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These are a Few of My Favorite Things

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I have some appliances that are my go-to tools for making life easier- my immersion blender, bread machine and toaster oven are a few.  At appliancepulse.com  they’ve come up with a list of what they consider the eight counter-top appliances people can’t do without.

They are:

  1. coffee machine
  2. microwave
  3. toaster oven/toaster
  4. blender
  5. food processor
  6. stand mixer
  7. rice cooker
  8. juicer

I’ll stand by numbers 2-5, but my coffeemaker can stand idle for weeks at a time, I haven’t used my juicer in about 8 years (Don’t ask me, I don’t know why I keep it.)  and I don’t own and see no need to own a rice steamer. 

Everyone’s cooking style is different and families’ needs change.  Things we can’t seem to do without -the juicer- become clutter in the closet and some  appliances that seemed impossible forty or fifty years ago are standard in the most basic kitchens today – the microwave.

What are you using daily at your house?  We’d love to hear from you.

Downsizing? Some Choice Advice for Baby-Boomers

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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 how likely you are to use them in the future. Consider the impact of moving certain appliances. Older refrigerators or freezers may not survive a physical relocation and would be best replaced for the new home.

Replacing older appliances for more efficient ones will save you energy dollars and the outlay to purchase now, will hopefully provide you with many years of trouble-free use. Replacing later on a limited budget may be more difficult.

We all have our favorite appliances and housewares, but most of us have items that we actually like, but seldom use for whatever reason. And, we often store appliances that aren’t working quite right, for disposal at some undetermined time – well now is the time. When you’re faced with moving, re-evaluating and de-cluttering is a must.

A second or retirement home may be smaller than the family home you’ve spent many years in new appliances should be evaluated accordingly.

Do you really need a high capacity washer and dryer, or would a compact set be sufficient? What size of refrigerator is adequate? Maximize counter space by choosing space-saving appliances and limiting counter presence by importance, and storing the rest.
Consider handling and ease of operation. Choose a vacuum that you can easily lift and maneuver, or consider an upright that may be easier to handle. When buying a new laundry set, the optional pedestal drawers do add to the cost, but may greatly increase the ease of transferring clothes and reducing back strain. An upright freezer may be more accessible for you than a chest model.

It is worth the investment of some careful planning now– it could pay off with some serious savings financially and emotionally, in the future.

Whirlpool Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes

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From November 1 – December 31, 2007, Whirlpool brand and Dream Dinners invite consumers to register to win a Whirlpool Gold(R) suite of kitchen appliances or one of four Whirlpool Gold(R) Velos(R) SpeedCook ovens. The Velos oven can cook up to 47 percent faster than a traditional oven, getting the holiday turkey and all the fixins’ on the table in nearly half the time.

Consumers can visit www.whirlpool.com or www.dreamdinners.com for information on how to enter for a chance to win their dream kitchen.

Recall: Yamaha Recalls AC Power Adaptors Due to Electric Shock Hazard

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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: Yamaha AC Power Adaptors

Units: About 49,000

Distributor: Yamaha Corporation of America, of Buena Park, Calif.

Hazard: The housing of the power adaptor can separate, posing an electric shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Yamaha has received five reports of units separating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Yamaha PA-3C power adaptor with a date code of 0624. The adaptor is used with Yamaha keyboards and digital drum sets. The model number is written in white print on the front of the plug of the adaptor and the date code is etched into the plastic at the bottom of the plug panel. The adaptor can be purchased as part of a set or separately.

Sold at: Musical instrument retailers nationwide from July 2006 through September 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled power adaptor immediately and contact Yamaha to return the power adaptor and obtain a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Yamaha Corporation of America toll-free at (866) 509-0320 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.yamaha.com/warranty_safety.asp

Picture of Recalled AC Power Adaptor
Yamaha PA-3C power adaptor

Recall: American Honda Motor Corp. Recalls Lawn Mowers Due to Fire Hazard

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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: Honda HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA Lawn Mowers

Units: About 22,000

Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: Due to a manufacturing defect, a crack can occur in the fuel tank causing a fuel leak. If gasoline leaking from the fuel tank is ignited, a fire or explosion can occur.

Incidents/Injuries: American Honda Motor Corp. has received six reports of fuel leakage. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves HRX walk-behind lawn mowers with model numbers HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA. Only serial numbers from 1400001 through 1453714 are included in the recall. The model and serial number are printed on a label located on the upper rear of the deck. The lawn mower is dark gray with a red engine cover.

Sold at: Honda Lawn and Garden dealers nationwide, including The Home Depot stores, from January 2007 through September 2007 for between $800 and $900.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled lawn mowers immediately and contact any Honda Lawn and Garden dealer to have the fuel tank replaced. Registered owners of the recalled lawn mowers will be mailed a notice.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honda at (800) 426-7701 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hondapowerequipment.com

Picture of Recalled Lawn Mower

Picture of Recalled Lawn Mower

Recall: Coby Electronics Recalls DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard

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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: Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players

Units: About 12,000

Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y.

Hazard: The portable DVD/CD/MP3 players can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics Corp. has received three reports of the units overheating, one of which involved minor property damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves two different portable DVD/CD/MP3 players:

Product Model Number Description
5” TFT Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player with TV Tuner and Digital AM/FM Tuner TF-DVD170 Product is spherical in shape with a 5” TV screen in front. The name “COBY” is written above the screen. The model number can be found on the bottom of the unit.
5.6” TFT Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player and NTSC TV Tuner TF-DVD176 Product is spherical in shape with a 5.6” TV screen in front. The name “COBY” is written above the screen. The model number can be found on the bottom of the unit.

Sold at: Discount, electronics, music, toy, and office supply stores, as well as distributors of electronics products, nationwide from May 2006 through October 2007 for between $140 and $170.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the portable DVD/CD/MP3 players and contact the firm for information on returning the units and receiving a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Coby Electronics Corp. toll-free at (877) 231-9240 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cobyusa.com

Picture of Recalled Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player

Picture of Recalled Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player

You Probably Don’t Need That Extended Warranty

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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 major home appliances: dishwashers; free-standing ranges; built-in cook-tops and wall ovens; freezer-on-top style refrigerators; side-by-side and French door-style refrigerators; clothes washers; clothes dryers; over-the-range microwave ovens; and counter-top microwave ovens. The study, now in its third year, examines customer satisfaction with microwave ovens for the first time. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: operational performance (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); operational features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty.

The study finds that during the first two years of ownership, approximately one in 10 consumers report some kind of problem with their major appliance. However, many of these problems can be resolved by following instructions in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s Web site. Relatively few problems actually require a service visit.

Despite this high degree of reliability, many consumers purchase an extended warranty for their appliances. Among owners of refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and laundry appliances, approximately 25 percent report purchasing an extended warranty, while approximately 15 percent of microwave oven owners do so.

“Extended warranties certainly provide a degree of peace of mind,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “With some appliances — particularly those with complex electronics and potentially high repair costs — purchasing an extended warranty may make sense. However, major appliances tend to be very reliable, and consumers should consider very carefully — depending upon their circumstances — whether an extended warranty is worth the additional cost.”

In satisfying customers with major kitchen and laundry appliances, Bosch, GE Appliances, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool and Whirlpool Gold rank highest in various segments.

“Particularly strong performers include Bosch, LG and Samsung, which have achieved consistently high satisfaction levels in consecutive years,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “For two consecutive years, Bosch has ranked highest in the dishwashers segment and LG has ranked highest among clothes washers, while Samsung has earned an award in a refrigerator segment for three consecutive years. This is especially impressive considering the high levels of quality and reliability that many appliance manufacturers attain.”

The 2007 Major Home Appliance Study is based on 22,637 responses from consumers who purchased one or more new major home appliances through a retail store, their new-home builder, or received one through other means (such as a gift) during the previous 24 months.

Maytag Refrigerator Woes- An Update

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Last September I wrote here about my mother’s horrible experience with a brand new Maytag refrigerator.  She spent endless hours on the phone and weeks waiting for service for a fridge that was clearly a lemon.  We have had feedback that shows she is not alone.  I thought readers might be interested to know the end of the story. 

The defective refrigerator was never repaired properly, Maytag refused to speak with my mother further, and the store she purchased it from would not take it back.  It now sits (safely sealed for the protection of small children) in my parent’s garage while we try to dispose of it.  We thought maybe it could be repaired and used by a shelter or that an occupational school could use it for practice.  No one wants this new, yet defective fridge. 

 At this point, it looks like it is headed for the recycling heap.  At least it won’t be adding too much to the landfills.  That is the best I can say about it.

Recall: Hunter Fan Recalls Humidifiers for Fire Hazard

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

 Name of Product: Warm Mist Carefree Humidifier

Units: About 84,000

Manufacturer: Hunter Fan Co., of Memphis, Tenn.

Hazard: Water used in the humidifier can leak into the unit’s electrical compartment, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Hunter has received four reports of incidents involving a water leak, including one report of a fire resulting in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Warm Mist CareFree humidifiers sold in white and black with blue or green tinted water tanks. “Hunter” and “NiteGlo” are printed on the humidifier. Model numbers are listed on a white label on the bottom of the humidifier. Model numbers and tank sizes are listed in the chart below.

Model Numbers Name Size Description
36200 Carefree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2 Gallon White plastic with a blue tinted water tank
35201, 36201 Carefree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2 Gallon White plastic with a blue tinted water tank
35202, 36204 CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2 Gallon White plastic with a blue tinted water tank
35203, 36203, 37203 CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2 Gallon White plastic with a green tinted water tank
35207, 36207 CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2 Gallon White plastic with a blue tinted water tank
35253, 36253 CareFree® Humidifier Warm Mist 2.5 Gallon Black plastic with a blue tinted water tank
Picture of Recalled Humidifier
36200		 Picture of Recalled Humidifier
35201
36201		 Picture of Recalled Humidifier
35202
36204		 Picture of Recalled Humidifier
35203
36203
37203		 Picture of Recalled Humidifier
35207
36207		 Picture of Recalled Humidifier
35253
36253

Sold at: Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, discount and hardware stores nationwide, as well as through mail order catalogs and Web retailers from September 2005 through February 2007 for between $40 and $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled humidifiers. Consumers should contact Hunter Fan to receive a free replacement humidifier or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Hunter Fan Co. toll-free at (877) 288-1145 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hunterfan.com

Recall: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Recalled by Carrier Due to Fire Hazard

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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: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)

Units: About 185,000

Manufacturer: Carrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn.

Hazard: An electric heater in the unit can break, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Carrier has received five reports of electric heater failures, resulting in fires contained to the unit. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Carrier-brand packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP) manufactured between 2001 and 2005. Model numbers included in the recall are 52C, 52P, and unbranded model 84 units sold through the Bryant and FAST channels. Serial and model numbers are located on the rating/data plate on the right front of the unit, underneath the removable front panel. A complete list of the serial numbers involved in this recall can be found at www.carrierptacrecall.com. The units were sold with 208/230 and 265 volts, and have capacities of 7,000, 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTUs.

Sold by: HVAC dealers and factory-direct sales from January 2002 through December 2006 for between $425 and $675.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the heating mode of the recalled units until they are inspected in accordance with Carrier’s inspection instructions, which can be found at www.carrierptacrecall.com. Consumers should contact Carrier to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Carrier at (800) 761-8492 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.carrierptacrecall.com

Picture of Recalled Air Conditioner