choosing a Kitchen Appliance

Laundry is Moving Up

July 27, 2009 By NightOwl

The next generation of laundry has arrived and the status quo is getting a much-needed makeover. New washer and dryer technologies and innovations in detergents and clothing care save time and energy, making laundry feel like less of a chore.

Everything in its place

Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but more people are finding space for washers and dryers in convenient areas of the house like upstairs near bedrooms. Experts say installing a “laundry nook” is not only a good investment and can raise the value of your home, but it can make hauling baskets of clothing up and down flights of stairs a thing of the past.

The closer the washer and dryer are to living spaces the more important it is for them to be quiet. “Look for machines with new technologies that reduce vibration for nearly noiseless laundry sessions,” says home design expert Doug Wilson. “If your washer and dryer are out in the open, look for colorful and sleek models that can stand out stylishly on their own. New models are available in a variety of designer finishes such as wild cherry red, Riviera blue and even colors that give the look of stainless steel without the stainless steel price tag.”

Near the laundry area or on the go, make sure to keep the latest stain removal products handy. Treating a stain as soon as it happens can help to ensure your clothing won’t be ruined and prevent the need for multiple washings to remove the stain. Oxygen-based stain removers are gentle, nontoxic and effective on nearly every stain and most types of fabrics. And portable stain-erasing pens and wipes are handy for treating stains no matter where you are.

Get the most out of your wash and save energy

Until now, washers only used one washing motion — tumbling — to clean clothes. Select washers from LG now feature technology that provides a new way to care for your clothes with four new washing motions — rolling, stepping, swinging and scrubbing.Cold care, heavy duty and enhanced hand-wash cycles use a combination of these motions to gently and effectively clean clothes. For example, the cold care cycle uses cold water in combination with these motions to clean clothes as effectively as the normal cycle that uses hot water, but with an energy savings of more than 60 percent.

Look for the ENERGY STAR label on washing machines, and you can cut your water costs by up to 50 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. There are also machines that automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for each load to prevent excess and waste. Detergent designed for use in cold water helps to save energy by effectively cleaning clothes without hot water.

Another trend in laundry is the use of steam for greater energy and water efficiency. Steam washers and dryers also offer enhanced clothing care options such as short, steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing with using water and detergent (and can help cut down on trips to the dry cleaner in the process, helping to save money in addition to energy).

Stay healthy

With 70 percent of U.S. households affected by asthma or allergies, LG’s SteamWasher with Allergiene cycle gently and effectively reduces allergens, including common triggers — like dust mites and pet dander — on fabrics by more than 95 percent, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

“Now there’s a washing machine that is so effective at reducing common household allergens, the LG SteamWasher, that we are able to certify it ‘asthma and allergy friendly,’” says Mike Tringale, director of external affairs for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Buying a Used Appliance

July 15, 2009 By NightOwl

Washing machines and other hardworking appliances seem to know the worst times to breakdown. With the economy causing most of us to be careful with our spending, replacing a major appliance is not high on anyone’s to-do list. Sometimes your just need a few more months out of the machine before a big move or remodel, but then it happens, the squealing, leaking and motor problems – time for a new unit.

A second-hand washer, dryer or refrigerator can be just what you need. We’ve got some suggestions on where and how you can get what you need.

Buy used appliances at furniture stores.

Check the want ads in your local newspaper for used appliances. If you see an ad for something you want, make an appointment to go inspect the appliance. These will be “as is” so make sure the appliance is fully functional before you buy.

Go online to online stores that sell used appliances. Make sure to inquire about the return policy and ask if there is a warranty on the appliance.

Visit flea markets in your area to find used appliances to buy. Most of the time these will be “as is” so make sure you plug it in and find out if it works before you buy.

Find out about neighborhood garage sales to buy used appliances. These are usually advertised by people putting notices around the neighborhood, stating when and where the sale will be held.

Search craigslist.org for used appliances in your area. Again,be certainthe appliance is in working order as there will be no warranty.

Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.CPSC.gov) for any recalls on the appliance you find.

Buying a used appliance can be a smart choice, as with any large purchase, do your research and shop carefully.

Appliance Buying Tips to Avoid a Mistake

July 10, 2009 By NightOwl

Here are three great pieces of advice from the Guru – Consumer Reports – that will get you off to a good start when you begin that search for the perfect new appliance. Many consumers commit these errors:

Not checking a brand’s track record. You can boost your odds of buying a reliable model by choosing a reliable brand from our Brand Repair History for different appliances. You’ll often save money in the bargain because, in general, lower-priced mainstream brands have often been more reliable than upscale brands. Our brand-repair histories are culled from nearly 450,000 respondents reporting on nearly 2.5 million appliances for our Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Paying extra for extended warranties. While they might boost profits for stores, extended warranties generally are a bad deal for you because most products don’t break within the three years most extended warranties cover. And because repairs often cost about the same as the extended warranty, you’re better off chancing it.

Jumping at package deals. Stores typically offer lower prices if you buy a refrigerator with a range and dishwasher from the same brand. But doing so could sacrifice performance, because some appliances work far better than others with the same name. You could also increase your chances of repairs down the road because some brand’s fridges have been far more reliable than its ranges and dishwashers.

KitchenAid Introduces High Performance Commercial Style Cooking Line

July 6, 2009 By NightOwl

KitchenAid’s new Commercial-Style series includes high performance cooktops, dual-fuel ranges and powerful ventilation hoods, all designed to enable chef-worthy results at home, according to Debbie O’Connor, senior manager of brand experience for KitchenAid.

Premium features in the new collection include KitchenAid’s 20,000 BTU Ultra Power Dual Flame Burner, the most powerful burner among leading manufacturers. Its dual-flame stacked burner design with two flame levels is versatile enough to handle both the high temperatures needed for quick searing and the precise, low temperatures required for gentle simmering. Additional burners found on all models include 15,000 BTU professional burners and 5,000 BTU simmer/melt burners that can be lowered to as little as 500 BTUs.

Cooks will also appreciate an Even-Heat True Convection System that combines a 1600-watt hidden oven element and unique bow-tie shaped baffle design to promote more even airflow. This system allows for consistent temperatures and even cooking whether using one or all three racks simultaneously in the oven.

Steam-assist technology offers yet another way to help cooks achieve professional results in a full size oven. The easy to use Auto Steam function introduces steam into the oven at precise intervals and offers preprogrammed settings for everything from meats, fish and vegetables to desserts.

“The steam-assist function makes it even easier to achieve professional results at home by eliminating the need for manual steps like spritzing and basting for breads and roasts or having to use a water bath to evenly and gently cook cheesecakes and other custard-based desserts from center to edge,” notes O’Connor.

A new Even-Heat Chrome Electric Griddle option features a chrome-infused steel surface with a 1320-watt element that provides even heat distribution at temperatures of 150ºF to 500ºF. The durable chrome finish, similar to commercial restaurant quality material, is easy to clean, retains its bright appearance after use and creates less radiant heat to help keep the kitchen cooler. An 18,000 BTU Even-Heat gas grill option combines a log burner, flame spreader and wave tray to provide powerful and even heat distribution. Blue indicator lights on both the griddle and grill show when desired temperature is reached.

All the cooktops feature low-profile grates with a new single grate design for easier lifting when cleaning. Additional design features include die-cast metal knobs with precise alignment and a commercial style handle with die-cast end caps. A full-width oven door on the ranges has a large window for easier viewing of foods as they cook. A glass-touch menu-driven LCD display provides an easy-to-use interface.

Scheduled to begin shipping to retailers in the second quarter, the new dual fuel ranges and cooktops will be offered in 30-, 36- and 48-inch configurations. Options for a grill or griddle will be offered on 36- and 48-inch cooktops and 36-inch ranges. The 48-inch model ranges will be available with a

griddle option. All sizes of the new dual fuel ranges will offer the option of the KitchenAid brand’s dual fan convection with steam-assist technology and the 48-inch range will offer the industry’s only double oven range with steam-assist technology available in both ovens. Suggested retail prices will range from $4,099 to $9,299 for the dual fuel ranges and from $2,099 to $3,399 for the cooktops.

New Commercial-Style ventilation offerings will include wall-mount canopy hoods available in 30-, 36-, 42- and 48-inch sizes, and island-mount canopy hoods available in 36-, 42- and 48-inch sizes. Commercial-Style wall and island canopies will feature powerful exhaust systems with 3-speed fan control ranging from 600-1200 CFM. Select models will include two warming lamps to help keep cooked food warm while plating to serve. Other features in the latest KitchenAid ventilation line include an all metal Pro Motor, halogen lighting for better visibility and heavy-duty dishwasher-safe filters. Available in stainless steel, suggested retail prices will range from $2,099 to $2,999.

Read This Before You Buy Your Next Appliance

July 1, 2009 By NightOwl

Purchasing a major appliance is a major decision. To ensure satisfactory return on your investment, comparison shop before each appliance purchase.

The following pointers from The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers can help ensure your satisfaction with appliance purchases:

• Ask your dealer for specification sheets from several manufacturers who build the types of appliances you plan to purchase. Compare available features, designs and capacities;

• Read the warranty before finalizing your decision. Does the warranty cover the entire product? Only certain parts? Is labor included? How long does the warranty last?

• Ask you dealer for the appliance’s use and care manual and read it carefully before you buy the appliance. The dealer should have available manuals from the floor models. Reading the manuals will help you ask pertinent questions, tell you how the product operates and inform you of any special care the product needs;

• Decide which features you will really use. Consider the possibility of adding features at a later date, such as installing an icemaker in a refrigerator;

• Decide what capacity or size your family requires. For example, when purchasing a room air conditioner, know the dimensions of the room you want to cool and the number of windows, so you can select a model with sufficient cooling capacity;

• Check the space available for the appliance to make sure you select the right size unit and make sure halls and doorways allow clearance for entry and installation;

• Establish the cost of delivery and installation — are they included in the appliance’s price?

• Make sure authorized factory service is readily available in your area for the brand you select;

• Check the product’s design carefully to make sure it meets your needs and accommodates your habits and favorite cookware. Compare the designs of different models and brands;

• Compare price in relation to convenience and service, which will vary by model. Price tends to increase as features are added;

• Avoid overloaded circuits by making sure your house has adequate electrical service for the appliance. Check for adequately grounded, three-hole receptacles.

By doing your homework and being prepared, you can be an appliance buying superhero, avoiding the purchasing pitfalls that trip up ordinary shoppers.

New From Jenn-Air – Duct Free Down Draft Cooktop

June 19, 2009 By NightOwl

Jenn-Air is debuting its new duct-free downdraft cooktop, offering some of the industry’s best and quietest ventilation. This latest innovation allows high-rise dwellers and others who are unable to run ductwork or vent smoke outside to take advantage of the proven performance and versatility of downdraft ventilation technology.

Available this fall, along with the new collection of top-of-the-line wall ovens and cooktops, the exclusive duct-free downdraft kit allows for the high performance Jenn-Air downdraft ventilation system to be installed in virtually any home, including high-rise apartments and condos, without a major remodel to accommodate ducting. Using a powerful, filter to capture smoke and steam, the new duct-free downdraft system also allows for an open kitchen layout and the flexibility of placing cooktops on islands or peninsulas without having to worry about installation constraints. Aside from offering a smoke-free kitchen with virtually no design limitations, the new system has been refined to offer extremely quiet operation.

Additional features include touch control for a sleek, integrated surface that allows for easy cookware maneuvering and the highest BTU on a gas model downdraft cooktop. Other design elements include electronic ignition and automatic re-ignition in case gas flames are blown out; continuous cast-iron grates with a porcelain coating; and a shallow downdraft chamber for easier cleanup.

The new downdraft cooktop collection will be available in 30- and 36-inch configurations in Euro-Style Stainless finishes for both gas and electric models, and in Floating Glass and Oiled Bronze finishes for electric models. The new duct-free downdraft kit, available exclusively for use with the new collection of downdraft gas and electric cooktops, will be sold separately as an accessory.

Time to Replace That Old Refrigerator

June 10, 2009 By NightOwl

Is your refrigerator more than ten years old? If so, replacing it can save you some serious money. The problem is can it save you enough to warrant shelling out the money for a new unit? A new refrigerator isn’t cheap, but an older one accounts for anywhere from 5-8 percent of your household energy.

The nonprofit advocacy group Alliance to Save Energy estimates that if the older refrigerators were replaced, Americans would save $866 million a year in utility costs. In general, a new efficient refrigerator uses about half the energy of its 10-year-old cousin, federal statistics show.

If you plan now, you might be prepared when the new federal stimulus bill funneling $300 million into rebates for energy-efficient appliances, is enacted. But be ready to act because with 112 million households in the country, that $300 million won’t go far.

How to know when to buy? Uncle Sam’s efficiency program, Energy Star, has a refrigerator calculator on its Web site: www.energystar .gov. All refrigerators manufactured in the United States must meet minimum efficiency standards, but Energy Star-certified models are at least 20 percent more efficient.

If you’re thinking of buying a new refrigerator, here are some tips from EnergyStar:

• Start with the calculator at www.energystar.gov.

• When shopping, factor in the appliance’s yellow “EnergyGuide” label listing the energy use and approximate annual operating cost.

• Go smaller. Larger models cost more to operate, and a full refrigerator is more efficient than a half-empty one.

• Models with top freezers are the most efficient, using 10 percent to 25 percent less energy than side-by-side models.

• Consider doing without the ice-maker and dispenser. These increase energy use by 14 percent to 20 percent.

To get the most out of any refrigerator:

• Position it away from heat – an oven or dishwasher. Leave room at the back and sides for air circulation.

• Keep the air intake and condenser coils clean.

Shopping for Energy Efficient Appliances

May 11, 2009 By NightOwl

Here’s a great line I just read at bhrealestate.com

Every appliance has two prices: the sticker price, and the one you pay to run the appliance year-round.

When purchasing a new appliance, buyers might be tempted to buy the unit with the lowest sale price while ignoring the long term costs of running it.

Choosing a highly energy efficient appliance can save more money than the additional purchase difference and if used long enough, add to your savings. According to Energy Star, the organization the certifies the efficiency of appliances, in 2007, Americans bought enough ENERGY STAR appliances to limit emissions equivalent to green house gases from 27 million cars — all the while saving $16 billion on their utility bills, or roughly one-third their annual utility cost.

Look for machines that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, meaning they have met strict energy-efficiency guidelines. It’s also important to check the bright yellow EnergyGuide labels on appliances to see consumption rates for that model expressed in annual kilowatt hours and the approximate annual cost of running the appliance.

The article also offered some helpful shopping tips:

Refrigerators – Next to your furnace and water heater, your refrigerator uses the most energy in your home, so make sure a new fridge suits your needs. If it’s too large, you’ll waste energy cooling phantom food; too small may simply be inconvenient. Models with freezers on the top or bottom are more efficient than those with freezers on the side.

Stoves – Cooking habits should determine which is best for you. While the design and price of today’s gas and electric stoves are similar, gas stoves require less energy for stovetop cooking. If you do a lot of baking or oven use, however, the electric stove is a better option.

Clothes Washers – According to the EPA, Horizontal-axis washers (front loaders) use 50 percent less energy, less water and less soap. This translates into savings on average of about $95 a year for the average household

Clothes Dryers – ENERGY STAR does not label dryers since most consume the same amount of energy. Do, however, try to buy one with a moisture sensor that will automatically shut off the dryer when your clothes are dry, rather than completing the cycle.

Air Conditioners – Ensure correct size for your room and go for energy efficiency. If it’s cooling a sunny room, consider increasing capacity by 10 percent.

Natural gas and oil systems – Look for the Federal Trade Commission EnergyGuide label with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. This measures the seasonal annual efficiency (ENERGY STAR furnaces have a 90 AFUE rating or above).

The added initial cost of energy efficient appliances may seem high, but the savings show up over time and they are gentler on the environment.

Appliances – Luxury or Necessity?

April 30, 2009 By NightOwl

Americans are changing their view of which appliances are truly necessary. According to the Pew Research Center, many of our past favorites are losing their hold on our pocketbooks.

A microwave oven, a television set or even home air conditioning is no longer considered a necessity. Instead, nearly half or more now see each of these items as a luxury, the report found. Similarly, the proportion that considers a dishwasher or a clothes dryer to be essential has dropped sharply since 2006.

The study also found these recession-era reevaluations are all the more striking because the public’s luxury-versus-necessity perceptual boundaries had been moving in the other direction for the previous decade.

For example, the share of adults who consider a microwave a necessity was just 32% in 1996. By 2006, it had shot up to 68%. But it has now retreated to 47%. Similarly, just 52% of the public in the latest poll say a television set is a necessity — down 12 percentage points from 2006 and the smallest share to call a TV a necessity since this question was first asked more than 35 years ago. Most surprising to me is the change in response to the clothes dryer — down 17 percentage points since 1996.

Save When Buying New Appliances

April 27, 2009 By NightOwl

When buying a new appliance, the Boy Scout’s motto “Be Prepared” is good advice. Before heading to the local appliance store, check out these tips that could help you save some money:

First, know just how much appliance you need. Appliance stores will often put the top of the line models out on the floor to entice the buyer. You might not need all those bells and whistles. Ask to see the basic models and then search for ones with the additional features you will use.

Remember to compare the energy use of various models. You’ll find that on the bright yellow label affixed to the front or top of the appliance.

Be aware of installation requirements and costs. If your house cannot acomadate the appliance you choose, and changes are necessary, that will cost you. So will exchanging it for one that fits – stores often charge restocking fees.

Look for deals:
Some tips from abc2news.com:
Do they offer package deals if you buy more than one appliance?
Can you get free delivery?
Do they sell floor models or scratch-and-dent models?
Do they honor price adjustments if the appliance goes on sale within 30 days, or do they know whether it will be on sale soon?
Is there a rebate or any type of promotion, such as a gift card or product incentive, if you buy the appliance?
Do they price match?
Do they accept trade-ins or at least haul your old appliance?
What is the manufacturer’s warranty? Say no to extended warranties. According to Consumer Reports, extended warranties aren’t worth buying because the appliance doesn’t typically break within the warranty time, costs less to repair, or the problem isn’t covered by warranty.
Where is a repair/service center located? Is it near you?

Be certain your appliance cannot be repaired. Other options include buying a reconditioned or used appliance. If you are buying new or upgrading, be aware that white goods (appliances) go on sale in October and January when store have new models arriving.

Get something back. You might be able to sell you old appliance or donate it to charity for a tax deduction. Your local utility office might be offering a rebate program for particular energy saving appliances. A last stop for an old, broken appliance might be the scrap yard. Copper wiring is being recycled along with other metals.
A little extra time invested in knowing your appliance needs and then being assertive in getting them can save you quite a few bucks over time.