The microwave has long been considered a miracle invention for a good reason: it reheats food in a cinch, cooks full meals in no time, and is energy efficient. One of the appliance’s handiest buttons is the express button, which instantly adds 30 seconds of cooking time, just enough to reheat leftovers or warm up your coffee. While that button is undoubtedly helpful, there is another under-utilized button that will change your microwave game: the power button.

How Microwaves Work

Microwaves shoot small waves of heat and energy to exercise the water particles in food — the more power, the more waves. This means that it has a wide range of options for preparing food, and the power button plays a big role in facilitating that.

Pressing the microwave’s power button allows you to scroll through intensity options from one to 10, with 10 being the default setting. The lower the number, the less power is exerted. When using the power button, think of the setting in the same way you would use the settings on a washer and dryer — lower settings are for delicate items you don’t want to overcook, while you might select a higher setting for more heavy-duty meals.

Food to Heat on Lower Settings

Are you looking to steam or cook something more fragile, such as eggs or oatmeal? Consider cooking these items on a lower setting, such as 50% — after all, there’s nothing worse than cleaning up a microwave full of exploded, soggy oats. Similarly, setting the microwave between 30% and 50% power will help gradually defrost frozen items and keep them food-safe. When heating dairy in the microwave, set a medium temperature, such as 40%, to avoid scalding milk or scorching butter.

Food to Heat on Higher Settings

You can also use the microwave on higher settings (between 80% and 100%) for quick-heat items, such as soups, starchy foods, and smaller pieces of meat and fish. Slow-cooking these meals on a low setting will make them tough to eat. Using high power for a shorter time allows you to have a hot meal without compromising quality.

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Want to give the exterior of your home a facelift without spending big bucks? Painting your front door is a cheap and easy fix that can make a huge difference. However, choosing the color that works best for your house can be tough. Certain tones convey sophistication, others create a welcoming and homey vibe, and some are bold design statements. With the right color, you can communicate the kind of home you keep to visitors before they even turn the knob. Here are five front door paint colors that will make your home stand out.

Red

Bold reds create a powerful statement and work well with homes painted in neutral tones, such as white. However, consider a muted, vintage shade of red for homes with earthy-colored exteriors. This color provides a more warm, rustic feel.

Black

Black front doors are the perfect finishing touch for older colonial-style homes and houses painted in light colors. Choosing this color also pays off financially — according to Zillow, interested home buyers are willing to pay a premium for black front doors.

Blue

Lighter blues help complement more natural environments. Consider using sky blue for waterside homes or pale blue for homes surrounded by greenery. For homes in busy urban regions, a dark blue front door may help associate your home with a slower, calmer pace of life. If you feel that blue is too bold for the whole door, add a blue border to a white door for a simple yet effective pop of color.

Yellow

Yellow and ochre pair well with homes made of brick or wood. Yellow doors are especially appropriate in areas that experience heavy amounts of fall foliage, as the color matches perfectly with the colors of changing leaves.

Green

Green front doors compliment woodsy rural homes, establishing a visual connection with the surrounding nature. For a more modern flair, shades of green with tones of mint and olive will give your home a more playful and inviting look.

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More and more people are making simple, everyday changes to protect the planet, from bringing reusable bags to the grocery store to swapping out plastic straws for stainless steel. But eco-friendly solutions don’t have to stop there. There are many handy gadgets that will help you reduce your carbon footprint in your home. If you’re looking to improve your home or personal carbon footprint, consider investing in these products.

Smart Thermostat

Studies show that most homes have two big energy drains: thermostats and outlets. Smart thermostats, such as Google Nest, help regulate internal temps in your house or apartment, especially when it senses that no one is home. In homes with central heating and cooling, these devices can reduce your carbon footprint by 10%.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are small Wi-Fi enabled power adapters that connect devices to outlets. You control the power flow by pushing a button on the plug, through a companion app on your phone, or with a voice assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. This allows you to turn devices on and off as you please, thus conserving energy. You can even create schedules for the plugs and control them remotely, which comes in handy when you’re away and want to turn the lights on or off. If you want to upgrade your existing smart plugs, consider installing smart outlets for more permanency.

E-Reader

E-readers, such as Kindle, Kobo, and Nook, are a great way to cut down on the number of books you purchase. Books compatible with e-readers can be borrowed through most local libraries for a more recyclable — and free — way of binging on the latest best-selling novels. We have a list of favorite options.

External Hard Drive or USB Stick

Uploading documents, photos, and music onto the Cloud might be convenient, but just 1 terabyte of your data produces 2 tons of carbon annually. This is because data storage takes up physical space in the form of perpetually running servers, which require a lot of energy to run and maintain. Keeping backup files of your media on a physical drive will save both the planet and your valuable documents.

LED Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs waste 90% of their energy on heat. LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs reduce energy usage by 75% and last up to 25 times longer. While they may be slightly more expensive, they only use 11 to 12 watts to create lights, versus an average of 50 watts in incandescent light bulbs.

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Adding spices to your food instantly elevates it — a pinch here and a pinch there can make all the difference, transforming a bland dish to a dinnertime showstopper. However, it’s easy to get stuck using the same spices that have been in your pantry for years, such as garlic powder, cinnamon, and Italian seasoning. Next time you’re in a flavor rut, try turning these lesser-known spices to bring your food from bland to bomb.

Za’atar

Za’atar is an aromatic spice commonly used in the Middle East. This blend of sesame seeds, sumac, and other regional herbs creates a nutty flavor that’s useful in a variety of dishes. Consider coating your roast chicken with a layer of za’atar, sprinkling it over a salad, or combining it with a warm pita dipped in olive oil.

Star Anise

Star anise possesses a deeply warming flavor. This spice is found throughout Asia and is often used to season soup broths, such as Vietnamese pho. It’s also the perfect addition to mulled wine and baked goods, meshing particularly well with cinnamon and cloves.

Mace

While many of us are familiar with nutmeg, its sister spice, mace, is far less common. The two spices come from the same plant, but mace is derived from the protective coating of nutmeg seeds. While mace has similar properties to nutmeg, it also features a uniquely peppery bite. Mace is best used to enhance warm desserts, such as cobblers and pies, or to deepen the flavor of meaty dishes containing lamb or pork.

Black Garlic

Aging standard garlic bulbs for several months results in black garlic, which has a sweet, molasses-like flavor. Black garlic is the perfect addition to any cheese plate and is an excellent topping for homemade pizza. You can even substitute black garlic in your favorite salad vinaigrette to create a sweet, tangy alternative.

Galangal

This spice is commonly used in Southeast Asian soups, curries, and other regional dishes. With an earthy flavor containing citrus and pine notes, galangal is a unique and eloquent complement to warm spices such as ginger. From red curry paste to basil-style chicken and vegetable stew, this spice will add powerful layers of tang and umami to any recipe.

Szechuan Peppercorns

Szechuan peppercorns are known for their high spice level and tingly numbing effect. While this may sound like an overwhelming culinary experience, it’s a sensory sensation. Szechuan peppercorns are great alongside cumin lamb or stewed in a spicy tofu broth. While certainly not for every palate, this is a must-try spice for those who can withstand a little heat.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass has traditionally been used to alleviate stomach pain and fever but is also a fragrant, soothing herb that works well in the kitchen. Native to Indonesia, lemongrass is a potent addition to salads or soups for some added pop. You can even use the leftover leaves to brew delicious tea to accompany the meal.

Amchur

Amchur is often found in Indian cuisine as a sweet complement to spicy curries. The spice is made from unripe mangoes, infusing dishes with a sweet-and-sour flavor even when the fruit isn’t in season.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has been used in dishes since ancient times, with some carbon seeds dating back to 4000 BCE. Today, this spice is common throughout the Middle East and Asia. Fenugreek combines with cumin and paprika to add a subtle, bitter flavor to any meal and works particularly well in slow-cooked meat dishes.

Turmeric

You need a light hand with turmeric, but when used properly, the spice adds a vibrant color to any Mediterranean dish for added visual appeal. Turmeric infuses dishes with a mild, peppery flavor, and has some natural health benefits, such as reduced inflammation. Use turmeric as a base for curry powder or sprinkle it over warm egg dishes.

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Shop any home goods store or Black Friday sale, and you’ll quickly be convinced you need a dozen new appliances to keep up with the ever-changing, ever-automated world. But while buying something new for your home can be a lot of fun, there are often hidden features tucked into appliances you already have that could elevate your current experience. Here are a few new ways to put your already-purchased appliances to work for you.

Oven Doors Are Removable

Cleaning the oven is the worst. Even the neatest cooks have spent hours scrubbing the perpendicular door from an awkward angle. Simplify your cleaning routine by taking the door off of your oven. Most ovens come with a latch, allowing you to slip the door off its hinge for easier access. To see if your oven has this capability, open it between 15 and 20 degrees. You should see a latch that will allow you to pull the door up and out.

Microwave Buttons Can Lock

This handy safety feature is a must-try, especially when little kids are around. Almost every brand of microwave comes with a control lock option. To activate this feature, you are usually instructed to press one or two buttons for a little longer than necessary.

Dishwashers Can Clean Anything

Many dishwasher owners default to using the standard setting on their machines.  However, dishwashers have multiple settings that are handy for cleaning various household items. For example, run your dishwasher on the hottest setting to clean greasy wrenches and pliers, add 1 cup of vinegar to a cycle to make hubcaps shine, or sterilize makeup brushes using a gentle wash.

Dryer Doors Are Reversible

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a new dryer and realizing that you can’t open the door fully because a wall is in the way. However, don’t fret — dryer doors are reversible. In a few simple steps, you can switch the dryer door to open from the other side.

There’s a Secret Space Under the Washer

Ever wonder why you often encounter an unmatched sock when folding your laundry? If you have a top-loading washing, there’s a chance its match could be in the space between the walls and the washing machine tub. Simply unscrew the front panel to retrieve the lost socks.

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