Electrolux, known mostly for vacuums in the US is known in Europe for its premium appliances. This spring they are trying to make a splash here in the US with Kelly Ripa.
Archives for May 2008
Advice for Buying a High-Def TV
If you are shopping for a high-def TV, you’ll need to decide which type you’d like. Will you go for LCD(liquid crystal display), plasma, or HD rear projection microdisplay? Let us offer some information and advice to make your decision a little easier.
LCD
These televisions are thin and lightweight with bright picture contrast. That is good in a room with a lot of light. The largest screens are 46 inches and the picture quality is not quite as good as a plasma TV.
Plasma
These have the most lifelike picture, with 180 degree viewing angles. They are quite large screens, with nothing smaller than 42 inches.
HD Rear Projection
Cathode ray tube rear projetion sets are being phased out, but new hi-def flat screen have great picture quality. They are not meant hanging on the wall.
Your new TV can be wall hung and all the cable and wires hidden – no TV cabinet necessary. Although it is a job for a do-it-yourselfer, it requires some know how. Sets over 32 inches will be at least a two person installation job. Mounting requires a mounting kit with costs ranging from$100 to $200. Kits that swivel and tilt will cost more.
Before you go shopping, decide how large a screen you’d like, LCD is the best choice for for 42 inches and under. Plasma or rear projection are better for larger sets.
You can get a a high definition television without spending a fortune, or you can really blow a wad on one if you are inclined. For example, there is Samsung’s Slimfit which we found selling for $380. This has CRT technology and is only 16.5 inches deep. A pricier choice could be Sony’s Bravia which is 40″ wide and retails for about $1600. If you have the money, the Pioneer PDP-6010FD has two million pixels on an almost 60 inch screen. It also has four independent HDMI 1.3 inputs and a new room light sensor for adjusting to the viewing surroundings. This one will set you back about $4,000.
High definition televisions have a picture quality that is superior to analog TV and next year, over-the-air TV will be phased out. Analog televisions will require converters. If you are in the market for a new television , a high-def TV might just be the way to go.
Sears Brings Samsung Refrigeration Line To Its Stores
Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Samsung Electronics, have announced the addition of Samsung refrigerators to Sears line-up of leading appliance brands. Beginning in March 2008, Samsung side-by-side refrigerators are available at Sears stores nationwide. Samsung front-loading washers and dryers have been available at Sears since November 2007.
Sears will carry Samsung’s Twin Cooling side-by-side refrigerators. The refrigerator and freezer are independently cooled to maintain optimal humidity levels so food is preserved longer and odor transfer is eliminated. The side-by-side line offers consumers a large 26 cu. ft. of space with innovative design features. Blue LED lights and hidden hinges give the refrigerator a sleek, contemporary look. The refrigerator will be available at Sears in stainless, platinum, white and black.
Sears also carries Samsung’s VRT front-loading washer line. Vibration Reduction Technology is a unique technological breakthrough that reduces vibration and noise from unbalanced loads in the high speed spin cycle, up to 1300 RPM. Consumers can now get the ultimate in quiet operation no matter where they place their laundry pair – even on second floors or close to living areas. The large 3.8 cu. ft. capacity allows even king-sized comforters or multiple pairs of jeans to be washed in one load. The Samsung VRT Front-Loading Washer will be available at Sears in colors such as stratus gray, neat white, and tango red with matching electric and gas dryers and pedestals.
Great Coffeemakers for a Great Cup of Coffee
It’s been said before, but for many people the day just doesn’t really start until they’ve had that first cup of coffee. Not only that, but now coffee drinkers have myriad choices of beans and roasting styles. Those specially selected beans need to be brewed just right. Be sure to find a coffee maker that suits your particular needs. Here are a few choices to consider:
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Hamilton Beach BrewStation Deluxe prepares up to twelve cups of coffee in an internal chamber and then dispenses them on demand into your cup. This model also makes iced tea. Suggested retail is $80
Mr. Coffee’s Grind & Brew has a built-in grinder that lets you vary the amount of beans used in each batch. The chamber is removable and dishwasher safe. Suggested retail is $85.
The Philips Senseo Supreme prepares just one or two cups at a time, but tops each one with a cappuccino like froth. It had an adjustable spout to accommodate tall or short mugs. Suggested retail is $140.
Braun’s Impressions Design Collection 10 Cup Coffeemaker is a classic type basic coffeemaker. GoodHousekeeping Magazine gave it’s coffee top ratings. It has a thermal carafe to keep the coffee hot even at the table. Suggested retail is $90.
A more affordable version of the Braun coffeemaker is JCPenny’s Cooks 12-cup Coffeemaker with a suggested retail of $40.
Looking for some tips for a great cup of coffee?
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Use the recommended amount of coffee. Generally that is two tablespoons per cup.
Use disposable paper filters. They do a better job of filtering out grounds than reusable ones.
Start with fresh cool water.
Clean your coffeemaker regularly following the manufacturers guidelines.
Recall: Onward Manufacturing Gas Grills Due to Fire and Burn Hazard
Name of Product: Broil King Gas Grills
Units: About 4,800
Manufacturer: Onward Manufacturing Co., of Ontario, Canada
Hazard: The bottom of the cook box that contains the burners can melt or crack as a result of a grease fire. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Description: This recall includes the Signet, Sovereign and Sovereign XL series gas grills.
Signet series
(model #’s starting with 986xxx) 400 sq. inch cooking surface with 3 burners and drop-
down shelves; includes models with side and rear burners
Sovereign series
(model #’s starting with 987xxx) 450 sq. inch cooking surface with 3 burners and drop-
down shelves; includes models with side and rear burners.
Sovereign XL series
(model #’s starting with 988xxx) 600 sq. inch cooking surface with 4 burners and drop-
down shelves.
The model number can be located on the back panel of the grill.
Sold at: Independent retailers nationwide from February 2006 through April 2008 for between $450 and $700.
Manufactured in: Canada
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the grill immediately and contact Onward Manufacturing for a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For further information, visit the firm’s Web site at www.broilkingbbq.com or call toll-free at (866) 434-7455 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
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KitchenAid Adds Induction Cooktops to Series
KitchenAid, is now offering induction cooktops in its Architect Series II Collection. If you are not familiar with induction cooking and the difference between cooking with induction technology rather than conventional heating methods, you can read more about them in Conduction Cooking is Hot- and Cool and How Food Cooks – Conduction, Convection and Radiation. Induction cooking allows a cook to go quickly from a simmer to a sear. Because of this special electromagnetic process, cookware used with the cooktop must be made of magnetic metals such as steel or iron.
The Architect Series II induction cooktops feature nine heat level settings and a performance boost function that increases the temperature level above the highest setting to quickly bring liquids to a boil. A hot surface indicator light provides a warning if the surface is too warm to touch, even after the burner has been turned off. Another helpful feature is size pan detection that automatically adjusts to fit the size of pots and pans in use, a keep warm function, touch activated controls and a frameless design with beveled glass edges.
The suggested retail prices range from $1,999 to $2499.
Eight Basic Safety Rules For Outdoor Power Equipment
Here are some rules everyone should be aware of before using outdoor power equipment. They come straight from the folks who know how to use them, The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).
1 . Know how to operate the equipment.
Read the operator’s manual before using any power equipment. Know where the controls are and what they do. Follow safety instructions.
2. Dress properly for the job.
Wear long pants, close-fitting clothes, sturdy shoes, and safety glasses.Don’t wear anything that could get caught in moving parts (loose jewelry or clothing; be careful of long hair).
3. Handle gas carefully.
Fill up before you start, while the engine is cold. Don’t spill when you fill. Store gas in an approved container in a cool ventilated area. Never smoke around gasoline.
4. Clear the area before you start.
Pick up rocks, twigs, cans, golf balls, anything that could be thrown by mowing equipment.
5. Keep children and pets away from the area until you’re finished.
Never allow children to operate a mower. And never carry children as passengers on a riding mower.
6. Operate equipment carefully and follow recommended procedures.
Always turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before attempting to unclog or work on outdoor power equipment. When leaving equipment unattended, turn off the engine and remove key.
7. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
Never work on equipment while it is running. Never remove or tamper with safety devices and labels… they’re provided to protect you and your family.
8. Wear hearing protection.
When working with equipment that generates increased sound levels be sure to protect your ears. Wear hearing protection such as special earmuffs to prevent potentially damaging sounds from reaching your ears without eliminating the sounds you’ll NEED to hear. So protect your ears from sounds that are too LOUD and too CLOSE for too long.
Fisher & Paykel is Moving to Mexico
Fisher & Paykel, the New Zealand appliance manufacturer well known for it’s dishwasher drawers and washing machines is consolidating it’s manufacturing and moving to Reynosa, Mexico, just south of the U.S. border.
The range and DishDrawer factory in Dunedin, New Zealand, the refrigeration plant in Brisbane, Australia and the DCS manufacturing plant in Huntington Beach will be relocated to the new facility in the next 12-18 months. The DCS move is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and individual manufacturing lines will be shifted separately to reduce the impact on warehouse inventory. The U.S. operation will continue to employ sales and marketing, customer services, head office and an engineering staff of around 340 employees. The financial benefit of the DCS move is expected to be $6.6 million per year with a one off cost of $7 million, both at pre-tax level.
“This expansion is designed to streamline our manufacturing costs, and bring increased consistency and efficiency to the company’s production process in the U.S. market, “ said Mike Goadby, North American President for Fisher & Paykel Appliances. “It’s an emotional time for all of us, but this move will make us more competitive in the U.S. and strengthen our distribution efforts through making them more efficient.”
With the Reynosa acquisition and the new North American DishDrawer line announced last year, the financial benefits of the new strategy are expected to be around $50 million per year, at a one off cost of approximately $100 million. The cost of the move will be offset by the sale of surplus property in Australia and New Zealand, which could total approximately $100 million.
You can read more here.
Recall: General Electric Gas Dryers Due to Shock Hazard
Name of Product: GE Gas Clothes Dryers
Units: About 2,100
Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
Hazard: A short circuit in the dryer’s wiring poses a shock hazard to consumers with ungrounded dryers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled gas dryers are 42 inches tall (back with backsplash) and 27 inches wide, and were sold in white. GE gas dryers model number DWXR463GGWW with serial numbers starting with AM, TL, SL, VL, and ZL are included in this recall. To find the model and serial numbers, open the dryer door and look in the lower right corner, in the area that was covered by the door.
Sold by: Retail stores, and authorized builder distributors nationwide from September 2006 through October 2007 for about $440.
Manufactured in: Canada
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled dryers immediately, unplug the dryer, and contact GE for further instructions and to schedule a free, in-home inspection and repair. GE is directly contacting consumers who purchased the recalled dryers.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (866) 324-3732 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://geappliances.com
Firm’s Media Contact: Kim Freeman at (502) 452-7819 or kim_freeman@ge.com
Staber’s New Electric Clothes Drying Cabinet
Staber, an American manufacturer and online retailer of washers and dryers offers a new clothes drying cabinet as an addition to your laundry room equipment. Although drying cabinets have been used in Europe for years, many Americans are not familiar with them. They are in a simple form a box in which clothes can be hung up or laid out on racks while air is circulated around them to reduce drying time. They are not a replacement for a traditional tumble dryer, but an alternative to tumbling delicate or very bulky items.
Here are some benefits of the drying cabinet from Staber’s literature:
• To be used in addition to a conventional dryer; it is simply a different way to dry laundry
• Less wear and tear on clothing because of no tumbling
• Reduces shrinkage
• Lower operating temperature; increases life expectancy of clothing
• All kinds of clothing can be dried simultaneously, e.g. shirts on hangers together with sport equipment and boots
• Life expectancy of 15 years; minimal maintenance due to simple design
• Quiet operation, which makes it suitable in both houses and apartments
• Provides an energy-efficient drying process, and minimizes the amount of air to be evacuated
• Thermostat controlled, adjustable from room temperature up to around 150 degrees F
• Allows quick folding when removing clothes
The cabinet measures 67 1/2″ tall x 23 1/2″ wide x 24 1/4″ deep and retails for $949.00 online.