Tip of the Day: Buy the best washing machine for your home

In our 2007 report on washing machines, some of the top-loading models were only so-so performers. But manufacturers made improvements to their models, as we found in our 2008 washers review.

If you're in the market for a new washing machine, watch our video (right) and read our latest report and buying advice.

Essential information: Follow our washing tips to get your clothes clean, learn about the best laundry detergents, and plan your new laundry room. And don’t forget to check out our new Home Improvement Guide interactive, which provides buying advice and more for appliances, tools, and building materials for every area of your home.

Tip of the Day: How to grill the perfect steak

A recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that 68 percent of U.S. consumers live in a household that grills outdoors. With the Independence Day holiday upon us, many of you will undoubtedly fire up your gas or charcoal grill to prepare a holiday meal for family and friends.

If steak is on your menu, follow these expert grilling tips from John Macchia, a senior laboratory technician in the Technical Division of Consumer Reports who studied at the Culinary Institute of America, and watch the video (right). And try our other delicious, easy-to-prepare grilling recipes.

If you’re in the market for a new grill, read our latest report to find the best gas grill for your home. Based on the recent ads we’ve seen, you might be able to get a good deal on a grill at the major home-improvement centers.

6 Steps to a Great Steak
• Use fresh beef that you've just bought or have refrigerated for up to three days. Do not use meat that has been frozen.

• Preheat your gas grill on high for at least 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates. Remember to keep the lid closed during preheating and as you cook.

• Trim excess fat from the steak. Then season the meat with freshly ground pepper and kosher or coarse salt, using a little more salt than usual since some will drip off during cooking.

• To get steakhouse-quality grill marks, place one end of the steak diagonal to the grates facing left (pointing to 10 o'clock). Then, without flipping the steak, move the end so that it now faces right (pointing to 2 o'clock). Flip the steak and repeat the previous two steps.

• Grill a boneless steak, such as rib-eye or sirloin, 1 to 11/2 inches thick, for 90 seconds for each step if you prefer rare meat. Grill a bone-in steak, like a porterhouse, for 2 minutes per step for rare. Add 30 seconds per step for medium-rare. Cook for 3 minutes per step for medium-well. Remove the steak from the grill.

• A meat thermometer should register 145º F for medium-rare, 160º F for medium, and 165º F for medium-well, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

You might have heard that charring your food can lead to the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. It’s not yet known how much HCAs might increase cancer risk in people, but there are ways to limit your exposure. Read "Don't Char the Meat" for more details.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: Use our Home Improvement Guide interactive to take a room-by-room tour of the top-rated appliances and most cost-effective improvements you can make to your home.

Q&A: Does it make sense to buy flood insurance?

I live in a coastal area. Should I buy flood insurance?

It doesn't take a Katrina-style coastal disaster to bring flood damage your way. Snowmelt repelled by frozen ground can cause flooding. New development can leave less soil surface to absorb water, making formerly safe homes suddenly vulnerable.

Yet a typical homeowners insurance policy won't cover those perils. You'll need separate flood insurance, which ranges in cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars a year, depending on coverage and risk levels.

"With most insurance, we say if there's any doubt, don't buy it," says Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America. "But in this case it's the opposite."

Learn more about flood insurance in this article on ConsumerReports.org and watch our video (right).

Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide offers practical advice  on dealing with weather-related situations.

Turn your bathroom into at-home retreat

Given the current depressed housing market, Americans are more likely to stay in their current homes than to move. But they’ll continue to pump money into their condos, town homes, and houses: U.S. consumers are expected to spend in excess of $170 billion on remodeling projects in 2008, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.

The bathroom remains one of the most commonly fixed-up rooms. One trend in recent years has seen bathrooms converted into getaway spaces as consumers bling out their baths with whirlpool tubs, steam and multihead showers, high-style sinks, faucets, counters, and flooring, and other fixtures and surfaces once found only in high-end hotels and resorts. And, of course, the bathroom has become a multimedia center just like the kitchen, as manufacturers add music and video to their bathroom gear.

At last week's 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, we saw of the latest bathroom offerings, including the Hansgrohe Pharo Showerpanel SkyLine,  the Brondell Swash Ecoseat toilet seat, and the SonicSplash audio option from Lasco. Learn about these and other products in our video (right), featuring Bob Markovich, Home editor of Consumer Reports.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: Use our expert advice when you’re shopping for a new toilet and refer to our Ratings (available to subscribers) to find the right model for your home. Also learn how to remodel a bathroom for less and avoid common project mistakes.

Bamboo is growing in the home

Consumer Reports has tested bamboo towels, bamboo flooring, and even bamboo plates, many touting the claimed green aspects of these products. And last week we saw all kinds of bamboo offerings at the 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, including Rio Grande Imports' Zoom bamboo bath sink, Totally Bamboo's bamboo countertop panels for kitchens and baths, and Teragren's Studio bamboo flooring.

Learn about the latest green-themed bamboo products in the video (right) featuring Bob Markovich, Home editor of Consumer Reports.

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.

Kitchen/Bath Industry Show Product Preview: Thomas’ Liquid Stainless Steel

Suppose you love your refrigerator, range, or dishwasher but really hate the bisque color you loved when you bought the appliance. Instead of replacing the appliance you can give it a makeover. Thomas' Kitchen Art Liquid Stainless Steel is designed to cover up an old finish with a stainless-steel look.

You can apply this brush-on finish yourself in a weekend, claims Thomas’. This two-part, water-based paint includes a base coat with micron-size flakes of real stainless steel and a clear-urethane topcoat for toughness, says the manufacturer. You can even use your refrigerator magnets once the paint has cured, according to Thomas’. (An after shot of a range is shown below left; the before of the same range is below right.)

The steps are straightforward:
• Prep the appliance surface by removing or masking handles and trim. Lightly rough-sand and clean the surface with window cleaner.
• Apply three light coats of the paint with a roller and smooth it with a foam brush, letting each coat dry about an hour before you apply the next one.

Liquid Stainless Steel works on painted and stainless finishes and can withstand heat up to 300°F on range tops, according to the manufacturer. The Fridge Kit, $40, is supposed to have enough paint for an average-size refrigerator, while the Range and Dishwasher Kit, $20, should handle both appliances. The kits are sold at hardware stores and some Home Depots. A spray-on version for faucets and other small items is on the way, says Thomas’.—Bob Markovich

Tip of the day: Get your lawn mower or tractor in shape for spring

Spring’s a great time of year, especially for us cold-weather-climate inhabitants, who are now emerging from winter hibernation. Greeting us are early-flowering bulbs, budding trees, and chirping birds. Add to that inviting tableau a lawn that needs attention.

Before you pull the start cord on your walk-behind mower or turn the key on your tractor and get your yard in shape, follow these equipment-maintenance tips from Peter Sawchuk (shown below at our Florida testing facility), Consumer Reports’ resident mower expert and watch our video (right) on the features to look for in a lawn mower.

Fuel: Start the season with fresh gasoline. Gasoline can deteriorate in as little as one month, loosing firing power, clogging up the carburetor, and making starting difficult if not impossible. If you have not already drained the fuel from the tank or used gasoline stabilizer last fall, empty out the old fuel. It’s a messy but important job.
• Tip: Add stabilizer to your fuel whenever you buy gasoline for your mower or tractor, not just at the end of the mowing season. This simple step will keep the fuel fresh all the time. Note that environmental additives in gasoline in some parts of the country can cause it to break down and form a “varnish” even after a short time, resulting in hard starting and an expensive carburetor cleaning.

Battery: Fully charge the battery on your tractor. The charging system on most lawn tractors is not capable of fully recharging a low battery. Periodically recharge your battery over the off-season, if you don’t it could fail sooner that it otherwise would.

Oil: If you didn’t change the oil last fall before you put your machine to rest, do so now. A lack of lubrication is the fastest way to permanently damage your engine, so put in fresh oil and keep an eye on the oil level throughout the mowing season. Too little oil can damage or destroy the engine by leaving parts unlubricated in a hot environment. Too much oil can also cause problems by preventing proper lubrication.

Deck: Hose or scrape off old clippings from beneath the deck. Built-up clippings will significantly reduce mulching performance by blocking the recutting action necessary for good mulching.
    To easily clean a mower deck, turn the mower on up on its side with the carburetor and air filter facing upwards to eliminate lubrication oil from getting into the fuel system and use a hose and scraper. If the cap on your mower is vented, remove the cap, lay on two layers of plastic wrap, and then put the cap back on. (Remove the plastic wrap when you’re done cleaning.)
    To clean a tractor deck without having to remove it, use a set of ramps like those you’d use to change the oil in your car. Drive the front wheels up on the ramp for access to the underside of the deck and then use a hose and scraper.
• Tip: After cleaning, spray silicone lubricant on the inside of the deck to reduce clipping build up and for easier cleaning. During mowing season, remove clippings after each time you cut the grass, when they are moist and easy to remove. This simple move will save you time in the long run and give a better cut.

Blade(s): Get the blade(s) sharpened before you start cutting. A dull blade will damage the blades of grass, stressing the plants and keeping your lawn from looking its best and maybe even causing the grass tips to turn brown. A dull blade will cause your mower to burn more fuel and make you work harder and longer. Sharpen the blade(s) once a month or more frequently for heavy cutting conditions, especially in areas with small stones or sand.
• Tip: Buy a second blade or a second set of blades. This way you’ll always have sharp cutters on hand.

Spark plug and air cleaner: New spark plugs are cheap. Change it every year for best engine performance. On a gas engine, replace the carburetor air filter if it's paper. Wash a foam filter in soap and water, rinse and squeeze dry, then lubricate it with engine oil and squeeze it dry again before you reinstall it.

Moving parts: Lubricating moving parts, including cables and wheels. Check your owner’s manual for detailed information.

Essential information: Mow safely, and check out “How to fix the top 10 lawn problems” for expert advice on how to get a great-looking lawn. If you need to replace your mower or tractor, read "Faster and friendlier." Then use our Ratings of push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and lawn tractors (available to subscribers) to find the best model. You'll find more information on lawn gear and ways to keep your yard looking its best in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide.

Tip of the Day: How to use a pressure washer

A recent news story out of Orange County, Florida—a woman was charged with felony child abuse after being accused of having pointed a commercial pressure washer at her 2-year-old daughter—can serve as a reminder that even consumer pressure washers are dangerous when not used properly.

Typical mishaps with pressure washers include chemical burns to the eyes and skin abrasions, and you can also be injured by material shot back at you.

Watch our safety alert video (right) and follow these guidelines when using a pressure washer this spring and summer to protect yourself and your belongings:

• Wear safety glasses or goggles, shoes, and hearing protection.

• Set the nozzle to the widest spray angle that removes the stain.

• Start with the nozzle 2 feet away from the cleaning surface and move closer as needed, but no closer than 6 inches. Practice first by cleaning a hidden area.

• Point the nozzle away from your legs and feet, other people, and pets, as well as lights, air conditioners, and other electrical devices.

• Be wary of using a solid-stream nozzle and setting, which can cause the most harm.

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new pressure washer, check out “Quicker Cleaning for Less.” And read our Spring-Cleaning Guide for advice on tidying up your home, your car, and your life.

Q&A: Can I use a superglue for wood repairs?

In getting my wood planter boxes ready for early-spring planting, I noticed that some of the containers are pretty loose at the joints and that wide gaps have formed. Can a superglue handle this type of work?

Superglues are good for plastic, most are also intended for ceramic, and some will even work on wood, But superglues, like the other glues we tested for “No Adhesive Does It All,” aren’t ideal for everything, Simply put, no one household glue can serve every need.

Fixing outdoor wooden items like your flower boxes requires a water-resistant wood glue that will bond wood, make strong joints, and excel at filling gaps, such as Elmer's ProBond Interior/Exterior Wood Glue and Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. (Ratings of glues are available to subscribers.)

Not all wood glues are water-resistant, so look for the word “exterior” or “waterproof” on the label. Most wood glues take 24 to 72 hours to cure and often require clamping,

No matter the work you’re doing, always choose an adhesive that’s right for the material you’re working with. See our expert advice for finding the right adhesive.—Kimberly Janeway

Shopping for a mattress remains business as usual

Many ads for innerspring mattresses are appropriately dreamy. Attractive people are shown sleeping or lounging in their beds—and, of course, smiling. The advertising come-ons tell shoppers to “Have a good night’s sleep on us” or promise that when it comes to mattress shopping, “It’s all about You!”

So buying a mattress should be a pleasant experience, right? (Watch our video report, right.)

But it isn’t, say many of our readers, who find buying a mattress frustrating and tell us that they are not sure they’re getting a fair deal. A big contributing factor to these problems, as we noted in “Why Consumer Reports Doesn't Rate Specific Models of Mattresses,” is that the model names of the top mattress brands differ from one store to the next, so there’s no way to truly compare models. What’s more, even for mattresses that retailers claim are similar, significant differences exist in quilting, padding, and springs, according to our experts.

We thought some of the nightmares would end when the spokesman for a major U.S. mattress manufacturer—let’s call it Brand S—told us in January that his company was going to revolutionize mattress shopping. “We recognize that there’s confusion. We’re changing that. Retailers now require that they be able to name their own mattress,” said the spokesman of the change, which was slated to go into effect this spring.

The manufacturer was planning to introduce the same branding from store to store: A queen-size Brand S ExtraDreamy firm mattress you’d test out at store A would be exactly the same (except, perhaps, for price) at store B and store C. “When consumers walk into the store, they’ll see a [Brand S] mattress at one retailer and the same at another—it will have the same [Brand S] branding,” promised the spokesman.

The manufacturer would recommend that all its retailers use the Brand S mattress name on their store signs but, according to the spokesman, retailers could still call the mattresses whatever they wanted on in-store signage.

This move could shake up the industry, so we called several major mattress retailers for comment. Two didn’t call back after repeated tries, and the spokesman for a third wouldn’t allow his comments to be published.

But our phone did ring just a day later. It was the spokesman who’d informed us of his company’s radical plan. “[The company] is trying to change this, but if a retailer says they won’t take the mattress—they don’t want it—then that’s their decision,” he said. The manufacturer wouldn’t be changing its branding policy.

We asked him what the company’s decision would mean for mattress shoppers. “For the consumer, nothing has changed,” he explained.

That’s unfortunate. But we’re working on ways to help you shop for mattresses, so stay tuned. In the meantime, read “How to Buy a Mattress Without Losing Sleep” (available to Consumer Reports subscribers) for expert advice on selecting the mattress that’s right for you and analyzing prices.—Kimberly Janeway

GE Profile PGSS5PJX[SS] Refrigerator: First Look

This refrigerator has two freezer drawers but offers less usable capacity than other French-door models we’ve tested

Price we paid: $2,650

Date of Consumer Reports full report: May 2008

What it is. This French-door, bottom-freezer refrigerator with a claimed 24.9-cubic-foot capacity features two full-extension freezer drawers, part of what the manufacturer calls “armoire styling.” The PGSS5PJX[SS] stands 70 inches high x 36 inches wide x 33 inches deep, and it’s equipped with LED lighting, an icemaker, and a through-the-door water dispenser with LCD controls.

What we liked. The double freezer drawers provide easy organization of and access to items in the freezer. The configuration also allows you to reach the upper storage compartments with one move instead of the typical two you’d have to make with a single-drawer French-door refrigerator. This GE Profile model has also proved to be very quiet in our ongoing noise tests.

What we didn’t like. Because there’s a mullion between the upper and lower freezer drawers—basically a bar that separates them—you can access only about 60 percent of the usable freezer capacity we measured. By comparison, the LG LFX25980 French-door model we’re also testing provides nearly 70 percent of our measured freezer space.

In addition, this GE has merited only good scores for energy efficiency, and it is hard to reach the on/off switch for the icemaker.

Our initial take. The double-drawer freezer provides some nice conveniences, but a conventional single-drawer bottom-freezer offers a lot more usable space than the PGSS5PJX[SS]. What’s more, GE has been among the more repair-prone brands of bottom-freezer refrigerators.

Essential information: Look for our full report on refrigerators in the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and online in April. Learn more about refrigerators and refrigerator capacity and check out the new Amana Jot, on which your kids can doodle.                

Claim Check: Venta-Airwasher “Humidicleaner”

The claim. The Venta-Airwasher—a “humidifier & purifier—two in one," according to the manufacturer’s Web site—is supposed to trap particles as small as 10 microns while adding moisture to the air. Four models of these German-made products are available for rooms of different sizes: LW 14 (1.2-gallon capacity, $200); LW 24 (2-gallon capacity, $300); LW 44 (3-gallon capacity, $400); and LW 84 (6-gallon capacity, $1,440).

A Venta-Airwasher uses a series of rotating plastic discs to clean the air and add moisture to it. Those discs, mounted on an axle that constantly rotates, dip in and out of a water-filled reservoir. As the wet discs emerge from the reservoir, a built-in fan evaporates the water on them, boosting humidity in a space. Particles in the air are supposed to stick to the discs, then wash off as the discs pass through the reservoir again.

The check. We tested the LW 14 and LW 44 (shown) models as we usually test air purifiers, by measuring their clean-air-delivery rate with the fine dust and cigarette smoke (0.1 to 3 microns) that are of more concern to people with respiratory problems. To test their humidifying chops, we placed each device in a sealed chamber and let it run overnight, recording the humidity level in the room.

The Consumer Reports take. The claim of ridding the air of particles as small as 10 microns is kind of a nonstarter: A 10-micron or larger particle is so big that it's unlikely to remain aloft in the air for long.

Both models we tested proved no better at removing dust and smoke than no air purifier at all. They were, however, efficient at adding moisture to the room. Note that they lack a sensor and controls to let you set a humidity level. Without those features, humidity could rise too high and contribute to mold and mildew growth. What’s more, the Venta-Airwashers are pricey and require you to buy water additive and cleaning solution—a cost of about $90 per year.

Essential information: Watch this video to see how we tested the Venta-Airwasher. Before you buy any air purifier, read the expert advice in our latest report, and find out how well some models eliminate odors and learn how much maintenance your air purifier might require.

Stainless-steel cleaners

If you’ve got any stainless-steel appliances in your kitchen, you’ll know that the name of the finish is something of a misnomer. “Stainless” surfaces can definitely get stained and dirty.

Just ask Kristina Murray, who thought the new stainless-steel appliances in her Cornwall, New York, house “looked really cool nestled under mocha-stained cabinets and black granite countertops.” But when her son began to put his hands and mouth on virtually everything in the kitchen she and her husband started to see stainless in a different light. “We realized it takes a lot of work to maintain its shiny finish,” she says.

To see how well some popular stainless-steel cleaners work, we smeared peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, mustard, and tomato sauce on sheets of different types of stainless steel, let the mess sit for at least 24 hours, rinsed off any goo, and used each of the cleaners as directed.

All the products cleaned up all the stains except mustard, which left permanent speckles on the metal sheets. Every cleaner also removed fingerprints easily, though they didn’t stop new prints from appearing. The Weiman spray seemed to be better than others at limiting streaking on a variety of finishes.

The seven cleaners we tested work well, so choose based on price and type. The Method, Pledge, and Weiman sheets are one-step cleaners; with the other four you have to clean and then buff the surface.

The chart (click below) shows cost per use, based on the price of one sheet or the amount of pump or cream cleaner it takes to do about 12 square feet and one sheet of Bounty paper towel.

Essential information: Read "Best home appliances for the holidays" to find top kitchen gear for your home.

 

A Porsche design speeds into the kitchen

It used to be that a man would buy a sports car to help him deal with his midlife crisis. But today’s man can bypass the Vette, Jag, or BMW for his garage and instead buy Porsche-designed cabinets for his kitchen when there is no substitute for coping with the tough times.

German kitchen-design company Poggenpohl has paired with Porsche Design Group on the P’7340 kitchen (shown). This line of custom cabinets, available in the U.S. next summer, features sleek, high-style components made of aluminum, glass, and wood and features a state-of-the-art audio-video system. Miele is to be the supplier of all fitted electric appliances in this modular kitchen.

The Poggenpohl-Porsche pairing is not the only competitor in the auto-inspired kitchen-style race. Italian company Snaidero offers two custom cabinet styles, Ola and Venus, which are designed by Pininfarina, the firm behind many famous Ferraris, including the F40 and the Testarossa.

(Consumer Reports has not tested any of the abovementioned cabinet lines.)

Whether or not these Euro options rev your engine, remember that no matter the style you choose, high-quality construction features are what keep cabinets looking good and working smoothly year after year.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman

Essential information: Watch this video to see how we test cabinets in our labs. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, use our planning guide to help you make wise decisions throughout the project. And get an estimate of the cost of your new space with the RSMeans QuickCost Kitchen Remodeling Estimator. If you subscribe to ConsumerReports.org, you have access a custom version of the calculator.

Beer here! The appliance that keeps on giving

For sheer drama, a refrigerator that tosses you a beer might not compete with a jaw-dropping Manning-to-Harrison game-winning TD pass or the boulder-heaving catapults in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But for one recent college graduate, the beer-can-throwing fridge is an idea whose time has come.

The Beer Launching Fridge (shown) is the brainchild of software engineer John W. Cornwell, a recent Duke University graduate. At the behest of friends, Cornwell spent several hundred dollars on commercially available parts to morph a Sanyo mini-refrigerator into a remote-controlled device that can accurately lob a 12-oz. can of beer to you. As the video on Metacafe shows, the fridge, equipped with a 10-can magazine, uses an elevator as part of the loading process.

Cornwell needed about three months to tweak the fridge to its current prowess. In two early tests he ran with his fiancée’s help, two cans flew through her hands and made two gouges in drywall. “At that point,” he says, “I decided to call the test a success.” During the 2007 Super Bowl, his invention launched beer to all of his guests. (That time, the walls fared better than the Bears.) Suggestions for future efforts involve similar fridges that can catapult glass bottles and even kegs.

On his Web site, Cornwell offers to make you your own Beer Tossing Fridge for about $1,500; he says he’s already received more than 10 inquiries.

But for half that price you can instead buy the Whirlpool ET1FHTXM[Q], a full-size, 33-inch-wide top-freezer with enough room for at least eight cases of beer as well as ice, cold cuts, veggies, and other munchies. You’ll need to get off your duff to fetch yourself a cold one, but think of the money you’ll have left over for more suds and the calories you’ll burn retrieving beer.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: To learn more about the pros, cons, and average cost of side-by-sides, French door, top-mount, cabinet depth, and built-in refrigerators, read our buying advice. Features that count will fill you in on which of the refrigerator options are worth the price. And look for our latest refrigerators report in the May 2007 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale in May.

An uplifting appliance

The Gaggenau Lift Oven is a doorless wall oven. See how this unusual appliance performs in this video report by Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, from the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

 

Thrones of the bathroom

The Kohler C3 Series toilet seats can take ordinary commodes to new heights. See how these innovative bathroom fixtures work in this video report from Bob Markovich, editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, who’s on location at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

A compact sander that acts big

Porter-Cable's Compact Belt Sander 371K has pro-level power but is light and easy to handle, making it ideal for serious DIYers. Bob Markovich, editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, tries out this new tool at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

Throw away your front-door keys

The Kwikset SmartScan door lock eliminates the key and allows access to your home with a swipe of your finger. Bob Markovich, editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, tries out the new entry system at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

These kitchen coolers are hot

The Whirlpool Centralpark Connection refrigerators aim to be the hub of the hub of the home. See how they work in this video report from Bob Markovich, editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, who’s on location at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

This tool makes a major impact

The Bosch Impactor Fastening Driver PS40-2 is deceptively powerful for its size. See this diminutive dynamo in action in this video report from Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy editor of the Consumer Reports Home and Yard franchise, who’s on location at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.