Latest news with #Cookology
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brits told they are making major kitchen microwave mistake
Cookology has shared some helpful tips and advice about the right and wrong ways to use a microwave. The kitchen appliance is relied on for its speed and convenience Most households across the UK have a microwave tucked away in their kitchens. They are that one must-have home appliance for many that is depended upon for its speed and convenience, enabling people to enjoy a swift and effortless snack within minutes. They are regarded as an essential appliance in the majority of kitchens. Nevertheless, there are blunders that numerous people commit when operating a microwave, including failing to use the proper settings or selecting inappropriate containers. Kitchen appliance brand Cookology has offered useful guidance and recommendations regarding the proper and improper use of the device. Andrew Wright, founder of Cookology, explained: "Microwaves are brilliant tools when used properly, but we see the same mistakes again and again. People often treat them like a one-button solution, but a little know-how goes a long way in improving results and extending the life of the machine." In other news, Brits have been told to stop using washing up liquid into their air fryer. One method you might be operating the device incorrectly is by utilising dangerous containers, reports the Liverpool Echo. It's widely understood that microwaving anything containing metal can create sparks and harm the oven, but heating plastic can equally pose issues. Plastic containers that aren't microwave-safe can release chemicals into food, particularly when warming fatty or greasy meals. Whilst a dish is inside the microwave, it is crucial to keep on top of stirring it. This proves particularly vital when reheating rice, meat or leftovers. Following microwave use, you should ensure to clean it afterwards. The kitchen specialists advise: "Food splatters also increase the risk of unpleasant smells and smoke. However, make sure to never clean your microwave with bleach or other ammonia-based cleaners. In an enclosed space like your microwave, these can leave behind toxic fumes that can contaminate your food." If you've got a compact kitchen with restricted worktop space and a countertop microwave, you might find it appealing to utilise the top for extra storage. Nevertheless, this could obstruct the ventilation, causing overheating and potentially resulting in damage or even creating a fire risk. The kitchen appliance brand has revealed their expert advice for microwave mastery: Use microwave-safe glass or ceramic dishes Stir food halfway through cooking Cover dishes loosely with a microwave safe lid Never cook in airtight containers Clean your microwave properly Whenever buying a microwave, it's crucial to read the instruction manual carefully. Although microwave oven radiation is considered safe, improper use can be very dangerous and lead to a painful (or messy) catastrophe.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Households warned to switch off these appliances before going on holiday
People should remember to turn off devices before heading on a trip this summer. With summer holiday season already in full swing, householders are being warned to be cautious when locking up homes ahead of their travels. From fire risks to food waste, leaving the wrong appliances switched on or off can lead to unnecessary damage, higher energy bills and some unpleasant surprises when you return. Cookology founder and kitchen appliance expert Andrew Wright has now revealed the ultimate 'unplug list' - and also what's important to leave untouched. Andrew said: 'Your fridge-freezer is the one appliance you really don't want to switch off unless it's completely empty and cleaned. "A few days without power can turn it into a breeding ground for bacteria, or if it leaks, a damp disaster. If you do need to switch it off, clean it thoroughly and leave the door ajar to prevent mould build-up.' Below you'll find the gadgets that should be switched off before take off - and which ones to leave on. Appliances to turn off before your trip Kettles, air fryers and toasters Kettles, toasters, and other small appliances such as air fryers and coffee machines are always best to be unplugged before you jet off. Even if they're switched off, these appliances may still use energy, adding to both your electricity bill and your carbon footprint. Even more importantly, unplugging them removes any risk of fire that could be caused by a possible fault in the product. Electric hobs and ovens While generally safe when turned off, unplugging your hobs and oven, whether gas or electric, adds an extra layer of precaution against fire risks. Dishwashers and washing machines Both these devices are also guilty of using energy, even on standby, due to the need to be ready to heat water on demand. It's also advised to leave the door open on your washing machine or dishwasher before going away, to avoid any stagnant smells or mould. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The appliances you shouldn't switch off Fridges and freezers (including chest, undercounter and upright models) These must stay on – especially in summer. High temperatures put more strain on refrigeration systems, meaning older fridges are more likely to fail if switched off and restarted. Compressors can seize up, thermostats may stick, capacitors might fail, and refrigerant leaks can occur. Worse, some units may not power back on at all after a prolonged shutdown. Even if empty, defrosting can cause water damage or smells. Wine coolers and mini fridges are lower risk but are still best left running unless properly defrosted and dried. Wi-Fi routers If you have security systems in your home, including video doorbells, they likely rely on Wi-Fi to remain active, so it's best to keep your Wi-Fi switched on. Cookology recommends checking appliance manuals before switching off anything hard-wired and giving your fridge a good once-over before leaving, especially if you're away for longer than a week.
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Great quality' freezer with 'plenty of space' now 15% off on Amazon
'Shoppers say it has 'great storage capacity' A freezer usually lasts 10 or 20 years, so it's vital to invest in a good one. And a top-rated freezer is currently on sale on Amazon at a generous discount. The Cookology Freestanding Chest Freezer is currently on sale in a range of sizes on Amazon, available in both black and white. The 99-litre freezer is currently £118.14, cut down from a pricier £138.99. The slightly larger 142-litre freezer is £140.24 down from £164.99, and the 198-litre size is £169.99 rather than its original price of £199.99. Each freezer is the same price in white or black, with the 293-litre option currently costing £254.99 rather than £299.99. The largest of the Cookology freezers is the family-feeding 418-litre freezer at £339.99, down from £399.99. The wide variety of sizes available make it easy to find an option to suit any required space or freezer needs. As well as serving as a freezer, the settings of this kitchen gadget can be changed to refrigeration, in case shoppers find themselves with no room in the fridge. Cookology Freestanding Chest Freezer £118.14-£339.99 Amazon Shop Product Description Cookology's freezers come with an advanced compressor to keep the machine quiet, with a running noise of 41 decibels- a 'whisper', according to its product description. The freezer also comes with an F freezer rating, making them cheap to run while keeping temperatures at -18C. Each freezer is also equipped with a hovering door, meaning users don't need to worry about the door closing on them whilst getting food out. They also come with a handy removable basket, perfect for storing food or easily removable when not needed, and their legs are adjustable. For those browsing the market for freezers, Argos offers the Hisense FV105D4BC21 Under Counter Freezer, which comes with a two-year warranty, and currently costs £199.99. This option is on the smaller size, with a capacity of 82 litres. The Bosch GTV15NWEBG Under Counter Freezer is also available on Argos, for a pricey £329, with a capacity of 83 litres. But customers are praising the Amazon options, leaving the Cookology freezers an overall rating of 4.6 stars out of a possible five. One pleased shopper said: "Great storage capacity, easy to move around, great appearance, great freeze quality, easy to use, perfect use for everyday activities." Another said: "Great freezer. Good size for what we needed it for. Very quiet. No frosting up. Fits in the area we had planned for. Instructions clear. Well worth the purchase price." However, another shopper wasn't so pleased with the freezer, saying: "Bought this to store raw, frozen dog food in my garage as appeared to be exactly what I needed. Last week the compressor started making weird noises then the following day I went to the freezer to find everything had started to defrost. "Checked plug and all the other usual electrical issues however, no matter what I did the compressor would not start up again. Had to store food in other peoples freezers and had to go to other retailer to get urgent replacement. "Completely dissatisfied that this freezer broke down after this short time. Should work a lot longer." But another customer described it as having 'plenty of space' in their more positive review. The Cookology freezers can be purchased here. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Your limp vegetables will last longer and be revived if you use clever icy trick – and it's free
Paige Beresford, Digital Journalist Published: Invalid Date, WITH bills continuing to rise amid the current cost of living crisis, most of us will be feeling the strain on our budgets. Especially since the UK's inflation has unexpectedly climbed by 2.5 per cent this year, which is seeing the prices of household essentials skyrocket. And food prices are one thing that is rapidly increasing, including costs for staples like meat, eggs, butter and cereals. So finding ways to keep costs down on other things like our food shop and supermarket bills is key. And in a bid to help, experts have shared their top tips on how to reduce food waste and save money. Professionals at kitchen appliance brand Cookology revealed that there are six key ways that households make their food budgets stretch further. And one tip can actually help revive limp foods that save you from throwing them in the bin. Andrew Wright, Founder of Cookology, said: 'At Cookology, we understand the growing pressures faced by families across the UK. We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further Andrew WrightFounder of Cookology "The recent inflation figures, highlighting the rise in food costs, are a real concern. "We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, alongside providing quality, space-efficient appliances, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further and minimise waste. 'Our aim is to provide solutions, both through our appliance designs and by offering actionable advice, that help our customers make the most of their groceries and reduce unnecessary waste. "Our range is specifically designed to offer flexible storage solutions for any size kitchen, helping to keep food fresher for longer and maximise options for consumers." People are just realising there's a 'life changing' way to seal an open food packet without a clip Revive and Thrive As mentioned, the experts shared their key tip to save those veggies that are starting to get limp. And all you need is a bowl of ice water. They said: "Don't toss those wilting greens or limp carrots! "Soaking them in ice water can bring them back to life. "And that stale bread? A little moisture and oven heat can work wonders." The "Eat Me First" System This is a very simple, easy way that stops food from rotting in the fridge. It also works by bringing expired dates to attention, stopping them from being forgotten about. This stops food from being wasted and having to be thrown out. Andrew explained: "Combat forgotten leftovers and near-expiration dates by designating a visible 'Eat Me First' box in your fridge." Unlock Hidden Potential Most of us buy food and ingredients and then only use the part we need, and throw out the rest. But the experts say we should be using every part of our ingredients to get the most out of our money. They suggested: "Get the most out of your ingredients by using every part. "Roast chicken bones make delicious broth, broccoli stems can be peeled and stir-fried, and herb stems add flavour to sauces." DIY Savings It can be tempting to pick up ready-made snacks because it's so much easier. But experts say that making our own can save us all some cash. The experts say: "Skip expensive pre-made snacks and drinks by making your own granola, iced coffee, and trail mix at home." 2 Natural Powerhouse Cleaning We all know that cleaning products can take a huge chunk of cash out of our budgets. So, experts say we could actually try making our own with a few household items. Things you may already have in your kitchen can have an incredible amount of other uses. Andrew explains: "A simple solution of vinegar and baking soda can tackle many cleaning tasks, saving you money on commercial products." Grow Your Own Buying seeds and trying to grow our own food is a good way to get fresh produce. But did you know you can actually do it without buying seeds? All you need to do is keep small bits of scraps from your food waste. Experts say: "Extend your fresh produce by regrowing kitchen scraps like green onions, lettuce, and basil in water or soil." Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge IF you want your food to stay fresh, you'll need to try out this useful hacks... Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks. Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting. Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer. Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again. Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use. Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy. Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh. Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life. Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float. Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
You've been storing your soy sauce all wrong! Experts reveal the common mistake that makes the condiment lose flavour
It's a popular condiment that most people will have in their kitchen. However, it turns out that countless UK households might be storing their soy sauce incorrectly. While many people are likely to keep their soy sauce in the cupboard with other kitchen essentials, an expert from Cookology has warned that this could spoil the sauce. The experts said, 'Condiments tend to reside in cupboards; however, most should be stored in the fridge once opened. 'Soy sauce is often [seen as] a cupboard staple. Surprisingly, it should be stored in the fridge to keep its flavour once opened.' The experts added that while soy sauce should belong in the fridge for flavour retention, mayonnaise and pesto should also be kept refrigerated, but for a different reason. 'Mayonnaise should be stored in the fridge after it's opened to stop bacterial growth, alongside opened pesto, pickles and jam, the experts said. Elsewhere, the experts weighed in on the debate of whether chocolate should be stored in the cupboard or fridge. The experts said, 'There's an argument to say that when you go shopping that chocolate is stored on the shelves, but there's more to it than that. 'Hot weather can make it difficult to store chocolate as there's a risk of it melting, however, storing it in the fridge can impact taste due to something called sugar bloom which is when the sugar recrystalises causing condensation on the surface. 'This in turn causes the sugar to absorb moisture, which then evaporates and can leave a dusty layer.' The outcome might not make refrigerated chocolate desirable for some, but ultimately, it's down to choice, they said. Andrew Wright, appliance expert from Cookology, added, 'There's conflicting advice around what you should and shouldn't store in a fridge available everywhere, but often it can come down to personal preference, especially with chocolate. 'However, the science shows that things that aren't stored in the fridge don't have as long a shelf-life as their countertop counterparts, and due to them often being perishable goods, [they] can be at risk of bacterial growth if not stored correctly. 'It's easy to say read the manufacturers instruction, but when it comes to produce that isn't necessarily labelled, such as fresh vegetables, then a fridge tends to be the best option to ensure longevity.' It comes after experts from W hich? revealed the best method to store a staple kitchen item - olive oil. While many people like to keep their olive oil next to the hob for easy access, the experts warned that this could make the liquid go rancid more quickly. Instead, they advise storing it in a cool, dark place. 'Keeping your olive oil in a cupboard away from light, heat and oxygen will help to prolong its life and prevent it going off too quickly,' Which? explained. Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age - so you shouldn't let it hang around for years. 'Once the bottle is opened it's exposed to oxygen, which causes the oil to deteriorate,' the experts added. 'For maximum taste and health benefits, use within a couple of months.' While Which? advises keeping your olive oil away from any heat sources, it's also best to avoid the fridge. 'Don't store it in the fridge,' the experts cautioned. 'You might have heard that keeping your olive oil in the fridge will help it last longer, but our experts don't recommend this. 'Keeping it in a cool, dark cupboard is best.' The experts also encourage you to pay close attention to the packaging. 'Our experts recommend avoiding oil sold in clear plastic bottles, which can negatively impact the flavour of the oil,' it explained. 'Ideally, opt for a tin or a dark-coloured glass bottle rather than a clear one. 'This helps to block out light and prevent the oil from deteriorating, both on the shop shelves and when you get it home.' Which?'s advice comes shortly after furious shoppers branded the cost of olive oil 'disgusting' after prices almost tripled in three years. In January 2021, the average price of a bottle of olive oil was £3.54. But in April 2024, research by MailOnline found the average is £9.49, an increase of more than 168 per cent. The most expensive bottle of olive oil is £22 for 500ml from Waitrose. It's almost double the price of a 750ml bottle of Whispering Angel Provence Rosé, which is just £11.49 from the same supermarket. The cheapest place to buy a 500ml bottle of olive oil is Aldi, where you can get your hands on one for just £4.59. Iceland had the cheapest bottle on average at £5.50, although it only offered a single type. Comparing all the cheapest 500ml bottles from each shop, the Co-Op came out with the most expensive, of £7.35.
