To prevent your kitchen sink from clogging up, pour a mixture of boiling water and baking soda down the sink frequently. The hot water will dissipate builtup oils, and the baking soda will absorb odours.
To prevent your kitchen sink from clogging up, pour a mixture of boiling water and baking soda down the sink frequently. The hot water will dissipate builtup oils, and the baking soda will absorb odours.
Royal Ham
Put something special on your party table this year, in the form of Emmett’s Ham from the UK. The Suffolk-based company has been producing ham since the 1820s – even supplying it to the late Queen Mother.
Only free-range pigs which have not been fed antibiotics or growth hormones are used for their ham and bacon; and only leg meat is used for the hams, giving them a lovely bite and texture.
Innovative flavours such as root ginger, lime, and jasmine tea have been introduced, and you can also enjoy the ham in dishes at Xi Yan Private Dining restaurant, as part of its Christmas and New Year menus.
Emmett’s Ham is available through Xi Yan Gourmet Direct, from $459.90 for a whole ham of about 7kg. Half portions are also available. Visit www.xiyan.com.sg, or call 6220-3546.
Style And Function
Gaggenau recently launched the EB333 90cm oven in celebration of the premium German brand’s 333rd anniversary. Showcasing a sleek and streamlined design, the 3mmthick stainless steel oven door has soft opening and closing features, while the control module integrates a touch display. Exclusively designed black rotary knobs are available as an alternative to the shiny silver-tone ones, too.
Email bsh.ec@bshg.com for enquiries and purchase. Visit www.gaggenau.com for product details.
A New Look
Kitchens that look worse for wear can be easily (and affordably) updated – simply with new handles! Furnipart offers a diverse range of cabinet handles, so whether you want vintage charm or a sleek, futuristic look for your kitchen, you can easily find something suitable.
Furnipart handles are available at The Ewins Home, #01-100 Midview City, 24 Sin Ming Lane, tel: 6659-0080.
Rice Above The Rest
Aside from quality rice grains and the right amount of water, the secret to delicious rice is a good rice cooker! Tefal’s new 1-litre Advanced rice cooker features Spherical Pot technology, making use of circular heat convection to cook rice evenly. It has 10 cooking programs, is easy to use and clean, and its six-layer pot makes it more durable than traditional rice cookers.
Tefal’s Advanced rice cooker retails for $179 at all major electrical stores.
Plenty In One
With just one machine, make both coffee and tea! The CM7500 countertop coffee machine by renowned German brand Miele is programmed to prepare up to 20 types of beverages. With larger containers for water, as well as coffee beans and grounds, it can fill up a pot with up to eight cups of coffee – ideal for when you’re entertaining guests. There’s also an automatic descaling function, among other smart features, for even more convenience.
Find out more about the CM7500 countertop coffee machine at the Miele boutique, #04-03 Winsland House II, 163 Penang Road, tel: 6735-1191, www.miele.sg.
GREEN LIGHT
Talk about energy-efficient home lighting and most picture a harshly lit space with little or no ambience. But this is far from the truth! Energy-efficient lighting has advanced beyond the ugly, buzzing fluorescent tube. Now, choose from four types of low-energy lighting — compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), electron-stimulated luminescence (ESL) and lightemitting diodes (LED).
CFL
Shaped like swirly soft ice cream, these need slightly more energy when they are first turned on. But once the electricity starts circulating, they use about 70 per cent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 10 times longer. Unlike the old fluorescent lights, CFLs are quiet and offer a variety of tones. Higher-end CFLs can be dimmed with existing incandescent dimmers. They contain mercury and should be recycled when they burn out.
CCFL
They may resemble regular incandescent bulbs on the outside, but look closer and you will see CFL-like swirls on the inside. CCFLs come in a wide variety of colour temperatures and can be dimmed down much more than CFLs.
ESL
ESL lighting is the latest invention from the US. ESLs turn on instantly and contain no mercury. They last up to 6,000 hours, which is about three to four times the lifespan of incandescent bulbs.
LED
LEDs are extremely longlasting and energy-efficient. Unlike fluorescents, they contain no mercury. LEDs produce directional light, rather than diffused light.
THE LIGHT MIX
To produce interesting and dynamic interiors, lighting designers often use the concept of “light layering”. This means incorporating a mixture of four types of lighting:
■ Ambient lighting provides the overall illumination for orientation and general vision. Choosing a warm tone softens shadows and creates a relaxed ambience. Fixtures: Downlights, pendants, cove lighting. Suitable bulbs: All.
■ Task lighting is for carrying out activities where you need to see clearly, such as reading, shaving or typing. Fixtures: Desk lamps or floor lamps. Suitable bulbs: All.
■ Accent lighting is used to highlight specific objects or features, such as paintings or sculptures. Fixtures: Track lights, portable uplight lamps, or directional landscape lights. Suitable bulbs: LED.
■ Decorative lighting is used to add visual sparkle to a space and should not be too bright. Fixtures: Chandeliers, candlestick-type wall sconces. Suitable bulbs: CCFL.
