Technology in the Home PDF

Technology in the Home  After completing this chapter I will What I Will be able to: explore the benefits of modern technology in Learn – the home identify the factors that should be Technology considered when buying electrical appliances...

Technology in the Home  After completing this chapter I will What I Will be able to: explore the benefits of modern technology in Learn – the home identify the factors that should be Technology considered when buying electrical appliances describe the different features available in in the modern cookers and refrigerators explain how to use and clean cookers and Home refrigerators explain the reasons for the WEEE directive and what it means for the consumer. Uses of technology in the home  SMART technology is being used in the home to simplify everyday tasks. SMART microwave ovens switch off SMART automatically when food is cooked by measuring the amount of steam in the oven. technology SMART fridges have internal cameras that let you see what is in your fridge via an app, in the which can be useful when shopping. SMART vacuum cleaners are robotic vacuum home cleaners that use sensors to avoid obstructions and steps and stairs. Sensors also detect areas that are particularly dirty. The vacuum cleaner spends longer over these areas. SMART technology in the home cont. SMART washing machines have automatic water level sensors that adjust the water level to the size of laundry load. This saves the amount of hot water used. SMART tumble dryers sense the amount of water in laundry and stop automatically when clothing is dry. SMART televisions combine the functions of a television and a computer. They can be used for web browsing, playing games, using social media and streaming live feeds. Many include useful apps, e.g. fitness apps. Others collect data about the type of content normally accessed and present the viewer with similar suggested content. Household electrical appliances There are four basic types of household appliance. Appliances with a motor: e.g. vacuum cleaners, food processors, electric knives Appliances with a heating element: e.g. cookers, toasters, kettles Appliances with both a motor and an element: e.g. washing machines, dishwashers Other: e.g. microwaves Factors to consider when buying appliances Cost: Consider your budget and what you can afford. Compare different models and the same models in different shops. Safety: Check for safety labels such as the Irish Standard Mark or the CE marking. These symbols indicate that the appliance has been approved as safe. Energy efficiency label: Appliances are given an energy efficiency rating (A to G), with A being the most efficient. Choose appliances with either an A or a B rating as they cost less to run and are better for the environment. Factors to consider when buying appliances cont. Size: Check measurements – i.e. height, width and depth – to make sure the appliance fits in the available space. Special features: Do not spend money on appliances with lots of special features, e.g. a refrigerator with an ice maker, if you will rarely use them. Demonstration: If necessary, ask to have a demonstration so that you know how to use the appliance and can get the most out of it. Guarantee: Check that a guarantee is offered. It should be for at least one year. After-sales service: Ask what service the company will offer if the appliance breaks down, e.g. a free repairs service. There is more information on guarantees in Chapter 28. Features of modern cookers Dual grill and rings: These can Steam ovens: These ovens use Induction hob: This is an electric be set so that only one side of steam and convection currents hob that heats and cools the grill heats for small amounts to cook foods such as roast beef, instantly. It functions only with of food or only the middle part keeping food moist. The steam cast iron or specific stainless of the ring heats, e.g. for small feature can be turned off for steel saucepans. saucepans. This saves energy. baking.  Self-cleaning ovens: To clean, the door locks, the oven reaches very high Features temperatures, food burns off and ash can then be swept out. of Timers and auto-timers: These allow the cooker to switch on and off automatically. modern Timers are set for a specific amount of time. The cooker switches off cookers automatically when the time is up. Auto- timers can be set to come on at a specific cont. time, e.g. one hour before the person returns from work, and then switch off automatically. Care and cleaning of cookers Wipe up spills straightaway, as they are much more difficult to remove when they set and dry. Wash and dry the grill pan after each use. A sheet of tin foil can also be placed on the grill pan, which can be removed after each use. If this is not done, grease will remain on the grill pan and this will smoke and burn when the grill is used again. Never drag saucepans over a ceramic hob, as they will scratch it. Do not use an abrasive cleaner, as this will also scratch a ceramic hob. Remove all removable parts, wash them in warm, soapy water and then dry them with a tea towel. Care and cleaning of cookers cont. Use bread soda and water or a special oven cleaner to dissolve burnt-on food in the oven itself. Carefully follow the instructions on the packaging, as some products can be hazardous. Wash out, rinse and dry the oven to remove all traces of oven cleaner. Wash, dry and polish the exterior of the cooker and replace all removable parts. Features of modern refrigerators Humidity controlled drawers: vegetable drawers have humidity controls that help prevent vegetables from drying out. Cold drinks dispenser and ice maker Automatic defrost: the refrigerator or fridge-freezer switches itself of periodically; ice does not build up, so the icebox or freezer is kept defrosted. Defrosting the icebox or freezer Choose Unplug Remove Allow Choose a time Unplug the Remove all food Allow ice to when the icebox appliance. and wrap it in a melt. This can be or freezer is good insulator, sped up by fairly empty. e.g. newspaper. placing a bowl of boiling water in the freezer. Mop up liquid with towels.  Defrosting the icebox or freezer cont. 1 2 3 When all the ice is gone, wash out Plug the fridge or freezer back in Never use a knife to remove ice. If with warm water and bread soda, and return the food items. the knife punctures the walls of and then dry the icebox or freezer. the freezer icebox, refrigerant gas will escape and the appliance will not work properly. Cleaning the refrigerator Choose a time when the fridge is fairly empty. Remove all food and wrap it in a good insulator, e.g. newspaper. Remove all moveable shelves and parts, wash in hot water and washing-up liquid, rinse with cold water and dry thoroughly. Wash out the fridge with warm water and bread soda. For washing out a full-sized fridge-freezer, use a solution of two tablespoons of bread soda to one litre of water. Rinse with plain warm water. Dry. Replace shelves and food. Wash the outside with warm water and a suitable detergent, e.g. washing-up liquid. Dry well.  Guidelines for using a refrigerator Never put hot food in the fridge as it raises the temperature inside. Heat will transfer to cold food, allowing bacteria to grow. Cover food, e.g. butter, before putting it in the fridge. This stops it from drying out and absorbing strong smells, e.g. onions. Put meat (especially raw meat) on a plate so it does not drip onto other food. Store below cooked foods in case raw meat juices drip onto them, causing cross-contamination. Close the door immediately after use to prevent raising the internal temperature and to save electricity. Defrost the freezer compartment regularly if it does not do so automatically. This will prevent ice building up, which takes up space and makes the freezer less efficient.  Disposal of electrical appliances Under the European Union Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment 2005 (WEEE Directive), electrical appliances can no longer be disposed of in landfill sites by owners themselves. For environmental reasons, appliances must be brought to special collection points, where they will be collected and recycled in an environmentally friendly way. Most large electrical outlets have a collection point and will usually collect large old appliances while delivering the new one. In order to cover the cost of this, customers must now pay a white goods disposal charge when purchasing a new appliance. The charge (ranging from €5to €30) depends on the size and type of appliance. Task Pick an appliance other than fridge or cooker and create a leaflet explaining its importance in food preparation/cooking. Success Criteria: Name of Appliance Main uses in food preparation/cooking etc Guidelines for using Guidelines for caring Make sure it is presented in an attractive way. Can be done digitally or by hand