The Best Machine (You Probably Won't Buy)

Miele manufactures the best washer and dryer. That's fact. This company is crazy about quality, and still manufacturers its very own intuitive controls. They have a perforated "honeycomb" drum which is specifically designed to be easy on delicates and almost a limitless variety of washing modes and cycles.

You probably wont buy it through no fault of the company itself...



Three reasons:

1. The product was not designed to be stacked...Now most upscale consumers are moving laundry to the bedroom not the basement.

2. Since it is German made, the price has increased dramatically to over $2800, while the economy has dictated price decreases.

3. Companies like Bosch are now manufacturing competitive products for almost half the price.

Pro Alternatives

Once upon a time, professional ranges (defined as fast burners of 15,000 BTU with a commercial appearance) were widely sold. This segment has been decimated with the economy and general housing market.

However, there are alternatives...

GE Cafe CGS980SEMSS

In many ways, this could be a better unit than a pro oven with a 17,000 BTU power burner, griddle burner, convection oven, second oven and self cleaning...Good value at





Bertazzoni A304GGVXE

Faux pro. Looks like a pro, but has regular burners and a much more ordinary price at $2299.





KitchenAid KDRS467VSS

Ok, this is a pro range. It is the hottest at 20,000 BTU with a clock, timer and self cleaning. At $5499, it is $3000 less than similar products.

From Edison to LED

"Nearly 130 years ago, Thomas Alva Edison received patent No. 223,898 for the invention of an Improvement in Electric Lamps. That spawned the incandescent bulbs we all know today - and which in 2012 will begin to fade under federal regulations designed to increase energy efficiency." Read the rest at Boston.com.

Incandescent bulbs won't begin to be outlawed until 2012, but the technology of the future appears to be here now.

We have a short YouTube video of the difference between an Incandescent and an LED bulb running a power meter. Check it out:

Yale Home Show

For the first 14 years of my career, we were in a free standing Home Show in Boston. These events became too general in my opinion, and most have actually disappeared.

11 years ago, we remodeled the store (the first of 7 times and counting) with live products. Then the idea of live demos with chefs seemed like a logical extension. Customers also seem to need the most help with selections in February, because projects are starting or will be starting shortly.

So why not show people tons of choices and show these options working?

Thus the idea of the Yale Home Show was born.