Kitchen/Bath Industry Show Product Preview: Diva 365 induction range

In our tests, induction cooktops have proved themselves, having broken our speed record for boiling water and simmered sauce flawlessly. What’s more, the magnetic field, which does the cooking on these cooktops, sends nearly all of its heat to the pot or pan, so the cooking surface remains relatively cool, a safety plus.

The new Diva 365 induction range, among the first on the market, is a 36-inch stainless-steel appliance with five induction elements—one large, 4,000-watt “Super Burner”; two 3,000-watt side burners; and two 2,000-watt versions for small pots and lower-heat simmering. (Watch our video, right.)

The 365 comes with a premium price tag: $8,950. Note that the range also requires two 220-volt circuits.—Bob Markovich

Essential information: See our Cooktops and Wall Ovens product page for detailed information on gas and electric cooktops, and learn more about induction models. If you’re in the market for a cooktop, use our buying advice to find the best model, including detailed information on important cooktop features. Before you shop, refer to our Ratings of gas and electric models, available to subscribers.

Proposed settlement in Sears ranges tip-over class action

Sears, the largest appliance retailer in the United States, has agreed to address a dangerous home hazard under a proposed settlement of the Charles Parker, et. al., v. Sears, Roebuck and Co. class action. Over the past seven years, Sears installers had failed to secure millions of freestanding gas and electric ranges with a bracket to keep the stoves from tipping over when weight is applied to an open oven door.

If you own a freestanding or slide-in range that you bought at Sears and for which you paid for delivery and installation between July 2, 2000, and  September 18, 2007, read this item from the Consumer Reports Safety blog. And for more information on the settlement, go to the settlement Web site.

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new range, read our buying advice and latest report.

Struggling Sears mulls selling its brands at other retailers

Two thousand and eight is a leap year. For Sears, which on February 28, 2008, announced a 47 percent decline in 2007 fourth-quarter net earnings on a 6.8 percent sales drop, a different kind of leaping could be on the horizon.

The Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based Sears announced that it’s considering selling some of its biggest brands—Craftsman, DieHard, Kenmore, and Lands’ End—through retailers beyond its nearly 3,800 U.S. and Canadian stores. (Read the entire press release from Sears.)

“One of our most important resources is the great brands we own, in particular DieHard, Craftsman, Kenmore, and Lands’ End,” said Sears Chairman Edward S. Lampert in a letter to shareholders. “All four of these brands have significant equity with customers and provide tremendous opportunity for value creation.” Lampert went on to explain that DieHard “leads in customer recognition among car battery brands by a wide margin, but it lags dramatically in market share . . . due to fewer points of distribution.” The move to sell Sears brands through other retailers “is an opportunity for us to rethink our brand distribution strategy to create value,” said Lampert.

The announcement is yet another sign of the reeling U.S. economy and points to tougher times for Sears, whose shares were down almost 5 percent in trading on February 29. The good news: The presence of Sears brands at other retailers could be a boon for appliance and outdoor-power-equipment shoppers who don’t live near a Sears store, since Kenmore and Craftsman products consistently get high scores in our Ratings of major appliances and outdoor gear.

Should Sears cross that threshold, it will be some time before its Craftsman, DieHard, Kenmore, and Lands’ End products appear in other places.

For now, you might have to drive the extra distance to a Sears or even to a Kmart store, where some Sears products are sold. If you’re lucky, any deal you get won’t be guzzled up by the rising price of gasoline.

Below we’ve highlighted a few notable performers sold by Sears. You’ll find the latest reports and Ratings for all appliances and outdoor power equipment on our main Appliances and Tools & Power Equipment pages. Note that Kenmore appliances and Craftsman mowers and lawn tractors have tended to be reliable, based on responses to the Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Laundry appliances:
The Kenmore Elite HE5t Steam 4778[1], $1,600 (shown), and Elite HE5t 4708[1], $1,300, front-loading washers were among the top-rated machines in our latest report. The Kenmore Elite Oasis 6706[2], $800, and Elite Oasis 6703[2], $700, dryers notched excellent scores in our latest tests. Ratings of washing machines and dryers are available to subscribers.

Kitchen appliances:
Four Kenmore dishwashers were among the top six scorers in our latest tests of dishwashers: Kenmore1374[2], $650; Elite 1378[2], $1,000; Elite UltraWash HE 1315[2], $1,100; and Elite UltraWash HE 1312[2], $900.

Two Kenmore 30-inch electric smoothtop ranges—9641[2], $750, and 9611[2], $580—are among the best performers in our latest report.

The Kenmore Elite 5896[2] side-by-side refrigerator scored highly in our Ratings.

Ratings of dishwashers, electric ranges, and side-by-side refrigerators are available to subscribers.

Outdoor power equipment:
Sears also rides high in lawn tractors. The 46-inch Craftsman 28724, $1,600, and the 54-inch Craftsman 27690, $2,000, are among our top-rated tractors and also among the lowest-priced tractors we've tested. Learn how to choose a lawn tractor and see our Ratings of tractors for more information.—Daniel DiClerico

Buzzword: Neuroeconomics

What does it mean? Neuroeconomics is “the study of how the brain makes decisions, specifically decisions related to resource allocation,” explains Brian Knutson, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Stanford University. Knutson and his peers rely on brain-imaging technology to measure people’s thoughts and emotions during the economic decision-making process. (Read more about their work in “Neural Predictors of Purchases,” published in the journal Neuron.)

While the science neuroeconomics is relatively new, researchers have already come up with some intriguing insights into why we buy the things we buy. A study by researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Stanford University, for example, used wine to demonstrate how marketing and pricing can influence product perceptions. The study concluded that volunteers not only liked the taste of what they believed to be the more-expensive wines but some of them also reported that those pricier bottles made them happier. (The study paper, "Marketing Actions Can Modulate Neural Representations of Experienced Pleasantness," appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.)

Why the buzz? The Consumer Reports laboratories aren’t equipped with brain scanners. Still, by extension, neuroeconomics does factor into our work. Consider kitchen ranges. In recent years, pro-style ranges have turned into status symbols for the home, veritable must-haves in luxury kitchens. Yet as our tests indicate, these expensive appliances, like the one shown, don’t necessarily outperform mainstream ranges even though they cost at least twice as much.

Why then would someone buy a pro-style range? If neuroeconomists are right, it could be that range owners don’t notice the deficiencies of their appliance. Having paid top dollar, they believe their range is broiling steaks and simmering sauces to perfection. (A second—dare I say more cynical—explanation is that the range is there only to add value to the house or to impress the neighbors, so consumers accept any shortcomings.)

As compelling a field as neuroeconomics is, we’ll keep preaching the value of research-based buying decisions, especially when it comes to major appliances. You won’t need a brain scan to measure your frustration when your range goes on the fritz a week before the start of the holidays.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Read more about neuroeconomics in “Mind Games,” by John Cassidy, in The New Yorker.

International Builders' Show Product Preview: Whirlpool SteamClean Ranges

When it comes to appliances, steam is, well, hot. We’ve recently tested washers, dryers, and dishwashers with steam modes. (Steam-mode improvements ranged from barely to noticeably better than the cycles we regularly test. But other nonsteam cycles might also perform better as well, as we found on this LG dishwasher, for example.) Whirlpool is the latest appliance maker to unveil a steam-equipped product, launching new electric ranges in September.

Whirlpool claims the SteamClean cycle on its ranges will clean grime off the oven interior and that routine use of the new feature will eliminate having to run the self-cleaning cycle. To run a SteamClean cycle, you pour 12 ounces of water onto a tray at the bottom of the oven, close the door, and push a button. After 20 minutes, according to the manufacturer, you simply wipe the oven clean. The SteamClean ranges will cost $700 and up.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new range, read our buying advice and latest report.

Buzzword: Algorithm

What does it mean? An algorithm is a step-by-step process for solving a given task. The term derives from Persian mathematician Mohammad ibn-Musa al-Khwarizmi (780-850), who’s considered the father of algebra. In a modern context, algorithms are often associated with computer programmers, who use them to tell the machines not just what to do but also how to do it. Google, for example, uses algorithmic techniques to establish PageRanks, which in term determine which sites pop up when you search a term or phrase.

Why the buzz? At Consumer Reports, we’re increasingly encountering the term algorithm in reference to smart appliances: dryers that know when loads are dry, refrigerators that can self-regulate their temperature, and dishwashers that sense when dishes are done. (You can bet the dishwasher shown, from a 1952 Consumer Reports article, did not feature such gadgetry.)

This leap forward in appliance design started years ago when electronic controls replaced mechanical ones. On a range, mechanical controls limited you to turning on the appliance and setting its temperature. You had to make any subsequent adjustments on your own—say, turning down the temperature during the cooking process. More-sophisticated electronic controls have allowed manufacturers to develop software settings based on an understanding of how food reacts at different temperatures.

The pizza setting on two new GE Profile electric smoothtop ranges, for instance, use algorithms to distinguish between fresh and frozen pizzas so the cheese melts evenly without burning the crust. Those same ovens have a slow-cook mode that uses algorithms. “With slow cooking, you can’t just put the oven at 180°F and leave it there,” explains Brian Steurer, systems manager at GE for free-standing electric ranges. “If it’s a beef dish, you first have to raise the temperature to break down the collagen. Then you gradually lower the temperature to tenderize the meat without boiling away the moisture.”

“Algorithms are a good thing if they do what you want them to,” says Robert Karpel, a project leader in our Tech department who handles appliances. But that’s not always the case. The soil sensors on some dishwashers misread dirt levels and increase wash time and water use even if the loads are only lightly soiled. In other tests, algorithmic settings prove no more sophisticated than standard settings: The pizza mode on those GE ovens, for instance, was only as effective as the conventional oven control.

We’re not suggesting you avoid algorithmic bells and whistles, but don’t base a purchase on them—you might end up spending more for no noticeable performance enhancement. Instead, read our reports and Ratings of washers and dryers, ranges, and dishwashers. If a feature ends up saving you time or does a better job at a given task, so much the better.—Daniel DiClerico

A dual-oven range could be your Super Bowl (party) MVP

As we noted in our February 2008 report on ranges, in 1999 the Maytag Gemini became the first range to feature a dual oven. GE has now adopted the technology, offering it on two of its newest Profile series electric smoothtop ranges, the PB970SM and PB975SM (shown).

Among the consumers GE hopes to woo with its double-oven ranges are busy families and empty nesters. A third group that might go for dual ovens: hosts of Super Bowl parties. In today’s bigger-is-better world, chips and salsa and delivery pizza won’t cut it—a proper title-game blowout calls for an array of hot and cold dishes.

A two-oven setup displays its championship pedigree by allowing you to prepare separate dishes at different temperatures at the same time. For example, you might keep your pregame-noshing chicken wings and homemade pizzas warm in the top oven while your chili and meatballs simmer away in the lower oven getting ready for first- and second-half devouring. (GE offers a “slow cook” mode on the lower oven, ideal for just these sorts of dishes; we have not tested this feature.)

Should you base your next range purchase on something so fleeting as a Super Bowl menu? Maybe not. Our Ratings of electric and gas/dual-fuel ranges, however, will help you find the best model for the way you cook.

• If you regularly bake, consider how a range’s oven scored on baking. The dual ovens on the GE ranges mentioned above are only good in that department.

• If you regularly simmer sauces, pay attention to the “cooktop low” score. Electric ranges do proportionally better than gas models in that category.

• If reliability is your top concern, refer to our brand repair history of electric and gas/dual-fuel ranges.—Daniel DiClerico

Microwave vs. Range Cooking: The juicy details

Microwave makers are increasingly hawking features like convection cooking, sensor settings, and auto-cook, which are designed to produce tastier food faster. Can a pricey, full-featured microwave oven serve up a roast chicken that's as crispy and juicy as one made in a traditional oven—€”and in less time?

To find out, we cooked 4-pound chickens in two appliances we've rated highly: the Kenmore (Sears) 94212 coil-top electric range, $500, and that brand's model 8082 over-the-range convection-equipped microwave, $630. In the electric oven, we cooked the chicken at 375°F. For the microwave, we used a microwave-convection combination setting.

It took the electric range (shown) an average of 72 minutes (including 15 minutes of preheating time) to cook the chicken to the 165°F temperature needed to kill bacteria. The microwave required an average of 45 minutes, with no preheating necessary. But at the end of the microwave's cooking cycle—which was supposed to run about 40 minutes—the internal temperature of the chicken had reached only 140° to 158°F in several tests. We had to add more time to finish cooking. (Always use a meat thermometer to verify that the proper temperature has been reached. See our January 2007 report for more information on dangerous bacteria in chicken.)

The microwave (shown) was a significant 27 minutes faster overall, and the latest models you'll find in stores can do a lot more than just reheat food or cook popcorn. But as you can see in the video below, the range-cooked chicken was crispier and browner on the outside and juicier within. In our cook-off, the range still ruled.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our latest ranges and microwaves reports and buying advice for ranges and microwaves. And take our microwave-safety quiz.

 

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.

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