Appliance. net

Appliance news, reviews, ratings, forums, reports and buyers guides.
Locate repairs and parts. for home and kitchen appliances.

You are here: Home / Archives for Cooking

Cooking

Recall:Keystone Manufacturing Co. and QVC Recall Convection Ovens with Rotisserie Due to Fire and Electrical Shock Hazards

By

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cook’s Essentials Convection Ovens with Pull-Out Rotisserie and Deni Convection Ovens with Rotisserie

Units: About 32,000

Retailer: QVC of West Chester, Pa.

Distributor: Keystone Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Buffalo, N.Y.

Hazard: Wires behind the control panel can overheat, posing fire and electric shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received 49 reports of incidents, including five minor burns, five electrical shocks and 11 incidents of minor property damage to kitchen cabinets and countertops.

Description: This recall involves the Cook’s Essentials Multi-Function Convection Oven with Pull-Out Rotisserie (model number 910500), which was also sold as the Deni Convection Oven with Rotisserie (model number 10500). The model number can be found on the bottom of the oven. These are countertop ovens and the brand name “Cook’s Essentials” or “Deni” is found on the front right panel.

Sold through: The Cook’s Essentials brand was sold exclusively through QVC and the Deni brand was sold through various on-line retailers from October 2006 through May 2007 for about $125.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and contact QVC or Keystone to receive a replacement oven or a refund. QVC and Keystone have notified consumers by telephone and by mail to stop using the oven.

Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven through a QVC broadcast or at QVC.com, and who have not been contacted by QVC, should call QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET seven days a week. Consumers who bought a Cook’s Essentials oven at a QVC outlet or retail store should return the oven to the store at which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers who bought a Deni brand oven and who have not been contacted by Keystone should call Keystone at (800) 336-4822 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com or Deni’s Web site at www.deni.com

Picture of Recalled Youth ATVs

How to Buy a Cooktop

By

Gas or electric? Smooth top or coils?  We’ll help you sort out your options.

Features and Frills:

  • Popular finishes: stainless steel and black; followed by white and bisque.  An oiled bronze finish is also newly available as is a “clean” steel which doesn’t show fingerprints.
  • Some models offer more than one type of burner- induction plus electric or gas, plus a warming zone.
  • A bridge burner can combine two burners to handle larger pots and more evenly cook the food.

What to look for:

Electric:

  • Smooth ceramic surfaces- they’re pricier than coils, but easier to clean.
  • Warming zones for keeping cooked foods ready.
  • Touch pads for precise tempetaures.
  • A “hot-surface” light that warns when burners are too hot to touch.

Gas:

  • Look for heavy cast iron grate and burners in various sizes and temperature ranges
  • Gas on glass- easy to clean coking grates sit on top of a smooth, easy to clean ceramic surface.

Induction:

  • A magnetic field heats the pot or pan, which then heats the food- the cooking surface never gets more than slightly warm to the touch.

There is a cooktop for every budget, ranging in price from just over $250 for a Maytag with electric coils all the way to a KitchenAid induction cooktop for $2,249.00.  Of course there are many choices in the mid-range, such as a GE gas cooktop for $599.

Even the simplest meals usually involve some cooking- take your time and visit a few showrooms to check out all your options.
(Thank you to FamilyCircle magazine.)

Cooktop vs. Conventional Range

By

Are you trying to decide whether a conventional range or cooktop would work better for you?  If you have the space for either option and are unsure which would best suit your needs, here are some thoughts to consider:

Cooktop:

Pros:

  • Flexibility- can be built into any countertop.
  • Optional burner configurations and add- on such as griddles and grills

Cons:

  • Can be substantionally more costly than conventional ranges.
  • Installation costs more as it should be done by a professional.

Conventional Range:

Pros:

  • A restaurant style range can be a striking design element in the room.
  • Easy installation
  • Can often be swapped out without major remodeling costs.

Cons:

  • No variations on oven height or burner placement.

Sharp Introduces New Line of Microwaves

By

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.

The Right Appliance for You

By

Do you find that you are drawn to a certain brand of appliance again and again?  Did your mother always rely on one brand of washer and dryer?  Whirlpool is aware of consumers conscious and unconscious preferences for specific appliances.

For every Whirlpool Corporation brand – including Whirlpool®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Jenn-Air®, Amana® and Gladiator® GarageWorks – there is a unique brand identity that is defined using proprietary consumer research about preferences, lifestyles and values. Whirlpool Corporation uses this research to make tough, strategic decisions about the kinds of product innovations, features and designs it will offer to consumers.

Each of Whirlpool Corporation’s branded products is designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of consumers from a psychographic standpoint. What’s important to one consumer may not even occur to another,” said Michael A. Todman, president, Whirlpool North America. “For instance, the consumer who buys Maytag brand focuses on reliability, so the durability of internal nuts and bolts means everything. The time-starved nature of the Whirlpool brand consumer means placing greater value on getting more done quickly, so the brand’s focus is timesaving features.”

Some other Whirlpool insights into how they, and we view their large family of brands:

  • For 100 years, the Maytag brand has represented strength and lasting durability
  •  With a common-sense approach to life, Amana brand consumers believe in creating a pleasant atmosphere in their home. Amana consumers want quality and style at an affordable price.
  • KitchenAid brand consumers enjoy cooking with others, savoring the journey of making great food with great friends and family.
  • The Jenn-Air brand appeals to a consumer who loves to entertain, has uncompromising taste and pays great attention to detail.

So, the fact that your mother might have insisted on a Maytag washer because she knows they are durable is exactly what Maytag (remember they’re Whirlpool in disguise) wants her to think.  It’s up to Whirlpool to build machines that uphold the reputation. 

If you’d like to read more about the varieties of appliances available from these Whirlpool brands, you can do so here

Salton Electric Toaster Recall- Fire Hazard

By

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

Viking Goes Commercial

By

 “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: Back to Basics Iced Tea Maker

By

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

By

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

High End Appliances – Chef Included

By

If you have recently spent some time feeling baffled by the many options on a new appliance, you are not alone. Some folks have even sought help with their entire kitchen. Maybe not a bad idea. The Los Angeles Times writes:

With sophisticated, professional-quality appliances and high-design gizmos going into residential kitchens, many would-be home chefs haven’t a clue how to operate the latest technology. The infrequent cook who wants to make a Thanksgiving turkey might stare blankly at the keypad and wonder: Convection, radiant, bake, roast, speed-cook or steam?
People are spending less time cooking in kitchens but more money remodeling them because they want the best to impress their neighbors,” says Mark Connelly, senior director of appliances and home improvement for Consumer Reports.

Connelly, a no-nonsense guy who’s been testing kitchen appliances for 18 years, says manufacturers are adding unnecessary options to differentiate themselves. TVs are embedded in refrigerators, toasters have convection-oven modes, faucets come with hands-free functions. “There are sanitary reasons for having one in an airport bathroom but not in your kitchen,” he says.

And those Starbucks-style coffee machines?

“You can spend $15 on a drip coffee maker or thousands on a fancy coffee maker,” he says, “and they both make a good cup of coffee — if you use quality coffee.”

As kitchen appliances become more complex, Connelly says, owners look for simple ways to use them.

“People spending a lot on an appliance want as many buttons as possible to justify the cost,” he says, “but most of the time they’re using the same selection as on their old appliance.
To read more, click here