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  • 2015
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Monthly archives for May, 2015

Garbage Disposals 101: Types, Maintenance, and When to Call for Help

May 21, 2015 Written by Erin Jarboe

Garbage disposals are certainly handy when it comes to getting rid of food scraps, and while many people view them as a luxury, the truth is that garbage disposal provide incredible benefits in any kitchen. Learning how to choose and maintain a disposal will ensure that your investment lasts for years.

The Benefits of a Garbage Disposal

A good garbage disposal is much more than a luxury machine designed to make food disposal simpler. In fact, it can actually create a better global environment, a cleaner and more hygienic home environment, and even helps you avoid plumbing problems in the future.

Helping the Environment

  • Garbage disposals “chew” food, allowing it to enter the wastewater and, inevitably, the wastewater treatment plant. These plants food waste as a source of energy or even fertilizer, depending on where you live.
  • Your household will use fewer plastic garbage bags over time, reducing the amount of non-biodegradable trash in landfills.
  • Fewer carbon emissions from waste management trucks will enter into the atmosphere.
  • Landfills will produce less methane gas, which results during the breakdown of organic materials in food waste. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that harms the environment.

A Cleaner, Safer Household

  • Rotting food in the trash bin often harbors bacteria, and some of these bacteria are dangerous.
  • Mice, insects, and other pests may invade your home in an attempt to retrieve food waste from the trash.
  • Food waste stinks and these odors tend to linger long after removing the trash bag from the bin.

Avoid Plumbing Problems

  • Particles of food escape into the pipes in your home, and these are stuck in traps or even in the bends under your sink. Over time, these build up and create clogs. A garbage disposal effectively liquefies food, allowing it to travel through your drains safely.
  • Over time, the reduced need to contact a plumber to unclog your pipes saves you money. In fact, you could recoup the purchase cost of your entire garbage disposal by avoiding a single plumbing call.

Choosing the Right Garbage Disposal

Now that you understand the benefits of a garbage disposal and you are ready to install one, you should consider all of the different types and sizes in order to get one that fits your needs. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the right disposal for your needs:

  • The InSinkErator Evolution offers plenty of horsepower and stainless steel blades for an entire lifetime of operation.

    The InSinkErator Evolution offers plenty of horsepower and stainless steel blades for an entire lifetime of operation.

    Choose an InSinkErator product. InSinkErator is the number one manufacturer of garbage disposals today. The company creates high-quality products designed to last for decades with proper maintenance and care. Many of their models use very little electricity (even with a ¾ horsepower motor) and are water efficient. What’s more, they have a reputation for being easy to install.

 

  • Consider your septic tank. If you have a septic tank, you should carefully
    The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist injects microorganisms into food waste, helping it break down particles in your septic tank.

    The InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist injects microorganisms into food waste, helping it break down particles in your septic tank.

    consider the type of garbage disposal you purchase. InSinkErator’s Evolution Septic Assist model is a phenomenal choice since it automatically injects food waste with microorganisms designed to break the waste down inside your septic tank.

 

  • Continuous feed models are best. These typically have an off/on switch near the sink so you can switch it on when you need it or turn it off when you do not. Batch feed models are more difficult to use and are not as convenient.

 

  • Go with stainless steel (or other corrosion-proof metal) blades. When you choose stainless steel, you can rest comfortably in the knowledge that the blades will remain sharp and free from rust or corrosion for years to come.

How to Maintain a Garbage Disposal

Once you have installed your garbage disposal under your sink, it is important to maintain it properly. There are four tips for keeping your disposal like new.

  1. Never run the disposal without water. Water acts as a coolant to keep the motor from getting too hot, and it acts as a lubricant for the food waste to travel safely through the disposal and the pipes. Failing to use water may result in a faulty disposal or clogs in the pipes – or even inside the disposal itself.

 

  1. Run the garbage disposal often to prevent rust.

 

  1. At least once per week, feed the disposal a handful of eggshells or ice cubes. This keeps the blades sharp. There is some evidence to suggest that the eggshells scrape food particles from the blades, too, reducing the likelihood of odors.

 

  1. Ice cubes and rock salt remove debris from blades better than eggshells. Simply fill the disposal with ice, pour the salt over the top, and then run the disposal (with the cold tap running) for 10 to 30 seconds.

Basic Dos and Don’ts for Garbage Disposals

Dos:

  • Do run a strong stream of cold water. Hot water tends to cause food to stick to the blades.
  • Do run the water and the disposal for a few seconds after you no longer hear the food.
  • Do turn the disposal off before shutting off the water as this helps to flush food particles in the disposal down the drain.

Don’ts:

  • NEVER put your hand inside of a garbage disposal, even if the switch is off.
  • Don’t place bones, grease, oils, celery stalks, corn husks, fruit pits, or other hard, stringy items into the disposal. These cause clogs.
  • Don’t allow glass, metal, plastic or paper to enter the disposal.

Getting Rid of Odors

No matter what you do, a garbage disposal will emit odors at some time. Fortunately, it is easy to remove these odors with common household items such as ice cubes, baking soda, and citrus fruits. If you notice a smell coming from your disposal, place one to two cups of large ice cubes inside the disposal along with two tablespoons of baking soda. Then, turn on the water and start the disposal until the ice is gone. Finally, cut a citrus fruit (lime, lemon, orange, or even tangerine – whatever you have on hand) in half, and place it into the disposal. Again, run the garbage disposal with the cold water until the fruit is gone.

If the odor remains after completing this process, then there is likely a buildup under the disposal opening cover. To clean it, carefully pull it away from the sink drain and wash thoroughly in warm, soapy water.

When to Call for Help

If your garbage disposal is jammed, you may be able to resolve this problem on your own. First, shut off the power to the disposal using the breaker box – never just the switch. Next, remove the rubber drain cover to see if you can find a fork, spoon, or other item lodged between the blades. If so, simply remove it. If you cannot see anything but the disposal seems to be filled with food, open the cabinet and locate the garbage disposal unit. Most of the time, it will have a manual crank so you can cut through this debris. Your garbage disposal likely came with a wrench that completes the crank, but if you did not get a wrench or if you cannot find it, an Allen wrench works.

Finally, if you cannot get the disposal working after checking for debris and manually cranking the blades, you should contact a professional for help. Fortunately, with InSinkErator garbage disposals and their incredible horsepower, these calls may never be necessary.

 

 

Kitchen
garbage disposal

Touchless Kitchen Faucets

May 8, 2015 Written by Erin Jarboe

If your household is like many, then your kitchen faucet is probably one of the most frequently used fixtures in your home. However, when you have food or grime on your hands, putting them all over your faucet is the last thing you want to do since it presents a tough cleaning situation later. Touchless kitchen faucets actually sense your presence and start the flow of water for you.

Benefits for Your Health

When you cook for your family, you know that washing your hands is an important safety protocol, especially after touching raw meat. However, after you have rinsed and stuffed your bird, what do you do? Reach for the faucet to turn on the tap to wash your hands. This creates a situation in which bacteria transfers from your hands to the faucet, and if someone comes behind you (or even if you use your now clean hands to turn off the faucet), you have just defeated the entire purpose of washing them. A touchless faucet eliminates this potential health hazard with its simple technology.

Makes Cleaning Easier

Something else to consider is the importance of keeping your kitchen faucets clean. When you come in from gardening to wash your hands, or even if you have food on them, you will need to wash your hands and then wipe down the faucet. A touchless kitchen faucet makes things simple; you do not have to turn knobs or pull levers to activate the flow of water; the faucet senses the presence of your hands and opens the tap for you.

How the Technology Works

Some of the most popular faucet manufacturers, like Moen, Kohler, and Delta, incorporate touchless technology into their kitchen faucets. While the design differs in each case, the overall technology is relatively the same. These companies utilize strategically placed motion sensors, much like those found in light fixtures and security cameras, to sense the presence of your hand or an object. Thus, with a simple wave of your hand, you can start and stop the flow of water. Some faucets also utilize a technology that opens the tap when they sense an object directly under the spout. When that object moves clear of the sensor, the flow of water stops.

Moen MotionSense™

Oil-rubbed bronze Moen Brantford faucet

The beautiful Brantford faucet from Moen in an oil-rubbed bronze finish offers MotionSense technology with a vintage look.

Moen’s MotionSense™ line of products are some of the most technologically advanced available today. There is a wave sensor located at the top of the faucet, which starts the flow with a wave of your hand. To turn it off, simply pass your hand over the sensor again. They also have a “Ready Sensor” that intelligently discovers pots, hands, cups, and other objects beneath the spout to start the flow. When you remove the object from beneath the spout, the faucet turns itself off. If you prefer a decorative vintage look, the Brantford faucet in oil-rubbed bronze is a beautiful choice.

Kohler Sensate™

The Kohler Sensate faucet in Vibrant Stainless offers a modern look with its modern technology.

The Kohler Sensate faucet in Vibrant Stainless offers a modern look with its modern technology.

Kohler offers two of their unique Sensate™ faucets, which utilize a single sensor placed strategically under the highest part of the faucet’s arch. Your hand or an object will trigger the flow of water, and it stops as soon as it no longer detects the object. Some of the other features in the Sensate™ faucets include their DockNetik magnetic docking system, which locks the detachable spray head into place after use. The spray head itself has ProMotion technology, which allows it to operate smoothly without much effort. The Sensate™ faucet comes in polished chrome or Vibrant™ stainless, with or without black accents.

A touchless kitchen faucet is ideal in any household since it protects your health and reduces the amount of time you spend cleaning grime and food from your faucet handles. What’s more, thanks to companies like Moen and Kohler, they also offer outstanding visual appeal and a lifetime of functionality.

Kitchen
kitchen faucet, touchless kitchen faucet

Choosing Kitchen Faucet Finishes

May 6, 2015 Written by FaucetDepot

Delta Faucet FinishesDelta Kitchen Faucet Finsihes

If you are building a new home, remodeling your kitchen, or simply in the market for a new kitchen faucet, there are plenty of styles, types, and finishes from which to choose. The kitchen faucet finishes that are available to you vary based on the manufacturer and the faucet style itself, but the one you choose can go a long way in reflecting your personality and style.

When to Choose Stainless Steel, Nickel, and Chrome

In the wide world of kitchen faucets, finishes like chrome, stainless steel, and nickel are neutral. They are like a pair of black slacks or beige carpeting – they go with just about any décor. Chrome boasts an unmatchable shine and a low price tag, stainless steel is the most popular metal in the kitchen all around, and nickel offers a home-like feel along with a sense of luxury. Any of these work well with any color, cabinetry style, and flooring type. However, to get the most from your faucet, be sure to pair neutral faucet designs with coordinating hardware. Think drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and even towel holders.

Chrome Finish
Stainless Finish
Stainless Finish
Nickel Finish
Nickel Finish

The Proper Application of Brushed Metals

Although the aforementioned finishes are popular and often quite affordable, there is one major caveat: they show smudges, fingerprints, and water spots easily. Brushed metal is not as reflective and the surface is more porous, making fingerprints a thing of the past and water spots much more difficult to see. According to home décor specialists, if you choose a faucet with a lot of detail, brushed metal is the better choice since it does not reflect light away from the surface; rather, it allows the eye to focus on the small details that make the faucet unique.

Don’t Overlook Gold

Brass is a classic faucet finish, and while this may make you think of the shiny, polished brass handrails in a 100-year-old home, today’s brass is not the same. In fact, quality faucet manufacturers no longer use brass with green undertones that make it appear harsh. Today, manufacturers stick with warm gold tones in their brass. For a chic, clean look, consider an all-white kitchen (sink, tile, countertops, and walls) with gold faucets, drawer pulls, handles, and other accessories. Bear in mind that a gold faucet does not pair well with a metallic kitchen sink.

gold-kitchen-faucet

Kohler K-12177-PB Fairfax Pull Down Kitchen Faucet – Polished Brass

 

Today’ Modern Design Ideas

Decades ago, certain finishes were associated with certain faucet styles. For instance, a classic faucet required a classic finish, and a contemporary faucet required a modern finish. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. It is possible to purchase unique, modern styles with classic finishes from some of the world’s most popular faucet manufacturers. Some of these, like Delta and Kohler, are as original as they come.

Top Brands and Available Finishes

One of the best things about buying kitchen faucets is the fact that they are available in so many finishes and styles from various brands. This means that you can start with your style and shop for the right finish, or choose your finish first and then select a style. Kitchen faucets are incredibly versatile in both their function and their aesthetic appeal, so finding one to suit your personality and décor is easier today than ever. Below are some of the most popular kitchen faucet brands along with some of their available finishes.


Kohler
Kohler

Kohler offers bold looks as well as classic styles that pair beauty with functionality and technology. Their faucets come in more than a dozen finishes, including:

  • Polished Chrome
  • Polished Stainless
  • Vibrant® Polished Nickel
  • Vibrant® Polished Brass
  • Brushed Chrome
  • Brushed Stainless
  • Vibrant® Stainless
  • Vibrant® Brushed Nickel
  • Vibrant® Brushed Bronze
  • Oil-Rubbed Bronze
  • White
  • Biscuit
  • Matte Black
  • Black Black

Kohler’s unique Vibrant® series of finishes have more depth than traditional finishes, which adds more dimension and appeal to these products.


Moen

Moen

Moen offers a wide variety of kitchen faucet types, such as the modern 90-degree handle, pot filler, and high-arc designs. You can choose from modern, transitional, and traditional styles, and Moen pairs them with a number of finishes to customize your look. Some of the available finishes include:

  • Chrome
  • Matte Black
  • Oil-Rubbed Bronze
  • Classic Stainless
  • Glacier
  • Brushed Chrome

If you prefer the look of stainless but you hate water spots, Moen’s unique spot-resistant stainless is a great alternative. Its unique finish not only resists water spots, but also shows fewer fingerprints for a clean, sleek look in a stainless faucet.


Delta

Delta

Delta was the first company to offer the Brilliance® finish, which will not tarnish, discolor, or corrode during its lifetime. No matter what you use to clean it, even steel wool, it will hold up for the life of your home – guaranteed. This finish is not available on all of their products, however. Some available finishes from Delta include:

  • Arctic Stainless
  • Black
  • Chrome
  • Champagne Bronze™
  • Matte Black
  • Oil Rubbed Bronze
  • Venetian® Bronze
  • Stainless/Cracked Pepper
  • Stainless/Chili Pepper
  • Stainless
  • Stainless/Snowflake White
  • White

Delta also offers its own line of spot-resistant stainless, known as SpotShield Stainless. Like Moen’s offering, it resists spots and fingerprints better than standard stainless.

Grohe

Grohe

Grohe believes that a kitchen faucet is an investment, and as such, it is important for the finish to for years to come. Many of their products contain StarLight®, a coating available on both matte and shiny finishes that guarantee beauty for a lifetime. Available finishes include:

  • Chrome
  • Supersteel
  • Stainless
  • Stainless/Black
  • Infinity Brushed Nickel

Although Grohe’s finish selection is smaller than that of its competitors, these finishes are durable, beautiful, and stylish.


Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe offers five unique and beautiful kitchen faucet collections designed for professional chefs, home cooks, and anyone who appreciates style, comfort, and design. The offer brilliant finishes designed to last, ensuring that your investment looks as good 10 years from now as it does today. Some of these finishes are:

  • Chrome
  • Steel Optik
  • Polished Nickel
  • Rubbed Bronze

Hansgrohe also has a small collection of available finishes, but you can rest comfortably in the knowledge that they will retain their beauty and shine for years to come.


Danze

Danze

Danze offers an incredibly wide range of kitchen faucet styles, whether you want a pullout handle or a traditional two-handle faucet. They also specialize in bar and convenience faucets as well as pot fillers for those who want the most functional kitchen space possible. Their products come in finishes such as:

  • Chrome
  • Stainless Steel
  • Oil-Rubbed Bronze
  • Satin Black
  • Antique Copper
  • Polished Nickel

Danze offers some of the most elegant designs offered today. For a classic look that you will love, try the Opulence™ single handle bar faucet in an antique copper finish.


Pfister

Pfister

Pfister is a well-known name in faucets for the kitchen and bath, and they offer a diverse line of finishes that will allow you to match your décor and your personal style. Their newest offering, Slate, is a sophisticated metal finish that adds warmth and depth to your décor. Other finish options from Pfister include:

  • Black
  • Brushed Nickel
  • Brushed Nickel/Polished Brass
  • Brushed Nickel/Polished Chrome
  • Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Midnight Chrome
  • Polished Chrome
  • Polished Chrome/Black
  • Polished Chrome/White Porcelain
  • Polished Nickel
  • Rustic Bronze
  • Rustic Pewter
  • Stainless Steel
  • Stainless Steel/Black
  • Tuscan Bronze
  • Unpolished Chrome
  • Velvet Aged Bronze
  • White
  • Polished Chrome/White

Pfister’s list is vast, but not all of their products are available in every finish. However, the company does a phenomenal job when it comes to pairing design and finish, so all you have to do is choose the kitchen faucet that matches your personality.

Regardless of the brand or manufacturer you choose, you have access to a wide variety of products designed to suit just about any décor, style, personality, or theme. Whether you want a classic style and finish, something with a contemporary twist, or something bold that you have never seen anywhere else, it is possible with every one of these kitchen faucet brands.

Kitchen
biscuit, brass, bronze, delta, finish, gold, kohler, matte black, moen, polished chrome, polished stainless, stainless steel, vibrant stainless, white

Must Have Kitchen Accessories

May 2, 2015 Leave a Comment Written by FaucetDepot

Even if you’re a newbie to the kitchen or salty dog, every homeowner is in love with the kitchen.  True, some love to hate it but it is a very necessary part of our living space.  It is in the kitchen that we make our meals to go and grand feasts at the holidays or where the party seems to gather at some point in the evening. Whatever it’s meaning to you, you probably want your kitchen to look the best and more importantly function properly so it’s easy to use the space.  Sometimes we put too much into the aesthetics by adding tile or a new paint, only to realize the kitchen still function’s badly.  That’s where kitchen accessories come into play. A well-accessorized kitchen is not only attractive and visually appealing, but also one that is at its peak functionally to make your life a bit easier.

Kitchen Accessory Must-Have #1: Soap Dispenser
A soap dispenser is pretty high up there on the list for any modern kitchen, and there is a big variety of soap dispensers on the market to match or coordinate with your existing plumbing fixtures and faucets. A soap dispenser is installed right along side your trusty faucet and eliminates the need for those gross looking soap bottles on the counter top.  Plus, a soap dispenser is also easier to use when you’re busy working in the kitchen so you don’t have to get your “salmonella hands” on the soap bottle. You can choose to use it either for hand soap, dish soap or hand lotions .  Based on their recent popularity,  some faucets are now pre-packaged with a soap dispenser or you can shop for one separately.  This Delta Pilar Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet is a popular model and comes with a soap dispenser.

Kitchen Accessory Must-Have #2: Hot Water Dispenser
One of the most under rated accessories for the kitchen but one that you’ll find truly indispensable is a hot water dispenser. This little baby gives you instant access nearly boiling 200 degree water for making hot beverages and soups, or to get a head start on boiling water for noodles, pasta, and other cooking requirements. The InSinkerator Series 1100 Instant Hot Water Dispenser not only looks very stylish, it’s affordable and one of the most popular dispensers on the market.

As a bonus to the environment, having hot water ready when you need it eliminates the energy used for boiling water over the cook top, which can not only save you money on your utility bills, but also saves you precious time when the kids are hungry and you want to catch your favorite shows on T.V. Hot water dispensers are available in a variety of price ranges, which makes them affordable even when your budget is small.

Kitchen Accessory Must-Have #3: Garbage Disposal
These are becoming necessary in most homes and really help your garbage and home not stink from the pot roast nobody ate last night. A garbage disposal (or food disposer) make processing food waste a breeze while allowing you to be earth-friendly. If you throw your food waste directly in the garbage then it ends up at the land fill.  That’s bad for the environment because when the food decomposes it releases gas that accelerate the greenhouse effect. Conversely, your food waste from a garbage disposal is rerouted through the sewer – where it can be transformed into useful, renewable energy. Who knew that fruit cake your Aunt Bessie gave you last Christmas would actually help save the environment?  These little workers are not very pricey, and you can reduce your family’s carbon footprint by adding one to your kitchen.  The company InSinkErator pretty much owns the market on these angry devils and with good cause.  They make top quality garbage disposals at reasonable prices.  The InSinkErator Evolution Excel is the most popular disposer on the market.

Kitchen Accessory Must-Have #4: Filtered Water Dispenser
How much do you pay for a bottle of water? Well if you get a handy filtered water dispenser in your kitchen you can put an end to throwing money down the drain. Think about this – if you drink the recommended number of ounces of water per day strictly from bottled water, you are paying over $1000 per year in just drinking water costs!  If you make the investment to install a water filtration system in your home you can have clean and safe water from the tap at home or on the go.  What’s more important is you’re not adding to our already overburdened landfills when you toss out the plastic water bottle.

These are just a few popular kitchen items to help you accessorize and yes, make your home a little more green.  Spend a little extra time to find out what the investment would be to put these little helpers in your home.  If you’ve got the money in your budget then why not save yourself some time in the kitchen so you can spend more time with your favorite T.V. shows?

For more product information and pricing, please visit  http://www.faucetdepot.com/

Kitchen
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