Phil Davis is the Managing Member of iCubed International, the company that makes the smallest microwave ever built. “I was looking for a way to do a hot towel treatment before my shave,”
said Davis, “I figured the only way I could do that was to have a microwave in the bathroom. I went and got a tape measure, and it went from there.”
From there, it became what it is today: the world’s smallest patented,
personal-sized, portable microwave that is perfect for a number of uses: in
the bathroom to heat towels, paraffin waxes, lotions and more. In the
bedroom it can heat gel packs to soothe aches and pains, or heat that
morning coffee or tea without a trip downstairs. It’s perfect for any place
where space is at a premium: work or home office; home gym; family room;
nursery; wet bar; dorm room; work bench; pool house. It features a built-in
carry handle that makes it perfect for tailgate parties and picnics. It has
all the electronic controls and safety features you would expect, and it
plugs in anyplace that has a standard outlet. It’s quiet,
super-energy-efficient, measures just 10″ x 10.5″ x 12″ and weighs only 12
lbs. The iWave Cube input is 600 Watts.
Davis sees the uses of this microwave as diverse, helping boaters, RV enthusiasts, and truckers
equip their vehicles, to helping senior citizens and the physically challenged by alleviating their need to go back and forth to the kitchen.
It retails for $149.95.
Jury Finds Against Stove Maker
From the East Valley Tribune in Phoenix, Arizona:
A Pinal County jury on Thursday handed down a huge civil award to a family whose two boys were badly burned in a fire apparently caused by a faulty stove.
The manufacturer, Electrolux Home Products, was ordered to pay the Kavu family of Stanfield $43.1 million.
“They’re just elated,” said the family’s attorney, Matt Cunningham. “They’re very happy with the jury’s decision.”
The two boys, ages 3 and 12 at the time of the accident, were burned in April 2004 when a fire flared up inside their home in the small town just west of Casa Grande.
The older brother, Jeofrey, was burned over 50 percent of his body. The younger, Benson, suffered burns to his head and face, amounting to about 15 percent of his body.
The family believed that their gas stove was to blame and filed suit in 2006.
The award is one of the largest an Arizona jury has returned.
“It’s staggering,” said attorney Robert Greer, who represented Electrolux, a Swedish company whose American headquarters are in a suburb of Augusta, Ga.
The company previously offered to settle with the family, he said, but the Kavus turned it down. Greer declined to say how much the company offered.
The company plans to appeal, and Greer said Electrolux believes the amount of the award was too high and he hopes the judge will “fix it.”
“We’re still processing and working through it,” Greer said. “This was not a product failure.”
Electrolux’s most well-known U.S. products are from its Frigidaire line of home appliances, which includes stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers.
News reports show a Pennsylvania woman filed a similar suit last year against Electrolux after her stove exploded. That case is still pending.
LG Electronics Upgrades Laundry Palette With New Colors
Delivering on its promise of bringing stylish design into all of its home appliance products, LG Electronics, announced the addition of two new designer finishes -Bahama Blue and Emerald Green – bringing its front-load laundry palette to eight colors. The new models incorporate feature-rich packages at an array of price points to suit a variety of consumer needs.
As laundry rooms emerge from the basement and move closer to the family living area, consumers are investing in these spaces – just as they have done in the past with kitchens, entertainment rooms and outdoor patios – and are embracing new technology, design and style,” said John Weinstock, marketing vice president, Digital Appliances, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “LG is at the forefront of this trend and is committed to helping consumers make their laundry area more streamlined, functional, and stylish – delivering technology that makes washer-dryer operation easier and more productive than ever and styling that includes bold new designs and premium finishes. The new palette is a direct result of listening to consumers, and reflects their desire for a colorful array of premium products and innovative technologies.”
New finishes such as Bahama Blue and Emerald Green are now available on LG’s ultra-large 4.0 cubic-foot capacity laundry pair. The washer includes a 1,100 RPM spin speed, and both the washer and dryer feature highly styled controls with a LED display and ergonomically designed Dial-A-Cycle(TM) control panel with preset cycle selections to provide worry-free settings for optimal fabric care. The Bahama Blue laundry pair is available now at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,049 for the washer; the matching dryer is available at $949. The new Emerald Green finish will be available beginning at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,049 for the washer and $949 for the dryer.
Vita-Mix Introduces New Flagship 5200 Blender
The Vita-Mix Corporation has been extolling the virtues of a whole food diet for decades, quietly amassing thousands of loyal customers who have made Vita-Mix high-performance blenders an integral part of their healthy lifestyles. Today, Vita-Mix is proud to announce the first new Vita-Mix household blender in 15 years – the Vita-Mix 5200. The Vita-Mix 5200 introduces a brand new container made from a new material by the Eastman Chemical Company called Tritan™ copolyester, a shatterproof material that is BPA-free, a first in the home appliance market.With its new, more efficient 2 peak HP motor, whole foods aren’t just blended in the 5200; they are pulverized – seeds, stems, skin and all. By rupturing cell walls and creating more surface area, the Vita-Mix releases the full bioavailability – and flavor – of what you put in it, making it the ultimate whole food machine.
“The Vita-Mix 5200 adheres to our founder’s vision of producing an appliance that goes well beyond what is expected from a conventional blender,” explains John Barnard, CEO of Vita-Mix Corporation. “Partnering with Eastman Chemical Company on our new container material will give our customers a super-strong, state-of-the-art product that delivers the performance and legendary durability for which our company is known.”
Electrolux to Debut New Line of Premium Appliances in North America
Called Electrolux, the new appliance line is set to debut on North American shores in spring 2008. Boasting a distinctive look with a curved front design and signature blue LED displays, the new European-designed collection from Electrolux also offers ingenious features such as advanced Wave-Touch™ controls, one touch and more than 60 controls appear and disappear at the touch of a button; Luxury-Glide™ Racks, oven racks with patented ball-bearings that effortlessly extend at the touch of a finger; and the Perfect Turkey Button™, one button you push to cook a perfect turkey
Recognized throughout Europe as the gold standard of appliances, Electrolux appliances have been used in fine European homes and restaurants for more than 70 years. Now, Electrolux is bringing that same level of uncompromising quality and high performance to North America with the launch of its new Electrolux line.
Your Kitchen. Your Style.
With first in its class features, such as induction hybrid cooktops that boil water in 90 seconds or Luxury-Lighting™, ramp up designer lighting that is as beautiful as it is functional, or the industry’s largest total cooking capacity electric range, Electrolux appliances are designed to make today’s kitchens more functional, comfortable, beautiful and easy to manage. The new line includes more than 50 high-performance, stylishly designed models, including freestanding and built-in gas, electric and dual-fuel ranges, electric wall ovens, gas and electric cooktops, induction hybrid cooktops, built-in and over-the-range microwaves, counter depth and standard depth refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator drawers, wine coolers, wine towers, ice makers, beverage centers, dishwashers and ventilation systems. Long on style and innovation, Electrolux appliances are the result of a consumer-centric approach to looks and functionality. For example:
- The Electrolux double wall oven is designed with innovative features such as Luxury-Glide™ patented ball-bearing oven racks that smoothly extend with the touch of a finger, a Wave-Touch™ control panel that keeps controls hidden until activated by a touch of a finger, and even a Perfect Turkey ™ button that helps make holiday cooking stress-free.
- The Electrolux dishwasher boasts the largest useable capacity[i] and is the quietest dishwasher in its class[ii], so you can run it whenever you want and no one will notice. The exclusive Perfect Stemware ™ cycle means spotlessly clean stemware – every time.
- The Electrolux dual fuel range features a Min-2-Max™ burner system offering the widest range of BTU performance in the industry so you can go from a roaring 18,000 BTU boil to a gentle 450 BTU simmer. It also offers the ultimate in versatility, combining the power of a gas cooktop with the precision of an electric oven for baking. The Electrolux dual fuel range also features Luxury-Glide™ ball-bearing oven racks that smoothly extend with the touch of a finger.
- With its PureAdvantage™ air and water filtration systems, the Electrolux refrigerator keeps fresh air circulated throughout to prevent odor transfer and also ensures fresh, clean water at your fingertips. In addition, the Fast Ice™ option makes up to 50% more ice so you’ll be set for your parties and dinners.
- The Electrolux over-the-range microwave boasts Cook-2-Perfection™ Technology designed so your dishes cook evenly. The proprietary Sure-2-Fit™ design even accommodates a full-size (13” x 9”) casserole pan.
- The Electrolux 21’ Cu. Ft. Freezer exclusively offers three full extension Luxury Glide™ baskets with adjustable dividers that fully extend to provide convenient storage and easy access. No more searching for lost leftovers.
- The Electrolux European Style wine tower holds up to 160 bottles of wine perfectly.
According to Frank Downing, Director of Product Design at Electrolux, the goal was to create versatile appliances that let people do what they need — and love to do — better, faster and easier. “Electrolux appliances offer more choices, such as eight cooking modes on Electrolux wall ovens and ranges, and an induction hybrid cooktop with both electric and induction elements,” said Downing. “We also offer more room – we have got the largest total cooking capacity range with second oven and the largest useable capacity dishwasher in the market. And finally, Electrolux appliances deliver more flexibility, like our dishwasher with custom cycles to coddle your crystal, and ranges and cooktops with a Min-2-Max™ burner, offering the widest performance range in the industry – from simmer to boil,” Downing said.
Electrolux appliances also offer ingenious features, exclusive to Electrolux including:
- Advanced Wave-Touch™ Controls — one simple touch and the control panel activates, showing the virtually endless cooking options and control settings. Seconds after you make your choices, all but the options selected will fade to black, returning to an elegant and uncluttered display.
- Luxury-Glide™ racks and shelves — with a ball-bearing system — smoothly extend at the touch of a finger. Luxury Glide™ racks and shelves are standard in Electrolux free-standing and built-in ranges, wall ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers. The Luxury-Glide™ system can also be found in our freezers and warmer drawers and other specialty products.
- Luxury Lighting™– ramp-up designer lighting that is as beautiful as it is functional.
- Luxury-Hold™ doors – oven, range and dishwasher doors that stay put at whatever angle you place them.
- Perfect Set™ Controls on Electrolux cook tops and ranges feature a virtually endless choice of pre-set settings for predictably perfect results.
- Sure-2-Fit™ Racking System is the most versatile racking system of any dishwasher. It offers a perfect place for more than 180 items from chopsticks to stockpots to stemware. There’s also an adjustable/removable top rack for the utmost flexibility. In its lowest position, it can accommodate 10” tall stemware in the top rack and adjust the rack to its highest position to fit 14” plus serving platter in the bottom.
- Flex-2-Fit™ expandable element system — Elements adjust up to three sizes, so the element fits the cookware, not the other way around.
- Refrigerator Alarm System – Notifies you if there’s been a power failure, if a door stays open longer than five minutes and if the interior temperature ever rises above 55 degrees.
- My Favorite™ Settings – Allows you to customize settings to meet your needs, so the option you want is available at the touch of a button. Now you can do more, just the way you want.
All Electrolux products are ENERGY STAR® qualified, where applicable. They are at least 20% more energy-efficient than non-ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. The entire Electrolux appliance collection will be available nationwide at Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sears and select independent appliance dealers beginning in spring 2008.
Inside a Washing Machine
We don’t often consider how our household appliances work, we tend to take them for granted. But when I stop to think about all they do, I wonder about the mechanics of it all. The site howstuffworks.com is so much fun. It has a wonderful way of explaining how our everyday world works. Below is an excerpt from the section about the workings of a washing machine, you can read the whole article here.
If we take a look under the washing machine, you’ll see what makes it so heavy.
 Motor and counterweight |
Yes, that is in fact a block of concrete in the picture above. The concrete is there to balance the equally heavy electric motor, which drives a very heavy gearbox that is attached to the steel inner tub. There are lots of heavy components in a washing machine.
The washing machine has two steel tubs. The inner tub is the one that holds the clothes. It has an agitator in the middle of it, and the sides are perforated with holes so that when the tub spins, the water can leave.
The outer tub, which seals in all the water, is bolted to the body of the washer. Because the inner tub vibrates and shakes during the wash cycle, it has to be mounted in a way that lets it move around without banging into other parts of the machine.
The inner tub is attached to the gearbox, which is attached to the black metal frame you see in the picture above. This frame holds the motor, gearbox and the concrete weight.
 Cable-and-pulley support system |
The picture above shows just the black metal frame, without the tub or gearbox. The cable that you see on the left side of the picture is the other end of the same cable that you see on the right side. There are a total of three pulleys, so that if one side of the frame moves up, the other side moves down. This system supports the weight of the heavy components, letting them move in such a way as not to shake the entire machine.
But, if all of these parts are just hanging by cables, why don’t they swing around all the time?
A laundry machine has a damping system that uses friction to absorb some of the force from the vibrations.
 Vibration-damping system |
In each of the four corners of the machine is a mechanism that works a little like a disc brake. The part attached to the washer frame is a spring. It squeezes two pads against the metal plate that is attached to the black frame. You can see where the pads have polished the plate from movement during vibration.
Appliance Maintenance Tips and Lifespan Estimates
I think it’s good to be reminded regularly to look after these appliances we spent so much to acquire. So I feel justified in offering this list from the Sun Herald that nudges you to take a minute and check up on your household appliances. It could add years to their lifespan.
Refrigerator
Average life span: 14 years
What you need to do: Locate the condenser coils by checking your owner’s manual. Clean them by unplugging the fridge and removing dust gently with a broom or brush. Check the seals by sliding a piece of paper in the closed door. If it falls out, you need to replace your seals. And defrosting regularly can’t hurt.
Inspected and cleaned: Have it done if your at-home remedies don’t work or if there are noises you can’t locate.
Washer, dryer
Average life span: Washer: 12 years; Dryer: 14 years
What to do: Clean the dryer’s lint filter and hoses. Kinks or ridges can cause highly flammable lint to build up, a major cause of fire.
Inspected and cleaned: Replace the hoses on your washing machine every 3 to 5 years.
Window air conditioner
Average life span: 13 years
What you need to do: Changing the air filter every month helps the system run more efficiently and improves air quality. Dirt and neglect are the main causes of AC failures, so clean it well.
Inspected and cleaned: Do it twice a year, usually fall and spring.
Garbage disposal
Average life span: 13 years
What you need to do: Keep anything stringy, like pumpkin pulp, out of it. Also leave out tough produce, anything hard that can dull the blades, and grease, which can clog your pipes.
Inspected and cleaned: Have this looked at whenever your plumbing is checked.
Microwave
Average life span: 5 to 8 years
What you need to do: Microwaves are simple appliances; they don’t know the difference between the food you want cooked and old splatters in the chamber, so keep it clean and don’t exceed the recommended usage.
Inspected and cleaned: Anytime there’s a problem. You should never attempt to work on it yourself.
Dishwasher
Average life span: 9 to 12 years
What you need to do: Be mindful of what you put in it. Leave out small pieces that can get lodged in the drain and make sure everything is dishwasher-safe. Use a powdered detergent, because gels can cloud dispenser and glasswear. Spend the few dollars on a rinse aid, such as Jet-Dry, every month or so.
Inspected and cleaned: Every 2 to 3 years.
Water heater
Average life span: electric: 6 to 14 years; gas: 5 to 9 years
What you need to do: Check your hoses, fittings and release valves. Also watch for damaged areas on the outside of the tank and leaking.
Inspected and cleaned: Every couple of years.
Stove
Average life span: electric, 16 years; gas, 19 years
What you need to do: Check temperature with a thermometer or by following a basic white cake mix and making sure it cooks correctly. Keep it clean inside and out, using nonabrasive cleaners. Check your seals and the hinges, which can bend over time and let heat escape.
Inspected and cleaned: Any time it’s not heating properly.
Central air system
Average life span: 10 to 20 years
What you need to do: Check for leaks around the system and with hose connections. You should also change your filter monthly.
Inspect and cleaned: Seasonally
Is a Steam Appliance Right for You?
Steam is hot right now. It is showing up in a variety of appliance and is touted as the way to sanitize, freshen and even shorten cleaning times. Consumer Reports weighed in on steam use in appliances at abclocal.go.com sharing their opinion of steam’s usefulness.
One thing to be aware of before even considering a steam unit is the cost:
Kimberly Janeway from Consumer Reports, says “Some cost twice as much or even more than the best buys we recommend, which don’t have a steam feature.”
The steam feature not only adds to an appliance’s price, it also adds time to wash cycles. For example, for the clothes washers, it added as much as 25 minutes. For the dishwashers, it added up to 45 minutes.
Consumer Reports’ Emilio Gonzalez just tested two washing machines with steam modes from Kenmore and Whirlpool. Both companies claim their steam features boost cleaning performance and remove stains better.
“While the washers did better at removing stains when using the steam setting, they still cleaned very well even without the steam,” says Gonzalez.
Consumer Reports also tested the steam settings of Kenmore and Whirlpool dryers. Testers used wrinkled shirts exposed to cigarette smoke.
“The dryers got rid of most of the odors and wrinkles from the shirts, although there were wrinkles still left on the sleeves. So it’s a refresher, but not a replacement, for going to the dry cleaner,” says Janeway.
New dishwashers made by Jenn-Air, LG, Maytag, and Kenmore also have a steam-cleaning feature. Consumer Reports put them through one of its toughest food cleaning challenges: removing baked on brownie batter.
Janeway says “Steam only improved cleaning slightly on all four dishwashers.”
So while steam may be the hot new trend in appliances, Consumer Reports says it’s an extra feature that’s not worth the extra money.
So, depending on your opinion of Consumer Reports, you have the beginnings of an answer to the question- Is a steam appliance right for you?
Vacuum Shoe
Here’s something that sounds good in theory, but doesn’t seem to work in practice- The people at Electrolux thought that putting a vacuum in a pair of shoes might appeal to the overworked multi-tasker. Well, it’s been over a year since this concept debuted and we’re waiting to see if our local discount store will be selling these stunning sneakers in our favorite colors.
Appliance Sales are Down
Here’s some bad news for appliance dealers (if they haven’t already noticed the effect in their own markets)
Twice.com reports that according to AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), January shipments of major appliances fell 17 percent to 3.9 million units compared with the 4.7 million major appliances sold during the year-ago period.
Taking the biggest hit was the home-comfort sector, which was dragged down by a nearly 60 percent drop in room air shipments. The decline was only minimally offset by a 2.8 percent increase in dehumidifier sales, AC’s sister category.
The cooking category also felt the heat, down 15.6 percent year-over-year to nearly 1.2 million units. Leading the decline was microwave ovens, off nearly 19 percent in January. Among ranges, ovens and cooktops, gas-fueled models fell 10.7 percent while electric models saw an 11 percent decline last month. Gas cooktops were singed by a 17.2 percent decline, marginally offset by a 1.2 percent increase in gas oven shipments. By contrast, electric cooktops enjoyed a 5.1 percent gain, while shipments of electric ovens dropped 10.6 percent.
Among the other core appliance categories, kitchen cleanup dropped nearly 14 percent to some 808,300 units, food preservation fell nearly 9 percent to approximately 623,700 units and home laundry slipped 3.1 percent to about 964,000 units.
There were, however, several bright spots. Besides the gain in electric cooktops, portable dishwashers saw shipments climb 21.3 percent and wholesale sales of gas clothes dryers were up nearly 6 percent. But among their category counterparts, electric dryers declined 3.1 percent and washing machine shipments were off by 4.5 percent, to about 519,300 units. Similarly, shipments of build-in dishwashers declined 7.8 percent, disposers fell 19.4 percent and compactors dropped 19.5 percent.
Within food preservation, refrigerator shipments declined 8.8 percent to some 513,700 units while freestanding freezers fell 9.5 percent, led by a 12.7 percent decline in chest-style models.
Summarizing the month is the AHAM 6, an amalgam of the industry’s core washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, range and oven categories. Factory shipments for that grouping fell 7 percent in January, to 2.4 million units.