Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets

Big features in a small space.

(Credit: Haier)

We're fans of many double-duty appliances here at the Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets blog. Haier has another take on that idea--it's a NuCool enhanced fridge and a microwave oven in a stacked combination unit with a power strip. A durable, easy-to-clean spacer anchors the microwave to the fridge.

The configuration is nothing new--college students have stacked microwaves on minifridges forever--but this one is designed for stacking, won't topple, and won't overheat.

NuCool runs quietly and is energy efficient--this is important when you have limited outlets and a lot of cool appliances to run. Speaking of limited outlets, college students will especially appreciate the integrated four-socket power strip.

The reversible door design is a nice touch, and the eight power levels and six cooking presets on the microwave mean you can do more than just reheat pizza.

The unit comes in black or stainless steel, so you're not sacrificing style just because you're short on space. It costs about $140 from various retailers.

So cold it's cool.

(Credit: Haier)

I don't know about you, but I think it's awesome when high-tech and low energy use come together. Haier's new HyCool refrigerator combines semiconductors and compressor cooling technology to create a cost-effective, eco-friendly minifridge that's downright cool. And really cold.

Are you sacrificing temperature for going green? Not at all--the fridge cools down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit--which is cold enough to store perishables like milk, cheese, and butter.

Let's say the room where your fridge lives is 70 degrees. In just two hours, the HyCool will get chilled inside all the way down to 35 degrees. And let's say you're impatient and open the door, letting all the cold air out and causing the internal temperature to rise. The HyCool will recover in half the time of a regular thermoelectric cooler. And what exactly is low power consumption? How about the equivalent usage of a 100-watt light bulb? Bright idea, no?

You'll avoid all the voltage surge spikes you get with compressor units. So plug in your microwave and toaster oven in the same outlet as the fridge--your fuses can handle this load.

And while the fridge may be small on size, it's big on looks with a fingerprint-resistant, reversible stainless steel door. Look for it to appear in stores this year in pink, purple, berry, and nectarine.

Write on, baby.

(Credit: Haier)

Shared offices and dorm rooms are places where space is at a premium. Products that do double duty are a given, as are compact versions of important appliances. The Write Fridge from Haier meets both needs.

Its small size fits into tight spaces, and the integrated dry-erase board, included markers, and specially designed marker storage make it a truly useful addition to your room or office. Think about it: you can scribble threats ("Eat my Chinese food and die") or more practical notes ("Buy milk!!!") the moment you think of them, and you have a place where you know everyone will look.

As expected in a fridge this size, you'll get a half-width freezer compartment, a full-width slide-out shelf, and full- and half-width door storage. You can even fit 2-liter bottles inside and serve cold soda to a crowd.

This fridge would make an ideal gift for a college-bound student, and it could fit right in any small office kitchen. Find it in stores in April.

It really is as black and shiny as my piano.

(Credit: Haier)

You can always count on an exhibition to inspire companies to create and display some pretty cool stuff, and the International Housewares Show in Chicago is no exception. Among Haier's showings this year is the new Piano Black line of small appliances.

The blue LED illumination looks good, but it's the features, like cool-to-the-touch handles, that will really win you over. This is a full line of appliances, including a cordless electric water kettle in standard and dome shapes, digital toasters in a variety of configurations, a food processor and blender combination, a citrus juicer, and more.

I've always resisted the pull of electric kettles, but these look so good I might have to make an exception. My favorite feature from the line is on the digital toaster: a countdown display. If you've ever stood in your kitchen, coffee in hand, waiting to grab your toast and go, you will know exactly what I'm feeling.

These appliances don't need to hide out in cabinets or behind doors; they're right at home out on the counter for everyone to see. The line was just unveiled at the show in late March, so look for it to hit stores shortly.

I'm not sure what it is that appeals to me so much about these mini washing machines I keep telling you about. Maybe it's the dream of one day doing far less laundry than I do today. Sadly, that dream is years and years and years away, given the size of my ever-expanding family--and their annoying habit of wearing clothes every day.

So cute! So clean!

(Credit: Haier)

But if you don't have as many children as I do, or if you've somehow convinced them that they don't need clean clothes every day, you might love the 1-cubic-foot Pulsator washer from Haier. The machine's smart technology lets you choose the wash setting and water level, so you can run the perfect load every time.

Traveling with an infant? Take this portable machine along and keep baby fresh and clean--it plugs into any 120-volt outlet. The machine is also ideal for delicates--the center agitator has been replaced with a pulsating system for a better clean without tangles.

And just because it's small and portable doesn't mean this machine is old-fashioned. It has electronic touch controls with LED indicators and 3 electronic controlled water levels. Use the included quick-connect sink adapter and get your clothes clean.

It's nice when you can buy something you want and get something that makes you feel good about yourself, too. If you're in the market for a compact fridge to fit in a small space--a bar, a dorm room, or an office, for example--consider a coolant-free 1.7 cubic foot fridge featuring Haier America's NuCool technology.

So cold, so cool.

(Credit: Haier America)

NuCool is a new technology that lets your compact fridge run as low as 37 degrees (colder than past refrigerant-free models allowed). So the only green you'll see will be the eco-friendly kind, not the disgusting mold-in-the-back-of-the-fridge kind. NuCool doesn't use a compressor and runs quietly--and it does it all with ultralow power consumption.

You can find the compact fridge in white or black. It's lightweight and easy to move and can store 2-liter soda bottles. The door can open right or left, and the adjustable thermostat and auto-defrost features will keep all your foods at the proper temperature. The fridge retails for less than $100, which makes it an affordable gift for the college student in your life.

The HMW1270KFL Front Load Washing Machine

(Credit: Haier)

I like front-load washers. They make Laundry Day go faster, without a doubt. But there's a bit of a problem with the average front-load washer. It's pretty easy for a child to get into mischief--opening the door in the middle of a cycle, getting fingers caught in the door, and other situations I wouldn't have to worry about with a top-loading washing machine. Haier has created a family-friendly washing machine, though, that tackles these little problems. The HMW1270KFL Front Load Washing Machine has a child lock, as well as other integrated child-safety features.

Haier has included a number of other features in the HMW1270KFL Front Load Washing Machine: it has a door seal specially treated for mildew, a large door with 180-degree door hinges, and a Perspex glass door cover. The washing machine's controls are automated with nine preprogrammed settings, including delay start, easy iron, and eco-loads. The water level automatically adjusts to the size of the load, improving the efficiency of the machine.

At the moment, Haier is only offering this particular washing machine design through its Australian Web site. It's priced at approximately $450 in U.S. dollars. The machine comes with a two-year warranty.

Classic-looking toaster in a durable die-cast metal housing.

(Credit: Amazon via Haier)

Toasters have always been a focus of attention in the kitchen. In fact, they seem to symbolize it more than any other appliance. Sure, the refrigerator or oven might seem like more obvious choices, but in the end it's the toaster that best represents the warmth of the kitchen.

But don't take my word for it. Toasters come in endless shapes and sizes. From a toaster with a built-in egg poacher, to a toaster stuck on the side of a microwave, there really doesn't seem to be any end to toaster combinations (or apparently, movie tie-ins; I'm looking at you, Star Wars toaster).

Which all makes plain the fact that sometimes it's best to think simple. This Die-Cast Stainless-Steel 2-Slice Toaster from Haier fits the bill just perfectly. It has the basic toast-making capabilities one would expect from a toaster: removable crumb tray, automatic shut-off, and aseven-setting toast-shade selector. Ultimately however, it's the design that defines this toaster.

The 850-watt toaster, constructed from a durable die-cast metal housing, displays a simple elegance that harks back to a different era. Unlike those other modern appliances cluttering up your kitchen counter, this toaster provides a time-tested breakfast staple and a reflection from the past.

What's on tap? Whatever you want.

(Credit: Haier America)

The remote-controlled beer cooler Brian showed you yesterday is one thing, but what if you like to stay inside your house? And what if you want a seemingly endless supply of beer, and opening bottles is just too much work? Well, then you need to get yourself a BrewMaster--Haier's beer dispenser, which holds half, quarter, and mini barrel kegs.

The BrewMaster is freestanding, so there's no kitchen renovation necessary. Of course, you can always build it into a cabinet or a counter for that polished look. The tap is compatible with the most common U.S. systems, and the dispenser comes with a tap system cleaning kit.

The BrewMaster is on casters, so you can roll it right next to your recliner, although there is no remote control. If you can get over that hurdle, you can choose your model in black, stainless steel, or virtual steel. The unit retails for about $600.