This is because marinades are not just there to flavour meat, they’re also a tenderizer and can make a tough piece of pork or beef tender and moist, in addition to making it more flavourful.

Keep in mind that poultry and seafood is typically not tough so marinating either of these for too long could turn it into mush. Or in the case of some seafoods that begin to cook in acidic marinades, extended marinating can overcook the food and make it too tough.

On the other hand, beef and pork tends to need to be marinated for longer, as is the case with this recipe for an apple ginger marinade from The Cooking Ladies’ best Little Marinade, Salsa, Sauces & Rubs Cookbook.

They suggest marinating pork ribs anywhere from four to 12 hours; then roasting or barbecuing them over indirect heat. This marinade can also be used as a basting sauce. Keep in mind that the meat should be covered and refrigerated while marinating.

Apple Ginger Marinade

(makes 4 cups)

3 tbsp. chopped fresh ginger

4 garlic cloves, chopped

4 tsp. prepared hot mustard

3 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. brown sugar

4 cups apple cider

In a bowl, combine ginger, garlic, mustard, soy sauce and brown sugar. Add apple cider and stir well.

If you do not choose to discard leftover marinade, you can use it as a condiment to be served with the cooked meat. But, you need to boil it for at least 10 minutes to destroy any bacteria that would have been picked up from the raw meat during marinating.

For more recipes, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener.

As we’ve previously mentioned, barbecues are great for large gatherings because, depending on the

size of your grill, cooking a meal for lots of people is much easier – whether it’s chicken breasts, ribs, burgers or a combination. The latter is a great option because then you can offer a variety of options, pleasing even the picky eaters.

Hosting a barbecue doesn’t have to be difficult or even stressful because it’s typically a more casual affair, and it can go more than one way if you choose. Either you can provide all of the food or you can offer guests meat and ask them to bring side dishes.

However, if you choose the latter option, you still may want to have another salad or dessert on hand in case other guests don’t bring enough food. There’s no harm in having leftovers, but there’s nothing worse than running out of food at your own party.

Also, be sure to offer guests the best of the best – meat, baked goods and produce. It’s ok if you buy lesser quality items for yourself during an average day, but a party is a special occasion and presumably your friends and family deserve to be treated.

Whether it’s hot or unpredictable as it often is in May in Ontario, be sure to offer your guests plenty of beverage options, both alcoholic and non, and particularly if the weather is warm. And be prepared for all sorts of weather with sunscreen, umbrellas and insect repellent. Or, have an inside backup if the weather is too uncooperative.

And what would a Victoria Day barbecue be without some fireworks to celebrate the Queen’s birthday? The perfect end to a perfect meal and party.

For more information on maintaining your appliances, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.

To use the dispenser, you need to determine which laundry additives you want to add before you start the machine, then add them to the correct dispenser. The washer then adds the right additives to the load at the proper time during the cycle.

High-efficiency washers are also designed to use only HE detergents, which are more concentrated and require a smaller amount than regular detergents.

When you’re ready to do a load of laundry, measure the required amount of HE detergent and pour it into the dispenser. During the proper time of the cycle, the washer will then flush water through the dispenser, dissolve the detergent and spray the detergent/water mixture onto the load of laundry. The diluted mixture is also much better for your clothes.

The same steps can be taken if you choose to use liquid chlorine bleach, fabric softener or oxi. Simply measure the correct amount according to the manufacturer’s directions, add it to the correct dispenser and let the washer work its magic!

Measuring is key, because overfilling any of the dispensers can cause early dispensing of the additives onto the load of laundry, and that’s not good for your clothes, particularly if the liquid is chlorine.

Now you know how those dispensers work, why it’s important to properly measure and why high-efficiency washers are better on your bills, the longevity of your washing machine and your clothes!

For more information on energy efficient appliances, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.

When purchasing a new washer, select carefully and consider how often you wash clothes, what kind of laundry you do frequently, and the space you have available for the machine.

In more recent years, there have been many advances made in terms of washing machine types. In addition to the traditional top load washer, there are now more energy efficient front load washing machines available for home use. These are great if you have space constraints as you can stack them with the dryer. Because front load washers spin clothes faster, use less water, they also save energy and money.

Top loading washing machines have been around longer so they include a wider variety of models, colours and features. Though top load washers typically cost less initially, they are less energy efficient and cost more in the long run.

Other potential features of a washing machine to consider are the tub materials. Top end models typically come with stainless steel tubs, but plastic and porcelain-coated steel tubs are also an option. The former will last the life of the washer while the latter may deteriorate if the porcelain chips.

Water level options, cycles and water temperature, noise level, safety and energy star rating are also factors to consider when picking out a washing machine.

For instance, since different fabric types and colours require different temperatures to be washed in, you may want to look for a machine with a variety of cycles and temperature combinations. In addition, some newer models of washers offer additional insulation and reinforced frames that can help reduce operating noise, which might be something that’s important to you depending on where you plan to keep the appliance.

Consider all of these factors and more when you’re picking out a washing machine for your home. For more tips on appliances for your life, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.

We like to refer to barbecues as your second best friend – they allow you to make a variety of meals with a variant of flavours every time, they let you cook outside in the summer heat and when you have get togethers in the summer, they make entertaining easy.

When purchasing a new barbecue, it’s important to consider what your uses for it will be to ensure that you choose the right one for your lifestyle and needs. Ask yourself how often you think you will use the barbecue, how many people you think you will cook for on it (as this will help determine the right size), and of course, what your budget is.

One key thing to note when looking for a barbecue, that not many people know, is that the heat output is measured in BTUs; so, the higher the BTU, the hotter the grill will be. A hot grill means you will have more control over the barbecue temperature, giving you a more flexible precision when cooking.

Of course, each barbecue is different and you have the option of propane, natural gas or charcoal and each one offers different features that may or may not work for your needs.

For instance, gas and propane barbecues usually heat up more quickly, offer multiple burners so you can cook different foods simultaneously, come with drip pans to prevent fire and are usually easy to clean.

Charcoal barbecues tend to be more economical because of how inexpensive charcoal is and how long it lasts. They also usually come with handles and wheels to provide mobility, but they take more time to heat up than gas or propane. They can also be messy – if you’ve ever touched coal, you know what we mean! On the other hand, charcoal barbecues can be used as smokers as well, providing an entirely different flavour for food. And they often come with a chimney-style starter.

Whichever barbecue you decide to purchase, we know that it will help make your summer entertainer much more relaxed.

For more tips on appliances that can help make your entertaining easier, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.

When you do have time to cook, perhaps on a relaxed Sunday, cook a large amount of food – maybe even enough for the week – and freeze the leftovers in containers. This may mean making a large batch of spaghetti sauce, chili, soup or even pesto. Then, when you have to run somewhere right after dinner on a weeknight, you can just pull the container out of the freezer and heat it up. Or, freeze in individual servings and use the leftovers for your lunch at work.

Even certain muffin and cookie recipes can be doubled and frozen for quick snacks or desserts in a pinch.

Another time saving tip is to prepare and trim your vegetables in advance. After you go grocery shopping, wash and trim the veggies before putting them away. It may be a bit of a hassle at the time, but it will save you prep time the next time you go to make a meal. You can even enjoy the pre-cut vegetables as a snack. Just be sure to store the produce in a sealable container as pre-cut veggies tend to ripen much quicker.

The same can be done with some fruits, and for those that can’t really be chopped in advance (e.g. apples, bananas), simply wash and store them so they’re ready to eat.

If the fruit gets too ripe, don’t waste. Instead, use this fruit in smoothies by blending it with some milk or yogurt and a bit of honey. This is a great after school snack for the kids, or a quick breakfast-on-the-go for you.

When you cook a roast or a large meal and have tons of leftovers, it can sometimes get dull to keep reheating them, so make good use of leftovers and repurpose them. For instance, leftover roast beef or veal can be transformed into a shepherd’s pie. Or leftover ham can be made into an omelet or quiche. Be creative! Half the work (cooking the meat) is already done.

And lastly, make the most of your freezer – that’s what it’s there for! Don’t hesitate to fill it. That way, when you don’t have time to stop at the grocery store, you’ve got plenty of food to fall back on – pre-made or purchased.

For more recipes and savvy mealtime ideas, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.

However, since a filter works hard at filtering out items from the important parts of your dishwasher, it’s also important for you to clean it thoroughly to help maintain the performance of your dishwasher.

How often you clean the filter may depend on your make and model of dishwasher, so be sure to check your use and care guide.

Most dishwashers have a filter system that consists of two parts – an upper assembly and a lower filter. If you’re not sure how often to clean the filter, a good rule to follow is to do it when there are visible objects or soils on the upper filter assembly or on your dishes. Conversely, the dishes may feel gritty to the touch.

Removing and cleaning the filters is quite simple and doesn’t take much time at all. Simply turn the upper filter assembly counterclockwise and lift it out. Then grab the lower filter, lift forward and remove.

Cleaning the filters is typically as easy as rinsing them under running water to remove any soils. Though sometimes there may be harder to remove soils or calcium deposits from soft water, in which case a soft brush will do the trick. Keep in mind not to use a wire brush or harsh scouring pad as this may damage the filters.

Once the filter appears to be clean, reinstall the lower filter and reinsert the upper filter assembly so that it locks into place. It’s important to make sure that the filter is properly reinstalled and locked into place; otherwise, it may damage your dishwasher.

For more tips on properly maintaining your appliances, visit www.metrokarges.com or stop by the store at 230 Charles St. E. in Kitchener. A friendly staff member would be happy to help you or take your questions at 519-743-3623.