February 28th, 2012 by Richie Black

We here at Appliances Online respect the Academy's right to award their Oscars to predominantly human actors, but we would like everyone to pause for a moment to consider the role that appliances have made in elevating the art of film-making to new heights. Presenting, for your enjoyment, some of the defining movie roles performed by bits of plastic, aluminium and metal (not including the cast of ... Read more

February 24th, 2012 by Keri Algar

The Samsung Zipel smart oven uses a smartphone app and WiFi connectivity to order the oven to cook. Using the app the oven can be remotely programmed to cook 160 different dishes and then clean itself. It will even tell you the calorific content of the meal you have (virtually) prepared, and it's weight. [caption id="attachment_7114" align="alignright" width="210" caption="The 'appy oven"][/caption] This website understands that because the oven uses ... Read more

February 21st, 2012 by Mark Bristow

Happy Pancake Day!  If you haven’t already tucked into a stack of pancakes, crepes, flapjacks, pikelets or other sweet or savoury treats, now’s the perfect time to grab the ingredients you'll need to round out the day (geddit?) with a batch. Unlike many other arbitrary food holidays (which are often the invention of food manufacturers as a marketing ploy), Pancake Day has a traditional origin.  Shrove Tuesday ... Read more

February 16th, 2012 by Louise Carter

Despite the wealth of information out there on the topic of nutrition, there are some food myths out there that refuse to die. So today, in no particular order, Appliances Online is dishing up the dirt on some of the most persistent ideas about food that are, in most cases, totally unfounded: 1. Reduced fat foods are better for you Anyone familiar with the 'Fat Free Yoghurt' episode ... Read more

February 15th, 2012 by Mark Bristow

Just because your hot chips are cooked in a vat of boiling oil, it doesn't mean they have to be entirely unhealthy.  It is possible to use your deep fryer to get crisp and tasty chips while minimising the health risks. Today Appliances Online will take you through some ways to make your home-fried chips a cut above those of the local takeaway, not only in terms ... Read more

February 13th, 2012 by Keri Algar

A Smeg oven and Caessarstone kitchen benches have been highlighted as key selling points for Rob Jahrling's (Sydney Olympics 2000 Men's eights rowing Silver medalist) $1.3 million property at Balgowlah, Sydney. A kitchen and it's appliances may not make or break a sale, but they are definitely a "tick in the right box", according to Sue O'Brien from Raine and Horne Manly. O'Brien, who is managing the the Balgowlah sale, told Appliances Online that the latest ... Read more

February 8th, 2012 by Keri Algar

For the fashion conscious, decorative rangehoods can be the focal point of a kitchen. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and can make or break a kitchen's aesthetics. For the practically minded, kitchen rangehoods are fundamental, and "the quiet achievers" in a kitchen. "If you have a stove it's automatic to have a rangehood," says Appliances Online's whitegood expert, Colin Jones. With forty years ... Read more

February 6th, 2012 by Louise Carter

Late last year Appliances Online was lucky enough to welcome Rowie Dillon – creator of Rowie's Cakes and author of Indulge – to our staff kitchen. After noticing that bread, wheat products and pasta made her feel tired and bloated, Rowie was diagnosed with gluten intolerance over ten years ago. And it was her refusal to view her diagnosis as a prison sentence that inspired her to ... Read more

February 6th, 2012 by Louise Carter

Last week we published 'The Kettle is for Water, not Sausages,' which provoked an extraordinary response from our readers. It seems we've struck a chord deep within the heart of the Australian psyche. Alongside barbequing large bits of dead animal and slathering Vegemite on everything, it appears that the average Aussie is something of a MacGyver in the kitchen – constantly on the lookout for new and ... Read more

February 3rd, 2012 by Keri Algar

Feng shui is all about the flow of energy, or qi (chee) as the Chinese refer to it. Traditionally the Chinese used feng shui to orient buildings with spiritual significance but today it's part of an international popular culture making the environment in one's home more balanced and conducive to positive energy flow. Feng shui tips abound for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. But what about the hearth of the home, the ... Read more

February 1st, 2012 by Keri Algar

Induction cooktops surpass their electric and gas counterparts in speed, efficiency and precision. They produce intense heat three times faster than other cooktops and it's this snappy heat which lends itself so well to stir fry and wok cooking. Think sizzling steak, seared tuna, sauteed shrimp, wok fried rice, stirred noodles or spicy prawns...the mouth waters. But first, why use induction cooking? [caption id="attachment_5440" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Smeg Induction Cooktop includes a wok"][/caption] Last year, Appliances Online investigated what all the fuss over ... Read more

January 27th, 2012 by Louise Carter

There are many ways to ruin food. But it takes a certain element of genius to ruin food in a way that no one has ever ruined it before. Copy these cooking methods, and you may end up ruining your appliances too! Don't say we didn't warn you. 1. Grilled cheese in a toaster In theory, this seems like a brilliant idea. Simply turn your toaster on its side ... Read more

January 23rd, 2012 by Louise Carter

Creating the perfect cake can be tricky business. If you've ever created a 'cake wreck', don't take it to heart – we've all been there! Like everything in life baking takes practice, and even the world's best chefs have had their share of cake fails. To make your life easier, Appliances Online has put together these helpful tips for creating perfectly light and fluffy cakes every time. 1. ... Read more

January 23rd, 2012 by Keri Algar

According to Morphy Richards, decorating the kitchen instead of full refurbishments is the best way to brighten up a home. Enter the new Plum Kettle and Toaster by Morphy Richards. Joining the already colourful Berry Blue and Cherry Red range of kettles and toasters, as well as the uniquely lit Iluma kettle, the Plum Kettle and Toaster will most likely be introduced in February. The Plum Meno traditional kettle (43897) ... Read more

January 19th, 2012 by Keri Algar

Appliances Online has this week introduced three new ovens from different suppliers offering consumers a choice between a freestanding, wall, or a pyrolytic and induction cooktop combination. Varying from 60 litres to 80 litres and with a wide range of unique functions (such as an automatic spillage stop!), if you're in the market for a new oven you'll want to read on. Beginning in alphabetical order is ... Read more