Dishwasher

Daewoo Sale

January 26, 2010 By NightOwl

(Reuters) Creditors of South Korea’s Daewoo Electronics have chosen five candidates including Electrolux (ELUXb.ST) and Ripplewood to buy the appliance maker in a preliminary bidding, a local media report said.

It is the fourth attempt to sell creditors-owned Daewoo Electronics, once a flagship of the failed Daewoo Group.

MoneyToday said that Daewoo’s creditors shortlisted five viable candidates among those who submitted letters of intent — Sweden’s appliance giant Electrolux, U.S. private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings, South Korean cooking appliance maker Tong Yang Magic (023020.KQ), a Middle East firm and an appliance player in Mexico.

An official at Daewoo’s leading creditor Woori Bank confirmed creditors had received multiple letters of intent but declined to identify any preliminary bidder. The final bidding will take place in March, MoneyToday said, citing industry sources.

After earlier sale attempts had failed, Daewoo Electronics sold off its non-core businesses to focus on its profitable washing machines and refrigerators businesses.

In the previous rounds, Ripplewood was the latest contender but talks with the U.S. firm collapsed in January in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Prior to that, creditors also held failed negotiations with a consortium of India’s Videocon Industries (VEDI.BO) and RHJ International (RHJI.BR), the holding company for Ripplewood, as well as a private equity unit of Morgan Stanley (MS.N).

Unlisted Daewoo was placed under a debt rescheduling program after its parent group went bankrupt in 1999. It competes with bigger local rivals Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and LG Electronics (066570.KS) as well as low-priced Chinese producers, and generates more than 80 percent of its sales abroad

Bosch at 2010 International Builders Show

January 20, 2010 By NightOwl

Bosch is taking part in the International Builders Show 2010 with a live, full-kitchen installed with cooking and cleaning products. This real-installation will demonstrate how Bosch appliances can help any home project achieve higher standards in water- and energy-efficiency.

Bosch is the only US appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration. Bosch appliances featured in the IBS home include:

800 Plus Dishwasher:

800 Series Vision Laundry:

800 Series Linea Refrigeration:

800 Series Gas Cooktop:

800 Series Double Wall Oven:

Bosch is also launching its “Green Technology Inside” initiative at IBS. While Bosch takes great pride in its green manufacturing practices, the reality is 90% of the environmental impact from a home appliance occurs in the home from use. Bosch is launching the Green Technology Inside icon and designation to make it easier for appliance shoppers to identify its most water- and energy-efficient appliances.

“The ‘Green Technology Inside’ program quantifies energy and water savings to give shoppers the confidence that the Bosch appliance they are purchasing delivers the ultimate in efficiency,” said John Farley, senior brand and environmental marketing manager, Bosch.

Appliances achieving the Green Technology Inside designation include:
Vision washers, which utilize EcoSmart™ sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the cycle for optimized operation. Combined with the ActiveWater™ system, Vision washers uses just 13 gallons of water per load while delivering the cleaning power of 400 gallons.
Bosch dishwashers, which are the most efficient available in each price class Bosch offers product. In fact, Bosch recently launched the 800 Plus – the most energy- and water-efficient dishwasher in the U.S.

Use Appliance Cash For Clunkers or Repair

January 18, 2010 By NightOwl

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 for getting rid of old energy-consuming appliances and purchasing new appliances certified as energy efficient by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.

“A good rule of thumb to determine if you should repair or replace an appliance is to look at the age factor and the cost of repair,” Hicks said. “The average price of a service call is between $60-100 before parts and labor. Many companies will deduct their call charge from the total bill if you hire them to make the needed repairs. However, if a repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you’re probably better off replacing it.”

That’s when the Cash for Appliances program could really benefit those in need of an upgrade. In addition to the Cash for Appliances rebate, some states and local utility districts already offer rebates for purchases of energy efficient appliance, leading to even more savings.

States have the flexibility to select which appliances to include in their programs and the individual rebate amount for each appliance, however, the Department of Energy recommends that states and territories focus on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters, which offer the greatest energy savings potential. States had until Oct. 15 to present the DOE with a plan for how they want to implement their respective programs. The rebates were to go into effect in late November.

The distribution formula for the $300 million program is about $1 for every resident in a given state. California, for example, would receive about $35 million to allocate to the program, while Wyoming would receive about $500,000. Unlike the popular “Cash for Clunkers” vehicle rebate program, consumers will not be required to trade in their old appliances. The DOE, however, is encouraging states to develop recycling plans in their proposals.

“This program is designed to help spur economic growth, create jobs, make homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Hicks said. “Part of being environmentally friendly is to use products as long as possible, so we’re not filling up landfills with unnecessary waste. So, if your appliance is worth fixing and you can get several more years out of it, repair might be the way to go.”

Angie’s 10 questions to ask to determine whether to replace or repair an appliance:

Is it really broken?

How old is the appliance?

Have you had trouble with the unit before? If it’s performed well, it might be worth fixing instead of replacing with something unproven.

How much will it cost to repair the unit?

What would a similar appliance cost?

Are there any hidden costs to purchase (removal, installation, disposal, tax, etc.)?

How difficult is it to replace the appliance (Is it a built-in)?

What additional features will I get with the new appliance?

What energy savings will I get with the new appliance? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?

What tax credits are available for purchasing an energy efficient unit? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?

Angie’s List went to the experts for their estimates on the average life of major appliances:

10-15 years for refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers.

10-20 years for ovens, ranges, and water heaters.

15-20 years for central air-conditioning unit

Dishwasher Lasagna

January 6, 2010 By NightOwl

If you read our post on cooking a turkey in the dishwasher and you tried it, we have a second cooking adventure for you: A Lasagna!

A man named Pete at The Warp and The Weft has the whole project mapped out. We’ll share some of it here for you:

The basic steps are as follows and can be found at wikihow.com:

Ingredients:
* 1/2 jar of favorite pasta sauce
* 3 fresh lasagna pasta sheets (or ‘oven ready’ lasagna sheets)
* 1/2 16.8 oz container of Ricotta cheese
* 1/2 package of mixed grated cheese
* 1 cup freshly chopped spinach
* Garlic
* Onion flakes
* Fine herbs

Steps

1.
Cut three 24-inch x 12-inch sheets of aluminum foil and lie flat.
2.
Take first lasagna sheet and place flat it in the center of the aluminum foil.
3.
Spread a thick layer of pasta sauce over the sheet, covering the entire surface.
4.
In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese and spinach and layer half the mixture on top of the tomato sauce.
5.
Layer desired amount of grated cheese, along with fine herbs, garlic, and onion flakes.

6.
Top with second lasagna sheet and repeat all layers.
7.
Cut third lasagna sheet into strips about 3/8-inch wide and layer on top of lasagna in a criss cross fashion. Top with herbs and spices.
8.
Wrap lasagna tightly in the foil by taking the longest sides of the foil and bringing them to meet above the lasagna.
9.
Fold the edges of the foil together to make a ‘paper bag’ effect (like that you would when folding a brown paper lunch bag)above the lasagna. Begin to fold the edges together downward until you are just above the lasagna.
10.
Flatten the foil out above the lasagna and fold in the remaining sides like a present, first the sides, then the middle.
11.
Place the wrapped lasagna flat in your dishwasher on the bottom rack.

12. Set dishwasher to normal cycle and select ‘heated dry’ and ‘sanitize; settings for maximum heat.

13.Wait for the cycle to complete, then carefully remove lasagna from foil and let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Pete ran into a couple glitches, let us know how yours turns out!

Cook Your Holiday Turkey in the Dishwasher

December 24, 2009 By NightOwl

Here’s something to do while the kids are home from school and you have vacation-itis. Entertain the folks with dinner cooked in the dishwasher.

Cooking Method & Considerations

Allow one 50-minute cycle for every 2lb of weight. Hermetically seal a seasoned turkey inside several appropriate turkey-sized oven bags.

Place the turkey in the dishwasher to steam-cook.

When cooking a turkey, ensure that the temperature of the meat doesn’t rise above the recommended 145f by using a meat thermometer.

Test Run

As a trial run, a 5lb supermarket chicken was cooked in the dishwasher providing impressive results: firm, tender, moist breast meat.

Two cycles were used, and the bird was finished off in the oven to brown and crisp the skin.

Getting a whole turkey cooked this way might take all day, so Electrolux (where I found this wacky idea) suggests their Steam Combination oven as a quicker, (saner?) option.

New Jenn-Air Trifecta Dishwashers

December 23, 2009 By NightOwl

The new Trifecta dishwashers from Jenn-Air, part of an all-new collection of luxury appliances that includes advanced wall ovens, cooktops, refrigerators and ventilation systems, not only promise exceptional cleaning performance, quiet operation, and reduced water and energy use, but a number of added features designed with entertaining in mind.

“Like all of the appliances in our new collection, our latest dishwashers reflect the brand’s shift into the super-premium appliance category,” notes Juliet Johnson, manager of Jenn-Air brand experience. “In addition to providing a level of performance far beyond anything Jenn-Air has ever offered, they include a number of special cycles tailor made for keeping things running smoothly when entertaining.”

These new cycles include a One Hour Wash option that allows for the quick cleaning of dishes before guests arrive, and a Plate Warmer cycle that ensure hot plates to help keep food warm before guests begin dining. A China/Crystal cycle delivers a lower pressure wash spray to gently wash china and crystal, and a SteamClean option for stemware. A Top Rack Only option on select models concentrates cleaning power to the top rack by using the top spray arm, resulting in a shorter cycle that can quickly wash glasses over the course of a wine tasting or dinner party. The same cycle can also be used to clean half loads of several different types of dishes. including standard size dinner plates.

Beyond its Normal Wash and Heavy Wash cycles, the dishwashers feature a Sensor Wash option that gauges load size and food particle levels, adjusting wash cycles accordingly. While all cycles utilize a ClearScan Turbidity Sensor to determine particle levels to manage energy and water use, the Sensor Wash cycle uses both the ClearScan Turbidity Sensor and a temperature sensor to determine load size for a customized cleaning performance on every load.

Other features include a stainless steel tall tub, dual wash zones that concentrate cleaning power by alternating washing action between top and bottom racks, and a variable speed motor that adjusts to save energy and reduce noise. For more effective cleaning with less water use, the Trifecta dishwasher utilizes pressure enhancing wash arms with narrow spray jets that concentrate water flow to accelerate the water’s force. A dual wattage heating element offers the choice of high-performance fast drying when needed, and also provides the necessary power to heat water to the required temperature for a sanitize option. It operates at sound levels ranging from 48 to 42 dBA, less than half the perceived level of casual conversation.

A specially designed three-stage filtration system features a filter plate, a coarse filter cup filter and a microfine filter created to optimize water flow and minimize food particles that can be left inside the filter or redeposited on dishes. Rather than utilizing a screened bottom, the filter cup is bottomless and sealed directly to the dishwasher drain, allowing particles that are captured in the cup to be washed out of the system. The innovative filter design also makes it easier to maintain, with fewer manual cleanings required.

Designed to maximize loading flexibility, the dishwashers feature an adjustable upper rack that is easily removed to accommodate very tall items from lobster pots to long vases.

Other conveniences include cup shelves with integrated stemware holders; a lower rack with a Split & Fit silverware basket that can be split and placed to fit around the dishwasher load; light item clips for small, lightweight items; and onyx black racks with fold down tines and shelves.

Style choices for the new dishwashers include the commercial look of Pro-Style in stainless steel and the sleek, refined Euro-Style options available in Oiled Bronze, black and white Floating Glass and stainless
steel.

Truth in Appliance Energy Labeling

December 21, 2009 By NightOwl

Those yellow energy guide labels we all rely on to pick energy efficient appliances, have come under scrutiny from the US Department of Energy (DOE). As we wrote about in November, manufacturers covet the EnergyStar label and use the yellow sticker to entice buyers.

Those labels may not be as accurate as you think. A review of previous filings for the labels found instances of missing or incorrect information.

The DOE addressed the problem this month by giving manufacturers 30 days to provide accurate information on their products’ energy use. Also, it promised to take a tougher stance to enforce energy-efficiency standards.

The agency said makers of such products as refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners have until Jan. 8 to provide the information, which is primarily used to certify that the appliances meet minimum energy-efficiency standards

Sears Dishwasher Rebate Hard to Get

December 16, 2009 By NightOwl

On Black Friday, Sears offered free installation on select Kenmore dishwashers in the form of a rebate coupon. The coupon is pretty simple to understand as far as these things go–buy one of the listed models, and Sears will pay for the installation. According to William, however, the listed model that he wanted remained out of stock only for the duration of the coupon. When he asked Sears to honor it the next day, they agreed to–but then after he bought the dishwasher they told him he had broken a nonexistent rule and therefore had voided the coupon.

Here’s William’s story as found on consumerist.com:

“Over the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period, I attempted to purchase a dishwasher from Sears.com that had been heavily discounted and included a free installation coupon. Checking the Sears.com website I found it curious that from the time Black Friday had begun, to the sunset of the coupon, the dishwasher (Kenmore Elite #1318) seemed to be out of stock around the country (I checked multiple zip codes).
Perhaps most interesting was that when I stopped by a Sears store and inquired about the availability of the dishwasher, they too were very surprised to find that the item was out of stock around the country. Of course, as soon as the coupon expired, the item was suddenly back in stock on both Sears website, and in the store.

Armed with this rather curious information, I contacted Sears.com and asked them to explain the coincidence, or perhaps to offer to honor the now expired coupon. They came back to me and told me that they would honor the coupon and that all I would need is to send them an order number as soon as I purchased the dishwasher. Given the tough economy and the helpful service I received at the Sears store just days earlier, I decided to try and purchase the dishwasher through the store and thus give them a bit of business. Following my purchase, I obtained a “sales check number” and contacted Sears.com thinking that this would suffice to receive the rebate. Sears.com came back to me and told me that the number was not in their system, and that I should check again with the store. I contacted the store and asked them if the order had been processed… they informed me it had, so I went back to Sears.com.

During my conversation with their representative, I was informed that Sears.com could not honor their commitment as I had purchased the item in a store as opposed to the website. I informed the representative that there was no requirement in either the original coupon or in the emails that they had sent to me. They informed me that there was nothing that they could do.

Thankfully, the store that I purchased the dishwasher from has decided to waive my installation charges. However, I don’t see why they have to foot the bill when this is a Sears.com problem.”

You can view the coupon here.

Getting Dry Dishes

December 7, 2009 By NightOwl

One of the simplest ways to save a little money and energy is to let your dishes air dry after they are washed in the dishwasher. Simply use the wash only cycle and open the dishwasher door as soon as the cycle finishes. The dishes will be very hot and will dry quickly.

If you are still using the dry setting on your dishwasher and find that the dishes are wet when the cycle is complete, first check that you really programmed the washer for the heat dry setting, then check to see if the rinse aid dispenser needs filling, evaluate how well the dishes are loaded, and make sure a large item doesn’t block smaller items.

Here are some additional problems to check:

Did you use the proper amount of detergent? Too little or too much detergent can have an affect on how well dishes dry.

The next things to check are the filters, drain valve, drying fan, heating element, and the thermostat. Sometimes a clogged filter will prevent all the water from being able to exit the unit. Clean or replace clogged filters. A faulty drain valve that leaves too much water in the cabinet can be to blame. Is there too much standing water left in the unit after the dry cycle is complete? Check for blockages at this valve.

Some dishwashers have a fan that circulates the cabinet air to help dry the dishes. If the fan is not working properly, you need to replace it. At the bottom of the dishwasher is a heating element that warms the air in the dishwasher. The increased temperature speeds up the evaporation process and decreases the drying time. Visually inspect the element and look for any burned or broken areas on it, and if it’s burned out or if you can’t measure continuity with it removed, it will need to be replaced.

There is also a thermostat that measures the water temperature and drying temperature. If the thermostat is faulty, the cycles may not complete properly. If it’s faulty, you need to replace it. You may want to unload the dishes in the bottom rack first so that any water left pooled on dishes in the top rack won’t spill onto the bottom rack’s dishes.

Jenn-Air to Move to Sears From Lowes and Home Depot

December 2, 2009 By NightOwl

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 at 255 of its largest stores. Jenn-Air will continue to be available to independent dealers and regional chains.

This presents Sears with a prestige kitchen collection just as consumers begin planning their holiday entertaining.

Price points for the luxury line run as high as nearly $10,000 for some built-in refrigerator models.

Sears has recently beefed up its high-margin premium portfolio with the addition of Bosch appliances and the expansion of its private-label Kenmore Elite collection.

“Sears continues to listen to our customers who have voiced their desire for a super-premium line,” said Sears’ home appliances president Doug Moore. “Our relationship with Jenn-Air to carry its luxury line of kitchen appliances is another great example of how we continue to enhance our brand offerings.”