Blog - Inspiration

While it seems like a dishwasher should constantly be cleaning itself, this isn’t actually the case. With every load you wash, food, grease, detergent and water residue builds up throughout the dishwasher. This grease and grime can result in an unpleasant smell, a dirty appearance and can even leave a film on your dishes. If the food and grime builds up over time, it can also damage the filter, resulting in expensive repairs or the need to buy a new dishwasher entirely. Keep this hard-working little appliance looking (and smelling) its best when you follow our dishwasher cleaning schedule.

Dishwasher maintenance quick tips:

• Use a high-quality dishwasher detergent and rinse aid to reduce the spots that can develop on the dishwasher’s interior of your dishwasher.
• If you live in an area with hard water, use a whole-home water softener to help prevent mineral build-up in your dishwasher.
• Leave the door open at the end of a cycle can help prevent mould or mildew from developing.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher

Regular dishwasher maintenance will keep your appliance running smoothly and efficiently. You can take small steps daily, weekly and monthly that will make your cleaning schedule easy to follow. Here’s how to clean your dishwashers parts to ensure it runs with maximum efficiency.

Daily Dishwasher Cleaning

Daily dishwasher maintenance helps prevent any long-term issues. First, remove any leftover food debris after the cycle finishes running. Any dishwasher odours are usually caused by food debris left in a dishwasher. To prevent food from entering the dishwasher, give your dishes a quick rinse before loading the dishwasher. Wipe the exterior of the dishwasher with a soft cloth or pick up a pack of our UV3 Stainless Steel Cleaning Wipes for a streak-free shine on your stainless.

Weekly Dishwasher Cleaning

Weekly cleaning gives your dishwasher a deeper clean. Remove and rinse the dishwasher filter by running it under hot water, and use a small scrub brush to scrub the screen and frame to remove food particles. Next, wipe down the inside door with a damp cloth or sponge, and scrub any grime from the rubber seal with a small scrub brush or toothbrush.

Monthly Dishwasher Cleaning

Every month, deep clean the interior of the dishwasher to keep it in optimal shape. This deep clean will remove trapped food, detergent residue and mineral build-up. To deep clean the dishwasher, you can use the dishwasher’s self-clean cycle. This sanitizing cycle runs hotter and longer than a normal cycle, which helps kill any bacteria food residue left behind. A self-cleaning dishwasher, such as the Frigidaire Built-In Dishwasher with Dual OrbitClean® Wash System has a stainless steel filtration system with a self-cleaning filter that eliminates food particles, keeping dishes clean.

If the dishwasher doesn’t have a self-clean cycle, don't fret! You can get a sparkling clean with an Affresh dishwasher cleaning tablet, which is a foaming tablet that fights residue and build-up, or create your own cleaning concoction using common household products. Simply put a small bowl of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle. Once the cycle is complete, sprinkle baking soda on the button of the dishwasher and run it once more for a sparkling, clean, odour-free dishwasher.

Often the most overlooked appliance to clean, keeping a dishwasher clean is one of the most essential appliances to clean regularly. With ongoing maintenance, you will keep your dishwasher in excellent shape for years to come.

Between the music, the meals and traditions, nostalgia is a prevalent emotion during the holiday season. Family meals passed down from generation to generation are one of the most beloved parts of the holidays as they symbolize togetherness, love and warm memories. Equipping your kitchen with the appliances make these dishes is one of the best ways to keep these traditions alive. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite classic holiday recipes and the appliances that will help with easy cooking this holiday season.

Classic Holiday Appetizer Prep

Kicking off your holiday celebrations with libations and appetizers is a perfect way to catch up with family and friends, celebrate the past year and toast to the year ahead. With the help of some small appliances, you can easily prepare some holiday nibbles and spend the rest of your evening enjoying the company of your guests.

Baked brie is a classic holiday appetizer that appeals to salty snackers and those with a sweet tooth, alike. With the help of a KitchenAid Double-Oven Range, with even-heat true convection and five burners, you can bake your appetizer while your main entree cooks to perfection in the lower oven.

Perfect your holiday appetizer presentation this season by following this recipe for baked brie.

Baked brie ingredients:

• 8-ounce round brie cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice off the top rind of the brie and scrape out a small amount of cheese to form a shallow hollow in the center. Place the cheese in a small parchment paper-lined baking
2. Mix the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, zest and nutmeg. Top the brie with this mixture and sprinkle the hazelnuts over it.
3. Bake for eight to 12 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the cheese melts.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and serve with assorted crackers.

To create the perfectly chopped hazelnuts, enlist the help of the KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor, which can handle a variety of ingredients with precision.

Classic Holiday Entree Prep

Nothing brings cheer to the holidays like home cooking, and glazed ham is synonymous with Christmases past. But, for a restaurant-quality entree, ensure your oven range is up to date. A caterer’s oven, such as the Café 5.75 Cu. Ft. Commercial-Style 6-Burner Dual Fuel Range, has the spacious capacity, even heating and smart features to achieve restaurant-quality results.

Prepare a beautiful and delicious entree, like a classic glazed ham, by following this recipe.

Glazed ham ingredients:

• 1 (10-lb.) fully cooked whole ham (boneless or bone-in)
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 c. apple cider

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Place ham on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan and slice the top of the ham in a diamond pattern —cover with foil and bake between 2 ½ and three hours or until warmed.
2. During the last 45 minutes of cooking, prepare the glaze:
   • Whisk together brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar and apple cider over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium simmer and cook until reduced by half. Brush glaze on ham every 15 minutes until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 60°C.
3. Remove ham from the oven, glaze once more and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Classic Holiday Dessert Prep

If you have a sweet tooth, the holiday season is your time to indulge. We prefer classic holiday cookie recipes have stood the test of time and gingerbread men are one of those recipes. To ease the baking process, turn to a stand mixer, such as the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in a retro mint green hue, to efficiently bake dozens of gingerbread men. KitchenAid’s iconic design enhances your culinary epicentre with 10 speeds that knead and whip ingredients with ease and finesse.

We recommend double (or tripling!) the recipe to share with friends, family and coworkers.

Gingerbread men cookie ingredients:

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large room temperature egg
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• Frosting of choice

Directions:

1. Mix butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and water.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients minus frosting and divide the dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 176°C. Roll out each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface and cut with a floured 4-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place two inches apart on greased baking sheets.
4. Bake until the edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely - frost as desired.

As the holidays approach, equip your kitchen with the necessary appliances and some easy holiday recipes. Having these at your fingertips will begin your holiday season on a relaxed and festive note.

Whether you have a large family or choose to shop in bulk for a family of two, having an extra freezer can be extremely helpful when you have extra food you need to store safely. Home freezers can be a lifesaver during the holidays when you’re preparing to cook for a crowd and are an asset for the rest of the year, whether you like to meal plan, buy in bulk or just need some extra space for BBQ meats and popsicles for when summer rolls around. If you’re considering purchasing an additional freezer and need a place to start, our helpful guide outlines the different freezer types, sizes, and why you may need one.

Benefits of A Chest Freezer

A chest freezer is a deep freezer that opens like a chest and is either rectangular or cube-shaped. It’s used for stocking frozen food in large quantities.

Pros of A Chest Freezer

• Chest freezers are less expensive than upright freezers.
• Chest freezers have more usable space than upright freezers.
• Food has less risk of getting freezer burn because air doesn't circulate as much as it does in a chest freezer.
• Chest freezers don’t have a self-defrost system, so the temperature in a chest freezer is more likely to stay consistent .
• If you lose electricity, a chest freezer will keep your food frozen longer than if you have an upright freezer.
• Chest freezers usually use less electricity than upright freezers. Be sure to check the Energy Saver tags on the separate freezers to determine which are most energy-efficient.

Chest Freezer Cons

• It’s challenging to find food at the bottom of a chest freezer and it often requires extensive rearranging and searching.
• Food in a chest freezer can be hard to access by children or people who have difficulty reaching down to the bottom.

What A Chest Freezer Best For

A chest freezer is best if you have a smaller space but still need an extra freezer to account for the overflow from your main freezer. Or, if you are storing a large quantity of the same item, such as frozen tomato sauce, you won’t have to search for what you’re looking for extensively. Also, if you’re looking for a more affordable freezer, a chest freezer is often the best option for hunters or fishermen as a chest freezer tends to be the best bet for storing bigger items.

Our Top Chest Freezer Picks

• Midea Chest Freezer - The 10.2 cubic foot model has a D-shaped Quick Freezing system to cool down foods quickly, preventing spoilage. The mechanically adjustable dial controls let you customize your temperature, providing more versatility than your fridge’s freeze. Its balanced hinges let you keep the lid open at an angle and its convenient drainage tube makes this model easy to defrost and clean.
• Frigidaire Chest Freezer - The seven cubic food model has external temperature control, which avoids cold air release. It also has a power-on indicator light, so you can be assured that it’s keeping your food cold. The removable wire basket can hold small frozen items to keep them from falling to the bottom.

Upright freezer benefits

Upright freezers look similar to a stand refrigerator, have stationary shelves and compartments on the doors to store smaller items, and the interior shelves are usually adjustable to fit more oversized items. Some upright freezers are equipped with drawers at the bottom for additional organization.

Upright Freezer Pros

• Upright freezers have shelves, which makes it easier to organize the freezer contents.
• Upright freezers take up less floor space, as they are vertical appliances.
• Upright freezers often come in varying finishes.
• Taking a food inventory is more manageable, as the food is organized vertically.
• An upright freezer can more seamlessly fit into a standard kitchen layout.

Cons of An Upright Freezer

• Upright freezers can be more expensive than chest freezers.
• Upright freezers can run louder than chest freezers.
• The doors shelves can have a higher temperature than the inside of the freezer, resulting in temperature discrepancies.

What An Upright Freezer Is Best For

An upright freezer is best if you need to store various types of foods that you access regularly. An upright freezer is also great if you have children who need to quickly and conveniently access snacks or popsicles.

Our Top Upright Freezer Picks

• Brada Convertible Upright Refrigerator-Freezer - The 13.5 cubic foot upright freezer has a no-frost design, reversible door and multi-air flow, to keep the food staying fresh.
• LG 11.4 Counter-Depth Column Freezer - The 11.4 cubic foot upright freezer has zero-clearance hinges for a flush installation. It’s also equipped with cooling technology, organized storage and is ENERGY STAR™ Certified.

Whether a chest freezer or an upright freezer is right for you, both options provide extra convenience during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year. You'll also be able to save money and time thanks to the ability to buy in bulk!

From a nursery to a place to fill out college applications, a child's room is a personal space that is uniquely theirs. While some pieces can last from the newborn days through the teen years, other items are age-specific. Providing your child with furniture that will adapt to their changing needs will give them a place to recharge, learn and grow. In addition, creating a space that blends timeless pieces with age-appropriate whimsy will result in a space they'll love spending time in. Explore kid’s room ideas, the must-have pieces for every stage and our picks for items that can grow with your child.

Infant Room Decor

Other than a crib, choose pieces that have more longevity. For example, a full-size dresser instead of a changing table will continue to fit into the room’s design as your baby grows up. Simply adding a changing cushion and changing table topper for your changing essentials is all you need to transform the dresser into a changing table.

Also, a stylish daybed, like the Arya Daybed, can be a life-saver during the early days of sleepless nights. It is streamlined to be tucked into a corner and can give you a place to catch some sleep if your baby is waking up frequently.

An oversized ottoman offers a host of benefits to a nursery. An ottoman gives you a place to rest your feet during late-night feedings, and you can also use it to change your baby’s diaper during the early months. Additionally, an ottoman, such as the Liv Ottoman with shoe storage, can serve as extra storage for the abundance of baby blankets you will inevitably accumulate. Finally, when your baby begins walking, they can use it for extra balance and to gain confidence.

And, as sweet as they are, babies can be messy and accumulate many things. So whether you build a custom closet, they can grow into or you have an ample amount of baskets and storage solutions readily accessible, having an organization system is vital for your relaxation.

Toddler Room Decor

In a curious and quickly developing toddler's room, avoid furniture made especially for children, such as a child-size dresser, toddler bed or changing table. Purchasing child-size furniture puts an expiration date on the pieces, and you will need to re-design the room several years later. Instead, investing in high-quality furniture and a full or queen size bed will give your child foundational pieces they can grow into. An exception is a child-size table and chairs, so they have a place to create their masterpieces. Toddlers learn through play, so they need a spot for creativity and imagination. Whether it is a tent, canopy or tiny house, a space that is theirs will give them ownership and a place to flourish.

Creating a functional space for adults will make your time in your child’s room more enjoyable. Whether it’s a cozy chair to cuddle up and read books, or a window seat with plenty of cushions, having a place to relax, read and cuddle with your child is one of the essential elements of the bedroom.

Pre-Teen Room Decor

When your child is exploring their interests and individuality, it’s important to incorporate elements in their room that express their interests. For a pre-teen’s room, taking an approach of selecting timeless pieces but accessorizing with their interests creates a space that will last long but will reflect their individuality.

Involving your child in the design process is essential, so they feel ownership in the space. Take this feedback into consideration — then edit down. For example, if your child wants an all-pink room, lean into it. However, instead of saturating all the walls in pink, opt for neutral wall colour and paint the trim and doors pink for a more understated look.

Your pre-teen will also need a place to do homework, and having a dedicated area in their bedroom will make it uniquely theirs. Investing in a high-quality desk and comfortable chair that will last them through their teen years.

Teen Room Decor

Between homework, sports, social events, work and college applications, your teen could probably welcome some downtime in their schedule. However, sleep is so vital to the formative teen years, so consider upgrading the mattress to a more appropriate version for an adult.

Also, with their desk system in place from the pre-teen years, assess any upgrades that are needed. This may include upgrading the chair to an ergonomic chair, adding a charging station or a whiteboard to help with homework or remote learning.

Designing a children’s bedroom where a child can still be a child but also stands the test of time is the key to ensuring a room will transition throughout their life stages. Investing in the right pieces and taking your child’s interests to heart will result in an age-appropriate space.

Maximize your space by investing in the right entertainment centre. A TV wall unit can elegantly display your television while providing ample storage, without cluttering up the room with too many cabinets and consoles.TV wall units come in various shapes, sizes, colours and materials that can meet a wide range of different TV and living room furniture needs. Whether you’re designing a home theatre or a family gathering space, read on for tips on selecting the most suitable TV wall unit for your area.

Assess the Size and Layout

Measuring your television and space planning is key to selecting the best TV wall unit for your room. Considering your room's layout and how the TV will be installed is your first priority before selecting colours and finishes. If the TV wall unit is too small, the space will look awkward and unfinished, but if it is too large, the room will feel cramped. Don't forget about the rest of the furniture, and make sure you leave enough room for everything to create a polished, cohesive layout.

Just as important is to ensure your television is scaled correctly to the wall unit. If you plan on placing the TV on a stand, make sure your stand is larger than the TV – usually a few inches on either end looks best.

Similarly, if you plan to hang the TV on the wall, the TV wall unit should have a large enough opening to accommodate this.

Complement Your Design Aesthetic

The TV wall unit’s design style and colour should complement your home’s existing decor. If you have a contemporary home, you can enhance the room with a sleek and minimalist TV stand. Likewise, if your decor aesthetic is traditional, a TV stand with classic lines will align the best with your room’s overall style. The colour, shape and texture of the TV wall unit should all be part of your design assessment.

Ensure Adequate Storage

When assessing TV unit options, be sure to check that the unit has enough storage for your particular needs. You need enough storage space to fit your cable box, cords, game consoles and any other electronic gadgets. Additionally, you will likely want enough surface space to display decorative accents like picture frames, books or fresh flowers.

Match Your Lifestyle

A TV wall unit should integrate with your lifestyle in addition to matching the design style. If you have young children, solid cabinet doors would allow you to conveniently store toys and gadgets when they are not playing with them. Or, if you enjoy creating displays with your belongings and accessories, then glass doors and open shelving would allow you to explore your design creativity.

Different TV Wall Unit Options

There are many different styles of TV wall units. Whether you prefer farmhouse, contemporary or traditional, below is a round-up of different wall units to match every style preference.

• Taditional: White TV stand with a dark brown tabletop, like the Emry Entertainment Centre, brings character and classic style to a living area. The entertainment centre’s roomy cabinets offer plenty of space for entertainment essentials while deep drawers provide storage space for those inevitable odds and ends.
• Contemporary: A TV wall unit in a sleek, streamlined design, such as the Antoni 3-Piece Entertainment Centre, brings a contemporary look to any living area. The white entertainment centre comes complete with a firebox, which adds a warm touch and visual interest to a room. The realistic flame effects will set the mood for romantic nights in, and a no-heat mode will let you enjoy it even on warm summer nights. The multiple shelves and drawers ensure there’s ample space for electronics and decor.
• Rustic: A rustic yet refined TV wall unit, like the Sydney Barn-Door 6-Piece Entertainment Centre, brings a casual farmhouse vibe to your living space. This trendy entertainment centre features sliding barn doors, contrasting hardware and creates the perfect focal point for your modern farmhouse living room.

Wall units are an efficient way to conceal your belongings while displaying your TV elegantly. A strategically selected TV wall unit can make your room appear larger, more organized and is a beauty to behold.

A fireplace is a place to gather with family and friends and is often associated with nostalgia and cozy winter memories. It’s typically the focal point of a room and can set the tone for the room’s overall design. However, not all homes have a fireplace. If you’re looking to add the ambiance of a fireplace while saving space, there are alternative options available that provide the benefits of a traditional fireplace. Consider the following fireplace options to create a stunning focal point in your home and to have a warm winter ahead.

Benefits of an electric fireplace

If your home doesn’t have a working fireplace, an electric fireplace is an excellent alternative. It offers the warmth and coziness of a traditional fireplace but is also a space saver, comes in various sizes, requires less maintenance and is a safer alternative.

An electric fireplace plugs into the wall and uses lights to create the appearance of flames. This means there are no actual flames or fumes, so you get the look of a fire without the smoke. Since the flames aren’t real, an electric fireplace also has significantly less maintenance. You don’t need to clean the ash, soot or chimney like you would in a real fireplace.

As your energy bills increase over the cold winter months, an electric fireplace can help keep these costs down. With the added warmth from the electric fireplace, you can save on your heating costs. Electric fireplaces are also known for their longevity. They typically last for years and show minor signs of wear and tear.

If you have young children or pets, an indoor fire can be a concern. However, an electric fireplace doesn’t come with the safety risks associated with traditional fireplaces because they don’t give off fumes, are not hot to the touch and some models have automatic shut-off functionality. You can even run many models in a "no-heat" mode – a perfect way to enjoy the style of your fireplace, even during the heat of summer.

Lastly, design options for electric fireplaces are extensive and there is an electric fireplace style to fit every aesthetic. With models that include a mantle, you can even hang your favourite holiday decor!

For a glam look, the Flint Glam Fireplace is coated from top to bottom in sparkle, thanks to silver glass mirrors and diamond-like accents. The small shelf on top can hold a 42-inch television or display your family photos. And, you can control the glow of the fire with a remote control.

The epitome of a Christmas fireplace, the Austen All-In-One Fireplace will add some classic warmth to your living room. Framed by a natural Burwell flagstone wall mantel and complemented by cappuccino wood, the grey-arched fireplace presents a stately style. It’s familiar and classic in design, but with a modern electric insert so you can safely watch the flames dance around and illuminate the room.

Benefits of a firebox

A firebox offers similar benefits as an electric fireplace, but is always housed in a larger piece of furniture.

For a sleek and refined look, the Kiara TV Stand with Crystal Ember and Log Firebox brings an elegant look to your home entertainment space. While this piece is equipped with shelving options to store your electronics and other items, you can also snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a flame setting you can operate with or without heat, so the mood is just right all year round.

If farmhouse style is more your taste, the Monte TV Stand with Firebox has a white finish, rustic walnut top and iron barn door rail to bring a cozy farmhouse feel to your living space. With both cubbies and cabinets, there is plenty of storage space available. Then, when it’s time to relax during the evening, you can safely watch the dazzling flames dance around in the electric firebox.

As the temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to think about creating a fireplace focal point that will make you look forward to the cooler evenings ahead. The right fireplace for firebox will serve as a warm, cozy backdrop for the big and small celebrations that lie ahead. They can even be mounted on the wall for a streamlined, modern look.