microwaves

MicroCool microwave/fridge combo is space saver

We're fans of many double-duty appliances here at the Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets blog. Haier has another take on that idea--it's a NuCool enhanced fridge and a microwave oven in a stacked combination unit with a power strip. A durable, easy-to-clean spacer anchors the microwave to the fridge.

The configuration is nothing new--college students have stacked microwaves on minifridges forever--but this one is designed for stacking, won't topple, and won't overheat.

NuCool runs quietly and is energy efficient--this is important when you have limited outlets and a lot of cool appliances to run. Speaking of limited … Read more

Chill and nuke from the comfort of your garage

Sometimes the kitchen can be really far away. Say you're hanging out in the garage playing poker, working on the car, or some other garage-related activity. Suddenly the need hits for a microwaveable treat and a cold brew. The warmth of the microwave and the chill of the refrigerator may not be too far away, but it sure is convenient to have them closer. No need to journey to the kitchen when you can stock up on the essentials in the comfort of your own garage. (Also applies to attics and basements).

Check out the Summit MRF2L, a 1.… Read more

March Madness: Three products you can use while you watch the Final Four

It's March Madness time again, and you know what that means: I'm spending a lot of time fighting for the right to watch a little "24" instead of basketball. But for those of you who actually care about the NCAA college basketball tournament, Whirlpool wants to make sure the only surprises are on the court--not in the kitchen.

You've seen the Amana Jot refrigerator, with its dry-erase finish on the door panel. Use the fridge to manage brackets, track game times, or display correct picks.

And even though the magic of DVRs lets you pause … Read more

Microwave drawer is Sharp

I think drawer appliances are just plain cool, except for this one. This one is hot, which is good, because it's a microwave. It's the next-generation Insight Pro microwave drawer oven from Sharp, which comes in two widths, 24 inches and 30 inches.

The new ovens feature larger interior space within the same exterior footprint as their predecessors. You'll find a new beverage center and some new automatic settings.

Didn't have time to drink that grande latte? You can fit a 20-ounce coffee cup inside this machine. Do you need to heat a casserole? You can … Read more

Old-timey popcorn popper keeps the kernels popping

Kitchen gadgets have been around for a long time. Toasters first appeared in the early 1900s, and it seemed gadget hounds have been filling their kitchens with them ever since. Luckily, they have progressed somewhat from their earlier, more dangerous days. But there are some items that deserve a second look as possibly being the best solution to a given task.

The Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper is a classically styled, vintage-inspired design that uses good old-fashioned arm strength to accomplish the task. Popcorn is popped directly on the stovetop. Simply place kernels and oil in the pot and start cranking. … Read more

Sharp gets steamy in the kitchen

After a long day at the office, you'd like nothing better than to follow simple instructions and get a great, home-cooked meal--without a lot of effort. The second-generation SuperSteam oven from Sharp (model AX-1200) can help.

The oven offers six different preprogrammed meals for two, so that an entr?e and two side dishes--such as chicken breasts with sweet potatoes and asparagus, beef kabobs and corn-on-the-cob, salmon served over brown rice and peas, fajitas, or even a brunch medley--can be cooked simultaneously in the oven for time savings and convenience.

It's a whole new level of plug and … Read more

Steam or microwave: Your choice

As the number of must-have appliances for your kitchen increase, it's always useful to look at the options that bring multiple cooking techniques together in one unit. The SuperSteam Oven, from Sharp, offers an ideal level of versatility. The designers brought together four cooking methods in the oven, making it easy for you to use whatever option provides you with a fast and healthy meal. The SuperSteam Oven offers steam, convection, microwave, and SuperSteam convection, all in one box. That means that not only can you use it for traditional steaming or even microwaving, you can also use the … Read more

Microwave, pizza oven combo keeps college students going

Convenience and kitchen gadgets go hand in hand. Certainly, that is true in the case of this Stainless Steel Kenmore Countertop Microwave & Pizza Oven. With the inclusion of a pizza oven into the base of the microwave, it's quite possible any college student will never need another appliance as long as they are in school.

The microwave and pizza oven work independently of each other. The microwave has six automatic One-Touch buttons, for most common microwave usages: Reheat, Cook, Defrost, Express Defrost, Popcorn, and Potato. Additionally, an "Add 30 seconds" button allows for personalized preferences for … Read more

CIA secrets in your microwave

If you think the most you can do with a microwave is bake a potato or two, think again. Panasonic just announced a new collaboration with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). What does this collaboration mean for you? Oh, only that some of the best chefs in the country will develop no-fuss gourmet recipes for cooking with Panasonic microwaves, as well as create key microwave-cooking technique videos that will be hosted on Panasonic's microwave Virtual Test Kitchen Web site.

The recipes are designed to be affordable, easy, and quick to prepare, with broad appeal. The CIA will also … Read more