The winter months see temperatures that plummet, long dark nights, holiday celebrations and take us into the New Year. However, they can be miserable if you aren’t properly prepared. There are some appliances in our homes that we significantly take for granted, but imagine trying to get through the holidays without a fridge or freezer? Or worse, having that water heater that you never think about go out right before your guests arrive.
One of the ways to ensure you’re not just surviving but thriving at the coldest time of the year is to make sure you have these top five appliances working during these cold, busy months.
So, what are the top five appliances you need for this winter?
Dishpan Hands, No Way
Everyone does more cooking during the winter. There’s something about coming home and making something warm and delicious that just makes the day better, especially when it’s so cold you think it’s time to hibernate.
That’s all fine and dandy when you have the conveyance of a dishwasher to help do the clean-up. But imagine for a moment that you’re stuck, and the holiday guests have used every dish in your cupboard. Now it’s time to clean up while everyone else has gone home to fall deeply into food comas.
You put the first load of dishes in your dishwasher, and that noise that had been bugging you for weeks stopped, but it’s also not turning on. If you find that scenario scarier than Dickens ghost of Christmas past, you’ll agree with us that at the top of the list of winter appliances is the reliable dishwasher.
Dishwashers are getting increasingly advanced. Some of them have smart features with the ability to connect to Wi-Fi and others have features that sense how much gunk is on those dishes and change the settings for you.
We live in a fantastic age. You can now even control these bad boys from your phone or other connected smart devices. No more asking if the dishwasher is clean or dirty; there’s an app for that.
Cold Shower Anyone?
As the snow is beginning to fall over much of the world, it’s not surprising that the idea of a cold shower makes you shiver just thinking about it. Next on our list of must-have winter appliances is a drastically underappreciated hot water heater.
Hot water heaters are the workhorse of the home. From helping the washer to get your clothes clean to being able to help protect yourself from the pandemic, hot water is a critical necessity in the home. It’s something we seldom think about until one day it just decides it’s not going to work anymore.
You go to turn on the hot water for your coffee in the morning and get nothing but cold.
You can do some things to help prevent this from happening, though we’ve found that most people don’t even know it’s an option.
Hot water heaters build up sediment from the water over time. Tank heaters should be flushed out to help ensure they keep working and extend the life of this overworked appliance.
Another tip to help keep your hot water heater in shape is to either turn it off or at least down if you plan to go out of town for the holidays. Giving your hot water heater a break when you’re out of the house can extend its life just a bit.
Warm Fluffy Sweaters and Cozy Socks? Thank Your Dryer.
There’s almost nothing better in the coldest winter months than putting on clothes fresh out of the dryer. In the summer, you can always hang dry you’re clothing if something goes wrong but, in the winter, if you try that, you’ll end up with popsicle socks, a flavor we’re sure no one has asked for.
That’s why we’ve put the dryer in the middle of our list for must-have winter appliances. Dryers are also getting increasingly advanced, with features like Smartphone connections that allow you to turn it on from a distance. If you must go out early on a freezing morning, just throw your sweater in and set it for a few minutes and you’ll be wrapped in fluffy warmth to start your day.
Dryers are also regularly neglected, though they are among the more dangerous appliances in our homes. The worst thing you can do for your dryers and your safety ignores the lint trap.
The lint trap is there to help prevent lint and debris from building up in the dryer vent, which can cause house fires if left unattended. This year, be sure that part of your winterizing includes cleaning out your dryer vents.
Freezers During the Deep Freeze
This one might seem a little counterintuitive, but it’s right up there with the dishwasher. We cook more and go out less in the winter, so having enough space to store all that food is incredibly valuable. Especially during the winter party season, from those Christmas parties clear into the New Year, we’re sure you’re going to need more freezer space. Chest freezers or upright freezers can be a great option, especially for those who live in more remote areas. These allow you to stock up on things and have room for that Christmas ham to stay frozen until it’s time to hit the oven.
A Range for All Your Baking Needs
Last on our list of must-have winter appliances is the range. You do more baking during the holidays if you’re like us. From making your favorite Christmas cookies to baking all the components for the perfect gingerbread house, your range is probably one of the most used items in your kitchen during these chilly winter months.
There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of baked goods while the snow is falling outside. It makes you all warm just thinking about it, doesn’t it? You can get some fantastic ranges these days, including those with built-in convection options and smart interfaces for easier use.
You can also find ranges that have double oven doors with built-in air fryers to ensure you can make the crispiest treats for your holiday party while still getting the pie done in time.
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