Brittany Burke's Recent Articles
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Should You Get a Fridge with the Freezer on the Top or Bottom?
If you’re considering a new refrigerator, chances are the first things you’ll consider are price and size. These are critical! But, as you’ll find out once you start to do some research, there are many (many) more factors to take into consideration. One of those is freezer placement. No, it’s not sexy, but it is a question you should ask yourself: Do you want a freezer on the top or a freezer on the bottom? There are advantages (and disadvantages) to both.
May 24, 2017
Should You Get a Microwave Drawer?
At Kitchn, we have a love-love relationship with our microwaves. Of course we love it for all the obvious reasons — like warming our coffee in the morning and delivering near-instant popcorn gratification on movie night — but also for mug cakes, single-girl suppers of mac-and-cheese, and the quickest and easiest answer to breakfast (eggs in the microwave!). We even lean on it when migraines strike. It’s an important appliance, and buying the right one matters.
May 13, 2017
Should You Get a Single-Door Fridge or One with French Doors?
There’s no doubt that your refrigerator is one of the most important things in your kitchen. It’s home to the fruit you put in your morning smoothies, the shelter for your beloved nightly class of wine, and, of course, the keeper of all the cheese. The function of your fridge is more important than most cosmetic details — whether it’s white, black, stainless, or purple, it’ll all be the same inside!
May 8, 2017
7 Things to Know When Buying a Standalone Freezer
When you’ve got a family to feed — or just a serious Costco habit — the idea of having some more space in the freezer is incredibly appealing. You can just imagine the benefits: You’ll do less grocery shopping because you can buy so much meat at once and freeze it for the future, you’ll spend less money because you can take advantage of sales and stick the excess in the freezer, and you’ll avoid last-minute pizza by freezing more meals for future late nights.
Apr 2, 2017
Do You Need a Bonus Freezer? Take This Quiz.
If your eyes light up when you head through the frozen aisle at Costco, or your feet are at risk every time you open your freezer (a pint of Ben & Jerry’s can really do a number on your toes!), you’ve probably thought about getting another freezer. We know: It seems like such an indulgence! Would you even use it, have a place for it, or be able to justify the expense? Take this quiz and find out. A. One to two B. Three to four C. Five or more A. Whole Foods B.
Mar 31, 2017
5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Microwave
Of all the appliances (large or small) in your kitchen, the microwave tends to have the shortest lifespan — around nine years or so. The good news? The new ones on the market are relatively inexpensive and you can get a decent one for less than $100. How will you know if it’s time to get a new one? Look for any of these five signs. That buzzing or banging you’ve been hearing lately? Yeah, that’s not normal.
Mar 30, 2017
Are Microwave Drawers Worth the Extra Expense?
I’m going to take a wild guess and assume that your favorite thing about your kitchen is not the microwave. The gorgeous morning light? Sure. The reclaimed wood table? Definitely. Your new oven? Yay! The microwave? Well, that’s usually more of a functional necessity than anyone’s hallmark piece. That’s not to mention that it poses its own set of design challenges. You could leave it floating on a countertop, but then your work space might look cluttered.
Mar 27, 2017
5 Ways to Buy a Cheaper Lunch
In a perfect world, we’d all pack healthy, filling, satisfying meals for the office every day. But that’s easier said than done. Maybe you spent the weekend taking care of chores and didn’t have any time for meal planning. Or maybe (hopefully!) you had way too much fun this weekend and didn’t do any chores, let alone think about what you were going to eat for lunch. The good news is that on the days when you have to buy your lunch, you don’t have to break the bank.
Mar 20, 2017
The Right Amount of Pizza to Order for a Party
Is there any more perfect party food than pizza? Completely customizable, perfectly portionable, and, well, just about irresistible, it can feed everyone from toddlers to octogenarians with ease. And the fact that this magical treat doesn’t need to be made by you and can arrive at your house without you having to do much more than press a button is, like we said, perfect. The only question when it comes to pizza — besides “Can I have it now?
Mar 15, 2017
Steak Is the New Spaghetti and Meatballs
Step aside, spaghetti and meatballs. When it comes to feeding a big crowd (and leaving them raving about your incredible cooking skills), there’s a new top dog: the steak dinner. Wait, you say. Steak? But a big meal has gotta be cheap. Yes, we know. Let us explain why we think steak needs to be more than a special-occasion diner.
Mar 7, 2017
A Love Letter to My Toaster
When I moved to New York eight years ago, I got a crash course in bagels — where to find the best ones, what each spot’s specialty was, and, the biggest shock of them all, which places didn’t toast. “Well, this must be some kind of silly mistake,” I thought. “New Yorkers are serious about their bagels. So why in the world would some institutions skip the most crucial step?” The toasting of the bagel, in my humble opinion, is non-negotiable.
Mar 3, 2017
Do This One Thing for a Better Iceberg Salad
There are two types of people in this world: Those who get excited about a salad, and those who don’t. I have my feet firmly planted in the former category, and one particularly indulgent version I can never resist is an iceberg wedge. Maybe it’s the crispness of the lettuce, or the creaminess of the dressing. Or, let’s face it, it’s probably just the delicious, super-indulgent bacon.
Feb 8, 2017
Do This One Thing for a Better Steak Dinner
Is it just me, or are most of the tips about how to have a better steak dinner kind of … expensive? Buy a better cut of meat, pair it with a nicer red wine, cook it in Irish butter — I’ve heard them all. And I’ve tried them all, swiping my credit card for increasingly expensive filets, bottles, and every other ingredient under the sun for a chance at the #bestmealever.
Feb 7, 2017
How I Fell Out of Love with My Stand Mixer
I remember the day I opened my KitchenAid mixer: The box was the biggest thing under the Christmas tree that year, and (for once) I had no guesses as to what was inside. You see, I had come to terms with the fact that I probably wouldn’t get the kitchen essential until I got married — to a person I didn’t even know existed yet.
Feb 6, 2017
Eating Breakfast Has Made My Life Happier, Healthier, and a Little More Magical
I know my new morning routine is a luxury, but I can't imagine not making time for a relaxing breakfast.
Jan 13, 2017