Six Must-Have Pots and Pans in the Kitchen

Cooking pans are as important as other tools in the kitchen. Pots and pans help to cook different kinds of dishes. They minimize the mess while cooking. They make both cooking and cleaning process easier.

Some of the must-have pots and pans are as follows:

1. Skillet

Skillets are the most important cooking pans. The three essential types are stainless, cast-iron, and non-stick skillets. Non-stick pans let you use less oil. They help to cook soft foods without breaking them. Cast-iron skillets can handle high temperatures. They may also be used in the ovens. A stainless pan will be durable and is mostly used for cooking vegetables.

2. Wok:

Woks are used for stir frying, boiling, and making soup, among other things. A wok made up of both carbon and steel offers a good grip and is easy to move. It is also light in weight. The flat bottom of the wok helps the items to quickly gain heat.

3. Roasting Pan:

Roasting pans are a necessity in the kitchen. Choose a pan made up of heavy metals and having strong handles. Opt for the darker pans as they are ideal to make the food crispy and delicious.

4. Casserole Dish:

A casserole dish is a shallow dish made up of glass or ceramic. Glass dishes are cheaper than the ceramic ones. The dishes come in varied shapes and sizes. They may or may not have a lid. They look pretty when placed on the table. It is safe to place the ceramic dish under the broiler.

5. Slow Cooker:

Slow cooker helps to cook the food even when you are not around. Set a timer on the cooker. Once the time is up, the cooker will automatically switch to warm. It will stop cooking the food and maintain a temperature to keep it hot. A slow cooker doesn’t require your presence to prepare the dish.

6.  Dutch Oven:

Dutch oven helps in cooking a number of dishes like pasta, cornbread, and cake. They are either made up of stainless steel or enamel coated cast-iron. Choose a heavy and strong material of the oven as it helps in conducting the heat better and also saves the food from burning. When you buy it, make sure that the lid is tightly fitted. It helps to retain the moisture within the food.

These pots and pans come in varied sizes. Choose the best size suitable for your family. You may also opt for more than one size. Get all of these pots and pans and make your tasks in the Sleek kitchens simpler and swifter. 

Six Types of Baskets to Optimize Storage Space

Modular kitchens are intelligently designed, offering effective space management solutions. They make our lives organized. A clean and clutter-free kitchen always looks good. On the other hand, a messy kitchen even with the best decor will be displeasing.

Accessories and baskets in modular kitchens help to keep items organized. They make storage simpler and offer easy access.

There are varied types of functional and aesthetically pleasing baskets available for today's kitchen. Some of the most popular ones are described below. 

1. Hanging Baskets:
   
   Hanging baskets are propped on hinges and act as open cabinets. They are great to store frequently used utensils or food items. Wet vegetables may be stored here before placing them into the refrigerator. These baskets are made up of steel or wood. Wood baskets are ideal for food items and vegetables while steel ones are ideal for utensils.
   
2. Standing Baskets:
   These baskets stand at one corner of the counter-top. They are made up of stainless steel rods and hence are rust-free. Depending on the available space, you may choose the size. These baskets are used for storing plates, spoons, knives, and other cutlery.
   
3. Cutlery Baskets:
   You may also opt for special cutlery baskets to store your silverware. These are made of adjustable steel meshing material, so you may customize the compartments to fit items of different sizes.
   
4. Tray Baskets:
   Tray baskets are one of the most popular baskets found in Indian kitchens. These are used to store commonly used items. They may be easily accessed while cooking and put away after they are used. Some tray baskets have perforations through which air may pass. These help dry dishes and silverware.
   
5. Partitioned Baskets:
   As the name suggests, partitioned baskets have a number of compartments. They are made up of stainless steel and are used to store different types of items. For instance, you may place spices in one, pickles in another and sauces in the next. While purchasing one, ensure that its surface is smooth and easy to clean.
   
6. Bottle Baskets:
   
   These are standing baskets especially crafted to store items that come in bottled packs. They are very space-efficient and may be placed almost anywhere.

Storage baskets are functional additions for storage in both large and small kitchens. They may be placed to enhance your Sleek kitchens. Depending on your requirement, choose the most suitable basket and make cooking a hassle-free, enjoyable experience. 

Six Stress-Busting Tips to Beat the Mess Created after Cooking

Gone are the days when cooking was simply a household chore. Nowadays, it is not only regarded as a hobby, but also a recreational activity. Many individuals indulge in the activity with great gusto, but the same cannot be said about cleaning the inevitable, after-cooking mess. The task seems even more taxing, when it comes to the elaborate festive meals that are cooked in most Indian kitchens.

The tiresome process of cleaning your kitchen later should not discourage you from cooking, as it does not necessarily have to be such a labor-intensive activity. Here are 6 simple ways to help you make the process easy and enjoyable.

1. Be Prepared in Advance
   
   
   It is quite normal for a number of spills and stains to occur while cooking. This makes it inevitable to clean up after you are done cooking. To make this task easier and less confusing, it is better to be prepared, before you begin cooking itself. Keep the necessary articles handy, such as dusting or wiping cloths, cleaning sprays, and so on.
   
   
   
2. Clean As You Cook
   
   
   Cleaning a heap of dirty dishes and an entire messy kitchen all at once seems nothing short of exhausting. Make it easier for yourself by dividing these tasks into multiple batches and clean while you cook.
   
   
   
3. Use Eco-Friendly Methods
   
   
   Chemical cleaning sprays are harmful not only to the environment, but also to your health. Use home-made, natural solutions to clean the grease and dirt as safer and cost-effective alternatives.
   
   
   
4. Freshen-Up the Air
   
   
   A number of odors can get trapped in your kitchen while cooking, making the room stuffy and uncomfortable for cooking. Be sure to leave the windows or doors open, so that the food odors can escape. Use an air-freshener to add a new fragrance.
   
   
   
5. Handle Tools with Care
   
   
   Some of your kitchen tools and utensils, such as skillets, pans, and so on may come with special instructions for cleaning. It is important to follow these specifications so as to avoid any damage.
   
   
   
6. Take a Moment for Yourself
   
   
   Cooking meals for festive occasions can be quite a tiring task in itself. Give yourself some time to relax and perhaps enjoy the meal instead of diving into the task of cleaning right away. This gives you a much-needed break, before you begin cleaning.
   
   

With these tips to your aid, cleaning the mess created in your Sleek Kitchen after cooking is certainly not a difficult task. So put your worries to rest and simply enjoy cooking.

Five Easy Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets Sparkling Clean

Considering that your kitchen is the place where you cook your meals and store your food, cleanliness is of utmost importance. However, with all the cooking and related activities that are conducted here, there is bound to be some dirt and grime that accumulates over time.

While you can certainly clean the platforms and other immediate spaces before or after cooking, kitchen cabinets often tend to be left out. Needless to say, this not only alters the look of your kitchen, but could also compromise the health of your family.

Here are five ways to ensure kitchen hygiene by cleaning your kitchen cabinets.

1. Make Daily Cleaning a Habit
   
   Kitchen cabinets are constantly exposed to grease, dust and vapor during the cooking process. However, the damage or accumulation of dirt on cabinets may not be as apparent as it is on other surfaces. It is, therefore, more likely to remain unattended, and can worsen over time. Cleaning the cabinets along with the rest of the kitchen can help prevent such long-term wear and tear.
   
2. Check for Spills and Stains
   Spills and cooking accidents are sometimes unavoidable, when working in a kitchen. Due to the various slots and compartments in cabinets, it is very likely that many of these stains go unnoticed. So, after cooking, be sure to look for any such stains in your kitchen cabinets. It is best to clean such spills immediately, as they can be quite difficult to get rid of, once dry.
   
3. Clean Thoroughly Once a Week
   Despite daily cleaning, the interiors of kitchen cabinets are not easily accessible and may remain unclean. To avoid any buildup of dirt particles, make sure to also clean the interiors of your cabinets at least once every week, in addition to the daily cleaning routine.
   
4. Remember the Knobs and Handles
   
   Even with thorough cleaning, you could inadvertently end up missing the knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets. Dirt tends to accumulate in the small crevices and curves. Use a toothbrush for cleaning these, as the bristles are quite effective against stubborn deposits of dirt
   
5. Use Polish for Better Sheen
   
   Over time, the cabinets tend to lose their sheen, making their appearance dull. This in turn affects the overall look of your kitchen. While cleaning, polish the outer surface of the cabinets to retain their luster and appeal.

With these handy cleaning tips, you can keep your modular kitchen from SleekKitchens, as stylish and clean as new, for much longer! 

Five Economical but Effective Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is perhaps one of the most frequented areas of your home. As a result, it is very likely that there will be some gradual wear and tear over time. Under such circumstances it is only natural that you would want to upgrade your kitchen from time to time, to restore its efficiency, as well as its appearance.

Unfortunately, upgrading your kitchen design and appliances can prove to be quite an expensive exercise. You need not worry however, as there are several ways to give your kitchen a makeover, without burning a hole in your pocket.

Take a look at these 5 affordable yet excellent ways of enhancing your kitchen.

1. Paint Either the Upper or Lower Cabinets
   
   As cabinets usually occupy a large part of a kitchen, painting them can greatly change the look of the entire room.  As two tone cabinets are currently a trend, you need to only paint either the upper or the lower cabinets in your kitchen. Choose a paint that stands out against the existing color of your cabinets, but make sure that it does not appear out of place.
   
   
2. Line the Cabinet Interiors with Wallpaper
   
   If the cabinets have glass doors, painting them is not viable option. In such cases, you can embellish the interiors instead, as they are quite easily visible through the glass doors. Applying wallpaper inside the cabinets is, therefore, a great way of enhancing your kitchen with a chic look.
   
   
3. Paint the Backsplash
   
   The backsplash in your kitchen is often just a bare wall, without any decorations or accessories. This space provides much scope when it comes to upgrading your kitchen. Break the monotony between the countertop and upper cabinets by enhancing this space with a bright colored paint.
   
   
4. Re-Tile the Backsplash
   
   In some kitchens, the backsplash space is tiled, rather than painted. As it is a smaller area, re-tiling it can contribute greatly to enhancing the look of your kitchen. Although slightly more time consuming, it is fairly simple and cost-effective. Tiles are also easier to clean, as compared to a painted wall.
   
   
5. Enhance with a Vintage Furniture Piece
   
   You can also upgrade your kitchen effectively by simply adding a piece of vintage furniture like a cabinet or hutch, rather than making any major changes. This gives your kitchen an elegant look, while also increasing the storage space.

At Sleekworld, we offer you excellent yet affordable upgrades for your kitchen. So, log on to our site, and get a stylish upgrade from the kitchen specialist, Sleek Kitchens today!

A Classic Makeover for Your Kitchen with Sleek Kitchens

If there is one part of the home all family members may cherish alike, it has to be the kitchen. As the focus of all the culinary activity, it is important to maintain the lively essence of this space. At the same time it is also important to be able to work with ease and comfort in your kitchen.

Where, you might ask, would you find such a combination? A modular kitchen is indeed the perfect answer for such an efficient kitchen design requirement. The numerous benefits of a modular kitchen make it a perfect fit for every modern home. This is quite evident as more and more Indian households are opting for such designs.

So, if you too wish to remodel your kitchen, look no further! Sleek Kitchens, the pioneer in modular kitchen design in India offers you the best ways to elevate your kitchen’s style and functionality. Here’s how it works:

• Makes More Space

One of the most important requirements in a kitchen is, no doubt, sufficient storage space for the numerous utensils, appliances and food products. A modular kitchen is not only more spacious but also better organized. With smart storage arrangements like hanging holders and wall cabinets, you will certainly not experience any lack of space in your kitchen.

• Hassle-Free Maintenance

The cabinets and boxes in a modular kitchen, comprising several independent units, are much easier to clean. You need not repair or replace the entire set-up in the event of damage to a certain unit or cabinet. You can simply dismantle and replace or repair the affected component.

• Ease of Transportation

Due to its unique and efficient design, a modular kitchen is often easy to assemble as well as dismantle. This is especially handy if you are moving to a new home. You do not have to spend a fortune on a new kitchen, as you can easily move your existing modular kitchen with you.

• Energy Efficient

A significant feature of a modular kitchen design is its energy efficiency. A well-organized kitchen allows you to avoid unnecessary usage of energy or water during the cooking process.

• Cost-Effective

Redesigning your entire kitchen can turn out to be quite expensive. With modular kitchens, you are ensured long-lasting and durable kitchen design. In the long run, it is in fact the more affordable choice, offering better value for money.

Switch to the chic and convenient design of Sleek Kitchens and cooking will be a pleasure instead of a chore. To get a modular kitchen today, contact us by filling up this form.

Five Key Advantages of Gas Hobs

As cooking is the primary activity associated with a kitchen, one of the most essential features is the cooking station itself. A cooking stove is, therefore, a necessity in every kitchen. It is important to consider a number of features before buying this vital appliance for your kitchen – such as the number of burners, intensity of flames and so on.

Although most households have traditionally been using gas hobs, the new technology of electric hobs has become increasingly popular. This said, gas hobs boast of certain features that make the timeless. Here are the 5 significant benefits of using gas stoves.

1. Ideal Cooking Temperatures
   
   The flames of a gas hob are easy to control and produce an almost immediate effect. As a result, the temperatures obtained through such stoves are often more appropriate for our traditional recipes, as compared to an electric stove. The accuracy in temperatures allows you to prepare quality, well-cooked food.
   
   
2. Even Distribution of Heat
   
   As the burners in an electric hob are generally not flat, this may result in an uneven distribution of heat, affecting the quality of food. On the other hand, due to the centralized gas flames, a gas stove offers a more evenly distributed heating.
   
3. Less Heat Emissions
   
   As you turn off the knob, the gas flame immediately goes off, without wasting much heat. On the contrary, an electric burner’s surface takes longer to cool down, causing higher heat emissions.
   
4. Faster Cooking
   
   Similarly, as the flame is a direct source of heat, the cooking process is faster than with an electric hob. As the temperature controls are also more responsive, between high and low, the meals are cooked in less time.
   
5. No Need for Power Supply
   
   Many households in India may experience frequent power cuts when electric stoves cannot be used. As gas hobs do not require electricity, they offer a more practical alternative in such cases. As there are rarely any interruptions in natural gas supply, a gas stove is certainly more preferable.

Glass surface gas hobs are gaining popularity, as their stylish appearance embellishes the trendy and modern feel of your kitchen. The smooth surface also makes it easier to clean and maintain.

Sleek Kitchens offers you an array of chic gas hobs with numerous variations in features such as burners, flames, and so on. Add to the efficiency of your kitchen with an excellent gas hob of your choice.