If you have ever wondered how your television works, HowStuffWorks has just what you are looking for. They cover the basic technology in the back of your TV: the four parts, electron gun, steering coils, phosphorus screen, and steering coil. It’s so much easier to understand if you watch the video.
In Kitchen Design, Appliances Come First
We spend so much time in the kitchen during the holiday season. Families gather for dinner and inevitably a large group gathers in the kitchen. This gets us to thinking that we need a larger, prettier, or more usable space. That’s likely why so many kitchen remodels take place after the holidays. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, take your time making design decisions, the kitchen is a complex room with many different elements to consider.
Here are a few things to consider in your planning:
•Pick your appliances first — everything gets built around them.
• Pick your countertop before you select your cabinets. The cabinet company won’t know what height to build the lower cabinets without knowing the thickness of the countertop — they’re all different.
• Pick your backsplash before you hire the electrician. The placement of the electrical boxes will depend on the thickness of the counter’s backsplash. Will it be tile or a solid material? What thickness will the material be and will it be affixed directly to the wall or will mortar be placed between the wall and the splash? There is nothing worse than paying the electrician extra to go back and add spacers to the electric boxes because they aren’t flush with the finished surface — fire hazard!
• With certain sink/disposal combinations you may have to adjust the height of your existing drain outlet. Kohler currently offers a stainless kitchen sink 28 centimetres (11 inches) deep and ISE has a gigantic new one HP disposer. Together they fit a bit lower into the under-cabinet area than other models.
• Selecting appliances in advance will also be important to the plumber and the electrician. The plumber may need to run an icemaker line if the refrigerator has one and the electrician will have to know what size circuits will have to be run for the range, oven, exhaust fan and other appliances.
• Some sales people will offer you the least efficient alternative just to keep the price in your budget. For example: It is less expensive to use doors rather than drawers when designing a set of kitchen cabinets. However, for many users drawers provide far more efficient storage space. Also, the rails that drawers glide on vary greatly in cost and strength. There are some drawer glides that bend when the drawer is full. Better types can hold an adult doing push-ups.
You can read more here.
Retro Fridge- Modern Price
If your kitchen needs that special 50’s retro refrigerator, SMEG, an Italian manufacturer, has just what you need.
50’S Style Refrigerator with ice compartment,
Pastel Green, Right hand hinge
Capacity 9.22 Cu. Ft.
REFRIGERATOR:
Antibacterial interior
Interior light
3 adjustable glass shelves
1 bottle storage shelf
1 fixed glass shelf
1 fruit and vegetable container
1 dairy box
DOOR:
2 adjustable covered bins
2 bottle storage bins
4 adjustable bins
2 egg bins
FREEZER COMPARTMENT:
1 Ice cube tray
Energy consumption: 305 kWh/ year
Dimensions (h x w x d ) 57½ x 23⅝ x 27½ inches
This little beauty (9.22 cubic feet) costs about $2000 and comes in a variety of colors.
Air Cleaners – What You Need to Know
Many people believe that an air cleaner will help their family be healthier. Using an air cleaner or air purifier in your home supposedly helps reduce dust, pollen and other respiratory irritants. There are three types of air cleaners, High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators.
From the Arizona Daily Star:
1. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters: Consumer Reports says air cleaners with these filters are among the best performers. But homeowners can more easily improve their indoor air with other methods, such as banning indoor smoking, keeping pets out of bedrooms, removing carpeting and other dust-mite havens and opening windows, the magazine says.
2. Electrostatic precipitators: They apply an electrical charge to particles and deposit them onto filters. They commonly emit small amounts of ozone as a byproduct. This month, Consumer Reports withdrew its endorsement of them after 15 years of recommending some models, saying, “We now believe that air purifiers that emit even small amounts of ozone are not your best choice.”
Ozone is a common air pollutant, an indicator of smog’s presence. The Environmental Protection Agency says that relatively low ozone levels can cause respiratory problems.
3. Ozone generators: Manufacturers say that ozone will purify the air, but Consumer Reports recommends against such machines, saying its tests have found that their ozone production generally exceeded federal Food and Drug Administration limits of 50 parts per billion set for medical devices. The California Air Resources Board just approved new rules, requiring such generators to limit ozone to 50 ppb by Dec. 31, 2008.
Newer houses with better insulation, double-paned windows and weatherstripped doors save energy, but they also seal pollutants into our homes. I try to limit my impact on the environment. Air cleaners are just another electronic device to run, with uncertain results. My choice is to vacuum and wash floors and bedding regularly and to open windows daily. Those are results you can see.
Fire Safety – Prevent Kitchen Fires
The San Mateo County Fire Department has some important safety tips for cooking during this busy holiday season.
How often has the doorbell rung or a child interrupted you while you were cooking, causing you to forget about the chicken you left sizzling on the stove – until smoke filled the house? If this scenario or a similar one doesn’t sound familiar to you, you may want to think about it a little more because it’s likely that you, a friend, or family member has run the risk of having a dangerous fire.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The latest statistics from NFPA say that one out of every three home fires started in the kitchen and more than 100,000 fires a year were related to cooking.
Here are a few safety tips to remember:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. If you must leave the the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).
- Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.
- If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call 911.
- Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner and slide the pan off the burner.
- Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call 911.
- If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.
- To avoid the accumulation of grease, always clean the vent screen above your stove. You can put these in the dishwasher! If you cook frequently with oils, butter, and grease, make sure to clean it at least once a month.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn how to use it.
Recall: Pressure Cookers By Manttra Inc. Due to Burn Hazard
Name of Product: Pressure Cookers
Units: About 38,250
Importer: Manttra Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va.
Manufacturer: TTK Presitge Ltd., of India
Hazard: If the pressure cookers are not closed properly, the lid can separate and allow hot contents to spill out. This poses a risk of burns to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Manttra has received two reports of hot contents spilling out of the pressure cookers, resulting in minor burn injuries.
Description: This recall involves Manttra Smart Series five-piece stainless steel multi cooker sets. The set includes a pressure lid, glass lid, steamer basket, wire trivet, and stock/pressure pot. Model/code number 38270 is stamped on the base of the 8-quart stainless steel cooker.
Sold at: Kohl’s, Robinson’s, Sears and Carson Pirie Scott stores nationwide from June 2003 through April 2007 for between $70 and $100.
Manufactured in: India
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the pressure cookers and contact Manttra Inc. to receive a new replacement pressure valve (ZPD valve).
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Manttra Inc. toll-free at (877) 962-6887 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.manttra.com
Whirlpool Aims for Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
If you are shopping for eco-friendly appliances, here’s some good news from Twice.com:
Whirlpool will increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012, the company announced last week. The world’s largest majap maker will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by 17 percent, it said.
The positive output of the reduction is equivalent to approximately 4.5 million acres of trees, an area larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
Whirlpool chairman/CEO Jeff Fettig announced the increased reductions plan in his keynote address here at the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global). Whirlpool is the founding sponsor of EE Global, a showcase for the energy-efficiency industry attracting industry professionals, academics and policy makers from around the world to exchange the latest technical, commercial and policy information and forge partnerships and develop “best practices,” policies and strategies for global implementation.
Separately, Friedrich Air Conditioning has been awarded an Environmental Excellence Award by San Antonio Water System (SAWS) for the second consecutive year. SAWS serves over one million people in the seventh largest U.S. city, Friedrich’s home base.
Friedrich received this award in recognition of its continued efforts to reduce water consumption. In 2007, the company reduced the amount of process water requiring treatment by approximately 50 percent.
Recall: DeWALT Cordless Drills Due to Fire Hazard
Name of Product: DEWALT Cordless Drills
Units: About 346,000
Manufacturer: DEWALT Industrial Tool Company, of Towson, Md.
Hazard: The trigger switch of the cordless drill can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: DEWALT has received 11 reports of trigger switches overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Description: This recall involves DEWALT individual cordless drills listed below:
| Model Number | Description | Date Codes |
|---|---|---|
| DC920 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2” (13mm) 18 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200723 through 200742 |
| DC930 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200625 through 200746 |
| DC935 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver | 200627 through 200746 |
| DC936 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 14.4 Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver | 200635 through 200746 |
| DC940 | Heavy-Duty XRP™ 1/2″ (13mm) 12 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver | 200635 through 200746 |
The model number is printed on a sticker on the side of the unit. The date code is embossed on the bottom of the unit. Units stamped with an “M” following the date code have been repaired and are not included in this recall. The packaging of repaired drills has a green dot sticker near the UPC label.
Sold at: Wholesale distributors and retailers from about June 2006 through December 2007 for between $180 and $280.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the drills immediately and contact DEWALT for the location of the nearest service center to receive a free inspection and, if necessary, free repair.
Consumer Contact: Call DEWALT toll-free at (888) 742-9168 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit firm’s Web site at www.DEWALT.com
You can Really Save – Choose Energy Star
Most of us want to save energy. It’s good for the environment and good for our pocketbooks. By choosing a new appliance with an Energy Star rating you are off to a good start. How much you will save though, depends on the type and age of the appliance you are replacing.
One thing seems certain though, you will be saving more than that yellow Energy Star label lists. Why? Because according to www.energystar.gov the Energy Star ratings compare a new Energy Star model to a new standard model, not to older ones like those in your kitchen and laundry room.
The Washington Post writes:
For example, a 2007 Energy Star refrigerator uses at least 15 percent less energy than a standard one, as you will note when you peruse the showroom floor. But the average American household replaces its refrigerator about every 14 years, so a more accurate calculation for you would be to compare the 1993 standard to the current Energy Star one.
Using an 18-cubic-foot freezer-refrigerator, a fairly common size, as a basis for comparison, a new Energy Star model would use about 30 percent less energy than the 1993 standard model. But many families have refrigerators that are much older than that and still going strong. No one pays much attention to how much electricity these old models consume, but it is astounding when compared with the latest Energy Star models.
Using the same size for comparison, a 2007 Energy Star refrigerator uses 54 percent less energy than the 1989 model. If you’re going for some kind of record and still use the 18-cubic-foot, avocado-colored refrigerator that you proudly bought in 1975, you will find that a 2007 Energy Star model uses 81 percent less energy.
The greatest energy and water savings from a new Energy Star dishwasher will not be realized by a household trading in its 32-year-old antique but by one that is switching from hand to machine washing. Contrary to popular belief, hand washing on average uses about five times as much water as a dishwasher (about 27 gallons vs. five gallons), or about 5,000 gallons more a year, according to a German study cited on the Energy Star Web site. In areas with acute water shortages, this may be of great interest.
The energy savings between hand washing and a 2007 Energy Star dishwasher are about 38 percent, according to the Whirlpool dishwasher engineering staff.
If your brand-new Energy Star dishwasher replaces a 12-year-old machine — representing the average rate of turnover in U.S. households — water use would go down by about 33 percent, or by 600 gallons a year, and the new machine would use at least 29 percent less energy, the Whirlpool engineers said.
The turnover rate for washing machines is the same as for dishwashers, about 12 years. If that’s your situation, you will find that you have more choices than you did in 1995. Also, the Energy Star criteria for washers now include water savings. To qualify, a washer must use 40 percent less energy and about 30 to 60 percent less water than a standard top-loader.
Compared with the washer you bought in 1995, a 2007 Energy Star conventional top-loader uses about 40 percent less energy and about 25 percent less water. The 2007 Energy Star wash-plate top-loader uses about 60 percent less energy and about 30 percent less water. The 2007 Energy Star front-loader uses about 75 percent less energy and about 60 percent less water.
Many of these new appliances will pay for themselves in energy savings (lower utility bills) in just a couple years. That, and the fact that a new washing machine or dishwasher cleans better than a ten year old one, and you might just find yourself doing some comparison shopping soon.
Toastmaster Bread Machine Review
AmericanChronicle offers this review of the toastmaster bread machine which is an option if you are looking for a less expensive bread machine than the Cuisinart that we reviewed here.
A Toastmaster bread machine is cheap to buy. This combined with their standard features makes these appliances attractive to buyers. But there are other cheap bread makes on the market and these can be a better bet than a Toastmaster. Here’s a reviews of the two best sellers.
Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a lot of functionality; you’ll be surprised at the amount features that come as standard on a Toastmaster breadmaker. The following appliances both do a good job at baking bread and many consumers are happy with their overall performance. The following review is for two models currently available from the Toastmaster range – the TBR15 and the TBR20 – and how they compare with a rival brand.
The Toastmaster TBR15 Bread Machine
This appliance currently retails for around $40 plus. It comes with an 80 minute quick bake cycle and can bake a loaf as large as 1.5lbs. You get a large viewing window and its pretty compact at 13″h x 13″w x 11.75″d. It comes with a fairly impressive list of 8 cycles; basic, whole wheat, French, Sweet, fast bake, Quick Bread, dough and bake. These are pretty much going to satisfy all but those that take home baking very seriously.
The cost of the TBR15 puts it in competition with the Sunbeam 5891 bread machine. The Sunbeam also comes with a quick bake – only 58 minutes, so it’s quicker. Also, it’s more versatile as it can bake either 1.5 or 2lb loaves. It also beats the TBR15 when it comes to the choice of cycles; there are 12 in all – including one for making jam.
Both machines have their drawbacks, the biggest being that they can sometimes fail to mix all the ingredients together so you end up with floury corners on the loaf – unless you manually intervene during the first mixing stage. But, this is a fairly common complaint with horizontal bread machines that use only one mixing paddle; even more expensive brands have this problem.
The Toastmaster TBR15 does have one main plus point over the Sunbeam 5891; its instruction book is far superior. It would be fair to say that the Sunbeam is pretty hopeless as it gives contradictory advice and has a very limited recipe list.
But, if you’re going to be spending this little on a bread maker, you’re best choice is the Sunbeam.
The Toastmaster TBR20 Bread Machine
This is a slightly more expensive machine and it currently retails at $55 plus. It can bake either 1, 1.5 or 2lb loaves. You also get a delay timer of 13 hours and a touchpad with digital readout. However, you still only get the 8 programs available on the TBR15 model. Its closest competition is the Oster 5838 ExpressBake bread machine. The Oster retails for around $10 – $20 more. It can also bake 1, 1.5 and 2lb loaves and has a 13 hour delay bake option. But it out does the Toastmaster on the selection of cycles that are available; the Oster has 18 cycles.
It’s a close call as to which is the better appliance. Personally, I prefer the Oster breadmaker but both models perform equally well and the TBR20 is cheaper. If you’re satisfied with the 8 cycles then the Toastmaster bread maker is probably the best option.
Both the TBR15 and the TBR20 Toastmaster bread machine are low priced but good appliances that get a decent rating on many customer reviews. But I would say forget about the TBR15; either upgrade to the TBR20 or buy the Sunbeam bread machine instead.