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Recall: Log Splitter Engines By American Honda Motor Co. Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Engines used in SpeeCo and Huskee Brand Log Splitters

Units: About 5,600

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

Hazard: The engine’s fuel tank can crack and leak, posing a risk of fire or explosion.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves Honda engines (model type GCV160LA N1A) used in Split Master by SpeeCo and Huskee brand log splitters. Only engine serial numbers between 5547012 and 6880908 are included in the recall. The serial number is located below the upper shroud near the oil dip-stick. The following models of log splitters are affected by the recall and are either silver/black or red/black colored.

Huskee Log Splitter SpeeCo Split Masters
LS401227TS (22 Ton)
LS401228NO (27 Ton)		 LS401228SP (22 Ton)
LS401227NO (22 Ton)
LS401225NO (25 Ton)

Sold at: The log splitters with the recalled engines were sold at outdoor power equipment dealers and Tractor Supply stores nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,150 and $1,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the affected log splitters and contact any Honda Lawn and Garden dealer or Honda Engine dealer for a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled log splitters 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

Recall: Dirt Devil Vacuum Accessory Tools Due to Laceration Hazard

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Name of Product: Dirt Devil Vacuum Power Brush Attachment Tools

Units: About 987,000

Manufacturer: TTI Floor Care North America, of Glenwillow, Ohio

Hazard: Plastic pieces inside the vacuum tool can break apart and be ejected, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: TTI Floor Care has received 140 reports of incidents involving the recalled vacuum tool, including 12 reports of injuries. Those consumers reported minor eye or skin injuries and one thumb injury.

Description: The recalled Dirt Devil Turbo Tool/Power Brush attachment was sold as an accessory with the following Dirt Devil vacuum models. Only vacuum tool accessories with date codes J7060 through J7365 and have a C-clip connector are included in this recall. The date code is located on the underside of the vacuum accessory. The Turbo Tool/Power Brush tools are about 6 ½ inches long by about 5 inches wide and come in a variety of colors that match the color of the vacuum. The housing of the tool was made in clear, red, green, or light blue with clear, light blue, dark blue, red, purple, or black turbine fans with matching brush rolls.

Dirt Devil Vacuum Models
Reaction Purpose for Pets Ultra Swivel Glide     
M110000 M140000 M086020
M110000HD                  M140000CA  
M110001B    
M110002 Envision Wide Glide      Swerve
M110003 M086700WCA M086030
M110006 M086710 M086030CA
M110008    
M110008CA Action Upright Royal Commercial
M110009 M110020CAB RY6100

Sold at: Mass merchandisers, home improvement stores and other retail stores nationwide from April 2007 through April 2008 for between $60 and $170 for the vacuum cleaner, including accessory tools.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Dirt Devil accessory tool and contact the firm to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact TTI Floor Care at (800) 245-2296 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dirtdevilturbotool.com

 

Assistive Kitchen Robot Takes Stanford’s Dishes to the Wash

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BoingBoing Gadgets reports:

The “Assistive Kitchen” robot picks up the dishes and takes them to the wash, thanks in large part to RFID sensors built into the plates and utensils in Stanford’s test kitchen. The team building the robot is also trying to teach it to surf the web to pick up new tricks, as well as self-optimize its routines to minimize the amount of running around it would have to do to pick up the dishes. (Pick up all the plates missing from the cabinet before returning to the dishwasher, for instance.)

Robot B21 today — Rosie tomorrow.

Robot chef gets a boost from wireless kitchen [New Scientist] (Thanks, Zoe!)

Hal 2000 as a dishwasher

Whirlpool’s New SpeedCook Oven

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Whirlpool’s New SpeedCook combines a microwave with a true convection oven and range hood.  The  SpeedCook appliance is a True Convection oven, a g2Max® SpeedCook oven, a  microwave and a steamer all in one. 

 Typically, microwave ovens operate on HIGH power only. For example, to achieve a 50% power level (“medium”) in a typical microwave oven, the microwave oven operates 50% of the time at HIGH power and 50% of the time OFF.  In contrast,  this microwave system delivers the selected power level continuously. This constant stream of microwave power helps to minimize overcooking of foods and messy food spatters.

The microwave system features the 6th SENSE™ cooking system. A humidity sensor in the microwave oven cavity detects moisture and humidity emitted from food as it heats. The sensor adjusts cooking times to various types and amounts of food. Sensor cooking takes the guesswork out of microwave cooking.

A 1,000-watt halogen bulb with a 500-watt quartz bulb to serve as the grill element for various cooking functions.  This allows browning which is not usually possible in a microwave.

The oven’s convection system is composed of a convection element, which heats in conjunction with the convection fan for true convection cooking. The system is embedded in the wall of the microwave oven cavity, behind the protective screen.

On the outside, a glass LCD screen makes programming simple and easily visible. You can choose from a handy 30-second cook option and many resets to cook different sorts of food. There are also speed cook, “keep warm,” and childproof options on the oven.  Other options include the option to turn off the turntable and instructions for using the oven to proof a loaf of bread.

This sounds like a real multipurpose appliance.  It retails starting at $919.

Food Safety and Your Refrigerator

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We all know how important it is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables everyday.   One of the easiest ways to do that is to keep the fridge produce drawers stocked with your family’s favorites .  The problem arises with how most people maintain those drawers.  The details of how a refrigerator is cleaned and its temperature, along with how food is prepared and stored were discussed by a panel of experts meeting in New Orleans this June.

Vegetable bins in home refrigerators contain the highest percentage of bacteria,” said Sandria Godwin, a food scientist with Tennessee State University and part of a four-member panel that presented its findings on consumer refrigeration trends.

“You don’t have to go to a party or a restaurant to get food poisoning,” she said. “We are all looking for someone to blame when it comes to food safety, but there are things we can do to reduce the risk, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, infants and children.”

Poor refrigerator cleaning, mixing unwashed vegetables with uncovered raw meats in the storage bins, failing to install a refrigerator thermometer, and not maintaining the recommended refrigerator temperature of 40 degrees are all food spoilers and bacteria multipliers.

While less scientific than some of the other findings, uncertain economic times have also forced consumers to view raising the temperature in the refrigerator as a way to save on their energy bill, panelists said. It has also made consumers less likely to throw away food that is past its recommended self date.

Consumers with a higher income are less likely to keep their refrigerator clean, Godwin said. She cited busy lifestyles and time constraints as the cause.

We have a big challenge because it’s hard to change behaviors,” said Danielle Schor, senior vice president of food safety with the nonprofit International Food Information Council in Washington, D.C.

“People think food-borne illness is something you just get over,” Schor said. “It’s not a stomach ache; it can cause a lot of damage, but people don’t always see the immediate consequence so they don’t realize the danger.”

The 68th Annual Meeting and Expo of The Institute of Food Technologists, has attracted about 15,000 food scientists and others in the food technology industry, including representatives from the academic, private, nonprofit and government sectors.

Dacor’s Newest Cooktop

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Dacor introduces its newest Renaiss-ance Gas Cooktops, available in 30 and 36 inches.  The SimmerSear burners give  up to 18,000 BTUs to simmer and sear at ultra-low and ultra-high temperatures.  These new gas cooktops also have Dual-Stacked sealed burners for simmering.

For an ultra cool look, and an added safety feature, the Illumina burner controls glow Dacor signature flame-blue when the burners are on.  Extra-wide continuous  grates provide plenty of room for oversized pots and pans.  And Dacor’s exclusive bead-blasted finish on the spill tray and sealed burners make cleaning up easier than ever.

Samsung Sivercare Washer and Dryer Vibration Reduction

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One of the reasons to love front loading washers, is the potential for them to run quietly. Nevertheless, the Bosch washer currently in our test lab often sounds like a jet taking off. Manufacturers are working on the technology to make them quieter. Here’s a video from Samsung on how they are attacking the problem with the SAMSUNG’S WF337 Washer.

Recall: Lawn Mowers by American Honda Motor Corp. Due to Laceration Hazard

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Name of Product: Honda Lawn Mowers

Units: 20,500

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

Hazard: The lawn mower’s rear shield can break off allowing debris to be thrown toward the operator, which poses a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: American Honda has received one report of a shield breaking off the lawn mower. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves HRX walk-behind lawn mowers with model numbers HRX217(K)2HXA and HRX217(K)2HMA. The model and serial number are printed on a label located on the upper rear of the mower deck. Serial numbers included in the recall are MAGA-1500001 through 1520532. The recalled lawn mowers are red with “HONDA” written on the bag.

Sold by: Authorized American Honda Motor Corp. dealers and Home Depot stores nationwide from October 2007 to June 2008 for about $900.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn mowers and contact their local Honda Lawn and Garden dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled lawn mowers have been contacted by direct mail notification.

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 Honda’s Web site at http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/recalls/

       

Are You Using LPG or Natural Gas?

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The last time you bought a new gas appliance- grill, dryer or range for example, you were likely asked what type of gas you used in your home.  Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas are both used to power those and other household appliances,but they have different properties and will be used differently in an appliance.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),  is a product of crude oil distillation. It contains mostly propane, or C3H8. Propane has the nice property that, when you compress it, it condenses into a liquid. This means that it is much easier to store in a tank than natural gas, which does not easily compress.

Natural gas is just that — natural. If you sink a well in the right spot, natural gas flows out of the ground. It is mostly methane, or CH4.

Howstuffworks.com offers further explanation:

You can see the difference between natural gas and LPG most easily when you buy a gas stove. Normally, you are supplied with two sets of jets, one set for natural gas and one set for LPG. You install one jet in each burner. The jet is simply a little screw-in cap with a hole drilled into it. The difference is that the hole in the jet for natural gas is bigger — about twice as big — as the hole in the jet for LPG.

The reason for this difference is because LPG contains much more energy than natural gas. A cubic foot of natural gas contains something like 1,000 BTU (British Thermal Units) of energy. A cubic foot of propane contains perhaps 2,500 BTU. You can see that if you take a gas appliance set up for natural gas and then run it on LPG, the appliance is going to run more than twice as hot. In the case of a water heater , it is apparently hot enough to start a fire.

So, the seemingly simple question of what type of gas fuels your home, can be an important piece of fire safety information for protecting you and your family.

KitchenAid Introduces its Quietest Dishwasher Yet

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KitchenAid is now offering its quietest dishwasher ever. Featuring the new EQ™ Wash System and Whisper Quiet Ultima Sound Insulation System, this latest KitchenAid undercounter dishwasher is exceptionally quiet with a sound rating of only 48 dBA, or decibels, a level close to that of a quiet room (40 decibels) and well below a moderate rainfall (60 decibels).

The EQ™ Wash System provides optimal cleaning performance and noise reduction while also saving water and energy. The system features a true variable speed motor that helps to minimize operating noises by starting slowly and adjusting its operating capacity to deliver the power needed based on the wash cycle. Alternating wash zones focus the washing action while using less water and energy for high performance cleaning. A three-stage filtration system captures food particles as the water circulates within the dishwasher to maximize efficiency of its pump. For enhanced drying performance, the interior of the dishwasher is heated by a dedicated drying element.

“In addition to being our quietest, our latest dishwasher is 58% more efficient than

Energy Star standards,” notes Debbie O’Connor, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. “Beyond being Energy Star qualified, it also has an efficiency designation from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), making it eligible for energy rebates in select states.”

Additional features include a welded tall tub with a stainless steel interior, a premium feature found throughout the entire KitchenAid dishwasher line. Other innovations include a ProScrub® Option that provides concentrated cleaning during the normal wash cycle for harder to clean items like casserole dishes with baked on food. An Optimum Wash Sensor adjusts the wash cycle to specific water conditions for maximum cleaning efficiency.

A culinary tool rack, an adjustable and removable upper rack, fold-down cup shelves, an extra-large silverware basket with three lids and a Sure-Hold® Small items pouch offer great versatility in accommodating a variety of dishwasher loads.

Available in stainless steel, white, black or a panel-ready model for a custom panel, the new dishwasher model will carry suggested retail prices of $1,449 for the stainless steel model,
$1,299 for the black or white models and $1,399 for the panel ready model.