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Recall: DEWALT Cordless Brad Nailers Due to Injury Hazard

Recall: DEWALT Cordless Brad Nailers Due to Injury Hazard

Name of Product: DEWALT DC608 Cordless Brad Nailers
Units: About 14,000
Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md.
Hazard: The nailer can operate when the lock-off (safety) is in the locked position. Also, the nailer can operate when the trigger is not pulled and the contact trip is depressed. The unexpected ejection of a nail poses a [...]

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Previous Stories

  • More Toaster Silliness
    August 4th, 2008

    One thing I’ve always learned about kitchen appliances is that you should never anthropomorphize them.
    They hate that.

  • International Online Toaster Museum
    August 4th, 2008

    BoingBoing Gadgets reports:
    The International Central Service’s Online Toaster Museum shows in nearly infinite nuanced zoological detail just what happens when a piece of technology reaches evolutionary perfection: innovation switches to design. I could spend hours flicking through this collection, trying to decide upon my appliance-void kitchen’s optimal toaster as a reflection of its own inherent [...]

  • Recall: Log Splitter Engines By American Honda Motor Co. Due to Fire Hazard
    July 24th, 2008

    Name of Product: Engines used in SpeeCo and Huskee Brand Log Splitters
    Units: About 5,600
    Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.
    Hazard: The engine’s fuel tank can crack and leak, posing a risk of fire or explosion.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recall involves Honda engines (model type GCV160LA N1A) used in Split Master by SpeeCo and Huskee [...]

  • Recall: Dirt Devil Vacuum Accessory Tools Due to Laceration Hazard
    July 24th, 2008

    Name of Product: Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools
    Units: About 987,000
    Manufacturer: TTI Floor Care North America, of Glenwillow, Ohio
    Hazard: Plastic pieces inside the vacuum tool can break apart and be ejected, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: TTI Floor Care has received 140 reports of incidents involving the recalled vacuum tool, including 12 reports [...]

  • Assistive Kitchen Robot Takes Stanford’s Dishes to the Wash
    July 22nd, 2008

    BoingBoing Gadgets reports:
    The “Assistive Kitchen” robot picks up the dishes and takes them to the wash, thanks in large part to RFID sensors built into the plates and utensils in Stanford’s test kitchen. The team building the robot is also trying to teach it to surf the web to pick up new tricks, as well [...]

  • Recall: Lawn Mowers by American Honda Motor Corp. Due to Laceration Hazard
    July 16th, 2008

    Name of Product: Honda Lawn Mowers
    Units: 20,500
    Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.
    Hazard: The lawn mower’s rear shield can break off allowing debris to be thrown toward the operator, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received one report of a shield breaking off the lawn mower. No injuries have been [...]

  • Recall: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers By Specialty Lamp International Due to Fire Hazard
    May 28th, 2008

    Name of Product: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as “Square D”
    Units: About 371,000
    Distributor: Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla.
    Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The counterfeit [...]

  • Recall: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Sold Exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm Stores Due to Fire, Burn Hazard
    May 22nd, 2008

    Name of Product: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Model 463720108
    Units: About 400
    Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.
    Manufacturer: Shenzhen Jinwoniu Trading Company LTD, China
    Hazard: On the recalled grills, the main burner does not fit correctly and does not connect properly to the gas valve which could result in a propane leak. This poses fire and burn hazards [...]

  • Recall:American Flame Fireplaces to Replace Gas Valves Due to Fire and Explosion Hazards
    May 21st, 2008

    Name of Product: Fireplace Gas Valves
    Units: About 12,000
    Manufacturer: American Flame Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind.
    Hazard: Gas can continue to flow into the fireplace pilot light area after the switch has been turned “off,” posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: American Flame has received two reports of incidents involving valve failure and continuous gas [...]

  • Recall: Frigidaire Canada Kenmore Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    May 21st, 2008

    Name of Product: Kenmore Wall Ovens
    Units: About 7,500
    Manufacturer: Frigidaire Canada, a sister company of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio
    Hazard: During extended broiling, gas can build in the oven cavity and escape when the oven door is opened. This poses a burn and possible fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Electrolux has received 16 reports of [...]

  • Recall: Shindaiwa Corp. Backpack Blowers Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards
    May 16th, 2008

    Name of Product: Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers
    Units: About 23,000
    Importer: Shindaiwa Corp., of Tualatin, Ore
    Manufacturer: Shindaiwa Kogyo Co. Ltd, of Hiroshima, Japan
    Hazard: The blower’s impeller (fan) can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. The flying [...]

  • Recall: Maple Chase Co. Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Combo Alarms Due to Alarm Malfunction
    May 16th, 2008

    Name of Product: FireX Branded 10000 Series Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and 12000 Series CO/Smoke Combo Alarms
    Units: About 280,000
    Manufacturer: Maple Chase Company, of Plain City, Ohio
    Hazard: The recalled alarms can sound a “double chirp”/fault alarm in the presence of CO, prior to going into full alarm. Upon hearing a double chirp, the [...]

  • Recall: Baby Bottle and Food Warmers by Munchkin Due to Fire Hazard
    May 12th, 2008

    Name of Product: Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers
    Units: About 5,000
    Manufacturer: Munchkin Inc., of North Hills, Calif.
    Hazard: The bottle and food warmers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: Munchkin has received nine reports of units overheating, several of which ignited, causing damage to countertops. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: This recall involves the Munchkin Deluxe Bottle [...]

  • Kelly Ripa helps bring Electrolux Kitchen Appliances to America
    May 9th, 2008

    Electrolux, known mostly for vacuums in the US is known in Europe for its premium appliances. This spring they are trying to make a splash here in the US with Kelly Ripa.

  • Recall: Onward Manufacturing Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazard
    May 5th, 2008

    Name of Product: Broil King Gas Grills
    Units: About 4,800
    Manufacturer: Onward Manufacturing Co., of Ontario, Canada
    Hazard: The bottom of the cook box that contains the burners can melt or crack as a result of a grease fire. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported
    Description: This recall includes the Signet, Sovereign and Sovereign [...]

  • Recall: General Electric Gas Dryers Due to Shock Hazard
    May 1st, 2008

    Name of Product: GE Gas Clothes Dryers
    Units: About 2,100
    Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
    Hazard: A short circuit in the dryer’s wiring poses a shock hazard to consumers with ungrounded dryers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recalled gas dryers are 42 inches tall (back with backsplash) and 27 inches wide, and were sold in white. GE [...]

  • Recall: DEWALT Table Saws Due to Laceration Hazard
    April 29th, 2008

    Name of Product: DEWALT DW744 Jobsite Table Saws
    Units: About 13,000
    Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md.
    Hazard: The pivot bracket on the saw can separate which can misalign the blade and the fence and cause kick back. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received one reported incident of the table saw’s blade [...]

  • Recall: Kyodo America LawnBott Lawn Mowers Due to Laceration Hazard
    April 25th, 2008

    Name of Product: LawnBott Lawn Mowers
    Units: About 530
    Importer: Kyodo America Industries Co. LTD., of Lawrenceville, Ga.
    Manufacturer: Zucchetti Centro Sistemi S.p.A., of Italy
    Hazard: The cutting blades continue to rotate when the mower is lifted from the ground and the spacing on the side of the lawn mower could allow room for a consumer’s foot to go [...]

  • Recall: Waxcessories Electric Simmer Pots Due to Risk of Fire and Shock
    April 24th, 2008

    Name of Product: Electric Simmer Pots
    Units: About 830,000
    Importer: Waxcessories® Inc., of Dracut, Mass.
    Hazard: The simmer pots have wire connections that can become loose, posing a risk of fire and electric shock to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: There have been 161 reports of discolored cords, loose wires, and wires separating from the pot. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: The [...]

  • Recall: Gecko Alliance Electronic Spa Controls Used on Serenity Spas Due to Fire Hazard
    April 1st, 2008

    Name of Product: Serenity Spa Hot Tubs
    Units: About 1,670
    Manufacturer: Gecko Alliance of Quebec, Canada
    Hazard: The hot tub’s spa control can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: Gecko Alliance has received 28 reports of the spa control overheating, including one incident of damage to spa equipment. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: This recall involves the Hydropool Serenity [...]

  • Recall: Progress Lighting Ceiling-Mounted Outdoor Light Fixtures
    March 19th, 2008

    Name of Product: Progress Lighting Outdoor Ceiling Light Fixtures
    Units: About 1,000
    Importer: Progress Lighting, of Greenville, S.C.
    Manufacturer: Pegtom, of Hong Ding, China
    Hazard: A weld that affixes a mounting bracket to the ceiling pan can fail, which can cause the fixture to fall and injure nearby persons.
    Incidents/Injuries: Progress Lighting has received six reports of fixtures [...]

  • Recall: Salton Inc. Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard
    March 19th, 2008

    Name of Product: Electric Toasters
    Units: About 12,000
    Distributor: Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.
    Hazard: The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: None.
    Description: This recall involves the chrome two-slice electric toasters sold under the following brands: Farberware (model # [...]

  • Recall: Ensto Control Oy Toggle and Rotary Switches Due to Electric Shock Hazards
    March 13th, 2008

    Name of Product: Toggle Switches and Rotary Switches
    Units: About 19,000
    Distributor/Importer: Disconnects of Florida Corp., of Tampa, Fla.
    Manufacturer: Ensto Control Oy, of Finland
    Hazard: When switched OFF, one electrical pole may remain energized, posing a risk of electrical shock hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Ensto Control Oy has received 13 reports of the switches not functioning properly. [...]

  • Recall: JCPenney Recalls Cooks Deep Fryers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    March 11th, 2008

    Name of Product: Cooks Deep Fryers
    Units: About 27,000
    Importer: JCPenney, of Plano, Texas
    Hazard: The deep fryer has a faulty heating element which can cause it to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: JCPenney is aware of five incidents involving the deep fryers, including one report of a minor burn and three reports of [...]

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Daylight Saving Time Alert: Working Smoke Alarms Are Key to Surviving Home Fires
    March 8th, 2008

    Smoke alarms are proven life savers. There are more than 300,000 residential fires every year, so when there is a fire, smoke alarms buy families valuable escape time.
    Unfortunately, about two-thirds of fire deaths take place in homes with no smoke alarms or with non-working smoke alarms. The most common reasons why [...]

  • Recall: Hamilton Beach Recalls Toasters Due to Fire Hazard
    March 6th, 2008

    Name of Product: Hamilton Beach® and Proctor-Silex® Toasters
    Units: About 482,000
    Importer: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc., of Glen Allen, Va.
    Hazard: The toasters can remain “on” (energized) after popping up, and can ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: Hamilton Beach has received at least 63 reports of [...]

  • Recall: Portable Air Compressors Sold Exclusively at Advance Auto Parts Stores Due to Fire and Electrical Hazards
    March 6th, 2008

    Name of Product: Strike Force™ Portable Air Compressors
    Units: About 64,000
    Supplier: All-Power America, of City of Industry, Calif.
    Importer: Advance Stores Co., d.b.a. Advance Auto Parts, of Roanoke, Va.
    Hazard: The compressor’s motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Also, the cover might not prevent internal components from [...]

  • Recall: Portable Electric Heaters by Aloha Housewares Due to Fire Hazard
    February 20th, 2008

    Name of Product: Portable Electric Heaters
    Units: About 152,000
    Importer/Distributor: Aloha Housewares Inc., of Arlington, Texas
    Hazard: The portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Aloha Housewares has received 29 reports of the heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage. One consumer reported minor burns [...]

  • Vornado Trust to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defects and Hazards with Electric Heaters
    February 1st, 2008

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a liquidating trust acting on behalf of a now-dissolved manufacturer of heaters has agreed to pay the government a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., formerly of Andover, Kan., failed to [...]

  • Recall: Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressors Following Fires
    January 31st, 2008

    Name of Product: Campbell Hausfeld and Husky Air Compressors
    Units: About 233,000
    Importer: Campbell Hausfeld, of Harrison, Ohio
    Hazard: Protective covers on the compressor’s motor are not made from proper flame retardant material and can ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.
    Description: [...]

  • Recall: Glue Guns by Dollar Tree Stores Due to Fire, Burn and Shock Hazards
    January 30th, 2008

    Name of Product: Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue Guns
    Units: About 253,000
    Retailer: Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.
    Importer: Greenbrier International Inc., of Chesapeake, Va.
    Hazard: The recalled glue guns can short circuit, causing the gun to smoke and catch fire. This poses fire, burn and shock hazards to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Dollar Tree is aware of seven [...]

  • Recall:Venmar Ventilation Inc. Heat Recovery Ventilators Due to Fire Hazard
    December 14th, 2007

    Name of Product: Heat Recovery Ventilators
    Units: About 1,100
    Manufacturer: Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada
    Hazard: The thermal protector in these units can fail, posing a potential fire hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: This recall involves heat recovery ventilators made between October 2006 and August 2007, and have the following brand names and model numbers:
    Brand Models
    Venmar 40225
    Venmar [...]

  • Recall: Outdoor Vacuums with Honda Engines Recalled By Billy Goat Industries Inc. Due to Fire Hazard
    December 12th, 2007

    Name of Product: Billy Goat MultiVac Outdoor Vacuums
    Units: About 1,600
    Manufacturer: Billy Goat Industries Inc, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.
    Hazard: The vacuum’s fuel tank could crack and leak fuel. If gasoline leaking from the fuel tank is ignited, a fire or explosion can occur. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
    Description: The recalled [...]

  • Recall: Black & Decker® Brand Toasters
    December 5th, 2007

    Name of Product: Black & Decker® brand Infrawave™ Toasters
    Units: About 70,000
    Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla.
    Hazard: An electrical component in the toaster can overheat and ignite the circuit board, posing a fire hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: Applica has received two reports of the toasters igniting, including one report of fire that damaged a kitchen countertop and [...]

  • Recall:General Electric Microwave Combo Wall Ovens Due to Fire Hazard
    December 5th, 2007

    Name of Product: Built-in Combination Wall and Microwave Ovens
    Units: About 92,000
    Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
    Hazard: The door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The lower thermal oven does not pose a hazard.
    Incidents/Injuries: GE is aware of 35 [...]

  • Recall: Miter Saws by WMH Tool Group Due to Laceration Hazard
    November 28th, 2007

    Name of Product: Performax and Wilton 10” Sliding Miter Saws
    Units: About 7,100
    Manufacturer: WMH Tool Group Inc. (WMH), of Elgin, Ill.
    Hazard: The saw handle’s switch can fail, causing the saw to smoke, spark, and trip circuit breakers, and disable the safety brake. The saw also can keep operating unless the unit is unplugged, posing a laceration [...]

  • Recall:Cooper Lighting Recalls Fluorescent Shop Lights Due to Electrical Shock Hazard
    November 23rd, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
     Name of Product: Metalux Fluorescent Shop Lights
    Units: About 274,000
    Distributor: Cooper Lighting Inc., a division of Cooper Industries, of Houston, Texas
    Hazard: [...]

  • Recall: Yamaha Recalls AC Power Adaptors Due to Electric Shock Hazard
    November 11th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: Yamaha AC Power Adaptors
    Units: About 49,000
    Distributor: Yamaha Corporation of America, of Buena Park, Calif.
    Hazard: The housing [...]

  • Recall: American Honda Motor Corp. Recalls Lawn Mowers Due to Fire Hazard
    November 11th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
     Name of Product: Honda HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA Lawn Mowers
    Units: About 22,000
    Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.
    Hazard: Due to [...]

  • Recall: Coby Electronics Recalls DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard
    November 10th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players
    Units: About 12,000
    Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y.
    Hazard: The portable DVD/CD/MP3 players can [...]

  • Recall: Hunter Fan Recalls Humidifiers for Fire Hazard
    November 7th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
     Name of Product: Warm Mist Carefree Humidifier
    Units: About 84,000
    Manufacturer: Hunter Fan Co., of Memphis, Tenn.
    Hazard: Water used in the humidifier [...]

  • Recall: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Recalled by Carrier Due to Fire Hazard
    November 7th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)
    Units: About 185,000
    Manufacturer: Carrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn.
    Hazard: [...]

  • Recall: Connecticut Electric Recalls Counterfeit Square D Circuit Breakers Due To Fire Hazard
    October 30th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Counterfeit “Square D” Circuit Breakers
    Units: About 64,000
    Distributor: Connecticut Electric & Switch Mfg. Co. (Connecticut Electric), of [...]

  • Recall: Digital Color Printers by Oki Data Americas Due to Risk of Electrical Shock
    October 30th, 2007

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: C9600 Series Digital Color Printers
    Units: About 400
    Importer: Oki Data Americas, of Mount Laurel, N.J.
    Manufacturer: Oki Data [...]

  • Recall:Keystone Manufacturing Co. and QVC Recall Convection Ovens with Rotisserie Due to Fire and Electrical Shock Hazards
    October 27th, 2007

    The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: Cook’s Essentials Convection Ovens with Pull-Out Rotisserie and Deni Convection Ovens with Rotisserie
    Units: About 32,000
    Retailer: QVC of West Chester, Pa.
    Distributor: Keystone Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y.
    Hazard: [...]

  • Recall:Home Automation Inc. Recalls Wireless Receivers Due to Failure to Receive Security Signal
    October 24th, 2007

    The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: 64 Zone Wireless Receivers
    Units: About 200
    Manufacturer: Home Automation Inc., New Orleans, La.
    Hazard: If the receiver loses power, it could fail to receive the signal from transmitters monitoring [...]

  • Recall:Toshiba Recalls AC Adapters sold with Portable DVD Players Due to Burn Hazard
    October 10th, 2007

    Name of Product: Toshiba AC Adapters Sold with Portable DVD Players
    Units: About 142,000
    Distributor: Toshiba America Consumer Products LLC, of Wayne, N.J.
    Hazard: The AC adapters can fail, causing the portable DVD player to overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received two reports of minor damage to the bottom of the DVD player. No [...]

  • Considering Convection - Three Racks of Cookies a Breeze
    July 20th, 2007

    In a conventional oven, baking three racks of cookies is an invitation for trouble. The bottom row burns and the top is undercooked. In a convection oven, the circulating air makes baking cookies easier, because it eliminates hot and cool spots and differences in cooking times.
    Do they work only for baking? Not so.
    Convection ovens [...]

  • Hybrid Appliance Watch - Refrigerator / Microwave
    July 7th, 2007

    http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/4/prweb521477.htm
    Invention Support has signed a strategic alliance with Virginia Gibbs, the inventor of the new device known as the “Refrigerator/Microwave”, to offer support for this great new invention and to proudly introduce it into the general kitchen appliance market.
    The basic idea behind the Refrigerator/Microwave is to combine two kitchen appliances into one as a convenient [...]

  • Sears Repairmen or Appliance Salesmen?
    June 18th, 2007

    Is this a situation rife for conflict of interest?
    Sears: What’s in store next
    Sears is experimenting with encouraging its appliance-repair teams to make sales pitches, and is featuring its repair technicians at workshops inside Sears stores, as the retailer explores ways to exploit its service and repair network.
    A service technician who comes to a customer’s house [...]

  • Kodak Kills Flash
    June 14th, 2007

    TechTalk discusses Kodak’s latest development, technology that may eliminate the need for flash in digital cameras.

  • Really Dynamite Laundry!
    June 3rd, 2007

  • Behind The Appliance Brands - Lifting the Mask
    May 8th, 2007

    Consumer Reports tells us “the nameplate doesn’t always indicate who makes your fridge, oven, or washer”.
    Our recent tests of refrigerators included more than 70 models from 20 brands.
    That’s a lot of companies, until you play appliance detective and discover that the $20 billion annual market for refrigerators, ovens, washers, and other major home appliances isn’t [...]

  • Hot Fuzz - Killing Refrigerator Magnates With Comedy
    April 20th, 2007

    From the makers of “Shaun of the Dead” comes this weekend’s hot buzz movie release “Hot Fuzz”.
    In a parody of American cop movies “Bad Boys”, the posters for this movie read “They’re bad boys. They’re die hards. They’re lethal weapons. They are… HOT FUZZ”.
    What on EARTH does this movie have to do with kitchen [...]

  • High Tech Home Appliances
    March 23rd, 2007

    From Forbes magazine:
    Fifteen years ago, you needn’t look further than the ice cube-maker on the door of your Whirlpool refrigerator to find innovation. But these days, we expect a bit more than crushed ice when it comes to high-end, high-tech gadgets.
    And we’re not afraid to spend on these domestic devices. Consumers worldwide forked over $301 [...]

  • Crunchy Brownie Pan
    March 22nd, 2007

    Does it have to be electric to qualify as an appliance?
    I don’t know and I don’t care. I tell my daughters to bake my brownies for 2 weeks because I can’t get enough crunch.
    BoingBoing points to the Baker\’s Edge - Edge Brownie Pan.
    Here’s the description from Cooking for Engineers that BB cribbed:
    Each of the [...]

  • Hoover Sucked Up By Chinese Conglomerate
    February 3rd, 2007

    Another great American brand bites the Dust. Hoover got Sucked up by Chinese conglomerate Techtronic Industries (TTI) of Hong Kong.
    Whirlpool washed its hands of its floor care products today and dumped the Hoover brand along with all of its assets to TTI. TTI already controls the Dirt Devil brand and is [...]

  • Microwaving Sponges May NOT Kill Germs
    January 29th, 2007

    Well, the skeptics are coming out to challenge the news we reported earlier that microwave ovens may kill germs.
    According to the kitchen technology and appliances director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Karen Franke:
    “We don’t recommend that people do it,” she told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. “They take the risk that their sponge [...]

  • Microwave Ovens Kill Germs
    January 26th, 2007

    Not sure if I ever saw this in a Hints from Heloise column but it’s the kind of news that shows us again that some obvious solutions are easy, inexpensive and right under our noses.
    Who knew that microwave ovens can sterilize sponges?
    Microwave ovens are famous for cooking or heating the food but the appliance that [...]

  • RECALL: Atico Espresso Makers
    November 8th, 2006

    Atico International USA, Inc. Recalls Espresso Makers for Burn and Impact Injury Hazards
    Name of Product: Espresso Express(tm) Espresso Makers
    Units: About 54,000
    Distributor: Atico International USA, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
    Hazard: The espresso maker’s heating element can forcefully separate from its base during the brewing cycle. This poses burn and impact injury hazards to nearby consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Atico [...]

  • RECALL: Weil-McLain Ultra Series Gas Boilers
    November 8th, 2006

    Name of Product: Weil-McLain Ultra Series Gas Boilers
    Units: About 16,000
    Manufacturer: Weil-McLain, of Michigan City, Ind.
    Hazard: These boilers were manufactured for use with natural gas, but could have a blue tag incorrectly indicating to installers that they are intended for use with LP (propane) gas. If an installer connects one of the boilers to LP gas [...]

  • Starbucks Barista Aroma Coffee Maker Recall
    October 18th, 2006

    Starbucks Announces Recall of 8-Cup Coffee Brewers Due to Possible Fire
    Hazard - October 17, 2006
    Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 453-1047
    CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
    CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
    Starbucks Media Contact: (206) 318-7100
    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. [...]

  • USB Batteries
    September 21st, 2006

    Gizmodo blogs about USB batteries, an idea whose time has come, but isn’t quite ready for prime-time.
    Moixa USBCELL batteries can be charged using a regular charging station as well as the USB port in your PC, laptop, Xbox 360, or USB car charger.
    Power and longetivity still need work, but I still remember brick-sized cellphones and [...]

  • Kitchen Improvements Pay
    September 15th, 2006

    From a UK website called NewsShopper. I’ve substituted American English for British English:
    It’s often said the kitchen is the room most likely to persuade you to buy a property - or put you off. If you’re thinking of selling, it pays to ensure your kitchen is up to scratch.
    Kitchens matter, and even if you’re [...]

  • Home Appliance News Survey - 7 September 2006
    September 7th, 2006

    It’s a short week and I’m still not convinced the summer is “officially over”, so blogging is going to be light today with some links to useful resources:

    A site called Kensington Bungalow is writing a diary about renovating their house. Today’s entry is called DIY Appliance Repair.
    eCoupons is providing appliance coupons good through September [...]

  • Garbage Disposals — Keep in Shape with Proper Care, Love and Feeding
    August 26th, 2006

    As the summer comes to an end and used exercise equipment appears more frequently on EBAY and Craigslist, there are other things that require calesthenics to keep in proper shape. Kitchen appliances. This will be the first in a series of easy maintenance tips designed to extend the life of your essential appliances. [...]

  • Kitchen Appliance News - August 2006
    August 15th, 2006

    When there were three major TV networks, appliances were fewer and simpler. WJAC-TV has an article Kitchen Appliance Features You Need and Don’t Need which helps you to decide which features should you pay for, and which ones should you forget?
    For ranges:
    For electric ranges, smooth glass surfaces are better because the coils on older [...]

  • If You Can’t Stand the Kitchen Heat, Try Appliances Alfresco
    July 11th, 2006

    It’s July and maybe you haven’t yet emptied the Independence Day charcoal ash from the bottom of your Weber kettle grill. You’d like to figure out a way to heat up your house by boiling corn on the cob or macaroni or potatos to make salads to go along with the remaining summer barbeques you’re [...]

  • No Fan Of Air Conditioner Repairs — Do It Yourself Maintenance Tips
    June 28th, 2006

    With summer heat and threats of air conditioner supply shortages, if you can’t buy a unit, then keeping yours working is the way to go.
    An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in [...]

  • Can You Hear Me Now? Amplified Phone Market to Grow As Boomers Age.
    June 26th, 2006

    Earlier this month, the news reported the latest craze, cellphone Ringtones that only teens can hear. The National Public Radio (NPR) article Teens Turn ‘Repeller’ into Adult-Proof Ringtone describes how:
    The war between teens and authority figures has a new — or old — front: ears. British shopkeepers tired of teenage loiterers have turned to [...]

  • Refrigerator Sex Appeal???
    June 22nd, 2006

    Hey, I didn’t put those words together in the first sentence of this Orlando Sentinel article entitled
    See hot new ideas found in the fridge
    Some of today’s models go high tech and high style, making food storage and cleanup a little cooler
    Refrigerators may lack the sex appeal of other swanky kitchen appliances, but that image [...]

  • Laundry Appliances - Location, Location and Location
    June 20th, 2006

    It’s the fodder of cartoon strips and Erma Bombeck novels, but hauling laundry from bedrooms and bathrooms to remote laundry rooms and basements is the exhausting bane of leaving your parents’ nest and doing your own washing duties.

    The July 2006 Consumer Reports discusses the efficient trend of moving the mountain of laundry closer to Mom [...]

  • Luxury GE Appliances
    June 20th, 2006

    There once was a time when this headline would seem as unlikely as “Performance Yugo” or “Haute Cuisine Denny’s“. Nonetheless, the New York Times reports in GE finds sleek profit in luxury appliances that GE is tired of sour grapes and is aiming at the Viking and SubZero market.
    GE recently inserted a 30-page promotional [...]