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Dacor Discovery IQ smart oven texts you when food's ready

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Dacor Discovery IQ smart oven texts you when food's ready

At CES 2014, it's clear that smart devices aren't just restricted to phones and tablets. Dacor, the appliance manufacturer, showed off a very smart oven at last night's CES Unveiled show preview. The Discover IQ Oven has a built-in Android tablet that you use to look up recipes online, or to stream some entertaining video while you wait for the meatloaf to cook.

The smart oven is also compatible with iOs and Android smart devices; you can turn on your oven remotely, and it will even text you when whatever you're roasting or baking is done. Check out our video to see how it works. And for more on smart, connected home gadgets, see our story, "High-tech home gear for gadget gurus."

For all the show news, trends, and analysis visit our insider's guide to CES 2014.

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

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Which innerspring and memory-foam mattresses top Consumer Reports' new tests?

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Which innerspring and memory-foam mattresses top Consumer Reports' new tests?

A new top-rated memory-foam mattress with an adjustable-air layer; a pricier boutique-brand innerspring that could disappoint back sleepers; and two discount-brand foam mattresses that made our list of top mattress picks are among the highlights of Consumer Reports' latest round of comprehensive mattress tests.

Our tests of 24 mattresses, split evenly between innerspring and memory foam, combine the best aspects of human subjects and machines to gauge the ability of a mattress to maintain the body’s natural curves when you’re lying on either your side or your back. In addition to other tests mimicking eight years of use, we measure how innersprings resist transmitting bouncing across the mattress—say, from one partner’s side to the other. And for memory-foam mattresses, we assess how easy it is to turn over, not a given for some models.

At $3,000, the Sleep Number Innovation Series i8 bed Pillowtop costs more than many. But in addition to offering impressive support for side sleepers, this Sleep Number was the only mattress in our Ratings with top-notch back support. As with other Sleep Number beds, it includes an air-filled layer beneath its foam top, and you can adjust firmness using a remote control. We tested it at two different firmness layers and found both especially supportive. Partners with different firmness preferences can also adjust their half of the bed independently.

But you don’t have to spend even a third of that to get ample side and back support. The $800 Novaform Memory Foam Collection Serafina 14" is a mattress you can’t see or try out at Costco, and it comes folded up in a box—an increasingly common trend for memory-foam beds. Yet it was consistently impressive for both back and side support. Another pick: the Bob’s Discount Furniture Bob-O-Pedic 11" Firm, also $800, wasn’t as good for back support but did just as well for those who sleep mostly on their side. As with the Sleep Number, you can order the Bob-O-Pedic in different firmness levels for couples with different preferences.

Among innersprings, the best we tested is the Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause, $1,075, which was consistently notable for side and back support. You can pay more than four times that price, $4,800, for the Duxiana DUX 101 but get less performance. The manufacturer calls the DUX 101 “the perfect introduction to the legendary DUX comfort and support,” yet back support trailed side support in our tests. The mattress was also among the bouncier models, less than ideal if one sleeper is restless and turns often.

We also feature Ratings, from our subscriber surveys, of 15 mattress stores and 10 mattress brands. In our store Ratings, we list reader scores for their perception of price, quality, selection, service, and delivery. Our brand Ratings include reader scores for comfort, value, and improved sleep. And they include an assessment of whether they’d buy that brand again.

Before shopping, check our buying guide for mattresses. Then review our Ratings of 24 models from popular brands including our 10 top mattress picks.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning

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Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning

Accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes more than 450 deaths and 15,000 injuries each year, many while victims are asleep in their home.

CO-emitting household appliances include gas-burning furnaces, gas stoves, and water heaters. Kerosene heaters and portable generators also give off CO as a product of combustion, and they should never be used indoors. Car exhaust is also a source of the gas, so don’t let an auto idle in an enclosed space, such as a garage or carport. Here’s what else you need to know:

  • Have your furnace professionally inspected annually to make certain it’s functioning properly. Also make sure that the vent system is inspected.
  • Though CO gas is odorless, if you notice unusual smells, excess moisture in your home, or signs of soot or heat discoloration around your water heater or furnace, have it checked out immediately.
  • Put CO alarms on each floor of your house, away from major appliances and in spots where you will hear them.
  • Recognize the signs of CO poisoning, which include headache, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness.

If a CO detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911 from outside. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and if you or someone in your household is feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseated.

Get more information about CO poisoning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

—Consumer Reports

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

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Manage your home remotely with Iris from Lowe's

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Manage your home remotely with Iris from Lowe's

At CES 2014, devices that help control and monitor the home are encroaching on the esoteric gadgets that once dominated the electronics show. A case in point is Iris, a cloud-based home management system from Lowe's that can alert you when your child arrives home from school or enable you to remotely control your thermostat, lights, and other home electronics from a smart phone or tablet.

As explained by Lowe's, the Iris Hub, which is connected to a home's broadband router, captures signals put out by smart devices. It's also compatible with Wi-Fi devices. A starter kit costs $179 and Lowe’s claims you can install it yourself in an hour. E-mail, text, and voice call alerts are free but if you want more advanced services such as live streaming and voice commands, there’s a subscription fee of $9.99 a month. And unlike the iPhone’s Siri, Iris can’t find you a burger joint or hotel.

For more news from the show, check out the Insider's guide to CES 2014.

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

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Convection steam ovens promise speedy cooking

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Convection steam ovens promise speedy cooking

Why reheat day-old food in the microwave when you can rejuvenate leftovers to just-made freshness. That’s one of the promises Wolf makes with its $3,800 built-in convection steam oven. We scoured the market for the latest in timesaving cooking appliances, and convection steam ovens, which boast speed, versatility, and healthy food prep, grabbed our attention. Here’s a look at three we have in our cooking labs now.
 
The combination of convection and steam is meant to reduce cooking time, with the convection circulating hot air for better browning while the steam adds moisture to help keep food moist and juicy with little or no added fat. Wolf claims that its built-in CS024 Convection Steam Oven is several appliances in one, allowing you to sauté, simmer, boil, bake, roast, and yes, rejuvenate leftovers. Our testing continues, but so far the Wolf has cooked a nicely browned 4-pound chicken in about 40 minutes using its 425°F convection steam mode. We’re also testing another built-in convection steam oven, the Thermador PS0301M, $4,000. It’s been easier to operate, but so far the temperature and cooking time were similar to a conventional oven when we cooked a chicken using the easy cook mode.

Much more affordable is the $300 countertop steam and convection oven from Cuisinart. That’s $50 more than our top-rated toaster oven, the Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL. The Cuisinart CSO-300 looks like a regular toaster oven, which means its size limits you to cooking one dish at a time, but it has a removable reservoir that you fill with tap water. The results were impressive in our tests. When set to 450°F steam-bake mode, the Cuisinart cooked a fairly evenly browned 4-pound chicken in around 40 minutes—half the time needed for a conventional electric wall oven set to 350°F. The yams were tasty and done in two-thirds the time. But we didn’t save any time cooking rice or broccoli, compared to when we prepared them on a cooktop and in a microwave. And our steam-baked loaf of bread was slightly crispier than the bread turned out by a conventional oven.

We’ll continue our tests of the Wolf and Thermador and report back on whether we saved time and how the food turned out. Until then, here’s some advice from our experts on ways to save time in the kitchen as well as our reviews of other kitchen appliances that help you save time.

—Kimberly Janeway

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

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Wi-Fi doorbells let you see who’s knocking

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Wi-Fi doorbells let you see who’s knocking

Fear of hackers may keep some homeowners from buying Wi-Fi enabled door locks but even if you’re not interested in using an app to lock your doors or control your alarm system, you may want to consider a smart doorbell that enables you to see who’s on your doorstep. Such home security systems are in abundance at the 2014 International CES, including two doorbells you can answer from a wireless device.
 
DoorBot
Shipping since late November, this wireless doorbell, $199, connects to your home Wi-Fi network. Other devices on the network can be used to view live video of who’s at the door. With the included app (for iPhone, iPad, or Android), you can see, hear, and speak to visitors even from afar—and even when it’s dark outside. The device replaces your existing doorbell using the same wiring, and the battery lasts a year. In addition to the company’s website, Getdoorbot.com, it’s available from Amazon and Staples.

At the moment it has a quirky drawback intended to preserve long battery life. To do that, the DoorBot takes a nap until someone rings the bell. But the company plans to issue an update that lets you view your doorstep even if no one has pushed the doorbell.

iSmartAlarm Doorfront
The iSmartAlarm Doorfront is a wireless doorbell that was recently added to the iSmartAlarm system. The alarm system sells for $199 or $349 depending on the configuration, and is a collection of wireless components that includes a camera, motion sensor, and a remote tag (for tracking children or pets). The replacement doorbell lets you know when someone is approaching the door even before they ring the bell, and you can see, hear, and speak to visitors using the company’s app on your iPhone. You can also view streaming video, take snapshots, or set the system to automatically capture activity with the product’s built-in motion detector.
 
Consumer Reports hasn't tested these products so we can't vouch for them. But over the coming year we plan to purchase and test many web-enabled connected home products, which have become known collectively as “the Internet of things.”

For more news from the show, check out the Insider's guide to CES 2014

 —Ed Perratore

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

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GE app lets you add new features to an old oven

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GE app lets you add new features to an old oven

By downloading a new app, GE is offering consumers a chance to “upgrade” the GE wall oven they already have. The app gives you remote control of your wall oven, via a smart phone, whether you’re waiting in line at the grocery store or leaving work. Sounds a bit risky to us.
 
By downloading the GE Brillion mobile app, owners of GE Profile wall ovens can preheat, set the timer, check cooking status, receive notifications, and more while they’re out and about. GE says it’s the first time features and capabilities have been added to its appliances after they’re installed in the home. The app can be used with these models: GE PT9550, GE PK7500, GE PT9050, and GE PK7000.
 
When we tested the GE PT9050FSSS wall oven last summer, we found that the baking, broiling, and self-cleaning were impressive and the oven capacity was large, making this $2,600 wall oven very good overall and a recommended model. The GE PT9550FSSS, $3,600, double wall oven is also recommended. At the time we tested the remote control feature, it only worked with a home’s Wi-Fi network, not from some coffee shop—a safety feature that made sense. We envisioned consumers preheating their ovens while folding laundry in another room or checking the remaining roasting time while playing with the kids in the backyard.

But maybe this is where cooking appliances are headed. Dacor is exhibiting a smart oven at the International CES 2014 in Las Vegas this week that’s compatible with iOs and Android smart devices, letting you turn on your oven remotely and texting you when the roast is ready.

—Kimberly Janeway

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

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Repair or replace? Find out when you should fix it and when you should nix it

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Repair or replace? Find out when you should fix it and when you should nix it

Deciding whether to fix a broken product or spring for a new one often feels like an expensive guess. But there’s no need to throw away good money on a bad product. In fact, repairing broken items or keeping them going as long as possible isn’t always the best way to save money. We’ve done the homework for you, creating year-by-year advice for more than a dozen common home appliances, electronics, and lawn and snow equipment.

Our advice is based on the experiences of 29,281 subscribers we surveyed as part of our 2013 Online Annual Questionnaire. We also spell out how much repairs usually cost and what our readers thought of the job. And we offer tips that can help extend the life of your current product or new purchase. Here’s what you need to know.

Products aren’t breaking faster. The repair rates of most products in our latest survey are similar to what we found when we conducted the survey in 2010. Some products are breaking less often. Laptops had a repair rate of 24 percent, down from 36 percent in 2010; the LCD TV repair rate is 7 percent, down from 15 percent. So why does it seem like things don’t last as long as they used to? Because when products do break, it’s memorable: They stop working altogether (53 percent) or work poorly (32 percent), according to our survey.

Avoiding a lemon. Check our “What Breaks and What Doesn’t” lists for the most temperamental product types and—from our repair-history surveys—the most and least reliable brands for each. Then use the “Repair or Replace” data chart to help decide whether a repair is worthwhile, questionable, or a bad idea. The chart also gives you an idea of how much a new product costs.

Save money on repairs. People who used independent repair shops were more satisfied with the repairs than those who used factory service, which is consistent with what we’ve found previously. And repairs cost less, too. That was especially true when it came to large appliances and lawn equipment.

Another way to save on repairs is to do them yourself, as did 31 percent of those surveyed whose products weren’t covered by warranty. The prevalence of how-to videos on YouTube and other sites—such as RepairClinic.com, which itself hosts more than 1,400 videos—makes repairing even complicated appliances a much less formidable challenge.

But if your product is under manufacturer’s warranty, you’ll need to use a factory-­authorized repair shop or risk voiding the warranty. Just make sure the technician who will be sent to your home has been properly trained on your product.

No matter who does the repair, our long-standing advice remains. Don’t spend more than 50 percent of the cost of a new product on repairing an old one. And if an item has already broken down once before, replacement may make more sense.

Warranties don’t improve satisfaction. Only 15 percent of products in our survey were covered by the manufacturer’s regular warranty when they broke, and about 10 percent were under a service contract or extended warranty. People who had a service contract or an extended warranty weren’t any happier with their repairs. They actually were more likely to have had repairs done incorrectly the first time around and waited at least two weeks for the repair than people who didn’t have those contracts.

Even the 77 percent of people with those contracts who were offered a free repair or replacement for their product didn’t save much money overall. The median cost for the contract or warranty was $136; the median cost for repairs was $152.

The full article is available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers. Sign in or subscribe to read this article.

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

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Microwave a scene stealer in 'American Hustle'

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Microwave a scene stealer in 'American Hustle'

In the new film “American Hustle,” a comedy-drama about a con man, his cunning mistress, and an elaborate FBI sting set in the late 1970s, Jennifer Lawrence plays a glamorous nutcake who’s a danger to tough guys and to things with plugs. So when her husband warns her not to put any metal in their new “science oven”—a microwave—of course she does just that.
 
Lawrence plays a feisty Rosalyn Rosenfeld and her microwave scene is so good that it made the Huffington Post’s list of 17 Best Movie Moments of 2013. In this scene, Lawrence puts an aluminum tray covered with aluminum foil in the microwave, closes the door, and within seconds the door blasts open and flames shoot out, leaving a cabinet charred and her young son running. She blames the science oven for this and more, but as home wreckers go, this one’s certain she’s always right.

“American Hustle” has racked up a lot of Golden Globe nominations. Much shorter and lighter on the drama, our video offers tips on what you should know before you buy a microwave. And here's our list of top microwave picks.

—Kimberly Janeway

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

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A gas grill that tells you when to flip the burgers

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A gas grill that tells you when to flip the burgers

The majority of grill users are men, and most wouldn’t give up their spatula without a fight. For the few who would, there’s the voice-activated Lynx Smart Grill, a prototype of which is on display at the International CES 2014.

Officially called the Lynx Concept Grill, the gas grill employs voice recognition technology to  automatically cook foods based on user commands.But don't think you’re running the show. Its recipes are programmed in by the pros at the manufacturer. Your job is to tell the grill what you want cooked. The grill then fetches the optimal grilling time and technique from an online database—and tells you where on the grill to place each item. It will text you when the food is done or tell you when to flip the burgers. You can interact with the grill through voice commands or the included app.

If you want to grill the old fashioned way, you can set the grill to manual mode. The Lynx Smart Grill is expected to ship in 2015, but it won’t be edging you off your deck anytime soon. It’ll reportedly cost $7,000.
 
Interested in a grill that gives you consistent performance—and lets you make your own mistakes? Read our buying guide for gas grills before checking out our Ratings of more than 160 models.

—Ed Perratore

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

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5 easy appliance fixes you can do yourself

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5 easy appliance fixes you can do yourself

In Consumer Reports recent report “Repair or replace,” we advise consumers not to spend more than 50 percent of the cost of a new item to repair the old one. But not every problem needs a repair technician. Here are five easy fixes you can do yourself for as little as $2.

Refrigerators. If it seems to run constantly, dirt and debris might be coating the condenser coil. (See the manual for the location.)
Cost: Up to $5 for a condenser brush. And if the fridge or freezer door stops self-closing, replace the hinge’s cam riser. Cost: $11 to $30.

Ranges. If your cooktop coil doesn’t heat or heats intermittently, replace the burner receptacle.
Cost: $10. And for $35, you could replace the bake element for an oven that doesn’t heat.

Clothes washers. If water enters the machine even when it’s off, replace the water-inlet valve, which can wear out.
Cost: $25 to $50.

Vacuums. If the brush roll turns little, if at all, it could be the brush-roll belt or the roll itself.
Cost: $3 to $40. And if you have weak suction even though the hose is clear, check the filters. Cost: $10 to $70 for a set.

Snow blowers and lawns mowers. If you know you have fresh fuel and have primed the engine as outlined in the manual, trouble starting could simply be caused by an old spark plug.
Cost: $2 to $5. Be sure to set the proper gapping before installing it.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Robotic air purifier doubles as wireless controller

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Robotic air purifier doubles as wireless controller

What iRobot did for robotic vacuums with its Roomba, Ecovacs hopes to do for air purifiers—with some Wi-Fi home security added in for good measure. The Famibot and its little sidekick, the Famibot Jr., are on display at the 2014 International CES.

Portable air purifiers either have wheels or are lightweight enough for easy toting. But either way, you’re doing the moving. Like a robotic vacuum, which has intelligence to map out rooms and service its area, the Famibot goes from room to room cleaning particulates from the air with its built-in, washable HEPA-class filter.

That’s not all it does. The Famibot also serves as a controller for a handful of wireless devices included in the unit’s $1,500 to $1,600 price. The set currently includes a smoke sensor, a smart socket that lets you monitor and control one AC-powered fixture or appliance, and an infrared motion sensor that uses an Android or iPhone app. The Famibot Jr., $900, offers the home security features but not the air purifying.

The company says it’s still tweaking the included devices. The smoke sensor, in time, will grow in sensitivity to become a more full-fledged smoke detector. A carbon-monoxide detector is in the works, and Ecovacs wants to introduce thresholds to the motion detector so that, for instance, you won’t get an alert every time your pet passes near the device.

We’ll be reporting on other connected-home products we’ve been seeing at CES. But if you need an air purifier and only want to spend a fraction of what the Famibot costs, check out our air purifier buying guide before viewing our air purifier Ratings.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Kitchen appliance upgrades from LG and Samsung

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Kitchen appliance upgrades from LG and Samsung

New strategies for getting dishes clean and keeping food fresh are on display by appliance makers at the 2014 International CES. Samsung is featuring a souped-up dishwasher that can douse the dirtiest items with extra water and both LG and Samsung exhibited door-in-door refrigerators that prevent too much cool air from escaping when the door is repeatedly opened and closed.

Samsung showed new dishwasher features that will appear on at least three models, including the $1,599 Samsung DW80H9970. The first, dubbed WaterWall, comprises two bars of jets situated along the bottom of the tub, beneath the usual rotary sprayers. One bar slides back and forth between the front and back, with six jets pointed upward. The other bar, in the back, has jets that spray toward the front bar, which deflects that water upward. The company claims this results in more even, thorough washing.

Another feature, called Zone Boost, cuts off the left or right half of the WaterWall’s jets—providing more water pressure to the opposite side for heavily soiled items. Delicate items can be positioned in the lightly soaked half.

And while many dishwashers now offer a third rack for utensils and other stray items, removing these items one by one can be time-consuming. To save time, the Samsung models have a removable, flexible silicon liner you can lift by its two handles and remove all the silverware at once. One caveat: In our repair histories, based on subscriber surveys, Samsung has been the most repair-prone brand of dishwasher.

Cool new refrigerators
In refrigerator news, LG as well as Samsung are adopting the popular door-in-door design for their side-by-side refrigerators. Called Grab-N-Go in the Kenmore French-door refrigerators that first offered this feature, the design offers a hidden compartment that lets you reach often-used items, such as beverages and condiments, without opening the refrigerator's main chamber. In addition to convenience, the extra door can improve energy efficiency since less of the refrigerator’s chilled air escapes when the outer door is opened.

Select models of LG’s 2014 line offer the door-in-door feature in the upper-right quadrant of the fridge. Press a button before opening that door, and rather than fully opening the refrigerator you get access to shelves in the door and certain compartments, one of which pulls out. In our repair histories, however, LG (along with KitchenAid) has been among the more repair-prone brands of side-by-side refrigerators with icemakers.

In the 36-inch Samsung RH22H9010SR, $4,999, the door-in-door section runs the height of the fridge. This leaves several compartments you can access (called a Food Showcase), though there are no shelves in the door. In their place is a “metal cooling panel" that the company claims distributes cold air evenly throughout the refrigerator.

If you're looking for a new dishwasher or refrigerator, be sure to read our buying guides for dishwashers and refrigerators before viewing our Ratings of both.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Whirlpool CoolVox fridge plays music to cook by

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Whirlpool CoolVox fridge plays music to cook by

Refrigerators with built-in TVs never quite made it to prime time for a public that apparently responded with a collective yawn. But what if you could listen to your music collection, catch up on an audiobook, or hear step-by-step spoken recipes without leaving the kitchen?
 
Whirlpool hopes that possibility will spark your interest in its new French-door refrigerator, which was announced as a concept at last year’s International CES. This year attendees can see it and listen to it. Expected to be available at Lowe’s this summer, the Whirlpool Refrigerator with CoolVox Sound System sports low-profile Harman/Kardon speakers mounted out of view on top.
 
Whatever you can currently listen to from your phone, provided it’s Bluetooth-enabled, is fair game for the CoolVox fridge. And if you’ve got a sleeping infant, you can keep tabs on her if the baby monitor supports Bluetooth. Pricing details have not been announced.
 
If you prefer your refrigerator to be seen and not heard, read our refrigerator buying guide before checking our Ratings of 330 top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and built-in refrigerators. And for more CES coverage, check out our Insider’s guide to CES 2014.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Calphalon XL 9-speed blender deemed safe by Consumer Reports

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Calphalon XL 9-speed blender deemed safe by Consumer Reports

During initial testing of the Calphalon XL 9-speed blender last summer, we discovered a defective blade assembly that could pose a serious safety risk to consumers. The $130 blender landed on our Don't Buy: Safety Problem list, and was later recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. As part of the recall, Calphalon promised a free repair kit to all owners of the defective product. We’ve since received our repair kit and retested the blender, subjecting it to our standard durability test. Our verdict: the Calphalon XL 9-speed blender is safe for consumers, though there are better blenders on the market.

The Calphalon repair kit includes a replacement blade, identified by a white drive wheel, and instructions. There's also a prepaid return label for the old blade and an order form for a free gift—a Calphalon nonstick panini pan. We passed on the free gift, but found the new blade easy to install. More importantly, it stood up to our tough durability test, which involves crushing seven ice cubes 45 times to simulate long-term use.

The Calphalon blender was also very good at making smoothies, frozen drinks, and purees, and its touchpad controls are fairly easy to use. The blender is also relatively quiet. However, there are about 20 models in our blender Ratings with higher overall scores, including the dozen blenders that make our current recommended list. Still, Calphalon deserves credit for moving swiftly to correct this problem and keep its customers safe.

—Daniel DiClerico

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

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Put your house on an energy diet

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Put your house on an energy diet

January is the traditional time for belt-tightening and waist watching. To offset your holiday expenses, you may also want to take a look at ways to trim your bloated utility bill. Adjusting your home heating to your schedule is one way as is switching to more energy-efficient lightbulbs and appliances. Here are some tips from the experts at Consumer Reports and the Department of Energy.

Energy-saving thermostats
Programmable thermostats can trim about $180 a year from your energy bill by automatically reducing your heating or cooling when you need it least. There are two types to consider, weekday/weekend models and seven day models. If your schedule changes every day, you may want to consider the latter type. But for most people who work or go to school, the weekday/weekend model will suffice and may be easier to use.

In our tests of programmable thermostats, we recommend 10 of the 30 in our labs, which range in price from $70 to $300. The top-rated Venstar ColorTouch Series T5800, $170, has a colorful, interactive touch-screen display with programming prompts that are clear, simple and its screen is easy to see. The ecobee EB-STAT-02, $300, and Honeywell Prestige HD YTHX9321R, $250, did almost as well and we named the $70 Lux TX9600TS a CR Best Buy. The round nest Learning Thermostat, $250, is Wi-Fi enabled, can program itself based on changes you make and keeps on tweaking.

Energy-efficient lightbulbs
Replacing 15 incandescent lightbulbs with energy-saving bulbs can save you $50 a year and more than $600 in energy costs over the life of the bulbs, according to the DOE.

Most screw-in lightbulbs have to use at least 27 percent less energy by 2014, according to an energy act passed in 2007. The phase-out of inefficient bulbs began in January 2012 with 100-watt bulbs that use too much energy and this year the 75-watt bulb is being phased out. CFLs, LEDs, and some halogen bulbs, a type of incandescent, meet the requirement. Standard incandescents do not although retailers are permitted to sell out their current inventory of these traditional bulbs.

In Consumer Reports tests of scores of LEDs and CFLs, we found 22 to recommend in varieties that fit most fixtures. At least four of the bulbs scored a brilliant 98 or 99 out of 100 on our tests including replacements for 60-watt and 75-watt incandescents and a floodlight for outdoor use. When shopping for lightbulbs, remember to match the bulb to the fixture—here's our lightbulb FAQ on how—and to check retail and manufacturer websites for rebates.

Energy Star appliances
Replacing your old refrigerator, washing machine and other appliances with models that meets Energy Star standards can save you $900 over the lifetime of the products, says the DOE. Appliances and electronics account for 20 percent of your energy bill so it's wise to look for Energy Star models when replacing old ones, especially if they are a decade old or more old. Products that earn the Energy Star use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water than standard models, says the DOE.

When Consumer Reports tests refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners, it measures energy and water efficiency along with other performance factors. For example, some of the top-scoring refrigerators in our tests use about half as much energy as those near the bottom of the Ratings so it's a number well worth considering.

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.

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What buyers and sellers should know about radon

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What buyers and sellers should know about radon

About one in 15 U.S. homes contain radon—a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s linked to 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. And because radon lurks in nearly all soil, it can creep into holes or cracks in the walls or foundation of any home, risking your health if you’re a buyer and quashing the deal if you’re looking to sell.

Radon risks increase in winter, when tightly closed windows and today’s better-sealed homes help trap radon indoors and let levels rise high enough to be harmful. In recognition of National Radon Action Month, here are some ways to protect your health—and keep radon from coming between you and your new home.

If you’re buying a home
Know the radon risk level.
While high radon levels have been found in all 50 states, it’s more prevalent in some regions than others. Check the maps on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency to see the regions where radon concentration is higher. If you live in one of those areas, every home you’re considering should be radon tested.

Be sure your home inspection includes a radon test. Radon tests should be conducted in the lowest level of the home that’s likely to be used regularly. “Many home inspectors offer radon testing services, but radon inspections are not part of a standard home inspection,”  Claude McGavic, executive director of the National Association of Home Inspectors, said. To find a radon inspector, check the EPA's website or the websites of the National Radon Proficiency Program or National Radon Safety Board.

A radon level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) means you’ll need a qualified radon mitigation contractor, according to the EPA, though even levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L are a concern.

Consider a radon-resistant home. Vent pipes and radon-retardant sheeting are but two of the features more new home builders are using. Those same techniques can also help reduce radon levels in older homes and, as a bonus, may help make any home more energy-efficient.

If you’re selling a home
Test for radon before putting your home on the market. You’re better off finding—and alleviating—a radon problem now than having it derail the sale later. The best way to test for radon is to hire a pro. But you can get an initial estimate on your own with a radon test kit. Consumer Reports’ tests yielded one recommended short-term kit, the RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal Canister (about $42 for a two-pack), and one for longer-term testing, the Accustar Alpha Track Test Kit AT 100, about $21. The long-term tests proved more accurate and are also useful for ongoing radon monitoring.

Tell buyers what you’ve done to lower radon levels. If you’ve already tested your home for radon or installed a radon-reduction system, share the results and information about your system's operation and maintenance with your buyer. Not only is it the right thing to do, it could provide the peace of mind needed to finalize the sale.

Check radon regulations for your area. If your state or local government requires disclosure of radon information to buyers, they may ask for a new test, especially if the last test was done more than two years ago, or if you’ve remodeled since the last test (which can affect radon levels).

Whether you’re planning to move or staying put, be sure to check out 10 myths about radon and how to detect a radon threat as well as the EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon.

—Artemis DiBenedetto

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

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4 robotic cleaners take to the floor

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4 robotic cleaners take to the floor

Robots were buzzing all over the 2014 International CES, especially in the diminutive form of robotic vacuums, new hard-floor scrubbers, and models that can handle both tasks. All work similarly in that they run on battery power, do their jobs, and return to the charger when almost out of power. Here’s a roundup of models we saw:


iRobot Scooba 450
As the Roomba 760 we tested is intended for carpets and bare floors, the iRobot Scooba 450 (above) dives into hard floors—specifically ones with stains you’d otherwise handle with a wet mop. It holds iRobot Scooba Hard Floor Cleaner in an internal tank. Its software is nearly the same as for the Roomba line, and the underside sports a revolving brush and a squeegee. The $599 price includes a 4-ounce bottle of cleaner that’s good for eight uses. A 16-ounce bottle, available at the iRobot store now and later elsewhere, costs $12.99 and is good for 32 uses.

Ecovacs Deebot D93
The Ecovacs Deebot D93 is the only app-controllable robotic vacuum of the bunch. It can pick up dust (no scrubbing) from carpets or bare floors and comes with a washable dry pad for bare floors. The smart phone app (on the iPad in photo), for iOS or Android devices, lets you see how and where the unit is cleaning. Slated for a September launch, the Deebot D93 is expected to be sold at Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon.com. The pricing is three-level. For $499, you get no Wi-Fi for connection with the app. Wi-fi costs an additional $100. And for $799, the charger that comes with all versions includes an extra component that will empty the Deebot’s bin. The same component can detach for use as a corded hand vac with a case of tools.

Moneual Rydis H68 Pro
This robotic cleaner can do it all—carpets and wet or dry bare floors. It can vacuum your carpet only, turning around when it senses bare floor. But in hybrid mode it will adjust to do either as it goes along. The Rydis H68 Pro comes with disposable wet or dry pads, but there’s also a spacious mop pad that’s machine-washable. Unlike the iRobot Scooba’s tank, this one holds water or your floor-cleaning product of choice. The machine can do back-and-forth sweeps or a curlicue pattern. It should be available by April and is expected to cost $499 at Best Buy, Sears, HomeDepot.com, Amazon.com, and other sellers. Another product, the $199 Moneual Robospin, has no vacuum and is intended for bare floors only. There’s no tank, but you can wet the two pads it uses at a time. It should ship by year’s end.

Neato XV Essential
This latest robotic vacuum is a lower-cost offering than the $400 Neato XV-21 we recently tested but is also intended for dry floors, whether carpeted or not. It uses the same software for guidance as the company’s other models. What you give up for the lesser price is the pleated filter (the Essential’s is flat) and the second, “combo” brush, which includes bristles for carpet. The new model’s rubber blade brush seems better suited for debris on hard floors. It’s expected to sell for about $379 by the end of March, initially at Walmart.com alone.

Thinking for a new vacuum? Be sure to read our buying guide for vacuums, including robotic models, before seeing our Ratings.

—Ed Perratore

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

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LG's new dryer saves energy and money

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LG's new dryer saves energy and money

Residential clothes dryers aren’t known for their efficiency, which is why they’re not yet part of the federal government’s Energy Star program. Yet LG has announced a dryer that the company claims will be up to 58 percent more efficienct than a standard model.

The LG DLHX4072V uses a heat-pump exchange system to achieve its target efficiency. Dryers typically lose 20 to 25 percent of their heat through the dryer vent, according to figures from the Environmental Protection Agency, but this model includes components that recycle wasted heat energy.

Expected to ship by the summer, the LG DLHX4072V should cost between $1,500 and $1,600. In our reader surveys, LG has been among the most reliable brands of electric clothes dryers, and it was the least repair prone brand of gas clothes dryer.

Should you run into a problem with the LG, the company’s SmartDiagnosis feature lets you diagnose it by pressing a sequence of buttons while holding your smart phone’s mouthpiece close to the power button. In addition to getting troubleshooting tips that might avoid a service call, any service you do get should be cheaper since you didn’t need a professional’s visit to determine the trouble. You can also use your smart phone to download additional cycles to your LG washer.

Another clothes-dryer innovation we saw from LG: models that can open either from the side or from the top for greater flexibility in loading and unloading.

We hope to get the LG DLHX4072V in our labs for testing. In the market now? Check out our Ratings of 275 electric and gas dryers, and be sure to see our buying guide for clothes dryers.

—Ed Perratore

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

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Samsung hits industry high in washer capacity

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Samsung hits industry high in washer capacity

Top-loading washers too deep for easy emptying have been a recent topic of user-reviews for a number of our more petite readers, some of whom use tongs to retrieve socks and other small items from the bottom of the tub. But Samsung announced last week a washer that should solve the problem—while hitting a new high for capacity in the process.

Manufacturers have been boosting the tub sizes of some washers, which has resulted in ever-deeper tubs. But for the $1,399 Samsung WA9000, the company made the tub notably shallower—yet wider. While doing so may seem like a wash, with the two conflicting modifications canceling each another out. Yet the resulting tub is 5.6-cubic-feet, which is .4-cubic-feet larger than LG’s largest top-loading washer, the LG WT5680HV, $1,099, which has attractions of its own. Samsung claims its top loader can handle two king-size comforters at once.

Available in white or stainless platinum, the washer includes a steam-cleaning option, along with sanitize and allergen cycles. The washer and its matching dryer, the DV9000, $1,399, should be available by the spring.

With a 9.5-cubic-foot capacity, the DV9000 dryer also outdoes LG’s largest new dryer, the 9.0-cubic-foot LG DLEX8500V, $1,499, for tub space. It has an Eco Mode that is claimed to offer 25-percent energy savings, steam cycles, a “VentSensor” feature that can text you if the vent is blocked, and a “SmartCare” feature for diagnosing error codes using your smart phone.

Among front-load washers, Samsung also offers a 5.6-cubic-foot model, the $1,599 WF9100, with a matching, same-priced 9.5-cubic-foot dryer. LG and Samsung are the most reliable of front-loader washer brands in our reader surveys.

We hope to get these washers and dryers in for testing as soon as they’re available. But if you need a new washer or dryer now, especially if you do laundry for a busy household, time is of the essence. Don’t miss our Ratings of 166 top- and front-loading washers and 275 electric and gas dryers, but be sure to read our buying guides for washers and dryers before heading out to the store.

—Ed Perratore

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

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