The Counters Blog

Sized to fit on your kitchen counter, this handy appliance combines convection cooking with microwave heating, allowing you to cook foods faster and more evenly than you can using a traditional microwave. The microwave circulates hot air to produce crispy, great-tasting food in just minutes. The reason why is that you need a lot of space around the microwave oven because it gets hot, it must breathe. If you don’t have the required space, the oven will simply overheat and shut down. I love the clock and how it totally disappears when you turn it off. You can also add time by rotating the metal round dial. The oven still maintains 400 degrees for another 10 minutes then it shuts down. The grill function uses a chrome metal riser which you place your grilling items on like a raw meat (burger, steak or chop). The grilling juices just drop down on the rotating glass plate for you to clean up later! This uses a combo of convection and microwave but in a simple one touch operation based on the assumption you are cooking frozen things. You will need the manual to know what the numbers represent as far as the type of food you are cooking.
Paperstone The Countertop With A Conscience | Duration 1 Minutes 11 Seconds The microwave/convection is a much more awesome and usable setting because it makes your pot pies (see photo) not only done on the inside and out, crispy on the outside and done quickly! Its made of a lot of recycled paper which dissolves on contact with water, and is sponge for the slightest amount of oil. There is a round metal cooking pan that comes with the microwave oven. It can be placed on the glass and also on one of the two risers. I am impressed with the quality of this pan, and that they included it with the oven. The oven now rotates is turntable every time the door is opened. It was returned and after one day the oven will only heat to 300. It does get extremely hot so it has to be away from any walls. The grilling element and ceramic plate let you use the microwave to prepare crispy foods such as pizza. There are a lot of reviews for this and most of them agree with my assessment. Clearances: the back of the oven requires 4 inches of free space. The stainless steel and black surfaces are not just taped on, they are real. When the oven is on, if you press the start button, it adds 30 seconds for every push to the countdown timer. I have not had any problems with food exploding and making a mess. Temperature control has a range up to 400 degrees and is variable at 25 degree increments. Its great for anything that has a crust or that you want to make crusty. Again, the glory of a convection oven is when cooking breaded items because it browns them correctly, unlike a standard microwave oven. I actually use this in a different way other than the instructions. There are two levels of risers, the manual recommends the higher one. It’s better than pan frying, but in no way approaches a real bar b que grill. Seriously, just thaw them in the microwave and brown them with either the fast pre-heat function or the convection oven. It has a silicon bottom so it does not slip, and it has a non-stick cooking surface. I use this often for cooking those food items in the convection setting. It seems to make returns easier, but the price isn’t always the lowest. Apparently there was too much heat building up and the unit turned itself off. Now with a few weeks left on the warranty it had to be taken in because the convection would not heat. If the oven worked properly it would be a great product but 2 major repairs in less than a year is not acceptable. The only negative thing is the rack is a bit small and the pizza hang over the ends and ended up cooking onto the rack. But the repair man could not fix as they would not give their approval. Telling me to do something, then saying that wasn’t good enough, had to do more.

Peel and Stick Soapstone Marble Countertop Vinyl Self Adhesive Contact Paper NOT by amazon.com

I want to go sit in my kitchen just to look at it – ha! The quality of the vinyl was impressive; thick and sturdy, strong adhesive and very pretty pattern. This is a company that stands behind their product and they made the return process very easy. I called the company and asked if they had anything darker than what was shown on their site (at the time).

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Milgreen Industries The Do It Yourself Guide For Paperstone Countertop Installation Demo | Duration 2 Minutes 26 Seconds I would have preferred the soapstone pattern to be a bit less glossy for my taste but that’s just my preference.

Eco Friendly Kitchen Countertops Like Recycled Glass by houselogic.com

Purchase them directly at a local salvage supply or through a manufacturer that uses reclaimed materials. But it’s prone to water damage, needs occasional re-sealing (or frequent applications of mineral oil, which can be a hassle), and shouldn’t be installed directly next to a sink or dishwasher. Almost all the glass comes from curbside recycling programs. These days, eco-friendly options are just as good-looking as traditional countertops like granite or quartz, so making a green choice won’t ding your home’s resale value. Since installation can equal 80% of your total cost, expect to save on labor. So you’ll need to budget for a second material to use in your kitchen.

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Eco Friendly Countertops | Duration 5 Minutes 4 Seconds Endurawood fashions wood countertops from reclaimed fir and oak, including old wine vats. A countertop made from recycled bowling alley lumber makes the utilitarian space unique. The clients couldn’t be happier with this everyday fix to their deep sea calling. A clear vessel bowl allows the beauty of the countertop to shine through and refrains from overpowering the vanity. The mix of tiles pulls the room together, bringing out the colors of the walls and stone countertop. They wanted an underwater theme in the main floor bathroom, so the countertop is made out of recycled glass and evokes the natural waves of the ocean, while the back splash, made of shell-patterned strip tiles-recall the world under the water’s surface. Fill the sink up with ice and display the beverages offered to guests for the evening. Below the drawer is a recycling center pull-out with trash and recycling for the empty bottles. The bottom freezer drawer makes ice and is great for chilling glasses and liquor. The far right drawer is handy for bottle openers, napkins and bar utensils for the bartender.

Eco Friendly Countertops by countertopguides.com

The material is compressed into sheets and covered in a natural resin. The wood is stronger than oak, quite beautiful, and also very affordable. The glass chips are embedded in a base of concrete, cement or resin. This innovation is a win-win situation – the environment is cared for and consumers are offered wonderful new options for the countertops throughout their homes and work places. The result is a durable counter that can be produced in a rainbow of colors and then recycled when you remodel. That’s changing, as it is recycled into useful and attractive products like worktops for the home.

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Environmentally Friendly Countertops And Flooring From Today’S Homeowner Video Channel | Duration 4 Minutes 8 Seconds These are just the most popular eco-friendly countertops currently being produced.

Recycled Material Countertops by bhg.com

Thankfully, manufacturers are introducing new products all the time to address the growing demand for green materials. These countertops look similar to natural stone and are equally durable. On the downside, the material is typically as expensive as granite and harder to find. The affordable material is long lasting and moisture resistant, but it can burn and scratch easily. It needs to be re-sealed once or twice a year with mineral oil to prevent stains. Wood can easily burn, split, and stain so it must be re-sealed frequently. Although the material resists heat and stains, it scratches easily and shows fingerprints (minimize the effect by choosing a brushed finish). The aesthetic will appeal to homeowners with a more modern style. It is durable, resists nicks and chips, handles heat, and is easy to keep clean. If you don’t mind the aged look, however, the surface can be used as a cutting board and the nicks and discoloration will only add to the timeless appeal.

The Eco Friendly Benefits Of Recycled Paper Countertops by stockcabinetexpress.com

If you’re looking for a cheap, environmentally friendly new countertop material that can handle almost anything you can throw at it in the kitchen, then recycled paper might be exactly what you need. It is then is held together by formaldehyde-free thermoset plastic resin. As mentioned before, recycled paper countertops that use nonpetroleum-based resin make them an even more attractive option for environmentally conscious homeowners. One thing that should be remembered is that the resin makes the material non-recyclable. Since paper is far lighter than natural stone materials, recycled paper countertops can come in longer spans without requiring additional support like natural stone slabs. Most recycled paper countertops also require a food-grade sealant like wax or mineral oil to keep them looking good as new. Finally – and this is just a matter of taste, mind you – recycled paper countertops can develop a seasoned patina, especially in areas that see high use. If you want a countertop that has its own character, then the patina shouldn’t be a problem. In recent years, however, countertops made from recycled paper composites have fast become one of the most popular countertop materials alongside classic choices such as durable synthetics and natural stone. Here’s what you need to know to determine if it’s the right fit for your kitchen. This mix is compressed into a dense slab that feels similar to soapstone. Some manufacturers use nonpetroleum-based resin to further lower the material’s environmental impact. It definitely gets a top grade for being one of the greenest materials around. It can still, however, be recut and retooled for future use. Their dense and non-porous construction make them highly resistant to stains and nicks and are therefore relatively easier to maintain. They are also sensitive to abrasive cleaners; cleanups should only be done with a damp cloth and no soap. If you want something that stays pristine for decades, then you might want to find some other material.