Until the early 20th century, the blueprint for a modern household had not been in existence. A largely American innovation, different kinds of home appliances emerged to make lives easier and chores less time-consuming. People wanted to have more leisure time and the electricity-run innovations offered nothing less. Perhaps the kitchen stood the most to benefit from such a societal shift. Activities like preparing simple meals and cleaning after could take hours on a stretch.
With modern appliances, all became a breeze, and throwing luncheons or dinner parties was no longer a day’s work. The kitchen appliance market is still faring well at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2023 and 2030. They can be rightfully called the lifeblood of a modern household. However, their benefits are contingent on certain safety precautions. In this article, we will discuss the top three kitchen appliances and their safety tips.
Table of Contents
Oven
Did you know that convection ovens only became popular in the US around the 2010s? This was because they required less upkeep compared to coal or wood stoves and were also easier to regulate. However, the fact that these ovens run on electricity must give a hint about their danger.
Some of the common hazards related to convection ovens include electrocution, explosion and fire, toxic emissions, and scalds or burns. Let’s look at some of the safety tips that one must follow while using a convection oven.
- Never leave the oven unattended for extended periods.
- Avoid overloading the racks or trays as this may disrupt the airflow. As a result, the cooking may get uneven or a burn hazard may happen.
- Never use the oven as a storage unit by stocking it with plastic utensils. These may burn or melt and emit toxic fumes.
- Clean the oven regularly from the inside out. Improper maintenance may lead to a buildup of grease, which is a fire hazard.
- Never keep any flammable materials near the oven, especially until it has cooled down.
- Only place or remove utensils and items from the oven using the right tools. These may include thermal tongs and oven mitts.
- Exercise extra caution while opening the oven door, especially at the time of steam release. Always open the door away from the body and use a dry cloth. Burns related to steam release can be severe.
Electric Pressure Cooker
A second appliance that has become indispensable in the modern household kitchen is the electric pressure cooker. This appliance works on the basic principles of a traditional pressure cooker. It uses steam build-up to cook the contents with the help of electricity.
This helps in cooking the food faster. A slow cooker is different in the sense that it cooks food slowly over an extended period. The electric pressure cooker market is expected to become $5682.11 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 2.9%.
Being so useful, the demand for electric pressure cookers is on the rise. However, dangers surrounding this product persist. One brand that has severely been criticized is the Instant Pot. Users have reported cases of Instant Pot explosion causing serious burn injuries.
According to TorHoerman Law, it is believed that the appliance has certain manufacturing defects that contribute to the risk. A recent incident occurred where the cooker blew up in the user’s face. She suffered second-degree burns and was so traumatized that decided never to use one again.
So, how can one stay safe from electric pressure cooker risks? Let’s look at the precautionary measures –
- Never overfill the cooker and leave at least one-third of the pot empty.
- Do not cook with less than one cup of liquid inside.
- Wait at least 15 minutes after switching off the cooker for the steam to release before you open the lid.
- Check each time before cooking whether any parts of the cooker are missing or damaged.
- Use necessary tools like mitten gloves or long-handled tongs to avoid getting burned.
Dishwasher
A third top kitchen appliance without which it is difficult to imagine a modern home’s kitchen is the dishwasher. This appliance became highly popular around the time when hot water was easily accessible for homes in North America – the 1950s.
By the 1970s, almost every American household owned one of these appliances. Today, various advanced versions of the dishwasher have come into existence. However, there are some risks associated with this appliance as well, mainly that of electrocution and fire. This is primarily because dishwashers use electricity and water, a lethal combination.
Let’s look at some tips for using the dishwasher safely.
- Have a professional install the appliance and check twice to ensure it’s working properly.
- Never leave the dishwasher running when you’re not at home or during the night.
- If the appliance makes a strange noise, unplug it promptly and contact a repair technician.
- Clean it regularly so that no food particles or grime are stuck to its surface or crevices.
- Avoid overloading the dishwasher. Use it only based on the appliance’s capacity.
Since nourishing meals are prepared in the kitchen, it is a sacred space. Just like you invest the time in adorning it with all the necessary functional and aesthetic items, do the same when ensuring safety protocols.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to use each modern staple safely. Dangers abound but with the right strategies, benefits abound more so.