A Few Answers to Your Washer Questions

I still like being on the floor interacting with customers. The salespeople are better than me, but occasionally when needed, our manager Tom will throw me to the wolves downstairs in the Outlet.

At the very least, it is good Blog fodder. Last Friday, I was asked this question three times (two are a coincidence, three is a trend).

Question 1: Do front loaders smell? The answer is not now. One of the original and most famous, the infamous Maytag Neptune, had a gap between the inner and outer tub. Water would be left between the two and fester, thus creating the odor, which arguably destroyed the company. This years models are gasket-ed to prevent said odor. Have a look:



Question 2: How do I prevent wrinkles?

Yes, your clothes will wrinkle with a front load. There is a simple reason. The spin speed on a front load averages 1200 RPM, which is roughly 3 times your top load. This is great for water extraction and less dry time, but will cause wrinkling.

The simple solution is fabric softener (as discovered by Dennis MacDonald) Try a capful in your next wash. We sell the Miele, but there are others.





One last comment: Consider an efficient washer. It will have up to twice the capacity and use half the electricity and a third the water. A conservative annual savings is $150...a least.

Black and Blue Friday

Black Friday is named, because traditional retailers actually become profitable for the year on this day...Hence the term Black.

I never really understood promoting loss leaders in order to sell a client something else. How can people be loyal to a store one day a year?

Of course this year has granted me fresh perspective. I bought my share of "Black Friday" specials. I would buy them year round, but they were only offered last Wednesday. What I did not count on is the lack of actual delivery.

Have a look:

Bosch Dishwasher Black and White $299

125 ordered 23 Received




Bosch Stainless Dishwasher $399

250 ordered 40 Received




Frigidaire Affinity Washer $399

250 ordered 40 received




Pretty infuriating....

Happy Thanksgiving

Love this holiday...I will be working at the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter. I will be slinging turkey and then waiting tables...Very fulfilling.


Then off to my sisters to spend time with the family


Take care all,



Steve Sheinkopf
CEO
Yale Appliance And Lighting

How To Buy A Range

So you want to buy a basic self cleaning range, let me show you the difference between 2 basic self cleaning electric and gas units.

Electric: Difference is a larger burner, a warmer and stainless steel handles for $100.



Gas: Oddly enough, pretty much the same....Fifth burner and stainless handles for...you guessed it $100.



Next step would be convection, then a second oven......

I Dont Get It

An appropriate title for a confusing situation....So here we have a Viking all induction 36 inch cooktop.





Versus the GE induction range with a convection oven and second oven underneath.





The Viking cooktop is over $4500 and the GE range is just over $2400 seems a little high for half a unit....

Congratulations Mr. Shannon

I think he was happy winning a $5,000 grill....





What do you think? Plenty of people entered to win. Of course being a Facebook friend, a Twitter follower or an Email Recipient increases your chances three fold.

The Best Ranges (For Now)

Its almost Thanksgiving, which means cooking.....and thus means ranges. Beats thinking about the Lions being beaten down yet again.

But which to choose? Following are my favs for value...

The Frigidaire FGF368(Gas)/FEF368(Electric)

Just a great basic self cleaning range...Stainless steel is only $589











The Bosch HGS5053/HES3053

I like this range. It has a power and simmer burner, convection and a griddle burner for good measure. Its manufacturered bt Frigidaire, but looks better under the Bosch name and is $120 cheaper....











The GE PHB925

You can buy a 30 inch induction cooktop for $2000 or buy this range with convection and double ovens for $2499....Best performing cooking product in the store.

How to Plan Outside Lighting Part 2

Good Karma day....Blogged indiscriminately about outside lighting yesterday and today have a very good practical application of a completed renovation .

Great pics...

How to Light The Outside

As far as I am concerned Daylight Savings time means winter...and darkness.

You have plenty of choices for lighting the exterior of your house...



But, like all decorative (search decorative on this blog) lighting, there is no rule for sizing the actual fixture. Lets look at each iteration:

Wall: Typically, there are three sizes of outside lights. The smaller type is for garages and smaller spaces, the medium will accommodate most other applications. The largest size...you guessed it is for larger applications and homes.

Post: Post lights are electrified by a...post, and can fit on fences as well. Typically there are two sizes, which you choose based on the expanse of the yard.

Hanging/Flush: This is not the most popular style, but can be great on farmers porches and other covered outside spaces (small note here any fixture on the outside should be rated for damp or wet location).

Your Delivery person is a Criminal?

Kind of a different yet important post today

Fox News had an expose last night about delivery and tradespeople having criminal records. I can actually(it is Fox) believe this. About 15 years ago, a Yale technician once stole a ring from a customers house. I recovered the ring and learned a very valuable lesson.

Here is how you can deter criminals from entering your home:

1 Ask if the store is CORI certified. CORI is the state computer for criminal offenders. Certification allows for access

2. Credit checks: Look for bankruptcies and other credit problems. If they are short of cash, you could be at risk

3. Random drug screens: If you are a company, this is a given. Once again, as a consumer it is a question worth asking


Ask these questions before accepting delivery

Rebates...More Rebates

I am a completely mercenary in reviews. I can see myself buying different items merely based on price comparison, I am a realist. Bosch, GE, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and Electrolux all have very good laundry...

If you are converting from a top load, you will save money through greater water and electrical efficiency, larger capacity and high spin speed (less drying)

So yes, a $300 rebate would sway me from a favorite to a mere consideration. But who would do something that extreme?



Bosch: Once $889 now $589....

And The Winner is.....

Scott Shannon is the proud owner of a 36 inch Lynx grill...The question is: Is he worthy?

Thanks to everyone (2700 of you) for playing. It was a fun little contest and we will definitely do more. You can sign up for future contests by simply being a Facebook Fan, a Twitter follower or join our email club (we wont abuse the privilege).

Next contest is for our Home Show in February...

The Yale Chef Series Rolls On

Tomorrow is one of my favs. Andy Husbands of
Tremont647/Sister Sorel will be demonstrating from 12-3. Andy is the author of The Fearless Chef and is one of the movers behind Share Our Strength. SOS helps feed hungry kids (currently 1 out of 6 in Boston) and provides nutritional information to needy families.

Great Guy, Great Chef

Viking Wakes Up

Viking really pioneered the professional range. Interesting side note: The Viking range was actually prototyped by Whirlpool in the late 80s. When Whirlpool decided not to proceed, the executives moved to Greenwood, Mississippi and created the Viking brand.

At one point, Viking manufactured 50% of the professional ranges sold. Then they stopped innovating. They were late to the party on dual fuel, sealed burners and low simmer. Now Wolf is perhaps equal in prestige...

Recently, Viking launched a new range with updated styling and an 18,500 BTU burner(versus a 15,000). Its a step in the right direction.




For more information about pro cooking, take a look at our Pro Cooking Buyers Guide.

Win a $5,000 Lynx Grill

We have had this image on our site for about 1 week. Tomorrow we will randomly pick the winner. (Last chance to enter!)

The Grill





How to buy a grill (a little off season, I know):

1. Construction. Ideally you want stainless especially if you expose it to the elements. You also want decent burners, cast iron or brass preferably.

2. BTU Output: The Lynx pictured is 75,000 BTU, but anything over 35-40,000 should be fine.

3. Pro Sear: Fast element to sear meats quickly.

4. Rotisserie: Baste meats in their own natural juices.

5. Side burners: Great convenience feature and some of these burners are pro.

New Induction...Electrolux

Induction is the best way to cook. Yes, its better than even the most powerful professional gas unit. Speed, ability to simmer, less heat exhausted into the kitchen, less venting needed and child safety are the hallmarks of induction cooking.

Although we display GE, Thermador, Diva, Bosch, Wolf and Viking, Electrolux is the most price competitive....and they have improved their design.

Have a look...


They eliminated that second stainless border, so it is easier to clean.

How to...Integrate Appliances

Have to admit, I really like the look of a hidden appliance....Have a look.



An integrated appliance is quite simply an appliance, which does not protrude beyond the edge of the cabinet. In other words, the appliance is hidden within the actual cabinet. There are now more options than ever...A couple of considerations:

1. Integrated appliances tend to be more costly
2. Because they fit within 24 inches, there is less capacity
3. Stick to the European or European inspired brands, most of the American companies still protrude

French Door Barbie...

Lets look at that beacon of American culture...The Barbie Doll.





As you can see, the Barbie is now packed with a french door refrigerator instead of a side by side. The fine folk at Hasbro have astutely packed the more popular refrigerator.



Here's why French doors are more popular than side by sides:

1. French doors allow for better lateral storage
2. More refrigeration space/less freezer space
3. Refrigerator at waist level...no bending
4. Newer and "cooler"(perception is everything)look

Cooking...The Definitive Work

I must have been way more creative when I was young(er). Found this pamphlet a short time ago, and thought it would be a good post.

It is our definitive work on cooking from pans to pan searing....

Let me know if you like.

Two Minute Training - Induction Cooking

I am beginning to like these 2 minute drills...Less thought provoking for myself.
Induction is the fastest to boil, features the best simmer and is virtually child safe.

Because induction is 90% efficient versus 60% for gas and 55% for regular electric, ventilation can be downsized due to less heat exfiltration (love that word).

Now for the visual:

Sign of the Times...Part 2

I am a chronic rebate watcher, only because there could be 3-4 different rebates at different times on the same unit. You see all the ads on television promising 15% off. In reality, rebates could be 30% or higher.

Appliance manufacturers have traditionally rebated the upper middle to upscale products. In theory, there is more profit per unit at the higher end...

Of course, with the recession still ongoing, the more economical units now have very aggressive rebates.

Have a look:





When was the last time there was a decent kitchen package at $1699 for 4 pieces?

Me and a Stove

Went to Salem for Halloween. This holiday is particularly interesting in this town. As a FYI, Salem was where they burned witches back in the 1700s. For some reason this translates into a more robust Halloween Holiday season.

So much for history - Now for the best costume....A guy dressed as a stove, complete with fake burners and oven light...





As Thanksgiving approaches, we will next week focus more on cooking. For now, you may want to go to Youtube and look up Yale Appliance. Kurt has some turkey tips for the holidays.

Two Minute Training...Crystal Chandeliers

Your Grandparents probably had one. Years ago, crystal was strictly formal and strictly for a formal living space. Now crystal has become much more versatile and can be placed in hallways, kitchens and even bathrooms (we used crystal in the ladies room at Yale).

Now there is all different types of crystal and much of it is informal, espcially colored crystal.

Give Bob 2 minutes to explain more fully...