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What's New:
Tip of the Day: Freeze summer fruits and vegetables
 With recent projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicating that prices for “food at home”—that’s all the stuff you buy at supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and convenience stores—will rise 2 to 3 percent this year and 2.5 to 3.5 percent in 2010, you might be more inclined to buy a stand-alone freezer, figuring that freezing food that you buy in bulk or cook in big batches might save you some money.
See our September 2009 report on freezers for news on and ratings of the latest models (ratings available to subscribers) and read our free buyer’s guide for freezers and shopping advice for refrigerators. (The photo shows freezer testing in our labs.)
Now’s also a great time to freeze summer produce in your refrigerator’s freezer or stand-alone freezer, whether it’s the bounty from your own garden or fruits and vegetables you pick up or at local farm stands.
Some vegetables aren’t freezer friendly because they become limp and soggy when thawed. The do-not-freeze list includes celery, endive, lettuce, parsley, [...]
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Tip of the Day: When ordering appliances, carefully check the specs
 Carpenters live by the adage, Measure twice. Cut once. The same advice can apply to ordering appliances and equipment for a kitchen remodel, says one New Jersey homeowner who recently undertook a top-to-bottom makeover of the 300-square-foot kitchen at her 1960s Cape Cod house.
Because Helaine W.’s new kitchen includes a bank of windows on the exterior wall, the plans called for an island vent hood—a wall-mounted hood with through-the-wall venting wouldn’t fit the design. What’s more, the hood had to be 24 inches deep or less so it wouldn’t overhang the counter.
To find the right-size hood, Helaine, her kitchen designer, and a salesperson from a local appliance store searched the Web sites of several major manufacturers and found the Franke FDF 367 1XS 36-inch-wide island hood. The Franke site indicated a depth of a little more than 19 inches, ideal for the application. An order was placed for the unit.
When the hood arrived four weeks later, the contractor notified Helaine that the Franke FDF 367 1XS was deeper [...]
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These are The Top Eight Electrolux Design Lab 09 finalists, listed in no particular order. There are other very cool design ideas that didn’t make the cut, and will be posted separately.
Le Petit Prince by Martin Miklica, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic
The Prince is a robotic greenhouse designed for the upcoming exploration and population of Mars. It takes care of a plant it carries inside its glass case, which is mounted on top of its four-legged pod. In search of nutrients to care for the plant, the Prince is programmed to intuitively learn the optimal method for this process. It also shares everything with its fellow greenhouse robots via wireless communication so that they can learn from each other.
Bifoliate by Toma Brundzaite, Vilnius Academy of Art, Lithuania
Bifoliate is a space-saving, wall-mounted double dishwasher that will allow you to put dirty dishes in one compartment and use the other as a shelf for clean dishes, No more bending and reaching for dishes. The dishwasher uses ultrasonic wave technology to clean making it more efficient and eco-friendly than today’s dishwashers.
Naturewash by Zhenpeng Li, Zhejiang University, China
Naturewash [...]
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The stylish Bosch Logixx Series, the TCC78K750B features new concept control panel with metal touch controls and clear text digital display. This Bosch espresso machine will be perfectly coordinated with other Bosch Logixx compact appliances as well as full size Bosch Logixx ovens. The fully automatic espresso machine makes excellent coffee, and with its atmospheric light concept adds an emotional and relaxing touch to everyday coffee making. The outstanding interface control panel with sleek, metal touch controls and all-metal pop-out control dial with illuminated band allows for several fully programmable functions including grinding grade, drink type, cup size, strength and temperature, enabling you to prepare your favorite espresso drinks just right. And thanks to the SoftEject system the machine can be pulled out of the wall for easy cleaning. Bosch also equipped this Logixx espresso machine with Brita water filter system to ensure water purity for the best coffee taste. The proprietary aroma pressure system results in optimum coffee flavour.
Other key features of the Bosch espresso machine are
- SensoFlow system
- ceramic coffee grinders with 4 grinding grades
- cream center
- one touch function for milk drinks
- frothing nozzle [...]
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With its .5 ft³ cavity which can bake two 12″ pizzas or toast 6 bread slices, the stainless steel convection oven, DeLonghi DO1279 allows you to feed the entire family at once. You can also broil, convection fan/bake, keep warm and defrost with the oven user-friendly digital controls and LCD display. The thermostat lets you choose the exact temperature and lets monitor current temperature during the heating process. And with convenient 2-hour timer with auto shut-off, you just set it and forget it. Several preprogrammed settings for baking and toasting make you life much easier. End-of-cycle signal alerts you when toast is hot and ready to eat. Special Durastone enamel interior distributes heat evenly for maximum consistency of cooking results. Such an interior and stainless steel exterior assure that this convection oven is quite easy to clean.
The oven also saves time since the convection cooking uses fan-circulated hot air to distribute heat faster and more evenly, the food cooks almost 40% faster. And result is always a perfectly browned outside and moist, juicy inside. Comes with interior light, slide out crumb tray, Durastone low profile bake pan, broil tray and 2 cookie sheets. [...]
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The latest Miele convection warming drawers are the 60cm wide ESW 4082 and the 70cm wide ESW 4722. Both drawers are excellent choice for keeping food warm for hours, at the perfect temperature and moisture levels until you are ready to serve. Miele incorporated a small convection fan which allows faster food warming when compared to many competing drawers, reaching a 160°F temperature in under 10 minutes instead of typical 30 minutes. Both models are full extension drawers, giving you complete access for the smallest items in the rear of the drawer and are durable enough to carry over 30 lbs of food. And their unique, open-sided design permits easy access to the warming area without contact with potentially hot metal areas.
Miele also equipped the warming drawers with the 4-hour timer that activates the heating elements and circulation fan. To warm food, turn the timer to your desired appropriate time setting – from 1 to 4 hours or you can select Continuous setting which keeps food warm until the warming drawer is turned off – an ideal way for Sabbath observing consumers.
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The new high performance Caple C2217SS is designed to cater for a wide range of tastes. This sleek stainless steel oven with black glass and push-pull control knobs will create a focal point in any kitchen. The C2217SS is ideal for sophisticated contemporary styles, and coordinates well with both popular stainless steel appliances and the latest craze for black finishes. The oven is packed with features including treble glazed doors and heat reflective glass to ensure that it is cool to the touch on the exterior. Achieving powerful results, the ‘A’ energy rated stainless steel oven has 9 functions, including light, defrost, conventional, turbo conventional, top heat, turbo base heat, fan heat, grill and turbo grill. Providing plenty of space, the oven offers a 56 litre capacity. Other useful features are closed door grilling, tangential cooling fan and a programmable electric timer. Priced at £370. Caple.
Previously,
Steam oven from Caple
Electric multifunction single oven
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The stunning De Dietrich DKP837B looks impressive and is cleverly designed. This 60cm wide black refrigerator with bottom freezer offers 315 litre capacity and weighs just 74kg, so you can move it around your kitchen with ease while considering where exactly its sleek black mirror finish gives the best light and shadow play. Or put it in your living room. We seriously think that the only problem you ever have with this ‘A+’ rated bottom freezer refrigerator is how to fit it in your existing decor. You may be forced to get the whole new appliance set, in black that is. The freestanding refrigerator has anti-bacterial interior and brings No Frost technology to avoid the build up of ice inside. Its refrigerator section offers 249 litre net volume, open-door alarm, multilevel neon lighting system, 4 glass shelves, 4 door bins, a door shelf and auto defrost. The 66 litre, 4-star freezer bottom freezer maintains freezing temperature for up to 13 hours in case of power failure. It comes with temperature alarm, SuperFreeze function, 3 drawers and ice tray. And this black refrigerator also has LCD touch control screen, reversible door and is extremely [...]
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Initially introduced in the United States in 2003 by Cook-N-Dine, the premium stainless steel, teppan cooking surfaces by CDS have been re-examined recently by the scrutinizing eyes of their inventor and patent-holder, Mr. Paul Schacht. To suit the demanding American customer even better, all built-in teppanyaki grill models have received a major technical makeover, resulting in improved heating element size, which led to almost double the actual hot cooking surface. These new models are already rolling out for the Holiday Season 2009.
The intriguing teppanyaki cooking style makes for effortless delicious, healthy eats. The secret is the intense heat of the solid 304 stainless steel surface that seals in all the juices on contact. Paired with its patented sink-down-in-the-center feature when on, a CDS teppanyaki grill can replace bulky pans and woks, and perfectly complements any traditional barbeque grill, while freeing up storage space and doubling as additional work top when not in use for cooking. Main features include:
- Worldwide patented feature: center bows down slightly when on to keep the fine juices in place; reverts back to flat when switched off
- Accurate temperature control from gentle 120°F up to 430°F, even contact heat, plenty [...]
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Tip of the Day: Be safe when grilling
Your grill might have served you well so far this summer, but a little bit of servicing now will ensure safe and effective cooking and protect its looks far into the fall and beyond. Here’s how:
If your grill has become hard to light or the flame isn’t as strong as it could be, check for blockages in the tubes that lead to the burner. Clear obstructions by using a wire or pipe cleaner and pushing debris through to the main part of the burner. Spiders love to build webs and nests in these areas; be sure to check for these, especially if you’ve just returned from vacation. You’ll also want to inspect the hoses for cracks, holes, and sharp bends and replace it if necessary. Then do the following:
• Check the grills for gas leaks by mixing a small amount of dishwashing liquid and water in a spray bottle. Spray the hose and connections, and with the hose connected to the propane tank, open the gas. If bubbles appear, you need to replace your hose or fix a loose connection.
• Have your grill serviced if the burner flames are not blue. [...]
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Cash for clunkers moves to appliances. Money back for your old Kelvinator?Will this fall’s federal rebate do for home appliances and heating and cooling systems what the Car Allowance Rebate System—aka cash for clunkers—has done for cars and trucks? The appliance industry certainly hopes so: Sales of dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines—the three appliances covered by the appliance-rebate program—have been off by some 25 percent from their peak during the last housing boom.
As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Obama administration is encouraging the purchase of energy-efficient appliances through an appliance-rebate program that will soon dole out money if you buy Energy Star-qualified models. Appliances that qualify
for Energy Star use roughly 10 to 25 percent less energy than the maximum allowed for that category by the U.S. Department of Energy, which runs Energy Star with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Unlike cash for clunkers, you won’t have to turn in your old appliance to get a rebate. But states are expected to have recycling plans for the flood of old appliances the program could unleash. And while the money is coming from Washington, how much you get [...]
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Name of Product: Black & Decker® Thermal Coffeemakers
Units: About 9,800
Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla.
Hazard: The coffeemakers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a coffeemaker melting. No injuries reported.
Description: This recall involves Black & Decker 8-cup programmable thermal coffeemakers. Model number TCM1000IKT is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the coffeemaker.
Sold at: Walmart and small retail stores nationwide from April 2008 through July 2009 for between and .
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the coffeemakers and contact Applica to receive a free replacement household product.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Applica at (866) 699-4595 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acprecall.com
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell them about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx
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