Friday 22 November 2013

Quirky DIY Projects – II


Most young parents would have noticed that young children seem to love to draw or paint on the walls, and it is really tough to get them out of this habit. What if you could encourage it instead, by simply creating a space for them where they can write or draw all they feel like? You can turn any portion of wall or the entire wall itself into a blackboard by using chalkboard or blackboard paint. The hardware store might even sell you a small sample to try if you would like to test it out on a small space first.

Step 1: Much like any other painting project, the space must first be cleaned of any protrusions or nails. After this, use a rough paper such as sandpaper to remove dust and any loose particles.

Step 2: Depending on the type of surface, you may require a primer to prepare the surface. This might not be necessary if you are just converting a small portion of your wall, but do take an expert’s advice if required.


Step 3: Tape the edges using painter’s tape to give you a clear edge to your blackboard area. This is especially important for amateur painters and DIYers as we would not be able to get a straight lined edge otherwise.

Step 4: Use a good quality paintbrush and apply a thick coat of the blackboard paint.

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry (give it at least 6 hours, or leave it overnight) and give it another coat for a smooth and glossy finish.

Once dry, your blackboard is ready to use! This process can be used even for making a to-do list in your kitchen or home office, with some differences in preparing the surface where necessary. For painting large surfaces, the B&D BDPR400 RapidRoller can make your job faster and lot less messy as well. Do check out this and our other products at our website:

Friday 15 November 2013

5 Appliances that Reduce your Time in the Kitchen


Some days it feels like you get into the kitchen in the morning and the next thing you know the entire day has been spent there! We would like to present a few appliances that reduce the time you need to spend on food preparation and still get healthy and tasty food in the bargain. Here is our countdown:

5. It is great to have a healthy juice as a part of your meal, and for raw food enthusiasts the juice might even be the meal itself! B&D provides you citrus juicers as well as performance juice extractors that can provide you a juice out of any fruit or vegetable you throw into it. See here for the complete range.

4. The B&D range of kettles provides you access to hot or boiling water in a jiffy, which is sure to facilitate all your cooking from having hot water handy for your gravies to making your filter coffee every morning.

3. Tired of hand whisking for long for that favourite baking recipe? Try out and see how much faster the B&D M160 Hand Mixer makes it for you. Our hand blenders also include the SB2100 that helps you churn out your kids’ favourite smoothies and healthy soups within a few minutes.

2. I think most cooks would agree that chopping of vegetables is one of the most time consuming tasks in the kitchen. The B&D SC5000 Super Chopper is just the right answer to that particular problem!

1. The one appliance that nearly everyone could not live without and definitely merits to be the No. 1 appliance in the kitchen is the Food Processor. From kneading dough to grinding needs of so many types, this one is a must-have.

Do you agree with our list or do you think something else should have made the list too? Do share your thoughts with us! For details of all B&D products, do check out our webpage:

Friday 1 November 2013

B&D Buddy - 10


Dear B&D Buddy,

I am a working mom who has to finish all my cooking in the morning, not to mention all the coffees and teas that everyone likes to drink as soon as they get up. Boiling water on the stove seems to take so much time, especially when I need hot or warm water for something or the other every few minutes! I don’t want to get into hot water every day, and want to be able to get some instead! Help!!

Hassled in Hassan

Dear Hassled,

Don’t worry about getting into hot water anymore as I have an answer to your question, and this is one appliance that I love to use all through the day as well for making my green teas. The electric kettles from Black & Decker are the easiest way to get hot water in a jiffy, and you will find them super useful for everything from coffee or tea to needing hot water for your gravies while cooking. Even when someone has a cold, you don’t need to depend on flasks and can get fresh hot water every time.

Easier Done than Said,
B&D Buddy