Washing machine hoses- stainless steel vs rubber

You just picked the perfect laundry pair for your home and family. There's one more thing that you should purchase before you are ready to install and test out your washer and dryer, the washing machine hoses. Not all of them are made the same and it's important to not go the cheap route with these. Burst hoses are a common cause of water damage in the home. Follow these tips to avoid issues in the future.

It might seem simple, but do not go with the rubber hoses. It might seem standard to just go with them because that's what our parents used, but don't do it. They are the cheaper hose option and are easier to find, but don't be fooled. These types of hoses are the most likely to burst and cause water damage. Some might even say that they are reinforced, which means that they are reinforced with braided rayon or polyester mesh. This material inside makes the rubber stronger, but there is still chance for leaks and bursts.

The middle option is stainless steel braided hoses. This is what we recommend that you get. They are a little more expensive than the rubber hose, but hands down it's worth the upgrade. With this choice, there is still a layer of rubber in the inside, but is surrounded by stainless steel string that is braided together. This adds strength and will make it way more burst-resistant. Make sure that the hose does not become bent or kinked as the stainless steel can dig into the rubber hose.

Here are additional reasons to go with stainless steel water lines:

• Stainless steel hoses are more resistant to heat
• Stainless steel hoses are more resilient to pressure
• Rubber hoses lose flexibility over time and become rigid, causing the hose to burst

The next upgraded option is to have a auto-shutoff hose. This hose is braided with stainless steel, but also has the feature of having a shut-off valve on one of the ends of the hoses. This is an extra safety persuasion just in case there would ever be a burst. The mechanism can sense a water pressure change and will stop the flow of water from entering into the tube. This can save you from having a huge water or flood damage in the room or your whole house.

You can never be too safe with braided stainless steel hoses for your washer. Take the extra persuasion and make the upgrade today, before it's too late and you have water damage in your home. Remember to check your hoses periodically for signs of aging before it becomes an issue! Let our team know if you have any questions on this topic.

Why Choose Black Stainless

If you’re looking for something bold and shiny for your kitchen, then black stainless is definitely a good way to go.  Black stainless has been available for a few years now from major appliance manufacturers like Kitchen Aid, LG, and Samsung.  Even other brands like Whirlpool and GE have their own version of black stainless. This newer trend is here to stay!

The question is, what is black stainless exactly?                     

Black stainless as it reads is a bit misleading since there is no such thing as black stainless. In most cases, they are created from stainless steel and then coated in black oxide. Black oxide not only darkens stainless steel, but it also offers a bit of added protection. Often black oxide is added to ferrous materials and steel to add protection against mild corrosives. This is why many black stainless

steel appliances offer smudge-proof coating as an included benefit. In addition, black oxide offers protection against mild abrasions. Older refrigerators were coated in paint, so it only a matter of time before they were covered in chips and scratches. Since these refrigerators aren’t painted, but are instead oxidized, there’s no chance of them chipping – unless of course you take a hammer to it!

So why choose black stainless?

In addition to the durability and smudge proof of black stainless, it looks really sleek in all kitchens no matter the color palette.  Since this is a newer color in the industry, it is only found on the newest models. These models will feature some of the latest technology: Door-in-Door, Easy Clean, fingerprint resistance, dual door range, and 4 &5 French door refrigerators just to name a few.

If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen, I would definitely suggest considering going with black stainless. The fact that black stainless pairs well with just about any kitchen color under the sun and overall durability are 2 good reasons to upgrade today.  These appliances will be around for a while and can be in your home for a very long time.

Come check out black stainless for yourself at one of our stores. You will be amazed at how it looks.

4 Smudge-Proof Finish Options

    So, it’s been a while since you’ve upgraded your appliances and you’re thinking that with the Holidays coming up that this might be the right time to do it.  In looking for appliances you will find that while stainless steel is certainly the most popular, and available finish, it may not be the right finish for your household.        

                 

    Stainless Steel, while very attractive, can be a challenge to keep looking great.  Black & White appliances are limited in availability…and may actually cost you more! 

Never fear, new finishes are here!

  There are several new finishes available in a variety of brands that can offer your kitchen a luxurious look, without the luxurious price. Here are 4 different finishes to look into:

 Frigidaire Gallery

  A very “Family Friendly” appliance.  Nice features at an affordable price, with a very popular smudge-proof stainless steel finish. For the families that cook!

Frigidaire Professional

 This line offers a smudge-proof finish, while offering a “Pro-Style” look. For the households that entertain.

LG Black Stainless

This new finish offers an “acid-treated” stainless which is then coated with a smudge-proof outer coating.  Very luxurious and family friendly.

GE Slate

GE offers 90% of their line of appliances in this rich new finish, perfect if you prefer more of a Satin Finish, not a High Gloss.

There are many more options to choose from, I have only listed a few.  Come see us today so that we can show you more options in Samsung and Kitchen Aid, we hope to see you soon!

Cooking with Chef Mark - How to Sharpen your Knife

You probably have seen a steel before while chefs sharpen their knives. Chef Mark is here to show you how to properly use your steel to make sure you knives in the kitchen stay sharp.



Make sure to keep your knife at a 20 degree angle throughout the whole length of your knife. Hone both sides of your knife to keep your blade even and straight in the middle. Honing your knife 5-6 time is recommended to get the most out of sharpening your knife.

Remember, a sharp knife is a safe knife!

Have any questions about using a steel for honing your knife? Leave it in the comments section.

2017 Kitchen Appliance Finish Trends

Trends in kitchen styles and finishes are always changing and now with hot new natural looks and finishes showing up everywhere kitchen appliances making leaps and bounds every year.  Among these is a shift in style from the stainless steel that has dominated the market for the last several decades.

New Metal Finishes and Panel Ready

Metal finishes across the board in the kitchen are slowly moving away from the long lasting finger print ridden stainless steel.  Finishes are becoming more user friendly and require less maintenance like black diamond stainless.  Keep in mind, however, that the biggest movement isn’t being seen among the manufacturers; it’s the bespoke pieces instead. Homeowners are having appliance doors made specifically for their kitchens, which are leading the way in this trend.

Invisible Appliances

Appliance panels are not new, but they’ve never been this popular before. While modern and transitional kitchens are using black stainless and bold colors in their appliances, formal and traditional kitchens are taking a different route. They’re using appliance panels to conceal and hide their appliances from sight.

Appliance panels are extensions of the cabinet doors you use in the rest of your kitchen. They fit over the appliance front, concealing it. So instead of a dishwasher, you simply see a larger cabinet door. Look for more cabinet makers to offer these panels, as well as for appliance manufacturers to offer models that can use the panels easily without blocking things like ice makers in the door.

Trends are Trends are Trends

After years on top, stainless steel continues to be the most popular with realtors which is the best reflection of a continuing popular trend.  Despite predictions of trends moving away from stainless as long as people expect stainless appliances when buying a home this will continue.  So be cautious if this isn’t your final home that your taste in finishes may not be reflective of the masses.

What appliance trends appeal to you in your kitchen upgrade? We look forward to seeing you in one of our Colorado stores to make your kitchen dream come to life!

Hack: Easily get Rid of that Onion and Garlic Smell

A lot of people love garlic and onion flavor but the smell, well that can be a little overbearing and downright bring someone to tears. The smell can get on your hands and be tough to get out with just soap and water but there is hope.

Stainless Steel when combined with cold water can get rid of most of the smell. Look around the kitchen; you more than likely have plenty laying around.  Knives, spoons, and other utensils will all work. All you need to do is run the knife under cold water and carefully rub the stainless steel.

So why does this work? Well its science! Garlic and onions get their strong aroma from sulfur that gets all over your hands. When you wash your hands it turns into sulfuric acid and has a chemical reaction with the stainless that neutralizes the smell.

Try it out the next time your crushing garlic and cutting up onions. 

GE Cafe PRO Style Dual Fuel Range- Walk through

In this video, Scott takes you through the benefits and features of one of our favorite ranges, the GE Café Freestanding Range (C2S985SETSS). This range/stove showcases restaurant inspired styles with its robust commercial handles and straight edges plus combining sought after features. 

The Café Dual Fuel Range includes:
• Electric Convection Oven with temperature probe
• Five gas burners with 2 power burners in front 
• Fifth burner can be converted to a griddle
• Two independent ovens with even temperature throughout



Stop by one of our stores to learn even more about this range oven and others. Find the perfect range before the new year.