The appliance world has been rocked by gray this year, especially in the laundry room.
But it’s never “gray.”
These washers and dryers — whether front-load or top-load — are called pretty much every other name but looking just as sweet and trendy.
Here are the 12 iterations I could find.
Sia, eat your heart out. I am (Electrolux) Titanium.
Asko gray-colored washer, also monikered Titanium.
Perhaps Maytag changed the name of this finish to Graphite after initial testing showed low response to “Pencil Lead.”
LG’s lead pencil + metal, aka Graphite Steel.
Samsung’s Onyx, which also features WiFi controls through a smartphone app.
Perhaps to match the countertops in your kitchen comes Maytag’s Granite. Nevermind that true Granite comes in a huge variety of colors.
Not to be confused with Silver is Samsung’s Stainless Platinum. If I’ve learned anything from being engaged, this shade will be more expensive.
Now this one gets REALLY interesting. It’s the Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum Edition but the color is Chrome, not Platinum.
Also Whirlpool Chrome, but this version is front loading.
GE’s Metallic Carbon, shown here in the Right Height model, looks oddly reminiscent of GE’s Slate for the kitchen.
Let’s just call a spade a spade with Electrolux Stainless Steel.
Miele’s Stainless Steel washer
How quiet should a dishwasher be?
February 3, 2014
Doves cry at about 44 dBA.
Dishwasher-makers aggressively tout the quietness of their dishwashers by dBA ratings. A dBA rating expresses a weighted decibel level that puts in human context to how loud or quiet a sound is to our ears, because humans perceive sound differences less sensitively at volume extremes. With dishwashers in the marketplace ranging from 37-64 dBA, what really matters when it comes to quietness and what’s simply hype?
We speak at about 60 dBA, light rainfall registers at 50 dBA, a quiet suburb at night registers at 40 dBA and a whisper registers at 30 dBA. Check out Bosch’s interactive “Understanding Decibels” feature on its website to better understand common noise levels.
Dishwashers used to average about 65 dBA. Now, the majority of dishwashers have dBA in the low 50s to the 40s, so somewhere between dinner table chatter and scattered showers. Not only is that a vast improvement over what you likely have in your kitchen, but I bet it will clean way better too.
The most quiet dishwashers compete on just one or two dBA levels — a difference that is unnoticeable or barely so. The Miele Futura Diamond dishwasher comes in at 37 dBA when used in its Extra Quiet Program mode; otherwise, it’s rated at 42 dBA. The Bosch 800 Pluscomes in a close second at 38 dBA “in normal operation,” which I think means with clean dishes.
Miele explains that dirty dishes often lead to louder operation in competing brands, because the dishwasher has to work harder than during testing. The lowest difference between testing its competitor’s dBA claims using both clean and dirty dishes was about 3 dBA levels, which is barely noticeable.
In the real world, we call this splitting hairs, so such a slight difference should not be your deciding factor. Alternatively, you will likely notice 10 dBA levels, which is the point at which audible sound doubles.
However, how quiet does your dishwasher really need to be not to interrupt your life? Current trends in home layouts have kitchens much more open to the rest of the house, but what the dBA levels don’t remind you of is that sound dissipates with greater distance.
Are you home-schooling your children at the counter or for some strange reason installing a dishwasher in your nursery? If you’re not carrying on important tasks near your dishwasher, take the ratings with a grain of salt and consider price, racking and performance as also very important.
GE dishwasher jets pulverize residue in bottles, annoyingly narrow cylinders
January 29, 2014
If you’ve ever tried to clean baby bottles in your dishwasher, the game-changing-ness of GE’s latest Profile Series dishwasher needs no explanation. This is probably the best dishwasher ever. OK, maybe I’m overreacting a little, but just bear with me.
New, dedicated jets have been added into the top rack to clean dried milk from a baby bottle or, say, the spinach that gets stuck to the bottom of your smoothie jars in case you’re juicing or whatever.
No use crying over dried milk, here.
Tines on the upper rack are topped with a blue node that sprays water up into its hard-to-reach area. You load the bottle or other tall, narrow opening cylinder on top of the tines and the water will directly spray into the bottom of the containers.
Or if I’m to explain it in another way:
But why stop there?
Silverware jets obliterate yesterday morning’s peanut butter-covered knives and side jets say adios to that stuck-on enchilada mess left on the casserole dish.
For those of you keeping score at home, GE touts 54 percent more cleaning jets than any other dishwasher in the industry — 102, total.
Not only is that a big number, but the wash arms reverse and vary speed to ensure better coverage. It’s also a really good way to confuse the mess left on the plate: just when it thinks you’re coming at it one way…BAM! REVERSING JET!
It also doesn’t hurt that it’s really pretty.
$1200 says you never have to handwash a bottle again after you buy this…
Sleek stainless and hidden controls, because it’s modest like that.
Stove top cleaning tips
December 20, 2013
It’s that magical time of year when you’re cooking twice and much and inviting people into your home to witness the aftermath of that.
Luckily, returning your stove top or cooktop to looking like new isn’t that hard; it just takes a little know-how.
Follow my tips and you’ll never flounder with soap and water again. Cuz ain’t got time for that!
If you have porcelain-coated stove top or grates
No. 1 Enemy: Clean up spills containing acids, such as vinegar and tomato, as soon as the surface is cool enough as they could affect the finish.
Tool: Nonabrasive plastic scrubbing pad and cooktop cleaner. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser saves a lot of elbow grease.
Timesaver: Throw grates in the dishwasher on the most powerful cycle you have. It’s recommended to give it a good bath in the sink first, but if you have a great Warner Stellian dishwasher like I do, no prerinsing necessary!
DO NOT: put caps on the dishwasher or reassemble caps on burners while they are wet. Unless you like struggling to ignite your burners.
If you have a ceramic or glass top stove, i.e. electric:
No. 1 Enemy: Sugary spills (jellies, candy, syrup). Tis the season!
Tool: Cooktop Scraper or a razor blade. Clean while the cooktop is still warm, wearing oven mitts if necessary.
Culprit: Heavy soil, dark streaks, specks, and discoloration
Tool: Cooktop Polishing Cream or soap and water (if you have aggression you need to work out). Do like Mr. Miyagi taught you: wax on, wax off until white film disappears and takes mess with it.
Culprit: Burned-on soil
Tool: Cooktop Cleaner and Cooktop Scraper (or razor blade). First apply cleaner. Then scrape surface keeping blade as flat as possible. Finish polishing cooktop until film disappears.
Culprit: Overboiling residue
Tool: Overboiling was a special skill of mine when I was first learning how to cook, which took place on the unforgivably hot surface of an electric stovetop. I learned that a melamine sponge (aka Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) eliminated the evidence quite well.
If you have cast-iron grates
Read this existing post. HOW TO: clean cast iron grates.
You might have a full stainless steel stove top under your grates. First try stainless steel cleaner. For tougher messes, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Always go with the grain for best results.
Cyber Monday Appliance Deals – dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves
December 2, 2013
As big as Black Friday is for appliance shoppers, Cyber Monday tends to be a day of even greater savings on appliances for your kitchen and laundry room. Warners’ Stellian Cyber Monday Appliance Sale is no exception. We’ve made special buys of Cyber Monday dishwashers, washers and refrigerators. Not to mention 25% off Dyson vacuums with free shipping!
Due to the nature of the discount, all offers are good while quantities last and must be taken or delivered within 30 days! As always, local delivery and appliance recycling are free on orders $499 and up.
Save $250 on this Samsung fully integrated dishwasher (model DMT400). Choose either white or black for only $399.97.
You’ve probably heard raves about not being able to hear a Bosch dishwasher. They are rated the quietest dishwasher. This fully integrated, stainless steel Bosch dishwasher (model: SHX43R55UC) is rated at only 48 dBA, ya hear? Now only $599.97 when you SAVE $300.
If your Thanksgiving nearly ruined your stove like my Thankgiving did, you might be thinking a new range would look good under the tree, er, in the kitchen. Choose any color – stainless, white or black Samsung electric range (model FER300S) for only $499.99 — and you’ll save up to $300. Plus, we’ll deliver it, install it (parts extra) and recycle your old one easy peasy all included. Now if only the turkey were this simple!
This Black Samsung Bottom Freezer RefrigeratorCloseout (model RB195ACBP) is only $799.97, after you SAVE $400. Or update to stainless steel and sleek handles for $999, with this SamsungStainless Steel Bottom Freezer Closeout (model RL225NCTASR). It’s a $700 savings!
Another common casualty of Thanksgiving and the onslaught of leftovers is the microwave. So we put together a killer deal on some over-the-range Samsung microwave (model SMH1622). It’s only $129.99 for black or white or $139.99 for stainless steel, save $70 or $80.
Other featured deals:
- Save $130 on a new Whirlpool Washer (model WTW4930XW), now just $399.97
- Score a new Whirlpool Gas Dryer (model WGD4800XQ) for only $449.97 – you’ll save $150
- SAVE $250 on LG third rack dishwasher in stainless steel with towel bar (model LDF7561ST): $749.99
Top Black Friday washer & dryer deals at Warner Stellian
November 25, 2013
If you’ve been waiting to replace your washer or dryer, wait no further.Black Friday 2013 washer – dryer deals are here! If you’ve been waiting to do your laundry, apologize to your loved ones.
Here are the top 2013 Black Friday laundry pair deals in Minneapolis, MN:
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #1
Titanium colored LG front-load steam washer & electric steam dryer. SAVE $600 on pair. Final price: $899.99 each. (white $799 each)
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #2
Whirlpool Duet front load steam washer & electric steam dryer. Save $600 on pair. Final price: $699.99 each.
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #3
Samsung front-load steam washer & electric steam dryer. SAVE $600 on pair. Final price: $599.99 each.
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #4
LG front-load steam washer & electric steam dryer pair. SAVE $600 on pair. Final price: $599.99 each.
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #5
Whirlpool high-efficiency, top-load washer and electric dryer. SAVE $400 on pair. Final price: $499.99 each.
Black Friday Washer Dryer Deal #6
Amana top-load washer & electric dryer pair. SAVE $180 on pair. Final price: $599.00.
Plus, Warners’ Stellian always offers free, professional delivery and appliance recycling from a friendly crew you can trust to treat your home like its their own on purchased $499 and up. We will also handle basic reinstallation on refrigerators, ranges/stoves, washers and dryers — all you’re on the hook for are any necessary parts.
Also featured:
Maytag top-load washer & electric dryer. SAVE $380 on pair. Final price: $399.99 each.
GE top load-washer & electric dryer. SAVE $400 on pair. Final price $399.99 each.
Does your man deserve a new Dyson? Black Friday vacuum deals
November 19, 2013
So many of us find ourselves wondering how to give a Christmas gift that really shows our significant other that we’re thinking of him.
So this year, why not get him what he really wants:
A vacuum.
Reward your husband with what he’s always wanted…a new vacuum!
Men have long been obsessed with pitching in around the house, specifically with cleaning floors and upholstery.
“Now THIS is how you clean a floor ladies, see?”
Sadly, you think I’m being facetious — and maybe I am just a bit — but wrapping up a Dyson for this holiday season isn’t a bad way to get some help with your household chores. After all, it’s a not-so secret that Dyson was designed to interest men, what with the emphasis on power and technology.
Better yet, you can save big with Black Friday vacuum deals. Warner Stellian is offering 25% off Dyson vacuums on Black Friday (actually, you can start taking advantage online starting on Thanksgiving if you want to take a break from turkey and appreciation). Plus, all vacuums ship for free nationwide!
Which should you choose?
For a vacuum that looks like a power tool and competes against race cars, look no further than the DC34, which delivers 15 minutes of powerful, constant suction or 6 minutes on MAX power for tougher cleans. Dyson digital motor spins up to 5 times faster than a racing car engine. It has a lithium-ion battery that recharges up to 3 times faster than others with patented Root Cyclone™ technology for no loss of suction.
Dyson DC34 Handheld vacuum. Reg. $199.99, only $149.99 for Black Friday (starts Nov. 28 online and Nov. 29 in store)
Pet hair, beware! The Dyson Animal DC41 was designed for pet moms and dads who love their dogs and cats but don’t necessarily want their presence found on every surface of the house.
Dyson DC41 Animal is a Dyson Ball™ upright vacuum with the latest Radial Root Cyclone™ technology. It generates the strongest suction power at the cleaner head, to powerfully remove dust, dirt and pet hair from the home. Includes a Mini turbine head to clean pet hair and stubborn dirt from upholstery, stairs and the car. Lifetime washable filter traps microscopic allergens.
Dyson DC 41 Animal. Reg. $599. Black Friday price only $449.99 (starts online Nov. 28 or in-store Nov. 29)
If your situation is especially…hairy…upgrade to the DC41 Animal Complete. Dyson’s newest full-size Dyson Ball™ upright is engineered for outstanding cleaning performance, with extra tools for pet hair and ground-in dirt and comes with Dyson’s new Tangle-free Turbine tool. The Animal Complete has the strongest suction at the cleaner head, which automatically self-adjusts for different carpet lengths and hard floors.
reg. $649. Black Friday price just $487.49. (starts online Nov. 28 or in-store Nov. 29)
Local customers can rest assured that we are equipped to service the vacuums we sell — whether its Dyson, Miele vacuums or Panasonic vacuums.
How to buy a stove/range – shopping tips
November 8, 2013
Whether you call it a stove or a range, you’re going to want to keep these considerations in mind when shopping for a new … oh I give up.
Though freestanding ranges are the most commonly used, slide-in ranges are growing in popularity. Featuring unfinished sides and controls on the front, this style lends a more built-in look, great for islands, and featuring decorative backsplashes. Professional ranges mimic the performance and appearance of a true commercial range.
Pro-style ranges use the most durable components and achieve high temperatures for rapid boiling as well as extremely low temperatures for delicate and precise simmering.
Larger models (36”, 48” or 60” wide) can include built-in griddles and grills. Their ovens offer convection and high-temperature broiling. Convection ovens use airflow for even heat distribution and consistent baking, even with multiple racks. When cooking meats, convection fans sear the skin to retain moisture.
Gas vs. electric
Professional and aspiring chefs usually prefer gas due to a common misconception of all-around superior performance; In most cases electric ranges boil liquid just as quickly and frequently, electric burners reach extremely low temperatures for delicate and precise simmering. But the heat-retention qualities of electric coils and ceramic surfaces cannot range from high to low heat instantaneously as gas cooktops can. But glass surfaces of electric ranges are the easiest to clean and maintain.
When it comes to ovens, electric responds quicker to temperature changes, providing less heat variance overall for more consistent baking results. However, gas ovens provide more “moist heat,” which is better for meats and vegetables. For cooks who want the best of both worlds, the dual-fuel range has the flexibility and control of gas burners on the cooktop with the accuracy and precision of an electric oven.
Induction range burners use magnets to directly heat cookware and leaving the surface cool to the touch, combining an unmatched degree of safety with high power and the responsiveness of gas.
‘HOT’ features to consider
- Warming Drawer – functions as a keep-warm area.
- Second Oven – additional cavity functions as a separate oven. Perfect for cooking short items such as pizzas, pies, casseroles, etc.
- Split Oven Racks – can be partially removed as needed for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously.
Split racks accommodate simultaneous baking of tall dishes.
The laundry pair that’s got your back…literally
October 17, 2013
It’s the reason I was set up with my now-fiance: height. He’s tall, I was told. But I digress…
I’m not the only one who thinks height matters. GE just got taller.
GE’s newest laundry innovation acknowledges that only 60% of consumers buy the washer dryer pedestals recommended to front-load laundry owners to prevent uncomfortable bending and hunching when loading and unloading.
The RightHeight washer and dryer’s built-in risers raise the machines 7 inches off the ground, making it just under 4 feet tall. A traditionallaundry pedestal will raise the top of the machine to about 4-½ feet tall, which GE argues limits the function of the top of the machine to storage space instead of a folding surface, as illustrated below:
*Disclaimer* Laundry-doing man & well-behaved child sold separately.
There are a lot of other features that are worth considering, but my favorite is single-item wash, promoted like this:
“Ditch the environmental guilt with this uniquely designed cycle that offers great wash performance for single items.”
In my house it’d be more like:
“Stop feeling like a failure for never getting around to the laundry and just wash outfits on demand!”
Perhaps most importantly, the RightHeight washer and dryer come in fun colors that either match a beautiful, trendy laundry room or grant respite from a hideous basement dungeon area like mine. Introduce some tall and handsome to your dark laundry room 
Best Bosch dishwasher features review
October 8, 2013
The appliance that hands down gives our customers the most headaches are their dishwashers. They don’t clean, they’re loud, they don’t always fit my big dishes or enough of them at a time.
Note: if this sounds familiar, it might be time to stop making excuses and start making plans for buying a dishwasher.
Certainly there a lot of cool features that dishwasher-makers are coming out with, but I have to give props to a brand that focuses on being the best in those three areas that cause the greatest heartache. Bosch dishwashers are the quietest in their class and are often recognized for their cleaning power. And the newest generation of Bosch dishwashers tweaked the design to free up even more space for dirty dishes.
Dishwashers should actually clean your dishes
It’s a novel concept: a dishwasher that washes your dirty dishes so well that you don’t wash them yourself before loading. It’s a bad habit that many can’t shake, but being the past owner of a bad dishwasher myself, I can empathize.
When I visited the Bosch training facility last year, my favorite room was the small, enclosed dishwasher room. Cozy on purpose to amplify every sound a dishwasher makes.
This room was small, so you could really hear the difference a decibel makes.
We put every imaginable mess on plates that you’d usually soak or rinse off before handing them over to the dishwasher.
But they came out clean every time — by no accident of course. This is how they are designed and tested. But it was especially fun to witness this process. And to not be the one having to load and unload the dishes.
Is this thing on?
Our best Bosch dishwasher in terms of sales registers at 47 dBA, a sound level between hand washing and typing. (FYI, the quietest Bosch dishwasher is 38 dBA, which is scientifically equivalent to a tree falling in the woods when no one is around.) Translation: they’re super quiet.
They achieve this stunningly silent operation through a combination of insulation, water jet trajectory design, and quiet-focused mechanics.
Some Bosch dishwashers are so confusingly silent, engineers added InfoLight to beam a small red orb onto the floor beneath to indicate that it was, in fact, running. TimeLight goes a step further to beam the time remaining. Unnecessary? Probably. Cool? You betcha.
Nice rack
We’ve all experienced the anxiety of “will it fit?” And I’m not just talking about your skinny jeans in January.
Bosch’s RackMatic design totally gets that the tallest stemware is a favorite for allowing the largest “just one glass of wine” pour. And the tallest cookware (roasting pans, cookie sheets, frying pans) are the ones we least like to tackle by hand.
The unique V-shape of Bosch’s rack means never having to handwash. Simply by lower or raise the RackMatic rack to accommodate all the awkwardly shaped wine glasses and pans you want.
That sounds expensive
It’s not that bad. We bundled together the best-selling Bosch dishwasher (on sale for $599) with all its kitchen counterparts and then cut the price by 25% ($3699)…while supplies last.
And actually, a kitchen full of high-efficiency, German engineered appliances sounds very quiet.
via:http://blog.warnersstellian.com/
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