Cool Kitchen Appliances You Never Knew About from Around the World
Everyone gets their clothes dirty, and everyone needs to get them clean. This is as true in Taiwan as it is in Toledo. But what one culture finds to be an answer may not fit the needs of another.Consider that apartments in urban Asia tend to be small? very small. For example, the Ginza East Apartments in Tokyo offer a 215 square foot "Studio 2" efficiency apartment for $477 a week. So here you are, a busy working stiff in Tokyo and no time (or space) to do dishes.
Enter the countertop dishwasher.
Make no mistake, these are real washing machines with pumps, thermostats, and heaters, but they are only the size of a microwave oven.
They do what they do well, and dishes come out too hot to touch. See http://www.countertopdishwasher.com.A Kitchen in a Box:It is a combination refrigerator, sink, and stove that comes preassembled right out of the box.
They come with either gas or electric ranges.
See http://www.compact-kitchens.com.Micro-laundries:Just like downsized dishwashers, there are downsized clothes washers too.
They will wash between two and 12 pounds of clothing depending upon model, and some cost under $100.
See http://www.miniwasher.comPortable Air Conditioners:Presently commonly used in computer rooms, these units provide spot cooling exactly where needed and can be easily rolled from room to room.
This is an idea that will surely catch on in the USA mainstream.
PACs cool, dehumidify, and filter inside air (hot exhaust is sent to the outdoors via a flexible dryer-type duct).
Some portable air conditioners also work in reverse as efficient space heaters in cold weather.
See http://www.portableairconditioners.us.Touch-to-open Safes:A safe the size a breadbox that opens with fingerprint recognition technology, which like most technology based items has seen a tremendous price drop.
Used originally for handgun safety, these are finding new uses as prescription storage and control, and truck/rv safe boxes (they bolt down). Originally in the thousands, they are now available for around $350.
See http://www.fingerprint-safes.com.And one you wish you had when you were a kidFinally!
It's the automatic dish dryer!
It is little more than a cover and a low-wattage hot air source, but it gets the job done quickly and efficiently.
Dishes go straight to the cabinets in no time!
See http://www.dishdryer.geniusgoods.com..
How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Is it just me, or have energy prices just been going up and up lately?
Unfortunately, this results in significant increases in our home energy bills.
Fortunately, there are a lot of relatively inexpensive (sometimes free) changes you can make around the home that will save you money.
I've put together a list of twelve tips that cover heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, and home electronics.
These areas all tend to be notorious energy hogs.
Let's get started.
Heating and Cooling Tips:
1.
If you haven't already, switch to a natural gas water heater (electric water heaters use twice as much energy).
2. Whenever possible, cool your home naturally.
For example, you can plant shade trees around your house (especially on the east and west sides).
Their protection keeps the sun from beating on your roof and siding during the summer, which can naturally keep...
Appliances > How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Mashita Electronics Adds Exclusive Online Distributor, "Solutions" for Watt-Minder, Appliance Cost and Current Meter
Mashita Electronics announces the selection of "Solutions?" online retailer as the newest distributor of the "Watt-Minder" Appliance Cost & Current Meter. Vickie Desofi, Manager of Catalog, and Internet Sales for Mashita Electronics lauded the venture as an important step in the introduction of a new product into the consumer market. Solutions? is currently the exclusive online retailer for the Watt-Minder 90100G."The Watt-Minder is an innovative product", says Desofi, and it requires a trusted marketer like Solutions to carry this type of product to the consumer. The Watt-Minder measures the consumption of electrical appliances and presents the cost by the hour, month, and year.
"The potential benefits are two-fold", explains Desofi first, the consumer can get an understanding of the cost of appliance operation using variables such as timer settings, temperature settings, and over all appliance efficiency.
Secondly, as consumers set, use, and replace appliances the combined...
Mashita Electronics Adds Exclusive Online Distributor, "Solutions" for Watt-Minder, Appliance Cost and Current Meter
Appliances > Mashita Electronics Adds Exclusive Online Distributor, "Solutions" for Watt-Minder, Appliance Cost and Current Meter
Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup 2005 Revs It Up In Performance Parts at Partstrain
Vehicles with bigger, less fuel-efficient engines will benefit more from hybrid technology, thus big pickup trucks, vans and SUVs are prime candidates for the gas-saving benefits of hybrid technology. The Chevy Silverado hybrid pickup feature GM's 5300 Vortec V-8 and Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission, coupled with hybrid technology that delivers 10 to 12 percent improved fuel economy over GM half-ton pickups. It features a powerful 42-volt lead-acid battery pack underneath the rear seat, an auxiliary starter-generator between the engine and the transmission, an electronic control module, and a regenerative braking system, which charges the battery while braking, and coasting.With an auxiliary generator capability, the truck's generator can operate when the truck is parked without a key in the ignition. The hybrid Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups could power tools or appliances for up to 32 hours non-stop. This design shuts the engine down before the tank...
Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup 2005 Revs It Up In Performance Parts at Partstrain
Appliances > Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup 2005 Revs It Up In Performance Parts at Partstrain
Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!
Most of North and South America, the Caribbean and Japan use 110 volts at 60Hz while most European counties use 220 volts at 50Hz.
This means you may need to use voltage converters to use many of your electrical appliances.
Plugging a 110 volt electrical product into a 220 volt socket without a voltage converter will damage or destroy the appliance. To know if you need a power converter you should check any electrical appliance as you pack them for your trip.
Each appliance will have a small rating plate which will tell you if the product is single volt or dual volt (i.e.
Use 110 or 220 or both).
If the rating plate says it is a dual volt appliance you will not need a voltage converter, however, any single volt appliance will need a travel converter.There are several different kinds of travel voltage converters available.
Small electronics - like your electric razor or toothbrush - need a 50 watt converter while heating appliances...
Appliances > Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!
Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!
Most of North and South America, the Caribbean and Japan use 110 volts at 60Hz while most European counties use 220 volts at 50Hz.
This means you may need to use voltage converters to use many of your electrical appliances.
Plugging a 110 volt electrical product into a 220 volt socket without a voltage converter will damage or destroy the appliance. To know if you need a power converter you should check any electrical appliance as you pack them for your trip.
Each appliance will have a small rating plate which will tell you if the product is single volt or dual volt (i.e.
Use 110 or 220 or both).
If the rating plate says it is a dual volt appliance you will not need a voltage converter, however, any single volt appliance will need a travel converter.There are several different kinds of travel voltage converters available.
Small electronics - like your electric razor or toothbrush - need a 50 watt converter while heating appliances...
Appliances > Voltage Converters - Don't Fry Your Appliances!