Though nearly all refrigerators used today run on electricity, there is another way to power these appliances.  You can get a gas refrigerator that you don’t need to plug in.  They don’t need electricity to run, which makes them ideal for use in areas without a good power supply.  They are often used in rural cabins, recreational vehicles, and camps.  Though you can use a generator to produce electricity and use that to power a normal refrigerator, it is much simpler and easier to just use a gas fridge.

How a Gas Fridge Works

Gas fridges work by using the heat from burning a gas (usually propane) to separate ammonia from water, which is then cooled and circulated to keep the inside of the fridge nice and frosty.  They are actually pretty quiet, since there are no moving parts or fans.  They have a few components inside them which separate, condense, and cool off ammonia and other substances.  In addition to units that burn propane (called an lp gas fridge), you can also find a natural gas fridge, and even a kerosene fridge.  Depending on where you live, one type of fuel is probably cheaper and more readily available than the others.

Gas Powered Fridge Models

As far as exteriors go, most of these appliances look pretty similar.  They tend to be a bit smaller than normal refrigerators, about the same size as a bar fridge, with an average size of about 7.5 cubic feet.  With a few variations, most models of the gas fridge freezer pretty much work the same way.  A good example is the Danby propane refrigerator.  It has a capacity of 7.8 cubic feet, and the interior has all of the shelves, compartments, and other items that come standard with any fridge.  One thing to remember is that since these models don’t use any electricity, they almost always have a battery powered light that comes on when you open the door.  Over time, the battery might need changing.  Some models just use “D” batteries, but others use special long-lasting ones.

One of the biggest names in gas refrigerators is Dometic, which is a company from South Africa.  This company makes what it calls a gas electric fridge, which can run on both electricity and gas.  These units are wonderful for places that have unreliable electricity sources.  If the power goes out, you can switch it to gas and keep your food source safe and cold.  You can get a Dometic gas fridge that runs on propane, or you can get one that uses kerosene.  This is one of the only manufacturers in the world that produces dual electric kerosene refrigerators.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
No Comments »

We are always on the lookout for cheap appliances.  Many of us don’t have much cash to spare, and when something breaks, you have no choice but to replace it.  There is an art to finding cheap kitchen appliances, and those who have mastered it can save some serious money.  Here is a guide to help you get the best products for your money.

Rule #1:  Shop around for cheap home appliances

It is no secret that the same exact product may vary in price tremendously, depending on where you buy it.  Stores know that once you are there, chances are you won’t remember how much things were at other places.  They also know that once people purchase a cheap appliance, it is usually too much of a pain to return it and buy it again somewhere else.  If you know you need something, check online to get a good idea of prices, even if you are going to buy it at a store.  You can spare yourself from getting gouged this way.

Rule #2:  Wait for cheap household appliances to go on sale

If you can wait for a few weeks, you can usually get a better deal.  How many times have you purchased a cheap kitchen appliance, only to find out that the same store you bought it from had it on sale a couple weeks later?  Big stores often deeply discount a few items to lure customers into the store because they know that once you are there, you will most likely buy a bunch of other stuff as well that isn’t on sale.  They love to discount cheap electrical appliances made in China.  I once got a waffle maker for $4.99 from one of these stores, and it is still working fine 6 years later.

Rule #3:  Consider buying a used appliance

For heavily used appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, electric coffee makers, and microwaves, you probably want to go with a new one. For appliances that you don’t use very often, a cheap used unit will usually suit you just fine.  Most houses have quite a few other appliances tucked away in the cupboard or closet that rarely see the light of day.  My waffle maker is a good example.  It works fine, but it only gets a workout once a month if it is lucky.  Sometimes a cheap kitchen appliance is tempting to buy, but in reality you won’t really use it much.  A good example of this is the bar fridge.  If you just need one to put in the garage to keep drinks cold, you can easily find one of these online at Craigslist.org for around $20.

There was a time when I wanted one of those automatic bread maker machines.  They cost over $100 new at the store, which is pretty steep for something like that.  A couple weeks later, I saw one on sale for $2 at a yard sale.  I use it once in a while, but I usually find that it is cheaper to just buy bread at the store than to make it myself!  There are a lot of kitchen appliances that are cool to have around, but really don’t get much use.  A while ago, I went through a”juice” phase and got a second hand Jack LaLanne juicer that was awesome.  I don’t use it so much anymore, but am happy I didn’t have to dish out a lot of money for it.  Let someone else spend the big bucks to buy it new, and then get it from them for a few bucks at a garage sale!

Rule #4:  Consider fixing it yourself

These days, it is often less expensive to buy a new item than to try to fix it yourself.  The exception to this rule is washing machines, dryers, and other high priced units.  You can easily find cheap appliance parts online at the manufacturers website and then try to fix it yourself if you have the time and/or ability.  Last year I replaced the belt on my dryer, and it was actually quite easy.  Most people would have just scrapped it and bought a new one.  I fixed mine pretty quickly and it only cost $19.
I have to admit that it saddens me to see our landfills overflow with cheap home appliance debris.  Manufacturers actually design their products so they will break after a few years, and the majority of these products end up in the trash can.   They want their stuff to work long enough for you to have a good impression of the company, but not so long that you won’t need to buy another one from them!  Decades ago people used to buy things for their homes that were handmade and are almost indestructible.  Appliances for cheap prices just weren’t available then.  Times have surely changed, and it is quite rare to find a quality, hand made appliance that will last decades these days.

Tags: Appliances, Kitchen Accessories by Jeffrey
No Comments »

Many people face the same dilemma:  They need appliances in their kitchen, but there simply just isn’t enough room for all of them.  When space is short, you need to get creative, and one of the best ways of doing that is by combining appliances.  By itself, a microwave is definitely a bulky appliance that usually takes up a good portion of your counter space.  Getting a combination microwave oven is a great solution to this problem, the same way downsizing to a smaller-sized bar fridge from a giant refrigerator helps out a lot.  There are a number of different types of combination microwaves, so let’s take a quick look at them so that you can get an idea of how you save some space in your kitchen.

The Combination Microwave Convection Oven

One of the most popular 2 in 1 appliances are the combination microwave convection ovens.  Besides being fully functional microwaves, you can use one of these units for almost everything that you would use a regular oven for – baking cookies, browning casseroles, and anything else you want to cook up.  These appliances are great if you don’t already have a big range oven.  You can easily put one either on the counter itself or on a kitchen cart.
The best part about these microwave combination ovens is that they don’t actually cost any more than normal microwaves.  You can get the Sanyo EM-C6786V microwave convection oven for $159, which is pretty comparable to prices for standard microwaves, and Sanyo is a reputable company.
Some of them cost a bit more and add some extra features.  A fine example of this is the Panasonic combination microwave.  The Panasonic NN-C994S Genius Prestige has some features that you probably didn’t even know existed.  One of them is called the “genius sensor”, which automatically adjusts the power level and cooking time while it is on.  I’m not exactly sure how this works, but the folks at Panasonic are certainly geniuses for figuring it out.  If you need both a range and a microwave, a convection microwave oven is a good choice.

The Combination Microwave Hood

Another great appliance design breakthrough is the combination microwave hood.  You just mount this appliance onto the wall above your range, and it acts a fully functional microwave as well as a ventilator.  In addition, nearly all units come with lights that shine right on what you are cooking below, which is great as well.  Like the convection combos, these microwaves cost pretty much the same as normal ones, but they do two tasks.  The Sharp R-1406 is a typical unit.  As has three venting options, straight out, upwards, or recirculation.  The other part of this Sharp combination microwave features 10 different power levels, pre-programmed cooking buttons, and a popcorn button that automatically pops popcorn until it is done, regardless of the brand or size of the bag.

If you are looking for the best combination microwave available, you are in luck.  There are units that feature stylish stainless steel outsides that integrate with other appliances.  In addition, the more expensive models usually feature ventilation fans that aren’t as loud as some of the other ones.

Other Types of Combination Microwave Ovens

There are a few other types of appliance combinations that are available.  One of them is the Daewoo combination microwave toaster that has a toaster attached to the side of the microwave.  This is one of the only units that actually has a real toaster. Another version of this is the LG stainless steel combination microwave toaster, which has a sleek chrome exterior that will integrate well with the rest of your kitchen.  The toaster part is on the side of the unit, and holds two slices of bread or a bagel.

If you are looking for a high end solution for your fully integrated kitchen, you can choose a built in combination microwave oven.  These beautiful appliances have a microwave on top and a range oven underneath it, with a built-in stainless steel exterior that will perfectly integrate with your kitchen.

Tags: Appliances, Microwaves by Jeffrey
No Comments »

There are only a few must-haves for a dorm room, and a dorm fridge is definitely one of them.  You need to have a place to keep beverages frosty, snacks handy, and other things like breakfast foods for when you don’t have time to hit the cafeteria.  Dorm room refrigerators, (which are also called a bar fridge) are also wonderful for tucking away the other half of that pizza you had delivered but couldn’t finish.  Believe me; the cheese and pepperoni isn’t very appetizing after being left out for 24 hours.  Although most dorms have communal kitchens, these tend to be easy targets for students with the late night munchies, and therefore aren’t good places to stash your food.  Here is a short guide to help you choose a good dorm refridgerator.

Basically, there is nothing different between dorm refrigerators and regular mini fridges.  These little appliances need to fit into your way-too-small dorm room.  The smallest of these units is only about a foot tall, so you can easily put it on top of a shelf or even in the closet.  You should get one that is a little bigger though, especially if there will be two people using it.  A size of 3 cubic feet or larger should be enough room to hold your stuff, and it will only be a little bigger than the tiny ones.

Dorm Refrigerator Features

1. Although most of these little fridges tend to be pretty basic, here are a few features that you should look for:
2. Find one with a good freezer in it.  Many dorm size refrigerators have tiny freezer compartments that tend to either ice up or melt whatever you put in there.  Look for one that comes with a full width freezer with a good door on it.
3. Get one that has a flat top that you can use for a counter.  This comes in handy for preparing simple meals.

Look for a unit that says it is “frost free”, which means it will be less likely to ice up.  It is a pain to clean up an iced up fridge in a dorm room with no sink in it!

Dorm Refrigerator Prices

Small dorm refrigerators these days go for as little as $50 or so.  Most college students tend to buy whatever is the cheapest.  Don’t worry about the outside look of it so much. You can slap a few stickers on it to brighten it up.  Many colleges, mine included, had guys prowling the dorm areas when new students moved in, trying to either sell you a used fridge or rent one to you for the year.  You can check the prices, but it is often cheaper to buy a new one than to rent one from one of these guys.  You can simply order one right here on amazon, and it will be delivered right to your dorm in a couple of days.  Alternatively, order one before you leave for school and bring it with you.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
No Comments »

Many people want a small refrigerator to keep their beverages cool and frosty.  When you just don’t have the need or the need for a full size refrigerator, a mini bar fridge is just what you are looking for.  They come in different sizes, from the ultra tiny to fridges that are about half the size of regular ones.  Here is a guide to the different kinds of mini bar fridges that are available.

The Beverage Center Mini Bar Fridge

A great style of mini bar fridge is the beverage center.  These are great little refrigerators, and they have a glass front, so you can see in it without having to open it all the time.  The beverage center fridge is very common in both in-home bars as well as  restaurants, snack bars, boats, and other business locations that simply need a small fridge that can hold lots of cans or bottles.  Most of these models are designed to hold lots of cans, but there are some that can hold bottles as well.  The Haier HBCN05EBB beverage center is designed to hold 96 cans and 46 bottles of wine.  The shelves are coated with vinyl to keep the bottles from slipping off.

If you are just looking for something cheap that will keep your drinks chilled, you can get a normal bar mini fridge that is compact and inexpensive.  These usually don’t have glass fronts, but they work great.  The Igloo FR180 is very small, with a capacity of just 1.7 cubic feet.  That is enough to hold a couple six packs of cans or bottles, as well as a few snacks.  These units are available at argos if you are in the UK.

If you have a business and are looking for a fridge that will attract attention, you can try getting something like the Monster Energy Drink mini bar fridge.  It has the complete logo and design on it.  You can also get fridges designed with many other beverage brand designs.  Some people get one with their favorite sports team logo on it.  As an added bonus, many of these refrigerators come with adjustable hinges on them, so you can choose which way you want it to open.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
No Comments »