Category — Appliances

When life gives you lemons, make hot dogs!

Everybody is feeling the pinch these days: from the big bosses at the largest multinational corporations to the littlest CEO’s. Like any reasonable businessperson might conclude, the key to survival is diversification. In such a competitive market, it is advice every business can benefit from. Even the lemonade stand.

You have to offer your customers something more in this economy, and what do people want? Why, hot dogs, of course! The TOP DAWG Commercial 7 Roller Hot Dog Machine With Cover by Great Northern Popcorn is your ticket to the better life through increased sales. Fierce competition is nothing to take lightly, and with a little capital expenditure now, the future can look both bright and tasty. And hey, when the kids grow up, you got yourself a hot dog machine. See, economics can be fun! Or at least delicious.

Who doesn’t like a buffet? Hot food, ready to go, just waiting to be scooped out for eager diners. Take what you want—as much as you want—and come back for seconds when ready. It’s a great concept, and one that doesn’t make the jump to home use nearly enough. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

At $39.99, the Maxi-Matic EWM-6622 Elite Gourmet Double Buffet Server and Warmer is affordable enough to pick up for everyday use. Measuring 17-inches by 18.5-inches with a depth of 5-inches, the dual 2.5-quart stainless-steel serving device tempts those around the party spread to pile their plates high. Or, you know, for you to keep an endless supply of mashed potatoes and gravy on the counter.

Having a small, dedicated fridge for the garage (or office, as the case may be) is a beer-drinkers luxury that offers much-appreciated convenience. However, the same small size that can be such a convenience can also be a hindrance, as it constantly needs to be refilled. Luckily, some appliances are prepared. The Haier 1.7-Cubic-Ft. HNSEW02 Dry-Erase Write Fridge tells you when it’s empty (assuming you remember to jot it down, that is). Complete with non-permanent markers and eraser, the mini-fridge not only keeps cold items always within reach, but also provides for that all-important artistic outlet that inevitably occurs while emptying out the fridge.

Some things just go together. Fish and chips. Chicken and fries. Deep-fried Twinkie and battered zucchini. (Okay, I made up that last one, but it probably should be mandatory to have at least some sort of vegetable when eating one of those monstrosities.) Short of having two deep-fryers handling this double-duty frying, this has always meant working in batches to accommodate for different cooking times.

[Read more →]

Toasters tend to be rather stationary devices: you find a place for one on the counter, and then just let it be. Features that are more often seen in the more mobile of appliances rarely make it to the toaster. Appliances like food processors and blenders are the appliances that generally benefit from space-saving features like retractable power cords; when stored in the cupboard the power cords don’t get in the way. Toasters however, this doesn’t come into play as much. But that doesn’t mean that the retractable cord toaster doesn’t exist.

[Read more →]

It was a particularly cruel day in marketing hell when they decided to convince the masses that ‘mini’ was a desirable quality in products. It was probably the backlash against super-sizing that caused the word ‘mini’ to be applied to all things food-related, so considering those fast-food origins it’s not a total loss. Paying the same price (or sometimes more) for less is not desirable, yet somehow the evil genius horde has convinced us otherwise. As in all marketing coups, there is a (chicken) nugget of truth; a little restraint can be a good thing–not so much when attached to kitchen appliances however.

The Super Mini Toaster Oven may at first look appealing, but judging by the inclusion of a 6.25-inch sq. cooking pan, the kitchen appliance would be annoying more than anything else. It’s more Easy-Bake oven than toaster oven. While it features the “capabilities of a regular toaster oven with a 150°-450°F range in temperature, variable toasting function, 15 minute timer and “stay on” warming function”, I just can’t get over the fact that only one slice of bread at a time will fit in the thing. Even a regular slice of bread measures about 4 or 5 inches, and yes, I checked—and then made a Dagwood sandwich.