Appliances

Kitchen tools are only useful when they can be found.

Counter space is a valuable commodity in any kitchen. Not only does increased area allow for easy navigation during prep work and cooking, but it also makes finding things a whole lot easier. Gadgets and appliances have a tendency to find themselves tucked away in all manner of nooks and crannies as we manipulate them into ever smaller and smaller spaces. And then sometimes, they are hidden in plain view.

The Wolfgang Puck 2.5-pound Automatic Breadmaker with Scale ($179.95) brings together the cooking and the prep work necessary … Read more

Rice doesn't lack for vitamins and minerals. Or smartphone apps.

There is little left that smartphones cannot do. Or rather, to be more precise, there is little left that smartphones are not capable of controlling. The distinction is an important one. Ultimately, we are the controller. But sometimes it is just more fun to press a button on the phone rather than on the target device.

The new SR-SX102 rice cookers from Panasonic are controllable via FeliCa-enabled smartphones. (FeliCa is a contactless RFID technology developed by Sony Corporation.) Hover the phone over the designated area on the rice cooker (that would be the blue mark) and suddenly the smartphone becomes a sort of remote control for the rice cooker.… Read more

Weather may dictate many activities in everyday life, but it doesn't have to its say over culinary options.

Hovering over a grill, monitoring steaks and burgers is a tradition that is enjoyed any time of the year. Except, of course, when the weather wants to rain on the parade of burgers, dogs, and steaks. Every cloud has a silver lining (probably made from a mixture of condiments); just because the outdoors isn't cooperating doesn't mean the grilling has to stop.

The Cuisinart GR-100 Indoor Outdoor Griddler keeps the good times sizzling wherever the action happens to be … Read more

Getting back to nature doesn't have to mean getting away from it all.

You know how it is. When camping with family and/or friends, everybody finds themselves enjoying getting back to nature. It's not hard to do: the rustle of the wind through the trees, a nearby babbling brook, stars you can actually see. Then it hits. The need for a frozen pizza.

Modern convenience is never far away when camping with the Coleman Signature Outdoor Gear Portable Propane Stove/Oven. Capable of producing full meals just like the big oven back home, the propane-powered (it uses … Read more

It takes a while to learn the ins and outs of cooking. That goes to for gaining familiarity with the equipment. Yet after a while--and trials and errors--one learns to navigate through any given kitchen with ease. And then just add water and everything changes.

The Wolf CSO24 Convection Steam Oven encourages a new level of cooking, combining wet and dry cooking with evenly distributed heat. Exploring this frontier doesn't require a learning curve; the oven includes fully automatic modes for easy and delicious results. In addition to a couple of different cleaning modes (descale and cleanse), as well … Read more

Freshly squeezed orange juice is a refreshing delicious beverage that there almost never seems to be enough of. After all, it takes a lot of oranges to squeeze out enough juice for a glass. And that's where Hammacher Schlemmer steps in.

Normally not known as a restaurant supplier, the specialty retailer brings us The Commercial Juicer. Yes, as in a "restaurant juicer that extracts up to 84 ounces of fresh fruit juice per minute." Given that the 164-year-old company is known for offering "the Best, the Only and the Unexpected," a juicing machine probably shouldn'… Read more

A sturdy food processor on a kitchen counter makes for an impressive sight.

The large base has a weighty appeal and gives off a sense of efficiency. If the size doesn't impress you, the blades-in-waiting and protruding feeding tube will. And yet, even though these standard kitchen appliances look like they can handle any task, sometimes they are just too big and bulky.

Offering a nimbler approach to the prep work, the Cuisinart CSB-80 Smart Stick PowerTrio High-Torque Hand Blender packs a lot of versatility into one effective unit. The 400-watt stick motor attaches to a variety of accessories, … Read more

It is no secret that cooking and mood are closely related.

After a good meal it is hard not have a satisfied smile on the face. But how food makes us feel goes beyond the simple act of achieving the warm glow of sustenance. For some, pleasure is derived in cooking food; for others the reward can be found in the soil in helping fruits and vegetables to grow. And with all these good vibes associated with food, now an appliance wants to get in on the action.

The Whirlpool Limited Edition Max Microwave offers an experience in cooking unlike … Read more

Bread-making is as mysterious as it is old.

Throw a few simple ingredients together, add a little heat, and somehow they all come together to form the warm deliciousness that is a freshly baked loaf of bread. Understanding this process doesn't make it any less mysterious.

The interior light of the DeLonghi DBM450 Bread Maker won't make the microorganisms burping carbon dioxide any easier to see, but it will provide a good view of the baking process. Illuminating the cooking chamber of the countertop appliance may only make waiting for the bread to finish baking all the more … Read more