Appliance

High Tech Home Appliances

March 23, 2007 By Appliance

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 billion on housewares in 2005, and $72.6 billion of that was in the U.S., according to the most recent data compiled by the International Housewares Association.

The latest innovations include a motion-sensing trashcan and a wall-mounted fish tank that’s only 4.2 inches thick and computer-controlled to sense oxygen flow or when water needs changing.

In Pictures: High-Tech, High-End Housewares

They join a cadre of housewares built to accommodate the consumer who wants user-friendly, time-saving appliances in every room in the home.

Want more? From warm floors to cool counters, click here to see the most desirable features to have in your home.

Smart Appliances

The Turbo Chef Speedcook Oven, for example, cooks meals 15 times faster than conventional stoves. Unlike your run-of-the-mill microwave, a Turbo Chef-prepared roast is just as well cooked, and sometimes even better than that of a standard oven, the company says. The oven, currently used only in restaurants, will be available to consumers in April.

Steve Beshara, chief branding officer of TurboChef Technologies, says everyday entertainers were hungry for the Turbo Chef for three reasons: performance, design and, of course, efficiency.

“[It] essentially empowers the home cook to be the cook they want to be,” he says. “Time has become the world’s most precious commodity and we’re trying to help busy people enjoy healthier, tastier meals with an efficient, ergonomically designed tool.”

Other time savers abound.

Consider HomeRight’s Velocity Waxer. This cordless contraption allows you to buff and wax your car, truck or yacht in 30 minutes flat.

Or check out Bialetti Thermovisual Cookware, which debuted this week at the 2007 International Home and Housewares Show and will be available later this year. When the line of pots and pans are ready for cooking, they literally say just that, right on the side of each piece. Now, you can spend your time slicing and dicing instead of watching a pot that appears to never boil.

Gorgeous Gizmos
Of course design is also a factor. The Espressione Nuvola Professional Pod Espresso Machine is not only simple to use, it’s lovely to look at. The dry steam makes concocting a milky espresso drink easy as pie, but it’s Espressione’s knack for designing an artful product that distinguishes itself from competitors.

The combination of well thought out constructs and stunning styles has also worked for Simplehuman, a trashcan company that released its the aforementioned garbage pail, boasting a sensor device that’s recessed so to prevent false triggers.

Beauty aside, Gary Grossman, president of Innovations and Developments, a marketing, advertising and industrial design firm that advises companies on what satisfies today’s consumer, says that above all, Americans are in love with ease.

“It all points back to convenience,” he says.

Nifty.

Crunchy Brownie Pan

March 22, 2007 By Appliance

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 brownies from the Baker’s Edge did indeed have chewy edges – two of them (and sometimes three) in fact. It was almost like every piece was a corner piece from the standard pan. Therein laid a problem I hadn’t considered. I had tasters that liked brownies with edges and tasters that liked brownies that didn’t have any chewy edges but were soft and moist throughout. With the regular pan, I had corner pieces, edge pieces, and center pieces (although there are always more than four people who want corner pieces and not enough edge pieces). For the edge lovers, the brownies from the Baker’s Edge were perfect – chewy edges surrounding a moist chocolate brownie. For the center lovers, the brownies were good, but they much preferred the texture of the brownies from the 9×13 pan.

Heavenly.

Hoover Sucked Up By Chinese Conglomerate

February 3, 2007 By Appliance

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 well on its way to being the major floor care brand. As more American brands outsource all of their manufacturing to China, its a short step to selling the brand outright to the factory.

Here’s TTI’s announcement:

Will Combine Hoover with Dirt Devil Creating Largest Floor Care Business in North America

HONG KONG, Jan. 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. today announced that it will complete its acquisition of the Hoover floor care business from Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) when the transaction closes on 31st January, 2007 (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) pursuant to the terms of the definitive purchase agreement announced 7th December, 2006. TTI is combining Hoover with its existing Dirt Devil and Royal operations in Glenwillow, Ohio, U.S. to create TTI Floor Care, the largest floor care business in North America. Mr. Chris Gurreri will become president of TTI Floor Care, North America.
Under the agreement, TTI will purchase all of the assets of Hoover for US$107 million in cash. The purchase will be financed through TTI internal resources and existing lines of credit.
TTI noted that all appropriate regulatory reviews have been completed at both the federal and state levels. The applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, has expired. The State of Ohio also completed its review of the transaction.
As part of the sale:
— TTI will assume certain liabilities of Hoover, including accounts payable as well as accruals and long-term post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits for transferred bargaining-unit employees.
— Whirlpool will retain the liabilities associated with pension and post-retirement benefit plans for currently retired Hoover employees and those who retire prior to the final closing date.
— TTI Floor Care will assume in full the existing union contract that covers approximately 800 hourly workers at Hoover’s North Canton, Ohio, manufacturing facility and nearby distribution center. The contract runs through June 2008.
— TTI Floor Care will assess all operations of Dirt Devil and Hoover, beginning immediately, to determine its specific manufacturing and distribution strategies.
— Through an agreement reached with the State of Ohio’s Department of Development, TTI Floor Care will establish its North American floor care headquarters in Glenwillow and will build a new global floor care product research and development center there. The new global R&D center will house product design and engineering associates, including the addition of approximately 110 new jobs over the next three years.
“We intend to develop innovative products that enable us to become a market leader in every floor care category,” Gurreri said. “Between TTI, Dirt Devil and Hoover, we now have under one roof a passion for floor care as well as financial and intellectual resources, design and marketing skills, a commitment to product innovation, highly recognized brands, and established retail distribution and supply chain expertise. It is truly an energizing moment and one that is full of opportunity.

Consumers and retailers alike can look forward to exciting developments from our flagship brands — Dirt Devil and Hoover. The combined operations also create a strong commercial floor care business featuring the Royal and Hoover brands.”
Mr. Joseph Galli Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Techtronic Appliances Holdings Co. Ltd., TTI’s global floor care and appliances division, concluded, “This acquisition is an important step in building a global leadership position in floor care. We are pleased to have the support of the State of Ohio as we implement our plans for the combined operations.
With nearly 100 years of quality and innovation, the Hoover name is synonymous with floor care and is one of the most recognized brands in the world. The addition of Hoover to our existing floor care businesses allows us to invest much more significantly in research and development, new product innovation and marketing.”

TTI’s portfolio of global brands, among others, Milwaukee(R), AEG(R), Ryobi(R), Homelite(R), Royal(R), Dirt Devil(R), Regina(R) and Vax(R).

TTI is one of the constituent stocks on the Hang Seng HK MidCap Index under the Hang Seng Composite Index, the MSCI Hong Kong Index, the FTSE All-World Hong Kong Index, the FTSE/Hang Seng Asian Cyclical Index and the Dow Jones Hong Kong Titans 30. For more information, please visit http://www.ttigroup.com .

Microwaving Sponges May NOT Kill Germs

January 29, 2007 By Appliance

Well, the skeptics are coming out to challenge the news we reported earlier that microwave ovens may kill germs.

good housekeeping seal 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 will not be sanitized. It’s a false security.”

Kitchen sponges are the No. 1 source of germs in the house and as many as 80 million Americans contract food-borne illnesses each year — 9,000 of those Americans die.

Critical factors are whether the sponge is wet or dry and the size and power of the microwave oven used. There is also a danger of fire.

In an article entitled Microwave experiments cause sponge disasters there were some strong comments by those who experimented based on the news… omitting the step of wetting the sponge:

“Just wanted you to know that your article on microwaving sponges and scrubbers aroused my interest. However, when I put my sponge/scrubber into the microwave, it caught fire, smoked up the house, ruined my microwave, and p*ssed me off,” one correspondent wrote in an e-mail to Reuters.

“First, the sponge is worthless afterwards so you have to throw it out instead of using it. And second your entire house stinks like a burning tyre for several hours, even with windows/doors open,” complained another.

An inexpensive alternative for frugal shoppers is plain bleach. Add about a teaspoon of bleach to a cup of water, let the sponge sit in the mixture for five minutes, and then germs will be gone.

Good Housekeeping also advises NOT to rely on dishwashers to clean sponges since the water doesn’t get hot enough.

Microwave Ovens Kill Germs

January 26, 2007 By Appliance

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 sponges Microwave ovens are famous for cooking or heating the food but the appliance that cooks food by means of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation can also help in keeping bacteria away from taking over kitchen, a team of environmental engineers from the University of Florida reported on Monday, January 22.

Working as a sterilizer, this kitchen device sanitizes the household sponges and plastic scrubbers, known to be common carriers of the bacteria and viruses that cause food-borne illnesses, with its microwave radiations rapidly and effectively, meaning that people can use their microwaves as an inexpensive and effective weapon against E.coli, salmonella and other bugs at the root of increasing incidents of potentially deadly food poisoning and other illnesses.

In their study, published this week in the American Journal of Environmental Health, the U.S. researchers have said that two minutes in a microwave can sterilize sponges and dishcloths after use, killing more than 99 per cent of the harmful bacteria that cause illness.

“Basically what we find is that we could knock out most bacteria in two minutes. People often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave,” said lead author Gabriel Bitton, a professor of environmental engineering at the University of Florida.

Following are some comments of microwaving sponges and the conditions under which the University of Florida carried out its experiments, not addressing any other conditions nor other materials:

Sponges used in our study: The sponges we used were all cellulose sponges (O-cel-O from 3M Co. and the Williams Sonoma Pop-Up sponges; no official endorsement is implied). We have no data on synthetic sponges, Loofah sponges or any other sponges.
Microwave oven used: The microwave oven used in our study has a power of 1,100 watts (which is the power found in many consumers’ ovens). We generally microwaved the sponges at 80%-90% power level.
Exposure time: In the study, it was found that exposure of the sponge for 2 minutes is sufficient for most applications. However, the sponges have to be fully soaked with water before microwave treatment.
Metallic pads: No metallic scrubbing pads should be put in the microwave.
Soapy sponges can be microwaved (you might see soap bubbles forming during microwaving). Do not microwave sponges containing detergents or other chemicals as they may release some undesirable and potentially toxic fumes.
Beware of hot sponges after exposure to microwave.
Consumers should use common sense in trying to zap their sponges in their kitchens. If they have a microwave oven with a higher power or sponges with a different chemical composition, they should exercise caution.

Another article reminds us NOT to put dishcloths in microwave ovens:

“Attempting to sterilize a dishcloth in this way is extremely dangerous. There are too many variable factors such as the capacity/power of the microwave oven or the moisture content of the dishcloth or sponge. Scalding is another potential hazard.”

RECALL: Atico Espresso Makers

November 8, 2006 By Appliance

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 International has received 42 reports of incidents involving the heating element forcefully separating from its base. Among these incidents, there were nine reports of minor scald burns and seven reports of consumers being hit by parts of the espresso maker.

Description: The Espresso Maker has a black base and a silver water reservoir. The coffee carafe is smoke-colored plastic with a back handle. The words “EspressoExpress(tm)” are imprinted on the black base. The item number is W14A7166, which is located underneath the base.

Sold at: CVS Pharmacy, Farmacias El Amal, Happy Harry’s, Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Kerr Drug, Bartell Drug and Lewis Drug from August 2005 through October 2005 for between $15 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled espresso makers and contact Atico for product verification and instructions on returning the product for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Atico International USA, Inc. at (877) 546-4835 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go the company’s Web site at www.aticousa.com

See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product.

RECALL: Weil-McLain Ultra Series Gas Boilers

November 8, 2006 By Appliance

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 without installing a propane conversion kit, carbon monoxide (CO) can build up due to incomplete combustion, posing a risk of CO poisoning.

Incidents/Injuries: Weil-McLain is aware of one incident where two consumers reported CO poisoning when the boiler installed in their home was connected to LP gas.

Description: The recall involves Weil-McLain Ultra 80, Ultra 105, Ultra 155, Ultra 230 and Ultra 310 condensing, high-efficient, gas-fired boilers for space heating. The user’s manual and installation manual have “Ultra Gas-Fired Water Boiler” on the cover. The boilers are wrapped in a glossy silver/flat black jacket and either stand on the floor or are wall-mounted. The serial numbers range from CP5071716 through CP5327000. When the panel on the front of the boiler is removed, a bar-coded label with the serial number is located on the lower right hand side of the boiler itself. “Weil-McLain” is written on the front panel of the boilers.

Sold by: Plumbing and heating wholesale distributors to plumbers and contractors nationwide from May 2005 through July 2006 for between $4,000 and $7,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers who had a Weil-McLain Ultra series boiler installed for use with propane and have not already been contacted by their installer should contact the installer or a heating professional for a free safety inspection. If the boiler was not installed with a propane conversion kit, one will be installed at the time of the inspection at no charge. Heating professionals may contact Weil McLain Technical Service at (219) 879-6561 for more information.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Weil-McLain toll-free at (866) 426-6172 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.weil-mclain.com

See this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product

Starbucks Barista Aroma Coffee Maker Recall

October 18, 2006 By Appliance

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. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Starbucks Barista Aroma(tm) Stainless Steel 8-Cup Coffee Brewers
Units: About 73,000

Distributor: Starbucks Coffee Company, of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The coffee brewer has defective electrical wiring that can result in overheating, smoking, burning and melting, posing a possible fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received 23 reports of melting in the plastic housing of the brewers. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall includes the Starbucks Barista Aroma 8-Cup Coffee Brewer only. “Starbucks Barista Aroma” is embossed on the front of the brewer and the brewer has silver control panel buttons and a chrome finish. The Starbucks Barista Grande 12-Cup Coffee Brewer and Starbucks Barista Solo Coffee Brewers are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Starbucks company-owned and operated stores nationwide between March 2005 and September 2006 for about $100.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled coffee brewers immediately and contact Starbucks for a full refund. Consumers will receive a postage-paid package along with instructions on how to return their brewer. Starbucks is also offering a coupon (valid through 1/31/07) for a free pound of coffee as an incentive to return the recalled machine.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should contact Starbucks’ Barista Aroma recall hotline at (800) 453-1047 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. MT (11 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET), or visit the company’s Web site at www.starbucks.com – consumers may also write to Starbucks Coffee Company at Customer Relations, Starbucks Coffee Company, mailstop S-RC1, P.O. Box 3717, Seattle, WA 98124-3717.

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07006.html

USB Batteries

September 21, 2006 By Appliance

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 have faith that we’ll get there.

transformer tangle
I’m dreaming of a day when the tangle of transformers and cords and poorly-configured power strips are replaced by a USB bank and all power jacks for cellphones, PDAs and other electronics are replaced with USB inputs.

When USB outlets are ubiquitous in airplanes, cars, hotels, schools and businesses, we’ll pretty much always be juiced or within easy juicing distance.

In the meantime, we’ll have to make do…

Hat tip: IFOC

Kitchen Improvements Pay

September 15, 2006 By Appliance

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 not selling, an attractive and functional kitchen adds value to your home and makes it easier to live in.

Gutting the room and starting from scratch is a great but only if you have the cash, time and patience, because it is disruptive and expensive.

If you want a quick fix, however, there things you can do without it costing the earth.

The layout of your kitchen is key because it’s such a functional room. If the layout isn’t right, your options for changing it without gutting it are limited, but there are some.

The most ergonomic layout is to have the refrigerator, sink, and the oven and stove in a triangle in relation to each other. It should be a triangle because these are the three things you keep returning to in a kitchen, especially when preparing a meal.

If you don’t have this triangle configuration, can you move something so that you do? Maybe you can swap appliances over, or put an under-counter fridge where you once had a unit.

If lack of worktop space is a problem, think of how you can make what you’ve got go further. For example, microwave brackets get this appliance off the worktop, creating a surprising amount of room.

If your home is on the market, something as simple as removing the dishrack before viewings makes the draining board seem part of the worktop and thus creates the illusion of more space.

Remember people viewing your home will open your cupboards and drawers, so it’s important to keep these tidy and uncluttered.

Another solution to lack of workspace is to install an island unit – if you’ve got the room.

If you haven’t, maybe a slimline table or breakfast bar will give you more workspace and still allow you to move round the room with ease.

Any kitchen you can bill as a kitchen/diner when selling your home is a bonus because these are much in demand, so even if you can only squeeze in a small breakfast bar or table, do so. Hinged tables which fold flat against the wall when not in use are a good idea if space is tight, and installing one is a relatively simple DIY job.

If clutter from your cupboards tends to spill out onto the worktop, you have to force yourself to be tidy and stay tidy until your home’s sold. Try putting utensils in drawers or jars/pots and store pastas, cereals and the like in ceramic, glass or chrome airtight jars, preferably stackable ones.

If you’ve got nice glasses, crockery pots and pans, get out your drill and put up some shelves – floating shelves are very fashionable – which gets them out of the cupboards, freeing up space.

Baskets or boxes can also be stacked on top of wall units if your kitchen has high ceilings and you need to make the most of the space – looking in need of storage is a big no-no when selling your home – though don’t store anything needed too often, or too heavy, up there.

When you’re replacing a kitchen, it’s easy to incorporate manufacturer’s clever design ideas for awkward and small spaces, but if you’re making the best of what you’ve already got, it pays to think laterally, especially when selling your home.