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You are here: Home / Archives for Small Appliances

Small Appliances

Review: KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

December 4, 2007 By NightOwl

KitchenAid produces a whole line of stand mixers with a range of sizes and power to suit your particular needs. Recently, we reviewed the KitchenAid Professional 600 series here and found it to be a powerhouse that can tackle truly large jobs with ease. Now we’ll take a look at the Artisan stand mixer, also a KitchenAid product.

The Artisan has a 5 quart capacity bowl which can knead 9 cups of flour with its 67 point planetary mixing action. Our first thought on seeing this beauty was that it seemed small enough to be used in most any size kitchen, yet sturdy enough to tackle any job. So we put it to work.

Let’s start with ease of use- the dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip all attach with a simple push and twist. Just reverse the maneuver to remove them. The bowl also stays put easily with a counterclockwise turn to lock it in place. The rubberized feet keep it from moving around while mixing heavy doughs. We tested this while making 9 cup batches of bread dough and this machine performed beautifully, producing a firm dough in just about 5 minutes without even getting warm. Although the Artisan weighs over 22 pounds, I did not find it too difficult to maneuver around the countertop.

We put this mixer through a range of jobs, using the whip, dough hook and flat beater all of which come with the mixer. We brought egg whites to very stiff peaks in under 5 minutes, mixed countless batches of cookies, cakes, and loaves of bread. One my new regular tasks for this mixer is making our favorite banana bread by using the flat beater to mash the bananas first, and then adding the rest of the ingredients to the bowl. It comes out great and I have only one dirty bowl to wash. Each experience endeared this machine to me more.

I am a hardcore mix-by-hand baker and use a hand mixer sparingly for jobs like meringues and whipped cream, but this mixer has changed the way I bake. If you are a frequent baker and have the space (Maybe you can make the space!) to leave this out on the counter, I believe you will find that you turn to it as your first choice for mixing.

Product Features

Mixer Style Tilt-head
All-Metal Construction
Direct Drive Transmission
Bowl Finish Polished Stainless Steel
Bowl Handle Contoured
Motor Wattage 325 Watts
Flour Power™ Rating 9 Cups
Mixing Bowl Capacity 5 Quart
Planetary Mixing Action 67 Point
Mixing Speeds 10
Multi-purpose Attachment Hub
Flat Beater
‘C’ Dough Hook
Wide Chute Pouring Shield
5 Qt. Stainless Steel Bowl w/Handle
Wire Whip
Weight 22.8 US pound
Depth 14 3/32 in.
Height 13 29/32 in.
Width 8 21/32 in.

If you want to read more about the Artisan Stand Mixer, click here for the Care and Use Guide.

Filed Under: Cooking, Features, Kitchen, News, Reviews, Small Appliances Tagged With: artisan, kitchenaid, stand mixer

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

November 29, 2007 By NightOwl

If you want know how to do something right, ask an expert.  The experts at Krups, the manufacturers of both commercial and home coffeemakers, offer these tips for great brewing:

1. The Coffee Beans Whole beans stay fresh longer
 It is best to buy as soon after roasting as possible. Ideally, you should purchase your coffee fresh every 1 – 2 weeks; and buy only the quantity that you need to last for that period of time.

2. The Grind
 Always grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible.

Do not underestimate the importance of the grind to the taste of your coffee. They type of grind used in a particular machine can alter the taste and flavor of coffee. The general “rule of thumb” is the longer the extraction period (the time water spends in contact with the grounds) the coarser the grind should be. Generally coffee is finely ground for espresso and coarsely ground for a French press machine. Drip coffee machines fall somewhere in the middle. Experiment with the grind and your favorite coffee to get the perfect result. If you have your coffee ground in the store, specify the grind or let them know what type of machine you are using so they can grind accordingly.

3. The Water
 The water you use is VERY important to the quality of your coffee. Its best to use filtered or bottled water. If you are using tap water let it run a few seconds before filling your coffee pot. Be sure to use cold water. Do not used distilled or softened water. Some Krups coffee machines use a unique filtration system that removes traces of chlorine for a better taste and reduces mineral deposits for longer machine life. The ratio of coffee to water is also very important. Use the proper amount of coffee, which is typically 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. This can be adjusted to suit individual taste preferences. Be sure to check the “cup” lines on your brewer to see how they actually measure.

4. Water Temperature During Brewing
 Your coffee machine should obtain a water temperature between 195 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit when brewing. Water temperatures below this temperature will result in flat, weak coffee while water that is too hot will scald the grounds and result in poor tasting coffee.

5. Brewing Time
 The amount of time that the water is in contact with the coffee grounds is another important factor affecting the taste of your coffee. If the taste of your coffee is not optimal, it is possible that it is either over-extracting (the brew time is too short). the type of filter used – gold tone, paper, flat or cone – also effects the contact time. Experiment with the contact time until you can make a cup of coffee that suits your tastes perfectly.

Krups’ Deep Brew Technology, a feature of most Krups coffee machines, eliminates any room for error because it heats water to an ideal temperature, then pulses it through the coffee grounds at precisely timed intervals, resulting in rich, fully flavored coffee.

6. After Coffee Has Been Brewed
 Brewed coffee should be enjoyed immediately. It is recommended to use a pre-heated mug or coffee cup to maintain optimal temperature. If the coffee is not served immediately, it is recommended to pour the coffee into an insulated thermos and serve within 45 minutes. Remember: never reheat your coffee. Thermal coffee machines, such as the Krups Aroma Control Therm, are an ideal way to brew and store coffee while maintaining freshness because it does not require a warming plate which makes coffee bitter over time.

7. Enjoy Your Coffee!
 Take a moment to smell the aroma and taste the flavor. A thoughtfully prepared cup of coffee will make for a much more enjoyable coffee experience.

Filed Under: Cooking, Kitchen, Small Appliances, _ Tips

Sharp Introduces New Line of Microwaves

November 18, 2007 By NightOwl

Sharp launched a new line of heavy-duty compact microwave ovens designed to accommodate the limited space designs of busy commercial kitchens. The new line, which includes the 1200-watt R-CD1200M, 1800-watt R-CD1800M, and 2200-watt R-CD2200M, is redesigned to have a small footprint and a 0.7-cubic-foot cooking cavity. New TwinTouch dual controls make the microwaves ideal for crowded kitchens, allowing users to easily operate the oven no matter where it is located.

The new models feature dual control panels, one along the top of the unit and another on the bottom edge along the door. In many kitchens, the microwave is placed on a high shelf, which makes accessing the standard control panel challenging. In those situations, users can opt to use the more readily accessible bottom-mounted controls, which eliminates reaching up to the top of the microwave.

Models R-CD1200M, R-CD1800M, and R-CD2200M will be available in early 2008.

Filed Under: Cooking, Kitchen, Microwave Oven, Small Appliances

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

November 14, 2007 By NightOwl

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.

Filed Under: Cooking, Kitchen, Small Appliances

Downsizing? Some Choice Advice for Baby-Boomers

November 13, 2007 By NightOwl

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.

Filed Under: Dishwasher, Gas Range, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Small Appliances, Vacuum Cleaners, Washing Machine, _ Tips

Recall: Hunter Fan Recalls Humidifiers for Fire Hazard

November 7, 2007 By Appliance

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

Filed Under: Consumer Electronics, Household, Recalls, Small Appliances

Sometimes You Just Need 13 Dozen Cookies

November 3, 2007 By NightOwl

This week we’ve been testing the KitchenAid Professional Series 600 Lift Stand Mixer (in onyx black).   I may not be a professional baker, but I’m no stranger to flour.   Most months I bake at least 16 loaves of bread, 4-6 quick breads and unreasonable amounts of cookies and brownies. Crazy yes,  but with four kids and lots of drop in neighbors, I like to keep my kitchen stocked with something freshly baked.   After 20 years of baking, I know the feel of a well kneaded bread dough.  So needless to say, I’ve been looking forward to testing the current crop of mixers.

The KitchenAid Professional Series 600 Lift Stand Mixer is an extremely powerful machine.   Although the manual warns that the motor can get hot, I had it knead 13 cups of bread flour without it even breaking a sweat.  The new PowerKnead dough hook plowed through close to 5 pounds of flour easily. Using the wire whip,  I was able to bring 12 egg whites to stiff peaks in under 4 minutes on my way to a pretty decent chocolate angel food cake.   I made a large batch of chocolate chip cookies without having to soften the butter.  Just as suggested in the manual, I used the  flat beater to cream it with the sugar.

The Professional Series 600 gets its strength from its old style construction. It is a durable metal machine with solid steel gears, an industrial strength motor and no plastic in sight.  This is a machine your grandkids just might inherit from you.

But with power comes size.  The mixer is over 17 inches tall, with a 16 by 12 footprint.  The standard bowl holds six quarts.  That six quart bowl carrying a full load of bread dough can reach 10 pounds or more.  To handle the load, the Professional Series 600 has a bowl lift mechanism that will lever the bowl and its contents up to the mixer blade or dough hook.   Unfortunately, when you lower it to empty the bowl, you still need to wrestle 10 pounds of dough up and out of the bowl for rising.   Even with smaller loads,  it’s a cumbersome operation to scrape batters from the 6 quart bowl.

Because the mixer is so large and powerful,  I wouldn’t recommend it  for making one loaf of banana bread.  If you’re planning on outfitting the school bake sale, or doing your christmas baking,  you could produce 8 loaves or abundant cookies  with ease.

One of the things this mixer does do,  is morph beyond a standard stand mixer.   You can add a sausage stuffer, pasta maker, ice cream maker, citrus juicer, grain mill, food grinder, rotary slicer/shredder.   That powerful motor doesn’t have to sit idly on your counter waiting for your next birthday cake.

In the final analysis,  the professional series 600 stand mixer is exactly that.  It’s a professional piece of equipment.  This big, powerful tool is a great addition to a catering kitchen,  although overwhelming and a bit unwieldy for daily use in a typical family kitchen.    But, if you want to be able to make 3 pounds of fudge, hundreds of cookies, or a big pile of bread at the drop of a hat, this is the machine to get it done. 

If you want to see a demonstration video, there are two nice ones on this product page

CAPACITY:
KitchenAid’s marketing liturature identifies The Professional 600 Series as the most powerful stand mixer in their product line.  It is  able to churn through 14 cups of flour per batch.  Enough to make  8 Loaves of White Bread, 13 Dozen Cookies, or 8 Pounds of Mashed Potatoes.   It features a 10-speed slide control ranging from a very fast whip to a very slow stir.   New with this model is the PowerKnead™ spiral dough hook that  replicates hand-kneading to handle 20% more dough than previous models.

DESIGN

  • Stand Mixer – Removable bowl on a permanent stand
  • Bowl-lift Mixer Style -A lever raises bowl into mixing position, or lowers it for removal
  • Multi-purpose Attachment Hub – Attach pasta maker, grinder etc. to connector on the mixer’s front
  • All-Metal Construction, direct drive transmission, steel gears, and commercial motor protection for lifelong reliability

PERFORMANCE
575 Motor Wattage
14 Cups Flour Power
6 Quart Mixing Bowl Capacity
67 Point Planetary Mixing Action
Electronic Speed Sensor – 10 Mixing Speeds

INCLUDES
Professional Wire Whip
Burnished Flat Beater
Clear  Pouring Shield
6 Qt. Stainless Steel Bowl w/Handle
Burnished PowerKnead™ Spiral Hook

 Available for $399, with lots of 50 dollar rebates.

Stay tuned for our review of the 5 quart KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer.

Filed Under: Cooking, Kitchen, News, Reviews, Small Appliances

Recycle Responsibly

October 21, 2007 By NightOwl

Reuse, recycle, save energy– These ideas are ones many of us try to do daily.  There is one way we may not have thought of before- disposing of an old appliance properly.  Appliance Recycling Centers of America estimates that 55 million appliances will be removed from service this year.  If yours is one of them, be aware that nearly 20 states ban appliances from being disposed of in landfills, and more than 15 other states require that landfills separate appliances for recycling. Some states, like Minnesota and California, require that a variety of hazardous materials be removed from appliances before the metals are recycled.

There are more than 11,000 appliance recycling locations throughout the United States. Unfortunately, many of these locations do not process appliances thoroughly before recycling the metals. Older appliances can contain environmentally harmful materials such as mercury and PCBs. These substances must be removed and managed properly before recycling an appliance. Ask your city, waste hauler or recycling location for a description of the hazardous materials they remove from appliances and how they dispose of them.

Another option is to donate your old washer, fridge or dishwasher to a local occupational school.  Many schools use these old appliances for instruction and practice.  When the students are  finished the appliance is recycled.  Or even better, it will have been refurbished and will go on to serve an underprivileged family or sold to help the school.

 Doing the right thing can take a bit if extra thought, but it can feel good too.

Filed Under: Dishwasher, Gas Range, Laundry, Microwave Oven, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Small Appliances, Washing Machine, _ Tips

Green Light to Hidden Energy Costs?

October 9, 2007 By NightOwl

I have often thought that the little green lights on the computers, monitors and printers in my home office were handy little night lights but today I started seeing them differently. Warren Swil writes in the Los Angeles Times Opinion Section about the tremendous amount of energy that is wasted by leaving appliances on in what is commonly called sleep mode.

In June 2005, British Environment Minister Elliot Morley reported that electrical equipment in sleep
mode used enough energy per year to emit about 800,000 tons of carbon. That’s just for the 60 million or so Britons; multiply by five for the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that by 2010, the portion of each utility customer’s bill consumed by appliances in standby mode will reach 20%.

The article goes on to suggest doing an inventory of your home to see how many of those little green, red and blue lights are glowing day and night. I did a quick survey of my house and found 17 lights including the answering machine and one each for the oven, microwave and DVD clocks. (I never even went upstairs where I would find at least two more clocks glowing red.)

Go ahead, read the article here and then go through your house and see how much those little lights are costing you and the environment.

Filed Under: Consumer Electronics, Household, Multimedia, Small Appliances

Recall: IonizAir Table Top Air Purifiers

October 7, 2007 By NightOwl

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: IonizAir(tm) Table Top Air Purifiers

Units: About 83,000

Importer: P3 International, of New York, N.Y.

Manufacturer: Leaven Enterprise Co., of Taiwan

Hazard: The air purifier’s cartridge can overheat, posing a risk of fire.

Incidents/Injuries: P3 has received 10 reports of purifiers melting or catching fire. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled air purifier is a tabletop model that is about 6″ x 3 1/2″ x 11 1/4″. The unit has a removable cartridge with a silver-colored handle. The recall involves model number P4620 with lot numbers beginning with either 03 or 04 or having no lot number. The lot number is located on the bottom of the air purifier. No other models or lot numbers are included in this recall.

Sold at: Various retailers nationwide including mail-order and Internet retailers from January 2003 through July 2004 for between $60 and $90.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled air purifier immediately, and contact the firm for a free replacement cartridge.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (888) 734-0449 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.getnewcartridge.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/prhtml08/08012.html

Filed Under: News, Recalls, Small Appliances

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