Oven

Frigidaire’s Swap and Save Works the $300M Rebate Program

Frigidaire’s Swap and Save Works the $300M Rebate Program

The newly introduced Frigidaire appliance line received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious 2010 ENERGY STAR award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion.  The award specifically recognizes the brand’s Swap and Save Energy Conservation Program.
The Swap and Save program was designed to educate consumers on the
energy and monetary benefits realized by trading in their old [...]

Previous Stories

  • Getting Your Government Funded Appliance Rebate
    February 22nd, 2010

    The good news is  that the US Government’s appliance rebate program has finally begun.  The bad news is that you have a bit of footwork to do before you get it.
    Under the federal program, the rebates can go to buyers of new central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, washers, [...]

  • Recall: BSH Home Appliances Corp. Expands Recall of Thermador Built-In Ovens Due to Fire Hazard
    February 16th, 2010

    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 products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
    Name of Product: Thermador® Built-In Ovens
    Units: About 37,000 (42,000 built-in ovens were previously recalled in June 2007)
    Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., [...]

  • Use Appliance Cash For Clunkers or Repair
    January 18th, 2010

    So many people have been looking forward to replacing their appliances with new ones using the government’s appliance rebate program, but a new appliance may not be your wisest choice according to Angie Hicks of angieslist.com.
    Under the new program, consumers will receive a rebate – expected to be between $50-$200 per appliance – in return [...]

  • Jenn-Air to Move to Sears From Lowes and Home Depot
    December 2nd, 2009

    According to an article at Remodel.net, Sears will become the sole national retailer of Jenn-Air appliances after the new year, supplanting existing distribution deals between the super-premium Whirlpool brand and Lowe’s and The Home Depot.
    Sears, the nation’s No. 1 appliance retailer, said it will introduce 17 Jenn-Air refrigerators, dishwashers and cooking products by mid-month [...]

  • Recall: Electrolux ICON and Kenmore PRO Gas Ranges Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard
    November 27th, 2009

    Name of Product: Electrolux ICON and Kenmore Pro 30” Gas Ranges
    Units: About 900
    Manufacturer: Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga.
    Hazard: An incorrect part allows more fuel to pass to the range’s oven than can be burned efficiently, causing incomplete combustion and the release of carbon monoxide. This poses a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to [...]

  • Turkey Roasting Tips
    November 25th, 2009

    Roasting a turkey requires an appliance – your oven, a BBQ, an electric roaster, or if you’re looking for a riskier approach, a deep fryer. If you are going the traditional route, with an oven roasted bird, we’ve got some tips for you.
    * Set your oven temperature no lower [...]

  • $300 Million? When Will the Rebates Start?
    November 18th, 2009

    Our article about the government’s $300 million dollar rebate program which is part of Obama’s economic stimulus package hasn’t begun and consumers across the nation are wondering if it is ever going to happen.
    Unlike the $3 billion clunkers rebate blitzkrieg that boosted new-vehicle sales last summer, this program has proceeded more slowly and is aimed [...]

  • Whirlpool gets US Grant for Smart Appliances
    November 13th, 2009

    Whirlpool has announced that it is the recipient of stimulus funds as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant program.
    The grant of $19.3 million over a two year period – which Whirlpool will match with its own investments – will help the company accelerate its work to deliver to consumers [...]

  • Manufacturer Rebate vs Government Rebate
    October 19th, 2009

    We’ve been getting questions regarding when the Government’s promised 300 million dollar appliance rebate will become available. The problem is, unlike the cars Cash for Clunkers program, this appliance stimulus plan is designed and administered by the individual states.
    Under a population-based funding formula, Ohio was allocated $11 million, Kentucky $4 million and Indiana $6 [...]

  • Old Appliances Stick Around and Get the Job Done
    October 7th, 2009

    We all say it: “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” Well, Donna Vickroy at the SouthTownStar offers hers and others thoughts on this:
    Milan and Helen Varichak’s grandkids say their kitchen looks like outer space.
    The South Holland couple have a 51-year-old Westinghouse stove and a 54-year-old General Electric refrigerator.
    “They’re both in good [...]

  • Broken Appliance? Do You Repair it or Not?
    October 2nd, 2009

    Having a broken appliance is annoying, not knowing whether or not to fix it is frustrating. We’ve found some questions to ask yourself before you decide what to do, along with appliance lifespan estimates and some simple maintenance advice. Read on.

    10 questions to ask:
    - Is it really broken? The trouble may be a [...]

  • New Jenn-Air Wall Oven Collection
    September 30th, 2009

    A new collection of Jenn-Air wall ovens includes a model that claims not only the best performance in the industry but several other exclusives, including the only touch screen control with an image-enabled cooking guide. The wall ovens are the centerpieces of a new, high end Jenn-Air appliance line slated for availability this fall.
    Based [...]

  • Eco-Friendly Appliance Packaging
    September 14th, 2009

    Building a playhouse from an old refrigerator box is a childhood rite of passage.  It’s also one way to reuse a very large cardboard box before it’s recycled, but the major appliance industry is trying to make changes to shipping containers to make them more environmentally friendly.
    According to Appliance Magazine, “Appliance packages have to be [...]

  • Cash For Clunkers – Appliance Clunkers
    August 27th, 2009

    Here’s some good news if you’ve got an old household appliance you’ve been wanting to replace. The government’s $300 million dollar incentive plan will help you pay for it. The plan is meant to help the appliance industry by giving a boost to slow appliance sales nationwide, but the relatively small amount of [...]

  • Paint Your Appliance Pink Contest
    July 20th, 2009

    PartSelect.com is pleased to announce the launch of its Paint Your Appliance Pink contest which runs from July 1, 2009 – September 1, 2009. Contestants can enter to win 1 of 3 Pink Prize Packages valued at $369.97 and help PartSelect donate up to $10,000 to Breast Cancer Research.
    Breast Cancer is the second most [...]

  • Appliance Installation and Power Needs
    July 13th, 2009

    Whether you plan to install your new appliance yourself or have a professional do it, be sure your home is ready before delivery. Read these tips on power requirements, placement and more to ensure a successful installation.
    Appliance Power Requirements
    Check the power requirements of each appliance. To run major appliances and heavy electrical equipment, [...]

  • KitchenAid Introduces High Performance Commercial Style Cooking Line
    July 6th, 2009

    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. [...]

  • Read This Before You Buy Your Next Appliance
    July 1st, 2009

    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 [...]

  • Electrolux in Antarctica
    May 13th, 2009

    I’ve seen many documentaries about scientists in Antarctica. I’ve seen one that focused on the staff of maintenance workers it takes to keep an outpost running smoothly. The base camps were large campgrounds of barrack-like buildings and with scientists, engineers, and crew, can at times host a large number of people.
    On one show, [...]

  • Shopping for Energy Efficient Appliances
    May 11th, 2009

    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 [...]

  • GE Laundry Giveaway-Plus Spa Day Sweepstake
    May 6th, 2009

    GE is offering a Grand Prize in their Steam Dream Giveaway of a Profile laundry pair plus a day at the spa of your choice. You can enter at geappliances.com until the contest ends on May 24, 2009. Two first place prizes of a profile dishwasher and six $250 gift cards for second [...]

  • Save When Buying New Appliances
    April 27th, 2009

    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 [...]

  • Recall:GE Ranges Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    April 22nd, 2009

    Name of Product: GE Profile™ Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges
    Units: About 28,000
    Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
    Hazard: The wiring in the rear of the range can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: GE is aware of 47 reports of overheated wiring, including 33 reports of wiring that caught fire. [...]

  • Comsumer Rebate Program for Appliances
    April 14th, 2009

    The US stimulus bill recently signed into law by US President Barack Obama includes a $300 million provision to fund the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.
    This program will be administered through the 50 US states and will  provide financial incentive to encourage consumer spending and target it to energy savings through consumer rebates for the [...]

  • Five Appliances That Can Help You Save Money
    April 1st, 2009

     Many Americans are finding themselves looking for ways to save money. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has come up with a list of five appliances that may already be in your home, which can help you save money.
    Coffeemakers —Save on pricy coffeehouse blends by brewing your morning cup at home. Resisting a three [...]

  • GE $2500 Sweepstakes
    March 2nd, 2009

    This is just like winning a new appliance in retroactively. All you need to do is register your GE appliance, and you will be automatically entered in a monthly drawing for $2500 from GE. The contest lasts until October 2009 and winners will be awarded a check for the full amount. You [...]

  • Pro-Style Ranges, Who, What and Why
    February 25th, 2009

    We’ve all seen them, those big, shiny ranges that are often the centerpiece of a new kitchen or remodel.  The question is do you need one?
    You might be interested in one for the style it adds to your home even if the added power that comes with the equipment is not something you’ll use.  Professional [...]

  • Appliances Don’t Last a Lifetime, Neither Does the Warranty
    February 2nd, 2009

    It used to be, back in our parents and grandparents time, that a large appliance was a once in a lifetime purchase.  The white, round cornered refrigerator in your great-Aunt’s kitchen was the one she got for Christmas the first year she was married and it was the only one she ever needed.
    Boy have times, [...]

  • Appliance Manufacturers are Aiming at Boomers
    December 31st, 2008

    What’s next?  The Baby Boom generation is everywhere.  As a child of the 60’s I’ve often had mixed emotions towards them – annoyance at how much attention they get combined with gratitude that they cause so many changes that I will benefit from in the future.  One of those changes is happening now in the [...]

  • Consumers Like Touch Screen Technology
    December 10th, 2008

    My Oven has it and so does my new phone – touch screen technology is becoming hugely popular.  Apple started it with the iphone and now manufacturers of everything from consumer electronics to white goods are trying to keep up.  The cell phone industry in particular wants to compete with Apple’s iphone.
    “Consumers are looking for [...]

  • Roasting a Turkey in Your Convection Oven
    November 26th, 2008

    If you’ve got a convection oven, Thanksgiving is a great day to use it.  The even heating that a convection oven provides is great for your turkey and baking.  Here are some turkey roasting tips straight from the experts at eatturkey.com.
    A whole turkey or turkey breast will cook in less time with more even results [...]

  • Recall: GE to Inspect and Repair Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
    November 19th, 2008

    Name of Product: GE®, GE Profile™, Monogram® and Kenmore® Wall Ovens
    Units: About 244,000
    Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
    Hazard: The extreme heat used in the self-clean cycle can escape, if the wall oven door is removed and incorrectly re-attached by the installer or the consumer. This can pose a fire and burn hazard to [...]

  • Should You Fix the Old Appliance or Buy a New One?
    November 7th, 2008

    It’s a common question – when your appliance needs repairs is better to fix it or start looking for a new one?  Often fixing the broken appliance can take days or even weeks if the parts are not available.  A new one can often be purchased and installed within hours.  But is buying a new appliance [...]

  • Energy Star Might Not be Such a Star
    November 3rd, 2008

    Most consumers who are shopping for a new, energy efficient appliance know to look for the Blue EnergyStar label.  The Energy Star label alerts shoppers to supposedly very energy efficient appliances.  Many appliances also have a yellow energy guide label.  That label tells shoppers specifically how much energy they can save by buying that particular appliance. 
    Buying an [...]

  • Win a New Electrolux Range or Wall Oven
    October 30th, 2008

    Kelly Ripa, spokeswoman for Electrolux, is searching for the perfect turkey.  To that end, Electrolux is holding a Perfect Turkey contest.  Just submit your entry here detailing your turkey success story, or possibly better, your tail of woe.  The winner will receive a new Electrolux wall oven or range with the “Perfect Turkey” button – [...]

  • Modern Fridge or Range with an Antique Look
    September 24th, 2008

    If you want your new, ultra modern refrigerator to match your classic, antique style kitchen decor, Restart Srl appliances located in Antella near Florence, right in the heart of Tuscany has just what you need.
    Restart Srl makes personalized refrigerators with old styled brass finishing for different styles of kitchens in accordance to the particular architectural style [...]

  • Dacor Introduces New Larger Wall Ovens
    September 12th, 2008

    Dacor is pleased to introduce the Epicure 36″ Renaissance Wall Oven, offering consumers 20 percent more capacity than standard wall ovens and innovative technology for a more efficient culinary experience.
    The Epicure 36″ Renaissance Wall Oven is a welcome addition to the distinctive Renaissance collection Dacor unveiled earlier this year. “Over the past three years, our [...]

  • Recall: Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges Due to Burn Hazard
    September 5th, 2008

    Name of Product: Wolf Appliance Gas Ranges
    Units: About 24,000
    Manufacturer: Wolf Appliance Inc., of Madison, Wis.
    Hazard: Delayed ignition of gas in the 18-inch oven can cause a flash of flames to be projected at a consumer when the range door is opened, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
    Incidents/Injuries: Wolf has received 97 reports of [...]

  • GE Monogram with Advantium Speedcook Technology
    June 19th, 2008

    The Monogram Wall Oven with Advantium Speedcook Technology has led the way in oven performance, harnessing the power of intense halogen light to deliver results in minutes with this exclusive GE technology. Today, the Advantium pushes the boundaries of culinary innovation even further with a  repertoire of cooking capabilities and enhanced design options.
    Performance Capabilities

    New Monogram [...]

  • Tips for Saving Money and Energy Around the House
    June 17th, 2008

    Looking for ways to save money? Look no further than your kitchen. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) offers these simple energy savings tips to consumers looking for ways to cut energy bills this summer.
    The energy consumed by home appliances has dropped sharply since 2000.
    Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers combined account for a 43% [...]

  • Cuisinart’s Brick Oven
    June 2nd, 2008

    Here’s a fun gadget for the baker in the house. A .90 cubic foot brick oven that sits on your counter top. Cuisinart offers this oven with permanently built in bricks on the top and sides, two racks for multi level cooking, three settings and 1700 watts of power to reach up to 500°F . [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Wood-Burning Oven
    May 17th, 2008

    This may not fall perfectly into the realm of appliances, but it is so cool, it has to be shared. The wonderful bread baking site thefreshloaf.com has a post about a wood burning oven built buy the homeowner for about $3000. The oven heats up to 1000 degrees to bake pizza followed [...]

  • Basic Appliance Care and Safety
    May 14th, 2008

    If you are lucky, you rarely need to pay much attention to the appliances that run, some of them 24 hours a day, in your home. But to keep everything trouble free, it’s good to follow some basic guidelines for care and safety when using or installing appliances in your home. Handymanclub.com offers some [...]

  • High End Appliances – What are You Getting for Your Money?
    April 24th, 2008

    Stainless steel looks beautiful in the kitchen, but shine doesn’t necessarily equal performance. Do high end appliances (many with those gleaming finishes) really rate having such high price tags? Sometimes they really do. But that doesn’t mean you should rule out mid-priced options. As mid-priced manufacturers start adapting some of the features the pricier models [...]

  • LG Appliance Rebate
    April 23rd, 2008

    If you have been considering buying a new kitchen appliance, now might be the time to act. LG is offering a rebate of up to $500 on their kitchen appliances. The deal starts at $250 for two appliances and goes up to the $500 if you buy four. You can outfit [...]

  • How to Pick an Energy Efficient Appliance
    April 9th, 2008

    If you are confused by the different claims of energy efficiency by appliance manufacturers, JamesDulley of the Detroit Free Press has some helpful advice.
    Depending upon the type of product and the fuel it uses, efficiency ratings can mean different things. Also, some manufacturers and/or salespeople play fast and loose with the accuracy of efficiency claims.
    A [...]

  • Jury Finds Against Stove Maker
    April 2nd, 2008

    From the East Valley Tribune in Phoenix, Arizona:
    A Pinal County jury on Thursday handed down a huge civil award to a family whose two boys were badly burned in a fire apparently caused by a faulty stove.
    The manufacturer, Electrolux Home Products, was ordered to pay the Kavu family of Stanfield $43.1 million.
    “They’re just elated,” said [...]

  • Electrolux to Debut New Line of Premium Appliances in North America
    March 29th, 2008

     Called Electrolux, the new appliance line is set to debut on North American shores in spring 2008. Boasting a distinctive look with a curved front design and signature blue LED displays, the new European-designed collection from Electrolux also offers ingenious features such as advanced Wave-Touch™ controls, one touch and more than 60 controls appear and [...]

  • LG and GE to Share Patents
    March 17th, 2008

    News from appliancemagazine.com a trade magazine, reports:
    LG Electronics has entered into a cross licensing agreement with GE Consumer & Industrial that will allow LG and GE to use one another’s patents for refrigerators and cooking appliances without paying licensing fees.
    “We believe that this licensing arrangement with GE will enhance our ability [...]

  • Dacor Introduces New Wall Ovens
    February 26th, 2008

    Dacor introduced the new Renaissance Wall Oven in 36-in, 30-in, and 27-in widths for the Epicure and Millennia Collections, expanding the brand’s premium cooking appliance offerings.
    The new wall ovens exemplify Renaissance thinking with a design that celebrates the luxurious style of the classic wall oven combined with cutting-edge performance details, to create an appliance that [...]

  • Bosch Dual Fuel Range Receives Top Ranking for the Fourth Time in a Row
    February 25th, 2008

    Bosch home appliances is proud to announce that its dual fuel Evolution 700 Series freestanding range has been ranked #1, for the fourth time in a row, by a leading consumer magazine. The entire Evolution™ Series of ranges offer an unmatched assortment of cooking and convenience features with clean, European styling and advanced engineering.
    Offering 4.6 [...]

  • Bosch Showcases Appliances that Offer Complete ECO Solutions at Builders’ Show 2008
    February 22nd, 2008

    Bosch showcases it most advanced lineup of kitchen and laundry appliances that offer complete ECO solutions at the 2008 International Builders’ Show. Bosch remains the undisputed leader with the ENERGY STAR qualification on all its models in every major appliance category that the program rates. With the most energy-efficient dishwashers [...]

  • How Food Cooks – Conduction, Convection and Radiation
    February 21st, 2008

    If you are feeling scientific and have begun to wonder how it is that the microwave or convection oven really cooks your food, or even what good old fashioned heat is doing to your meal, we’ve found your answers.  At drdavescience.com, a PhD candidate with a flair for explaining the scientific tells us how it [...]

  • J.D. Power Survey Shows Major Appliance Consumers are Happy
    February 7th, 2008

     WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF. — J.D Power and Associates, the market research firm, said consumers are largely happy with the performance, features, styling and price of their major appliances.According to the results of its 2007 Major Home Appliances Study, only one in 10 consumers report some kind of problem with their major appliance during the first two years [...]

  • How to Move Your Appliances
    February 6th, 2008

    Moving appliances is a big job.  Before you start, be sure you are aware of the work involved and that you really want to be the one to do it.  Some of us are handy with installations and large unwieldy hulks of metal and some of us aren’t. To decide what type you are, read on and [...]

  • Jenn-Air’s Convenience Oven
    January 24th, 2008

    Sometimes all you need is a little extra help. Jenn-air’s convenience oven is just 22 inches high with a 1.2 cubic foot interior. It would be just the thing for a mini kitchen in a guest house or family room. It can bake, broil, toast or warm and the small interior heats up more quickly [...]

  • Shopping Tips – Save Money, be Satisfied
    January 7th, 2008

    Once you’ve read through our articles on choosing a kitchen appliance and have narrowed down your decision, it’s time to shop.  A good place to start is with your budget.  Knowing what you feel comfortable spending and sticking close to that number will help you to enjoy your new purchases.  One good way to stay [...]

  • Choosing Kitchen Appliances – Ovens, Cooktops and Hoods
    December 29th, 2007

    Choosing new appliances is one of the biggest decisions homeowners make when remodeling their kitchens. You can’t make a good choice if you don’t know what’s available and what suits your needs. here’s some advice on choosing your oven or cooktop from appliance.net and HowStuffWorks.com
    First, ovens:
    The traditional range or stove, a single unit with [...]

  • Make a Solar Oven- Have Fun with a Different Take on Boxing Day
    December 25th, 2007

    Tis the season for too many empty boxes around the house.  Tis also the season for trying to figure out what to do with the kids home from school.  If you are feeling adventurous, here are the step-by-step instructions for using some of those boxes to create your own solar oven. 
    Things You’ll Need

    Aluminum Foil
    Cardboard
    Large And [...]

  • In Kitchen Design, Appliances Come First
    December 24th, 2007

    We spend so much time in the kitchen during the holiday season. Families gather for dinner and inevitably a large group gathers in the kitchen. This gets us to thinking that we need a larger, prettier, or more usable space. That’s likely why so many kitchen remodels take place after the holidays. If you are [...]

  • Whirlpool Aims for Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
    December 21st, 2007

    If you are shopping for eco-friendly appliances, here’s some good news from Twice.com:
    Whirlpool will increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012, the company announced last week. The world’s largest majap maker will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Bigger, Faster, Better
    November 27th, 2007

    The basic appliances in our homes are becoming less basic each year. Refrigerators are getting larger with separate temperature zones, dishwashers sanitize dishes and washers clean with less water than you would think possible.
    Let’s start with washers. At the Columbus Dispatch , Kevin Kidder writes:
    About 30 percent of washers sold are front [...]

  • Don’t Clean Your Oven Today!
    November 21st, 2007

    Here’s a very good tip from Appliance411:
    as, garberator, microwave, oven, range, stove, refrigerator, automatic and clothes washers or washing machines

    Oven Cleaning
    It is not usually a good idea to try self-cleaning an oven *immediately* prior to a big dinner. Cleaning a week or more in advance would allow service to be scheduled should a [...]

  • Downsizing? Some Choice Advice for Baby-Boomers
    November 13th, 2007

    As the population ages, many people choose to move to smaller homes or condos for ease of maintenance.  Some Baby-Boomers are purchasing smaller, second homes that can become retirement homes in the future. 
    Marriette Mifflin at about.com advises:
    Take a serious look at your appliances, large and small, and consider their age, general condition, capacity, performance, and [...]

  • You Probably Don’t Need That Extended Warranty
    November 9th, 2007

    Straight from PR Newswire: J.D. Power and Associates Reports: High Reliability of Major Home Appliances May Reduce Need for Extended Warranties
    According to J.D. Powers and Associates 2007 Major Home Appliance Study, most major appliances these days are quite reliable, yet many consumers continue to purchase extended warranties.
    The study measures customer satisfaction in nine segments of [...]

  • 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: [...]

  • Cooktop vs. Conventional Range
    October 24th, 2007

    Are you trying to decide whether a conventional range or cooktop would work better for you?  If you have the space for either option and are unsure which would best suit your needs, here are some thoughts to consider:
    Cooktop:
    Pros:

    Flexibility- can be built into any countertop.
    Optional burner configurations and add- on such as griddles and grills

    Cons:

    Can be [...]

  • Another Type of Appliance Recycling
    October 22nd, 2007

    This is possibly another way to view appliance recycling and is definitely a way to save money.
    Reverse logistics- this is the business of taking merchandise that has been returned by customers or overstocked by retailers or has been cosmetically damaged and finding a market for it.  Reverse logistics can keep appliances out of landfills.  What [...]

  • Recycle Responsibly
    October 21st, 2007

    Reuse, recycle, save energy- These ideas are ones many of us try to do daily.  There is one way we may not have thought of before- disposing of an old appliance properly.  Appliance Recycling Centers of America estimates that 55 million appliances will be removed from service this year.  If yours is one of them, be [...]

  • The Right Appliance for You
    October 10th, 2007

    Do you find that you are drawn to a certain brand of appliance again and again?  Did your mother always rely on one brand of washer and dryer?  Whirlpool is aware of consumers conscious and unconscious preferences for specific appliances.
    For every Whirlpool Corporation brand – including Whirlpool®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Jenn-Air®, Amana® and Gladiator® GarageWorks – [...]

  • Viking Goes Commercial
    September 30th, 2007

     ”Viking doesn’t make commercial ranges?”  That has been the response to my very informal survey when people learn that Viking Corporation has recently announced their plan to release a line of commercial appliances.
    Viking Range Corporation who originated ultra-premium commercial-type appliances for the indoor and outdoor kitchen has announced their intention to enter the commercial market.
    The Viking [...]

  • She’s Willing to Eat a Little Burnt Toast
    September 11th, 2007

    I know some people have those toasters with the slots on top that pop the toast up, and I remember having a toy one for my play kitchen as a child, but as an adult with a family to feed, I always choose a toaster oven over the pop-up.  My mother had a toaster oven [...]

  • High End Appliances – Chef Included
    September 5th, 2007

    If you have recently spent some time feeling baffled by the many options on a new appliance, you are not alone. Some folks have even sought help with their entire kitchen. Maybe not a bad idea. The Los Angeles Times writes:
    With sophisticated, professional-quality appliances and high-design gizmos going into residential kitchens, many would-be home [...]

  • The $2,000 Digital Post-it Note
    August 21st, 2007

    Are folks really willing to pay for what they say they want in an appliance?  Apparently not.  The OC Register has some thoughts on cool but pricy features that are appearing on kitchen  appliances.
    In 2002, for example, Whirlpool Corp. introduced Polara, which combined refrigeration with a convection oven. Polara would keep a casserole cool until a [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Recall: Thermador Built-in Ovens – Fire Hazard
    June 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: Thermador® Brand Built-In Ovens
    Units: About 42,000
    Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
    Hazard: The oven [...]

  • SuperSize Me – Kitchen appliances to do a hummer proud
    June 27th, 2007

    I was visiting a friend a few weeks ago who has recently finished a home remodel in West Los Angeles. He and his wife turned their 1500 square foot bungalow into a 4000 square foot family home. I stood in their kitchen looking at their double wide refrigerator (literally, double wide.) [...]

  • Whirlpool does Right – wins the Helen Keller Accessibility award
    June 17th, 2007

    Superman said it best “Truth Justice and the American Way”. The American Way – the secret to our strength? well you can follow it back to the days of barn raising, and follow it forward to the deep response of American’s nationwide to the victims of Katrina. American’s look out for [...]

  • Dangerous Ovens and Stoves That Tip Over
    May 17th, 2007

    Those of us in earthquake and seismic-savvy Southern California realize that this is a serious concern, of which, I believe, most people are completely unaware. Of greater concern is the risk to  families with children young enough to use simple leverage.   A climbing toddler could easily become a crushed toddler.  My advice would be to [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Internet Enabled Wall Ovens- Now your Blackberry can make dinner
    March 8th, 2007

    Ah those were the days. Mom in the kitchen cooking dinner (chops, potatos, peas) while we all played tag outside for hours until she finally called as the sun came down “Dinner” and we slowly worked our way back home for a family dinner. But what happens if the boys [...]

  • How to ruin your electric wall oven for under a buck
    March 7th, 2007

    No matter how high tech our ovens, ranges and other appliances get, we’re sometimes still driven to try old fashioned fixes. I’m sure that you hate when your food overflows and spills on the bottom of the oven. You know its just gonna burn off and smoke up the joint before its [...]

  • Is Your Oven Giving You the Cold Shoulder?
    February 2nd, 2007

    We had an oven repairman in our kitchen today to look over my Bosch double wall oven. We got got an oven thermometer over the holidays and the oven never seems to get within 40-50 degrees of the designated temperature.
    Bosch has replaced the oven once, and this second [...]

  • Whirlpool seeks new Maytag Repairman
    February 1st, 2007

    Whirlpool Corp. is launching a nationwide search for someone to portray the Maytag Repairman — the lonely, iconic character that has represented Maytag for 40 years.
    The Repairman has been under new ownership since Whirlpool purchased the Newton-based Maytag in March and announced that all Maytag’s Newton operations would close by the end of 2007.
    The new [...]