Apr
11

Top Commercial Products: EdgeStar Beverage Coolers

EdgeStar BWC70SS Beverage Cooler     EdgeStar BWC90SS Beverage Cooler     EdgeStar BWC120SS Beverage Cooler

Are you looking for a great, compact beverage cooler for your office or a customer waiting area?  The EdgeStar 62, 84, and 118 can beverage coolers would be a perfect choice for your needs. Whether you are a workout facility looking to store your energy drinks or an auto-repair shop that likes to offer a soda while your customers wait for their service repair, we have the beverage cooler for you!

The 3 different capacities allow you to pick the right size for your space.  These are also great for promotional gifts and can easily be labeled and decal-ed.  These beverage coolers will come in a stylish black color with stainless steel trim and handle.  The wire shelving inside the unit can be moved and arranged to accommodate different bottle sizes.  Give us a call if you would like to add these to your business or personal needs.

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Ryan is the head of Business Sales for Living Direct. If you are interested in learning more about any of our commercial products or wish to make a bulk purchase from our site, you can reach Ryan at 1-800-297-6076 or contact him through this form.

Apr
04

Top Commercial Products: EdgeStar Medical Freezer

EdgeStar Medical Freezer

Our #1 selling EdgeStar medical freezer is being used all over the country at leading pharmacies.  This 1.5 cu/ft vaccine freezer has the ability to hold temperatures at -20°C and -5°F.  This is important because a lot of vaccines, including the new Zostavax vaccine for shingles, need to be constantly monitored and stored at these very low temperatures.

The convenient countertop design makes this mini freezer space efficient, which is important in a pharmacy setting.  We offer this unit in white, with stainless steel handle and built-in lock.

If you are looking for a solid, dependable and space efficient medical freezer for your pharmacy, please contact us!  We would love to add your pharmacy or medical center to the list of leading facilities using our EdgeStar CMF151L medical freezer!

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Ryan is the head of Business Sales for Living Direct. If you are interested in learning more about any of our commercial products or wish to make a bulk purchase from our site, you can reach Ryan at 1-800-297-6076 or contact him through this form.


Mar
29

Save Time & Eat Healthier with a Pressure Cooker

Spring has officially begun and for many of us that means more free time outside of work – whether spent at baseball and soccer games,  or even perusing the farmers markets on the weekends. It is a time when we want to spend less time slaving over a hot stove and instead take advantage of spring’s bounty of fresh produce.

One surprising way to save time in the kitchen, using fresh ingredients and keeping the kitchen cooler, is by integrating pressure cooking into your weekly meal planning routine.  I know what many of you are thinking, aren’t those contraptions known for being dangerous?  Like many things, technological advancements have significantly improved the standards of current pressure cookers. What has changed? Current models include locking lids, back-up vents, and most importantly, features to prevent you from opening the pot before the pressure has been released. Even with all of the improvements made to pressure cookers, you still reap all of the benefits:

  • Time Saver: Food can cook up to 70% faster.
  • Multi-Tasking Friendly: This is my favorite benefit; once you turn on the pressure cooker you can walk away and focus your time on other important tasks.
  • Vitamin Bonus: More vitamins and essential minerals are retained by the faster cook time.
  • Energy Efficient: With the heat of summer approaching, nobody wants to stand over the stove for hours in a hot kitchen. Pressure cooking allows you to save energy by cooking in less time and from having to turn on the oven.

Here is a great recipe from Peggy Under Pressure to get you started with your pressure cooker.

Spring Risotto

Spring Risottophoto credit: Peggy Under Pressure

Spring Risotto is an awesome recipe to highlight the benefits of using a pressure cooker. When traditionally cooked on the stove, making risotto is tedious and time consuming. Many people think of using pressure cookers for cooking meat but they are just as excellent at cooking vegetables.

INGREDIENTS:

3 large shallots, chopped
3 cups Aborio rice
4-5 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 cup white wine + 2 tbsp white wine for shallots
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups asparagus chopped
2 cups baby spinach leaves

GARNISH:

Chopped chives
Shredded Parmesan cheese

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

Press the START button on the pressure cooker and turn the setting to the browning function. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into the pot. Place the chopped shallots into the pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste, pour in 2 tablespoons of dry white wine, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Press the CANCEL button on the pressure cooker turning it off.

Place 3 cups of Aborio rice into the pressure cooking pot followed by 1 cup of dry white wine and 4 cups of low sodium chicken stock. Stir everything together. Close the lid and lock the pressure cooker into position. Set the pressure valve to Airtight. Depending on your model, you can select the Rice & Risotto button on your machine or manually select the time for 10 minutes.

Once cooking is complete, release the pressure by turning the pressure valve to exhaust. Unlock and open the lid. Allow the KEEP WARM function to stay on for this part just for a few minutes. Check the consistency of the risotto. If it’s too sticky and dry, add more stock or wine and give it a good mix. The rice should be tender but retain its shape. Throw in the asparagus, frozen or fresh peas and spinach leaves. Fold them into the rice. Shut the lid and using the warm function to heat and cook all of the vegetables. It will take around 3-5 minutes to cook through. Open the lid and check on the veggies.  Once veggies are cooked, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped chives and serve immediately.

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Product Recommendation: If you are in the market to purchase a pressure cooker, I would recommend the Fagor 6 Qt. Electric Pressure Cooker Plus. The control panel features “brown” and “warm” functions, and there is a delay time feature, allowing you to come home from the office to a perfectly cooked dinner.

 

Mar
02

4 Built-In Appliances to Replace a Trash Compactor

trash compactor

If your kitchen has a trash compactor, but you hardly ever use it, then maybe it’s time you replaced it with a different appliance. Trash compactors are typically 15 inches wide, but make sure to measure your model and the opening it sits in before deciding on the new appliance you want to exchange it with.

To help get you started, I’ve put together a list of appliances that are 15” wide and could easily replace your outdated trash compactor. Start dreaming of the ways you can upgrade your kitchen:

Wine Cooler

Like all under counter appliances, you will want to make sure you are purchasing a wine cooler that is specifically designed for built-in purposes. A freestanding unit should not be built into cabinetry because it will overheat and stop working, and in the process, your wine could be ruined.

A wine cooler will definitely upgrade the look of your kitchen. There are many different designs you can choose from, but all of them are sleek and sure to be a conversation piece amongst visiting family and friends.

Aside from the aesthetics, if you enjoy wine, then having a wine refrigerator in your kitchen is convenient. You can easily pair a wine with your dinner, entertain guests or enjoy a glass after a long day at work. The wine will be perfectly chilled to your preferred temperature and waiting for you when you want it.

Some of my favorite 15”, built-in wine coolers:

Koldfront Built-In Wine CoolerKoldfront BWR300BL Built-In Wine Cooler

- Single zone wine cooler

- Holds up to 30 bottles

- Temperature range of 40 – 65 degrees F

- LED display & interior lighting

- Slide out wire shelves

 

EdgeStar Built-In Wine CoolerEdgeStar CWR261DZ Built-In Wine Cooler

- Dual zone wine cooler

- Holds up to 26 bottles

- Temperature ranges:
Lower zone – 40-54 degrees F
Upper zone – 54-64 degrees F

- Slide out steel-trimmed, wooden shelves

 

Vinotemp Wine CoolerVinotemp VT-26 Built-In Wine Cooler

- Single zone wine cooler

- Holds up to 26 bottles

- Temperature range: 45-65 degrees F

- Has a lock for keeping your wine secure

- Slide out wood shelves

 

Beverage Refrigerator

What’s great about having a beverage fridge in your home is you’ll free up space in your kitchen refrigerator. Sodas and beers can take up quite a bit of shelf space that could instead be used for more groceries or leftovers from dinner.

Having a designated fridge for your drinks will also make it easier when entertaining because guests will know exactly where to go for a refill. It also means your refrigerator door won’t be constantly opened and closed, causing temperature fluctuations, which can cause some food items, like eggs, to go bad.

My favorite 15”, built-in beverage fridges:

EdgeStar Beverage FridgeEdgeStar CBR900SS Beverage Fridge

- Holds up to 84 cans

- Temperature range: 38-50 degrees F

- Has a lock for keeping beverages secure

- Slide out coated wire shelves

- Blue LED interior lighting

 

Avanti Undercounter Beverage CenterAvanti BCA1501SS Beverage Center

- Holds up to 72 cans

- Temperature range: 34-43 degrees F

- Has a lock for keeping beverages secure

- 2 slide out glass shelves, 1 slide out wire shelf, 1 basket

- LED interior lighting

 

Marvel Beverage Fridge & Wine CoolerMarvel Beverage and Wine Fridge

- Holds up to 60 cans & 4 wine bottles

- Temperature range: 40-65 degrees F

- Slide out maple-trimmed, wire shelves

- Double pane, tinted, UV-resistant glass door

- An alarm if the temperature is higher or lower than desired point for an extended time

 

Refrigerator

Maybe instead of drinks, it’s too much food that’s making it difficult to close your kitchen refrigerator door. An under counter refrigerator might be the answer to your problems then.

Beverage fridges and regular fridges have a similar temperature range, but beverage fridges might get warmer than you need for storing food. Also, many refrigerators have door storage and adjustable shelves, which most beverage refrigerators don’t have.

Here are my favorite built-in refrigerators:

Avanti Built-In RefrigeratorAvanti OBC32SS Outdoor Refrigerator

- 3.2 cubic foot capacity

- Reinforced for outdoor use, but can be used indoors

- Comes with attachable caster wheels for easy mobility

- Full range thermostat

- Reversible, stainless steel door

 

Marvel Built-In RefrigeratorMarvel 30AR Refrigerator

- 3.0 cubic foot capacity

- 3 adjustable, chrome-plated wire shelves & 3 door shelves

- Auto-defrost

- Filler kit allows usage in 18-inch wide opening

- Leveling legs

 

Ice Maker

Large families, or those that just really love ice, might find that their refrigerator ice maker can’t keep up with their needs. Luckily, you can get a separate, larger ice maker than can be built into your kitchen cabinetry.

There are quite a few different under counter ice makers available on the market and most make what is known as clear ice, meaning it contains no impurities; it’s restaurant quality. However, the Scotsman that I’ve included in my list of favorite built-in ice machines makes what is known as nugget ice or, as most people call it, Sonic ice. That’s right; you can get delicious Sonic ice right in your home!

My favorite built-in ice makers:

EdgeStar Built-In Ice MakerEdgeStar Clear Ice Maker

- Makes up to 45 pounds of ice a day

- Stores up to 25 pounds of ice

- Removable ice bin

- Gravity drain line

- Insulated ice storage

 

Danby Ice MakerDanby Clear Ice Maker

- Makes up to 32 pounds of ice a day

- Stores up to 25 pounds of ice

- Removable ice bin

- Built-in drain pump

- Produces bullet-shaped ice cubes

 

Scotsman Sonic Ice MakerScotsman Nugget Ice Maker

- Makes up to 125 pounds of ice a day

- Stores up to 22 pounds of ice

- Produces “Sonic” ice

- Drain pump with 10 foot pump line

- Uses 40% less energy than standard machines

 

So, now that you know about the variety of built-in appliances available, it’s time for you to update and upgrade your kitchen by getting rid of that outdated, unused trash compactor. Fall in love with your kitchen all over again with any one of these amazing appliances!

 

Feb
21

Bread Machine Cranberry Wheat Recipe

Cranberry Wheat Bread

I got a bread machine a few weeks ago and have been on a bread-making craze ever since.  With everyone trying to eat healthier these days, it is great because I can control the ingredients that I put in the bread. Now I don’t have to worry about preservatives and I can modify recipes to make them lower carb or higher in fiber, etc.  There is just no end to what you can do and let’s face it, homemade bread just tastes better!

I tend to make several loaves over the weekend, one to start eating off of immediately and the rest I freeze so that I have them on hand as needed and don’t have to worry about running out and having to get store bought bread. The latest, and by far my favorite recipe so far, is a Cranberry Wheat Bread.  I use honey or agave nectar instead of sugar and apple sauce instead of butter.

Bread Machine Cranberry Wheat Bread

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
2 tablespoons apple sauce
2 cups bread flour
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients (except cranberries) in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select “Sweet Bread” cycly; press Start.
  2. Add the cranberries about 5 minutes before the kneading cycle has finished.

If you don’t have a bread maker, my favorite would have to be the CBK-200 Cuisinart 2-pound Convection Bread Maker. It has a mix-in option that tells you when it’s time to add in the cranberries (or whatever mix in you want), so you don’t have to guess. Makes it super easy!

Photo credit goes to Kathy.

Feb
16

Wine Coolers 101

built-in wine cooler

Mention a wine cooler, and my mind wanders to the French countryside, maybe say… Burgundy. A beautiful wine country, just south of Paris, Burgundy grows fine grapes to make exceptional Pinot Noir red wines and Chardonnay white wines. Yes, I have actually visited there once.

A bit of brie, a picnic basket and a beautiful smile….ok, I have to get back to work!

EdgeStar carries a wide variety of wine coolers, both the thermoelectric, or TE coolers, and the more familiar compressor-based ones. It is very important to note that no matter which one you choose certain guidelines must be observed.

The first item of note is which way the door will swing. Factory configurations usually have it set to open from left to right,  and occasionally, customers want the door to swing the other way, from right to left. Happily, the vast majority of the EdgeStar wine cooler line allows the customer to do exactly that.

The next consideration will be placement of the unit. Most customers prefer to place the unit in such a fashion that it appears to have been built in, under a counter, or in a cabinet. The compressor-based units are preferred candidates, because they vent from the front at the bottom of the cooler. With that in mind, I present a bit of advice for the value minded customer that purchases one of our fine EdgeStar thermoelectric coolers to reproduce the exact same look in their kitchen…

The thermoelectric series of wine coolers are an excellent product, but if you build them in, or put them under a counter, they will overheat, and will live a very short life.

This is due to the fact that they generate a LOT of heat from the back of the unit, and although the cooling is fan forced, they absolutely must be installed in a free standing environment. We mean it, folks, no joke.

Leveling is very important when installing one of our wine coolers, especially the compressor-based ones. An unbalanced compressor will be noisy and will fail early. Use a bubble level to make sure the leveling is done correctly, and try to use a level that has a magnetic strip attached, that’s handy for not only horizontal level, but vertical leveling as well.

Regular cleaning of both the intake and exhaust grills on both types of coolers is also very important, I recommend doing a complete cleaning at least once every 6 months. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment for best results.

Last but not least, I recommend using a surge protector on all of our wine coolers, but especially the thermoelectric units. Most kitchens these days have outlets that are GFCI protected (think wine cooler falling in the pool), but not surge protected. Surge protectors can be picked up at most retail electronic stores at reasonable prices. The really good protectors will stop passing power when they are worn out.

That’s all for this week. See you later!

Dave

Feb
09

Portable Dishwasher Basics

Portable Dishwasher

Ah, the portable dishwasher…that lowly box that resides on your countertop. Daily, it does it’s job without complaint, swallowing whole dirty dishes, and returns them sparkling clean in just an hour’s time. Over time though, your machine might start to seem sluggish, so here are some tips to help you get the most out of your dishwasher.

 

How to Help Your Portable Dishwasher:

- Pre-wash those dishes! I know it’s easier to rinse it off a little bit, and shove it in the washer, but if you can get just about all of the food particles off the plate, it’ll clean much easier.

- Use a good quality detergent. Cheap detergents contain lots of filler, mostly silicates, which scrub the dishes, but do nothing to disinfect. I’m not partial when it comes to brands, but Cascade ™ is a proven detergent, and tough to beat among liquids and powders.

- Make sure the incoming water is sufficiently heated. 118 degrees F-125 degrees F is a good range. Low temp water will not sanitize during the rinse cycle, and detergents don’t work well in cold water. They tend to clump up and leave residue on dishes.

- Run an empty cycle once a month with a 50% solution of vinegar and water through the washer. Hard water clogs spray arms and filters, and coats the inside of the wash chamber, making it tough to properly clean those dishes. By the way, most dishwashers today have stainless steel interiors and will easily discolor, so don’t use harsh chemicals as they can permanently damage the finish.

 

That’s all for this week, follow these tips, and let your dishwasher work harder, so you don’t have to!

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Dave’s Tip of The Week: Clean your appliance’s air and water filters on a regular basis; your appliance will thank you for it.

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Feb
02

A Baby Shower with a Splash

Nostalgia Electrics Party Fountain

This past weekend I threw my very first baby shower for some amazing friends!  In my beginning ventures to pick out the perfect theme I was caught up in cookie cutter themes that have been done a thousand times over.  If you have a boy you should expect trains, baby bears or prince themes to name a few.  It wasn’t until I starting looking online that I found the perfect custom theme “Woodland Creatures” and all things natural and outside.

So I went to town on creating little woodland creatures, and beautiful flowers that felt random and fresh picked in mason jars, and crinkled grass.  But I wanted something that made…well a splash and found the  Nostalgia Electrics Vintage Party Fountain.

Because this was a baby shower I made lemonade for the fountain and it turned out amazing!  It became the hit of the party and what everyone was talking about.  It just added that extra bit of sweetness and whimsical delight needed!  It was extremely easy to put together and operate and sounded so relaxing in the background with the trickling lemonade.  So I hope when you plan your next shower, party or get-together this inspires you in finding those extra special touches and maybe even your very own fountain!

Nostalgia Electrics Party Fountain  Nostalgia Electrics Party Fountain  Nostalgia Electrics Party Fountain

Jan
26

Simple Tips for a Great Appliance

In this installment, I will be covering some basic tips to help appliance owners maintain their products for a long and trouble-free lifespan. These are simple tips that anyone, including you, can do!

Lets get started…

Unpacking

So, you just took delivery of your new appliance from Living Direct…and you’re so excited! It’s new, shiny, and just what you wanted! There you are, the product is unpacked, and ready to install, so…

STOP!!!

Folks, let’s grab a cup of coffee and sit back with that new owner’s manual. I know, it’s easy to say that you don’t need to, the product is so easy to use, so why do I need to waste time reading the manual?

Because it will help familiarize you with all of the controls, installation, maintenance, and perhaps just as important, it gives you the chance to read through the warranty, so if, in the unlikely event that you have a problem with the unit, you know who to call, what information to have ready when you call, and it gives you an understanding of what to expect when you speak with the service agent.

We really do value you as a customer and we want a good rapport with you.

Installation

Make sure that you follow all of the installation instructions provided with the unit. That is a vital step. Just like building a home, the foundation is the most important part. A good installation sets the stage for a long product life and a happy customer. If you have the right skills to install the product, go for it! If not, you’ll want to contact a qualified appliance tech to help you do it right.

Product Usage

Make sure you are familiar with the product controls, menu functions, and understand just exactly what the unit is designed to do. Again, the manual will come in handy. If you have further questions, contact us. We’ll have a friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful agent waiting for you!

Maintenance

Each and every unit, no matter how often it is used, will eventually need some sort of maintenance. It’s a fact. Air conditioners need regular filter cleaning, have the water accumulation drained from it’s storage tank, and set up correctly for maximum performance. Dishwashers need a good supply of hot water, good quality detergent, and the right voltage to do the job right. Wine coolers need regular cleaning to remove dust and debris from internal parts, and good airflow to keep that wine cool. Power surge protection is highly recommended!

Conclusion

So, as you can see, there are things that you can do to make your purchase a wise investment. I wanted to give you an overview first, and in my next blog post, we’ll start to focus on individual products, and we will get down to the nuts-and-bolts of each. I have lots of tips to help you “keep ‘er humming” day after day for years to come!

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Dave’s Tip of the Week: “Safety First! Unplug that unit before doing any maintenance!”

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Previous Post: Appliance Terminology Overview

Jan
20

21 Ways to Clean with Vinegar

Vinegar

Most cleaning products fall into one of two categories: toxic or expensive. While both types will clean almost anything, or at least what they are designated to clean, there’s a third option. It’s inexpensive and not at all poisonous to humans. It’s multi-purpose as well–one container will take care of laundry, kitchen cleaning, even bugs and weeds. You don’t have to look farther than your kitchen cabinet for this “miracle cleaner” – Vinegar.

Vinegar is a weak form of acetic acid that forms through the fermentation of sugars or starches. It is completely edible, and cannot harm your stomach and is safe to use around children. And luckily for us, many things can be cleaned using it.  The uses of vinegar are nearly endless. In addition to cleaning, it is an excellent item for cooking and even home science experiments.

For most uses you can fill a spray bottle with a vinegar and water mixture, which will make it much easier to use.  Here are 21 popular uses for cleaning with vinegar:

Uses around the House:

  • Removing stickers and sticky things that have been stuck around the house on walls and furniture.
  • A bowl of vinegar in room overnight gets rid of constant unpleasant odors.
  • If something is spilt on the carpet soak up as much liquid as possible with towels or sponges and spray with a mixture of half vinegar, half water. Wait 2 minutes and then blot with towel.
  • Wood paneling can be cleaned with 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 cups warm water.
  • With persistent stains, you can mix 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1 cup warm water. Follow the procedure above and then dry with a hairdryer.
  • To clean windows, spray with half vinegar, half water. Wipe clean with either newspapers or cloth.
  • 1 teaspoon of salt in one cup vinegar and 1/4 cup of flour can be used to create a polishing paste for silver, pewter, copper or brass. Apply to item, let stand for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Bathroom Uses:

  • Soak showerheads in vinegar overnight to remove deterioration or chemical build-up.
  • When cleaning the toilet bowl, spray vinegar to get rid of rings and spots.
  • To prevent mildew, spray shower walls and shower curtain with vinegar.

Kitchen Uses:

  • Spraying  vinegar along doorways, windowsills, countertops, cabinets, etc. will get rid of ants.
  • Wash your sink out with vinegar and pour some down the drain to remove unwanted odors.
  • For a clogged drain,  pour in 1/2 cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar. Rinse with warm water after bubbling occurs.
  • Vinegar is great for removing odors and bacteria  from a chopping board after use, as well as your hands after handing smelly foods like onions and garlic, etc.
  • Use it for any counter tops or surfaces.
  • For microwave cleaning purposes, put a bowl of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup water inside and cook until it boils. This will get rid of odor and unstick food stains from the walls of the microwave.
  • Vinegar and salt together can be used to remove stains from china.

Who would have thought you could get so much out of such a common product!

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