viking

The more versatile a kitchen appliance is, the more highly regarded it may be. And rightly so: space-saving devices are not only convenient, but they also have the capability to increase efficiency. The age of being able to get more cooking done with only a press of a button was heralded in by the microwave. Usually however (except for the clock), the microwave doesn't do much else.

The Viking VCSO210SS Combi-Steam/Convect Oven combines an oven with a microwave and throws in the capability to steam cook for good measure. Featuring a slick, non-cluttered control panel, the oven can … Read more

Scientists believe that a reanalysis of soil samples taken during a Viking mission nearly 30 years ago again shows strong evidence of microbial life on Mars.

In a paper this month published in the International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences, scientists described performing new experiments and drawing on more recent understanding of the Mars environment to reach a conclusion opposite to one reached decades ago regarding the building blocks of life on Mars.

Controversy has surrounded the original experiments, called the Labeled Release (LR), done on the soil samples during the Viking mission in 1976, according to the paper'… Read more

This time of year, there's a lot of cooking going on. While roasts, turkeys, hams, and side dishes galore mean lots of food on the table, they also mean there will be lots of leftovers in the refrigerator. When faced with a well-picked-over turkey or ham, one final dish comes to mind: soup. By using the leftover protein to make a stock or broth, a flavorful base is created that can be taken in any direction. However, to get that smooth consistency to which you can later add veggies, meat, or noodles, first you are going to need to … Read more

Kitchen appliances can be great time-savers. Chopping, slicing, and dicing needs can be met with a food processor, microwaves can cook up entire meals with a press of a few buttons, and blenders can rapidly turn chopped vegetables into smooth purees for sauces, soups, and drinks. But when it comes to pure strength, one appliance stands out above others: the stand mixer.

The Viking Professional 5-quart Stand Mixer makes it easy to whip up labor-intensive recipes without strain or stress. The 800-watt motor with metal gear transmission powers through common kitchen tasks such as whipping, stirring, and beating. The locking … Read more

Some people are hard on their kitchen appliances. Either they get a lot of work, or they just get put through the paces during normal use. It's an approach I am familiar with: I tend to knock things around a bit when cooking. I've learned from experience that having an appliance with some substance to it can be quite important when trying to actually use it. Cheap, plastic appliances don't last too long around these parts.

The Viking Professional 12-Cup Food Processor is a sturdy machine constructed with a die-cast metal base. As a nice touch, the … Read more

Some of you have beards. I know, I've seen them. Now, I know this isn't a gadget per se, but it's not fashion, either. It's got a function. You need to protect and care for your beards, lest you lose your Linux admin superpowers.

Meet Beard Head, the hat that gives you a warm layer of artsy hair to cover your face in the cold.

My editor mentioned these to me and I jumped at the chance to write about them as my friend Michael Karikas just got a Beard Head and wore it out a … Read more

In my house, the kitchen trashcan seems to fill to overflowing multiple times a day. I'm forever shoving the trash down in the bag to fit in just a little bit more before I take the bag outside to our two large garbage cans. And I'm still stuck on trash day, furtively sneaking an extra bag into my neighbor's half-empty bin.

If this scenario sounds familiar, a trash compactor may be a useful addition to your kitchen. The go-to appliance in the late '70s, the trash compactor is often overlooked in modern kitchen design, but it shouldn'… Read more