New feature! Home Improvement Guide Interactive

Remodeling a room in your home or simply replacing appliances or buying new gear for your yard and garden?

The Consumer Reports Home Improvement Guide interactive (picture shown) on ConsumerReports.org lets you click on any room in your house and choose the top appliances, paints, flooring, and other remodeling products for your home's interior and exterior, from the kitchen and bathroom to roofing, siding, mowers, and tools.

The Home Improvement Guide includes expert remodeling tips as well links to Ratings of top ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, decking, mowers and tractors, room air conditioners, windows, washing machines, vacuums, and many more appliances, tools, and remodeling materials you need to upgrade your home.

Take a room-by-room tour of our interactive home today!

Selections from Consumer Reports' Selling It

In each issue of Consumer Reports, the Selling It page covers the goofs, glitches, gotchas, and howlers that appear on product packaging, in advertising, and elsewhere. Below you’ll find a few recent Selling It entries that relate to the home. We’ll present these pieces on this blog from time to time. (Click on each image to enlarge it.)

Look for more Selling It items on our Web site—new ones are added monthly—and submit ideas to this section.

Military mix-up
This offer for a door knocker (right) says, “Show your pride for our Armed Services.” Just don’t be picky about which service you support. As a Maryland reader pointed out, the knocker identified as “Army design” has the Navy design; “Navy” is Air Force, and “Air Force” is Army. The Marines design is correct. (From the December 2007 issue of Consumer Reports.)

Maybe you use scissors?   
Cuisinart’s Mini-Prep food processor (right) came with directions to heed before use: To get an even chop, “always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces of even size—about 1/2 inch.” (From the January 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.)

A kinda sorta guarantee
The language on the package at right is common in lightbulb packaging (longevity depends on how bulbs are used), but those two tiny words—"up to"—still shed very little light. As a Georgia reader reasoned, “If it lasts one minute, one hour, or one day it fulfills the guarantee.” (From the February 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.)

Gee, no GE
This package for a replacement part (left) had a Massachusetts reader scratching her head. (From the March 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.)

Essential information: Learn more about entry doors and door locks. Find the best food processor. Consider replacing incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Choose a new coffeemaker.

What’s new in small appliances: 2008 Housewares Show wrap-up

The 2008 International Home & Housewares Show (IHHS) recently took place in Chicago. Michael DiLauro, a product-information specialist for Consumer Reports, describes some interesting products and trends.

Smaller appliances are taking on multiple personalities, as manufacturers are incorporating multiple functions into their products. Makers are also adding enhanced programmability to their wares, allowing you to fine-tune the process, say setting the brew strength on a coffeemakers. Some of these countertop devices are also getting bigger screens and brighter displays with backlit LCDs.

Technology continues to reign, as appliances add electronic controls that prevent temperature spikes, keeping the heat consistent over the cooking process. (Learn what's behind this technology.)

Manufacturers are also trying to blend some of their smaller appliances seamless into home décor. Consumers don’t want their room air purifiers and cordless handheld vacuums, for example, to stand out when they’re plugged in.

With consumers expected to spend less this year, small-appliance makers were touting the cost-saving aspects of their products. Slow cookers, claimed one company, use about 3 cents per hour compared with 25 cents per hour for a wall oven. Vacuum sealers were also being pitched as way to lower food costs.

Pod-style coffeemakers continue to grow in popularity with Nespresso and Tassimo poised to take the lion’s share of both the coffee-pod and -maker market. Learn more about espresso makers.

Speaking of coffee, I knew the IHHS was trendy when I found myself drinking an espresso alongside celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck at the booth hosted by Illy, known for its espresso machines and coffee. The Italian company’s booth (shown) was actually the coolest part of all, since it’s a fully functional sustainable home built within a shipping container. Called the Push Button House (shown), it takes about 90 seconds to fully open and transform into a home with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, living room, and library.

Induction burners are becoming more common, though you might not need or want to buy a new cooktop just to take advantage of this emerging technology, which has performed highly in our tests, excelling at cooking speed and energy efficiency. The new portable induction cooktop from European appliance maker Fagor might make sense for you as a complement to an existing range or standard gas or electric cooktop. (Note that induction cooktops require cookware made of cast iron or enameled steel. Some stainless-steel cookware will work but aluminum or copper products will not.)

The $200 unit (shown), which measures 12x14 inches and weighs 8 pounds, includes many of the standard features found in a built-in induction cooktop at a fraction of the cost, around $1,700 for a four-burner model.—Michael DiLauro, Product-Information Specialist

Best home appliances for the holidays

Unless you're hiring a caterer and a cleaning crew, appliances are essential for preparing for holiday gatherings and tidying up after them. If you need to update your arsenal of small and big appliances, check out this list of some of our best-performing products; they'll make the jobs go easier and give you more time to enjoy yourself.—Helen A.S. Popkin

Best wine chiller to keep your top bottles in tiptop shape
GE Monogram ZDWR240PABS, $1,400
The one-compartment, stainless-steel-edged GE (shown) stores 52 standard-size bottles, runs very quietly, and adjusts to desired temperatures with aplomb. This model is also energy efficient, though there are other fine models that cost far less. Kenmore and other brands are offering small, freestanding units for $300 or so. For more wine chiller-tips, check out our report and updated Ratings (available to subscribers, like all the Ratings below).

Best blender to mix cheer-inducing libations
Braun PowerMax MX2050, $50
This Braun was tops in our tests for smoothies and among the best for crushing ice. Pluses include a glass jar and a removable blade. It’s also less noisy than other models, making it the least intrusive during a cocktail party.

Read up on blenders in our latest report and use the Ratings to find a model that fits your budget.

Best refrigerators to store the fixings for holiday meals and treats
Whirlpool ET1FTEXS[Q], $850
This well-equipped 21-cu.-ft. top-freezer Whirlpool features spillproof shelves and offers excellent energy efficiency and very good temperature performance. It’s also quiet. The eye-level freezer offers easy access, and the fairly wide refrigerator shelves make it easy to reach the back.

Amana AFD2535DE[W], $1,700
This 36-inch-wide bottom-freezer offers French doors at a relatively low price. Other handy features include a pullout bottom freezer drawer, and more usable fridge capacity overall than most others in our tests. Bottom-freezer models are best for putting often-used items at eye level, and they're relatively inexpensive to run.

GE GSH25JFT[WW], $1,000
This full-featured 36-inch-wide side-by-side comes at a relatively low price. Features include touchpad controls with digital display; built-in water dispenser and filter; a freezer light; gallon storage on door; an icemaker and dispenser; pullout shelves/bins; and a temperature-controlled meat/deli bin. Side-by-sides are best for kitchens that can't fit wide-swinging doors.

GE Monogram ZICS360NR[SS], $6,400
This 21-cu.-ft. GE built-in cabinet-depth drawer-type-bottom-freezer is pricey but energy efficient and full of handy features, including touchpad digital controls, spillproof shelves, pullout shelves in the freezer, an icemaker and a water filter, and a freezer light. It’s also available with a stainless-steel look.

For more information on refrigerators, see our latest report, buying advice, and Ratings of bottom-freezers, built-ins. side-by-sides, and top-freezers.

Best food processor and chopper to whip up hors d’oeuvres
KitchenAid KFP710, $80
This medium-capacity food processor was best at slicing and shredding, has easy-to-clean touchpad controls, and is relatively lightweight, making postparty cleanup a snap.

Black & Decker Ergo EHC650, $15
This inexpensive 3-cup chopper was tops at chopping and good for puréeing, making it a handy tool for food preparation.

Read our latest report and use the Ratings help find the right tools for your kitchen.

Best ranges to cook gourmet festival meals
Kenmore (Sears) 9421[2], $530
An excellent basic appliance at a low price, this 30-inch freestanding coil-top electric model (shown) still has plenty of handy features, including a warming drawer, six oven rack positions, and a cooktop that can contain spills. It’s also available in a stylish stainless-steel finish.

Hotpoint RGB745WEH[WW], $550
If you prefer a gas range, the 30-inch gas freestanding model Hotpoint offers the most performance for the money. Features include one high-power and one low-power burner, five oven-rack positions, and steel grates.

Use our buying advice and gas and electric range Ratings to see how the tested ranges boiled, simmered, baked, and broiled.

Best microwaves to heat up tasty leftovers the day after
Kenmore (Sears) 6325[2], $110
This space-efficient countertop model is easy to use and excelled in our defrosting test. Its 1.2-cu –ft. capacity make it ideal for thawing a medium-sized holiday bird. Detailed prompts for automated functions are a welcome aid when it comes to a potluck meal made from holiday leftovers.

LG LMV2053[ST], $300
This 2.0-cu.-ft., 1,100-watt model is a very good overall over-the-range oven that’s also a good value. Features include sensor cooking, auto defrost and touchpad controls, and a wire rack. It scored very good at heating evenness and ease of use, excellent at defrosting.

Read our latest report and use our buying advice and Ratings to find the best model for your kitchen.

Best coffeemaker or espresso maker to create a quality cup of joe
Black & Decker SmartBrew DCM2500, $35
This Black & Decker coffeemaker excelled in our tests. Features include a glass carafe and a setting that allows you to set the time the coffee starts brewing—a nice touch if you need that aroma to pop your family out of the turkey fatigue.

Nespresso Essenza C100, $230
If you want a tasty cup of espresso with minimal hassle, the Nespresso C100 (shown) is the machine to buy. While it's relatively inexpensive for a pump-style model, you will have to buy the company's coffee capsules. But, because you don't have loose grounds or filter holders, cleanup is a snap.

Learn more about coffeemakers and espresso machines and see our Ratings of drip, pod, and espresso models.

Best dishwasher to clean party plates and dishes
Kenmore (Sears) 1373[2], $580
This midpriced Kenmore provides excellent cleaning, flexible loading, and quiet running. It also managed to handle our most rigorous test (baked-on brownie mix) well with its normal cycle. That takes the worry and the work out of busy holiday dinners when you don’t have time to load the dishwasher right after the big meal. See our buying advice and read the latest news in “Models that carry the load.” Our Ratings list dozens of models.

Best vacuum cleaners to tidy up after they’ve all gone home
Kenmore (Sears) Progressive With Direct Drive 35922, $300
This all-purpose upright model excelled at cleaning carpets and bare floors, pet-hair pickup, and our emissions test. It’s also good at cleaning with tools, a handy extra for eliminating hard to reach crumbs, pine needles and tinsel.

Kenmore (Sears) Progressive 27514, $300
This canister model is very good at cleaning carpet and excellent at cleaning bare floors. It excelled at keeping emissions low and was very good at picking up pet hair.

Read “Cleaning vs. Allergy Claims” for the latest information on vacuums then use our buying advice and Ratings of uprights and canisters.

Tip of the day: Use your small appliances during the holidays

While your dishwasher, refrigerator, and oven and cooktop (or range) are likely to be the workhorses in your kitchen this holiday season, your countertop appliances can be real work savers. To get the most from this gear, follow these tips from Katherine Alford, test kitchen director for Food Network Kitchens.

Note: If you’re in the market for new countertop appliances, use our free buying advice for each product (listed below). Ratings are available to subscribers.—Kimberly Janeway

Coffeemaker
• To make a great cup of brewed coffee, buy high-quality beans and grind them right before you make the coffee.
• Don’t make too much coffee at a time. After about 15 to 20 minutes, coffee can lose flavor and become bitter.
• If your coffeemaker has a thermal carafe, warm the vessel before you brew by pouring hot water into it. (Pour out the water before you make the coffee.)

Learn how to choose a coffeemaker. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you. Also read our review of espresso makers.

Food processor and blender
• Use the feed tube on your food processor to make emulsified sauces, such as salad dressing or mayonnaise.
• If you’re making a pie from scratch, use the processor to make the crust—the blade is ideal for this task. Note that the sealed container of a food processor means this appliance isn’t good for whipping cream.
• Chop whole fruits and vegetables into chunks before you place them in the processor.
• When chopping nuts in a food processor, use the pulse button; otherwise, the nuts might get oily.
• When using a blender, put the liquids in first, then add the solids. The mixture will move around the blades more easily.
• Before you turn on a blender when pureeing hot foods, hold down the lid. Heat and pressure could build inside the carafe and explode—onto you and all over your kitchen.

Learn how to choose a food processor and blender. Then check our Ratings of food processors and blenders to find the models that are right for you. Try our tasty recipes you can make with a food processor, which were created by a Culinary Institute of America graduate. They’re ideal for the holidays.

Kitchen knives
High-quality knives are expensive but can last a lifetime if you take care of them.
• Store knives in a knife roll or block or on a wall magnet.
• Wash knives by hand in warm, soapy water. The water pressure of a dishwasher can dull the blade and he high temperatures can damages a wood handle.

Learn how to choose kitchen knives. Then check our Ratings to find the knives that are right for you.

Microwave
• Use the microwave to melt butter or chocolate when baking. Cover butter so it doesn’t spatter. Put chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Melt it at 50 percent power until soft—about one minute. Stir the chocolate,  then continue microwaving until it’s completely melted, about one to two minutes.
• Instead of roasting garlic in the oven, do the job in your microwave—you’ll get the same soft texture in a small fraction of the time. Break the head of garlic into individual cloves. Pierce the skin with a knife but leave intact. Place the garlic in a bowl, cover, and microwave until soft, about 30 seconds.

Learn how to choose a microwave oven. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you.

Toaster oven
• Don’t overfill your oven when using it to cook. Moisture can build up in the oven if you place too much food in it. That might be good for keeping fish moist or warming bread and rolls, but not if you want your roast chicken to be crisp, for example.
• Use your toaster oven to bake a small batch of frozen cookies—perhaps your own homemade dough—for an afternoon snack or dessert or when guests come by unannounced during the holidays.

Learn how to choose a toaster. Then check our Ratings to find the model that’s right for you.

Black Friday sales for the home

Sales the day after Thanksgiving—Black Friday—can mean big savings on home items both big and small. Whether you’re talking tools, appliances, or home furnishings, deals are available at the major retail stores as the end-of-year holidays approach.

While Consumer Reports has not tested many of the products listed here, our free buying advice (listed with each section) can help you make wise shopping decisions. Also check out our all-star appliances and kitchen gear, and be a smart shopper when you’re looking for new kitchen and laundry appliances.

Check local store locations for product availability, and note that prices and models are subject to change. (Prices have been rounded up to the nearest dollar.)

For more information on Black Friday deals, visit Black Friday 2007.—Helen A.S. Popkin

• Blenders & Mixers
• Coffeemakers
• Cookware & Cutlery
• Dishwashers
• Food Processors
• Gas & Electric Grills
• Heating, Cooling & Air
• Mattresses & Mattress Toppers
• Microwaves
• Ranges, Cooktops & Ovens
• Refrigerators
• Sewing Machines
• Steam Irons
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Tools & Power Equipment
• Vacuum Cleaners, Wet/Dry Vacs
• Washers & Dryers
• Wine Chillers