hood

Crowded kitchens create interesting conundrums. Finding the perfect balance between essential devices and cosmetic touches can be tricky and relies upon a certain hierarchy unique to kitchen appliances and gadgets. Most people would probably agree that the stove and the refrigerator top the list of essentials; it's hard to not work around these two behemoths of the kitchen. But when it comes time to place the next piece of the puzzle, rarely does one next look up.

Installing into the kitchen ceiling, the Frecan Paradigma (Spanish site) is a combination range hood/lighting system that puts a previously under-utilized … Read more

Dining can be a delicate thing. Finding the right balance of flavors and ingredients can be tricky, but the meal is only half the story. Surrounding whatever food is on the plate, of course, is the environment. The setting could be anything from the soft glow of a candlelight dinner to the bright glare of a midday meal. Or, it could be any number of options dialed up from the range hood. Yes, that oft-overlooked thing above the stovetop.

The color of meal-making can now be controlled with the Arkea range hood made by the European firm Faber. The striking … Read more

I am not sure that texting drivers can ever be stopped.

They use sneaky methods. They try to keep the phone below dashboard level. Or they merely prop their cell phone on their steering wheel and multitask.

Texting is just too important, isn't it? You have dinners to plan, children's pickups to organize, and friends to constantly tell about your latest amorous pursuit.

And yet Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is not giving up. He has dedicated $550,000 to a new method of spotting motorized texters, a method that governments have used since before John Le Carre began writing: yes, spies.… Read more

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants a federal law banning talking or texting on a cell phone while driving.

Yesterday at an event in San Antonio, Texas, he called for tough federal legislation that would deal with what he called a "national epidemic" of distracted driving, according to a Reuters report. LaHood told a group of doctors, government officials, and other advocates for bans on cell phone use while driving that police should have "the opportunity to write tickets when people are foolishly thinking they can drive safely or use a cell phone and text and … Read more

Kitchen appliances that have the ability to hide away will always find a place in the home. Sometimes they even hide away so well that they become part of the home. Unlike some compact countertop appliances that can find their way into the back of the cupboard--unintentionally fading into the woodwork--some low-profile appliances actually do their intended job while hidden from view.

Disappearing behind the cupboard over the stove, the Airone Aida range hood is designed to operate on the down-low. Offering a choice of motors with a wide range of power (800-m3/h to 1,780-m3/h), the range … Read more

Microwaves are no strangers to convenience. They are perfect little appliances when it comes to meal-making magic; just take a food product out of the freezer, follow the directions that were so thoughtfully printed on the wrapper and--just like magic--a ready-made meal appears. Even for those who prefer to actually cook a meal the old-fashioned way, the microwave can be a useful tool for more than just heating up leftovers.

The Bertazzoni KO 30 PROX Ventilation Microwave Oven offers something for everybody. The double-duty microwave, styled to match Bertazzoni's Design Series and Professional Series appliances, installs over the range, … Read more

It's easy to make an impression in the kitchen. That doesn't necessarily mean a good impression, though. While homemade cooking is always appreciated, the lingering scents are not. Sometimes hours after a meal is made, the lasting aroma can still be sensed. A little goes a long way in this case, and some simple ventilation could be just the thing that is needed. Especially when it makes its own impression.

The telescoping Miele Stainless Steel Downdraft Ventilation Hood is a convenient kitchen accessory that disappears when not in use. Available in either a 30-inch or a 36-inch size, … Read more

Despite all the warnings about using a cell phone behind the wheel, many drivers, especially younger ones, still seem to be clueless about the danger, or willing to risk it anyway.

A majority of 63 percent of people under 30 admitted to using a cell phone while driving in the past 30 days, according to the results of a poll released yesterday by Consumer Reports as part of a story for its April issue. Further, 30 percent of those also said they texted behind the wheel during the same period.

Those numbers compare with 41 percent of those over 30 … Read more

A vent hood has the potential to take over your kitchen with its light-blocking large design. Some vent hoods try to ingratiate themselves with LCD screens and other goodies, but Jenn-Air's latest offering takes a different tack. The new perimetric ventilation systems remove smoke, steam, and cooking odors by pulling air through thin channels located on the perimeter of a glass-finished panel that hangs on the wall like a picture frame.

The high-gloss angled glass panel comes in several finish options to match different kitchen styles. Choose from black with stainless steel trim, white with white trim, or trim … Read more