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What's New:
Q&A: How do I recycle my old cookware?
I just bought a new set of cookware. What's the best way to get rid of my old pots and pans?
Selecting the right cookware is easy, but getting rid of an old
set, especially a 10-piece ensemble, isn't so obvious. You can donate usable pots and pans to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or list them on Freecycle. If the cookware is unusable, contact your municipal department of public works to ask about recycling.
Now, if you buy Calphalon's new Unison cookware, you can send your old set, no matter its condition or manufacturer, to Calphalon for free recycling. You pack your old set in a box that comes with your new cookware, attach the prepaid mailing label, and drop it off at a FedEx location.
 Calphalon will take nonstick and uncoated cookware. (Glass and plastic items are not accepted.) After sorting, the pots and pans are sent to a company that processes the metal for reuse.
Among other corporate recyclers, some Walmart stores [...]
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This new 32-inch wide Jenn-Air range hood offers modern European styling married to the powerful perimetric ventilation system with 600 CFM extraction rate. The result is sleek, unobtrusive wall hood that blends innovation and elegance with superb extraction results, and looks more like a decorative picture frame than a high performance hood. The JXP5032WS Jenn-Air range hood has thin, barely visible channels that are located on the perimeter of a glass finished panel, and extract unwanted smoke, steam and cooking odours by pulling air through. The perimetric panel comes with a contemporary design of black glass with stainless steel trim or white with white trim, so these range hoods can fit with both Jenn-Air Floating Glass and Euro-Style Stainless appliance suites.
Additional style options include trim kits available in an Oiled Bronze and black aluminum finish. Other key features of this Jenn-Air range hood include 3-speed blower, concealed controls, 2 halogen lights and dishwasher-safe aluminum mesh filters. Also available in recirculating mode. Jenn-Air.
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The new Tassimo combines superior quality and intelligent technology in a compact design. This versatile Bosch coffee maker projects a modern stylistic sense with its elegant lines and offers 6 different types of drinks such as freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot chocolate or tea at the touch of a button. Tassimo also requires only a very short heat-up period. Bosch designed this unique coffee maker to use a system of self-contained disposable T-discs instead of typical loose ingredients, with each disc having an integrated filter and a tiny brewing system. Tassimo also uses an intelligent drink identification bar code reader to set the drink size, brewing time, and precise temperature to make the perfect beverage. Other key features of this Bosch coffee maker include space saving design, fully automatic one-button operation, variable drink strength, innovative flow heater system, water level indicator, descaling indicator, descaling program, removable Mavea Maxtra filter cartridge and low energy consumption due to automatic transition to stand-by mode after every brewing cycle. Priced at around $170. Bosch.
Bosch coffee machine
Bosch espresso machine
Benvenuto coffee [...]
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The new EQ.7 from Z-series, Siemens TK76009 is the beautifully designed, high performance Siemens coffee centre which serves your favorite latte, cappuccino or espresso with one-touch personalization feature, My Coffee. The fully automatic espresso machine comes in a high-gloss Piano black finish and with blue neon LED lights, and with 19-bar pressure pump and unique Aroma Pressure brewing technology which ensures full-bodied taste, delivers coffee that exceeds your highest expectations. Designing the EQ.7 coffee centre, Siemens took into account every step and factor influencing the taste, such as coffee beans, brewing technique, grinding level, temperature and pressure, and equipped the machine with intelligent technology which considers everything to prepare the ultimate cup of coffee. Features such as Innovative heating Sensor Flow system which minimizes the heating time, high quality Silent Ceram Drive grinder and bean container with aroma preservation cover ensure that coffee retains its flavour from the beans to the cup. You can also individually adjustable coffee temperature, hot water temperature and grinding parameters.
Several note worthy attributes include height adjustable coffee spout and milk nozzle with intake cream center, high-quality [...]
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You can select that favorite wine rack to suite your taste and decorate your modern house. Umbra offers several very interesting and modern designs.
Loopsey wine rack is made of clear acrylic in shape of blooming flower. Holds 6 bottles and sells for $215.
Cru combines several circular shapes with different attachment points so they can be configured to create exactly what you want. Price is $180
Vinello wine rack is a single ribbon of painted steel, rolled and fastened to create quite an elegant shape. Holds 7 wine bottles and is priced at just $105. Also comes in red.
Other wine racks,
Wine knot wine rack
Wine rack by Radius Design
Flexible wine rack
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Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: The LG WM210C[W] front-loading washer is a real mover and shaker
 Because front-loading washing machines spin so rapidly—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute—and their drums rotate on a horizontal axis, the vibration and noise these machines produce can be a nuisance for users, especially when a front-loader is used near main living areas or on a second floor in a home.
Our testers have seen plenty of front-loaders that produce a lot of vibration and noise, though no front-loader has ever actually moved from its spot during our vibration testing. Until now. In a recent vibration test on a wood floor, the $550 LG WM2010C[W] front-loader turned on an angle and moved forward about three inches when it had an 8-pound evenly distributed load . And when we repeated the test with a 1-pound unbalanced load, the LG again slid forward several inches.
LG offers a solution with the “SpinSense” function, which the manufacturer says “can be used to help reduce or eliminate vibrations, especially on wood floor installations.” When our testers [...]
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Q&A: Should I buy a stand mixer based on the wattage?
 I’ve read that more watts are better. Is that true or am I just wasting my money?
Don’t buy a stand mixer based on wattage. It’s usually the power used, not produced. But be sure to check the warranty as they vary. Also consider:
• Buying the biggest bowl available if your recipes frequently call for lots of flour
• Buying an extra bowl, for around $50, if you make two-step recipes so you won’t have to scrape and rinse between steps
• Checking Websites for rebate information. KitchenAid is offering $40 back on select 5- or 6-quart stand mixers (the KitchenAid Classic K45 has repeatedly been our top-rated model).
Most of the tested models have one beater that spins in one direction and moves around the bowl in the opposite way. The bottom-rated stand mixers have two beaters that spin against each other, just like a hand mixer.
 While these models were the least expensive, they were also mediocre or worse at mashing potatoes, mixing cookie dough, and kneading bread. We also found [...]
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Name of Product: Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators
Units: About 46,000 (1.6 million units were previously recalled March 2009)
Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa
Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 4 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.
Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:
Serial Numbers ENDING with
AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side
Refrigerators
CN, CP, YY, YZ
MZ
Top Freezer
Refrigerators
CA, CC, CE, CG, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH
CT15G4, CTB152, CTL151, CTM152,
CTN151, MTB195, MTB215, MTB245,
MTF195, MTF215, PTB155, PTB175,
PTB195, PTB215
Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.
Sold at: Department and appliance stores [...]
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This efficient, large capacity double convection oven from Samsung gives 65 litres of cooking space and features two independent compartments allowing you to cook several dishes simultaneously without mixing the flavors. Designed by Jasper Morrison, the BT 65 CD BSTL is quality-built and elegant stainless steel, double convection multifunctional oven with 40°C to 300°C temperature range offering two separate heating elements and two separate fans to distribute heat evenly and quickly for perfect results each and every time. The oven comes with a self-cleaning steam program which removes grease, stains, encrustations and odors in just 25 minutes. This double convection oven can serve as 3-in-1 oven allowing you to cook in one large single space or use upper and lower levels separately. Interesting that all three cooking spaces are separately certified with an ‘A’ grade for energy efficiency.
The convection oven also comes with triple layer CoolTouch door and nonstick interior coated with a special ceramic enamel which makes surface scratch-resistant, non-porous, super hygienic and antibacterial. You can buy this double convection oven for approximately € 1,150. Samsung.
Previously,
Twin convection oven
Refrigerator by Jasper Morrison
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This cascade Bosch vent hood is made of quality materials with workmanship and functionality reflecting its performance as well as a high stylistic standard. The 100cm wide vent hood comes with a peripheral suction system and dishwasher-safe metal grease filters with edge suction, concealed by removable stainless steel cover. The powerful double-entry high performance blowers have maximum extraction rate of 860 m³/h, and thanks to the special noise insulation, the noise level doesn’t exceed 59 dBA. Bosch also equipped this vent hood with 4-speed motor and 4 bright 20-watt halogen lamps with dimming function. After shut-off feature allows continuous ventilation for 10 extra minutes to extract the most stubborn fumes and odours.
Specially developed touch sensors are flush-integrated in a stainless steel panel. Can be installed over kitchen islands in extraction or recirculating mode. Price for this Bosch vent hood is approximately € 1,350.
Previously,
Ventilation hood from Bosch
Bosch hoods
Bosch range hood
Bosch chimney hood
[...]
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This capable Breville Smart oven comes with innovative Element IQ which suggests the ideal temperature and time for every of its 9 preset menu functions. The stainless steel toaster oven also lets you control the cooking power for perfect results no matter what you are preparing. Equipped with 5 powerful quartz elements that evenly distribute 1.8 kW of heat, the toaster oven allows you to broil, bake and toasts. Its broil function activates top 3 heating elements to melt and brown. Toast function activates top 2 and bottom 2 heating elements to seal and crisp. And bake function employs top 2 and bottom 2 heating elements with the convection fan to ensure the food is thoroughly cooked.
The stainless steel blends nicely with blue backlit LCD screen giving this toaster oven an attractive appearance. Its sturdy top doubles as a warming tray while rack conveniently auto-ejects halfway when you open the oven door. Other features and accessories include intuitive dial controls, memory function to store settings, retractable crumb tray, nonstick pizza pan, baking pan and baking rack. This Breville stainless steel toaster oven is seen in stores for $250. Previously, stainless [...]
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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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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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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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