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Archives for 2007

Famous for Doing Nothing

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He has to be one of the most easily recognized pitchmen on TV. He does nothing. He’s the most bored, lonely guy we know and he’s been missing in action for months. But not any more. He’s back. They found him.

Could it be this guy? I’d pick him just for his creative audition.

Well it’s a big enough deal to make the world news. Check it out:

If these guys don’t heat your clothes, check out this vintage clip with an earlier pitch girl.

Appliance.net, back in February: Whirlpool Seeks New Maytag Repairman

Handheld Vacuum – Video Torture Test

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Popular Mechanics compares with dry flour and wet kitty litter

  1. Black & Decker 18volt Pivoting Nose Cordless Hand Vac
  2. Dirt Devil Kone
  3. Dyson Root 6 DC16 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – $149 at Amazon

The impatient can order the winner. Seems like the only benefit of the conclusive loser is that you can get it in designer colors.

Urban Legends – the truth will out

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I feel sorry for our parents.  They never knew the whether old urban legends were true or false.  We have Snopes – the original, ultimate rumor checker.   The next time somebody sends you an email insisting that you have to “pass it on to everybody you know”  go to snopes first and check it out.

 Here are a few great tidbits related to appliances.

True or False:  You can make water explode in a microwave.

 http://www.snopes.com/science/microwave.asp  Believe it or not, its true.

Here’s an oldie but goodie:  Does plastic leach toxins into your food when microwaved?  Check it out here:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp 

Dangerous Ovens and Stoves That Tip Over

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stove tippingThose 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 bolt the oven to the wall right away, and remember to always keep an eye on kids in the kitchen – there is no substitute for adult supervision.

KHOU has a video and full article.

Greek philosopher Archimedes quipped: “Give me a place to stand on, and I can move the earth.”

Toppling a kitchen appliance is clearly demonstrated by KHOU to be a piece of cake.

On the subject of child safety in the kitchen, here’s a horrible reminder of the dangers of even the most common household appliances when kids are on the loose. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/dishwasher.asp 

archimedes lever

Recall: General Electric Dishwasher Fire Hazard

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ge dishwasher recallName of product: GE Dishwashers

Units: About 2.5 million

Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser onto the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can cause an electrical short and overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 191 reports of overheated wiring including 56 reports of property damage. There were 12 reports of fires that escaped the dishwasher. Fire damage was limited to the dishwasher or the adjacent area. No injuries have been reported.

general electric dishwasher recalledDescription: The recall includes GE built-in dishwashers sold under the following brand names: Eterna, GE, GE ProfileTM, GE Monogram®, Hotpoint®, and Sears-Kenmore. The dishwashers were sold in white, black, almond, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the dishwasher’s front control panel. Model and serial numbers can be found inside the dishwasher tub on the front left side of the dishwasher. A table of relevant model and serial numbers can be found on CPSC’s web site.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores from September 1997 through December 2001 for about $400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and contact General Electric for a free repair, a $150 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE dishwasher, or a $300 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE Profile or GE Monogram dishwasher.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (877) 607-6395 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday. Consumers also can visit the firm’s Web site.

Source.

Brand Model Numbers Must Begin With Serial Numbers Must Begin With
Eterna EDW20, EDW30 SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ, AA, DA, FA, GA, HA, LA, MA, RA, SA, TA, VA, ZA
GE and GE Profile GHD50, GSD40, GSD41, GSD43, GSD46, GSD4910Z, GSD4920Z, GSD4930Z, GSD4940Z0, GSD50, GSD51, GSD521, GSD522, GSD523, GSD531, GSD532, GSD533, GSD535, GSD536, GSD55, GSD56, GSD57, GSD58, GSD59, GSDL3, GSDL6
GE Monogram ZBD3500Z0
Hotpoint HDA3400F, HDA35 SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ
GE and GE Profile GHD35, GSD21, GSD2200D, GSD2200F, GSD2200G, GSD2201F, GSD2220F, GSD2221F, GSD2230F, GSD2231F, GSD2250F GSD23, GSD26, GSD27, GSD3115F, GSD3125F, GSD3135F, GSD3200G, GSD3210F, GSD3220F, GSD3230F, GSD33, GSD341, GSD342, GSD343, GSD345, GSD3610F, GSD3620F, GSD3630F, GSD3650F GSD37, GSD381, GSD382, GSD383, GSD385, GSD391, GSD392, GSD393, GSD4525F, GSD4535F, GSD4555F, GSDL122F, GSDL132F, GSDL24, GSM2100F, GSM2100G, GSM2100Z0, GSM2110D, GSM2110F, GSM2130D, GSM2130F
Sears-Kenmore 363.1438, 363.1447, 363.1445, 363.1448, 363.1457, 363.1467, 363.1475, 363.15161792, 363.1517, 363.1521, 363.1527, 363.1528, 363.1531, 363.1532, 363.1546, 363.1547, 363.1548, 363.1556, 363.1565, 363.1567, 363.1617, 363.1655 SS, TS, VS, ZS, AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, ZT, AV, DV, FV, GV, HV, LV, MV, RV, SV, TV, VV, ZV, AZ, DZ, FZ, GZ, HZ, LZ, MZ, RZ, SZ, TZ, VZ, ZZ

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

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CPSC Warns of Dangerous Counterfeit Electrical Products

electrical safety monthWASHINGTON, D.C. — May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that, unlike a fake purse or watch, counterfeit electrical products could pose the risk of injury or death. Counterfeit circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights can cause fires, explosions, shocks and electrocutions.

Often, manufacturers of counterfeit products neglect to use key components or skimp in the manufacturing process in order to save money.

While cheaper prices are passed onto consumers, so too are the dangers.

Fake consumer products are not tested for compliance to relevant safety standards.

CPSC has recalled more than one million counterfeit electrical products in recent years, including circuit breakers that did not trip when overloaded; cell phone batteries without a safety device in the circuitry to prevent overcharging; and extension cords with mislabeled, undersized wiring that overheated.

“We are very concerned about unsafe electrical products,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Our priority is to keep consumers safe by preventing potentially dangerous counterfeit products from getting into the marketplace in the first place.”

Many counterfeit products are made in China and CPSC is actively working with the Chinese government to reduce the number of unsafe products that are exported to the United States. CPSC has also been working with Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, legitimate manufacturers, and certifying testing laboratories to identify and stop unsafe counterfeit products at U.S. ports and in the marketplace.

Counterfeits can be extremely difficult to spot. A counterfeit electrical product could be a knock-off of a name brand product or one that bears an unauthorized certification marking. CPSC offers the following tips to help avoid counterfeit hazards:

  • Scrutinize the product, the packaging and the labeling. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the manufacturer’s label.
  • Trademarked logos that look different than usual may signal a counterfeit.
  • Trust your instincts. If the price is “too good to be true,” it could be because the product is an inferior and unsafe counterfeit.
  • Be extra vigilant when buying from an unknown source such as a street vendor, non-authorized dealer, dollar store, online retailer or an individual. Ask about the return policy. Get a receipt and look for missing sales tax. Businesses selling counterfeit goods often don’t report their sales.
  • Stay informed. Sign up for CPSC e-mail alerts, so when a dangerous product is recalled, you’ll know about it right away.
  • Report safety-related incidents to the manufacturer or CPSC.

For additional electrical safety information about counterfeit products, visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s Web site

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772.

RECALL: Sagittarius Gas Grills

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Name of product: Perfect Flame Four-Burner Gas Grills

Units: About 36,500

sagittarius gas grill recall

Manufacturer: Sagittarius Sporting Goods, of China

Importer: L G Sourcing, of North Wilkesboro, N.C

Hazard: Some of these grills could be missing a hose that connects the grill manifold to the side burner, which poses a risk of fires and burn injuries to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: About 30,000 of these grills in inventory have already been inspected, and 17 units were found to have missing hoses and repaired. No injuries or consumer incidents have been reported.

Description: The recall involves 25-inch by 18-inch Perfect Flame brand, four-burner, stainless steel gas grills with date codes JU, JV, JW, JX, JY, or JZ. The name “Perfect Flame” is on the grill hood. The model number, 2518SL, and the date code are located on a label inside the left front door of the grill.

Sold at: Lowe’s retail outlets nationwide from September 2006 through February 2007 for about $400.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should inspect their grills before initial use to determine whether the hose that attaches to the side burner is missing.
If it is, do not use the grill and contact Sagittarius. Sagittarius will inspect the grill and install a free replacement hose.

Consumer Contact: Call Sagittarius toll-free at (888) 804-7455 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday.

Source

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

Recall: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills

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Name of product: Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grills Model 463720407

Units: About 600

Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.

Manufacturer: Winmax, of China

Char Boil Grill RecallHazard: The recalled grills could have an incorrect heat shield that does not fit the grills. Without the correct heat shield, the propane tank, hose, and regulator could overheat and damage these components, presenting a risk of fire and burn to consumers, if a propane leak occurs.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Five consumers have received grills without the correct heat shield.

Description: Only Char-Broil gas grills with model number 463720407 are included in the recall. This is a two-burner 360 square inch cooking surface gas grill with a 170 square inch swing-away rack, two side shelves and a condiment basket. Char-Broil’s logo is on the top of the lid of the grill. The serial number is located on the white rating label on the back of the upper front panel of the grill. The serial numbers range from G305040611002821 to G305040611003420.

CharBroil Grill Heat ShieldSold at: Big Lots stores nationwide from January 2007 through March 2007 for about $115 and $130.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should inspect their grill to determine whether the heat shield is properly installed. If the heat shield is missing or cannot be installed per instructions, stop using the grill and immediately contact Char-Broil. Char-Broil will send the consumer, free of charge, the correct heat shield and installation instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Char-Broil toll-free at (866) 671-7988 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.charbroil.com

See also.