Appliances

Shameless marketing stunts are a dime a dozen, but that doesn't mean there isn't unmined territory out there. When the goal is to draw attention to a product, company or cause, all that is needed is a good idea and the internet. And a million dollars of gold plating.

The Million Dollar Vacuum (model number GV62711 from GoVacuum in case you are interested in purchasing), takes one of the most recognizable of household appliances and gives it a shiny new coat of bling. Why? To make it clean better, of course. (No, not really; 24k gold plating has … Read more

Sous-vide cooking has been getting a lot of attention recently and for good reason: cooking food in a water bath at an exact and consistent temperature provides unique results. As the method keeps gaining popularity, appliances and gadgets are cropping up designed to make the process accessible and affordable.

The Nomiku combines a heat source with an immersion circulator. Many other consumer appliances do not integrate an immersion circulator into their designs. The capability to circulate water (in this case at 10 L/min) allows for more consistent results. Unfortunately, the cost of integrating an immersion circulator into these devices … Read more

Having the right kitchen gear there when you need it is a great way to get the job done right. However, as we all know that idealized reality doesn't always happen. Most often a quick substitution of gear or gadget provides an acceptable (or even superior) level of utility. But sometimes, you just have to make it yourself.

The DorkFood DSV Temperature Controller conquers half the battle when attempting to repurpose a piece of kitchen equipment into a sous-vide cooker. The controller is meant for use with a manual slow cooker or similar, non-digital appliance and monitors the temperature … Read more

Food enthusiasts have a hard time not trying new things. Everything from new recipes to funny-looking vegetables at the market are fair game to the curious. And of course, the same thing can be said about cooking techniques. Given the opportunity to try out the AquaChef Professional Water Oven by Kitchen Advance, I dove right in.

The first thing one notices about the AquaChef is its remarkable similarity in appearance to a deep fryer. Of course, since sous vide cooking uses water as the cooking medium (as opposed to oil or hot air as in an oven) that is where … Read more

One-pot meals are perhaps the finest invention of humankind. Sure, the wheel may have been important, but you can't eat one. Now at the end of a long day, all we need to do to create a hot and healthy meal is to set some food in a pot over heat and soon a meal will be made. However, just throwing a bunch of ingredients into a pot can have mixed results; it would be nice if the meal was flavorful too.

The Aroma NRC-687SD-1SG NutriWare Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is a one-pot appliance that offers the ability … Read more

As the calendar starts shifting into the warm weather months, the call of the wild starts to beckon. No matter if this call is something that drives us forward back to nature or on to another city of steel and concrete, this lure often means only one thing: road trip. Nowadays, of course, it is easier than ever to stay in touch and also bring along all of our creature comforts. Usually however, that doesn't include the contents of the fridge.

The BaseCamp Portable Refrigerator/Freezer has a 42-quart capacity and plugs directly into an automobile accessory socket. Smart … Read more

Eating the same food everyday can become very monotonous. Luckily, there is so much variety populating grocery store aisles that it is a fate quite avoidable. Yet as inspired as we would like to be during the cooking process, it is a mathematical fact that deliciousness is directly proportional to how to many dishes we dirty. Unless, of course, you don't even use a pan.

The Cuisinart Elite Griddler allows for the versatility necessary in order to create complex meals with a minimum of hassle. The countertop appliance features the ability to be used as in the open position … Read more

Kitchen countertops are busy landscapes. As with any endeavor, tools of the trade can sometimes clutter the work area. However, cutlery and cutting boards are much easier to store away and out of sight than appliances are. Usually.

The Thermador MD24JS Built-in MicroDrawer Microwave employs a creative use of space that allows it to always be at the ready while not being in the way. Installing directly into standard-depth cabinetry, the 24-inch built-in microwave slides open at a touch (no handle) and features a full-flush front for an attractive aesthetic that blends into the environment of the kitchen. With a … Read more

Blenders have always been pretty well represented in the kitchen. Even with the proliferation of other whirling-blade kitchen gadgets like food processors and immersion blenders, a good old-fashioned blender is often the best choice for the task. And that includes when they happen to be lime-green or bright fire-engine red.

The Bodum Bistro Blender offers additional modern touches that differentiate it from those of times gone by. If the distinctive color isn't attention-grabbing enough, the "rubber-sprayed" exterior will probably give away the fact that this blender views the landscape of the kitchen countertop as a domain to … Read more