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Recall:Keystone Manufacturing Co. and QVC Recall Convection Ovens with Rotisserie Due to Fire and Electrical Shock Hazards

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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: Wires behind the control panel can overheat, posing fire and electric shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received 49 reports of incidents, including five minor burns, five electrical shocks and 11 incidents of minor property damage to kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Description: This recall involves the Cook’s Essentials Multi-Function Convection Oven with Pull-Out Rotisserie (model number 910500), which was also sold as the Deni Convection Oven with Rotisserie (model number 10500). The model number can be found on the bottom of the oven. These are countertop ovens and the brand name “Cook’s Essentials” or “Deni” is found on the front right panel.

Sold through: The Cook’s Essentials brand was sold exclusively through QVC and the Deni brand was sold through various on-line retailers from October 2006 through May 2007 for about $125.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and contact QVC or Keystone to receive a replacement oven or a refund. QVC and Keystone have notified consumers by telephone and by mail to stop using the oven.

Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven through a QVC broadcast or at QVC.com, and who have not been contacted by QVC, should call QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET seven days a week. Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven at a QVC outlet or retail store should return the oven to the store at which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers who bought a Deni brand oven and who have not been contacted by Keystone should call Keystone at (800) 336-4822 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com or Deni’s Web site at www.deni.com

Picture of Recalled Youth ATVs

Recall:Home Automation Inc. Recalls Wireless Receivers Due to Failure to Receive Security Signal

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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 for intrusion detection in a property and place the security of residents at risk.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the 64 Zone Wireless Receivers with model 45A00-1 and revision number B1. The receiver is an accessory to the Home Automation Inc. Home Control System and is professionally installed. The model and revision numbers can be found on a label on the back of the unit.

Sold by: The receivers were sold to distributors nationwide from July 2007 through September 2007 for between $120 and $150.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should not rely on the recalled receivers to obtain security information. Consumers should contact Home Automation Inc. for a free replacement receiver. Consumers with recalled receivers will be notified by the company.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Home Automation Inc. at (800) 229-7256 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.homeauto.com (pdf)

Picture of Recalled 64 Zone Wireless Receiver

Recall:Toshiba Recalls AC Adapters sold with Portable DVD Players Due to Burn Hazard

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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 injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the AC adapter sold with the Toshiba portable DVD player Model SD-P1600. “Toshiba” and ADPV16 can be found on the side of the adapter. “Toshiba”, Model SD-P1600, and the serial number can be found on a rating label on the bottom of the cabinet for the DVD player.

Sold at: Consumer electronics stores nationwide from January 2005 through April 2006 for between $200 and $230.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the AC adapters immediately and contact Toshiba Customer Solutions for a replacement adapter.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toshiba Customer Solutions toll-free at (877) 290-6064 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.tacp.com

Considering Convection – Three Racks of Cookies a Breeze

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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 are capable of being all-purpose kitchen mainstays, turning out evenly cooked cookies; juicy, well-browned poultry and meats; and vegetables packed with caramelized flavor.

[Shown: Jenn-Air JJW9430DDS 30″ Double Electric Wall Oven with Two-Mode Convection in Upper Oven and CustomClean Self Cleaning Oven: Stainless Steel ]

Gas or electric, the ovens use a fan that circulates hot air around food. This moving blast of air speeds up the heat transfer that occurs when two temperatures converge. [See Second Law of Thermodynamics]

Think the opposite of wind chill. When cold air blows, you feel colder more quickly than on a windless day.

Some tips:

  • Not all convection ovens are “true convection.” The true, or best, ovens blow heated air into the oven cavity. This means they have a third heating element near the fan in the back of the oven, in addition to the usual top and bottom elements.
  • Food cooked in a convection oven usually is done about 25 percent faster, so foods retain more nutrients and lose less moisture.
  • In a conventional oven, baking three racks of cookies is an invitation for trouble. Chances are the bottom row will burn and the top will be undercooked. Not so in a convection oven. The circulating air makes baking cookies easier, because it eliminates hot and cool spots and differences in cooking times.
  • To reap the benefits of the circulating air, you must use the appropriate pan. The whole point of convection is to have air circulating around the food, so casserole lids and high-sided cooking pans do not work. Use the conventional oven when cooking with these pans. Convections work best with cookie sheets and shallow pans. When cooking beef, pork or poultry, place them on a rack to allow air to circulate beneath.
  • Bake pizza, tartlet shells and breads.
  • Do not bake delicate desserts, such as ladyfingers, souffles or meringues on the convection setting.
  • Several dishes can be cooked at the same time without flavors transferring from one dish to another.

More to look at:
Frigidaire FEB27T7FC 27 Frigidaire FEB27T7FC 27″ Electric Double Wall Oven with Self-Cleaning Oven and SpeedBake Convection System

Delonghi DEFSGG36DE 36 Delonghi DEFSGG36DE 36″ Freestanding Gas Double Oven Range with 5 Sealed Burners & Convection in Both Ovens: Black

900 Watt .9 cu. ft. Double Grill White Convection Microwave Oven 900 Watt .9 cu. ft. Double Grill White Convection Microwave Oven

Hybrid Appliance Watch – Refrigerator / Microwave

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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 combo-appliance. Sales of both refrigerators and microwaves are strong. The global appliance market is now valued at around USD 170 billion and is growing steadily at an annual rate of around 3%. With the introduction of new lower energy consuming models many families will be looking to replace their current unit. This is a wonderful opportunity for Refrigerator/Microwave to attract customers.

The Department Of Energy states that if your main kitchen refrigerator was manufactured before 1993, it might be time to say goodbye. While it may seem wasteful to get rid of something that works, it is a smart financial decision and has many other benefits. The microwave oven market is also experiencing a boom. Manufacturers are building and expanding factories to keep up with the demand. Certainly one of the reasons for the microwave oven success is the success of products designed for it. Although microwave penetration of the other two P’s has been falling off in recent years, the appliance still cooks 14.8% of all frozen pizzas and about 10% of prepared potatoes. Microwaving owns the category of shelf-stable entrees, where it is the preferred cooking method for 99.9% of the entries. Microwaves are used most for convenience — for reheating items that are already cooked. It was a lesson that took many food companies a few years to learn.

For years, Recreational-Vehicles have been flooding the highways of America. While families travel, they continue to eat. The RV however does not allow for bulky appliances. The Refrigerator/Microwave will revolutionize the way RV lovers handle their meal preservation/preparation needs. It’s possible that in the future, the Refrigerator/Microwave could become standard equipment with RVs around the world.

As far as combination product sales, the Refrigerator/Microwave could be encouraged by Matsushita’s success. In household appliances, Matsushita’s main business areas include washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwasher/dryers, microwave ovens, rice cookers, induction-heating (IH) cooking equipment, sanitary equipment and electric heating equipment. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita continued to enjoy favorable sales of tilted-drum washer/dryers, while combination steamer/microwave ovens achieved high sales growth. Regarding tilted-drum washer/dryers, Matsushita introduced the world’s first model to employ a heat-pump drying system that uses no heater or cooling water during the dry cycle, thereby achieving significant energy- and water-savings. In response to increased awareness about personal health, Matsushita launched a new steamer/microwave oven in June 2005 that combines steam, microwave and conventional oven cooking functions to eliminate excess fat and salt from foods. This product was a hit in the domestic market, contributing to increased market share.

In conclusion, we can note that the Refrigerator/Microwave has extensive potential for success as a refrigerator, as a microwave and as a combination appliance that is sure to deliver astounding convenience. In order that the needs of the kitchen enthusiasts all over the world can be better served, marketing professionals are now reaching out to those who typically allocate funds for these equipment purchases. With these new considerations in mind, it is likely that the “Refrigerator/Microwave” will soon become a more popular item in kitchens around the world. For further information on this great new invention, contact “Jake Way” at info @ inventionsupport.com. And ask about the great new invention known as the “Refrigerator/Microwave”.

Invention Support
Info @ inventionsupport.com

Sears Repairmen or Appliance Salesmen?

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Is this a situation rife for conflict of interest?

Sears: What’s in store next

sears appliance repairman salesmanSears 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 to repair an appliance may offer to go online or call Sears to help the customer buy a new appliance if the customer decides a repair is too costly, said Tina Settecase, vice president and general merchandise manager for home appliances at Sears Holdings Corp.

The technician would bring along a booklet of Sears’ best-selling appliances to show customers. If the customer chooses a new appliance, the technician would either use the customer’s computer or call a dedicated phone line to make the sale. The test of the process will start in mid- to late June in a few markets.

“We are testing a number of options,” Settecase said. “We are in the customers’ homes. Is there a way, when the customer determines he or she believes a product is beyond repair, that we can put her in touch with a Sears sales person at that moment?”

Sears also has featured a service technician at home appliance “health check” events to answer shoppers’ questions about their appliances and how they work. The next one will take place on Aug. 25.

Sears is redefining its Kenmore brand to emphasize innovations. The retailer introduced 25 new Kenmore products at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. The products include a washer and dryer that use steam to remove stains and wrinkles.

Sears counts on its appliances, along with its lucrative extended warranties, for its lead over rivals.

In September, Sears will introduce a higher-end Kenmore Elite line of countertop appliances, including a coffeemaker that brews a pot of coffee in less than six minutes, and a toaster that toasts a slice of bread in 70 seconds versus the conventional three minutes.

With his foot in the front door, should we welcome targeted sales pitches? Are these to our advantage or just too much hard sell? Does it encourage even more “throwaway” of appliances that may have another few years of life in them?

Behind The Appliance Brands – Lifting the Mask

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appliance brand namesConsumer 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 such a vast place after all. That activity turns out to be a bit like playing Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, though instead of the well-connected actor popping up repeatedly, a few mammoth manufacturers and brands do.

Got pen and paper ready? We haven’t covered every manufacturer, but this rundown will give you a good idea about who actually makes all those appliances. It’s also worth noting that the manufacturing arrangements change all the time.

The Whirlpool Corporation, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., makes Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Gladiator products. The company accounts for about 17 percent of major appliance sales in the U.S., following closely behind the General Electric brand (17.8 percent) and the Sears Kenmore brand (22.2 percent). Over the years, the Whirlpool company has gobbled up Admiral, Amana, Jenn-Air, Magic Chef, and Maytag, and makes appliances for Ikea (ovens, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers) and Kenmore (some of the brand’s refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers). Gladiator and KitchenAid are two “Whirlpool bred” brands.

Whirlpool’s certainly not the only Kenmore supplier. Frigidaire and LG also manufacture Kenmore refrigerators, Haier handles some of its compact fridges, and Danby makes some of its wine chillers, Bosch makes some of its dishwashers, and Electrolux and Sanyo build some of its freezers.

General Electric is well known for a vast array of products–lightbulbs, jet engines for military planes, and “The Today Show.” But this corporate colossus, based in Fairfield, Conn., also makes appliances under the GE, GE Monogram, GE Profile, and Hotpoint brands.

Across the Atlantic, BSH Home Appliances is a leading purveyor of high-end appliances. This German company brings you upscale kitchen and laundry appliances under the brand names Bosch, Gaggenau, Siemens, and Thermador.

BSH has other bedfellows, including KitchenAid, for which it will start making induction cooktops in the summer. Keeping it in the family, KitchenAid turns out a built-in side-by-side refrigerator for Thermador. Bosch’s relationships spread as far as Asia–South Korea’s Daewoo Electronics makes a Bosch side-by-side refrigerator.

Elsewhere in Europe, you might think of Electrolux as the onetime producer of those old, quirky-looking canister vacuums. But this Swedish manufacturer has also brought you refrigerators, freezers, washers, and more under its own nameplate and brands like Frigidaire, Gibson, Kelvinator, Tappan, and White Westinghouse. Proving the Kevin Bacon theory, Electrolux is also connected to Sears: It makes Kenmore dishwashers and high-end Kenmore Pro appliances.

Viking sounds Scandinavian, too, but the company, known for its pro-style ranges and built-in refrigerators, is actually based in Greenwood, Miss. It’s a small world after all: Sweden’s Asko company currently makes some of Viking’s dishwashers. Viking does manufacture its other appliances (and by the end of 2007 will make its own dishwashers), except for a freestanding refrigerator that’s made by Amana and undercounter fridges from Marvel. Got all that?

source

Hot Fuzz – Killing Refrigerator Magnates With Comedy

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hot fuzz posterFrom 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 or home appliances? Cereal murder, maybe? Nah.

Apparently one of the victims is a “refrigerator magnate”.

Which got me thinking… in what movies or TV shows have home appliances played a prominent role, or at least a funny line?

I’ll start this off…

  • Lilo & Stitch:
    Nani: You are so finished when I get in there! I’m gonna stuff you in the blender, push “puree,” then bake you into a pie and feed it to the social worker! And when he says, “Mmmm, this is great, what’s your secret?” I’m gonna say…
    [Mr. Bubbles hooks his foot around hers and pulls her away from the dog-door]
    Nani: …Love… and… nurturing…
  • ALF:
    Alf: The cat won’t fit in the toaster. Never mind, I’ll make a peanut butter sandwich, where’s the blender?
  • The Simpsons
    Marge Simpson:     Ooh, the toaster takes bagels. How ritzy.
  • Kate & Leopold
    Leopold: Why is it called a toaster when it produces no toast, but simply warm bread, and inserting it two times produces charcoal? The ideal toaster would have one and a half insertions to produce the correct toast.

Love to read your favorites in our comments.