Many people own pod coffeemakers for their convenience, but using the coffee sold in the pod can be inconvenient to your budget. For a cup-a-day drinker, a year’s worth of K-cups costs more than $200. Now there are cheaper alternatives that let people use their own coffee and brew it to their taste. Consumer Reports checked K-cups and three alternatives for cost, convenience, and brewing time, and our experts tasted the coffee that resulted from each.

Cost. In the long run, you’ll save the most with the reusable K-cup adapter. The costs we cite below include one cup of coffee daily brewed with beans bought for an average of $10 per pound.

Convenience. The Keurig K-cup adapter was easiest to use, though you have to wash it between uses. The Simple Cups product was hardest to use: Its lid was especially tough to close.

Brewing time. It will vary with different K-cup machines and serving sizes, but in our tests Simple Cups and EZ-Cup took longer than the K-cup or Keurig K-cup adapter.

Taste. We used identical ground coffee in the K-cup and K-cup alternatives, and our tasters found that the coffee brewed in all four was of similar quality.

Bottom line. Any of the K-cup alternatives will save money. You’ll save the most, and limit trash, with a Keurig K-cup adapter. Here’s the score:

• K-cup: $48 per box in bulk
  Average cost for one year: bulk, $220; 24 count, $275. Sold with coffee inside; disposable.
• Simple Cups, $14 for 50
  Average cost for one year: $185. Use your own coffee; disposable cup, filter, and lid.
• EZ-Cup, $13 plus $7.65 for 50 filters
  Annual cost after initial purchase: $135. Use your own coffee; reusable cup with biodegradable filter.
• Keurig K-cup adapter, $18 per adapter
  Annual cost after purchase: $80. Use your own coffee; reusable cup and filter.

Best pod coffeemakers from our tests

DeLonghi scored the top three spots in our tests of pod coffeemakers with the winner being the DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Genio EDG455T, $130. They use Nescafé-branded pods. Joining DeLonghi on the podium is the Starbucks Verismo 600, $150,  which requires Starbucks Verisimo pods. All four make speedy cups of coffee one after another.

For the lowdown on coffee pods, read the "Cost of single-serve coffee pods adds up." And keep in mind that Consumer Reports expert coffee tasters prefer coffee made in a drip coffeemaker. If you like a more robust brew, consider the Cuisinart Perfec Temp DCC-2800, $100.

—Adapted from The Ultimate Appliance Guide

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

After spending a couple thousand bucks on a new refrigerator—or more if you spring for a full-featured model—the last thing you want is to deal with repairs. Refrigerators are complex machines with lots of moving parts, especially those with ice and water dispensers. That's why they have some of the highest repair rates among major appliances, based on Consumer Reports’ surveys of almost 80,000 subscribers. But certain brands have a better track record, so you can help yourself by choosing wisely.

Bottom freezers. If you're shopping for a bottom-freezer with icemaker, whether conventional or French-door, think twice about models from the Sweden-based manufacturer Electrolux. Its repair rate of 45 percent was significantly higher than that of other brands. You might also want to avoid Frigidaire, owned by Electrolux, since its 35-percent repair rate also stands out for the wrong reasons. Whirlpool and KitchenAid are two more brands with higher-than-average repair rates.   

Better bets in the bottom-freezer with icemaker category include GE, LG, Kenmore, and Samsung. Kenmore combines reliability with particularly strong performance among conventional bottom-freezers. The Kenmore Elite 79043, for example, is our top scorer in that category, offering superb temperature control, energy efficiency, and noise. Three models are tied for first in the French-door category: the $2,100 Samsung RF261BIAESR, the $2,600 GE Profile PWE23KMDES, and the $3,330 LG LFX32945ST. The LG is the only one with a through-the-door ice and water dispenser.  

Side-by-side. When it comes to side-by-side refrigerators, KitchenAid is the one brand to avoid, given its 29-percent repair rate. Your best bet is GE, though no models from that brand make our current recommended list. Samsung earned pretty solid marks for reliability, and we recommend several of its models, including the top-rated Samsung RS25H5121SR, $1,900. 

Top freezer. Shopping for a top freezer with an icemaker? GE and Whirlpool had the highest repair rates at 19 percent. Kenmore is the reliability leader in that category, with a repair rate of 13 percent. The $1,400 Kenmore 79433 and the $600 Kenmore 78892 make our recommended list, and both come with icemakers.      

Regardless of the refrigerator you choose, a few simple maintenance steps will help keep it running. First, make sure air can circulate freely around the unit by leaving a few inches between it and the wall. Every few months, clean the unit's condenser coils (check the manual for their location) so that they can effectively disperse heat. And clean the refrigerator's door gaskets with mild detergent and water to ensure a good seal. 

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

A cookware set is the perfect gift for newlyweds, new home owners, and college grads moving into their first apartment. Heck, a couple that’s been married for 25 years may appreciate a new set to replace the one they got at their wedding. You can spend a lot on a top-notch cookware set but you don’t have to as Consumer Reports discovered in its cookware tests. And we panned some sets with a celebrity name on the box. Here are the details.

Stick with non-stick

Our two top cookware picks are both non-stick sets. No uncoated cookware made the grade. Here are our two favorite sets.

The Swiss Diamond Reinforced 10-piece set, $600, was the highest rated of all our tested sets. It was very good at evenly heating food and, when new, it was superb at releasing food. This set was very good at withstanding our non-stick durability test in which steel wool is rubbed over a pan for up to 2,000 strokes and like most non-stick cookware, is easy to clean. The aluminum set comes with a lifetime warranty.

The Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-piece set, $200, a CR Best Buy, combines performance and value and was very good overall. It was excellent at evenly heating food without it sticking to the pan. The handles stayed cool to the touch, but aren't as sturdy as the top-rated Swiss Diamond set. The aluminum set is durable and easy to clean and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Frying pans that sizzle

Frying pans are perhaps the most replaced pan in the kitchen. We found three to recommend including a $40 omelette pan that any cook would love.

The 10-inch Swiss Diamond Classic nonstick frying pan, $90, was very good overall. Food cooked evenly and released without sticking. The pan withstood our nonstick durability test  and cleanup was a snap. This pan is made of aluminum and comes with a lifetime warranty.

The Scanpan Classic, $90, is 10¼ inches and performed very well overall. It was superb at evenly heating food and did a very good job releasing food. It’s sturdy, easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. The aluminum pan comes with a lifetime warranty.

The Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch omelette pan, $40, is such a good deal you might want to buy one for yourself. A CR Best buy, it combines impressive performance and value and was very good overall. It was excellent at evenly heating food and releasing it without sticking. The aluminum pan is sturdy and easy to clean and  comes with a 10-year warranty.

Don’t be tempted by claims and names

Celebrity cooks have invaded the cookware aisle as have some as-seen-on-TV products that make claims that may be too good to be true. Keep in mind that a celebrity’s cookware set may not be a star in the kitchen. Here’s how to find a gift without the gotchas.

Count the pans not the pieces. The cookware box may tout sets with 10 or more pieces but look closer and you may discover that the count includes lids and cooking utensils as well. A 10-piece set, for example, may include six pans and four lids. One 16-piece set we tested included six cooking utensils in addition to the pans and lids.

Over-the-top claims. The manufacturer of the Pauli Never Burn Stock Pot claims, “You’ll never burn your recipe again because the Perfect Sauce and Chowder Pot eliminates the need for stirring!” But misjudge the heat setting and you’re cooked. In our tests, the Pauli pot warped even on medium heat—and what’s medium, anyway? Could be 5,000 or 10,000 Btu/hr., depending on the burner. Moreover, you might want higher heat for browning, deglazing, and other common recipe steps before simmering. One plus, the food we cooked didn’t stick to the pot.

The name game. We took stock of cookware sets from Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri and neither bubbled to the top. On the plus side, the non-stick Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II 10-piece set, $140, released food quickly, was easy to clean and its handles were comfortable without getting too hot. But cooking evenness and durability were only so-so. The Rachael Ray 10-inch Open Skillet, $30, got similar reviews.

The Guy Fieri Stainless Steel 10-piece set, $200, was the winner of our tests of uncoated cookware but fell far short of our top picks list. Speed of heating was very good but cooking evenness and handle comfort were so-so and it was difficult to clean.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

If you’re having a problem with a product or service, there are more ways than ever to get satisfaction, if you know how and where to complain.

With easily-accessible online forums, user reviews, social media, and other high-profile outlets, the last thing a company wants is for you to bad-mouth it in public. That's especially true if you have a legitimate gripe that can easily be addressed.

That’s why it’s not unusual these days for companies to respond directly to complaints posted on their websites or Facebook pages. A Sears rep, reponding to a complaint, recently wrote:

“Alicia, we would like to look into your refund issues. Please private message us the original order number associated with your order. Thanks.” 

In fact, consumer opinion is so important to businesses that they often encouraged you to give them positive reviews on shopping websites. Such reviews are especially important to individuals who sell on such sites as eBay and Amazon because they may not have a big brand name, glitzy website, or physical location to reassure customers who fear shopping with an unfamiliar merchant. "If you are satisfied with our items, " wrote one merchant to a Consumer Reports employee, "please give us a five-star feedback.” 

Reaching out to shoppers is even happening in walk-in stores. When shopping at a Best Buy store in New York, a store manager gave a woman there a note describing the store’s goal to provide customers with a “World Class Experience. ” It also invited her to call or e-mail him personally for any assistance she might need with her purchase.

The important message from all this is that you may have more clout than your realize and you should use it to get satisfaction when you have a problem with a product or service. Of course, it’s not going to work every time. There still are plenty of companies that need to learn the hard way that if they ignore customer gripes, they do so at their peril.

Had great or horrible customer service experiences? Tell us all about them for an upcoming report. Please include your contact info in case we want to feature your story. And read our customer service buying guide.

What to do

The goal of any company is to keep the customers it has and to attract new ones. And you should complain in a way that let’s them know that helping you will do just that.

Be nice. If you have a complaint and you approach the company with guns blazing, announcing that you’re not interested in remaining a customer, you’re removing a big incentive for the company to resolve your problem. Instead, be nice. Let the company know that you and your family are enthusiastic customers, that you like its products or services, and that you’re simply looking to resolve the current issue, which you’re sure that a company with such a good reputation will want to do.

Go up the food chain. Just because a customer service rep refuses to help doesn’t mean that’s the company’s policy. You simply may be speaking to an employee whose having a bad day.If you don't get the satisfaction you expect, don’t resist contacting the CEO. Use a web search to get a name. Some company websites even have links that let you email the executive offices. Of course, the head honcho probably isn’t going to read your complaint personally, but having your issue referred by the executive office is sure to get the attention of someone in customer service. Some companies even have executive response teams that give such complaints special treatment.

Post the outcome. If a company resolves a complaint you posted online, post a response explaining that it was resolved. It’s good for other customer to know, and it sends the company a message that good customer service pays off. Of course, if the company didn’t fix your problem, others need to know that, too.

—Anthony Giorgianni

Have a great customer service-related story to tell? Consumer Reports would love to hear it.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The fact that portable generators are sold at warehouse clubs and your local supermarket suggest that any generator will do in a pinch. But a generator isn’t an impulse buy, and most of us can’t afford to learn that the hard way. Here’s a rundown of essential features that will make for easier starting and operation, and add years until you need to shop for a new model:

Electric start, with backup. Most of the portable generators in Consumer Reports' generator tests have electric start, and the only models in our picks that lack it are the $700 Generac GP5500 5939 and the $1,500 NorthStar 165603. But electric start sometimes needs help, including when the battery needs a recharge. Of all our tested portables, the only models with electric start that lack a pull cord are ironically two expensive inverter generators, the $3,700 Yamaha EF6300ISDE and the $2,300 Kipor IG6000h.

Manual fuel-shutoff switch. This feature prevents leaks and keeps fuel from getting trapped in the fuel system and spoiling during storage—and nearly all of a generator’s operating life is spent in storage. For models with the switch, the idea is to turn the switch on and let the engine operate until it runs out of gas and stalls out, leaving little to no fuel in the carburetor and lines. But three models shut off the fuel automatically when you switch off the engine, a practice that doesn’t drain gas from the fuel system. They’re the top-Rated Honda EU7000is, which uses fuel injection, plus the $900 Generac RS7000E and $700 Generac RS5500.

Low-oil shutoff with an indicator. When you’re running a generator for hours, it’s easy to lose track of the oil level but if your engine seizes up you’ll be shopping for a new generator soon. All of our tested portables except the bottom-Rated Briggs & Stratton 30468, $800, have low-oil shutoff. Even better is an indicator light that tells you the engine stopped because of the oil—as opposed to low fuel or an excessive power load.

Fuel gauge. Our tested generators can hold 4 to 9 gallons of gasoline, and a fuel gauge is vital considering that you can easily use up 8 to 12 gallons a day if you’re not giving the generator a break now and then. Most we tested have a guage, including all but three of our picks: the $1,000 Ridgid RD906812B, $1,000 BlackMax BM90700B, and $1,500 NorthStar 165603.

Easy portability. This should be a given; if a product weighing 200 pounds or more is considered “portable,” it should have wheels, right? Not so fast. Check on any portable you’re considering whether the price includes wheels, which are sometimes an option that costs more. If you can roll the generator around in the store, all the better. While most portables have two wheels plus a handle at the opposite (lighter) end for lifting, the Yamaha EF6300ISDE has fixed wheels at each end. It was easy to roll straight, but neither end was easy for one person to lift when we needed to steer the generator.

Shopping for a new generator? Get out there soon, because the best models will be gone long before the power cuts out. But first see our buying guide for generators and see our Ratings of 45 portable and stationary models.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Winning the cookie bake-off was fun, until a recount of the votes found that I had not won. Then I had to tell everybody I had bragged to that my chocolate chip cookies weren’t prize-winning after all. And that’s when I started to see baking as more than measuring and mixing. At Consumer Reports we test dozens of ranges, baking hundreds of cookies and cakes to find the best for baking.

It’s a tough test because our experts don’t rotate pans or move them to different racks. They let the oven do what it’s going to do, so an excellent baking score means you’re not going to have to stand by your oven, turning pans, moving them, all in an effort to get great results. Of the 170-plus ranges tested by Consumer Reports, only 19 excelled in baking and not all were impressive enough in other tests to make our top picks list. “The ranges that were excellent at baking turned out evenly browned cookies when baked on two racks simultaneously, and the same for cakes, ”says Tara Casaregola, who runs our tests of cooking appliances. “We insist, before we score, that the cakes and cookies are cooked properly—the centers have to be done.”

If you love to bake and are gearing up for holiday baking you’ll still be pleased with ranges scoring very good in baking. Expect impressive results, while slightly less even browning than ranges that were superb at baking. We also test to find how well the ranges simmer and how quickly they bring water to a near boil. We want to know if they’re great at broiling and self-cleaning, and we measure the oven’s usable capacity. Here’s a glimpse at ranges that were excellent or very good at baking. Most were impressive enough overall to be top picks.

Electric smoothtops

LG LRE3025S, $1,250
Here’s the deal: We tested 47 single-oven smoothtop ranges and only three excelled at baking. This top pick LG is one of them and it’s the least expensive of the trio.
Need to know: It was superb at simmering and quickly brought water to a near boil. The large oven has a timesaving convection option and was impressive at broiling; the warming drawer is handy when hosting a party or someone's late for dinner.
Also consider: The top-rated LG LRE3083SW, $800. It was very good at baking and a top pick. The $550 Samsung FE-R300SB, the $600 Frigidaire FFEF3018LW, and the $800 Maytag MER8770WW were also very good at baking but mediocre broiling helped keep them off the top pick list.

GE Café CS980STSS, $2,800
Here’s the deal: Baking was superb, and so was broiling. The large oven has a convection feature and there’s a warming drawer. Simmering was impressive and cooktop heating was fast.
But: Self-cleaning was so-so.
Need to know: The control panel and knobs are up front so there’s no back panel and the look is stylish and built-in—for a price.

Smoothtop double-oven

LG LDE3037ST, $1,300
Here’s the deal: Top-rated, it pairs a smaller top oven with a larger oven below. It’s the only smoothtop to excel in all our tests, including baking.
Need to know: The combined capacity of the ovens is large and the lower one has convection. When using both ovens at the same time you can cook different foods at different temperatures.

Induction range

Samsung FTQ307NWGX, $2,000
Here’s the deal: Of the 10 induction ranges tested this is the only one to ace baking. This top-scoring range was superb in most tests and is a top pick. It has a big oven equipped with a convection option and a warming drawer below.
Need to know: Induction uses an electromagnetic field to send most of the heat to the pot or pan, delivering precise simmering and control, and heating some 25 percent faster than the fastest electric smoothtop ranges. But you’ll need magnetic cookware for the induction to work.
Also consider: The $1,530 Kenmore 95073. This top pick was very good at baking and scored excellent overall.

Coil top range

Kenmore 94142, $430
Here’s the deal: It’s top rated and superb overall. This CR Best Buy was very good at baking and simmering, and quickly brought water to a near boil. The oven is large and even the self-clean function aced our tests.
But: Broiling is just so-so.
Need to know: It’s a basic range. No convection, no warming drawer, just an appealing price and impressive performance. Spend an extra $100 or so and you can get it in a stainless steel finish.
Also consider: The $450 Frigidaire FFEF3015LW was nearly as impressive overall and baking was very good, but broiling is mediocre.

Gas range

Samsung NX58F5700WS, $1,700
Here’ the deal: In our tests, more gas ranges exceled at baking than electric. The top-scoring Samsung gas range was superb at baking and very good overall. It’s a top pick.
Need to know: There’s a convection option in the oven and a warming drawer too.
Also consider: The $1,500 LG LRG3095ST, the $775 Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3032MW, a CR Best Buy, and the $700 Kenmore 74132. These top picks were very good at baking and impressive overall. But like most gas ranges we tested, the LG and Frigidaire are not that fast at delivering cooktop heat and broiling was so-so for the Frigidaire and Kenmore. Also check out the Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3031KW and Maytag MGR7665WB, $700 each. They aced baking but are not top picks, in part because of so-so broiling and self-cleaning.

Pro-style ranges

Jenn-Air JGRP430WP, $4,000
Here’s the deal: We tested 27 pro-style ranges and only one aced our baking tests, the 30-inch Jenn-Air JGRP430WP gas range but it's not a top pick. It has a small oven and broiling was fair.
Need to know: Pro-styles we tested, 30-inches and 36-inches wide, usually cost $3,000 to $7,500 yet they aren’t the best ranges we’ve tested.
Also consider: The top-scoring $6,000 KitchenAid KDRU763VSS and $7,500 GE Monogram ZDP364NDPSS. These 36-inch top picks are dual-fuel—a gas cooktop and electric oven—and offer very good baking and plenty of oven space.

Our range Ratings give all the test details, note features, and allow you to compare up to five ranges. Check out the brand reliability information, user reviews, and buying guide. Still have questions? E-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org.

—Kimberly Janeway (@CRJaneway on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

The 52-year-old truck driver in my office had rushed in a few minutes earlier. He had passed a large black stool (well known as an indicator of internal bleeding) and feared the worst. A test for the presence of blood was negative, so I proceeded to ask him my usual questions about abnormal bowel movements.

Had he taken anything containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol, to settle an upset stomach? Was he taking iron supplements? Did he eat a lot of beets, blueberries, or caviar? His answer was “no” to each, but then he volunteered the following: “Could it have been the squid-ink pasta I ate last night?” Yes!

I added squid-ink pasta  to my growing list of substances that cause non-worrisome dark stools.

That case ended happily, but the result could just as well have been other­wise. Had that black stool actually contained blood, his observation might have been lifesaving, leading to early treatment of whatever the cause was.

It may not be the most pleasant task, but checking your stool is important because changes in its shape, consistency, or color could be a sign of an underlying condition, and your description could help your doctor diagnose the cause. If you notice any of the warning signs below, give your doctor a call.  

Find out how to flush out the top-performing toilet paper and toilets in our Buying Guides.  

If it floats

Most stools sink. But if they contain fat they might float, or you may see actual fat droplets on the water’s surface. A lack of pancreatic enzymes may be to blame. That can occur as a result of chronic inflammation of the pancreas, or following its removal. It could also be a sign of intestinal malabsorption from diseases that affect the intestinal wall, such as celiac disease. The prescription weight-loss drug Xenical or its over-the-counter version, Alli, can also cause fatty stools because they block fat absorption to some degree.

If it's pencil-thin

The occasional thinner-than-normal stool is usually not a concern. But repeated pencil-thin ones indicate something is obstructing or constricting the rectum. Such narrowing can result from spasm of the rectal wall due to internal hemorrhoids, inflammation from radiation treatments, or colitis. A very enlarged prostate might also narrow the passageway; a cancer in the rectum is also a possibility.

If it's the color of pale clay

Bile made by the liver and concentrated in the gall bladder is responsible for the medium-brown color of normal stool. A lack of color implies some blockage of the flow of bile from the liver to the intestine. The culprit could be a gallstone blocking the bile duct. Other causes include hepatitis and cancer of the bile ducts or the pancreas.

If it has mucus in it

A small amount of visible mucus in stool is normal (the clear jellylike substance is found through­out the digestive tract). But stool containing large globs of mucus points to a problem. That could be an indicator of an inflammatory bowel disease, such as mucus colitis, or it could indicate a mucus-secreting intestinal polyp.

If it's mushy, pasty, and similar to diarrhea

Mushy or watery stools that come with frequent trips to the toilet—and are often accompanied by fever—are typical signs of infection with Clostridium difficile. C. diff is a bacteria that lives in many people’s intestines, where it is usually kept in check by other intestinal bacteria. But a prolonged course of antibiotics—especially broad spectrum ones such as clindamycin (Cleocin and generic)—can kill off those other intestinal bacteria, allowing C. diff to grow out of control. C. diff releases a toxin that attacks the intestinal wall, and if left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Metronidazole (Flagyl and generic) or vancomycin (Vancocin and generic) are required to quell the super­infection. Even so, there is a substantial recurrence rate.  

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

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Chances are, you'll indulge in some high-calorie, special foods on Thanksgiving. But you probably don’t think of the coffee you sip at the end of your meal as one of them. Maybe you should. While coffee can be good for you, there can be quite a few calories in coffee. Two cups with two ounces of cream and two teaspoons of sugar each will give you about 300 calories and 24 grams of fat—about the same calories and twice the fat as in a slice of pumpkin pie.

And for most of us, coffee is a daily habit. Simply adding cream to two cups a day adds up to 87,600 calories and 8,760 grams of fat in a year. Add sugar, and you tack on another 23,360 calories. Whole milk is a little better; pour it in two cups of coffee a day and you’ll add 27,740 calories and 1,460 grams of fat to your diet over the course of a year. Realize that the usual rule of thumb is that 3,500 calories equals about a pound of body fat. 

Discover more ways to stay healthy over the holidays, along with great gift and money saving ideas, in our holiday guide.

Does all this mean you have to drink your coffee black? Not at all. But a few simple adjustments, such as switching to 2 percent or nonfat milk or weaning yourself off sugar, can make a big difference. To figure out exactly how many extra calories and grams of fat you’re pouring into your coffee mug, keep these numbers in mind.       

—Adam Kaplan 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Knowing that smoothies and frozen drinks are among the most common blender recipes, Consumer Reports modified its test method to better measure those key competencies. As a result, some models have risen in our blender Ratings, while others saw their scores slip. Paying top dollar will get you top performance, but some less expensive models also measure up. 

In the past, our sensory panelists tasted each virgin pina colada we blended for smoothness and consistency. Working closely with these experts, we developed a new test in which the frozen concoctions are poured through metal sieves. Lots of icy chunks trapped on the mesh result in a subpar score and lower rank in our Ratings. This new test allows us to look at the entire blended drink, not just the portion our testers see and taste. It also allows us to better cover the changing marketplace, which features more high-powered blenders designed to handle a variety of recipes, from smoothies to soups to whole-fruit juices.

And the winner is. Vitamix, the original uber blender, fared especially well in our new Ratings. The Vitamix Professional Series 750, $650, claims the top spot, cranking out superb frozen drinks and purees. It also aced our tough ice crush and durability tests, meaning it should hold up over time. For good measure, it's backed by a generous 7-year warranty. The Vitamix 7500 and the Vitamix Professional Series 300 should perform similarly, based on our evaluations, and they're priced a bit lower, at $530. That's still a lot to pay for a blender, but we've been very impressed by Vitamix's versatility, whether it's cranking out smoothies, whole-fruit juices, or hot soup.  

Other notables. The Blendtec Designer 725, $650, also gets high marks in our new Ratings, and it features several innovations, including preprogrammed settings that are very intuitive. The machine will even record how many completed recipes you make in it, then display a code that can be redeemed on the Blendtec website for kitchen utensils, recipe books, and other gifts.

One caveat: two other Blendtec blenders struggled in our durability test, a stress test in which we crush seven large ice cubes 45 times to simulate rigorous use. With the Blendtec Designer Series Wildside, $460, one of two containers leaked due to a failure involving the blade assembly’s bearing and seal—where the spinning shaft passes through the container. With the Blendtec Total Blender TB-621-20, both samples we tested failed for the same reason. We did not experience this issue with the Blendtec Designer 725, but its blade assembly is similarly designed. We will continue to monitor user reviews closely for any related issues.              

Good options for less. If you're looking to spend less on a top-rated blender, consider the $200 Dash Chef Series Digital blender, which was excellent in our smoothie and puree tests. It comes in bright red and green finishes, along with the standard black or white, in case you want to add a pop of color to your countertop. 

One low-priced blender that we used to recommend, the $60 Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, struggled in our new tests. It's still a good machine, but you're better off with its slightly higher-priced brand mate, the $100 Ninja Professional NJ600. Though it narrowly missed our recommended list, it performed very well overall, especially when it comes to smoothies and convenience.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

About once a month in the United States, a child between 7 months and 10 years old is strangled in the cords of window blinds and shades.

Typically, the child wraps the cord around his neck or pulls on cords—which are not clearly visible but are accessible—then gets tangled up in the loops. Strangulation deaths and injuries can happen quickly and silently, and they occur no matter how vigilant parents are. More than 180 kids were strangled in the cords from 1996 to 2012, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The CPSC has recalled (PDF) millions of window coverings with cords in recent years. Manufacturers operate under voluntary safety standards, a situation that does not adequately address the problems. The rate of injuries and death has not significantly declined over the years that Consumer Reports has covered the hazards of cords on window coverings.

Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, has pressed companies to make window coverings safer, and we’re part of a coalition that has petitioned the CPSC to develop formal rules. The group includes the Consumer Federation of America, Independent Safety Consulting, Kids In Danger, Parents for Window Blind Safety, Public Citizen, and U.S. PIRG. In a unanimous vote last month, the CPSC agreed to move forward on our petition and begin the process of rulemaking.

The coalition has pointed to the fact that safer window coverings are already on the market and that such designs can be used on the vast majority of blinds and shades. Since the industry has resisted calls to eliminate dangerous cords even though those safer options exist, we believe a mandatory standard is necessary to ensure unsafe products will no longer be sold.

Consumers Union and other groups will continue to work to get a strong rule established as soon as possible.

Follow this advice from the CPSC.

• Examine all shades and blinds in your home. The CPSC recommends cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

• Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the window covering.

• Keep cribs, beds, and other furniture away from windows with shades or blinds. Children can climb on the furniture and gain access to the cords.

• Make loose cords inaccessible.

• If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cords taut.

To learn more about what you can do to avoid a tragedy in your home, visit the CPSC’s window covering information center.

This feature is part of a regular series by Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. The nonprofit organization advocates for product safety, financial reform, safer food, health reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

Read other installments of our Policy & Action feature.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Cooking season is heating up, but if your range isn’t, try these tips from Consumer Reports' experts. They can help you keep your old—or new—range cooking and even looking good. Of course, if you need a new one before the holidays check out our range Ratings and recommendations.  

On the cooktop

• Gently place heavy pans on electric smoothtop ranges to prevent breaking the cooktop. Lift pots, rather than sliding them, to avoid scratches.

• Clean up smoothtop spills promptly to prevent stains, but wait until the surface has cooled and is safe to touch.

• Don’t cover a coil-top range’s drip pans and bowls with foil; it can short-circuit the burner.

• If a gas burner’s flame is uneven, food could be clogging the burner ports. Consult your manual for cleaning advice.

In the oven

• Put away the foil. Lining the bottom of the oven to catch drips may permanently damage the interior finish and void the warranty.

• Foiled again? Covering oven racks with foil blocks airflow, so food might not cook properly or evenly.

• Check your manual for self-cleaning tips, but the usual advice you’ll find says that you should remove racks from the oven before pushing the self-clean button. The process can discolor racks and make them harder to glide. Too late? Apply a coating of vegetable oil to the sides of racks to improve sliding.

• Remove loose debris coating the oven cavity before starting the self-cleaning cycle.

Budget-friendly ranges from our tests

If your range has seen better days but you're on a tight budget as the holiday approaches, consider these four budget buys from our tests. They were good performers and have features that make cooking faster and cleanup easier.

Electric smoothtops. These impressive smoothtop ranges performed similarly in our tests but were so-so at broiling.

• Samsung FE-R300SB, $550
• Frigidaire FFEF3018LW, $600

Gas ranges. These two ranges were better overall than gas ranges that cost thousands more but were also mediocre at broilling.

• Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3032MW, $775
• Kenmore 74132, $700

For more choices, see our full range Ratings and recommendations. And check our buying guide if you're new to the market.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Soon it’ll be time to get out the good dishes and glassware for holiday entertaining. If you have hard water in your home, chances are your dishware is hazy or covered with a whitish film. If so, don’t despair, there are some dishwasher detergent additives on the market that can make your glasses and dishes sparkle again. And switching to a top-performing dishwasher detergent will keep them that way.

Consumers started seeing residue on their dishes and inside the dishwasher after polluting phosphates were banned from dishwasher detergents a few years ago. Manufacturers responded by reformulating their dishwasher detergents to prevent such hard-water buildup and also developed additives to get rid of it. Consumer Reports tested three additives and, after some trial and error, all removed the haze from dishes and glassware and cleaned the dishwasher too.

We tested Finish Power Up Booster Agent, Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner & Hard Water Spot Remover, and Lemi Shine Original. When we used the same amount of each product—about 50 grams—all three worked splendidly. But when we followed Finish’s directions for machines with a prewash-detergent dispenser, the product didn’t work nearly as well. It did get the job done when we placed two tablespoons directly into the bottom of the dishwasher (following instructions for machines without a prewash dispenser). Glisten and Lemi Shine did their job as directed, though you may need a second wash cycle to completely eliminate buildup.

The best dishwasher detergents

Choosing the right dishwasher detergent can also help. In our dishwasher detergent tests, we found that Cascade Complete With Dawn ActionPacs was excellent at resisting mineral buildup while getting dishes and pots clean. And a rinse agent can help eliminate water spots, a less severe condition than white haze. We also recommend three detergents from Finish, including Finish Powerball Tabs, Finish Gelpacs, and Finish Quantum Powerball Capsules. Of the four, the Finish tabs and gelpacs cost less and are CR Best Buys.

Keep in mind that not every glass or dish on your holiday table can be put in the dishwasher, including the following.

• Gold-plated dishes or dishes or flatware with gold trim can become discolored or the trim may even wash away.
• Fine crystal is sensitive to heat and may crack. The detergent may also etch the glasses, causing them to lose their brilliance.
• Expensive china, especially pieces with a pattern, may become worn with repeated washings.
• Keep anything made of pewter, brass, or bronze out of the dishwasher as it will tarnish.

For more information on how to treat your best dishes with a little TLC read, "Don't put Granny's glassware in the dishwasher."

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

If you do a lot of entertaining at home—hosting for the holidays, throwing backyard barbecues—you want a refrigerator with plenty of storage capacity. Thanks to thinner insulation, slimmed-down ice makers, and other space-saving innovations, most refrigerators these days are pretty roomy inside. But there are a bunch of other features that can make your gatherings run more smoothly. Here are five biggies, based on Consumer Reports' latest refrigerator tests, as well as recommended models that contain them.     

Convertible compartments. More new refrigerators let you control the ratio between refrigerator and freezer space. That can be helpful before a party, when you might need extra fresh-food storage for trays of food. The best example of this is the Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $5,400, a true four-door refrigerators with two side-by-side bottom freezer compartments, one of which can convert to an additional refrigerator chamber. The less expensive Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $3,500, is similarly designed. 

Other four-door refrigerators feature a convertible middle drawer. For example, the Whirlpool WRX988SIBM, $2,600, has a "FreshStor" drawer whose temperature can be turned down when you're chilling drinks and up when you're temporarily storing party platters.

One other convertible refrigerator to note is the Frigidaire FKCH17F7HW, $770, a unique product in that it can be used as a stand-alone freezer or an extra refrigerator—but not at the same time. Temperature inside its single compartment adjusts with the flip of a switch. That means when it's in freezer mode, there's no refrigerator space, and vice versa. In this sense, the Frigidaire is not meant to serve as a home's primary refrigerator. But it's handy if you need a stand-alone freezer that can also double as an extra refrigerator on occasion.

Dual ice makers. If your kitchen is party central, the ice maker probably gets a workout, especially during warmer weather. Some newer refrigerators, including the LG LFX29927ST, $2,350, and the Samsung RFG297HD, $2,500, have one ice maker hooked up to the in-door water dispenser and a second one in the freezer. The ice output for these refrigerators was much better in our tests than that of a typical single-ice-maker model.        

Advanced dispensers. The latest through-the-door ice and water dispensers make it easier to fill oversize containers, such as water pitchers to put out with a big holiday meal. The GE Cafe CFE29TSDSS, $3,000, goes one better, dispensing hot water as well as cold, say if one of your dinner guests requests a cup of tea, instead of the coffee you're brewing. And the dispensers on the Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4 and Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR have a built-in sparking water maker, perfect for wine spritzers or carbonated cocktails.   

Split shelves. This feature comes in handy when you need to store a lot of tall bottles in the refrigerator, maybe a case of wine or champagne before the big New Year's Eve bash. The shelves might fold under their back half or slide to the side. They're common on French-door models, including the LG LFX33975ST, $3,000 and the Kenmore 7160[3], $1,700.  

Door-in-door compartments. We're also seeing this feature on more French-door bottom-freezers, and a handful of side-by-sides. It's basically a shallow compartment in the door of the refrigerator that opens with the press of a button. It provides quick access to beverages, condiments, and other often reached-for items. During a party, it's a great place to stash beer, soda, and the like, so that your guests can grab them without making a mess of the main refrigerator compartment. Recommended models with this feature include the LG LFX32945ST French-door bottom-freezer, $3,330 and the Samsung RH29H9000SR, $2,000.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter) 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

Let's face it, routines are hard to break even if they continue well past their expiration date. Take prerinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. If you still do it you're in good company. Industry data consistently show that about 60 percent of dishwasher owners prerinse their dishes no matter how loudly manufacturers and government regulators instruct otherwise. But here's a news alert: Today’s dishwashers don’t need your help. To prove it, why not give it a try the next time you load your dishwasher.

In addition to your time, an added benefit of not prerinsing is saving money. Depending on its age, a kitchen faucet delivers 1.5 to 7 gallons of water a minute when run full blast. (At the high end, a minute at that rate uses more water than a dishwasher’s entire regular cycle.) The energy required to heat the water costs money too. So ask yourself whether, having spent $700 or more for a top-performing dishwasher, you deserve to get what you paid for.

So here’s our challenge: Go cold turkey. Scrape off larger bits of food and put absolutely everything in the dishwasher without first rinsing it. Double-check the manual to make sure you’re loading items properly. Run the proper cycle for what you’re washing. Any items that don’t get perfectly clean are the only ones you should prerinse next time.

Need a new dishwasher before Thanksgiving? Consumer Reports' Ratings of more than 180 dishwashers include such winners as the KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $1,200, Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,050, and the Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $730. Be sure to check out our dishwasher buying guide before shopping.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

When you’re super-short on time, carving out room in your schedule to entertain—especially during the holidays—can seem like extra stress. But don’t delete fun from your to-do list just yet. There are smart ways to throw a dinner or party that reduce prep time to a minimum. Just be sure to save a few hours for the actual event!
 
Step away from the kitchen. Skip the home-baked Christmas cookies this year and buy your party fare ready made. You can pick up everything from hors d’oeuvres to the main dish at your grocery store deli or local gourmet shop—or order out from your favorite restaurant. But presentation counts: Andrea Greco, a New York stylist and crafter, recommends a couldn’t-be-easier charcuterie party: cover your table in butcher or kraft paper, then stock up on cheeses, cured meats, baguettes, cornichons, and olives at a better deli or upscale supermarket. Display the foods on plates and write the name of the food on the paper beside it, with tips on meat and cheese pairings. Ask your guests to bring wine and, voila, it’s a party.
 
Look for ways to double the fun. “Turn an activity into a social event so that you get two things done at once,” suggest Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, founders of the lifestyle brand Beekman 1802. “For instance have a trim-the-tree party or invite people over to “tailgate” in the driveway while you string the Christmas lights outside.”  Or, prep once and party twice—if you need to entertain two different groups of people, have one party Saturday night and a brunch or open house the next day. David Mashburn, proprietor of the restaurant Classic on Noble in Anniston, Alabama, suggests ordering two hams, or two turkeys, slicing one, and using the other as a table centerpiece for the first party. The next day, it’s the entrée.

Go for the shortcut decor. “Think flowers, candles, and pretty table toppings—like clear vases filled with fresh cranberries and candles—to set a festive holiday atmosphere,” says Nicole Straight, marketing manager of Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning in Stamford, Connecticut. “Call your local florist and tell them what colors you’re using around your home and on your table.” For linens, Straight recommends Home Goods and Pier 1—or, rent linens, and crystal, china, and flatware as well. “There’s nothing to iron or polish beforehand, and nothing to wash afterwards,” she says. “When you’re finished, simply put it back into the crates they came in and they’ll be whisked away.”
 
Hire a little help ... A bartender, servers, or at the very least someone in the kitchen handling clean up goes a long way toward freeing up your time during and particularly after the party. Ask the bartenders at your favorite restaurant if they’d be willing to work at a private party. “Don’t scrimp on the clean up,” says Nicole Straight. “The last thing you want at the end of the evening is to be left with a million dishes and platters to wash.”
 
… Or hire a lot. Calling in a caterer is as close as you can come to being a guest at your own party. To make the process as efficient as possible, Serena Thompson, founder of The Farm Chicks in Mead, Washington, advises: “Either have a clear idea of the direction you’d like your menu to go, or hire a caterer you trust to entirely plan the menu. If you’re indecisive or unclear, you’re going to spend a lot of time working out the details.” Also key to a smooth event: Identify beforehand what your caterer will need—the type of space, serving dishes, etc.—so the problems don’t have to be solved once they arrive. And be sure to nail down what the servers will wear, that cleanup is part of the deal, and whether leftover food will go into your fridge, or be delivered to a soup kitchen.

—Cathy Cavender

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

With holiday feasts featured in food magazines, newspaper supplements, and on your favoriite food channels, you know it's time to dust off your old recipes or find new ones to try. No matter what you decide to cook this season, you’ll want equipment that puts your best food forward. As Consumer Reports found in its tests of baking supplies, some newfangled tools aren’t always an improvement over your tried-and-true bakeware. And some classic cookware is still worth considering.

A brownie pan that makes individual portions, a silicone pan insert that promises to release the grease, and ceramic cookie sheets that claim even browning. Before you replace your old pans with these new ones, see the results of Consumer Reports’ tests.

Slow-baking ceramic cookie sheets. We tested two ceramic cookie sheets, from the Pampered Chef, $34, and Hartstone Pottery, $40. They browned cookies about as evenly as air-bake cookie sheets and more evenly than coated sheets, and cookies didn't stick. But in addition to costing more, they're heavy, break when dropped, and baked a bit slower than metal baking sheets. The ceramic sheets also retain heat, making it difficult to quickly cook successive batches.

No point to the Pyramid Pan. The infomercial for the Pyramid Pan claims that the silicone insert will prevent “dining disasters” because food rests on the points of the pyramids instead of the pan’s surface. That supposedly allows air to circulate under the food and fats to drip away, leaving food crisp, juicy, and evenly baked. In our tests we cooked a variety of foods including puff pastry appetizers on baking sheets with and without the Pyramid Pan liner. It was nonstick but because the food didn’t make contact with the pan, the tops of the appetizers were golden brown and the bottoms pale and undercooked. Save the $19.95 plus shipping and use nonstick cooking spray instead.

The not-so-perfect brownie pan. The Perfect Brownie Pan Set promises to be "the nonstick way to bake, slice, and serve perfect brownies." Using an insert that resembles an ice-cube tray, the pan bakes each brownie separately. Because the bottom of the pan is not attached to the sides. the instructions say you can line the pan with foil or support it with a baking sheet to prevent leaking. A set cost $20 plus $8 shipping and handling. We baked fudge brownies four ways: in an unlined, Perfect Brownie pan; in the pan lined with foil; in the pan on a baking sheet; and in a regular 9x13-inch pan. Our trained taste testers found that brownies baked in a regular pan had better texture and flavor than the Perfect Brownies, which were all underdone to varying degrees, though we baked them 2 to 9 minutes longer.

Although the classic KitchenAid stand mixer was overtaken in our tests by another brand, we still highly recommend it. Here are the mixers and ranges that were best for baking in Consumer Reports tests and a handy new item to help spread holiday cheer.

Stand mixers to stand by. The Breville BEM800XL, $300, was excellent at whipping cream, mixing large batches of cookie dough, and kneading bread dough. It beat out favorites from KitchenAid and other brands thanks to a bevy of convenience features, including a leaf beater with a flexible edge that scrapes the bowl as it turns and a timer that lets you set your desired mixing time. We also recommend the more familiar KitchenAid Classic, $200, the KitchenAid Professional, $550, the KitchenAid Artisan, $300, and the Hamilton Beach Eclectics, $180. All four were excellent at mixing cookie dough.

Handy hand mixers. The KitchenAid KHM926, $100, combines very good mixing power with very good whipping time. Unlike a lot of lesser mixers, it's strong enough to fold chips into stiff cookie dough. It’s also one of the quieter hand mixers we tested, which you’ll appreciate if you’re cooking at odd hours when others may be sleeping. We also recommend the KitchenAid Architect Series KHM920A[CS], $80, which is even quieter, and a $40 Cuisinart Power Advantage HM-50 that gets excellent mixing scores.

Best ranges for baking. Surprisingly, not all ranges get excellent marks for baking in our range tests. Two electric double oven ranges, the LG LDE3037ST, $1,300, and the Maytag MET8885XS, $1,700, were excellent at turning out evenly baked cakes and cookies and had large oven capacities. And the two ovens allow you to bake a dessert and a roast simultaneously. If you prefer gas, the KitchenAid KDRS505XSS double oven, $2,000, had very good baking performance and impressive capacity, with a smaller oven on top and larger oven below. For more choices, including pro-style ranges, see our full range Ratings and recommendations.

A decorative, disposable dish. Chinet Bakeware nonstick paper pans are “the first disposable baking dishes that let you take your food from oven to table to freezer to microwave,” the product’s website says. The pans, along with plastic lids, come in square, rectangular, and oval shapes, in various sizes. We paid $4.95 per pack, consisting of two or three pans. Our food experts cooked casseroles and brownies in Chinet and in similar-size metal and aluminum-foil pans. Chinet panned out. It’s disposable yet tough and was more rigid than disposable aluminum pans. And you won’t need pot holders when you pick up the heated dish. That said, because the paper bakeware is flexible, the lids may pop off; and the paper seems to extend baking time. Brownies in a metal pan were done in 40 minutes; those in Chinet required 55.

Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

To test snow blowers, you need to use snow, right? That works if you're in the upper Midwest and are trying out a brand-new machine following the major storm that just hit. But at Consumer Reports we use a different material, wet sawdust, to guarantee precise results when you need them. For one, the specially sized and screened particles we use absorb four times their weight in water, behaving like the wettest, heaviest snow. Here are two other good reasons:

Snowfall isn’t reliable. Just as we test lawn mowers and tractors in Florida during the winter, we have to test snow blowers months before winter. If we waited until December, you wouldn’t see results until at least March. Using wet sawdust to simulate snow lets us test during the summer. Once snow actually arrives, we take the models up to a snowy, 30-foot-wide airstrip in upstate New York for a check-test, to ensure that our latest results with the sawdust jibe with what we get using real snow.

Snow tends to melt. During a day of testing, the colder temperatures of the morning compared to the afternoon make the snow vary in consistency, with hour-to-hour fluctuations common. This can make fair comparisons difficult. Sawdust, however, behaves the same whatever the hour in our tests of clearing speed, throwing distance, and other criteria.

If you need a new snow blower, better get out there now before the good models are gone. Which are those? Our snow blower Ratings of more than 110 gas and electric models will tell you; among top picks in gas-powered machines are the dual-stage Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, $1,300, and the single-stage Toro Power Clear 721E, $570. Check out our snow blower buying guide if you’re not sure how much muscle you need or what features most matter.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

It’s a problem that probably goes back all the way to the Pilgrims: How the heck do you know when your Thanksgiving turkey is done? Getting the right answer is important—undercook it, and you risk sickening your guests with food poisoning; overcook it, and the meat ends up tough and dry.

For decades, one popular solution to this culinary conundrum has been the pop-up timer, a device invented to take the uncertainty out of poultry cooking times, especially for Thanksgiving turkeys.

But are these timers safe and reliable? To find out, we recently tested 21 pop-up thermometers in whole turkeys and turkey breasts. Our testing covered pop-up timers bought online and put into place by cooks before cooking, and models pre-inserted in the meat at the processing plant. To determine the pop-ups’ accuracy, we also measured the internal temperature of the meat with a calibrated reference thermometer. Our findings may make a few eyebrows pop:

• Self-inserted and manufacturer-inserted timers generally “popped” in our tests at internal temperatures above 165° F—the minimum safe temperature for all poultry. But three timers popped up when meat was still below that safe zone, one as low as 139.5° F.
• These low readings are a concern. Cooking poultry to 165° F helps ensure potentially harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning—such as campylobacter and salmonella—are destroyed. Serving undercooked turkey means you risk sending your guests home with a nasty case of food poisoning. Our food safety experts recommend that cooks do not rely on these timers to tell whether their holiday bird is done. Instead, use a conventional meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast and in the thigh between the drumstick and the body, and take several readings.
  

Get more advice on choosing a meat thermometer in our buying guide. Keep everyone at your holiday table healthy by following our cooking do's and don'ts.

Meat thermometers: Our recommendations

In a separate round of testing, our experts assessed instant-read and leave-in analog and digital meat thermometers for temperature accuracy, repeatability, response time, and product features.

Based on this testing our experts recommend home cooks purchase a digital meat thermometer. Overall, compared with analog models, instant-read and leave-in digitals are more accurate, easier to read, and have faster response times. Testing found analog thermometers are also not suitable for use in thinner cuts of meat such as most steaks and boneless chicken breasts.

Among instant-read thermometers we tested, the CDN ProAccurate TCT572 was the top model. Accurate and consistent, it also features a foldaway probe. But at $85, it’s also the most expensive recommended instant-read digital. Another highly rated model, the Polder Stable Read THM-379, performed nearly as well as the CDN, yet costs just $20.

Leave-in digitals that remain in the meat while it cooks offer more features—such as audible alerts and the ability to transmit temperature readings to a wireless unit or smart phone—but generally cost more than instant reads. Williams-Sonoma’s Smart Thermometer 87072 was the top-rated model of all those tested; at $200 it was also the most expensive. When connected to Wi-Fi and paired with a free app, the Smart Thermometer sends temperature readings and other alerts to any Apple mobile device. Two less costly leave-in wireless models are Oregon Scientific’s Wireless BBQ/Oven AW131 ($50) and iGrill’s mini Bluetooth ($40). The Oregon Scientific doesn’t  offer as many features as the Williams-Sonoma thermometer, but performed very well in testing.

—Ian Landau

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

For the person who appreciates good food and drink, a box of drugstore chocolates or a bottle of 7-Eleven wine aren’t on the wish list. But here’s what is: scrumptious chocolates in beautiful boxes, spiral hams ready for the oven, craft beers, and fine wines. The taste testers at Consumer Reports have the enviable job of sampling all of these foods and beverages. Here are some of their recommendations.

Ham for the holidays
A spiral-cut ham arrives dressed for the occasion and in our ham taste tests, the HoneyBaked hams were best of all, according to our experts who tasted six brands, including Applewood Farms and Smithfield Brown Sugar Cured. The HoneyBaked hams were consistently moist and tender with balanced tastes of clove, fruit, and brown sugar that complemented the ham’s natural flavors. And it reheats well without drying out. We paid $74 plus shipping for a 9-pound ham. HoneyBaked is sold in more than 400 company stores and online.

Amazing chocolates
That’s how our expert tasters described some of the excellent chocolates in our boxed chocolate tests. The Woodhouse Chocolate 48-piece assortment (pictured) was the best of the 32 reviewed and at $90, the most expensive. These ultra-smooth milk, dark, and white chocolates were paired with flavors such as cinnamon toast, buttery pecan pie, and fresh mint. See the Woodhouse website for 12- and 24-piece assortments and holiday specials. The Christopher Elbow 21-piece collection, $40, scored nearly as high and is for the adventurous eater. These artistic chocolates offer bold, unusual flavor combos such as buttery caramels that taste of mango with chipotle chili or balsamic vinegar. Other recommended chocolates include the Candinas 36-piece box, $49, Jacques Torres Jacques’ Choice 50-piece box, $66, John & Kira’s Every Flavor Collection 56-piece—all are CR Best Buys—and the Theo Artisan Chocolate Confection Collection 12-piece box, $26.  Prices do not include shipping and many top chocolates must be ordered online or by phone since they're not widely available in stores. So check their websites and order soon.

Wine for gifts or parties
Giving a bottle of really good wine that you selected is an invitation to try something new, something different. Our judges are two wine-industry experts who have collectively spent more than 60 years professionally tasting a wide range of wines. That said, when it comes to sparkling white wines, GH Mumm Cordon Rouge NV, $40, offers classic Champagne-style bubbly and was intense and complex with ripe apple and yeasty/toasty notes. In other words, it’s delicious. Other recommended sparkling whites include Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV, $16, and Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut NV, $21. Among reds the Patz & Hall 2010 pinot noir, $43, from California offers rich, ripe, red and black fruit. Not in the classic, leaner more structured Burgundy style, but very tasty nevertheless.

Bold craft beers
Put together a basket of craft beer with some great cheeses for your favorite hipster. Craft ales typically have more intense flavors and their pronounced bitterness and malt, fruity, and floral flavors go well with hearty ripened cheeses such as Stilton or aged Gouda. For lagers choose milder cheeses. Our blind taste tests of 23 craft ales and lagers found three ales that were excellent. The top-rated Stone IPA was very fragrant, with floral, fruity and juniper notes from the added hops. Next was Dogfish Head 60-minute IPA, a great mix of malt and hop notes and more intense than most. Third was Samuel Adams Hopology Collection Latitude 48 IPA, with fruity and malty notes. The best lagers were very tasty but not as complex or intense enough to be rated excellent by our tasters. Five are recommended, including the top-rated Brooklyn Lager and Samuel Adams Boston Lager.

Restaurant gift certificates
For the person who enjoys a good meal, how about a gift certificate from a favorite restaurant or a new place that gets good reviews on Chowhound or Zagat’s? And then there are the high-end chains. Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar are the steakhouses that left respondents to our restaurant survey most satisfied. Bonefish Grill was tops of the seafood chains and for more unusual fare try Bahama Breeze and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro .
 
—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.

An unfortunate byproduct of heating your home in cold weather is that it dries out the air. Dry air can irritate nasal passages and increase your risk of getting a respiratory infection. The good news: Today’s humidifiers are better than ever at adding moisture to the air with designs that claim to address concerns about hard water and possible bacteria contamination. Here are some findings from Consumer Reports' humidifier tests:

Antimicrobial features. Humidifiers process a lot of water—the better room models have an output of 1.3 to more than 3 gallons a day—to cover 100 to 650 square feet. Yet some water tends to collect in the base and tank, where bacteria and other microbes can grow. Not all humidifier manufacturers suggest daily cleaning of their products, but you’ll need to replace the water at least once a day. Wondering how harmful that standing water might be? So are we, and we’re now running tests for bacteria in both the water that remains in the unit and the mist the humidifier adds to the air. The small-room HoMedics UHE-CM25, $60, and the medium-room Honeywell HUT-300, $70, are among models that claim to inhibit bacterial growth.

Hard-water resistance. Several models we tested, including the child-styled Crane Owl, an ultrasonic unit selling for $45, accept optional demineralization cartridges that manufacturers claim reduce or eliminate scaling. In homes with hard water, the buildup of minerals dissolved in the water can result in the dispersal of a white, powdery dust that coats surfaces in the room—and can be inhaled. Ultrasonic models, which use a vibrating nebulizer to emit mist, are most prone to mineral buildup and release. But using distilled water avoids the problem without the need to buy cartridges at an extra cost.

Energy savings. Humidifiers aren’t known as energy hogs, with some using as little as 25 watts. Vaporizers, however, are in a class by themselves. The single vaporizer that made our picks, the large-room Honeywell HWM-340, $55, is a warm-mist model rated for 400 watts. If you need a major-league tabletop model that can add lots of moisture to the air, though, you might want to swallow the extra energy cost. The Honeywell outputs 3.3 gallons a day for a claimed 600-square-foot space.

Choosing the right humidifier is a balance of mist output, convenient features, noise, and other criteria—all of which we test for in our humidifier Ratings of three dozen models. Before shopping, check our humidifier buying guide.

The best humidifiers from our tests

Looking for a humidifier? Keep in mind that you should size it to the room where you'll be using it. You'll probably need more than one. Here are the top picks from our tests.

• Small room (less than 300 sq ft): Crane Owl, $45.
• Medium room (300 - 499 sq ft): Vicks V5100NS, $50.
• Large room (500 - 999 sq ft): SPT SU-4010, $75.
• Console (1000 sq ft and more): Essick MA1201, $115.

For more choices see our full humidifier Ratings and recommendations.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

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