ComfortChannel.com Blog

Deep fryers are handy for making snacks or preparing meats. However, you need to know how to use the machine. Here are some helpful hints.

• If unit fails to preheat or if the cooking process stops, check cord assembly to assure plug is properly attached to the fryer appliance

• When using the fryer for the first time, a slight odor or light smoking may occur as manufacturing residue evaporates. This is normal during initial use.

• Before deep frying, always remove excess moisture or ice crystals from food by blotting with toweling. Moist foods cause excess foaming, spattering, and crackling.

• When preparing your favorite recipes, fry 1 to 4 cups food, in unit, at a time. If too much food is fried at the same time, the food will not get crisp.

• For breading or coating foods, use commercial breading, finely ground bread or cracker crumbs, corn meal, mixture of corn meal and flour, pancake mix, or prepared bread mixes.

• Use only metal cooking utensils in the fryer as plastic or rubber will become damaged from the hot oil. Do not leave metal utensils in the fryer as they will become hot.

• After each use, strain oil through a filter or a double thickness of cheesecloth to remove the accumulated residue.

• It is time to replace the cooking oil if any of the following occur: The oil is dark in color, The oil has an unpleasant odor, The oil smokes when heated, the oil foams rather excessively during frying.

Here are some quick tips and updates on yoga mats for those in the market. We have found that as yoga classes are being offered at more fitness centers, people may be tiring of the germy frayed yoga mats offered for rent at the local gym. Today, Comfortchannel.com has partnered with several manufacturers that are rolling out new materials incorporated in exercise mats that are environmentally friendly and give a more comfortable surface for yoga positions.

The Pilates yoga mats offered on comfortchannel.com provide more cushion and are heavy enough that they do not move around when you are stretching. Users found that new products do help them from slipping during practice and provided enough padding to ease the pressure.  According to the Yoga journal, Americans spend 5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, an 87% increase since 2004.

Some of the keys to mats are the thermal plastic elastomer which makes the mat recyclable and less toxic than commonly used pvc.

Straight lines on the mat help you align your feet. There are also some types of mats that are for hot types of yoga, synch as a Bikram class. The goal is to be able to lay on the mat without sticking to it. These types of mats are made with machine washable cotton.

If there is one room where space is usually at a premium, its the bathroom. Storage solutions will let you make the most of every inch. Some great ideas include under sink storage area constructed of simple plywood covered 2 x 4’s then painted to replace a vanity and adds more room the sectioned off shelves make organization easy preventing the deep pile up that usually occurs in under sink storage.

Chrome baskets slides out easily for access to rolled up handtowels, washcloths, toilet tissue and bath products. Above-counter basins take up less under-sink space providing even more storage area. A niche cut into the wall for a narrow cabinet and shelves adds plenty of hiding space but does not intrude on the room.

Get in the habit of looking up, rather than around for more room. You can usually find vertical space for shelves and storage.

Living room storage is slightly different. The secret to finding space is simple as looking at something in a new way. Use a hallway console table or a dining room sideboard in the living room. Stash everyday items in the drawers and save the top for beautiful accessories. Tuck a large woven basket in an out o way spot to corral throw pillows and afghans. The key is double duty furniture.

Are you bored in the hotel room? Can’t find Fine Business Stationery in the desk drawer, and you are getting bent out of shape because you abandoned your exercise routine. Here is good news. Several hotels, including the Kimpton Hotels, are offering in room yoga sessions. Now you can pack your yoga mat (need to buy a yoga mat? find them here) with you on the road. Featured yoga instructors include Suzanne Deason, Patricia Walden, and Rodney Yee. 

Female biting insects require blood to nourish their eggs, and we know that you do not want to be the source of that blood. Scientific research has proven that mosquitoes track down hosts by sensing the carbon dioxide, moisture, and heat from breath, body odors, and color contrasts. Propane mosquito catchers work by burning the gas into warm carbon dioxide and water vapor. The precision mixture is released out into the air stream. Additionally, mosquito killer machines use lures and traps that offer additional scents to increase the attraction power of the devices. USDA has approved these types of mosquito trappers as effective at attracting, trapping, and killing a wide variety of biting insects.

Extended coverage, Skeetervac mosquito exterminators are perfect for those living in areas heavily populated by mosquitoes. The SkeeterVac™ is the perfect mosquito killing solution. Protect your friends and family from mosquito transmitted disease, while creating a more comfortable atmosphere in your outdoor living space with the highly effective SkeeterVac™. The SkeeterVac SV-5000 offers over 1 + acres of coverage against mosquito and other biting insects. Compared to other comparable units, the SV-5000 has 60-140 % more CO2 output, twice as many trapping systems, 3 times longer bait life and a patented FineTune baiting system that is easy to adjust. This commercial grade unit attracts more species of mosquitos than any other unit!