Appliances

Back to school is just around the corner and if you’re living in dorms the prospect of eating dorm food all the time might be less than appealing. There are some great small apppliances that can do much more than their names entail. This week I’m checking out what else a rice cooker has to offer besides boring plain old rice, and you just might be excited to see what they can do.

Does your fridge talk to your smartphone and let you know that you’re out of milk or butter? Can your stove turn on wirelessly based on a recipe you’ve created and plugged in? Maybe your washing machine can send you a text if you forgot the fabric softener or your laundry is on the verge of becoming smelly from being left behind? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I’m jealous, but thanks to the Internet of Things, having my very own WiFi enabled appliances isn’t that far off.

All it took was one set of steaks cooked on the T-fal Optigrill Non-stick grill and it was time for my BBQ to step aside and let a handier appliance take over. Here’s what I found out when I tested out the T-fal Optigrill.    

If you’re a busy parent with school runs or a college/university student with a crazy schedule full of classes, your coffee maker can be the one thing in your day to keep you sane.  It’s great to read Best Buy customer reviews to help choose which coffee maker will work best for you. Read on to learn which coffee makers were chosen as favourites.

I’m not sure about you, but rice is a staple in my diet. It’s ridiculously versatile, can be dressed up or down to complement or become a meal, and is relatively low calorie as far as starches are concerned. The problem is that cooking rice—real rice, not the “nuke-in-the-bag-pseudo-rice”—can take a bit of time. And let’s be honest, time can be a luxury; especially when you’re a parent with kids in school, or a student yourself. When I think back to my university days, I have vivid memories of being so busy that the very prospect of cooking dinner made me sweat with anxiety.  

Because I’ve already used a Panasonic microwave for a long time, and the microwave I bought for my new house was a different brand, I was excited to try out the latest Panasonic model, the Panasonic 2.2 Genius Prestige Plus with Cyclonic Inverter Technology; it promises even cooking and defrosting you just can’t find on another microwave.

If you’ve ever watched one of those home improvement shows on TV, you are no doubt aware that the vast majority of interior designers think that a “fan” is either someone who follows them on social media, or an intrusive assault to the esthetic senses. Well, no disrespect to the interior designers out there, but here’s the thing: in the summer months, a fan is an absolute necessity. In fact, depending on the size of your home, and in the absence of air conditioning, multiple fans are a necessity. But what makes one fan different from another? That’s what I’m here to tell you!

Summer is just around the corner, and if you live on the West Coast, it already feels like it has arrived. If you keep it cool inside you have a great escape when you need a break from the heat outside, so a great air conditioner is a must. But with the varieties of air conditioners on the market today and all those BTU’s to choose from, buying one can be tricky. Read on to help you learn which one will work best for your home.

  My parents are using the hot months of the summer to redo their den. I have fond memories of the cool basement, so I’m happy to help. I’m glad Best Buy has all the upgrades we need!