In this turkey trot, TurboChef is faster than Electrolux Wave-Touch range and NuWave oven

As cooking appliances get faster, records continue to fall in our labs. The video (right) shows how the TurboChef 30" Double Wall Speedcook oven, using "Airspeed Technology," cranked out a nicely browned 13-pound turkey in a record 53 minutes. So if time is really of the essence—you'll have to shell out about $8,000 for a TurboChef—this dual oven could be for you.

No oven or range we've tested is as fast as the TurboChef, though the Electrolux Wave-Touch smoothtop electric range wasn't that far off—and costs about $6,000 less. With its Perfect Turkey setting that uses a meat probe to measure the internal temperature and adjust cooking time, it produced a juicy, 13-pound bird in 98 minutes, about half the time of most other electric ranges.

If you're on a much tighter budget, consider the $150 NuWave Pro Infrared Oven. Using direct heating, convection, and infrared cooking, in two hours it made a 10-pound turkey that was tasty and juicy with a moist interior, albeit a little bit overdone toward the outside. The NuWave oven is available with an extender ring that allows you to cook larger turkeys. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Our recent post on Thanksgiving planning looked at grilling, deep-frying, and smoking turkey. Check out our new report on national brands of turkey stuffings and watch our video on carving a turkey. With Black Friday coming up, stay on top of the shopping deals by reading Tightwad Tod on our Money blog.

Tip of the Day: Find the right wines to serve for Thanksgiving and the holidays

Do a Web search for "best wines for Thanksgiving"—or "for Christmas" or "for the holidays"—and you'll find an overwhelming number of results, and some of that information might prove more confusing than edifying.

Wine choices for Thanksgiving and end-of-year celebrations are all over the map. Some folks swear by a robust Zinfandel for turkey dinners; others think a versatile Riesling is right for holiday repasts.

Whether you're an oenophile with your go-to favorites and a sense of adventure or a novice looking for some solid wine advice, we can't predict which wines you'll like. But as you'll see in our new "Holiday Wine Bargains," there are plenty of reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Zinfandel) and whites (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc) that will enhance your holiday meals without breaking your budget.

Before you head to the store to shop, visit our wine buyer's guide for shopping tips and a wine glossary as well as expert advice on proper serving temperatures for wine and suggested food pairings. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Keep your wine in tiptop shape by storing it in a wine refrigerator/cellar and find the best corkscrews to open your bottles.

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.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Review of the Sharp SuperSteam Oven AX-1200[K]

Sharp says that its SuperSteam Oven AX-1200[K], $900, can cook food in four different modes—microwave, steam, convection, and SuperSteam convection—and deliver healthful meals without compromising taste.

Using the steam mode on this countertop microwave, which can also work in a built-in application, we found that the Sharp did a good job cooking mussels, while steaming in a conventional microwave oven turned the mussels chewy. This oven draws the water for steam from an integral refillable reservoir.

The SuperSteam convection mode delivered a dish of pork loin with vegetables that was steamed and tasted like it. Cooking the same food using this Sharp's convection mode took about the same time as the SuperSteam mode and produced better-tasting, nicely browned food.

In traditional microwave mode, the Sharp was very good at evenly heating food and defrosting, though with only 700 watts of power, it was the slowest microwave we tested among more than five dozen models. This microwave was also relatively noisy. The Sharp has 43 preprogrammed settings and a sensor that automatically shuts off the oven when food is ready. Unlike most microwaves, it lacks a turntable.

Sharp touts the AX-1200[K]'s "unique combination of the healthiest ways to cook," but you can steam food in any microwave. Wrap the food in wet paper towels or place it in a microwaveable glass dish and cover or use microwave steam bags. To keep the calorie and fat count down, don't add fats and sauces before or after cooking.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Look for our new report on microwave ovens in the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands today. Also check out our buyer's guide to microwaves (ratings available to subscribers) and watch this video on shopping for a microwave.

When a "refrigerator" might not actually refrigerate

Interesting item on the Consumer Ally page over at WalletPop about a 1.7-cubic-foot compact "refrigerator" sold by Sears. Wondering why there are quotes around the word "refrigerator"? According to the post, the "Galaxy White 1.7 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator" (model #91772), which Sears calls a "thermoelectric refrigerator [that] chills your food without noise and vibration" and describes as having "no harmful refrigerants," isn't really a refrigerator after all.

Consumer Ally writer Mitch Lipka notes that a complaint he received from a consumer about this compact appliance "brought to the surface issues with the idea that this is really not a refrigerator. It's really a place to keep your lunch or a soda cold for a while. Purchasers, even on Sears' own site, shared concerns for its lack of cooling power."

Check out the rest of this story on Consumer Ally, a good read by Lipka, the Boston Globe's Consumer Alert columnist.

And if you're in the market for a compact refrigerator for home, work, or a college dorm, use our free buyer's guide to these appliances. Remember, the largest compacts we tested hold only about one-quarter as much as a typical full-sized refrigerator; the smallest hold one-tenth as much. And none were tops at both refrigerating and freezing.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: See our ratings of compact refrigerators (available to subscribers) to find the right model for your needs. And learn about the federal government's $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, also known as cash for clunkers for appliances.

By the Numbers: Home improvement spending could turn the corner in early 2010, says Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies

$107.6 billion

Projected annual spending on home improvement by the second quarter of 2010, an 8.9 percent decline from a year earlier, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity index from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

While the projected home-improvement spending for 2010 is down $38.6 billion from what U.S. consumes spent three years ago, it might mark the beginning of an upturn in the remodeling market, according the JCHS: The second-quarter projected annual spending is up from the $105 billion and $105.5 billion projections for the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, respectively. (The chart shows the trend line since 2007, merging actual spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau with LIRA projections.)

"Remodeling spending by homeowners shows early signs of stabilization. While the housing recovery has been erratic, a strengthening economy could produce spending increases on home-improvement projects by the second quarter of next year," said JCHS Director Nicolas P. Retsinas in a release.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're planning a remodel, use our Home Improvement Guide, a room-by-room interactive with information on appliances and other home products, and our Kitchen-Planning Guide. And before you buy new appliances, check out our FAQ about the $300 million cash for clunkers for appliances rebate program.

Buzzword: Clunkernomics

What it means? This mashup of clunker and economics is inspired by the 2005 book Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. The most notable example of clunkernomics is the Car Allowance Rebate Program, or cash for clunkers, which spurred car sales over its run last summer.

Why the buzz? Cash for clunkers has plenty of imitators in programs whose model consists of consumers trading in an old product for a new, presumably more-efficient, one. One next-gen example of clunkernomics is the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The federal government’s cash for clunkers for appliances initiative, details of which are still being worked out by the U.S. Department of Energy, will give you a rebate of up to $250 per appliance on the purchase Energy Star-qualified models. Note: You likely won’t have to trade in your old dishwasher, refrigerator, or washing machine when you buy a new one.

Private enterprise is dipping its toes into clunkernomics, too, including a program centered around lighting. Philadelphia-based LED Saving Solutions announced last week that it will offer a $10 rebate per lightbulb for high-efficiency LED bulbs. “We see this initiative as a way to take the momentum created by the federal government to a new level and make a dramatic impact in our collective goal to make America more energy independent,” said Charlie Szoradi, president of LED Saving Solutions.

As clunkernomics expands, perhaps “clunker hangover” will set in, and maybe the cash-for-clunkers model has jumped the shark. After all even a New York City FM-radio station has its own clunkers deal. The WPLJ Web site says, “The government thinks a clunker is an old beat up gas guzzler. But here at ‘PLJ a clunker is a terrible song that somehow became a hit!” After a clunker airs, the 25th caller wins $5,000. Recent musical clunkers include “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin and “We Built This City,” by Jefferson Starship.

But Jack Hidary, the chairman of SmartTransportation.org who is credited as being the driver behind the automotive version of cash for clunkers, isn’t concerned. “I’m happy about all the copycats,” he says. “Let’s move our country away from rampant consumerism to a focus on the utility and the efficiency of products.”—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: When you're ready to replace you're appliances, be sure to check out the free buying guides on our appliances hub and learn about the best places to buy appliances. Save up to $1,500 on your annual utility bills, read our reports on pellet stoves and solar water heaters, and find out which compact fluorescent lightbulbs top our ratings (available to subscribers).

During Fire Prevention Week 2009, get smart about kitchen fires

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and most of these fires occur when someone leaves food cooking unattended. Fire Prevention Week 2009, which runs through Saturday, October 10, is a good time to review cooking safety (watch the video, right) and fire safety in general, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit standard-setting organization.

Look for our new report on smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms in the November 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands later today.

When you're cooking:
• Stay in the kitchen whenever you fry or broil food. When boiling or baking, check the food regularly and set a timer.
• Use back burners if you have young children. Enforce a kids-free-zone of at least 3 feet from the stove. Learn how to childproof your stove.
• Extinguish a small stovetop pan fire by placing a lid on pan and turning off the burner; be sure to wear an oven mitt. Do not pour water on a grease fire or use a fire extinguisher on a pan fire.
• Turn off the oven immediately and keep the oven door closed if there's an oven fire.
    
If you get a burn or scald, treat the area immediately by submerging it in cool water for 3 to 5 minutes, then cover the spot with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away if the burn is bigger than your fist, and keep clothes, jewelry, and any metal off the area. Check out our expert advice on dealing with burns and scalds on ConsumerReportsHealth.org.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Set up or practice your fire-escape plan.

By the Numbers: U.S. consumers adopting some greener behaviors

83 percent

Americans who said they always run the dishwasher with a full load, according to a May 2009 nationally representative survey of 2,014 adults. The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, focused on energy-saving practices.

"Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat water. So fill your dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it," says Christina Kielich, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Energy.

While running a full load is widespread behavior, only 10 percent of respondents said they're not rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher. That's a water- and energy-wasting step that costs people real money. As Consumer Reports and most dishwasher manufacturers advise, it's not necessary to prerinse dishes before a cycle; just scrape off any food from the dishes. Read our advice on the best way to load a dishwasher and check out our buyer's guide to dishwashers.

That wasteful move is surprising considering that less-expensive energy-saving measures seem to appeal to Americans these days. Indeed, only 3 percent of survey said they are using solar, wind, or geothermal energy systems, which have high up-front costs and, potentially, long payback periods. Still, 40 percent of respondents say they'll buy a green product even if it costs more.

Many of the newest dishwashers in our continuously updated ratings and latest report on these appliances (available to subscribers) use less water and electricity than their predecessors. Some tested models consume about 3 gallons per load, while thirsty models drink up to 12 gallons. New federal regulations taking effect on January 1, 2010, limit all dishwashers to a maximum of 6.5 gallons for the normal cycle; Energy Star-qualified models use even less water.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Our Energy Saving & Green Living guide features many easy ways to cut energy bills. Stay tuned for new details on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, or cash for clunkers for appliances, and take advantage of existing incentives on Energy Star-qualified appliances.

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.