You’ve put a lot of work into baking a pie or a casserole for a party, and now you have to worry about packing it up and getting it there in one piece. Some foods—mac and cheese, cookies—travel well. But others, such as pies with delicate crusts and hors d’oeuvres, can easily get smooshed or slide off a serving dish and onto a driveway. To make sure your holiday dishes arrive safely, try these wrapping tricks from the test-kitchen experts at Consumer Reports plus Julie Carrion, executive chef at The Kitchen at Billings Forge in Hartford, Conn., and Cyd McDowell, a food stylist.

Sides and salads

Even holiday dishes that travel well, such as roasted or puréed veggies, need some TLC for transport. (Forget about salad greens, which can wilt, and boiled or steamed vegetables, which can suffer in reheating.) The key: Make sure to tape down pot lids. Blue painter’s tape won’t leave sticky stuff behind. And a drawer liner that grips can keep dishes from sliding around in your car.

Deviled eggs

Can’t get those eggs to sit still? To steady them (and other wobbly food) during transit, layer three damp paper towels on a tray and place eggs on top close together. Pack the tray in a cooler and keep it flat, not on the car’s backseat, which tilts.

Crudites

To keep veggies in place on a car trip, use what the pros call a caterer’s wrap. Instead of putting a sheet of plastic wrap over the dish, place the dish on top of the wrap, then twist the wrap as many times as you think necessary to hold everything down. Wrap the dip separately and arrange it on the platter at the party.

Casseroles

For keeping holiday dishes warm while you travel, you can try a couple of things. If you go to a lot of potluck events, consider buying an insulated casserole carrier; they cost about $15 and up. You can also line a cooler with towels, tuck your dish in, and then place extra towels around it for insulation and to help keep it steady for the trip.
Bonus: The towels can also sop up any spills if something leaks. Just keep the cooler closed to hold the heat inside. No cooler? Cradle the dish in towels and put it in a flat-bottomed box to avoid tipping. Or spring for a slow cooker with a locking lid.

Pies

If you don’t have a special carrier, cover the pie with a metal pie plate secured with aluminum foil. For a pie with a delicate crust, cover it with a bowl taped to a baking sheet to keep it from sliding.

Cupcakes

If you make them a lot, a cupcake carrier with a plastic lid is a great way to keep frosting from getting squished during a sharp turn or from plastic wrap.
Bonus: A carrier can also do double duty as a dip-and-sauce transporter. If you don’t have room to store one, Carrion suggests investing in baking pans with snap-on lids. Or save the clamshell containers from store-bought cupcakes to tote your own.

Cakes

Sheet cakes are the way to go; the flat shape and low center of gravity ensure safer transport. (Layers—and height in general—are a recipe for disaster.) But if a single layer won’t do, try this food stylist’s trick: Dab a tablespoon of jam on a serving plate, then assemble the cake on top. That helps to keep it from sliding. And put long wooden skewers through the layers to keep them intact and prevent plastic wrap from smudging the frosting.

—Adapted from ShopSmart

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Mention brunch, and it’s sure to get some people whipped up. Paying $15 for a mediocre omelette after waiting in a long line is nuts, they’ll argue. Brunch at home is the way to go, especially if your guests are staying over this holiday season. Here’s a look at the best waffle maker, skillet, juicer, and more from Consumer Reports’ tests.

Cuisinart Breakfast Central Belgian Waffle Maker WAF 300, $100
All six waffle makers Consumer Reports tested turned out perfectly good waffles, but the Cuisinart (shown below) served up plate after plate of Belgian waffles that were nicely and evenly cooked on both sides, whether on low or high heat. A beep alerts you that the waffle maker is ready to cook and again when the waffles are done—handy when you’re doing several things at once. See our full report for a look at all six waffle makers and our favorite recipe, Aretha Frankenstein’s Waffles of Insane Greatness. We found it on the Food52 website. 

Cuisinart Crystal SCC-1000 Limited Edition coffeemaker, $200
Accented with sparkling crystals, this drip coffeemaker was the only one in our tests that can brew a full 14 cups. It served up top brewing and the carafe was easy to hold and pour from. The coffeemaker is programmable, with both a small-batch setting and brew-strength control. Prefer a coffeemaker without the bling? See our coffeemaker Ratings for more choices.  

Heart Stereo Blend coffee, $18 a pound
Of the 10 coffee blends we tested from boutique roasters and mail order suppliers, Heart Stereo was the winner. It's a bright clean cup of java with big flavor and a fairly strong aroma. A complex blend of citrus and chocolate notes, consider sipping and savoring without milk or sugar. At $18 a pound, a 6-ounce-cup of coffee costs 44 cents (based on manufacturer's preparation instructions). Most other coffees we tested have a similar price per cup.

Juiceman JM8000S juicer, $100
A cinch to use, and you won’t have to waste time cutting up fruits and vegetables since even an apple the size of a tennis ball can fit through the feed tube. The rapidly whirling disk cuts the fruits and vegetables into tiny pieces that are then spun to separate juice from pulp. The juice comes out fairly frothy, like all extractors, due to the high speed of the cutting blades. But the blades can handle carrots, beets, and other harder produce. Check out all our juicer Ratings to compare models.

Cuisinart CPT-440 four-slice toaster, $100
This four-slice toaster has a sleek stainless finish and delivers evenly browned toast almost every time. A push-button operated motorized lift raises and lowers the toast. There’s an LCD countdown timer and a beep signals when the toast is ready. Settings for bagels, defrost, and warm/reheat are part of the deal. For a look at all the two- and four-slice toasters in our tests, see our full toaster Ratings.

Swiss Diamond Classic 10-inch nonstick frying pan, $90
Made of aluminum and with a lifetime warranty, this skillet cooked food evenly. And food released easily when it was new, so cleanup was a snap. This pan was very good at withstanding our nonstick durability test in which steel wool is rubbed over a pan for up to 2,000 strokes. The handle is sturdy and stays cool to the touch. If you think $90 is too much for a frying pan, then look at the $40 Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch Omelette Pan. It's a CR Best Buy. Cooking evenness was even better, but the frying pan’s handle wasn’t as sturdy or comfortable.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Shopping for a mortgage became easier in early October when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began mandating that lenders provide a new, simplified disclosure form to help consumers compare home loans. This disclosure (see below) is most useful after you've found the home you want and need a solid estimate of borrowing costs from a variety of lenders.

But before you get to that stage, you'll need to prove to a seller that a bank will lend you what you need to close on the deal. To avoid miscommunication snarls, you have to understand the difference among lender guarantees.

The Prequalification

A prequalification is really just to get you started, so you have a ballpark idea of how big a mortgage you can afford.

When a bank prequalifies you, it's giving you a preliminary statement of how much you could borrow, based on income and asset information you've provided. It is not based on any hard evidence, because at this point, you haven't given your bank statements or had bank officers request your credit report. (For more information about the prequalification process, watch this Chase Bank video.)

The Preapproval

When the bank tells you you're prequalified, it may ask for your employer's name and your Social Security number to verify your income and creditworthiness, as indicated by your credit reports. That's to start the mortgage preapproval process.

A bank will issue a mortgage preapproval once it has all your documents in hand. These could include income verification from employers, recent tax returns, bank and brokerage statements, and credit reports. The bank will then have a specialist call an underwriter to determine how much you're capable of paying and how big a mortgage loan you can afford. That assessment will result in a preapproval letter from the lender that you can present when you bid for a home.

Having a preapproval in hand gives you a jump on other potential buyers. It lets the seller know you're a good candidate, and that the bank is likely to award you a loan. It'll also make you feel more prepared to buy.   

However, complicating matters, banks don't always define the terms in the same way, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. EverBank, the online lender, for instance, doesn't use the word, "prequalification." Instead, it uses the term "preapproval" for what other banks define as prequalification. And what most banks call a "preapproval" EverBank terms a "credit only approval," which means it has verified your income and creditworthiness. 

Keep in mind that you're not required to borrow from the bank that issues your prequalification or preapproval.

How to get started mortgage-shopping

Consider these tips before you shop for a home or mortgage:

• Understand what the bank means by preapproval and other terms, and properly communicate to the seller or seller's agent the type of approval you have in hand.

• Months before you apply for mortgage preapproval, get at least one of your credit reports. This will allow you to troubleshoot any errors in advance of a bank's review. You are each entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—once a year; go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the official, federally-authorized site managed by the three agencies. Your spouse or partner should pull his or her reports as well. We recommend staggering requests so you get one of the three every four months. That way, you can be generally on top of problems.

• When shopping for mortgages, don't worry that your credit score will take a hit due to multiple inquiries by mortgage lenders. Normally, multiple inquiries can affect your credit score, but the three credit reporting agencies consider multiple inquiries in a short period of time for the same reason—in this case, mortgage shopping—as if they were one inquiry.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The race for space on your counter is on. Big brands like KitchenAid and Electrolux are launching lines of small appliances to complement their large ones. And both new and established brands are coming up with clever ways to help you prepare and cook tasty meals. Consumer Reports has tested a variety of small specialty appliances to see which deserve a place on your counter and which don’t. Here’s the details.

KitchenAid Multi-Cooker

We paid $400 for the 4-quart KitchenAid Multi-Cooker and an optional Stir Tower accessory. KitchenAid claims it, “delivers consistent culinary results with more than 10 cooking methods for amazing versatility.” Pre-programmed settings are sauté, sear, soup, yogurt, risotto, rice, boil/steam, simmer, keep warm (up to 24 hours), and slow cook low and high.

Worth the space? We caramelized onions (yum!) and cooked chili, ham, grits, and much more. The KitchenAid Multi-Cooker might be just the right gift for the person who likes to cook.

Read the full story.

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Cuisinart Breakfast Central Belgian Waffle Maker WAF-300, $100

The Cuisinart waffle maker served up plate after plate of Belgian waffles that were nicely and evenly cooked on both sides, whether on low or high heat. The waffle iron turns out four waffles at a time, leaving you time and beeps when the waffles are ready to serve. The nonstick waffle plates are easy to clean as are the pancake plates that come with the machine.

Worth the space? Depends how much you like waffles. Consider making room over the holidays when you're having overnight guests and serving them breakfast.

Read the full story.

Stirio Hands-Free Stirrer

The Stirio Hands-Free Stirrer, $54, “clamps onto your pot and will stir any food; for example, porridge, risotto, or stew, while you can put your feet up and enjoy a glass of wine or set the table.” The Norway manufacturer, Unikia, also claims that Stirio is safe to use with nonstick coated pots, the rechargeable motor provides at least one hour of stirring before you recharge it, the motor is “silent.”

Worth the space? Stirio works best on sauces and soups, which usually don’t require constant stirring. Making risotto was a challenge and Stirio wasn’t that quiet.

Read the full story.

Ronco Ready Grill

Ronco claims the $120 indoor grill makes delicious, grilled meals in just 20 minutes. Ronco says the smokeless grill offers true grilled flavor and that it even cooks frozen foods straight from the freezer. The removable grill basket and drip tray make cleanup a snap.

Worth the space? We tested the Ronco by cooking fried chicken, French fries, steak, sausage, bacon, toasted cheese sandwiches, and burgers and found the Ronco grill preheated fast, cooks much faster than a regular oven, and was even faster than a convection oven.

Read the full story.

Philips Digital Airfryer

Philips claims this odd-looking appliance “fries, bakes, roasts, and grills with a tablespoon of oil or less.” It says the $349 appliance cooks fast with perfect results, and that it’s easy to use.

Worth the space? Testers were sad to see the Philips Airfryer leave our labs. It quickly preheats, cooks much faster than a regular oven and turned out delicious meat and potatoes. The instructions suggest cutting cooking times in half and reducing conventional oven temperatures by 70° F for pre-made packaged foods, but you’ll have to experiment.

Read the full story.

Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wants families to gather at the dinner table and enjoy a great meal together. He admits that’s hard to do, and his solution is the Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven, $250. Puck promises that you can cook extraordinary meals just like he does and that food cooks in one-third the time. He adds that the $249 Pressure Oven can replace your oven, toaster, and microwave.

Worth the space? It works, but not as dramatically as claimed. And don’t give away your toaster or microwave yet. The manual for the Wolfgang Puck Pressure Oven says it takes 7 minutes for lightly toasted bread—most toasters pop up medium toast in about 2 minutes—and a cup of water won’t come to a boil like it does in a microwave.

Read the full story.

Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker

Fuss-free functionality is still the biggest appeal of slow cookers. You simply add in the ingredients, turn on the cooker, and some hours later, dinner is served. Now Crock-Pot, the brand synonymous with slow cooking, is rethinking the product with the WeMo-enabled Smart Slow Cooker, the first slow cooker that you can control and monitor from your smartphone.

Worth the space? The smart Crock-Pot, $150, did a fine job of heating water and it also turned out a pretty nice beef stew. But so did lower-cost models without the connectivity.

Read the full story.

BakerStone Pizza Oven Box

What if you could turn your gas grill into a gourmet pizza oven for about $150? The BakerStone Pizza Oven Box is supposed to do just that, and fast, turning out pizzas in two to four minutes. The grill pros and pizza master at Consumer Reports ate a lot of pizza to put these claims to the test.

Worth the space? The pizzas took about four minutes to bake in the box and less time to devour.

Read the full story.

Remington iCoffee

The Remington iCoffee, $150, looks like a conventional drip coffeemaker with a giant basket. But the differences are more dramatic. While a traditional drip coffeemaker showers the coffee grounds with water from above, the iCoffee uses SteamBrew, a process that uses hot water jets to soak and stir the grounds in a swirling soup, akin to a French press.

Worth the space? At the beginning and end of the brewing process, the machine plays notes from Mozart’s "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" perhaps a suggestion that you and your coffeemaker will make beautiful music together.

Read the full story.

Cuisinart Steam Advantage CSO-300

The Cuisinart Steam Advantage CSO-300, $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 about 40 minutes—half the time needed for a conventional electric oven set to 350° F.

Worth the space? We liked the chicken but didn’t save any time cooking rice or broccoli, compared to when we prepared them on a cooktop and in a microwave. Our steam-baked loaf of bread was slightly crispier than the bread turned out by a conventional oven.

Read the full story.

Breville Juice Fountain Elite

Breville makes a lot of exceptional small appliances, including our top-rated food processor, the Breville Sous Chef BFP800XL/A, and our number one toaster oven, the Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL. It can now add juicer to the list of things it does well, after the Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL/B, $300, landed on our list of top juicer picks.

Worth the space? Breville's extractor-style juicer cranked out very good juice, plus it has many of the convenience features we look for, including an extra-wide feed tube, which means less cutting up of fruits and vegetables, plus a separate juice jug and pulp container.

Read the full story.

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

Blenders
Coffeemakers
Food processors
Microwaves
Mixers
Toasters

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The holidays conjure up festive images of roaring fires, egg nog, goofy sweaters, and indulgent meals. But for many Americans, it can be a time filled with heightened anxiety over social situations, money woes, eating too much, and traffic jams.

The latest Consumer Reports Holiday Poll reveals that while nine in 10 of us delight in the season, we're dreading some of the traditions, folderol, and stressors that come with it. (Check out the first two installments of our Holiday Poll for 2015 to find out whether Americans plan to increase holiday spending and whether Black Friday has regained its mojo.)

In a nationally representative survey*, we asked adults to rank their holiday dreads from a list of 13 potential pain points. Topping the list were crowds and long lines (cited by 64 percent of respondents), aggressive or throughtless driving in shopping centers (55 percent), and bad traffic (54 percent). Next came weight gain (35 percent), fake holiday cheer (34 percent), and debt (32 percent). Rounding out the list:

• Gift shopping, a dread for 26 percent of those surveyed.
• Seasonal movies played over and over on TV, 26 percent.
• Seasonal music, 22 percent.
• Seeing certain relatives, 20 percent.
• Getting gifts from unexpected givers,  20 percent.
• Traveling, 19 percent.
• Having to attend gatherings, parties, or events, 19 percent.
• Disappointing presents, 15 percent.
  

And about that fruitcake. In a separate survey we conducted this summer on the least-favorite holiday food gifts, fruitcake was voted far and away the worst way to make a good impression.

Pain Points Bother Us More Than They Used To

The dread-o-meter is trending upward. The percentage of respondents who grimaced over a particular pain point has increased significantly compared to the results of a similar question we asked in 2012. Take aggressive or thoughtless driving in parking lots. Three years ago, 40 percent of respondents cited it as a behavior they dreaded during the holiday season. The response this time around: 55 percent.

Other pain points that bother us now more than they did in 2012: Crowds/long lines, gift shopping, seasonal music, visiting with certain relatives, traveling, having to attend parties and other social obligations. The only irritant that seems to bother us less now is weight gain. So go ahead, live a little and have that second glass of egg nog.

Tell us whether your holiday celebrations are more Norman Rockwell or more National Lampoon by adding a comment below.

*Editor's Note: Findings for this poll are based on a nationally representative survey of 1,007 adults ages 18 and older conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center in November 2015; 77 percent will be shopping this holiday season. Fifty-two percent of the sample was female; the median age was 45 years old.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

January is the busiest time of year for exercise equipment sales, as well-fed consumers look to make good on their health-based New Year's resolutions. But if you're considering a home treadmill, elliptical, spin bike, or rowing machine, it might make sense to pull the trigger sooner. Retailers are rolling out special deals now, looking to get in on the holiday traffic, plus you'll find a wider selection of models, including the top picks from Consumer Reports' latest tests.

While you can purchase exercise equipment online, we don't recommend it. The fit and feel of the machines is very important to your workout experience, especially with ellipticals, where the wrong ergonomics can wreak havoc on your pedaling stride. That leaves two brick-and-mortar options: big-box shops, including those that specialize in sports equipment, like Dicks Sporting Goods and Sports Authority, as well as home centers like Sears and Walmart. The other way to go is with a specialty dealer, assuming there's one located nearby. 

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

If you do have access to a specialty dealer, it's at least worth a visit, especially if you're considering one of the higher-end models that dominate the top of our Ratings, such as the Precor TRM 243 non-folding treadmill or the Landice E7 Pro Sport elliptical. The staff members at these stores tend to be very knowledgeable, plus you'll be able to try all the different machines. One more thing: dealers typically offer delivery and installation. The service might set you back another $150 or so, but given the weight of these machines and their often complex assembly, it could be money well spent.

If saving money is your top concern, and you don't mind lugging a few-hundred pound box into your home and handling the assembly, then check out the big-box stores. Sears, for example, carries many models that did well in our tests, including the Schwinn 470 elliptical and the NordicTrack Elite 9700 Pro treadmill. Keep in mind that assembly is usually a two-person job, especially when it comes to connecting the console to the machine. As with any installation, make sure to read the instructions all the way through before getting started.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)      

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

At Consumer Reports we buy everything we test, often at full price. Large appliances typically come with a hefty price tag. So it was heartening to see that some of our highly recommended laundry and kitchen appliances are on deep discount at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears for Black Friday and through the end of November. (That means you can skip the Black Friday crowds and still snag a bargain.)

Prices included here are from the retailers’ websites. For more information, check our appliances guide and click on the links below to go to the page for each model.

Best Buy

While shoppers often think of Best Buy as the place to buy electronics, the chain also has some terrific sales on large appliances, which are marked down 25 to 40 percent.

French-door refrigerators

• LG LFXS32766S, $3,599 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HFPDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,599 from $3,799
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF26HFPNBSR, $999 from $1,799
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,399 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,299 from $3,799
• LG LFCS31626S, $1,999 from $2,699
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,399 from $3,399
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,199 from $3,099
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,499 from $5,999
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,549 from $3,599
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,499 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,499 from $3,999

Dishwashers

• Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $629 from $699

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,000
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,800
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• LG LRE3023S, $700 from $1,000
  
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,800
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,500
  

Induction single-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58H9970WS, $3,000 from $3,600
• Frigidaire Gallery FGIF3061NF, $1,300 from $1,800
  

Gas double-oven ranges

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $2,000
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,500
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from $2,800
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $1,000
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,450
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,200
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,000
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,100
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,300
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,100
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Home Depot

Walk past the aisles of lumber and lights into the large appliance department, where you’ll find discounts of up to 40 percent on major brands. But don’t be tempted on a deal on a kitchen suite until you’ve checked how each model performed in our tests.

French-door refrigerators

• Samsung RF28HDEDPWW, $1,998 from $2,700
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,338 from $2,599
• GE GNE29GSHSS, $1,798 from $1,999
• Samsung RF28HFPDBSR, $1,598 from $2,664
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,598 from $3,219
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,998 from $2,999
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,298 from $3,799
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,388 from $2,844
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,108 from $3,098
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,498 from $5,549
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $36,99
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,548 from $3,549
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,798 from $2,999
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,498 from $3,549

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,169 from $1,299
• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $798 from $1,099

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,000
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,800
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• LG LRE3023S, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,800
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,500
  

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $2,000
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,500
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from  $2,800
  
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $1,000
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,450
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,450
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $950
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,000
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,499
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,300
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,499
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,599
  

Lowe's

At Lowe’s you’ll also find discounts of up to 40 percent. Take a look at the matching washers and dryers. Lowe’s is one of the first to feature the GE Café refrigerator with a built-in Keurig coffeemaker. It’s marked down $300.

French-door refrigerators

• LG LFXS32766S, $3,599 from $3,999
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,469 from $2,599
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,598 from $3,799
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,298 from $3,798
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,398 from $3,398
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,198 from $3,099
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,498 from $5,698
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $3,699
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,498 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,798 from $3,299
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,498 from $3,999

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $989 from $1,099
• Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $629 from $699
• KitchenAid KDTM704ESS, $1,709 from $1,799
• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,234 from $1,299
• KitchenAid KDFE454CSS, $1,424 from $1,499

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,299
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,899
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,799
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,799
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,499
  

Induction single-oven range

• Samsung NE58H9970WS, $3,000 from $3,699

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $1,899  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,499
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from $2,799
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,099
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $999
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,599
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,444
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $999
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,199
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,333
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,444
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,333
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Sears

Fans of Kenmore won’t be disappointed by the sales at Sears. Like its competitors, Sears is featuring discounts of up to 40 percent. We focused on the appliance department, but also look for sales on tools and outdoor power equipment.

French-door refrigerators

• Samsung RF28HDEDPWW, $1,799 from $2,700
• Kenmore Elite 74093, $2,699 from $4,299
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,469 from $2,599
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• Kenmore Elite 74033, $2,599 from $4,299
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,299 from $3,799
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,499 from $5,999
• Kenmore Elite 72483, $2,699 from $4,199
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $3,599
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $989 from $1,099
• Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,199 from $1,649
• Kenmore Elite 12793, $899 from $1,529
• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,169 from $1,299

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,799
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,299
• Kenmore 95052, $950 from $1,100
• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $949
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,799
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,900 from $2,499
  

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $1,899
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,499
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,150 from  $2,799
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Kenmore 74132, $550 from $700
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $999
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,599
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,699
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $999
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,199
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,499
• Kenmore 28132, $649 from $1,059
• Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8500DW, $750 from $1,000
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,699
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,499
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Your kitchen may be the center of your holiday activities, but be careful—it’s also where most house fires start. And the peak day for a kitchen fire is Thanksgiving, when we’re often distracted by friends and family as we’re trying to get the big feast on the table.

“Unattended cooking is the top cause of fires in the home,” says Elliot F. Kaye, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. And fires can be deadly; the greatest risk isn’t from burns but from inhaling smoke and toxic gases. These tips from the CPSC will help make sure you don’t become a victim of a kitchen fire on turkey day:

How to Prevent a Kitchen Fire

• Stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on your cooking.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Loose clothing can catch fire.
• Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent children and others from spilling a pan’s scalding contents onto themselves.
• Keep curtains, towels, and pot holders away from hot surfaces, and store solvents and flammable cleaners away from heat sources.
• Watch children closely so they don’t come into contact with cooking food or hot stovetops.

How to Put Out a Kitchen Fire

• Call the fire department (911) immediately.
• Slide a pan lid over flames to smother a grease or oil fire, then turn off the heat and leave the lid in place until the pan cools. Never carry the pan outside.
• Extinguish other food fires with baking soda. Never use water or flour on cooking fires.
• Keep the oven door shut and turn off the heat to smother an oven or broiler fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure you have the right type.

In addition, keep a working smoke detector in your home. If you do get burned while cooking, follow these tips from the National Safety Council.

Thinking about frying your bird this year? Don’t use an outdoor propane-powered fryer because they are just too dangerous. Instead, consider an electric fryer designed for indoor use. If you want to cook your turkey outdoors, buy a smaller bird (up to 16 pounds) and grill in a covered charcoal or gas grill using a drip pan.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Humidifiers that make antibacterial claims might seem like the perfect solution for consumers who use these small appliances but dislike cleaning them. And according to an informal survey, that’s most people: 59 percent of respondents who use a humidifier told us they do not clean it every day and one in four people clean theirs twice a month or less.

That could be a mistake. Both the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency warn that emissions from dirty humidifiers can cause health problems, especially for folks who suffer from asthma or allergies. And in a recent safety study, Consumer Reports found that, when it comes to preventing bacteria from being released into the air, antimicrobial features are no substitute for regular cleaning.

Antimicrobial claims are found on nearly half of the humidifiers in our tests. Humidifiers that claim to be "germ-free" or produce "clean mist" use technologies such as UV light and "patented" ionic silver that are supposed to keep the water clean.

We took the 34 humidifiers that had already been tested in our labs for performance and ran two additional tests: One to see whether bacteria would grow in the water reservoirs, and another to see whether bacteria added to reservoirs could then be emitted into the air.

We based our study on three days of continuous use. After that time we measured microbial growth in the reservoir and found that most of the humidifiers contained increased microbial growth compared to levels found in tap water. The next step was to determine whether the bacteria was emitted into the air, so we added bacteria to the reservoirs of new samples and noted whether it was released into the air.

Of the three types of humidifiers we tested—evaporative, ultrasonic, and vaporizer—we found that none of the evaporative models emitted airborne bacteria. All but one model of the other two types, a vaporizer, emitted bacteria

The two humidifiers we tested that are worth mentioning for having both a minimal amount of bacteria growth and for not emitting bacteria into the air are the Honeywell HCM-350 evaporative humidifier and the Vicks V150SGN vaporizer.

How Humidifiers Work

In the heating season, the humidity in your home can drop to 10 percent while a level between 30 and 50 percent is recommended. Less than that can lead to sore throats and dry skin while too much moisture can encourage the growth of mold and dust mites. Here are the types of humidifiers to consider:

• Ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating nebulizer and emit a cool mist.
• Evaporative tabletops blow unheated air over a wet wick.
• Vaporizer models use a heating unit to boil the water and emit steam and are not recommended for use around children.
  

Keep It Clean

Don’t depend on a certain model or antimicrobial claims to protect you from bacteria buildup. The bottom line is that when you use a humidifier, you need to clean it every day. Not all manufacturers make that recommendation, but we do. Here’s a good routine to follow:

• Every day. Empty, rinse, and dry the base tray or reservoir before refilling.
• Every week. Remove water scaling with vinegar and disinfect the unit with a bleach solution following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Before storing. Clean to remove scaling, disinfect with a bleach solution, and dry thoroughly.
• After storing. Before using again, clean to remove scaling, disinfect with a bleach solution, and dry thoroughly. Don’t fill it before you need to.

Humidifiers to Choose

Bottom line. If you’re concerned about bacteria emissions, consider an evaporative humidifier or the Vicks V150SGN vaporizer. But whatever type you choose, make cleaning part of your routine. Here are the 10 evaporative humidifiers that did not emit bacteria in our tests, listed in order of performance. In addition, there was no bacterial growth in the tank of the Honeywell HCM-350 evaporative model or the Vicks V150SGN vaporizer.

• SPT SU-9210, $80 (Recommended for performance)
  
• Honeywell HCM-350, $60
  
• Vornado EVAP3, $90
  
• Kenmore 3688, $40 (Sears)
  
• Vicks V3700, $55
  
• Holmes HM1761, $30
  
• Honeywell HCM-750, $55
  
• Vicks V3900, $65
  
• Vornado EVAP2, $85
  
• ProCare PCCM-840, $27 (Walmart)

For more choices see our full humidifier Ratings and recommendations.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

At Consumer Reports we buy everything we test, often at full price. Large appliances typically come with a hefty price tag. So it was heartening to see that some of our highly recommended laundry and kitchen appliances are on deep discount at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears for Black Friday and through the end of November. (That means you can skip the Black Friday crowds and still snag a bargain.)

Prices included here are from the retailers’ websites. For more information, check our appliances guide and click on the links below to go to the page for each model.

Best Buy

While shoppers often think of Best Buy as the place to buy electronics, the chain also has some terrific sales on large appliances, which are marked down 25 to 40 percent.

French-door refrigerators

• LG LFXS32766S, $3,599 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HFPDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,599 from $3,799
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF26HFPNBSR, $999 from $1,799
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,399 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,299 from $3,799
• LG LFCS31626S, $1,999 from $2,699
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,399 from $3,399
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,199 from $3,099
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,499 from $5,999
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,549 from $3,599
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,499 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,499 from $3,999

Dishwashers

• Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $629 from $699

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,000
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,800
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• LG LRE3023S, $700 from $1,000
  
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,800
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,500
  

Induction single-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58H9970WS, $3,000 from $3,600
• Frigidaire Gallery FGIF3061NF, $1,300 from $1,800
  

Gas double-oven ranges

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $2,000
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,500
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from $2,800
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $1,000
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,450
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,200
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,000
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,100
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,300
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,100
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Home Depot

Walk past the aisles of lumber and lights into the large appliance department, where you’ll find discounts of up to 40 percent on major brands. But don’t be tempted on a deal on a kitchen suite until you’ve checked how each model performed in our tests.

French-door refrigerators

• Samsung RF28HDEDPWW, $1,998 from $2,700
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,338 from $2,599
• GE GNE29GSHSS, $1,798 from $1,999
• Samsung RF28HFPDBSR, $1,598 from $2,664
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,598 from $3,219
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,998 from $2,999
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,298 from $3,799
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,388 from $2,844
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,108 from $3,098
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,498 from $5,549
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $36,99
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,548 from $3,549
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,798 from $2,999
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,498 from $3,549

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,169 from $1,299
• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $798 from $1,099

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,000
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,800
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• LG LRE3023S, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,800
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,500
  

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $2,000
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,500
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from  $2,800
  
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $1,000
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,450
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,450
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $950
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,000
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,499
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,300
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,499
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,599
  

Lowe's

At Lowe’s you’ll also find discounts of up to 40 percent. Take a look at the matching washers and dryers. Lowe’s is one of the first to feature the GE Café refrigerator with a built-in Keurig coffeemaker. It’s marked down $300.

French-door refrigerators

• LG LFXS32766S, $3,599 from $3,999
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,469 from $2,599
• Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $2,598 from $3,799
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,298 from $3,798
• Samsung RF323TEDB[SR], $2,398 from $3,398
• GE Profile PFE28RSHSS, $2,198 from $3,099
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,498 from $5,698
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $3,699
• Samsung T9000 RF32FMQDBSR, $2,498 from $3,999
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,798 from $3,299
• Samsung RF23J9011SR, $2,498 from $3,999

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $989 from $1,099
• Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC, $629 from $699
• KitchenAid KDTM704ESS, $1,709 from $1,799
• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,234 from $1,299
• KitchenAid KDFE454CSS, $1,424 from $1,499

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,299
  
• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,899
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,799
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $800
  
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,799
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,800 from $2,499
  

Induction single-oven range

• Samsung NE58H9970WS, $3,000 from $3,699

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $1,899  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,499
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,000 from $2,799
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,099
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $999
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,599
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,444
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $999
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,199
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,333
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,444
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,333
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Sears

Fans of Kenmore won’t be disappointed by the sales at Sears. Like its competitors, Sears is featuring discounts of up to 40 percent. We focused on the appliance department, but also look for sales on tools and outdoor power equipment.

French-door refrigerators

• Samsung RF28HDEDPWW, $1,799 from $2,700
• Kenmore Elite 74093, $2,699 from $4,299
• GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,469 from $2,599
• Samsung RF28HDEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299
• LG LFC24770ST, $1,398 from $1,899
• Kenmore Elite 74033, $2,599 from $4,299
• LG LFXS30766S, $2,299 from $3,799
• Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $4,499 from $5,999
• Kenmore Elite 72483, $2,699 from $4,199
• LG LMXS30746S, $2,548 from $3,599
• Samsung RF28HMEDBSR, $1,799 from $3,299

Dishwashers

• KitchenAid KDTM354DSS, $989 from $1,099
• Kenmore Elite 12793, $1,199 from $1,649
• Kenmore Elite 12793, $899 from $1,529
• KitchenAid KDTM404ESS, $1,169 from $1,299

Electric smoothtop double-oven ranges

• Samsung NE59J7850WS, $1,200 from $1,900
• LG LDE4415ST, $1,400 from $1,799
  

Electric smoothtop single-oven ranges

• Samsung NE58F9710WS, $1,500 from $2,299
• Kenmore 95052, $950 from $1,100
• LG LRE3083SW, $700 from $949
• Samsung NE58F9500SS, $1,100 from $1,799
• GE PS920SFSS, $1,900 from $2,499
  

Gas double-oven range

• LG LDG4315ST, $1,400 from $1,899
  

Gas single-oven ranges

• Samsung NX58H9500WS, $1,500 from $2,499
  
• GE PGS920SEFSS, $2,150 from  $2,799
• Samsung NX58H5600SS, $700 from $1,000
• Kenmore 74132, $550 from $700
• Samsung NX58F5500SS, $600 from $999
  

Front-loading washing machines

• LG WM8000HVA, $1,000 from $1,599
  
• Samsung WF56H9100AG, $1,000 from $1,699
• Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, $700 from $999
  

High-efficiency top-loading washing machines

• Samsung WA52J8700AP, $749 from $1,199
• Samsung WA56H9000AP, $1,000 from $1,499
• Kenmore 28132, $649 from $1,059
• Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8500DW, $750 from $1,000
  

Electric dryers

• Samsung DV56H9100EG, $1,000 from $1,699
  
• Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,000 from $1,499
• LG DLEX7700VE, $1,000 from $1,450
  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

If want all of your holiday gifts to arrive by Christmas this year, you'd better finish your gift shopping soon. Check out the deadline information below for FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service as well as details on Free Shipping Day and more.

And be sure to follow our tips for safely shipping holiday gifts and find out whether expedited shipping is worth the splurge.

FedEx

For shipping within the U.S.:
 

• Dec. 14: Last day to ship via FedEx SmartPost
• Dec. 16: Last day to ship via FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground
• Dec. 21: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver
• Dec. 22: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
• Dec. 23: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight
• Dec. 25: Last day to ship via FedEx SameDay

Shipping deadlines for packages headed to Puerto Rico and Canada, Mexico, and other international destinations vary. See FedEx's Last Days to Ship site for more information.

For other holiday-related shipping information, check FedEx's Holiday Shipping 2015 website.

UPS

For shipping within the U.S.:

• Dec. 17: Last day to ship UPS Ground
• Dec. 18: Last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select
• Dec. 22: Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air
• Dec. 23: Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air
• Dec. 24: Last day to ship via UPS Express Critical

For international shipping deadlines and other holiday-related information, go to: UPS Holiday Shipping site.

For more holiday shipping information, see: UPS's 2015 year-end holiday service center.

U.S. Postal Service

For mail and package shipping within the U.S.:

• Dec. 15: Last day to send packages via standard parcel post
• Dec. 19: Last day to send packages via First Class Mail
• Dec. 21: Last day to send packages via Priority Mail
• Dec. 23: Last day to send packages via Priority Express Mail

The deadline for shipping packages internationally varies based on the destination. But in most cases, the deadlines are fast approaching—in some cases, as soon as Dec. 1!

Visit the U.S. Postal Service holiday site for more information about shipping to military troops serving overseas

Other Shipping Tips to Keep in Mind

If you're planning to do some of your holiday shopping online, check retailers' specific deadlines.

Amazon.com says that the cut-off date for ordering items with free shipping is Dec. 16. Orders for gifts to be shipped with standard shipping must be completed online by Dec. 18. The cut-off dates for ordering items to be shipped with two-day and one-day shipping are Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, respectively. Dec. 23 is the last day to order with same-day delivery for delivery by Dec. 25.

For more information, check out Key 2015 FBA Holiday Selling Dates.

You'll find similar holiday shipping deadline information for these online retail sites.

• Apple.com
• BestBuy.com
• JCPenny.com
• Target.com
• ToysRUs.com

Free Shipping Day and Free Two-Day Shipping

Dozens of merchants, from Bass Pro Shops to Wine.com, are participating in Free Shipping Day on Dec. 18, with offers of items that will purportedly arrive by Christmas Eve.

For other holiday shopping tips, visit Consumer Reports' Holiday Gift Guide.

—Paul Eng

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Gift Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Trying to eat healthfully but overwhelmed by all the holiday goodies in your kitchen? Some simple refrigerator organizing steps can make it easier to make better choices during the busy, calorie-heavy holiday season—and on into the New Year. “Organizing your refrigerator the healthy way makes improving your diet a lot easier,” says Maxine Siegel, a registered dietitian and manager of food testing at Consumer Reports. Here are four ways you can do just that.

Put Healthy Food Where You Can See It

Stock up on pepper slices, carrot sticks, cut fruit, hummus, yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs, and keep it all at eye level. You’re three times more likely to reach for healthy food if it’s on the middle shelf, according to research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Go a step further and store healthy foods in clear containers or bags, Siegel advises. What to keep in the fridge drawers? “Cheese, luncheon meat, and sweets like pies, sweet drinks, and pudding, and other foods you want to cut back on,” she says. “Out of sight, out of mind.”

Stock the Fridge With Healthy Drinks

“Fill a glass pitcher with unsweetened iced tea or try water with some cut-up oranges or other fruit, mint, ginger, or cucumbers,” Siegel suggests. Seeing the pitcher will remind you to stay hydrated, and adding the flavorings makes plain water more palatable.

Keep Good-For-You Condiments on the Side Door

Have plenty of flavorful, healthy ingredients, such as salsa, exotic mustards, pesto, jarred garlic, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts on hand. They’re low in calories and fat and can be used as a base for sauces, dips for sliced raw veggies, and toppings for cooked lean meats or fish.

Don't Forget to Healthy Up Your Freezer

“Most people don’t realize that cooked whole grains and beans can be frozen,” Siegel says. Store one or two servings in individual plastic freezer bags and stack the bags on top of each other in the freezer. That way, you’ll always have the foundation for a quick, healthy meal.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

How much time will you spend wrapping holiday gifts? Americans typically devote around three hours to boxing, wrapping, taping, and tagging, according to previous Consumer Reports' polls. You can eliminate some or all that time by getting the gift wrapping done for you, but most brick-and-mortar and online retailers now charge for the service.

“Wrapping has become a profit center during the holidays,” says retail expert Jack Abelson of Jack Abelson & Associates in Leawood, Kan. “It was a time-honored perk that used to be done for free, and was part of a combination of services we called value. But like so many other things, merchants have gotten away from it and are nickel-and-diming customers.” 

To get a handle on the latest trends, Consumer Reports reached out to brick-and-mortar stores—including Kohl's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, and Williams-Sonoma—and their online counterparts. (We selected the physical stores to call at random; so policies listed here might differ from the location where you shop.)

We also got in touch with retailers' media contacts, engaged customer-service reps, and participated in live chats to gather details.

The results: Most department and specialty stores offer gift wrapping for the holidays, but the service can be pricey. Charges ranged from $2 to $16, depending on the bells and whistles and package size.

Discounters such as Target and Walmart offer gift wrapping on select online purchases, also for a fee.

A few free gift wrappers are still out there, including Von Maur, a family-owned department-store chain known for outstanding customer service. This Midwest retailer offers year-round complimentary wrapping (and shipping).

Below you'll find  a rundown of the basics. Retailers are listed in alphabetical order.

—Tod Marks

Our Holiday Gift Ideas page can help you find great deals on great presents for everyone on your list. Also, get the inside dope on outlet malls.

Visit our Holiday Gift Guide 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 © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Itching is arguably the most universal symptom known to humans. It is a rare person who at one time or another has not scratched an itch.

Some itches are mild, and others are maddeningly severe, affecting sleep and lifestyle. Fortunately, most—such as those caused by insect bites and contact allergies due to poison ivy, fabrics, cosmetics, and the like—improve or disappear within a short period of time.

But some itches do become chronic (lasting longer than six weeks) and are more perplexing, possibly requiring a skin biopsy for diagnosis. In one large published survey of Norwegians, about 8 percent suffered from chronic itching. An even higher prevalence (17 percent) was found in a published survey of German workers.

Different itches require different tactics to subdue them. But most important to the sufferer is to know when it’s time to seek medical advice.

If You’re Itchy All Over

Generalized itching commonly affects older adults as a result of dry skin, also known as xerosis. That becomes a problem in winter, when indoor heat reduces humidity and dries the air. As we age, skin loses the precious sweat glands that exude protective oils, and a dry environment magnifies the problem.

Proper self-treatment can save the day. Avoid excessive contact with water, which washes away what little oil remains on the skin surface. Take tepid (never hot) showers instead of baths, and limit showers to only a few minutes. Afterward, apply a skin-protective emollient lotion, such as Vaseline Intensive Care. You can use the emollient several times per day on exposed parts of the body.

But if the itch doesn’t yield to self-­management, check with your doctor—the cause may be of more concern. Anemia, or thyroid, liver, or kidney disease, can be accompanied by itching. At times, itching can be the tip-off to the presence of cancer—most commonly a lymphoma or another type of internal malignancy.

When the Itch Is Limited

Localized itching (confined to one or two areas) is usually due to an itch-scratch-itch-scratch cycle that takes place over a period of months or even years. The repetitive scratching leaves a thickened, even itchier patch of skin, which is often slightly darker than the surrounding area. The initial cause of the itch is usually forgotten with the passage of time.

To break that distressing cycle, you may need a topical over-the-counter cream containing capsaicin (Zostrix and generic) or lidocaine, or a prescription cream containing doxepin (Prudoxin, Zonalon) or a corticosteroid. And resist the urge to scratch! Clipping your nails helps, as can covering the area with gauze or a bandage.

Have a Rash, Too?

Generalized itching accompanied by a rash is probably the least amenable to self-help measures and the most frequent reason for seeking professional advice. Although myriad itchy skin rashes without a known cause abound, drug reactions constitute a large portion, and the most common offenders are antibiotics, notably penicillin and sulfa drugs.

Foods are also a major cause of itching, with shellfish at the top of the menu, and infection is likely if you have a fever along with an itchy rash.

Another common cause is the auto­immune condition psoriasis: Only one in five people with it escapes without severe itching. An old remedy, sunlight, is helpful, as is a new class of prescription drugs known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.

Localized itching with a rash is most often set off by insect bites or fungal infections. Fungi thrive in areas that are dark, moist, and warm, such as the armpits, feet, groin, and under the breasts. Common and uncomfortable manifestations are athlete’s foot, jock itch, swimmer’s ear, and ringworm. Anal and vaginal itching can be especially troublesome, if not downright embarrassing.

For all of the above, many OTC preparations such as clotrimazole and miconazole are available. But they are rarely totally successful, and professional attention might be needed for diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Mosquito or “no-see-um” bites usually require only a cold compress or a dab of OTC hydrocortisone cream. But spider bites can turn ugly when they ulcerate and become infected, requiring antibiotics and professional wound care. Bee stings usually resolve on their own (the stinger should be removed) and need medical attention only when the area of itching and redness extends well beyond the bite site.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

As much as things have changed in the lightbulb aisle, you can still buy strings of Christmas lights made with incandescent bulbs. But they’re being phased out to make room for more LED holiday lights, according to the American Lighting Association. LEDs do have their bright spots. Here’s a look at both the pros and cons of LED holiday lights.

Advantages
Consumer Reports hasn’t tested Christmas lights recently but our ongoing tests of LEDs and CFLs have found that Energy Star-qualified bulbs meet high standards for brightness, energy use, and more. Holiday light strings carrying the Energy Star offer these advantages over strands of incandescent lights:

• Use 75 percent less energy.
• Can last up to 10 times longer.
• Remain cool to the touch, lowering the risk of a fire.
• Are more durable and shock resistant since there are no filaments or  glass.
•Come with a three year warranty.

Unlike incandescents, LEDs do not burn out—they dim over time. While incandescent bulbs are usually rated for 3,000 hours (that's how long they're expected to last), LEDs are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 and even up to 100,000 hours. 

Energy Star doesn’t break down how much money you’ll save, but Terry McGowan, director of engineering for the American Lighting Association, calculates that a string of 50 mini-LED holiday lights saves just 46 cents in electricity, compared to a string of mini-incandescents, when used seven hours a day for the month of December. You'll save energy by using LEDs, but the payback time could take many years—it depends on how much you pay for the lights and electricity. Keep in mind that bigger bulbs, such as C9 or C7, use more energy than the minis do. "Changing from the traditional C7 bulbs to the mini type reduces operating costs by over 90 percent, but the LED bulbs increase the reduction to 98 percent," says McGowan. For the geek in all of us, check out "How Holiday Lights Work," from the Department of Energy.

Disadvantages
• Cost more upfront.
• Some cast an unappealing bluish white light or flicker.

When you're shopping, take the time to look at displays of lit holiday lights, or ask to see them illuminated to be sure you get the light color you want. And before you shop, searh for utility rebates. 

What’s New
More apps are available that let you change light colors and create the must-see house of the neighborhood. McGowan says here’s what else you’ll see in stores and around town:

Miniature Light Strings
Dew Drop lights are tiny and have a nearly invisible but flexible light string that’s stiff enough so the lights stay in place. When placed inside glass display containers, the Dew Drops look as if they’re floating. Use them on plants or floral centerpieces, Dew Drops come in various colors and are available in both plug-in and battery-operated options, which are ideal for lighting handrails.

Tree Wrapping
To save time putting lights up and taking them down, without the help of a lift or cherry picker, closely wrap just the trunk and the first couple of feet of a deciduous tree—up into the main branches. McGowan suggests using strings of light with six inches or less between bulbs, and then wrapping the trunk and limbs with no more than three inches between the layers of wrapped wiring.

Shopping for LEDs?
Then first look at our lightbulb Ratings. We’ve tested dozens of CFLs and LEDs—for both inside and outside—and found some stark differences in brightness. Top-rated LEDs include the dimmable Feit Electric 9.5 Watt, $7, and Walmart’s Great Value Soft White Dimmable LED, $9. They’re as bright as 60-watt incandescents and cast a warm light.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The number of inches of snow you need to move per storm is an important consideration, but so is how quickly you want to move it, how much snow your town’s plows leave at the end of your driveway, and how much storage space you have in the garage or shed to stow equipment. If you’re concerned about your driveway freezing, you’ll also need a flat snow shovel or a steel-bristled broom and ice melt.

Up to 24 inches

Go for a heavy-duty two-stage model. All models have a spinning auger that breaks up the snow, and an impeller that hurls it out the chute. Better models also have beefier engines, easier steering, and better tires. Lighter-duty two-stage models have the same auger and impeller as larger models and are easier to store. But they don’t clear as fast.

Pros. These models clear the widest swath and handle steeper inclines. They can muscle through the snow as well as the frozen piles at the foot of the driveway.

Cons. They’re heavy and expensive, and they can take up as much storage space as a lawn tractor. They don’t usually clean right down to the pavement, a plus only for gravel driveways, and they need maintenance.

Our picks. For sheer power, the Cub Cadet 3X 30HD, $1,650, and the Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890, a CR Best Buy at $1,300, come with a second impeller in front that helps with plow piles. And if you’ve gotten complaints about noisy snow clearing, go with the Craftsman 88694, $900, which was quieter without sacrificing performance.

Learn about the best outdoor power gear gifts for the holidays. And check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Up to 18 inches

Lighter-duty two-stage models have the same auger, impeller, and driven wheels as larger models, but they don’t clear snow as quickly because of their narrower clearing widths.

Pros. They cost a bit less and require less storage space than their larger siblings.

Cons. The less expensive ones come with fewer additional features, such as freewheel steering and single-hand controls.

Our picks. The 24-inch Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490, a CR Best Buy at $1,100, costs more than most others in this group but has the same second impeller as larger units and was as effective against plow piles. Its freewheel steering and single-hand controls also make handling excellent. The 24-inch Cub Cadet 2X 24HP, $900, carries an extra year of warranty, for three total, and cleaned closer to the surface than any other compact two-stage. And though the Craftsman 88173, a CR Best Buy at $680, gives up some helpful features for the price, including easy handling, it did as well as pricier models at ramming through plow piles and ran a bit more quietly.

Up to 9 inches

When you have less than a foot of snow, a single-stage model, which has a high-speed auger to loosen and hoist the snow through the chute, will suffice. These machines have a rubber-­tipped auger that helps propel them forward and is safe for deck finishes.

Pros. They’re fairly light and easy to handle, and they clean down to bare pavement. They also take up only about as much storage space as a lawn mower.

Cons. These smaller models have the most trouble with dense, wet snow, particularly plow piles, and they can’t be used on gravel surfaces. Their modest pulling power is no match for steep slopes and tends to make the machine pull sideways.

Our picks. The Toro Power Clear 721E, a CR Best Buy at $570, remains the standout for this category, with impressive speed and power for plow piles; it falls short only in throwing distance. The Cub Cadet 221 LHP, $550, offers single-lever chute adjustment and comes with a three-year warranty, a year more than the Toro’s. But it scored a notch lower for removal speed, throwing distance, and surface cleaning.

—Ed Perratore

 This article also appeared in the January 2016 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

With Christmas fast approaching, stores and online retailers are offering discounts and free shipping so there are bargains to be found. Fortunately, the experts in Consumer Reports' labs are on the lookout for good deals all year long and have found some top-performing small appliances that cost $50 or less. Here are 10 to consider.

Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus DLC-2A food chopper, $40

Cuisinart’s 3-cup chopper combines very good value with solid performance. It was particularly adept at chopping almonds and onions in our food processor tests, and at grating hard parmesan cheese. Pureeing of peas and carrots wasn’t quite what we measured with our recommended full-size machines, but the Cuisinart is still a top chopper in our Ratings.

Cuisinart Power Advantage HM-50 hand mixer, $40

Cuisinart’s 5-speed hand mixer had no trouble powering through stiff cookie dough in our mixer tests and it was very quick at whipping. We also like the well-priced mixer’s wire beaters, which are easier to clean than the traditional center-post variety. But this mixer is louder than other recommended models.

Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT coffeemaker, $40

This 12-cup machine delivers great value and an even better cup of joe. The automatic drip machine gets the water hot enough to bring out the coffee’s full flavor, and we found it easy to set up, operate, and clean in our coffeemaker tests. Plus the spill-free carafe is helpful if you’re a bit clumsy before that first morning cup.

Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-inch omelette pan, $40

This skillet beat out models from All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Rachael Ray in our cookware tests. It’s superb at evenly heating food, say, for an omelet or frittata. Plus it’s easy to clean and shrugged off our tough durability test in which steel wool is rubbed over a pan up to 2,000 times.

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Cuisinart CPT-320 2-slice toaster, $40

This two-slice toaster from Cuisinart is one the least expensive in our toaster Ratings, but it managed to achieve one of the highest overall scores. Toast popped up evenly brown with nearly every batch, and the toaster offers very good control over color range, in case some in your household like toast dark and some like it light. Special features include a bagel setting, and slide-out crumb tray for easy cleanup. Its retro metal housing looks good on the countertop.

Holmes HFH436 space heater, $40

In our space heater tests, the Holmes was very good at heating an average-size room in 15 minutes but a little less so at spot heating a person in the room. Still, it was easy to use, has very good safety features and isn’t hot to the touch when it’s turned on. It has a fan and was so-so for noise, a consideration if you’re using it in a bedroom.

Rowenta Effective Comfort DW2070 steam iron, $50

The least expensive Rowenta steam iron in our tests, this was also the best of that brand. It was excellent overall and delivered superb ironing and lots of steam. The surge button provides a burst of steam when trying to remove stubborn wrinkles and the vertical steam feature lets you remove wrinkles from hanging garments and drapes. The sole plate is stainless steel and the ready light indicates the iron is hot enough to use. There's a self-clean feature and auto-shutoff, which turns off the iron when left stationary for a short time.

Eureka Easy Clean 71B hand vacuum, $50

Eureka's corded hand vacuum was better suited for pickup on bare floors and at edges, but in our vacuum tests it was impressive overall and fairly quiet. Pluses include a spacious dust bin, onboard tool storage, and an electric rotating brush that adapts for vertical surfaces. As for minuses, the exhaust from the powerful motor can blow debris around before it can be picked up. And it was a bit on the heavy side for a hand vacuum.

Crane Owl humidifier, $45

This Crane tabletop was excellent in overall performance, and is intended to humidify areas up to 250 square feet. In our humidifier tests, this ultrasonic model earned excellent scores for moisture output, noise level, energy efficiency, and its output with hard water and was very good for convenience. Daily output is 1.4 gallons. The Crane comes in many other colorful child-friendly shapes.

Clear2O CWS100A carafe water filter, $23

Clear2O's carafe-based filter was superb at removing lead and organic compounds in our water filter tests and costs relatively little per year to do it. There's also a filter-life indicator that tells you when it's time to change the filter. You fill the carafe by removing your kitchen faucet's aerator and connecting the attached hose to your faucet, which allows quicker fill-ups than you typically get from a carafe filter. The downside: The adapters may not be compatible with spray-type faucets, and you can't fill the carafe manually.

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

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Is it okay to rewrap clunker gifts—say a neon Hawaiian shirt that you’d never willingly wear or a book about backyard chicken coops, even though you live in a high-rise—and pass them on to someone who might actually appreciate them?

Those who recycle presents were dissed on a classic January 1995 “Seinfeld” episode. In "The Label Maker," Elaine was outraged to discover that a friend had passed along a label maker she had given him—to Jerry, of all people. “I knew it!” Elaine exclaimed when she showed up on her friend’s doorstep to ask to see the label maker. “You’re a regifter!”

But times have changed, and the regifting stigma has gone the way of new “Seinfeld” episodes. Three out of four Americans surveyed by American Express in 2014 considered regifting perfectly acceptable. And a 2015 Consumer Reports nationally representative survey of 1,000 adults in the U.S. found that one in five regift holiday presents they don’t want.

These rules will help you do it right—and stay out of trouble:

• Regift only brand-new items that match the recipient’s tastes. Unless you’re passing down a family heirloom, any regift should be unused, and it should be something you would have bought for that person.
• Search for telltale signs of regifting before wrapping a gift. Make absolutely sure you remove any gift tags or cards from that Hawaiian shirt before you put it back in its original packaging and rewrap it. And if you’re regifting the book on backyard chickens, check to make sure there’s no inscription to you. “I know someone who got a dress shirt as a gift from his father, but when he pulled it out of the box, he saw that it was monogrammed with his dad’s initials,” says Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., a consumer psychologist and author of “Decoding the New Consumer Mind: How and Why We Shop and Buy” (Jossey-Bass, 2014). Oops.
• Make sure the giver and receiver won’t cross paths. Regifting among immediate family members is a no-no. Imagine your mother walking into your sister’s house next Thanksgiving and seeing her in the sweater she knit especially for you. The same goes for friends in the same social circle.
• Keep track of who gave what, so that you don’t sabotage yourself. “One of the best stories I’ve heard was from a woman who gave her friend a beautiful set of coasters as a housewarming gift,” Yarrow says. “A couple of years later, when that friend traveled to visit her, she brought along a hostess gift that turned out to be that same set of coasters—still unused in the original packaging—because she’d forgotten who had given them to her in the first place.”
• When in doubt, remind yourself that you’re reducing waste. “I love regifting because it’s actually a wonderful form of recycling,” says Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette expert based in Los Angeles. “And if you don’t have someone else in mind who would appreciate that gift, donate it to a charity so it ends up with someone who could really use it.”

Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the December 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Sales of juicers have been surging as more people look to bring the juice-bar experience home. Follow the hashtag #juicing and you’ll be inundated with recipes, from conventional carrot and apple to trendy green juices (Martha Stewart starts every morning with one) packed with kale, pears, cucumbers, and the like.

Though the health benefits of juicing tend to be a little overblown—there’s no substitute for whole fruits and vegetables—a juicer can definitely add more vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting substances to your daily diet. But only if you use it every day, of course. And here’s the, er, fruit fly in the ointment. Some of the juicers we tested were so complicated to operate and hard to clean that they’d probably end up collecting dust in a dark corner of your kitchen cabinet.

But we did find capable models from the two main types. Juice extractors, also known as centrifugal juicers, use a rapidly whirling disk to cut fruit or vegetables into tiny pieces that are then spun to separate the juice from the pulp. Auger-style juicers, also called masticating or cold-press juicers, work by slowly crushing and mashing the fruits and vegetables. There are pros and cons to each, so see our juicer profiles to find the juicer that’s just right for you.

(To make the best produce choices for your health and for the environment, read our special report on pesticides in produce.)

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

For first-time juicers

Juice extractors are easy to use, and they’re generally less expensive than auger-style machines, two reasons we recommend them for juicing novices. The top-rated Juiceman JM8000S (shown above), $100, features a large feed tube the size of a tennis ball, which means you won’t have to spend a lot of time cutting up your fruit and veggies. Plus its blades can handle hard produce, such as carrots and beets. The Cuisinart CJE-1000, $150, performed almost as well, and this machine is a bit quieter, which you might appreciate if there’s a baby sleeping in the next room. Because of the high speed of their cutting blades, both models turned out juice that was fairly frothy in our tests.

For nutrition nuts: Auger-style

Because they slowly crush produce, the auger-style juicers we tested left behind more pulp, and that can make for a healthier, more fiber-packed juice. They’re also better suited to wheatgrass and leafy vegetables. Best of the bunch is the Kuvings Whole Slow B6000, $430, which features a wide feed tube and produced a nice volume of froth-free juice. The Fagor Platino 967010008, $200, has a smaller feed tube, but if you don’t mind the extra prep work, its juice output was among the best of all tested models, plus it’s well-priced for an auger-style juicer. Both models come with a reverse button for when produce gets jammed in the masticating augers.

For multitaskers

The Omega NC900HDC, $330, auger-style juicer also scored big for juice output, and it’s different from other juicers in that it comes with attachments for fresh pasta, coffee beans, almond butter, and more. We cranked out a few pasta batches, and it worked as promised. Note that you have to make the dough separately, so it’s not as handy as a dedicated pasta maker that mixes, kneads, and extrudes all in one.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

For some, pushing a microwave button counts as cooking and then there are those who enjoy spending a Saturday afternoon leafing through cookbooks and trying new recipes or rolling out dough for an after dinner sweet. Here’s some cooking gear that impressed the testers at Consumer Reports and that your favorite cook will appreciate.

The sharpest knives in the drawer

Zwilling J.A. Henckels is a premium name in kitchen knives and its $315 Twin Professional “S” 7-piece set was the best in our kitchen knives tests. The forged knives are sturdy and sharp and the handles are very well balanced, which should keep your hands from getting tired. Always wash your knives by hand and keep them sharp with regular honing.     

Cookware that sizzles

The 10-piece nonstick Swiss Diamond Reinforced cookware set is made of aluminum and comes with a lifetime warranty. It was the best set in our cookware tests and at $600, the most expensive. The Swiss Diamond pots and pans were very good at evenly heating food and superb at releasing food when new, and the sturdy handles stay cool to the touch. Our nonstick durability tests are tough—steel wool is rubbed over a pan for up to 2,000 strokes—and the Swiss Diamond nonstick surface held up very well. The $200 Calphalon Simply Nonstick 10-piece set was nearly as good overall but its handles aren’t as sturdy or comfortable.

A toaster oven tell-all

Consumer Reports just tested several large toaster ovens that may be worth considering for cooks who have the counter space. Although it didn’t unseat the Breville Smart Oven BOV800XL, $250, the Cuisinart TOB-260, $260, came close. Unlike many toaster ovens in our tests, it actually makes good toast and can do it nine slices at a time. The manufacturer claims it can fit a 9-pound chicken and in our tests it was very capable at both baking and broiling so it would come in handy as a second oven

A stand mixer for the baker

In our stand mixer tests, the Breville BEM800XL, $300, was excellent at whipping cream, mixing large batches of cookie dough, and kneading bread dough. It beat out such favorites as the KitchenAid Classic and the KitchenAid Artisan, which we also recommend, as well as 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. But the KitchenAid Professional 6500 Design Series, $550, was best of all.

A blender that makes and heats soup

Blenders have gone upscale and have the price tags to prove it. But for cooks who often puree soup or sauces or who like to crush ice for drinks, a top-performing blender can be a welcome gift. The 8-cup Vitamix Professional Series 750, $650, may give you sticker shock but it earned an excellent overall score in our blender tests, making a very good smoothie and ice drink and doing a superb job at pureeing. Vitamix also says it will make hot soups, a claim we tested in the $450 Vitamix 5200 model. Another bonus is this blender is shorter than the original Vitamix, so it will fit under the upper cabinets in most kitchens.

Smart meat thermometers

Meat thermometers have come a long way from the analog one your grandmother used. Some even talk to your smartphone reminding the cook when the meat is ready. In our meat thermometer tests we liked the Williams-Sonoma Smart Thermometer 87072, $200, which has a probe you leave in the meat while the digital readout sits on the counter so there’s no opening and closing the oven multiple times as your roast cooks.

Classic cookbooks

Giving a cookbook together with cooking gear may get you invited back for dinner. Some of our favorites include “Gourmet Today,” “Around My French Table,” and Cook’s Illustrated's “The New Best Recipe,” which all feature recipes that are easy to follow with impressive results. Or you can check out cooking classes offered by top restaurants and bakeries in food-crazy ZIP codes or by culinary schools such as the boot camps and artisan bread baking classes at the Culinary Institute of America.

—Kimberly Janeway

Check Consumer Reports' 2015 Holiday Guide for our picks of the best gifts, details on the latest deals, time-saving tips, and much more. And see our countdown calendar for top gift ideas for everyone on your list.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.