Annie Watson

Annie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Ask. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book 'Healthy Eating Through the Garden' will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Annie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.

Is a toaster oven good for making toast?

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Depending on your type of toaster oven, it may cycle or pulse the top and bottom elements to vary their intensity and help your little oven maintain an even temperature. Here are a few differences between baking with an oven vs. a toaster oven: Your toaster oven will preheat quicker.

Can you put a stove in front of a window?

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You can put an electric stove under a window. Most building codes don’t have restrictions that prevent you from placing your electric stove under a window. But, over time, the window may accumulate grease and grime or fog up with steam. So, be sure to clean it consistently.

Can I use my ninja blender as a juicer?

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The answer is a resounding, yes you can! Juicing with a Ninja blender is as simple as blending up a bunch of fruits and veggies and straining it to remove the pulp. You can also drink this mixture whole to get all of the fiber which is even healthier.

What are the sizes of baking sheets?

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Quarter sheet pans are typically 9 by 13 inches (a standard size for sheet cakes), half sheet pans are 18 by 13 inches (this is the size of most pans described simply as baking sheets) and full sheet pans are 26 by 18 inches (too big to fit in many home ovens, but the standard commercial size).

Can you use a butane torch in the kitchen?

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Yes, you can use a butane torch for crème Brulee. In fact, a butane kitchen torch is the best method to caramelizing the sugar before serving. Butane is a standard fuel used for kitchen or chef’s torches and using one to cook crème Brulee will be an easy and effective method.