zone where you can hold or melt without risk of scorching anything. Flex-width elements are pretty common. They add some flexibility by allowing you to choose between two or three different element “sizes” to match the width of the pot or pan you’re using. Any stove that costs more than $600 should have a smooth-top surface. These are much easier to clean than exposed-coil elements. They look sleeker and make it easier to work with large pots and pans. (However, this type of surface does scratch more easily.) We strongly prefer cooktops that you can control with movable, physical dials rather than buttons, because they’re just easier and more responsive. OvensCapacity matters, but almost every oven we found is larger than 5 cubic feet, which is big enough for a giant, 26-pound Thanksgiving turkey, a 16-inch pizza stone, or all but the very largest baking sheets or roasting pans. Any stove you find will come with two oven racks, but with pricier models, we like to see three. If you’re spending more than $600 on an electric range, you should expect it to have a convection cooking mode. This feature, if you choose to use it, turns on a fan at the back of the oven to spread heat evenly so that you can cook at lower temperatures for less time. When it works well, large batches of cookies will bake more evenly, pastry crusts will come out flakier, and roasted meats and veggies should be crispier on the outside and juicier on the inside. Many electric convection ovens have an extra heating element near the fan, which (allegedly) makes temperatures even more consistent throughout the oven. Depending on the brand, it’s usually called true convection or European convection. You should also expect some type of self-cleaning if you’re spending more than $600. Most models use really high temperatures to burn off filth, but some use steam. We’ve read too many user reviews slamming steam-clean modes as virtually useless, so we favored high-heat methods. Having both options, though, is even better. For the same reason we like physical dials to control the cooktop, we like to see number pads for inputting temperatures and cook times in the oven. Build quality and designThe more finish options there are, the more flexibility you have in outfitting your kitchen. We gave a slight preference to those with at least three options, one of which should be stainless steel. For the models we were able to check out in a store, we looked for knobs that felt securely fastened to the range, without too large a gap between the dial and the body. We checked for oven doors that opened smoothly but not too lightly, racks and drawers that glided, and a tightly laminated control panel. (All of the units we saw were floor models, so they may have seen more wear and tear than a range in a typical house.) Reliability and customer serviceReliability and customer service are difficult to pin down. But here’s the standard we’ve set for our picks: Owner reviews shouldn’t reveal any clear, consistent pattern of widespread defects, design problems, or egregiously bad product support. For this reason, we favored slightly older and more-popular models because they tend to have more user ratings, so we know more about them. We also took into account reliability data from J.D. Power and Yale Appliance + Lighting. Neither source is comprehensive, though. Over our years of reporting on appliances, we’ve also gathered feedback from repair technicians about the brands that they think are the most reliable. But it’s highly anecdotal and not very consistent, so we don’t weigh it too heavily in our decisions unless there seems to be a consensus about a brand or product. Less-important featuresA wok grate, temperature probe, or any other cooking accessory can be cool and useful, and many ranges come with one or more of these as a toss-in. But you can buy any of them separately, too. Extra cooking modes like delayed starts, food-specific presets, or scan-to-cook modes are all fine, but we doubt that most people ever use them. We didn’t go out of our way to avoid models with these kinds of cooking modes, because they’re hard to avoid, but we didn’t favor them, either. Wi-Fi connectivity won’t baste the turkey or turn the cookie sheet. It can make it easier to diagnose malfunctions in the range, which is moderately useful. 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