Heart of the Home

What better way to say "I Love You" than by making a delectable homemade treat? Sharing your time, effort, and culinary talents is a special gift and one that your loved ones are likely to appreciate. Valentine's Day is approaching, and candy making is one popular way of showing your love for someone. From chocolate-dipped strawberries to homemade candy, there are many simple, tasty treats that home chefs can create.

Chocolate dipped strawberries are a popular Valentine's Day treat. This decadent treat is easy to prepare and adds a luxurious touch to your holiday celebration. Start by rinsing a pint of strawberries, then pat the fruit dry. Cover a metal baking sheet with waxed paper to place the berries on after dipping. 

Grab your Double Boiler and add water to fill 1/4 of the base of the pan. Add 8 ounces of chocolate chips to the top pan: choose dark chocolate for a richer flavor, semi-sweet chocolate for a sweeter taste, or white baking chocolate for a sweet treat. You may wonder why using a double boiler as opposed to melting chocolate in a single pan over direct heat is best? A double boiler uses indirect heat, giving you better temperature control over the melting chocolate; as the steam from the simmering water rises, your chocolate will slowly melt. You're less likely to burn your chocolate - and let's be honest; no one wants to eat burnt chocolate! Stir the chocolate as it melts.

When all chocolate has melted, grab a strawberry it into the chocolate, and let any excess drip back into the pan. Place your dipped strawberry onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle any toppings you wish to add, such as sprinkles, coconut flakes or chopped nuts. Refrigerate the strawberries until you're ready to serve. 

For a salty-sweet treat, try dipping pretzel rods into your melted chocolate. Dip 3/4 of the rod into melted chocolate and let any excess drip back into the pan. Place on waxed paper, add toppings while still warm and allow to cure (chocolate will be hard to the touch). 

If you're looking for a delicious chocolate and caramel treat, try making Taste of Home's Chocolate Turtles. This easy recipe is perfect for beginning candy makers, and your loved one will think you put in more effort than is required :) With a little time and a Range Kleen Double Boiler, you can whip up this sweet treat in no time. Package the completed turtles in a small box, then tie a bow for an extra touch.

What treats will you be making for your loved ones on Valentine's Day? Share in the comments section! 

The weather is warming, birds are chirping, and flowers are beginning to bloom. It's a lovely time of year and a time in which many engage in Spring cleaning. Although it can be a lot of work, we think the reward of a squeaky clean home is worth it. 

Today's cleaning instructions will focus on cleaning your range. Cleaning ranges can be a labor intensive but well worth the effort as Consumer Reports estimates Americans use their ranges about five times per week. If you have a self-cleaning oven, we recommend cleaning the top of your range before running the self-cleaning cycle. Before starting the self-cleaning cycle, remove anything currently in your oven, such as your Range Kleen Non-Stick Oven Liner. To clean the top of your range, grab your Glass & Ceramic Range Kleening Kit by Range Kleen and follow the cleaning product instructions.

If you don't have a self-cleaning cycle, roll up your sleeves and grab these items: baking soda, vinegar in a spray bottle, a wet rag and a sponge.

Before cleaning, the oven should be cold to the touch. Remove the oven racks and soak in the kitchen sink in hot water with a 1/2 cup of vinegar. (If your oven racks don't fit in the kitchen sink you can soak them in the bathtub, be sure to place a towel underneath to avoid scratching your tub). If possible, allow soaking overnight.

While the oven racks are soaking, make a baking soda paste. Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread the paste inside the oven on the base and along the walls, avoiding the heating elements. (Hint: It's normal for the paste to turn brown). Leave the paste to sit overnight.

Use a wet rag to wipe up as much of the paste as possible. Then use your Range Kleen Scrape and Kleen to scrape away any remaining paste residue. Then spritz any remaining paste with vinegar.

Wipe out the remaining vinegar and baking soda residue, then give the oven racks a light scrub with a scrubbing sponge, rinse with water and return to them to the oven. 

We hope you've enjoyed these instructions on cleaning your range. If you wish to make future clean-up easier, we suggest investing in a Range Kleen Non-Stick Oven Liner which is designed to catch food crumbs, spills and gooey drips (such as pie filling or melted cheese). In addition to being easy-to-clean, it's also reusable, and easy-to-trim with household scissors to customize the fit to your range.

Stay tuned for more cleaning tips and instructions from Range Kleen!

At Range Kleen, we can hardly believe November is in full swing. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season have started. As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, we think it'd be a great time to talk about turkey.

Many Americans still prefer roasting a turkey in an oven. If you prefer oven roasted, check out this incredibly simple and delicious Thyme-Roasted Turkey from Taste of Home. With a 3 hour cooking time (plus additional time for standing) this is a quick method to cook a turkey. The smell of turkey wafting through the house will make everyone hungry! 

Some argue that a Spatchcocked Turkey cooks the most evenly throughout and has the crispiest skin. If you haven't heard of the term spatchcock, it's a term used to describe butterflying the turkey (removing the backbone) and then pressing it flat to cook. Serious Eats has a great recipe for Crisp-Skinned Spatchcocked Turkey, and you can use your favorite Range Kleen Broiler Pan (which is built to withstand high temperatures and is easy to clean). 

If your favorite method of preparation is smoking the turkey, check out The Food Network's Smoked Whole Turkey by Bobby Flay. Although smoking a turkey takes considerably longer than roasting, the rich, smoky flavor can't be topped. As the turkey will be in a smoker, your oven will be free to bake delicious side dishes and pies. Although not a traditional method of preparation, you can also grill your Thanksgiving Turkey. 

Take advantage of beautiful, seasonal weather and head outdoors. Get in touch with nature and give your Mom the opportunity rejuvenate, perhaps by walking or hiking through the park. She'll love using her Range Kleen Go Caddy™ to hold her favorite water bottle, cell phone, keys and other items. She'll simultaneously enjoy being hands-free and hydrated. Or she may enjoy lounging in a hammock with a good book. A packed picnic lunch featuring her favorite foods along with a soft blanket is a fun, relaxing way to enjoy a meal together. 

It's been a long Winter. Depending on where you live, you might've noticed signs of Spring pop up. Annual bulbs are beginning to sprout and birds are chirping as temperatures begin to warm, so we thought we'd get a headstart on Spring Kleening. Research indicates that Americans open their refrigerators about twenty times per day, which means there are a lot of fingerprints to clean. In addition, there can be grease, sticky residue and even odors. Follow these simple steps to seasonally clean your refrigerator. 

As always, we recommend you adhere to manufacturers instructions. To begin, remove anything that is spoiled or past its expiration date and toss or recycle accordingly. Experts recommend emptying the perishable contents of your fridge into a cooler, while you work. shelves and crisper drawers. To avoid cracking, let these items warm to room temperature before washing. Bins and shelves can be soaked in a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Scrub with a gentle sponge, then dry and set to the side. Use a sponge to clean the door seals with the same mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid. 

Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning the interior of your fridge as food can absorb cleaning product odors. For an easy, green alternative mix half a gallon of hot water with 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda (which will help with odor absorption), or a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar, then wipe the interior of the fridge with a damp rag. Dry the interior of the fridge.

Return the shelves and bins to the fridge. As you return food and condiments, wipe jars, food storage containers, and bottles that have any sticky residue on the bottom or sides. If you're in need of a little organizational help, check out the Range Kleen line of organizational bins (use code FF2018 to save 20% on your order). Finally, wipe down the exterior of the fridge, paying special attention to handles using a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. If the appliance is stainless steel, use CeramaBryte Stainless Steel Cleaner. 

Stay tuned for more kleening tips from Range Kleen! 

The origins of Valentine's Day lie in the romance of secret marriages performed by St. Valentine. During his reign as Roman Emperor, Claudius II thought unmarried men made for better, more focused soldiers. In an effort to strengthen his army, he forbid men to marry by placing a ban on marriages. According to National Geographic "...Valentine, it is said, flouted the ban, performing marriages in secret. For his defiance, Valentine was executed in A.D. 270—on February 14, the story goes." Hence the celebration of Valentine's Day occurring on February 14th. 

Thankfully modern day celebrations are more cheerful and often extend beyond celebrating with your significant other. For many, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to express how much they care for their romantic partner, children, close friends and even pets. 

To start your morning off with a little charm try dressing waffles up with this delicious Simple Berry Compote by Minimalist Baker.  Sift confectioners sugar over the waffles for a finishing touch. 

A homemade Surf and Turf dinner for your partner adds a bit of decadence while dining from the comfort of your own home. As an added bonus, you'll likely save money and forgo long restaurant waiting times. This Taste of Home recipe is sure to please. 

Add a heart-shaped touch with a Caprese Salad, using a cookie cutter to easily cut the mozzarella. 

If you're looking for Valentine card ideas, Good Housekeeping has several cute DIY cards. There is a host of charming printable Valentines for children to share with classmates and friends from Mommy Evolution. For adorable "punny" Valentines, check out these chuckle-filled cards from Lauren Conrad. 

In lieu of traditional Chocolate Covered Strawberries, consider finishing the evening off with a home-baked good. Try these Raspberry and White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies from Ahead of Thyme which bakes beautifully on the Range Kleen Ceramabake BC4010. 

If you're looking to treat your Valentine to a gift, check out our entire collection of bakeware and use code FF2018 to save 20% on your order. 

In less than two weeks the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will fill to capacity as it hosts the 2018 Super Bowl! Fans rooting for the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles will gather to watch this exciting football event unfold. Justin Timberlake will light up the half-time show and fans around the country will gather around television screens to cheer on their favorite team.

Last year the Super Bowl drew almost 112 MILLION viewers! People gathered in homes, bars, restaurants, and even libraries to watch the game. According to Shape Magazine, an estimated 50 million cases of beer will be consumed alongside 30 million pounds of chips, popcorn, and nuts. And of course pizza. Lots of pizza. If you're headed to a watch party or hosting your own, we've got some great recipes to share to make your Super Bowl Sunday rock. 

Try Spicy Touch Down Chili from Taste of Home to please hungry fans. In addition to traditional beans and ground beef, this hearty chili contains ground pork sausage and crumbled bacon for added savory flavors. 

Dress up a classic ballpark frank with some of the Spicy TouchDown Chili or dress it up in a pretzel roll as suggested by Food and Wine. From topping with avocado to wasabi there are several ways to satisfy everyone's taste. 

Did you know that the Super Bowl is also the largest pizza consumption day of the year? Experts caution for excessive wait times on delivery so you may consider baking your favorite pie at home. Check out this Homemade Pizza recipe from Taste of Home and be sure to bake it on your favorite Range Kleen Pizza Pan. 

You'll need a little dip to accompany all of those crunchy snacks. For a twist on traditional game-day dips with Skillet Bread Spinach Artichoke Dip,  Baked Goat Cheese dip or a Loaded Baked Potato Dip. 

Wishing you a happy Super Bowl Sunday from everyone at Range Kleen!

We'd love to hear whom you're rooting for in the comments. May the best team win!