Drinking

Kitchen appliances get put through their paces certain times more than others. During the weekday, the stove might not see any action at all, but the microwave may be put into overdrive. Coffeemakers, on the other hand, see use every day of the week. (At least for those of us who cannot manage to make it out of the house without a cup.) However, even with a coffeemaker being an essential appliance, that doesn't mean it needs to perform exactly the same every day of the week. Monday morning comes, and that coffee might need to be ready to … Read more

Keeping track of coffee consumption isn't necessarily at the forefront of the minds of coffee drinkers. After all, anyone who has ever delved into the dark elixir has at one time or another--or every day as the case may be--subjected themselves to drinking an overabundance of coffee. Aside from being easy to do, it's fun; jittering through the day can produce some interesting consequences. However exciting that may be, sometimes we just want to see what we are getting ourselves into before we get into it.

Every coffee drinker knows just how much coffee is in the pot, … Read more

Oh, wine, sweet nectar of the gods. I open my $2.99 bottle of Trader Joe's red, have a glass with dinner, and two days later discover that all the tasty goodness has disappeared, the victim of oxidation. Why must the world be so cruel?

The maker of the Wine Balloon says it can delay the inevitable with an invention that looks like a cross between a Whoopee cushion and a hand pump oxygen mask. I know that sounds suspect, but it's a much more elegant solution than that description might lead you to believe.

The Wine Balloon launched late last year, but its coming-out party happened at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago last month.

It joins a crowded field of devices designed to prolong the life of our beloved grape-based beverages. There are plenty of vacuum seals, pump stoppers, and argon cartridges already on the market. The Wine Balloon's appeal is in its simplicity.

For $22, you get a small hand pump in the shape of a bunch of grapes with a tube leading down to a rubber balloon. Drop the balloon into the partially imbibed bottle and pump it up to seal the precious liquid away from the meddlesome air. The company says the rubber will not affect the wine's taste.… Read more

Just because something looks dangerous doesn't necessarily means that it is. When it comes to kitchen gear and its associated contrivances, often a machine that looks like it is always at the ready to poke, prod, or cut, is altogether harmless when the instructions are followed. And then there are other devices that look innocuous, but could pose a hazard if used without caution.

Really it is the potential for hazard that sets the Smart Pot To Go Portable Heating Appliance apart. I mean honestly, if I don't get my caffeine in the morning, nobody is safe.

Of … Read more

There are few things as enjoyable as a good bottle of wine shared among friends. (A good bottle of wine shared with a particular friend might be one of them, but that still counts.) When served at the ideal temperature, wine has the potential to heat up or cool down the proceedings; it's one of wine's interesting characteristics that different varieties benefit from different serving temperatures. Whether a bottle of wine is meant to be shared in an intimate setting or at a rambunctious get-together, all wines do well served at a particular temperature.

However, serving a particular … Read more

Mornings can be treacherous things to navigate, and most of us have developed some kind of ritual to help us get through those choppy waters. Coffee and tea have always been popular day-starters, and how we get it varies as much as how we like to enjoy it. Some of us rush about, grabbing our beverage of choice so quickly that the sloshing in the cup threatens to spill onto the floor. And others like to sit back, relax, and let the early morning stares take over. For those who belong to the latter group, here's something you might … Read more

Appliances that strive for versatility are always welcome additions into the kitchen. The ones that accomplish this through the use of attachments are particularly effective. They offer a convenience in their transforming nature that has the capability to save time, space, and money. Plus, having one thing that can turn into the other is just plain neat.

Billed as something of an ultimate fruit smoothie maker, the Breville BJB840XL Juice and Blend, uses a motorized base in tandem with two different attachments. The juicer head is meant to be used in processing harder fruits and vegetables, while the blender attachment … Read more

Having an icy cold drink is probably the furthest thing from most people's minds right now, but at some point it will be front and center again. When the heat waves of summer hit, those prepared with the ability to transform ice into tropical cold drinks and icy treats will be looked upon with envy. When the time comes, the best thing would be to roll with it, and let the block party begin. But first, an ice shaver is needed.

The Oster BLSTET-C Ice Shaving Blender is a party waiting to happen. Capable of transforming from a blender … Read more

Reaching for a second cup of coffee (or third...) never requires much effort. However, making a second pot of coffee usually is a much more complicated affair, and no, it's not just because of the jitters. Traditional drip coffeemakers are necessarily somewhat bulky as they have an onboard reservoir system. Water goes in one place and comes out coffee in another. While this transformation may be the engine that drives everyday activity, it cannot be started until the coffee and the water are added to the machine. Best to make that process as easy as possible.

The Saeco Easy Fill Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe … Read more