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What's New:
The new 42-inch French Door fully flush refrigerator from Jenn-Air belongs to the recently introduced collection of high performance built-in refrigerators that marries seamless design with thoughtful functionality. Other flush refrigerator models include 36-inch bottom-freezer and popular 42- and 48-inch side-by-side door refrigerators. The new JF42NXFXDW is the industry-first 42-inch French door bottom-freezer refrigerator offering the widest interior space available in any fully flush refrigerator currently on the market and bringing the clean, seamless and refined look to your kitchen. One of the important design features is the hidden articulated hinges that allow for minimal gaps, no larger than that of surrounding cabinetry, making the refrigerator virtually disappear in its environment. The completely integrated look of the Jenn-Air refrigerator is all about aesthetics, yet functionality and performance are not sacrificed but further enhanced. Thus, the thinner exterior door provides a flush fit with custom cabinetry for a seamless exterior, while the interior offers even greater usable cubic space than similar flush refrigerators and a faster temperature recovery time after the doors are opened. High performance vacuum insulation panels help maintain energy and keep food fresher, longer. The articulated hinge is equipped with [...]
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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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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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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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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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The fully integrated Miele wine refrigerator has three unique cooling zones with independent controls permitting you to store or temper champagne, white and red wines at their ideal conditions within 40°F to 64°F range. The environment is maintained by Miele MasterCool controls that protect wine bottles from any temperature changes, controlling it precisely for long-term wine storage. To protect your collection further, Miele equipped this wine refrigerator with the proprietary RemoteVision system that uses wireless local area network technology and unique application software developed by Miele for its Independence Series, enabling the cabinet to connect to Miele monitoring center. If there is a significant change in temperature or other conditions, the center notifies you for further action.
The humidity levels are controlled with the help of dynamic cooling system ensuring that corks are kept moist to effectively seal the bottles. The fully integrated wine storage refrigerator guarantees an even circulation of air and constant humidity so your wines always give a perfect bouquet for the enjoyment of family and friends.
Specially designed LED illumination system of this Miele wine refrigerator doesn’t affect the [...]
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MicroFridge, the industry leader in compact specialty appliances, today introduced the next generation in small space convenience. The new product line includes patent-pending Safe Plug® technology and also features a Dual Outlet Charge Station that enables people to safely and conveniently charge a range of popular electronic devices such as laptop computers, MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras and more.
Combining a spacious refrigerator, freezer and microwave in a single unit, a MicroFridge appliance is perfect wherever space is limited and there’s a need for food and refreshments – including hotels, college residence halls, assisted living residences, military housing, offices and at home too. The compact MicroFridge refrigerator features over two cubic feet of storage space, while the separate freezer boasts a 0.75 cubic foot capacity. For food preparation, there is a fully programmable 700-watt microwave oven. The refrigerator’s Smart Store Door allows the upright storage of two-liter bottles or half-gallon containers to eliminate leaks and spills that can result when storing tall containers on their side. And the roomy zero-degree freezer ensures that items like ice cream stay perfectly frozen.
The microwave features three, distinct “Express Cook” settings, along with pre-programmed recipes for soup, beverages, pizza and popcorn; the beeper volume [...]
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By the Numbers: Energy-efficiency investments would pay huge dividends, says McKinsey & Company report
.2 trillion
 Amount U.S. consumers and businesses could save by 2020 by boosting their energy efficiency, according to “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy,” a new report from management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. (The report covers nontransportation energy use.)
Under current conditions, the United States wastes more energy each year than Canada consumes. Our nearly 130 million homes, many of which lose energy to leaky ductwork, underinsulated attics, and inefficient appliances, account for roughly 35 percent of the potential energy-efficiency gains, says the report. (You can make your old windows less drafty by caulking gaps, as shown. And use a programmable thermostat to boost your household-energy savings.)
As the report details, an initial investment of 0 billion would be needed to reduce annual energy consumption by 23 percent by 2020, which translates into .2 trillion in savings and an end-use reduction of 9.1 quadrillion British thermal units.
Those savings are key, because worldwide energy use is projected to soar over the next two decades, according to the [...]
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SiteSeeing: ApplianceRepair.com offers useful how-to troubleshooting tips for home appliances
 Stuck with a leaky, noisy, bouncy, smelly, or otherwise underperforming
appliance? The folks at RepairClinic.com, who have helped us with “Can
This [fill in the blank] Be Saved?” sidebars on refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and other household gear, has a new site that provides
even more sage appliance-repair advice for DIYers. (We haven’t tried out any of the repairs, so use your judgment to determine whether the you want to proceed with the recommended fixes.)
At the heart of ApplianceRepair.com
are dozens of transcripts of the site’s Sunday-morning radio show with
host John Sowden (shown). Each transcript is quite effectively divided into
detailed descriptions and savvy solutions to problems like:
• Musty, noisy, or dancing washing machines.
• The balky top burner on a Kenmore range.
• Refrigerator lightbulbs that won’t stay lit.
• Enigmatic error codes for GE electric ranges.
• Cures for a shaky garbage disposer. See our buyer’s guide to garbage disposers.
 [...]
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Whether you plan to install your new appliance yourself or have a professional do it, be sure your home is ready before delivery. Read these tips on power requirements, placement and more to ensure a successful installation.
Appliance Power Requirements
Check the power requirements of each appliance. To run major appliances and heavy electrical equipment, you need 220-volt current in the house. And unless your clothes dryer runs on gas, it will require a 220-volt outlet to operate, so it’s necessary to upgrade to 220 to handle these and other heavy equipment.
Appliance Installation
When having an appliance installed, be sure it can be removed easily for service. Flexible hook-ups for dishwashers and gas ranges can make repair jobs less labor intensive. Also, leave extra electric cable when installing electric wall ovens and cooktops. This will minimize the time the technician spends on the job and reduce the cost to you.
Here are some tips from appliancemagic.com regarding some specific appliances:
Dishwashers
If your kitchen floor is being tiled, make sure that it is tiled beneath the dishwasher or at least raise its flooring to the same height as the tiles. Once down, there may not be enough clearance to [...]
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Hard times don’t mean college students have to give up healthful, tasty food.
These appliances will come in handy whether your son or daughter lives in a dorm or an off-campus apartment.
And while this gear won’t turn your college-age cooks into an Iron Chef, they can save them some money and add variety and spice to their diet.
Be sure to check your school’s guidelines about appliances, and see the rest of our back-to-school coverage.
Compact Refrigerators
The “dorm-room refrigerator” moniker shows how closely compact refrigerators have become identified with college life, but only some of the models we tested made the grade. Many models have a single temperature-control dial, so you can’t find an ideal temperature between the refrigerator and freezer sections. And all that we tested for this report are comparative energy hogs.
Only two refrigerators we tested had freezer sections that were able to keep frozen confections from turning to mush, and the 3.7-cubic-foot Avanti 308YWT, 0, flunked basic refrigeration. Choose the 4.6-cubic-foot Frigidaire FRC05L5D, 0, if your student will be a frequent frozen-food diner. Tell your kid to discard frozen foods that have been stored above 40°F for more than two [...]
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Now I know why someone associated with House Beautiful yesterday said to me “We love bloggers!” This post will have taken me about 6 hours to produce by the time I’m finished. Why? It’s the images! I’m not even going to tell you how how many I took…but maybe I’m the worst editor, or maybe there are just WAY too many inspiring vignettes in this beauitful kitchen/living space. In either case, maybe I was a little obsessive. That’s ok, I surrender to it and you benefit.
Ok, let’s talk about the kitchen. There’s A LOT going on in this kitchen, a lot to talk about. I think I’ll be organized about it. Yes, Susan, that’s a good concept.
OVERALL DESIGN
The kitchen design, by Robert Stilin in close collaboration with Ina Garten, was meant to replicate Ina’s East Hampton kitchen for House Beautiful’s Kitchen Of The Year 2009. The kitchen of the year can be viewed at Rockefeller Center (you can’t miss it) until July 24.
 You’re hearing it more and more…the kitchen is the new living room. The drum beat is getting louder. I think we were shocked by the financial crisis into rediscovering the [...]
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