Chapter 28 Technology in the Home

1. Chapter 28 Technology in the Home

2. Motor Heating element Energy efficiency label Guarantee After-sales service Watts Standing time Turntable Split level cooker Solid fuel cooker Fan oven Ceramic hob Dual ring Induction hob Dual grill Self-cleaning oven Autotimer Timer Thermostat Automatic defrost WEEE directive White goods disposal charge 2

3. After completing this chapter and the homework, assignments and activities that accompany it, you should: Appreciate how technological advances have made running a home much less time-consuming than in the past. Know that there are three basic types of appliance: motor only, heating element only and motor and heating element combined. Know what should be considered when buying electrical appliances. 3 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

4. Understand how a microwave cooker works, the advantages and disadvantages of microwave cooking, what it can be used for in cookery and how to use it safely. Know what factors should be considered when buying a microwave. Be able to clean a microwave correctly. Know the different types of cooker available and be able to list the modern features available. Know what factors should be considered when buying and positioning a cooker in the kitchen. Be able to clean a cooker and hob correctly. Know the different types of fridges and freezers available and be able to list the modern features. Know the rules for using a refrigerator. Be able to defrost and clean a freezer and refrigerator correctly. Understand the reasons for the WEEE directive and what it means for the consumer. 4 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

5. Technological advances • Advances in technology have made running the home very different than it was even 30 or 40 years ago. • Washing and caring for clothes have been made much easier by automatic washing machines, tumble dryers and electric steam irons. • Dishwashers and vacuum cleaners (including central vacuum systems) allow us to wash dishes and clean carpets and floors more efficiently. • Food preparation and storage are aided by equipment such as freezers, refrigerators, microwaves, food processors, modern cookers, etc. • The internet can be used for shopping, gathering information, booking holidays, banking online, sending e-mail, etc. 5 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

6. Modern household appliances There are three basic types of household appliance. 1. Appliances with a motor 2. Appliances with a heating element 3. Appliances with both a motor and an element (may not be a heating element) 6 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

7. Buying electrical appliances • Cost: Compare different models and the same models in different shops. • Safety: Buy from a reliable shop. Check for safety labels. Irish Standards mark European Standards mark Doubly insulated 7 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

8. Buying electrical appliances (continued) • Energy efficiency label: The appliance should ideally have an A or B rating. • Size: Will the appliance fit in the space you have for it? • Special features: Do not spend money on appliances with lots of special features if you will never use them. • Demonstration: If necessary, ask to have a demonstration on how to use the appliance. • Check the guarantee: It should be for at least one year. • After-sales service: Ask about this. 8 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

9. The microwave • The microwave oven produces energy waves called microwaves. These waves hit food and cause the molecules in it to vibrate. This produces heat, which cooks the food. • Some microwave ovens are more powerful than others. They range from 600 watts to 1,200 watts (1,200 watts is the most powerful). • Cooking time decreases as wattage increases. • Food continues to cook for a few minutes after it has been removed from the microwave, so it should not be eaten for a few minutes. This is called standing time. 9 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

10. Advantages of microwave ovens • Microwaves cook food very quickly, which suits today’s busy lifestyle. • It is a healthy cooking method: • No extra fat is added • Fast cooking – little loss of nutrients • It thaws food quickly, which suits today’s busy lifestyle. • It can reheat food quickly and thoroughly. • It is a small, convenient appliance that uses little fuel. 10

11. Disadvantages of microwave ovens • It does not brown food (unless a browning dish is used). • It is not suitable for all foods. • It does not make meat tender. • Foods that have an uneven thickness are not suitable. • Foods with large amounts of sugar and fat tend to burn. • Special microwave recipes are needed. 11

12. Uses of microwave ovens • It cooks, thaws and reheats most foods (except if browning is needed). • It melts jam, chocolate, jelly, etc. quickly, but be careful not to overheat. • It ripens avocados, bananas or tomatoes (on low heat; pierce the skin). 12

13. Safe use of the microwave • Do not put anything metallic into the microwave. Use glass, china or heat-resistant plastic instead. • Prick anything with a skin before cooking to prevent bursting. • Cover foods with a plate so that they do not spatter the oven. • Be careful to mix foods thoroughly before eating. Food may be cool on the outside and red hot in the middle. • Leave to stand for a few minutes before eating, as food continues to cook during this time. • Wipe up spills immediately, as they will be more difficult to remove later. • Do not switch on when empty, as this can cause damage. 13

14. Buying a microwave • Consider these special features that may be available in a microwave: • Does the oven have a turntable? • What is its wattage? • Many modern microwave ovens have a host of special features. Do not spend money on a complicated microwave if you are unlikely to use its features. 14 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

15. Cleaning a microwave cooker • Prevent food spills and spatters in the first place by using a big enough container and by covering food loosely while it cooks. • Wipe up spills as soon as they occur, as they will be removed much more easily. • Remove the turntable and wash in warm soapy water. • Wash the inside of the microwave with warm soapy water and a cloth. Harsh abrasives or scrubs will scratch the metal interior and should not be used. • Polish the exterior of the oven with a soft cloth and glass cleaner, e.g. Windolene. 15 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

16. The cooker • Types of cooker: • Gas cooker • Electric cooker with gas hob • Split level • Solid fuel cookers • Solid fuel cooker 16 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

17. Modern features • Fan ovens: A fan oven blows hot air around the oven, which cooks food more quickly (set the cooking temperature 10°C lower than what the recipe calls for). • Top oven: Grill can also be used as a small oven. • Ceramic hob: Easy-to-clean, heat-resistant glass surface. Ceramic hob 17 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

18. Modern features (continued) • Dual rings: Can be set so that only the middle part of the ring heats. • Induction hob: Electric hob, heats and cools instantly. Need to use cast iron or specific stainless steel saucepans. • Dual grill: Full grill or one side only heats up for small amounts of food. Dual ring • Self-cleaning ovens: Door locks; oven reaches very high temperatures; food burns off; ash can then be swept out. 18 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

19. Modern features (continued) • Autotimers: Three clocks, may be digital (see below). Autotimer Set this clock for the time you want the oven to come on at, e.g. 3pm. Set this clock for the time you want the oven to switch off at. This clock should be set at the present time, e.g. 7.30am. • Timers are less complex. You set the timer for a certain amount of time, e.g. one hour. The oven switches on there and then (it cannot be set for later in the day, like autotimers). It switches off when the time is up. 19 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

20. Buying a cooker Revise the general guidelines for buying electrical appliances. Should you buy a gas or electric cooker? If your house does not have natural gas, you may wish to choose an electric one, as bottled gas can be inconvenient. Gas cookers, on the other hand, heat up quickly and are easily controlled. Do not pay for a cooker with extra features if you are unlikely to use them. 20 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

21. Caring for and cleaning cookers • Wipe up spills straight away. • Wash the grill pan after each use. • Never drag saucepans over a ceramic hob – they will scratch it. Use a special ceramic hob cleaner. • When cleaning a cooker: • Protect your hands, clothes and surroundings. • Remove all removable parts. Wash and dry them in warm soapy water. • Use a special oven cleaner to dissolve burnt-on food in the oven itself. • Wash out, rinse and dry the oven. • Wash, dry and polish the exterior of the cooker and replace all removable parts. 21 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

22. Positioning a cooker • The cooker needs to be positioned within the work triangle. • Position close to electrical or gas connections. • Position away from refrigerators or freezers. • Position gas cookers away from draughts to avoid the risk of fire. 22 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

23. The refrigerator Types of refrigerator Fridge with icebox Integrated fridge Fridge-freezer 23 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

24. Features of a modern refrigerator • Thermostatically controlled • Door of fridge can be made to match kitchen units. • Cold drinks dispenser and ice maker • Moulded door storage and moveable plastic-coated shelves • Automatic defrost • Salad drawers 24 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

25. Choosing a refrigerator See the general guidelines for buying electrical appliances. 25 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

26. Rules for using a refrigerator Do not position the fridge near the cooker or a radiator, as its motor will have to work harder to keep the fridge cool. Never put hot food in the fridge. Cover food before putting it in the fridge. Do not over-pack the fridge and make sure to clean the fridge out regularly, throwing out anything that is out of date. Put meat (especially raw meat) on a plate so it does not drip onto other food. Store it in the coldest part of the fridge, near the icebox. Close the door immediately after use. Defrost the freezer compartment regularly. If a fridge is not in use, e.g. you are going on holiday, clean it thoroughly and leave the door open. 26 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

27. Care and cleaning • Defrosting the icebox • Choose a time when the icebox or freezer is fairly empty. • Some models have an automatic defrost. If not: • Remove all food and wrap in a good insulator, e.g. newspaper. • Allow ice to melt into the drip tray, then empty the drip tray. • When all the ice is gone, wash out with warm water and bread soda, then dry the icebox or freezer. • Plug the refrigerator back in and return the food items. • Never use a knife to remove ice. 27 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

28. Cleaning the refrigerator Choose a time when the fridge is fairly empty. Remove all food and wrap in a good insulator, e.g. newspaper. Remove all moveable shelves and parts. Clean the fridge with a solution of 2 tablespoons bread soda mixed with 1 litre water. Rinse with plain warm water. Dry. Replace shelves and food. Wash the outside with warm water and washing-up liquid. Dry well. 28 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

29. Disposing of electrical appliances • Under European law (the WEEE directive), electrical appliances can no longer be disposed of in landfill sites by owners themselves. • For environmental reasons, appliances must • be brought to special collection points (most • large electrical outlets have a collection point), • where they will be collected and recycled in an environmentally friendly way. In order to cover the cost of this, customers must now pay a white goods disposal charge when purchasing a new appliance. • The charge depends on the size and type of appliance. For example, a large American-style fridge has a disposal charge of €30, whereas a smaller under-the-counter fridge is €10 and other large appliances, e.g. cookers, are €5 (2014 figures). 29 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

30. Describe four technological advances that have impacted on the running of the home today. What are the three types or categories of household appliance? Give one example of each. List six guidelines for buying household appliances. How does a microwave cook food? Why do cooking times vary between different microwave ovens? List four advantages of microwave cooking. List four disadvantages of microwave cooking. Describe three uses of the microwave oven in cookery. List six points for using a microwave safely. What four guidelines should be followed when buying a microwave oven? 30 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

31. List four tips that should be remembered when cleaning a microwave oven. Name four different types of cooker on the market today. Describe six features of modern cookers. List four points for caring for and cleaning a cooker. Outline four points that should be considered when deciding where to position a cooker. Name three different types of refrigerator. List four features of a modern refrigerator. Describe how an icebox should be defrosted. Give six guidelines for cleaning a refrigerator. What does the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment 2005 mean for consumers? 31 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

32. Now test yourself at www.eTest.ie. Assignment 45 32 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition