It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of opening gifts. But while you're pulling back the pretty paper, keep in mind that those items may have to go back to the store. What if there's a defect or missing part? What if the items don't fit? What if you just don't like them?

Whether you're giving or receiving a gift, here are some tips to make those returns easier.

Be careful opening the package. For returns and exchanges, some stores require you to include all the packaging intact, a problem if the box and packing material is torn to shreds or tossed out. The same goes for tags and labels. If an item came with software disks or other media, print cartridges, or other supplies or accessories, opening those itmes also may make the item ineligible for return. And in some cases, you can't return an item simply if there are any signs that you used it.

Hold off on those warranty cards. Some return policies also require you to give back the warranty registration card. So don't fill out or return the registration card until you're sure you want to keep the item.

Examine the item soon. Don't just put that gift in a drawer or closet until you want to use it. Try on clothing even if it's your size, and verify there aren't any defects. Turn on electronics, appliances and like items and make sure they work. If there's a problem, returning a gift close to the holidays can avoid hassles you might encounter if you wait. Some stores won't accept returns of an item they no longer stock.

For more advice on returning gifts, read our story "5 tips for easy returns of unwanted holiday gifts."

Consider giving the original receipt. Because gift receipts typically don’t show the purchase price, a retailer might give your gift recipient less than the amount you paid; we've seen that happen. So consider giving the actual receipt (keeping a copy for yourself) or at least telling your gift recipient the amount you spent, especially if you know that he or she plans to return the item. In most cases we've seen, refunds for gift receipts come in the form of a store credit or retail gift card.

Find out the retailer's return policy. If you’re returning a gift someone gave you, call the retailer or go online to determine the retailer's return policy before heading out or shipping the item back. That way you’ll reduce the chance of being surprised by some requirement you didn't know about. (Don't assume a store's policy hasn't changed). Knowing a retailer's rules for returning items also will empower you if the customer service representative doesn’t know the policy. For example, for no-receipt returns on items costing less than $25, Walmart's policy says you can opt for a cash refund instead of a gift card. But when we tested that at two Walmart stores recently, customer service reps wouldn't give us cash even though the items were below the $25 threshold. And one of the stores didn't return the state sales tax we had paid, even though tax is supposed to be refunded. Remember that a retailer's online return policy may be different than the one in its walk-in stores.

Insist on your rights. If the product is missing parts, defective, or otherwise not what it's supposed to be, don't worry about the store’s return policy. Take it back and demand that the retailer give you what you or the gift-giver paid for, or insist on a refund. It doesn't matter what the retailer's return policy is or that the manufacturer put a notice in the box telling you not to return the item to the store, as we've seen with some electronics. Unless the item was sold using such terms as as-is, the retailer is responsible for getting it right. Let the retailer deal with the manufacturer.

—Anthony Giorgianni

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Shoppers continued to embrace French-door bottom-freezer refrigerators in 2013. Not surprising, manufacturers focused their innovation on this newer configuration, which keeps fresh food at eye-level behind space-saving side-by-side doors. Most of our top picks of the year are drawn from that category, but we also included a new top-freezer, notable for its nifty price tag, if not its game-changing design.

Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR. The $3,500 Samsung T9000, above, first caught our eye at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, where it debuted as the industry's first truly four-door refrigerator. It features a fresh-food section behind traditional French-doors and two side-by-side bottom compartments that let you adjust the overall fridge-to-freezer ratio. We were even more impressed when we got the T9000 into our labs for testing. Besides boasting superb temperature control and energy efficiency, it’s No. 1 among all refrigerators in terms of usable capacity, with nearly 23 cubic feet among its three chambers.

Samsung RF31FMESBSR. Another groundbreaker from Samsung, this 36-inch-wide refrigerator is the first of its kind with a built-in sparkling water dispenser from SodaStream. The $2,900 unit is also the first refrigerator with a middle drawer to make our recommended list, thanks to its excellent temperature control and energy efficiency. Its temperature-controlled middle drawer can go from 29° F for meat to 42° F for party platters.

GE Cafe CFE29TSDSS. While Samsung gets a lot of props for innovation, GE proved it can also think outside the box. Its $3,000 36-inch-wide French-door bottom-freezer is the only refrigerator on the market that dispenses hot water, ranging from tepid to piping hot. Manufactured in Louisville, the refrigerator also delivers excellent temperature performance and its dual evaporators should help maintain higher humidity levels in the fresh-food section.

Kenmore Elite 7206[3]. The refrigerator door remains a nation of innovation, including the Grab-N-Go Door on this $3,600 36-inch-wide Kenmore. The hidden compartment allows you to access often-used items, such as beverages and condiments, without opening the refrigerator's main chamber. Performance-wise, the Kenmore offers excellent temperature performance and very good efficiency and quietness.

Haier HT21TS45SW. Costing just $800, this 32-inch-wide top-freezer from Haier makes the list on the strength of its exceptional value. Solid temperature performance and exceptional energy efficiency helped it achieve one of the higher scores for the category. Inside, the Haier offers a respectable 17.5 cubic feet of usable capacity, enhanced by such features as gallon door storage and spillproof shelves. For another $100 or so, it's also available in stainless steel.  

—Daniel DiClerico

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Although Boxing Day once had an entirely different meaning, today it’s one of the busiest days at the mall as folks return or exchange gifts that weren’t quite right, or shop for newly discounted items. Either way, Consumer Reports can help you find the best buys and top performing models from our tests of hundreds of products.

In addition, the Home team, which covers everything for your house including appliances and remodeling products, is now on Facebook, where we highlight new products and news from our labs in Yonkers. Today, for example,  we’re featuring the hottest refrigerators of the year including one that dispenses hot water and another that makes sparkling water. In addition to those novel features, they were champs at their main job of keeping your food fresh and at the right temperature.

On our Home and Appliance Facebook page, you’ll also discover all the disgusting things we buy to test cleaning products, see the crazy patterns robotic vacuums make, and learn the latest paint color trends, among many other things. There’s also some savvy gift-giving advice, which you can use and peruse before taking that not-so-perfect present back to the store. So check our Facebook page as well as the results of our tests of appliances and remodeling products.

--Consumer Reports' Home and Appliance team

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

After being left in the dark by ice storms in the Northeast and Midwest this week, three Americans and five Canadians have died from carbon monoxide given off by gasoline-powered generators, according to The New York Times. The deaths occured in Maine, Vermont, and Michigan as well as eastern Canada. In at least one case, the generator was located in a garage. Here's how to stay safe during a power outage, with tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Carbon monoxide hazards

• Never use a generator in an enclosed or partially-enclosed space. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly. Remember that you cannot smell or see CO. Even if you can't smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.
• Never use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
• Use battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer's installation instructions. Test the CO alarms and replace dead batteries.

Electrical hazards

• Keep the generator dry and do not use it in rain or wet conditions. To protect from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Dry your hands before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or, use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
• For best results, use an appropriate power transfer switch, installed by a professional.

Fire hazards

• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Never store fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly-labeled, non-glass safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.

Power inverters, an alternative to generators, pose their own safety concerns. Here's how to use a power inverter safely. Plus more generator safety tips from the CPSC. And more on the best generators from Consumer Reports' generator tests.

—Mary H.J. Farrell

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

If you’re like the typical American, you know a thing or two about energy efficiency, but you’re also leaving serious savings on the table. That’s clear from our 2012 Energy IQ Quiz, a nationally representative survey of 1,035 Americans conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. No one got every question right, and only a third answered most correctly. Test your own Energy IQ, then read through our answers to learn the latest efficiency news and advice, which could lower your utility bills by hundreds of dollars.

And don't forget to check out our buying guides to lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, and space heaters.

• Increased by about 50 percent
• Increased by about 25 percent
• Stayed about the same
• Decreased by about 25 percent
• Decreased by about 50 percent

Today’s homes are about 30 percent bigger than those built in the late 1970s, they’re buzzing with electronics, and nine out of ten have air conditioning. And yet, total energy consumption has been basically flat, which just 7 percent of survey respondents knew. “But the bar was unbelievably low to begin with,” says Arthur Rosenfeld, Distinguished Scientist Emeritus at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a two-term commissioner with the California Energy Commission. “Energy was dirt cheap back then, and if you were in the market for a new car or refrigerator, you had no way of measuring efficiency.”

Appliance standards have done the most to counteract other increases in home energy use. Take refrigerators: A typical 1975 model consumed about 1,750 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Efficiency standards helped bring that figure down to around 500 kWh in 2011, and a target of about 400 kWh is set for 2015. Clothes washers and dishwashers have also seen impressive efficiency gains. The new lighting standard that took effect in January is projected to cut the average household’s lighting-related energy use in half by 2035. And standards set for 2015 and beyond will improve the efficiency of air conditioners and water heaters, which together account for almost one-third of the average home’s energy use.

• Upgrading windows
• Adding insulation to an attic
• Installing light-colored roof shingles
• Sealing all air leaks, including leaky ducts

Slick advertising by manufacturers may be the reason 34 percent of people incorrectly choose windows in this question. Though new windows can save energy, especially double-glazed units with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings, our tests have found that it could take 20 years to recoup the investment.

The swiftest savings come from sealing air leaks in your home’s walls, windows, and especially its ductwork, which 33 percent of respondents answered correctly. “Leaky return ducts can also introduce unwanted air pollutants into the home,” adds Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the Department of Energy. Duct insulating and sealing are best left to a professional and could lower your annual heating and cooling bills by $400. You can then use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to plug leaks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other openings in your home.

Adding attic insulation is often the next best way to save energy. In a typical residence, laying 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose insulation could save up to $200. Cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. They can trim cooling costs in warm regions, especially if there’s conditioned living space directly beneath the roof.

• A standard high-definition DVR set-top box and 55-inch LCD TV
• A standard-sized side-by-side refrigerator

Seventy percent of respondents correctly identified the refrigerator as the more energy-intensive configuration, with an approximate annual consumption of 500 kWh, compared with around 300 kWh for the TV and set-top box. But most homes have just one fridge, and multiple TVs and cable boxes are the norm. What’s more, our calculations assumed a set-top box that meets the latest Energy Star 3.0 specification, which could be at least 40 percent more efficient than what you may have at home. That’s why the total energy that many households consume watching TV is greater than what they use to keep their food and drinks cold.

If you have an old set-top box, ask your cable provider to replace it with one that meets Energy Star’s 3.0 specification. The country’s six largest cable companies, serving approximately 85 percent of cable households, promised that at least 90 percent of new set-top boxes deployed to customers by the end of 2013 will be Energy Star 3.0 qualified. And if you keep a TV in a guest room or other seldom-used part of the house, unplug it and any ancillary equipment.

Refrigerator Ratings

Television Ratings

• Solar water heater
• Pellet stove
• Geothermal heat pump
• Residential wind turbine

Almost three-quarters of respondents correctly identified pellet stoves as the one form of renewable energy not eligible for a federal tax credit, which expired in 2011. The pellet stove industry is lobbying hard for its reinstatement, saying the U.S. is the potential world leader in the production of the appliances and their clean-burning fuel.

For now, geothermal heat pumps, residential wind turbines, and solar energy systems qualify for a credit, covering 30 percent of the cost with no cap. The tax credit is good through 2016 and can be applied to existing homes and new construction using IRS form 5695. Check www.dsireusa.org for state and local incentives.

• Under  10 percent
• 10 to 20 percent
• 21 to 30 percent
• Over 30 percent

Each degree you adjust the thermostat could translate into 2 percent savings if the setback period covers the sleeping and working hours. So in this scenario, the correct answer is 10 to 20 percent, which 57 percent of respondents got right. Given that the average American household spends about $1,000 on heating and cooling, that amounts to potential savings of $200—enough to cover the cost of several programmable thermostats.

Thermostat Ratings

• Not keeping a car’s tires properly inflated
• Excessive idling (keeping a car running when parked)
• Driving more than 10 mph over the posted highway speed limit
• Not using aftermarket products such as fuel additives or gas-saving devices

Soft tires and senseless idling waste gas, but not as much as highway speeding, as 31 percent of respondents knew. Our tests found that going from 65 to 55 mph could improve fuel economy by 5 mpg. If you travel an average 9,600 highway miles each year and pay about $3.60 per gallon, those extra 5 mpg can save you about $130 annually. Safety is an added bonus—roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities are speeding-related.

Only 2 percent of our respondents believed that fuel additives and other aftermarket products can save gas. That’s encouraging because we’ve never found any benefit to those devices. We’ve tested Fuel Doctor FD-47, Fuel Genie, Platinum Gas Saver, and TornadoFuelSaver. Our advice: Don’t waste your money.

• A washing machine
• A clothers dryer

This question stumped the fewest respondents, with 83 percent correctly choosing the dryer as the more energy-intensive laundry appliance. Dryers generate heat, which most people know requires a lot of energy—upward of 900 kWh per year to be exact. But increased focus on dryer efficiency could make this question less of a no-brainer.

The Energy Star program named Advanced Clothes Dryers the winner of its 2012 Emerging Technology Award. Heat pump clothes dryers, which already command significant market shares throughout parts of Europe, have the most promise. Those dryers extract heat from a home’s ambient air and release it at a higher temperature inside the drum. Compared with conventional electric dryers, they could save $30 to $40 per year and as much as $700 over the life of the unit, though consumers will need to get used to longer drying times and steeper up-front costs.

The first advanced clothes dryers are expected to be out in 2013. Energy Star is also developing a specification for conventional dryers that could improve their efficiency by 5 to 10 percent. In the meantime, your best bet for saving energy on laundry is to buy a high- efficiency washer that will spin the most water from a load before it goes in the dryer.

Washing machine Ratings

Dryer Ratings

Many devices in the home consume electricity even when you’re not actively using them. All that vampire power can add up to 10 percent of your electricity bill. Unplugging or powering down the following gadgets could save you approximately $120 dollars a year, especially if they’re older models without auto-shutdown modes.
Digital set-top box (with TV off): $25
Video game console (idle mode): $75
Combo DVD/VCR player (on): $13
Cordless power tool and charger (fully charged): $8

Sources: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University

This article first appreared in the October 2012 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

You don’t want a flushable wipe that’s wimpy, because … well, it needs to do the job. But you also need a wipe that’s weak enough to fall apart when flushed.

The four tested products were all strong enough to stand up to everyday use based on the force required to push a metal ball through layers of wipes. When we put them in a stand mixer filled with water and pushed the slowest speed (more churning than your waste pipe will provide), it took at least 10 minutes to break each into small pieces. That means you may not want to flush “flushable” wipes.

After we let intact wipes sit in water overnight, we saw differences. The Charmin and the Equate stayed in one piece, but the Cottonelle and the Scott disintegrated easily.

Bottom line. Treating soiled wipes like disposable diapers and tossing them in a lined wastebasket will definitely keep your drain and sewer pipes clear. But if you’re going to flush them, choose Cottonelle or Scott, which are less likely to cause plumbing problems.

--Ed Perratore

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

An extra impeller for loosening snow, great cutting in a lightweight chain saw, and remote monitoring of generator status are among highlights of the best emergency outdoor power equipment we tested in 2013. The top scorers in their respective categories excelled at doing their basic jobs, whether it’s helping you get out of your driveway quickly after a snowstorm, deftly cutting up all the branches that fell onto your property, or supplying emergency power for your appliances, pumps, and other needs.

Best snow blower
Cub Cadet 31AH57S. A novel, second impeller helps make this 30-inch, two-stage Cub Cadet a top performer among snow blowers. Super-fast clearing and enough throwing distance for wide driveways are the major perks, along with easy steering and slick controls. The $1,500 price includes electric starting and a headlight. It's the perfect pick for large driveways, consistently heavy snows up to about 24 inches—or occasional winter blizzards where you want the ultimate in clearing speed.

Best chain saw
Stihl MS 180 C-BE. Ultrafast cutting and relatively light weight help justify the 16-inch Stihl gas-powered chain saw’s $180 price. So do a chain brake and tool-free chain adjustment, along with a durable blade cover. As with other gas-powered saws, you’ll need to mix gas and oil for fueling its two-stroke engine. And as with other traditional chain saws, we strongly advise hearing protection and other protective gear for the operator.

Best generators
Kohler 14RESAL. This stationary generator was top-notch at delivering ample, especially smooth power, claimed to offer 12,000 watts using natural gas and another 2,000 if you use propane. This saves you the hassle of storing gasoline. As with other standby generators, it starts automatically and can run indefinitely unless running off an external propane tank. It was among the quietest of the models we tested and includes a low-oil shutoff with a warning indicator. The $3,700 price (before installation) also includes a transfer switch. An add-on module, $475, lets you monitor your generator’s status from anywhere using a PC. It also lets you remotely control power outputs such as your heating and cooling system or security lights.

Troy-Bilt XP7000 30477. This 7,000-watt, gasoline-powered portable generator from Troy-Bilt, $900, was tops among portables. Helpful features include electric start, fuel shutoff (which prevents leaks and keeps fuel from getting trapped in the fuel system and spoiling during storage), low-oil shutdown, a power meter (needed only with a low-end transfer switch that lacks one), a 9-gallon tank for an average 15 hours of run time, and a fuel gauge. And unlike some, it comes with the battery for the electric-start feature. It also includes the starter bottle of engine oil you'll find with many portable models. One caveat: It's noisy.

—Ed Perratore

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Having a problem with a new product, perhaps something you received as a holiday gift? There are several reasons why you must keep detailed records about the issue and the efforts you took to resolve it with the company that made or sold the item.

If a written (or express) warranty expires, you’re typically still covered for any defect you reported before the expiration date, even if the retailer or manufacturer tried unsuccessfully to correct it.

Also, if you end up having to appeal to a supervisor or a company’s executive office for help in resolving a problem, or you end up in court over the issue, having good documentation can make all the difference.

State laws generally provide you with implied (or unwritten) warranty rights that protect you if a product is defective or did not function properly for a reasonable time period. But you need to report any issue as soon as you discover it, and be able to prove that you did.

Finally, some warranty rights, such as those that come from state lemon laws covering new and used cars, pets, and even wheelchairs, focus on how long after a purchase a problem occurred and, in some cases, the number of chances the company had to resolve it.

So when you complain, record the name and title of the person you spoke or wrote to, the time and date of the communication, the nature of the problem, and the response you received. If the retailer or manufacturer attempts to address the problem by making a repair, keep copies of invoices or work orders.

For more on your warranty rights, read The word on warranty protection: You have more rights than you might think.

—Anthony Giorgianni

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

A New Year’s celebration is even more festive with a glass of delicious sparkling wine in hand. Whether it is a big name French Champagne or a delectable and affordable Cava from Spain, choose your bubbly based on your taste and your budget. Fortunately, as we've confirmed in our tests, quality sparklers come at a range of price points. (Check our reviews of sparkling wines, including sparkling rosés.)

Shopping for sparkling wine can be a bit daunting—at the store you'll see bubbly from all over the world with some terms you might not be familiar with. The two principal methods of sparkling wine-making are "Méthode Champenoise" (the traditional Champagne method) in which the bubbles come from a second fermentation that takes place in the bottle and, the bulk, or "Charmat" process, in which the second fermentation takes place in a large stainless steel tank. (The term Champagne, with a few exceptions, can be used only for sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France.)

Champagne and many of the leading California sparkling wines made in the traditional Champagne method typically use chardonnay, pinot noir, as well as the pinot meunier grape. Cava, also a traditional-method sparkler, uses the white grapes parellada, macabeo, and xarel-lo with up to 10 percent chardonnay.

The majority of the sparkling wines we tested—Champagne, California sparklers, and Cava —were essentially dry with a barely noticeable sweetness. All of them could carry the "Brut" sweetness designation.

We've also tested Prosecco, which is both the name of the wine and the grape used. This tasty Italian bubbly with pronounced fruit flavors often delivers an off-dry finish. Made in the Charmat method, it’s not very expensive and is an ideal food wine or one to enjoy on its own.

Don't reserve sparking wines only for New Year's, Valentine's Day, or other big moments. You can enjoy these versatile, food-friendly wines year-round. So add to your list  a resolution to explore the world of sparkling wines more often.

—Adam Kaplan

Shopping

Freshness is important. Shop at stores with high turnover to ensure you are getting a sparkler that hasn’t been sitting on the store shelf too long.

Dry or sweet? Nature or Brut indicate the driest levels—no perceptible sweetness; Extra Dry or Sec covers wines that are barely tasting sweet; Demi Sec indicates a sweet wine.

Storing

Store the bottle on its side as you would a table wine.

Serving

Here's how to serve a sparkling wine, which should be in the low to mid-40s.

• Opening with care. After peeling off the upper foil, keep your thumb over the cork while twisting open the wire cage. Without removing the wire cage and with your thumb still in place, grasp the cork with your entire hand, cover with a hand towel. Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle pointed away from yourself and bystanders. Slowly twist the bottle not the cork. Continue to hold the cork while twisting the bottle until the cork is almost out of the neck using slight downward pressure just as begins to release from the bottle. There should be a whisper and not a pop.

• Stemware. Use tulip-shaped glasses or Champagne flutes, both of which retain bubbles well.

• Pouring. Gently pour the wine down the side of glass to prevent excessive bubbles forming.

• Preserving bubbles. Between pours, cover the bottle with a  Champagne stopper.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

In the laundry appliance aisle, 2013 was a pretty good year. There were ways to save money, capacities kept increasing to help make up for longer wash times, and Wi-Fi enabled appliances allowed you to change cycles using your smart phone. You still had to do laundry, but some appliances made it easier or better. Here’s a look.
 
An LG duo with an appealing price. The LG WT1101CW high-efficiency top-loader was the best of the tested top-loaders and at $700, costs several hundred less than most of our top picks and is a CR Best Buy. It was impressive at cleaning, normal wash time was 75 minutes using the heavy-soil setting, and it was relatively quiet. The capacity is large, thanks in part to the deeper tub, but it was too deep for some of our shorter staffers. The matching electric dryer, LG DLE1101W, $700, was superb at drying and relatively quiet but fell short of our top picks list. The gas dryer is LG DLG1102W. Both the washer and dryer have their controls on the front panel.

GE’s RightHeight pair gives laundry a lift. The built-in risers boost the height of the  GE GFWR4805FMC front-loader and matching electric dryer GE GFDR485EFMC by about seven inches each, making it much easier to use the controls and load and unload laundry. Each machine is $1,400 but we’re hoping this improved design shows up on less expensive models soon. As for performance the GE GFWR4805FMC front-loader was impressive at cleaning, with a normal wash time taking 70 minutes on the heavy soil setting, very gentle on fabrics, efficient with water, and excellent at extracting water. That cuts dryer time. The washer is relatively quiet. The GE GFDR485EFMC electric dryer was one of two models to score excellent overall and made our list of top dryer picks. We found that it was superb at drying, very convenient to use, and relatively quiet. Both the washer and dryer have large capacities.

Remote control comes to the laundry room. Some of the higher-priced LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool models we tested let you monitor your laundry’s progress, extend tumbling time, or even start and stop the machine using your computer, tablet or smart phone.  Whirlpool’s app sends an e-mail or text when your laundry is done. Among recommended models that are Wi-Fi enabled there’s the Samsung WF457ARGS[GR], and its matching electric dryer, Samsung DV457EVGS[GR]. Each is $1,550.

See how these matching pairs stack up to the dozens tested by checking our Ratings of washing machines and clothes dryers. And here are five things to know when buying a washer and dryer.

 —Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Even if keeping your house cleaner isn’t one of your resolutions for 2014, it’s still good to know which cleaning products are worth the expense and which are like throwing money down the drain. Of the laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, dishwasher detergents and other cleaning products Consumer Reports put to the test this year, some made chores a cinch while others were a waste of elbow grease. Here’s what we liked and what we didn’t. 

Suds duds
iTouchless hands-free soap dispenser, $45. In our tests of three automatic soap dispensers, we used all the models near a sink. The iTouchless worked okay, but the stainless-steel sleeve of the sample we tested grew rust-spots over the six months of sink-side use. The hands-free Simplehuman Sensor Pump, $45, worked just as well—and didn’t rust.

Stream Clean, $10 plus shipping. “Just stream it on and the stain is gone!” claims this carpet cleaner’s infomercial. But don’t believe it. In our tests, the color of the stain vanished, but Stream Clean left a visible residue that we couldn’t remove. And the bonus mini black light shown in the ad was useless at finding urine stains. To tackle carpet stains, try Bissell OxyPro carpet spot and stain remover, $4.85, instead.

BabyGanics Dish Dazzler, 27 cents per load. This green dishwasher detergent promises “squeaky clean sippy cups and bottles,” but it didn’t clean our dirty dishes and was one of the worst detergents in our tests. It left a white haze buildup on our clear dishware after only 20 wash cycles. If you want a green dish cleaner, try Seventh Generation Powder, which left no filmy buildup.

Purex Plus Oxi laundry detergent, 21 cents per load. The markings inside laundry detergent caps are supposed to help you find the right amount of soap—and avoid overdosing, which can leave detergent residue behind. But the cap on Purex Plus Oxi can cost you: Our testers found it almost impossible to see the measuring lines—even with a flashlight. To avoid dosing errors, try a pre-measured detergent pod such as the top-rated Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs (Costco). If you prefer powder, Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean (Costco) is a CR Best Buy at 9 cents per load.

Cleaning champs
Tide Ultra plus Bleach Vivid White + Bright HE, 23 cents per load. In our tough laundry detergent tests, this Tide powder had superb cleaning performance in both warm and cool water, even surpassing the cleaning performance of its less-expensive brandmate, Tide Ultra HE powder (18 cents per load), among other detergents intended for front-loading or high-efficiency top-loading washing machines. At only 14 cents per load, second-place Wisk Deep Clean was the top liquid and third place Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Pacs (Costco) was the top laundry pod/pack. They both offered very good cleanability in both warm and cold water—and like the top pick Tide, had very good performance at removing grass, blood, and “ring-around-the-collar” stains. For standard top-loaders, top pick Tide Plus Bleach Alternative Vivid White + Bright was very good at cleaning in warm water and removing grass and ring-around-the-collar stains.

Pine-Sol Original all-purpose cleaner, $2.48 per bottle. Pine-Sol, the only brand recommended by Consumer Reports in our most recent tests of all-purpose cleaners, beat out two other liquids and 16 sprays, including some green products. At only nine cents per ounce, it was one of the least expensive cleaners in our tests, earning CR Best Buy status. In our lab-tests, it was very good at removing grease, grape juice, ketchup and mustard stains from glass, ceramic and metal tiles. It also did a very good job at removing soap scum and was the only cleaner in the batch that didn't leave streaks behind on a mirrored surface.

Lemi Shine Original, $3.66. In our tests of dishwasher detergent additives, Lemi Shine Original worked splendidly at removing the worst filmy white coating that often builds up on glassware due to hard water. And it beat out the other dishwasher detergent additives we put to the test on price. To help resist white film buildup in the first place, pick a top dishwasher detergent.

Cascade Complete ActionPacs, 29 cents per load. These dishwasher detergent action pacs were excellent at resisting mineral buildup and water spots while getting pots clean. It also did a very good job at getting dishes clean and resisting food deposits. Too pricey? At 18 cents per load, Finish Powerball Tabs were a CR Best Buy and did a superb job cleaning dishes and resisting water spots and mineral buildup, and a very good job of resisting food deposits.

—Artemis DiBenedetto

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

This time of year you see plenty of sales signs in stores. You might think just about everything is discounted after the holidays.

But Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have compiled a list of items that are typically discounted most deeply in January. So if you're shopping for the best deals, here are the things to put on your list.  

It's the month for white sales, but buying new sheets might not be as simple as checking the pricetags.

Only 4 of 23 sets of queen-size sheets performed well enough for us to recommend them in our 2010 test. As for the other 19, we found a litany of problems: Some fitted sheets easily ripped or came apart at the seams in our strength tests. Other sets had fitted sheets that popped off the corners of mattresses they claimed to fit, or flat sheets that fell short on the sides of the bed. And some wrinkle-free sheets weren't.

So if you're in the market for new sheets, check out our tips on choosing the best sets. Subscribers can read how different brands performed in our Sheets Ratings. If you're shopping for young children, see our crib bedding buying guide.

By the way, if you've ever wondered if it's possible to fold those fitted sheets neatly, watch the video below.

Ellipticals mimic the motion of running but without the impact. Every model is a little different, so you shouldn't buy a treadmill or elliptical before using it in the store. That's especially important with elliptical exercisers because the movement is less familiar than walking or running, and each machine has a slightly different pedaling profile. See our elliptical buying guide for more shopping tips.

In our tests we've found ellipticals that cost $2,000 and up were well-built and felt stable to our testers, more like the $5,000 machines at gyms. And they were less likely to have defects. But you can still get a good basic model for less. In our Elliptical Ratings (available to subscribers), the quality score reflects the severity and frequency of those defects.

When toy shopping for young children, follow the manufacturer's age recommendations displayed on the package. Although you might think that a more "advanced" toy will present a welcome challenge, in reality, it could be a source of frustration.  

Avoid magnets and toys that have them. Small magnets can be accidentally swallowed by children and they can do tremendous harm. The CPSC recommends keeping toys with magnets away from children younger than six. For more shopping and safety tips, read our toy buying guide.

If you're shopping for older children, you probably know tablets for kids are hot. See how different models did in our lab tests; the video below provides some great shopping tips.  

Spending several thousand dollars on a treadmill can get you sturdier construction, better hardware, and more features. But you can get a decent machine that provides a great workout for much less.

You should also take other factors into account before buying. One important consideration is the amount of space you have for a treadmill. Nonfolding models take up as much floor space as a couch or dining room table. A folding treadmill can save you about six-square-feet.

Our treadmill buying guide provides lots more shopping tips; subscribers can also take advantage of our Treadmill Ratings to make wise buying decisions.

It's possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, brand, and more affect the price. Our TV buying guide will help you get the most bang for your buck, no matter how much or how little you want to spend.

It's hard to judge TVs well for yourself in stores. That's because TVs are usually set to a Retail or Store mode, which pumps up brightness and color to a level that looks great under fluorescent lights. Subscribers should consult our TV Ratings before hitting the stores to make sure you get a set that performed well in our lab tests.

As temperatures plummet, you'll luckily find good deals on winter clothing this month. Shopping at the right time can save you even more, say the editors at Shop Smart magazine. Kohl's fans, for example, should check out the "Gold Star Clearance" racks, where prices are slashed up to 80 percent on weekend nights. Every Wednesday, shoppers who are 60 years old and older get an extra 15 percent off.

At Target, women's clothing is generally marked down on Tuesdays, men's on Wednesday, and kids' on Mondays. Markdowns at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx usually happen on Wednesday.

Another clothing item that will be cheap this month: Swimsuits.  

Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.

–Mandy Walker

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Even people with a snow blower need to shovel sometimes, and our snow blower testers have plenty of advice on which snow shovels work best. When shopping, keep in mind that lighter weight means easier lifting, a rigid shovel is best (in the store, push a corner of the shovel into the floor to test for flexing), and a cheap shovel won’t be great. You’ll probably need to spend $30 or $35. Beyond that:

The handle: “Ergonomic” may not mean easy. Bent handles can make the pushing angle hard to adjust, and twisting the shovel to toss snow aside can be difficult. A shorter handle makes snow-throwing easier; longer is better for pushing—you can better tweak the shovel’s angle and use your weight. A wood handle is handsome but heavy, metal is cold, and plastic or fiberglass is often just right.

The grip: D-shaped. Be sure it fits your hands, especially if they’re unusually small or big. A padded grip is nice, as is an extra grip lower on the handle.

The scoop: Sturdy. Metal is generally more rigid than plastic but heavier. Steel on the leading edge can extend a shovel’s life and make it more effective in hard-packed snow, though the edge may scratch a delicate surface such as decking. A scoop about 24 inches across is good for a few inches of light snow; narrower is better when snow is deep or wet and heavy. A deeply curved scoop can clear a lot of snow; a shallow scoop is OK for pushing snow but spills when lifted. High scoop sides contain snow and can reduce flexing.

Bottom line. Look at our lineup below, and consider buying more than one shovel depending on anticipated need—one for lifting, another for pushing, for example, or one for dealing with regular snow and another for an icy plow pile at the end of your driveway.

1. Versatile. Throws, lifts, or pushes. Scoop sides keep snow from escaping. Fiber core handle is lighter than wood.
2. Garden-variety. Slices heavy snow and is good for other outdoor work, but the wood handle is heavy and short.
3. Cheap, plastic. Plastic may flex too much and wear over time. Without a steel edge, the scoop won’t bite well into icy snow.
4. He-man heft. It could actually be too big. You can use your foot to push it into a plow bank, but it takes a very heavy scoop.
5. Wide, wobbly. Quickly fills with snow, and the one we tried wobbled. OK for a little light fluff on a hard surface.
6. Ergonomic handle. The bend makes it hard to maintain an effective angle and awkward to throw to the side. You’ll need strong wrists.
7. Yellow midsize. An ergonomic handle that’s better than the dogleg version; and you’re not forced into one grip.
8. A pusher. The width and lack of sides mean it isn’t good for lifting snow. It will do for up to 4 or 5 inches of light snow.

Try to shovel when the snow is still light and powdery. Also:

• Dress appropriately. Light, layered, water-repellent clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. It is also important to wear the appropriate head coverings, as well as mittens or gloves and thick, warm socks. Take a break if you feel yourself getting too hot or too cold. Avoid falls by wearing shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles.

• Use good timing and technique. When lifting snow, bend your knees, keep your back as straight and vertical as possible, and stand up. The closer your hand is to the scoop, the lighter the load will feel. When pushing snow, keep the handle low, in your hip area, and push using your legs. Take small amounts of snow. And do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side—the twisting motion can stress your back.

• Pace yourself and watch for warning signs. Take frequent breaks and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration. If you feel pressure or pain in your chest, or discomfort spreading to your shoulders, neck, jaw, arms, or back, call for an ambulance immediately, chew and swallow an aspirin, and lie down. You could be having a heart attack. People often shovel first thing in the morning, when heart attacks are more likely. That's why the American College of Emergency Physicians advises against shoveling if you have a history of heart attacks. In this case, it’s probably best to enlist someone to remove the snow for you.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

The New Year may look a lot like the old, but not in the lightbulb aisle. As of January 1st the most popular bulb, the 60-watt incandescent, is on its way out, pretty much ending the incandescent era. Here’s a look at your energy-saving options.

The phase-out was prompted by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and started with 100-watt incandescent bulbs, followed by 75-watt bulbs, and now 60- and 40-watt incandescent bulbs can no longer be made in the U.S. or imported. You might see them on store shelves and online for a few months as remaining inventory can be sold until it runs out. You can stock up on incandescents but they use a lot of energy to provide the same amount of light as the alternatives. Better to choose one of the following bulb types and save energy and money over the life of the bulb.

Halogen bulbs. These incandescent bulbs use about 25 to 30 percent less energy than standard incandescents, so they meet the new energy-efficiency standards and aren’t being phased out. And halogen bulbs instantly produce light, accurately reveal the colors of objects, are fully dimmable, and can be used almost anywhere. The A-type bulbs, the kind you put in lamps, cast light in all directions. But some halogen bulbs do not last much longer than standard incandescents yet cost more.

CFLs. Some cast a weird light color or take too long to fully brighten, but in our lightbulb tests we did find a few that were impressive. The Great Value 14W 60W Soft White CFL replaces a 60-watt incandescent yet uses about 75 percent less energy and brightens fairly quickly and casts a bright, warm yellow light, similar to that of an incandescent. A CR Best Buy, this spiral CFL is $1.25 at Walmart and you can save about $60 in energy costs over the bulb’s claimed life of nine years (10,000 hours). But it isn’t dimmable—most CFLs aren’t—and since frequently turning CFLs on and off shortens their life, it shouldn’t be used in certain sockets. All CFLs contain a small amount of mercury but several brands offer bulbs with a plastic coating that contain the mercury and any shards if the bulb breaks.

LEDs. These use slightly less energy than CFLs and manufacturers claim they last 20,000 to 50,000 hours, about 18 to 46 years when used three hours a day. LEDs instantly brighten and their lifespan isn’t affected by frequently turning them on and off. Some we tested dim as low as incandescent bulbs. Among 60-watt replacements the best we tested was the Samsung A19 60-Watt Warm White. It casts a bright, warm yellow light in all directions, making it ideal for lamps. But it’s $30 and while you can save around $125 in energy costs over it’s life, that’s still expensive. LED prices are dropping fast. Here’s a look at our preliminary tests of lightbulbs that cost $10 to $13.

For more choices, take a look at our Ratings of dozens of LEDs and CFLs for lamps, ceiling fixtures, recessed and track lights, and outdoor fixtures, and keep an eye on LED prices. With manufacturers eager to win you over, prices will continue to drop dramatically this year.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

How hard can buying a microwave be? That’s what we thought until we tested three different GE over-the-range (OTR) microwaves that look alike and found that they performed similarly, yet have very different price tags. Each has a stainless-steel finish, touchpad controls, and about the same amount of usable space. Of the dozens of microwaves tested by Consumer Reports, these three GEs were the top OTR models. They were easy to use, excellent at defrosting, and impressive at evenly heating food and venting. Here’s how they differ.
 
GE JVM3160RFSS. A CR Best Buy, this $250 microwave is among the least expensive we tested and outperformed models costing $1,000 or more. It’s ideal for doing the basics with programmed settings for reheat, popcorn, beverages, and auto-defrost. But it doesn’t have a sensor that detects when food is done, a handy feature that helps prevent under- and overcooking.

GE JVM7195SFSS. At $400 this microwave boasts 1,100 watts, while the others are 1,000. More watts typically mean more cooking power but differences of 100 watts or so don't matter much. It does offer slightly faster heating and you can cook two foods at once using a wire rack. There are more programmed settings, including snacks, steam cook, and an USDA MyPlate menu option meant to encourage healthy choices and portions. The exhaust fans adds a third and higher speed, but this GE wasn’t as quiet as the others.

GE Profile PVM9215SFSS. The top-rated microwave, this GE costs $550 and slightly outperformed its brand mates. It also has a wire rack and the programmed settings found on the $400 model, but adds a knob, a fourth speed to the exhaust fan, and a limited 5-year warranty on the magnetron tube, the part that creates heat.

These three GE models were the only over-the-range models to make our recommended list. Take a look at our Ratings of over-the-range and countertop microwaves to compare models and our brand reliability information to help you decide.
 
—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Q. My skin feels itchy all over, not just in one or two places. What could that mean?

A. The likeliest culprit is either dry skin (especially if the weather is cold or very dry) or allergies. In those cases, steps that can help include using mild soap, bathing or showering in warm (not hot) water, and using plenty of over-the-counter moisturizing lotion. Avoiding harsh chemicals and scratchy fabric can also help, as can using a humidifier to put more moisture in the air. Allover, or "generalized," itching can also be a side effect of certain medications, including commonly used ones such as ACE inhibitors and cholesterol-lowering statins, as well as of radiation treatment. And in rare cases it might indicate a systemic problem, such as kidney disease or even cancer. So if the simple steps above don’t help your itching, see your doctor.

This article appeared in the February 2014 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Cooking appliances are the engine of any kitchen. Wimpy burners, a wonky oven, and a microwave with a mind of its own can get in the way of efficient meal prep. Our latest tests of kitchen appliances found plenty of first-rate models with true timesaving enhancements. That includes high-powered cooktops that will bring water for pasta to a rapid boil and double ovens that let you simultaneously prepare two dishes at different temperatures.

But not every speed claim from manufacturers pans out in our labs. Case in point: the infrared oven broiler we tested that cooked burgers only a minute faster than the brand’s standard broiler. We also see gas burners with high Btu/hr., or British thermal units per hour, that don’t deliver faster cooktop heating.

Read on for our picks of appliances that will help keep your kitchen running at top speed, including steam-enhanced technology. Professional chefs have embraced the technology for years, and it’s just starting to catch on in homes. We’ve also included our take on steamable frozen dinners and provided a bunch of tips for maintaining a clean and tidy kitchen—before, during, and after the mealtime rush.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

Five to 10 minutes might not sound like much, but when you’re racing to get dinner on the table, that can be the difference between a relaxing family meal and one gobbled down with hardly a “How was your day?” When we surveyed 3,435 Consumer Reports subscribers about their experiences cooking weeknight meals, almost half said they wished the task took less time. The average difference between actual time spent and what they desired: 8 minutes.

With that goal in mind, we set out to create the ultimate time-saving kitchen, one that uses the latest innovations, design trends, and lifestyle advice. That involved testing a slew of appliances and paying close attention to those that tout special time savings (such as steam ovens and induction cooktops). We also gleaned wisdom from chefs, designers, organizers, psychologists, and others. And we tested steamable prepared meals to see whether they improve on the usual frozen fare.

Below you'll find our keys to saving 8 minutes (or more) during your daily effort to get meals to the table fast, and tips for a quick cleanup.

If you’re remodeling the kitchen, follow the design basics, but tailor them to your family’s needs and routines. For example, the National Kitchen & Bath  Association’s guidelines call for kitchen walkways to be at least 36 inches wide. “But for a busy family, that passage needs to be 42 or even 48 inches wide for people to move freely,” says Paula Kennedy, a certified master kitchen and bath designer in Seattle.

Similarly, the work triangle—connecting the sink, fridge, and cooktop—is still the baseline for maximum efficiency. But in two-cook kitchens, it often makes sense to have a second triangle, maybe designed around an island counter with a prep sink.

Storage is another customizable design element. If you frequently buy in bulk, you’ll need a walk-in pantry or an oversized wall cabinet that’s at least 36 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Pantry needs will be less for everyday market shoppers, who will also get by with a smaller refrigerator.

Estimated minutes saved daily: 3

Some materials and finishes are harder to care for than others. Quartz countertops are rivaling granite in part because they don’t require periodic sealing. Stainless-steel appliances remain popular, but if fingerprints are a concern, you might consider a newer smudge-resistant finish, such as the GE Slate finish.

As for flooring, vinyl held up best in our tests against scratches and dents, plus the latest designs mimic natural materials. If you want real wood, opt for a factory finish, which tends to last the longest. And don’t forget about the furnishings. “I did all my kitchen chair cushions in outdoor fabric so that spills roll off instead of collecting and staining,” says Amy Ellen Clark, founder of the blog MomAdvice.com.

Estimated minutes saved daily: 4

Precious minutes are lost looking for misplaced items and uncluttering countertops so that they can be used for meal prep. Remember the adage: a place for everything, and everything in its place. In the kitchen, try to put things close at hand, says Jennifer Lava of Austin, Texas, a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. For example, dishes and flatware should be kept in a cabinet next to the dishwasher; cutting boards and sharp knives belong near the food-prep counter.

Creating a separate landing spot, ideally just off the kitchen or along its perimeter, for mail, school papers, and the like will help keep counters clear. It’s a good idea to keep a paper shredder nearby for documents that contain vital personal information. In our latest tests, we liked the Staples SPL-TXC122A wastepaper basket shredder, $120, which worked faster than other models, with fewer paper jams and less frequent emptying.

Estimated minutes saved daily: 2

One of the top cooking gripes in our survey was that it takes too much planning. Making double batches of recipes means one less meal to think about. Stews work for dinner, and pancakes can be frozen and reheated for breakfast. “I also love making a lot of something that can be used in different ways throughout the week, like roasted chicken, which might become enchiladas or part of a pasta dish,” says Katie Workman, author of  “The Mom 100 Cookbook” (Workman Publishing, 2012).

A slow cooker is handy for make-ahead meals. Simply stir ingredients together in the morning, and by night you’ll have a hot, ready-to-serve meal. The $250 All-Clad 99005 slow cooker turned out tasty spareribs in our tests, and its nonstick interior helps with cleanup.  

Estimated minutes saved daily: 5

Look for ways to enlist other members of the household. If kids are present, you might designate a lower cabinet for everyday dishes or flatware, allowing young ones to help set the table. Or look for age-appropriate food-prep tasks, such as washing vegetables.

As for the meal itself, don’t underestimate the importance of sit-down family dinners. In one study, just an additional 3.5 minutes at mealtime was enough to mitigate the risks of child obesity. “It adds up over time,” says Barbara Fiese, director of the Family Resiliency Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and co-author of the study. “A few extra minutes each day turns into 15 minutes each week, and you can learn a lot about the emotional life of your kids in 15 minutes. Plus it’s an opportunity to model good behaviors and manners.” That includes turning off the television and electronic devices. Remember, with your kitchen running at maximum efficiency, you’ll have that much more time for both once dinner is done.

Estimated minutes saved daily: 3

When we asked readers about their top cooking gripes, cleaning was high on the list, cited by 39 percent of them. Here are some ways to make the process less laborious:

Choose a speedy dishwasher. The downside of more water- and energy-efficient machines is a cycle time that can approach 3 hours. Some models are quicker, such as the $700 Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, which took a relatively brisk 95 minutes in our tests; a 30-minute cycle works for lighter loads.

Skip the prerinsing. Most modern dishwashers don’t need it. You’ll save time, and you could reduce your household’s annual water consumption by up to 6,500 gallons.

Let all-purpose cleaners settle in. Manufacturers of those products often make “spray and wipe” claims. But based on our tests, letting them sit for a few minutes results in better cleaning power, which could save you time in the long run. Our top-rated spray cleaner was Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner.

Clean smoothtops quickly. Cleanup is easy with smoothtop cooktops. But food that contains sugar, such as tomato sauce, can bond with the glass if you let it cool. For routine care, use a cleaner made especially for smoothtops. Cerama Bryte and Cooktop Magic combined value and performance in our tests.

Consider a robotic vacuum. They can’t deliver the deep carpet cleaning of a regular vacuum, but they’re perfect for collecting cereal, crumbs, and other surface debris from the kitchen floor. Tops in our tests was the Roomba 760, $450 (shown).

Clean as you go. Put ingredients away once you’re finished with them—or enlist someone else to do so, including a child who’s old enough. Keep a bowl or receptacle on your work surface for food scraps, preferably running them out to a compost heap once meal prep is complete.

Time refrigerator cleanings. Wait until it’s almost empty, then push any remaining items to one side. Clean shelves with a sponge and a solution of dish detergent and warm water. Rotate the items and repeat until the entire refrigerator is clean.

This article appeared in the February 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

“Freshly steams in minutes,” the Lean Cuisine package says about its latest garlic chicken. “Uses the power of steam to cook flavorful Seven Whole Grain pasta in just minutes,” Kashi says of its new three-cheese ravioli. But are those steamable meals any different from standard frozen entrées?  We decided to put 10 to the test.

The packaging is clearly different. Kashi and Lean Cuisine use vented plastic bags that release steam during cooking. Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s have a steamer basket that sits inside a sauce bowl. Cooking times for most were 4 to 5½ minutes—about what it takes to heat conventional frozen entrées.

Flavor and texture were also what you’d expect from a typical frozen meal: tasty, but not off-the-charts. Lean Cuisine’s garlic chicken has large white chicken pieces and flavorful vegetables, Kashi’s sesame chicken offers a nice mix of chewy whole grains, and Marie Callender’s three-cheese tortellini has a soft cheese filling and decent tomato sauce. With the others, pasta could be hard in spots and the chicken could be dry.

Nutritional profiles were comparable, too, with most steamable meals receiving the same very good scores we’ve seen with many diet meals. But if you’re counting calories or following a low-sodium diet, check the labels, because we did note some variations there.

Bottom line

Steamable meals offer a fast and fairly tasty and healthful dinner for one. But any suggestion that they’re reinventing frozen entrées is just a lot of hot air.

This article appeared in the February 2013 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.

When Consumer Reports surveyed 3,435 of its subscribers about their experiences cooking weeknight meals, almost half said they wished the task took less time. So the experts in our labs got to work testing kitchen equipment with time-saving features. They found products (Speed cookers) and strategies (Save time in the kitchen) to help make meal prep less laborious. And they discovered five top-rated small appliances that can be big time-savers.

Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P toaster oven, $150. The quartz and ceramic heating elements in the FlashXpress eliminate the 5-minute preheat time required with other toaster ovens. In our toaster oven tests, corn muffins and pizza came out very nicely.

Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-75 immersion blender, $35. These stick blenders save time by letting you blend soups, sauces, and such right in the pot. In our blender tests, this model from Cuisinart combined solid performance with an outstanding price.

Vitamix Professional Series blender, $650. In our blender tests, this Vitamix whipped up superb smoothies, frozen drinks, and even hot soup, plus it’s short enough to slide under upper cabinets when it’s not in use, freeing up countertop work space.

Breville BFP800XL/A food processor, $400. Whiz through meal prep with the top food processor from our tests. Chopping, slicing, shredding, and grating were all superb, and the 16-cup container lets you process large batches.

DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T single-serve coffeemaker, $130. It was tops in our coffeemaker tests at brewing a single cup quickly and consistently. If you prefer a drip coffeemaker, choose a model that can be set to turn on by itself in the morning.   

—Daniel DiClerico

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.