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Appliances (Kitchen) Topics

Does Jim really know appliances?

Click on the column headlines below to read the entire unedited columns and view the related illustrations. Most of my columns that you read in your newspaper or magazine have been edited due to space constraints.

Homeowner Benefits? - These are the potential benefits that a typical homeowner will realize by following the tips or by installing the home-related products that are discussed in this column.

437 - New refrigerator/freezers use less electricity and have more features
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the 13 most efficient, full-featured refrigerators, freezer locations, sizes, colors available, features such as through-the-door ice/water dispenser, insulating packages, sprillproof shelves, illustrations, tips for lowering your refrigerator energy usage, efficiency recommendation chart, tips for buying a new refrigerator, explanation of the Energy Guide label and several prices.
Homeowner Benefits: Reduce electric bills, better preservation of foods, convenient features

537 - Use the sun to cook your meals and bake your bread
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of ready-to-use solar cooker/ovens, descriptions, features, prices, do-it-yourself instructions for making a plywood solar cooker, a low-cost cardboard solar cooker, a single hot dog cooker that makes a wonderful boy/girl scout project, solar box cooking tips and unique solar cooking recipes.
Homeowner Benefits: Reduce heat in kitchen in summer, lower utility bills, cook with power off

578 - New dishwashers are super-quiet and less expensive to operate
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the 17 most efficient and quietest dishwashers and dishdrawers listing water usage for normal cycle, number of pumps, descriptions of wash cycles and spary washing system, internal water heater and maximum temperature, internal food disposer options, convenient/sanitizing features, prices, and tips for dishwashing efficiency.
Homeowner Benefits: Much quieter operation, more cycles for better cleaning, save energy

672 - New gourmet barbecues use wood pellets, flavored charcoal, corn, gas
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 unique gourmet barbecue grill manufacturers listing the maximum heat outputs, type of flue used, cooking surface sizes, special features, prices, listing of seven suppliers of gourmet natural flavored wood/charcoal and a description of the various gourmet woods and charcoals.
Homeowner Benefits: Tastier foods, keep kitchen cooler, good for entertaining

722 - Hot water dispensers are convenient, save time and money
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 10 hot water dispenser manufacturers listing storage tank capacity, tank dimensions, spout styles, faucet dispenser colors, electrical specification (wattage and voltage), thermostat range, features, prices, suggested uses for hot water dispensers; buyer's guide or bottled water coolers/heaters showing types, cabinet shapes, cabinet colors, hot tank specifications, cold reservoir specifications; suppliers of delivered bottled water and coolers, brands available, water types, sizes available, dispensers and features.
Homeowner Benefit: Quick convenient steaming water for cooking or coffee/tea, cut water heating bills

737 - New attractive high-mass kitchen countertops for comfort, savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 attractive, high-mass countertop and sink manufacturers listing material descriptions (concrete, granite, quartz composite, slate, ceramic tile, heavy wood, colors, features, and a material/pricing selector guide listing weight, repairability, features and drawbacks.
Homeowner Benefits: Even room temperatures, attractive appearance, durable surface

792 - Save money with a solar food dryer kit or build a DIY one
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of electric food dryers and dehydrators showing wattage, warranty and features, recommended features to look for when selecting a food dehydrator, recommended tips for solar drying fruits, recommendations for solar drying vegetables, suggestions for successful drying in a solar food dryer and do-it-yourself instructions for a solar food dryer, materials required, illlustrations and dimensions.
Homeowner Benefits: Save energy, preserve foods naturally, lower food costs

828 - Install a warming drawer to keep dinners warm and moist
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 warming drawer manufacturers listing sizes (widths), wattages used, temperatures, timers, colors, features, prices, installation instructions, and kitchen efficiency tips for all appliances.
Homeowner Benefits: Warm/moist tasty meals, reduce heat in kitchen in summer, lower utility bills

870 - New easy-to-clean electric cooktops cook like gas and are safe
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 induction, halogen and radiant electric cooktop manufacturers (26 models) listing features, number of elements, number of cook zones, overall width, shape of element, size of element, wattage, frame colors available, illustrations and descriptions of the different types of cooktop elements.
Homeowner Benefits: Increase heat control - similar to gas range, more gourmet cooking features

876 - Home-use professional gas ranges are attractive and efficient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 professional/antique gas range manufacturers listing burner types, broiler types, sizes, maximum burner heat outputs, broiler outputs, range configurations available (number of burners, grill, griddle options), convenience and safety features, illustrations, and prices on several models.
Homeowner Benefits: More features and burner control for gourmet cooking, impressive appearance

914 - New range hoods are decorative, quiet and efficient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of six quiet/efficient range vent hood manufacturers (18 models) listing styles (canopy, tilt-out, slide-out, island) updraft or downdraft types, sizes, noise levels listed in sones, widths available, speeds, air flows, features, cooking efficiency tips, illustrations and descriptions of various models
Homeowner Benefits: Less noise, improved air quality, fewer odors, stylish appearance

DIY Appliance/HVAC Maintenance Guides
This section lists do-it-yourself tips for maintaining and using10 major kitchen, heating and cooling appliances in your home. This keeps them running efficiently with a longer life.