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Bosch Refrigerators Now at Sears

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If you’ve always wanted to own a Bosch refrigerator but don’t have a Bosch reseller in your town, Sears may be able to help you out. Many Sears stores have been carrying some Bosch appliances. Now consumers can view a complete kitchen suite of Bosch appliances at Sears.

ENERGY STAR®-qualified Linea joins other eco- friendly Bosch appliances available at Sears, including dishwashers, laundry, wall ovens, cooktops, ventilation and ranges.

About Linea Refrigeration

Linea brings a perfectly flush, built-in look to the full-line Bosch kitchen, making it ideal for new kitchens, or as a stylish replacement for high energy-consuming refrigerators.

Convenience:

— Height-adjustable EasyLift(TM) door bin and shelves provide an easy way to accommodate over-size food items without having to unload and reload the contents of the fridge.

— Detachable CoolPaks(TM), perfect for portable coolers, free up valuable space in the freezer.

— Linea’s unique LED lighting solution, CoolGlow(TM), brightly illuminates the entire refrigerator and freezer, ensuring no food gets overlooked or forgotten.

— The exterior ice/water dispenser is integrated flush and frameless to accommodate tall glasses and pitchers to fill with crystal-clear, filtered water, ice cubes and crushed ice.

— Exterior touch controls enable all refrigerator and freezer functions to be controlled without opening the doors. This improves food preservation and reduces energy consumption.

— Sabbath mode helps families honor this religious observance by turning off interior lighting and acoustic signals while temporarily locking the display panel buttons.

Performance:

— Linea’s Dual Evaporator System keeps the air-flow and aromas separate between the fridge and the freezer while an AirFresh carbon filter further reduces unwanted odors.

— AntiBacterial wall linings provide a hygienic atmosphere.

— The FreshProtect(TM)Box temperature controlled drawer provides three precise optimized storage settings for fish and meat, dairy and produce.

— SuperCool and SuperFreezer modes protect all the food in the fridge when freshly-prepared foods are introduced.

Efficiency:

— Linea is ENERGY STAR-qualified, the industry standard in environmental responsibility.

— Linea’s Eco and Vacation cooling modes help reduce energy costs compared to continual operation in standard mode.

Design:

— The long door with hidden hinges provides a seamless built-in look.

— All metal handles, high end glass shelves, and metal look trims give a premium appearance.

— A hide-away water filter is stowed away in an easy access compartment in the interior ceiling. This unique space solution maximizes storage capacity.

Models:
— 800 Series available in Stainless Steel
— 500 Series available in Stainless Steel, High Gloss Black and White
— 300 Series available in Stainless Steel
— Suggested MSRP $2,299-$3149, but customers should check their local Sears store or sears.com for sale pricing.

Cook Microwave Ready Meals Safely

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After more than thirty people in twelve states contracted salmonella from microwaveable dinners, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning on February 12th about microwaving food.

“Foods cooked improperly in the microwave have the potential to make people sick,” said Graciela Padua, a research associate professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Padua added that one of the main reasons for the salmonella outbreak is because people simply don’t follow the directions on the food’s packaging. If consumers read the instructions more carefully, the risk of sickness would be minimized, she said.

When you heat up a microwave ready meal, be sure the food is heated thoroughly, all the way through the package. If possible, stir the food to distribute the heat and continue cooking until the entire meal is hot to the touch.

Recall: Kidde to Replace Fire Extinguishers Due to Failure to Operate

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Name of product: Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers

Units: About 167,000

Distributor: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.

Hazard: The pressurized cylinders in the recalled fire extinguishers could lose pressure and fail to operate. In the event of a fire, this failure could put a consumer and property at risk.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers with model numbers FX340SC, FX340H, FX340GW, XL5MR, FX210R, FX340SC-2, FX210W, XL2.5TCZ-4, E-340-3 and with manufacture dates between October 2007 and April 2008. “Kidde” and the model number can be found on the label on the front of the extinguisher. The manufacture year is on the bottom of the extinguisher. If your extinguisher is one of the listed model numbers and is marked with the year 07 or 08, contact Kidde to determine if you have a recalled extinguisher.

Sold at: Department, home, and hardware stores nationwide from October 2007 through April 2008 for about $35.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately inspect the pressure gauge. If it points to the red zone, contact Kidde to receive a free replacement extinguisher. If the gauge is not in the red zone, but you have questions about an extinguisher within the listed model numbers, please contact Kidde for additional information.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kidde at (888) 345-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Kidde.com

Recall: Hair Dryers By Big Lots Stores, Inc. Due to Electrocution Hazard

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Name of product: Style Elements Hair Dryers

Units: About 31,000

Importer: Big Lots Stores, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: The hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection device to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Electric shock protection devices are required by industry standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Style Elements Cool Shot Turbo hair dryers. The hand-held dryers have a silver body and black handle. Model number 3615T is printed on a label near the on/off switch.

Sold exclusively at: Big Lots’ stores nationwide from July 2008 through December 2009 for about $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the hair dryers and return them to any Big Lots store for a full refund.

Contact: For additional information, contact Big Lots toll-free at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.biglots.com

Recall: Maytag Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of product: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 1.6 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

  Serial Numbers ENDING with AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side
Refrigerators		 AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL,
ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU,
ZW, ZY, ZZ		 ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS
Top Freezer
Refrigerators		 AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW,
ZY, ZZ		 AT, CT, MT, PT

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

 representative models pictured ( Other models are affected.)  

Appliance Energy Standards Might get Stricter

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According to the New York Times, The Department of Energy (DOE) is reevaluating its standards for energy efficient appliances and is considering raising the standards for qualification as an energy-efficient appliance.

“I am going to be looking at those because I have become more convinced that they are not as aggressive as they could be,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said at a conference held by the Alliance to Save Energy. “So we will look at making them more aggressive.”

According to the nonprofit Appliance Standards Awareness Project, DOE’s deadlines call for final rules this month for ranges and ovens and commercial clothes washers, with final standards for multiple types of lamps due in June.

There are also a host of proposed standards due later this year, for products such as water heaters and pool heaters.

Chu stressed the key role that energy efficiency in appliances and buildings should play in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. He also emphasized the need to ensure that consumers see efficient appliances and home materials as choices that will ultimately save them money.

Chu also suggested a change in the Energy Star labeling program run jointly by U.S. EPA and DOE.

Floating the idea of a “superstar” category of perhaps the top 5 to 10 percent best performers, Chu said this would allow manufacturers to claim that their products would ultimately save consumers the most money despite higher up-front costs.

Pioneer Leaving the TV Business

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While Pioneer will remain in the home electronics business, focusing on audio products, DJ equipment and cable TV set-top boxes, they have, as reported in Twice.com, announced their intention to quit the television market by March 2010. They plan to emphasize “‘sound’ as they take advantage of extensive audio technologies and expertise developed over the years.

Pioneer said in a statement it is exiting the TV business because “recent market conditions have changed far more than initially anticipated, and Pioneer has decided to withdraw…after concluding there are no prospects for improving profitability under current conditions.” The company said it will continue to provide after-sales services even after the withdrawal from the market.

As with other Japanese consumer electronics makers, the combination of the worldwide recession and the exchange rate between the yen and the U.S. dollar and euro drove losses deeper than expected.

KitchenAid’s Newest Dishwasher Design

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Since a dishwasher is one of those appliances that you only need to buy every ten years or so, (one hopes!) it’s worthwhile to spend time looking for the best dishwasher for your household.  If you are in the market now for a new dishwasher, KitchenAid has added pressure-optimizing wash arms to their new  Superba Series EQ dishwashers.

These wash arms are engineered to provide concentrated wash performance by utilizing a variable speed motor that automatically adjusts power based on water conditions and maximizing energy efficiency while reducing motor noise.

KitchenAid says the dishwasher measures at 41 dBA’s, and has 13 points of sound dampening, to further reduce noise from the motor and wash arms by blocking the path of noise through the dishwasher.  The new dishwasher collection under the KitchenAid name includes the Superba Series EQ, a core Superba Series, and the Classic Series. 

Classic Series models feature four stainless steel wash arms, a 100% stainless steel tall tub, an Optimum Wash Sensor that adjusts the wash cycle to specific water conditions to maximize cleaning effectiveness and efficiency, and a dedicated heating element with a Heat Dry option that heats the tub at the end of the cycle to dry dishes.

This series will be available beginning this Spring.

GE $2500 Sweepstakes

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This is just like winning a new appliance in retroactively. All you need to do is register your GE appliance, and you will be automatically entered in a monthly drawing for $2500 from GE. The contest lasts until October 2009 and winners will be awarded a check for the full amount. You can enter the appliances you already own, no new purchases required. Just use the GE online registration or follow the instructions on their website.

Pro-Style Ranges, Who, What and Why

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We’ve all seen them, those big, shiny ranges that are often the centerpiece of a new kitchen or remodel.  The question is do you need one?

You might be interested in one for the style it adds to your home even if the added power that comes with the equipment is not something you’ll use.  Professional style ranges, like restaurant stoves,  generate more heat than a standard range – the ovens and the gas burners on top have a higher BTU (British Thermal Unit) output than conventional kitchen ranges, but unlike restaurant stoves, they’re specially insulated.  And, unlike conventional kitchen stoves, you will need a hood for ventilation, just as in a restaurant kitchen.

An advantage of a professional-series range is that the top gas burners burn hotter, allowing you to boil, saute or steam faster, but “you can also actually simmer on a low flame without burning the bottom of your pot,” says James Kita, sales manager for Metro Builders Supply in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Most of the ranges have convection ovens, which use fans to spread heat throughout the oven cavity to provide an even temperature throughout.   You’ll probably use more gas for a pro-style stove than a conventional one, Kita says. But as far as energy-efficiency is concerned, unlike refrigerators, dishwashers or washing machines, “they don’t rate these ranges because it’s not a machine that’s running all the time.”

There are also additional points to consider:  they weigh more conventional ovens, so installation will likkely cost more;they might require additional insulation in the kitchen, and there is the additional expenditure for a hood.

Professional style ranges are available from multiple manufacturers such as Viking, Thermador and even Kenmore and GE.  These companies identify them generally as “Professional Series”.  Prices range from $2,000 to $12,000, depending on the brand and the size of the stove – they vary in width from 30 to 60 inches.