Jan
19

Appliance Terminology Overview

I think a good way to start this blog post series will be to explain some appliance terminology and what it all means. A short encyclopedia, if you will. This is not necessarily all in alphabetical order.

I might get a little technical, but I’ll try to apply the K.I.S.S. rule (keep it simple, stupid) wherever I can.

Technology

Compressor-Based System: An appliance that uses a compressor, or pump, with a closed refrigeration system, and uses a refrigerant to cool a particular space.  This could be a refrigerator, wine cooler (some), kegerator or deep freezer. Common refrigerants include R134A and R410A, among others.

Thermoelectric / TE: An appliance that uses electronics/electricity to cool a small space without the use of refrigerants. These typically consist of a cooling node (Peltier effect) and fans to distribute the air inside the cabinet and dissipate the heat to the outside. They are, for the most part, efficient, although there are a few drawbacks, especially if you are trying to build it into a cabinet.  I’ll delve into that in a later post, along with what exactly a Peltier unit is in simple terms.

LED: Refers to a Light Emitting Diode, which is a commonly used electronic component. All diodes allow electricity to flow in one direction only. Think of it as a one way street, except this one glows when the electric flows. They are used for operation and mode indicators, and also for general lighting purposes. Sometimes they use different colors and are commonly used to highlight and display wines in wine coolers.

Cooling Fans: This will mostly apply to thermoelectric, or TE, wine coolers. They do different jobs: some distribute the cooled air inside the cabinet or at the evaporator coil on compressor-based units, and others get rid of the hot air at the back of the cabinet or from the condenser coils on compressor-based units. Most of them consist of the same small DC-powered fans you find in your desktop computer.

Product Descriptions

Countertop Dishwasher   Portable Air Conditioner   Portable Ice Maker   Kegerator   Portable Freezer Refrigerator   Wine Cooler

Portable Dishwasher: This isn’t the one your mom used to roll around the kitchen and store in a corner. These actually are small enough to sit on a countertop. These are really simple to install. Most come with two hoses, a drain and supply, and a quick connector to attach to a standard kitchen faucet, in place of the aerator. They are typically not meant for a permanent installation. They come in different sizes and capacities, also.

Portable Air Conditioner: An alternative to the typical, window-mounted A/C unit. These usually have one hose used to exhaust out the hot air produced during the cooling process, though some will also have an intake hose. They are mounted on casters, so they can be moved room to room. Most will evaporate the majority, if not all, of the water produced in the exhaust air, but if they don’t get rid of all of it, they will usually have a drain at the bottom of the unit to get rid of the collected water. Portable air conditioners usually will require a 15 amp circuit to run properly, although there are some that require 20 amps or more. Most will come with a window fitting kit that is easily assembled, as they have to be vented to the outside of the room being cooled in most cases.

Portable Ice Maker: An ice maker that is small enough to sit on a counter, produces 6-12 cubes at a time, uses a self-contained water supply and storage for the ice after the cycle is complete. These are not high volume units. Typically, they will not refrigerate the ice and it will melt back into the water tank to start the process over yet again. I recommend moving each batch of ice out of the ice maker and into your regular freezer.

Kegerator: A refrigerated appliance used to keep beer cold and dispense beer. Usually has a connected tower and faucet, with dispenser head to pour the beer and on board CO2 storage to pressurize the beer. They also usually have casters for portability and can be used with multiple beers of your choice, sometimes more than one keg can be used (called a dual tap kegerator). Some kegerators are much smaller and utilize a 5 liter mini keg. These are fairly new on the market. The larger kegerators fit a half shell sankey keg, or Cornelius keg. Some of the mini keg 5 liter units will run on 12V DC and are popular with tailgaters.

Portable Freezer / Refrigerator: These are unique, as they can be used in a vehicle, or boat, or while camping and for emergency uses. Some use compressor-based refrigeration, while others use TE technology. A TE unit typically will not be able to refrigerate to freezing or below, and they will usually be good for 40 degrees F below the ambient temperature around the unit. Think short term storage,  like trips to the grocery store. The compressor-based units are infinitely more flexible, allowing for -0 degrees F operation, up through 50+ degrees F, in most cases. Both can be operated from 12V DC and 120V AC, depending on the model. Each type has their pluses and minuses and I will cover those later. Personally, I like them both!

Wine Cooler: These come in a wide variety of sizes and capacities.  The same can be said for the refrigeration system used. While they have a large temperature range to work with, the TE models generally will hold wines from 45 degrees F-65 degrees F, depending on the ambient temperature of the room they are located in. A compressor-based unit will usually hold wines at 40 degrees F or less, and can be built into a cabinet, as the condenser coil and fan is at the bottom front of the unit. One thing to  remember with wine coolers in general:  They are designed for long term STORAGE, not drinkability, and that applies to TE units in particular. Again, that is a general guideline, so YMMV, or Your Mileage May Vary. (I love acronyms, don’t you?)

Til next time!

Dave

Previous Post: What is a small appliance, anyway?

Jan
16

Living Direct Adopt-a-Family

wrapped presentsFor the past few years, Living Direct has been involved in the Adopt-A-Family program where families experiencing financial hardships get to provide a Christmas wish list.  A group of us led the Adopt-A-Family initiative and after having so much participation last year, we decided to choose two families this year.

Both families chosen were from the Austin area and consisted of a single mom with two children.  Personally, this is one of my favorite Give Back initiatives that we’re involved with here at Living Direct, as we have the opportunity to directly connect with a family in need.  We’re very happy and fortunate to be able to provide the Christmas that these families (especially the kids) deserve after having a tough year.  Both families that we chose were wonderful to work with and could not have been more grateful and appreciative for the help this holiday season.  It’s definitely a tear jerker to hear a mom say that she wants absolutely nothing for herself, but only for her children to have a good Christmas.

I have actually kept in touch with one of the families and feel very lucky to have met them.  They feel so blessed for all of the things they do have instead of feeling sorry for the things that they don’t.  Their optimism for 2012 is truly inspiring.  Last week I had a girl’s night out with the 14 year old daughter.  We had bought her all the wrong clothing sizes so I took her shopping and out to dinner.  It was really fun to get to know her better.  She is extremely intelligent, highly involved in bettering their community and knows exactly what she wants to do after high school and even after college.  I’m excited for her future and know she’ll end up making a difference wherever she ends up.

As this holiday season came and went, I am already looking forward to us making that phone call next year and telling a deserving family that Living Direct is going to help make their Christmas extra special!

Jan
12

What is a small appliance anyway?

Toasters     Mini Kegerator     Compact Refrigerator

Well, a small appliance could be just about anything… a toaster, for example, or a wine cooler, or a kegerator, or a portable air conditioner… ok, you get the idea. These are not major appliances, and only have lifespans ranging from 2-10 years, on average.

Primarily, I will be focusing on some of the more popular kitchen, garage and man-cave must-have appliances in my posts. My job is to help with set up of the appliance and care for it, so it lasts much longer than the warranty does. I will not have many pictures in my posts, due to the fact that there are so many different models on the market, and the instructions that come with your new unit will supersede anything here, so this is meant to be generic in nature.

I’m sure there will be questions, comments and advice from everyone. Great! I’ll answer some of them in my posts, and later, I’ll set up a Q & A to help answer some of the more common ones, if I can do that.

I should have a new post up every week. I look forward to posting and seeing what people have to say, along with the good, the bad and the ugly.

Stay tuned!

Dave

Editor’s Note: Dave S. is an EdgeStar Technician and product specialist with Living Direct. He will be writing a weekly column on this blog to explain technical terms used when dealing with appliances, product guides and general helpful information when it comes to purchasing and using appliances. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments and Dave will do his best to help you out.

Jan
04

Keeping Your Resolution to Get Fit in 2012

As the clock ticked to 2012, many of us pledged the same resolution we do each year and that’s to get in shape, lose the extra pounds from the holidays, and really, just lead an overall healthier lifestyle. With the help of a few key appliances, this year could be a lot easier to keep your resolution and stay motivated and all without even visiting a gym!

Check out these products that will aid in your transition to a healthier lifestyle in the New Year:

Kettler Exercise Bike1. Kettler Polo M Exercise Bike

By investing in a Kettler exercise bike, you’ll be able to work out on your own time and in the comfort of your own home. Exercising at home is great because it’s so much more convenient than driving to the gym and you can even catch a couple of episodes of your favorite TV show while burning a few hundred calories.

This model is perfect to track progress to your goal with the easy-to use display showing your calories burned, distance traveled and even your heart rate during the workout.

 

Deni Food Steamer2. Deni 3 Tier Digital Food Steamer – Stainless Steel

A food steamer is a great way to get started with a healthy cooking routine. Not only can steaming retain 50% more vitamins and nutrients than boiling, but another bonus is you can prepare your entire meal with just the use of this product.

The extra tiers on the Deni model allow you to steam everything from rice to seafood and, of course, vegetables all at the same time.

 

Cuisinart Electric Blender3. Cuisinart Smart Power 7-Speed Electric Blender

No kitchen would be complete without a multi-speed blender. The Cuisinart 7-speed electric blender is powerful enough to mix, chop, crush or pulse whatever healthy meal or snack you’re making.

Smoothies and protein shakes will be a beneficial addition to your new lifestyle and a breeze for this powerful blender.

 

I wish you the best of luck in staying motivated and reaching your goal this year — I know you can do it! Check out our full line of fitness equipment, steamers and blenders for additional options to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Dec
19

Appliance Maintenance Tips

                    refrigerators

To ensure that your favorite appliances last a long time and continue to work well, you want to make sure you take very good care of them. From big appliances like refrigerators and washing machines to small appliances like toasters and microwaves, caring for their overall function is a must. Without proper care, your appliances may become ineffective, resulting in a higher electricity bill or unfulfilled purpose, or even potentially start a house fire due to faulty wiring or mechanics.

Cleaning your appliances after you use them is an excellent way to keep hazards at bay. Small appliances such as waffle makers, sandwich presses, blenders and toasters should especially be cleaned after use to help keep crumbs or uncooked batter from burning and possibly catching on fire. Therefore, after cooking food with these appliances you should wipe or wash them down, but also be cautious of electrical cords and features that may be ruined by contact with water.

Inspecting your appliances’ electrical connections is extremely important. Appliances age with use and loose wires can be potentially very dangerous to you and your family. If wires seem taut, split or torn and exposing the actual electrical wires, your appliance may be at risk of sparking and starting a fire or electrical surge causing a power outage in the rest of your home. This can also lead to damaging your appliance completely.

Overheating is also a common deficiency in older appliances. Being aware of the age of your appliances and their normal function is important so that you can recognize when something is wrong, like overheating or strange noises.  This appliance reaction is usually caused due to a backup of dust and dirt blocking the appliance filter. In some vacuums and washer dryers, this is common when the lint filter is filled to capacity with lint or dirt.

Make sure to read the instructions on any new appliance you purchase so you know how to care for them and what to do if they need repair. Some appliances are self-explanatory and easy to use, but keeping the instructions handy will help you if you need to repair the appliance or need warranty information. If something goes wrong with any of your appliances, you’ll find comfort in knowing you are prepared.

Dec
15

Holiday Gift Ideas: Small Appliances

Small Appliances

Small kitchen appliances make great gifts for any occasion. They are affordable and usually appreciated for the purpose they serve. Finding the right appliance can be confusing and time consuming but with these tips we hope to make your next shopping trip a little bit easier! Do your research and make sure you compare reviews so the gift-receiver isn’t left with a useless appliance.   Here are the top three most common small appliances for gifts:

 

1. Coffee Makers

Kalorik Coffee Maker

One of the best and most popular appliance gifts for the holidays is coffee makers. These are excellent gift choices because they will provide the receiver with hot beverages, a great way to warm up during this cold weather period.

Coffee makers typically range in price. Choices vary based on your budget and the special add-ons you want to include that may or may not be necessary for its overall purpose. For the best decision consider the recipient’s taste. Do they enjoy bright colors? If so, the Kalorik 12 Cup Coffee Maker is a great choice, we love its bright cherry red color and it can make enough coffee for the recipient and their family. It also has great digital features for the high tech people in your life! We offer a variety of coffee makers available in different colors, serving sizes and features, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for the coffee lover on your list.

 

2. Mixers and Blenders

Tailgator Portable Blender          Oster 10-Speed Blender          Kalorik Stand Mixer

Mixers and blenders are the next most popular appliance gifts. They make the perfect gift for the baker in your life or your health-conscious friend who enjoys a morning smoothie.  Both are also usually inexpensive but again, the price varies depending on the features you want.

Does your brother love to tailgate?  Get the green Tailgator Gas Powered Portable Blender for him to enjoy frozen drinks at his favorite sporting event.  For the more traditional model, try the Oster 10-Speed Blender . Then we’ve got this amazing Kalorik Silver Stand Mixer, for the Betty Crocker in your life.  You can choose from any of our mixer and blender options that come with a variety of features.

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3. Toaster

Cuisinart Toaster                    Sunpentown Breakfast Maker

And finally, another common appliance gift is the toaster. Many families use toasters every single morning for breakfast. You can choose a regular toaster for the typical 2-4 slice appliance, or you can opt for a more multi-purpose toaster oven, which can toast your bread as well as cook frozen foods and bake small quantities of cookies and small entrees.

Our Cuisinart Classic 2-Slice Toaster is the perfect gift for your friend with a modern kitchen. Or you can combine the conveniences of coffee and breakfast by giving this Sunpentown Stainless Steel 3 in 1 Breakfast Maker as a present.

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Finding the right small appliance for your gift giving needs can be easy if you consider the functions and preferences of the user.  Small appliances are excellent gifts for loved ones; they will keep on giving, providing the recipient with freshly made coffee or cooked food and drinks for many years to come!

Dec
09

Must-Have Products for Holiday Entertaining

Tis’ the season to entertain!  Many of us love entertaining and the holidays but entertaining during the holidays can be downright stressful.  As a child you enjoyed all the festivities had to offer whether you celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah or, for some, maybe even Festivus! As we become adults we get to see the behind the scenes of it all and unless you have super powers you have had your challenges.  So here is a helpful guide on must-have products to make your entertaining season full of cheer!

Slow Cooker:

One of my favorite must-haves is the infamous slow cooker. This is a great product for even those nights when you have to fit in some holiday shopping and still manage to cook dinner for the family. The options are endless: you can make a wonderful, warm apple cider, an amazing dip for Christmas Eve, baked applies for dessert or, on Christmas, a hearty soup as an appetizer. Growing up every Christmas, we had Escarole and Bean Soup, super delicious and super easy!

Simply any appliance that allows you to get all of your other duties done while it does all the cooking is a life saver. There are some great options to choose from depending on your family/guest size. I typically have small get-togethers and find the perfect size for me is a 3.5 qt, like the Cuisinart 3.5 Programmable Slow Cooker, but if you have a larger family a 6.5-7 qt might be right for you. Check out the Cuisinart 6.5 qt Programmable Slow Cooker or the Kalorik 7 qt Slow Cooker for larger groups.

Knife Set/Food Processor:

Whether you are a purist or practical, you need a great tool to help with food preparation.  For the purist who really takes cooking to a higher standard, a great knife set is key. I highly recommend any knife set from the Ginsu Knife Collection as they are the epitome of high quality! For the amateur chef or the professional, you have a range to choose from. A couple of my favorite knife sets are the Ginsu Chikara 5  Piece Bamboo/Stainless Steel Set and Ginsu Shoku Ebony 8 Piece with Magnetic Strip.

For the practical chef who doesn’t have enough hands to keep up, a great food processor can help out a lot. Preparation is half the battle and these are some of the great options available: Cuisinart 4 Cup Food Processor, Cuisinart 7 Cup Food Processor and, for the budget-minded, Black & Decker Food Chopper.

Gravy Boat:

My father (who is a chef, so he definitely knows what he’s talking about) always said a good gravy boat is essential to a holiday meal as the gravy ties the entire meal together.  There are many wonderful gravy boats on the market today, but I have a new favorite.

What is better than a regular gravy boat? A heated gravy boat with a wide handle and nice design, the Next Level Gravy Boat.  Not only is it great for serving gravy, but it can also be used for morning brunch as a syrup warmer!  You could probably use it for many other sauces as well. I believe anything that warms something dear to your heart is a great product and a must-have!

Wine & Beverage Refrigerators:

If you are the type of entertainer to throw big lavish dinners, cozy get-togethers or rowdy parties (so pretty much, any type of entertainer), then enjoying a holiday beverage is key. Whether you love a cold beer, tall glass of wine or some bubbly, a great beverage or wine cooler is a big convenience. There are so many different options available that you are sure to find the right product for your needs.

Here are some wonderful units for all of you different types of entertainers:
- Cold Beer: EdgeStar 84 Can Beverage Cooler
- Cozy Get-Together: Koldfront 4 Bottle Wine Cooler
- Red OR White Wine: Koldfront 30 Bottle Wine Cooler
- Red AND White Wine: EdgeStar 46 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler

Coffee Makers:

Lastly, but definitely not least, is a great coffee maker!  Coffee is many things for different people. Some use it as their alarm clock to wake up, it’s what keeps others going throughout the day and for people like me, it is just nice to sit and enjoy a lively conversation over a hot cup of coffee.

If you’re going to be hosting a crowd this holiday season, then make sure you have enough joe to go around! Get a large coffee machine like the Cuisinart 12 Cup Coffee Maker or the Cuisinart Grind & Brew 10 Cup Coffee Maker. And don’t forget about the tea drinkers in your family, the Kalorik-JK31099 Dome Jug Kettle will help them feel right at home.

Nov
17

Gift Baskets: Perfect Holiday Gifts

I am very pleased to say that LivingDirect.com now offers a whole slew of gourmet gift baskets featuring all sorts of themes. Gift baskets make great gifts for the holidays because it’s easy to find the perfect one for anyone on your list, they combine an assortment of items that the receiver is sure to enjoy and actually use, and they arrive already all wrapped up. Holiday shopping doesn’t get much better, or easier, than that!

To celebrate the launch of our new gift baskets (and show you that they really do come in all shapes, sizes and themes), I’ve compiled the following list of my favorite/the most unique gift baskets that we offer. (I’d also like to add that one of the best elements of any gift basket is the very unique name assigned to it, so I hope you enjoy these choices as much I enjoyed picking them.)

7 Unique Gourmet Gift Baskets

Frosty's Winter Wonder Care Package1. Frosty’s Winter Wonder Care Package

There really isn’t a better name for the image of this wintery-themed gift basket. The care package itself is decorated with plenty of snowflakes and snowmen, and even comes with a miniature Frosty stuffed toy.

I imagine this gift basket would be greatly appreciated by any college student in the midst of studying for their exams – however, that might be said for almost any of these – or by someone who loves winter wonderlands. This Frosty Care Package also includes, but is not limited to, cookies, jelly beans and two different types of hot chocolate.

 

Junk Food Junkie Gift Box2. Junk Food Junkie Gift Box

Honestly, the face on the box scares me a little, but it’s probably the exact same face I would make if I received this gift basket in the mail. There’s something about a box full of candy that turns adults into giddy little kids.

I’m not sure there’s anyone that wouldn’t enjoy this gift box. It comes with a large variety of different sweets and snacks, including M&Ms, Skittles, Reese’s, Chex Mix, Frito’s chips, cookies and even popcorn! They definitely aren’t kidding when they say junk food, but the holidays are the best time to indulge yourself a little.

 

And the Race is On NASCAR Lovers Gift Chest3. And the Race is On NASCAR Lovers Gift Chest

Now that is a mouthful of a name for a gift basket, but it certainly captures the theme well. I’m not quite sure what some of the items in this gift chest have to do with NASCAR, but I doubt any NASCAR lover would complain about receiving them.

This gourmet gift basket includes NASCAR-themed pistachios (please, someone buy this and let me know how that works), a cooler cup, racing-themed candies, cheese and crackers, a snack mix, NASCAR note cards with envelopes, a NASCAR hat and a book on stock car racing. The best part of the package though might be that it’s not actually a gift basket, but a 10 pack cooler that all of these great items arrive in.

 

Mickey's Fun House Gift Bag4. Mickey’s Fun House Gift Bag

This gift basket just proves my point that you can find a gift basket for anyone on your list, including even little kids. Though I do suppose this Mickey Mouse gift bag would make a great gift for a Disney-loving adult too.

Mickey’s Fun House Gift Bag is great for keeping kids entertained on days when they are stuck in doors because of bad weather or they’re sick. It comes with a Mickey coloring book and crayons, a Mickey puzzle, a Mickey paint set with 2 canvas boards, bubbles, candy, cookies and play-dough. This bag would make a great holiday gift or a wonderful get well soon package.

 

A Sincere Thank You Gift Box5. A Sincere Thank You Gift Box

If you wish to express gratitude to someone in your life, then this gift box is the best way to do so. Just make sure that your thankfulness is genuine, because, as the name says, this gift basket is for sincere thank yous only.

A Sincere Thank You gift basket includes chocolate-covered pretzels, truffles, chocolate peanuts, coffee, snack mix, mixed nuts, more pretzels (also, possibly chocolate-covered), caramel corn and flatbread crisps – All the ways someone knows that you really are thankful for their help.

 

6Bullseye Treats Dart Board. Bullseye Treats Dart Board

This might be the most interestingly packaged “gift basket” on the list, possibly our site. In fact, I had to double check with my coworkers that this was even on the right page! At first glance it looks like an actual dart board.

The Bullseye Treats Dart Board would make a great gift for a guy that can’t get enough of the bar. It comes with 6 assorted cheeses for pairing with beer, which might not be as impressive as some of these other gift baskets, but the dart board can actually be used for games! A package of 6 darts is included.

 

Picnic for Two Hamper7. Picnic for Two Hamper

The Picnic for Two Hamper is a brilliant gift idea for any couples (newlyweds maybe?) or people who love the outdoors on your list. It not only comes with delicious food already packed, but it also includes two place settings ready to go!

The food items in this picnic gift basket include fruit slices, cheese, cookies, sausage, salami, chips and salsa, crackers, snack mix (seems to be a gift basket staple), mustard, caramels and pretzels. The only thing not included is the blanket.

 

 

There are definitely more interesting gift baskets on our site that you should check out. Leave a comment and let me know which one is your favorite! And while you’re at it, take a look at our Holiday Gift Center for other great gift ideas.

 

Oct
21

Around the Living Direct Network

Here’s what’s been happening on the Living Direct Network blogs since the last update.

Wine Savvy

Introducing: Koldfront BWR300BL Wine Cooler

Beer Scholar

How to Clean a Kegerator
Homebrew Competition

Compact Excellence

Appliance Hack: Wine Cooler to Cigar Humidor

Air Aficionados

What is a Portable Air Conditioner?

No Humidity Zone

What Capacity Dehumidifier Do I Need?

 

Oct
13

Living Direct 12 Year Anniversary Giveaway


We’ve grown to be a top internet retailer specializing in compact appliances and home goods since our humble beginning in 1999. Now,  it’s our 12th anniversary this month (October), and we’re giving away a $1,200.00 shopping spree on our network of sites to celebrate!

We have been dedicated to the customer from day one, making sure to quickly provide you with quality products at a cost-efficient price. From looking at reviews, to creating our own high-quality brand of EdgeStar appliances, we have always been and will always be all about YOU, the consumer.

All you have to do to enter to win the  $1,200.00 12 year anniversary shopping spree sweepstakes is just place an order. And remember, more orders equals more entries! Good luck!

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