What's new in Consumer Reports: Home content from the December 2009 issue

The December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports is loaded with coverage of items that will make practical gifts or spectacular additions to any household. (Some items below are available only to subscribers.)

Low-cost, high-performing coffeemakers. We found excellent coffeemakers that cost $20, $40, and $70; the top-rated model topped out at $100. And for $80, you can buy an excellent brew-station type that lets you fill cups directly from the machine.

Lack of versatility dogs pet-hair vacuums. Many vacuums are specifically marketed as the solution to pet-hair problems, but we found none provided a universal panacea. Instead, two mainstream Hoover models stood out for being excellent against pet hair, very good on bare floors, and excellent at cleaning carpets and limiting emissions.

Microwaves that do more. Want convection and speed cook modes? Countertop models from Kenmore and newcomer-to-the-field Cuisinart and an over- the-range model from Samsung offer both; the Cusinart and Samsung also offer grill modes for a taste of summer during the cold months. We also took a look at the innovative Sharp SuperSteam Oven AX-1200[K].

Ranges that make the grade. Induction models are hot, but our tested ones remain pricey at $3,000. Instead, we found four under-$800 ranges from Kenmore and GE that outscored pricier ranges from Dacor and Viking. Move up to the $1,500-to-$2,000 price point, and you'll get a range with a second oven or cooking drawer.

Paper towels in store. Our tests confirmed a similar trend among foods, where store brands outperformed national brands. So you might want to pick some up when you're buying wrapping paper. We also found something for greens to celebrate: One brand of recycled paper performed very well overall. Watch the video on how we test paper towels (above).

Light's (you should toss) out. Discard holiday lights after three seasons. Here's a checklist of things to look for and safe practices to follow when hanging holiday lights.

Technivorm Moccamaster KBT-741 makes great coffee but isn't a perfect machine

Being able to take home a coffeemaker that we're testing for a report on these appliances is among the, um, perks of my job. I recently got to use the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT-741, a $265 machine that's a favorite of many coffee aficionados.

But for all its prowess at achieving the prime temperature the vital for great brewing—195° to 205°F, held for six minutes—during our ongoing testing for an upcoming report on coffeemakers, the 10-cup Moccamaster KBT-741 hasn't impressed when it comes to convenience or carafe handling. Granted, extracting the most flavor from coffee is what matters most, but given the price of this coffeemaker, shouldn't it also be easy to use?

I recently used the Moccamaster KBT-741, made in the Netherlands, at home for a weekend. To my untrained palate, there was a noticeable difference between the coffee my machine brews and that from the Technivorm. Especially when I ground the beans immediately before brewing, the Technivorm delivered a cup of coffee that demanded I sit down, sit still, and do nothing else but savor it.

That said, I also encountered the same problems our testers have seen. What hung me up first was the protection designed to keep you from brewing without the thermal carafe in place. Most coffeemakers have a similar feature, which also lets you pour a cup midbrew. But on this Moccamaster, the brew stop comes in two parts: a button that gets pressed when you push the carafe all the way to the left and a switch on the filter holder that can halt the release of brewed coffee. Position the carafe an eighth of an inch off from the button, and no water will reach the coffee. Press the button without the filter-holder switch in its proper position, and brewing coffee will collect in the filter basket. Fortunately, the two times this happened, I was making only enough for a tall mug.

Also, after making coffee seven times, I also wasn't quite sure about the amount of water required to brew, since the lines on the reservoir didn't correspond to how much coffee I brewed—even after accounting for some evaporation and absorption into the grounds. After I looked at other coffeemakers, I realized that this Technivorm is hardly alone in the disconnect between water in and coffee out. The lesson? When brewing less than a full pot, you need to experiment to get the right amount of water.

As much as I enjoyed the coffee I made with the Technivorm, I can't justify springing for it. That leaves me with my current machine, which looks nice on the counter and does a fine job with decent beans. But I'll miss the coffee that the Moccamaster makes.

So to my colleagues, if I'm not in my office any morning next week, you might find me "testing" the Moccamaster in our labs. Just follow the coffee aroma.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our buyer's guide to coffeemakers, which includes ratings of drip and pod models and espresso makers. And read our latest report on coffee. Ratings and report available to subscribers.

Of soccer and coffee: Save money on coffee by skipping the fancy stuff

Maybe this over-the-top youth-soccer coach should have gone with the decaf.

Last week, before the start of the current soccer season, Michael Kinahan sent out an e-mail to parents of the girls' soccer team he was coaching in Scituate, Massachusetts. But it wasn't the usual rah-rah, we're-gonna-have-a-fun-season note.

Instead, in what Kinahan said was "largely (albeit not completely) meant in jest," according to The Patriot Ledger, he wrote parents all manner of outlandish comments about the team he called "Green Death," including:

• "We do not cater to superstars, but prefer the gritty determination of journeymen who bring their lunch pail to work every week, chase every ball and dig in corners like a Michael Vick pit bull."

• "The kids will run, they will fall, get bumps, bruises and even bleed a little. Big deal, it's good for them (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding)."

• "And speaking of meat, I expect that the ladies be put on a diet of fish, undercooked red meat and lots of veggies. No junk food."

Read the rest of the e-mail on Deadspin.com.

Some parents and the Scituate Youth Soccer League weren't amused, and Kinahan resigned. Perhaps those parents were offended because Kinahan implored them to not be "yuppies who sit on the sidelines in their L.L. Bean chairs sipping mocha-latte-half-caf-chinos while discussing reality TV."

In the spirit of Kinahan's coffee commentary, we'd recommend that Scituate parents check out our report on ground 100 percent Colombian coffees (available to subscribers). In the caffeinated category, we found that Eight O'Clock Coffee 100% Colombian served up the best combination of taste and price. And given its modest cost—only 15 cents per cup—it's definitely less pricey than a coffeehouse concoction.—Kimberly Janeway e-mail | Twitter

Essential information: Find the best coffeemaker to brew your favorite coffee. And watch our video on coffee grinders (right).

Forum Friday: Top forums in recent weeks

Washing machines: This has been the most popular appliances forum recently, with the least-repair-prone front-loading washer and LG washer smell among the hottest discussions. These topics have emerged as our other top forums.

Vacuums: Vacuum aficionados have been posting in our best vacuums topic, while picks and pans of deep and steam cleaners have drawn numerous reviews.

Refrigerators: A newer French-door refrigerator discussion has sprung up to replace the old discussion on the same topic, along with a call for the quietest refrigerator.

Mattresses: The hottest non-appliance forum has many folks chatting about latex mattresses. And thanks to the member who posted the last word on how to buy a mattress.

Dishwashers: The I love my dishwasher discussion continues with passionate posts. Can top one member’s tale of her 24-year-old dishwasher?

Central heat/air conditioning: Cold weather and energy prices probably stoked discussions, like Which gas furnace should I buy?, which ranks as our most viewed discussion. We're looking forward to responses to a member's call for opinions on integrated heating and hot-water systems.

Ranges: These kitchen appliances have seen more activity as the holiday-cooking season kicked off and Consumer Reports published new ratings. The pros and cons of induction cooking is especially useful.

Small appliances: Coffeemakers dominate here. As detailed in a recent Forum Friday, numerous threads are percolating away in the wake of our latest review of coffeemakers.

Dryers: You’ll find numerous discussions of particular brands and some interesting exchanges on ventless condensation dryers and ways to prevent clothes and sheets from “balling.”

While it didn't crack the Top 10 in traffic, the energy saving in your home forum has had some wonderful insights to put more green in your holidays.

Forum Friday: Coffeemaker reviews with unlimited refills!

Recent Forum Fridays have focused on savvy strategies to fix festive dinners and host holiday guests. But if your otherwise perfect Thanksgiving dinner was marred by a poor postprandial pot of coffee, you can turn to our latest report and review of coffeemakers and always active and accessible small-appliance forum to pick a capable model in time for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa dinners.

Bunn, Mr. Coffee, and Krups coffeemakers have garnered some impressive testimonials in the busy opinions on automatic coffeemakers thread, while dedicated discussions are already under way about the CR Best Buy Hamilton Beach Brew Station 47454 and the Cuisinart Grind and Brew models.

There are some recurring complaints about leakage with the Black & Decker SmartBrew DCM2000, and some forum participants have expressed similar issues with a Hamilton Beach model.

There’s also a spirited discussion of pod coffeemakers, and other members are opining about the possible lead content of plastic coffeemakers. Other discussions center around the advantages of easily replaceable carafes and white-colored coffeemakers and advice for which grinder to buy.

Take a few minutes to brew up an opinion about your current model.

End-of-year deals on top performers

Discounted prices on many home appliances abound at this time of year, but a discount alone doesn't make a product a good deal—you need solid performance, too. The following high-scoring items from our tests are on sale at national retailers:

One of our sharp-eyed market analysts tipped us off to a timely sale on the Kenmore Progressive With Direct Drive 35923 vacuum, similar to the 35922, which sits atop our ratings. This upright is now sale through December 6 at Sears for $230. "That's $120 off its regular retail and the lowest price I've seen on it,” wrote our analyst.

Costco is offering Cyber Monday prices on dozens of products. The Whirlpool Duet front-loading washer and dryer set with pedestals are on sale for $1,750; our reviews of the similar WFW8300S[W] washer and WED8500S[R] dryer (available to subscribers) can help you decide whether this laundry combo is right for you.

Kohl’s is promoting 45 percent off many cookware sets we've reviewed until December 6. And the Cuisinart DCC-1200, which topped our latest report on automatic drip coffeemakers, is marked down to $80.

At the Home Depot, sales continue on cordless drills, gas grills, and ceiling fans.

Essential information: Learn more about vacuums, washing machines, and dryers. Then read our survey-based report on finding the best appliance deals.

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.