It's safe to say I've never cooked more than I have in the past five weeks.
I love to cook. But with a busy job, a long commute, and a passion for eating out, I generally only cook somewhere in the ballpark of five meals per week in "normal" times. I drink most of my drinks at bars with friends and hardly ever eat dessert, unless I'm out for a special occasion.
But these are strange times! Homebound, due to the coronavirus pandemic, I find myself cooking 20 or so meals per week. My husband and I break for "happy hour" cocktails every day at 6 p.m. to help transition out of work-from-home mode. And I've developed a sweet tooth that just won't quit.
All of this time in the kitchen spent preparing meals, cocktails, and dessert has made me very reliant on kitchen tools.
Here are the 15 gadgets, appliances, and tools I'm using the most.
Dutch oven
quarantine vlog: life at home & what i've been doing
Janelle Monae's new midcentury-style home is just as unique as the singer/actress/activist herself. Situated in the celebrity-friendly neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, the "Electric Lady" singer's $3.9 million property is made up of two separate houses connected via a shared central breezeway, with a total of 3,403 square feet of living space, Variety reports.
Built back in the 1950s, the dwelling still retains much of that decade's funky aesthetic, with exposed wood beams and a decidedly tropical feel to its surrounding courtyards and grounds. The two-bedroom main house features an open floor plan with a main living area that spills out onto an outdoor dining area through a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass sliders. The kitchen is chic and modern, with stainless-steel appliances, built-in wooden shelves, and a temperature-regulated wine fridge. The master suite has its own intriguing components, including an indoor/outdoor steam shower, a private patio surrounded by tall trees, and an in-ground cedar spa. A serviceable claw-foot bathtub is tucked against the house elsewhere on the property for warm-weather dips.
The second house has its own separate entrance and boasts two bedrooms. Its kitchen is considerably smaller, but no less equipped for an aspiring chef. It is perfect for a guesthouse or a music studio. Other offerings of the Hidden Figures star's new property include a full outdoor kitchen with built-in BBQ and stainless-steel appliances, a lavish patio area, and a large rectangular pool.
This story was originally published 2020/03/30 7:00am PDTon Mar 30, 2020 and last updated 2020/04/11 2:10pm PDTApr 11, 2020.
Smart devices add a great level of convenience to your household, including the ability to control them remotely and using your voice. However, there are times when it's much easier to operate them the old fashioned way with the push of a button rather than with your voice. Sadly, not many come with physical controls, and even if they did, that would mean you'd have a bunch of remotes lying around.
To solve this issue, we've looked at how you can turn a phone or a tablet into a remote control for all of your smart home devices, without having to switch from one app to another. We've explored several options, and the one that's right for you will depend greatly on what smart devices you have at home, as compatibility with third-party services may greatly vary.
Google has turned its Home app into a smart control hub since October 2018, letting you operate various devices directly without having to use any other software. What's particularly convenient is that all of the devices you use with Assistant will automatically appear within the app without the need for extra configuration. For instance, all of my lights, smart plugs, speakers, thermostats, and even my vacuum cleaner appear in the app, with the ability to control them.
Unfortunately, the Google Home app has some limitations. First, some devices can't be operated with it. For instance, I can't use it to turn off the TV, even though I can ask Assistant to do so. Similarly, although smart locks, window blinds, and air fresheners are shown in the app, there's no option to control them. What's particularly surprising is that devices like smart locks and TVs can be controlled from a Smart Display, so it makes no sense Google hasn't added that option in its Home app.
One way to solve this limitation is by using Routines, depending on what you want to achieve. In my case, I created one that lets me turn off the TV without having to use Assistant, and although it's far from being the most convenient way — you have to create it manually, and triggering it basically takes you to Assistant — it works. You could do the same to lock your door or open the blinds, but that still means you have to create these individually.
Lastly, Routines can also help you automate various things at home, such as turning all lights off when you're leaving, but these are relatively limited as they can't include any conditions, unlike some of the other services we'll talk about later.
Google Home is the app that will work for most people. Sure, it can't do everything, and you'll probably need to explore other apps if you'd like to perform more complex actions, but it doesn't require heavy configuration and is intuitive to use. It's unfortunate there's no way to customize the layout in the app and that there's no widget, as these would have made it even more convenient.
Olisto is not a control panel per se, but rather a way to automate most of your smart home devices and appliances and have them communicate with each other. It allows you to create "triggs" that can be conditioned based on various elements, such as the time, location, day of the week etc, to perform various actions. For instance, you can ask it to turn on the lights, lock the doors, and open the blinds every weekday at 9:00 AM. You can also automate various actions based on triggers from devices you already have at home, such as your smart camera, fitness tracker, and much more. Thank to Olisto's integration with an extensive range of services, you can imagine crazy "triggs" like locking the kitchen's door when you haven't exercised enough before 7:00 PM, for example.
What's particularly powerful, though, is its ability to create "now" buttons to perform "triggs." For example, you can press a single virtual button when you get home to open the blinds, turn on the lights, and start playing music on your speakers. The downside is that you have to manually create a button for every feature in every product, which can be particularly time-consuming to set up, but very convenient when used daily.
Olisto is probably not for everyone, especially if you're not looking at spending too much time on configuration. On the other hand, if you like to fiddle with technology and create some pretty neat home automations that are triggered at the touch of a virtual button, you should definitely give this app a try. It lets you create more complex routines than IFTTT, but supports fewer services, and tends to focus mostly on European platforms. Lastly, although there is no widget, there's an option to have a persistent notification, which can add a level of handiness, even though I personally hate these.
iHaus is one of the least eye pleasing apps I've seen, but it's actually quite handy. For starters, it doesn't require any extensive setup and can connect to your smart home devices without the need to log in. Instead, I managed to link my Roomba and Hue lights with the touch of a button, as the app automatically scanned my Wi-Fi network. Sadly, my plugs and cast-enabled speakers weren't supported, so I couldn't have all of my devices in the app.
Unlike Olisto, iHaus is more of a control panel for your smart devices, including some speakers, lights, plugs, kitchen appliances, locks, thermostats, and even your Tesla. It's easier to use than Google Home, in a sense that you can just tap a device's icon to turn it on or start it. What's also great is that it can automatically recognize groups, such as Hue rooms, so you can turn on all lights in a room at once, or change their color at the same time. You can also create routines to turn off everything at home with a single virtual button.
iHaus does offer the ability to create scripts with conditional triggers, but I've found them to be quite poor based on my usage. Again, this will depend on what you're trying to achieve, what devices you have, and whether they're compatible with the app.
All in all, iHaus can be a relevant option if you're looking for something simple and easy to use, but don't mind the looks.
If you can't bear the looks of iHaus, SmartThings is by far the nicest looking app covered in this article. Although it's made by Samsung, it's not exclusive to the brand's products and doesn't necessarily require the hub, as it can actually integrate with a great number of third-party services.
It's easy to set up and the app lets you split devices by room. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with my Roomba and required an additional hub to handle my smart plugs, which is a roadblock for me. Besides that, there's no option to change the color of all lights in a room, so you'll have to set these individually — unless you want to turn your living room into a club. There are some handy features, though, like the ability to set timers for the lights to turn off automatically after a certain amount of time, or at a specific hour. Another unique feature it offers is the ability to add various locations, so you can separate the devices from your city apartment and your country house, for example. Also, there's the option to add widgets to your home screen, which makes it even more convenient to use.
The built-in automation features are actually quite powerful, as they can be conditional and control various devices at the same time, which allows for an easy configuration and avoids using a third-party platform like IFTTT.
List of supported products and services
Yonomi is relatively similar to Olisto, in a sense that it's designed to help you automate things at home, but can also act as a remote control for lights and other devices. It's very easy to set up and can automatically detect what devices are on your Wi-Fi network, just like iHaus. Sadly, it doesn't support groups, so all your devices appear together, and although you can control them individually, you can't turn several lights on or off at the same time.
Yonomi can be very useful when setting up routines, though, as these can be conditional. However, I find the number of supported services to be quite low, so you'll have to see whether it's relevant for you compared to Olisto or IFTTT.
IFTTT is one of my favorite services around, and what's great about it is that once you've set up everything, you even forget it exists. For instance, I use a few smart plugs at home to control some lights, and I don't want to use different apps to automatically turn them off based on my location. Thanks to IFTTT, my Hue lights, plugs and other devices can be turned off when I leave, without me having to worry about it. In fact, IFTTT is so transparent that you rarely need to use the app, unless you're setting up a new applet or checking your activity log.
There also an option for you to control your smart devices directly from your phone, thanks to widgets and "Do buttons." Just like Olisto, this isn't a convenient option, as you'll have to create recipes manually, but they can be handy for a few of features, such as turning lights on or off, but you won't get to pick the color for instance.
IFTTT can be worth considering if you don't intend to create too many buttons, as the platform supports a very wide range of services and allows you to create tasks in just a flew clicks. The app also has a widget, which most others don't, so it might be a relevant option for many.
Amazon's app is relatively similar to Google's, in a sense that it offers the ability to control your devices and group them in rooms. It also has the benefit of being compatible with a very wide range of products and services, which is definitely an argument compared to some other ones in this post. Some might find it more convenient than other apps, as it lets you turn off all lights or plugs in a room using different icons, which can be handy. Unfortunately, Alexa isn't smart enough to recognize some of my plugs actually control lamps, while others don't, which means that if I turn on all lights in a room, it won't switch on the ones that are operated with a smart plug. Also, I was disappointed there was no option to control some devices, such as my vacuum clear, while the Google Home app can do it. Sadly, there is no way to create widgets to control your favorite devices. Similarly, you need to click on Devices every time you open the app to access them, which I find to be inconvenient, especially if you're planning on using the app as a smart remote control. This app has a very intuitive and pleasing interface and lets you organize your devices in groups and rooms, making it easier to navigate. It's designed to support a wide range of devices, including lights, plugs, thermostats, TVs, and speakers, but it's unfortunately only compatible with a limited number of services. For instance, while it supports Hue and LIFX, I couldn't link it to my Roomba and smart plugs, which was again a roadblock for me. That's a bit of a shame because it's probably one of the easiest ones to use in this roundup. It's also customizable, with the option to rename devices and change their icons, but what's the point in being able to do so if you can't control most of your devices?
Whether you're trying to repurpose a spare phone or tablet into a remote control or want to use your current one to easily operate your appliances, we hope the above apps will help you aggregate everything in a single, convenient screen. This can also be a great way to help your household benefit from a basic digital remote control without your intervention, and without giving everyone full access to all apps and devices. Hopefully, you'll be able to find an app that suits your needs, and that can handle all the services you use. Don't hesitate to share your favorites with us in the comment section below.
Turn Your Old Android Phone/Tablet into the Ultimate Car GPS
This 5,425-square-foot Kildeer home has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and an island, with views of the two-story fireplace in the family room. Double doors lead to the master suite boasting a tray ceiling, two walk-in closets and a bathroom with separate vanities, a shower with body spray jets, and a Whirlpool tub. A full kitchen, recreation room with a fireplace, game room, media room and full bar make up the lower level. An in-law suite with a separate entrance includes a living room, full kitchen, dining room and master suite.
The coronavirus has sent many Americans home to ride this pandemic out. All the increased food preparation, laundry and cleaning puts family members — as well as houses and apartments — under increased stress.
There are things you can do in this time of heightened awareness to help keep germs under control and make the most efficient use of home appliances. We have been speaking to experts to address some of these issues. Here are some highlights.
Don't stand with the fridge door open as you contemplate your next WFH snack.
With all the traffic opening and closing refrigerator doors, warm air could lower the temperature, which is not good for the food. It also wastes energy. During a recent live Q&A with Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Institute's director of home appliances and cleaning products, a reader asked whether the 41 degrees in her KitchenAid was a worrisome temperature. Her family had been using it a lot. Forte answered that a good temperature is 36 or 37 (definitely below 40), but refrigerator temperatures do fluctuate based on when the defrost cycle kicks in. "You may have opened it just at that time. I've done that myself and gotten a little worried, too," Forte wrote.
Forte further suggests asking your family to figure out what they are eating before they open the door. As regular maintenance, you should be vacuuming the coils on your refrigerator so it isn't overworked from being clogged with dust, pet hair and dirt. Check your manual for where these coils are located. Some are accessed by removing the front panel, and some are in the back.
For the reader with the KitchenAid, Forte wrote that it's a good idea to keep an eye on the temperature: "If it continues to rise, you may have to call for service. Fingers crossed, not!"
Check to see whether you have a sanitizing cycle on your washing machine, dryer or dishwasher.
Many newer washing machines, dryers and dishwashers have a sanitize-cycle option. Some consumers may not be aware of these cycles or know how they work, said Steve Hettinger, GE Appliances director of engineering for clothes care. These cycles offer the hottest temperatures available in your appliances, making them the best choice for anyone concerned about germs. World Health Organization statistics show that temperatures of 140 to 150 degrees are enough to kill most viruses.
If your washing machine has a sanitizing cycle, you might want to use it for bedding or clothing you have worn outdoors, Hettinger said. Standard hot-water cycles in washers tend to be as warm as your hot-water heater setting, traditionally about 120 degrees. A sanitizing cycle can vary in different brands and models but may include hot-water temperatures that reach 140 degrees, and additional agitation time, rinses and spins to remove soils and bacteria. Some models also require an oxygen bleach cleaning additive to power the sanitizing cycle. (Both bacteria and viruses are germs, but machines are only tested for killing bacteria.)
Some dryers also have sanitize cycles that Hettinger says use extended periods of high heat at 145 degrees to kill germs. They could be useful at this time for bedding, especially when someone is ill. If you don't have a sanitizing option, he suggests drying a load normally using a high heat setting immediately followed by a timed dry cycle on high heat for a minimum of 45 minutes.
If you have a dishwasher, this may be the time to use it on a regular basis vs. washing dishes by hand. During the sanitize cycle in GE Appliances dishwashers, the water will reach at least 150 degrees to kill 99 percent of germs, said Adam Hofmann, GE Appliances' director of engineering for dishwashers. The water temperature in a normal dishwasher cycle is 125-135 degrees, and hand-washing temperatures are even lower and vary based on the tolerance of the person washing dishes, Hofmann said. The company statistics say that a sanitizing cycle kills 99 percent of bacteria. (There are no statistics on viruses.)
Each model or manufacturer may have different instructions on how to use a sanitizing cycle. Some models may have sanitize as a dedicated cycle, and others may have sanitize as an add-on to a standard cycle. Check your user manual for instructions.
Your bathroom needs extra attention.
Forte says bathrooms are now being used all day by family members who used to leave to go to work or school, so clean touchpoints frequently: faucets, light switches and doorknobs. Towels are getting used more than ever, she says. Change out bath towels every few days, and hand and dish towels every other day. Make sure to hang towels up between uses so they dry.
Take care of your plumbing, too. Disposable disinfecting wipes or paper towels should not go in the toilet, unless you want a sewage backup. (Even "flushable" wipes aren't a great idea.) Instruct your family to clean out the drain or hair catcher in the tub or shower after every use.
Also be aware that your toothbrush can spread germs. If anyone has been sick, toss their toothbrush or toothbrush head for safety, Forte said. If you want to clean your toothbrushes during this time of increased concern, soak in a mixture of one ounce of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with five ounces of water for about 10 minutes. Then toss the solution and rinse with tap water. If you share one bathroom, a person who is sick should keep their toothbrush in another place.
It would be a good idea to have some extra toothbrushes or toothbrush heads on hand at this time.
Some stores are reporting a shortage of disinfecting or any liquid soaps, so now may be the time to bring out that bar soap you have in your linen closet or bathroom vanity. Washing your hands with either liquid or bar soap for 20 seconds is effective, said Brian Sansoni, a senior vice president at the American Cleaning Institute. Sansoni said some people may prefer liquid soap because otherwise you're sharing the bar soap with other people. Although some research has found that bacteria can stay on frequently used bar soap, a widely cited American Journal of Public Health report from 1965 found that the bacteria don't seem to transfer to the next user. "So the greater threat is not washing your hands thoroughly," Sansoni said in an email. "Use whatever type of soap you prefer."
Open the windows for a nice breeze — but don't expect it to blow the germs away.
"That's what we used to do, open the all the windows in the house," said Glenn Wortmann, the director of infectious diseases at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. "You'd see that in the old TB sanitariums. They made sure to always let the air come through." Fresh air can be a mood booster, but there is no science showing that it can blow away germs. "A lot of this is just whatever makes people feel better," Wortmann said. While on cold days it isn't really an option, he adds, now that spring weather is here, "there is no downside in doing it."
Almo Corporation has expanded the Almo Financial Relief Program with help from its largest home appliance vendors. Launched last week to help assist professional A/V resellers through challenging economic times due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this program offers an additional 30 days of extended floor plan credit terms to qualified independent retail dealers on appliances purchases made from Almo through April 30, 2020.
"The uncertainties associated with COVID-19 have created challenging business situations for many of our independent appliance dealers as they work to stay an essential part of keeping residential homes operational," said Jack Halperin, senior vice president, Dealer Channel Division, Almo Corporation in a statement. "Our traditional order, shipment and delivery turnaround times may also be slightly lengthened over the next month. The additional 30 days of extended floor plan terms will help dealers stock the necessary inventory needed to address any immediate consumer demand that arises."
Almo Financial Relief Alliance Home Appliance partners include Electrolux/Frigidaire Major Appliances, LG Home Appliances, Samsung Home Appliances and Sharp Appliances.
To learn more about the Almo Financial Relief Alliance, independent retail dealers should contact their Almo Account Manager.
About Almo CorporationFor more than seven decades, Almo Corporation has served as the largest independent distributor of appliances, consumer electronics, professional Audio/Video equipment, furniture and housewares in the United States. Meeting the needs of retailers across the country, Almo operates nine regional distribution facilities with over 2.5 million square feet of warehousing.
See also: Almo Professional A/V Launches Almo Financial Relief Alliance
Subscribe
For more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to our newsletter here.
Using "Intermediaries" to Streamline Operations and Support Expanded SNAP E&T Programs
There's nothing like the taste of smoked meat — brisket, wings, you name it. But trying to get that amazing flavor without an electric smoker is definitely a hassle. That's why investing in an electric smoker is a great option for home chefs who want to up their meals — even if you're a beginner cook.
"Smoking meat is like slow cooking or braising, which also tenderizes meat, but imparts flavor in a different way. The flavor of meat is accentuated in smoking," says Nicole Papantoniou, senior testing editor and producer at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances Lab.
But not just any electric smoker will do. You'll want one that is able to hold temperature well, and the easiest way that can be done, the better says Papantoniou. So with that expert intel in mind, here's our list of the best electric smokers on the market right now.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Best Overall Electric Smoker
Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker Masterbuilt amazon.com
$349.00
Masterbuilt's 40-inch digital electric smoker features bluetooth technology so you can monitor and control your smoker temperature from your smart device or digital control panel. It has a side wood chip loading system so you can add chips without opening the smoker door. Plus, it has four chrome-coated smoking racks. An interior light illuminates food in low-light conditions when the door is open. And it has wheels and a rear-mounted handle, so it's easy to move.
2
Best Budget Electric Smoker
Analog Electric Smoker Char-Broil amazon.com
$143.97
Char-Broil's electric smoker has 544 square inches of cooking area across three chrome-plated grates. Double-wall insulated construction helps retain the heat and smoke. And this option has dual exhaust ports, which allow consistent smoke production and better air flow. There's a door-mounted temperature gauge, and a front-access water tray, grease cup, and wood chip tray.
3 Digital Bluetooth Electric Smoker
Dyna-Glo amazon.com $299.00
$223.19 (25% off)
Dyna-Glo's 30-inch electric smoker has four chrome-plated steel cooking grates which combine to provide 732-square-inches of cooking space. Use the digital thermostat and control panel display to set and monitor cooking times and temps. An integrated thermometer allows you to track food's internal temperature without interrupting cooking. A removable rack and sausage hooks provide added versatility. A bottom-access drawer lets you get to your water or wood chips without letting smoke or heat escape, as does a flexible, high-temperature door seal. A 1,000-watt burner generates major cooking power in cold conditions.
4 Electric Smoker
Smokin-It amazon.com
$529.99
This electric smoker has a chic-looking and durable all-stainless steel construction. The smoker is insulated to reduce heat loss, and a replaceable 800-watt heating element is certified for restaurant use. This smoker includes three-inch diameter rubber casters and four removable shelves. Side handles make it reasonably easy to move, too.
5 Electric Smoker
Cuisinart williams-sonoma.com
$199.95
Cuisinart's 30-inch electric smoker has three stainless steel racks, providing a total of 548 square inches of cooking space. A 1,500-watt heating element produces temperatures from 100 to 400 degrees, and Papantoniou notes that, "a larger temperature range is desirable; it allows for more versatility." A thermometer monitors internal temperature, and a removable water pan and wood chip tray make startup and cleanup easier. The frame is also lightweight, with two side handles, making it easier to use, move, and store.
6
Best Electric Smoker for Professionals
Electric Smoker Cookshack Amerique bbqguys.com
$1,899.00
Cookshack Amerique's electric smoker might be the appliance of your dreams — at a splurge-y price point. Top-end insulation ensures consistent internal temperature for a huge amount of food: It has more than 1,000 square inches of cooking area, allowing as much as 50 pounds of food to be smoked at once. A digital controller allows for precise automatic cooking to pre-set temps. And the 140 to 300 degree temperature range allows big variety in what you can successfully smoke with this one: meat, fish, vegetables, and a range of other options.
7 Front Controller Smoker
Masterbuilt amazon.com
$399.99
Masterbuilt's 40-inch front-controller smoker has a massive viewing window, which Papantoniou cites among the features to consider when making your purchase. It also has a remote control for operating features such as temperature, time, and light. This option also features four chrome-coated smoking racks, for significant cooking space. And this smoker includes thermostat temperature control for even heat and consistent smoking.
Alesandra Dubin Freelance Writer Alesandra is a veteran digital journalist based in Los Angeles, who has covered travel, food, events, fashion and beauty, entertainment, home, parenting, and viral content for more than 15 years.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Sous Vide DIY Smoker on a Budget How to build a smoker
Some might find it more convenient than other apps, as it lets you turn off all lights or plugs in a room using different icons, which can be handy. Unfortunately, Alexa isn't smart enough to recognize some of my plugs actually control lamps, while others don't, which means that if I turn on all lights in a room, it won't switch on the ones that are operated with a smart plug. Also, I was disappointed there was no option to control some devices, such as my vacuum clear, while the Google Home app can do it. Sadly, there is no way to create widgets to control your favorite devices. Similarly, you need to click on Devices every time you open the app to access them, which I find to be inconvenient, especially if you're planning on using the app as a smart remote control. This app has a very intuitive and pleasing interface and lets you organize your devices in groups and rooms, making it easier to navigate. It's designed to support a wide range of devices, including lights, plugs, thermostats, TVs, and speakers, but it's unfortunately only compatible with a limited number of services. For instance, while it supports Hue and LIFX, I couldn't link it to my Roomba and smart plugs, which was again a roadblock for me. 
That's a bit of a shame because it's probably one of the easiest ones to use in this roundup. It's also customizable, with the option to rename devices and change their icons, but what's the point in being able to do so if you can't control most of your devices? 
Almo Corporation has expanded the Almo Financial Relief Program with help from its largest home appliance vendors. Launched last week to help assist professional A/V resellers through challenging economic times due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this program offers an additional 30 days of extended floor plan credit terms to qualified independent retail dealers on appliances purchases made from Almo through April 30, 2020.
