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Sears Going Green

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Turn off the Lights! Turn off the water! Reuse and recycle!

I know I try to follow those simple guidelines and have installed low flush toilets, energy efficient appliances and compact fluorescent lights in my home.  Sears is trying to help a bit by “rolling out the Kenmore Elite® dishwasher with Ultra WashHE technology, and the SteamCare(TM) Washer and Dryer lines, along with a new alliance with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots Program. ”

The Roots & Shoots program is a youth program whose mission is to  foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.

With that goal in mind, Sears’ new product line will be high efficiency, high performance and have a sleek modern line.  “Consumers understand that small changes made in their homes can have a significant impact on the environment,” said Tina Settecase, vice president and general manager of home appliances, Sears Holdings Corp. ”  As part of the initiative, $25 will be donated to the Roots & Shoots Program for every Kenmore Elite dishwasher with Ultra WashHE technology sold between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7, 2007. To read more

Salton Electric Toaster Recall- Fire Hazard

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Salton Inc. and QVC Recall Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard

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: Cook’s Essential Electric Toasters

Units: About 5,200

Retailer: QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa.

Distributor: Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.

Hazard: The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite
items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received information that ten toasters
reportedly turned on spontaneously, including one incident of fire
damage to kitchen cabinets and two incidents of toaster covers burned.
No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the “Cook’s Essential” four-slice wide
slot electric toasters model CET 401. These toasters are made of
stainless steel and measure 12 inches long, 13 inches wide and 8 inches
high. Each toaster has “Cook’s Essentials Classic Look Toaster, Model:
CET401” printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster.

Sold by: QVC through its television station, its Web page; its toll-free
number, outlet, and its employee and Studio stores from January 2003
through June 2003 for between $63 and $69 plus about $8 for shipping and
handling. Some recalled toasters may have been sold at various
retailers.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it,
and cut off the power cord where it enters the body of the toaster.
Consumers who return the power cord in the prepaid envelope that will be
provided will receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a toaster from a QVC’s television
program or at QVC.com were sent a package by mail containing information
on how to receive a refund. Consumers who have not received the
information packet should call QVC at (800) 367-9444, from 7 a.m. to 1
a.m. ET, seven days a week or visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com.
Consumers who bought a toaster at a QVC outlet or retail store should
return the toaster at the store where it was purchased to receive a full
refund. For all non-QVC purchases, contact Salton at (800) 233-9054
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the
firm’s Web site at www.esalton.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08001.html

Appliance Use for the Disabled

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A report from ABC News says:

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is warning that new technology for home appliances is becoming harder for people with disabilities to access.

The report says small buttons on remote controls, heavy oven doors, and touch-operated devices, are some of the features that render appliances unusable for about 20 per cent of the population.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes says keeping disabilities in mind when designing products is crucial for an ageing population.

“What we need to do is build some partnerships so that everyone is included in the design of products, and not just someone who either has a problem seeing or manipulating or hearing,” he said.

Viking Goes Commercial

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 “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 Commercial product line will consist of a complete array of cooking equipment, including ranges of all styles, ovens, broilers, griddles, salamanders, cheesemelters, induction units and island suites, as well as under-counter refrigeration.

To request product information, please contact Viking toll-free at 888.845.4641, or visit the web site at vikingrange.com.

Recall: Berko Electric Toe – Space Heater

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Berko Electric Toe-Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

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 Products: Toe-Space Electric Heaters

Units: About 84,000

Manufacturer: Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley
Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C.

Hazard: If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the
unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Marley has received 29 reports of fires resulting in
property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves electric, toe-space heaters typically
installed in kitchens and bathrooms at floor level in the recessed space
under cabinets. The recall includes Berko Electric catalog numbers TS,
TS-1 and TS-1A and Emerson Electric “Chromalox Comfort Heating” and
“Environmental Products” catalog number KSH2000. The heater is
controlled by a wall thermostat or a thermostat mounted on the front of
the heater. The heater has a removable, black metal grille that measures
23 1/2 -inches wide and 3 1/2 -inches tall with five sets of openings,
each with seven horizontal louvers.

Sold by: Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972
through February 1985 and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from
1980 through February 1985 for between $70 and $170.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the
thermostat and, if possible, at the home’s circuit breaker or fuse.
Consumers should contact Marley to determine if they have a recalled
heater and for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Marley at (800)
642-4328 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or
visit the firm’s Web site at www.berkomep.com/ts.htm

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07298.html

Recall: Electric Heater

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Electric Heaters Recalled by Aloha Housewares Due to Fire Hazard

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: “Aloha Breeze” Portable Electric Heaters

Units: About 281,000

Importer/Distributor: Aloha Housewares, Inc. of Arlington, Texas

Hazard: The heater can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Aloha Housewares has received seven reports of
heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including one report of minor
property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled electric heaters are white-colored with the
name “Aloha Breeze” printed on the front. The recall includes model
number 05226 with date codes of 07/05, 08/05 and 11/05. The model number
and date code are printed on the silver label located on the bottom of
the heater.

Sold at: Wal-Mart stores nationwide from July 2005 to July 2007 for
about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled heaters immediately and
contact the firm for instructions on receiving a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Aloha Housewares at
(800) 295-4448 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday,
or send an e-mail to ahitexaslg@aol.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07296.html

New H-Series Refrigerator by Samsung

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Samsung has announced the release of its H-series refrigerator line featuring its “exclusive Twin Cooling System™.” This system allows “the different freezer and refrigerator compartments to be controlled and cooled independently, as well as preventing the mixing of odors between the two compartments.” This style also defines itself as the first “truly built-in side-by-side refrigerator.”

Even Global Warming Couldn’t Prevent This Bankruptcy

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Global warming aside, it seems that the “big box” stores have impacted corporations such as Fedders to the extent that they have changed direction and started producing a “broad line of residential, commercial and industrial IAQ and HVAC equipment”

“Founded in 1896, Fedders Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of air treatment products, including air conditioners, furnaces, air cleaners and humidifiers for residential, commercial and industrial markets.” Despite adding to the product line and reducing costs, Fedders Corporation filed for bankruptcy in August.

“After careful evaluation, management and the board have concluded that in order to ensure the company’s business units’ viability and growth prospects, an exploration of the sale of the company’s businesses is in the best interest of all of its constituents,” said Michael Giordano, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fedders. “The Chapter 11 process will allow time for prospective buyers to evaluate the company and its business units while day-to-day operations continue.”

You can read more about Fedders cooling off here

Recall: Back to Basics Iced Tea Maker

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Back to Basics Products Recalls Iced Tea Makers Due to Fire Hazard

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: IT400 Iced Tea Makers

Units: About 10,000

Importer: Back to Basics Products LLC, of West Bend, Wis. and Bluffdale,
Utah

Hazard: The iced tea maker’s components can fail, posing a fire hazard
to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: The recalled Iced Tea Maker (Model #IT400) is mostly white
and has a 2.5 quart glass pitcher. The recall includes only those
products with a date code of CA1307 or CA1307-A. The model number is
embossed on the bottom of the unit, and the date code is printed on a
small white sticker, which is also on the bottom of the unit.

Sold at: Bon-Ton department stores and hardware stores nationwide, the
JCPenney catalog, and Internet retailers from April 2007 through July
2007 for between $40 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled iced tea
makers immediately and contact Back to Basics Products to receive a free
replacement product or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call the firm at (800)
874-4084 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday; visit
the firm’s Web site at www.backtobasicsproducts.com; or e-mail the firm
at IT400recall@btbproducts.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the
recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07306.html

She’s Willing to Eat a Little Burnt Toast

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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 and she would use it for quick meals during the summer when the temperature in our Southern California  house was in the mid nineties.  My mother is well known in our family for her thriftiness and would use the toaster until it absolutely would not toast another piece of bread.  Even when she had to flip the bread over to toast both sides, she kept it.

Here’s a nostalgic piece from the Navasota Examiner for those of us who remember eating toast that had been over cooked in an aging toaster.

I burned the toast this morning and the unfortunate event brought back many memories. The reason I burned the bread to a black crisp was that my toaster oven of about 20 years refused to toast any longer, forcing me to use the oven broiler. One might say the toaster retired. For all those years, the little oven had neatly browned bread, cooked wieners, toasted buns, baked potatoes, cooked tater tots, French fries and chicken nuggets.
I retired it once before, when my children presented me with a new one, but the newer version promptly caught on fire and destroyed itself. One might say it committed suicide. When the new toaster passed away, I dug out the old one and placed it on active duty, sort of like calling up the National Guard.

To read more, click here