From One Cup Coffee Makers to “Smart” Refrigerators: Kitchen Appliances Catch Up with the Speed of Life

From One Cup Coffee Makers to “Smart” Refrigerators:
Kitchen Appliances Catch up with the Speed of Life
By R.L. Fielding

The modern kitchen would not be complete without a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave, and a coffee maker. As fixtures in one of the most important rooms in the house, these appliances are on the forefront of the battle for greater convenience and lower energy costs. Here is a look at a few of the technological makeovers which can help you save both time and money.

“Smart” Refrigerators

Has this ever happened to you? On your way home from work, you stop at the supermarket for groceries. While picking up food for dinner, you can’t remember whether there’s a steak in the freezer or if you still have enough butter for the mashed potatoes. Instead of placing a call to your significant other, let your refrigerator check the inventory for you.

Using a cell phone, it is possible to remotely access an up-to-the-minute list of the contents of the “smart” refrigerator via an Internet connection. LG Electronic’s Internet Refrigerator is capable of alerting its user when a product has expired. The potential for this technology is enormous, but the limited availability of online grocery services has slowed its spread. Manufacturers hope to eventually develop a system by which refrigerators will not just keep tabs on the food inside, but will make lists of what is needed and automatically place an order with online grocers.

One drawback of the current technology is the effort that goes into keeping your refrigerator’s records up-to-date. As the refrigerator is stocked, the product names and expiration dates must be logged manually. When an item is removed from the refrigerator, the data must be entered as well. The convenience of knowing what’s in your refrigerator at any time may be outweighed by the inconvenience of keeping such meticulous records.

Another popular focus for the newly-developed technology involves reducing energy costs. For instance, the Fisher & Paykell Active Smart Refrigerator offers multiple energy-conserving features which, when combined, contribute to the overall efficiency of the product. The Active Smart electronic intelligence and multiple sensors monitor the internal temperature while a Variable Capacity Compressor ensures the refrigerator runs at its peak.

Energy-efficiency is particularly important when it comes to refrigerators because they are the only kitchen appliances that run 24-hours per day. By purchasing ecologically-friendly technology you’ll reduce your electricity bills and keep more money in your wallet.


Convenient Coffee Makers

A recent development in coffee consumption is the vacuum brewing system, as highlighted by the Clear Electric Santos coffee maker by Bodum. The machine promises to brew six to twelve cups of strong coffee within eight minutes using an easy-to-clean filtration system. This is an ideal appliance for people who love a full-bodied cup of joe.

The days of boiling whole pots of water just to have a single cup of coffee are over. The one cup coffee maker can brew your favorite gourmet tea or coffee in less than a minute, eliminating the need to prepare a whole pot. For people on-the-go, these fast brewing machines are a welcome addition to the home or workplace.

The single cup coffee maker is also a great energy saver. In the time it might take to heat up one pot of regular coffee or to drive over to Starbucks, a one cup coffee maker by Keurig can brew several differently flavored hot drinks in 40 seconds each. Another perk of this machine is the variety of drinks it can produce. Keurig provides customers with over 70 different coffee or tea “K-Cups” from which to choose. K-Cups are easy-to-insert dispensers, which fit neatly into the coffee company’s machine with little effort and no clean-up.

Multifunctional Ovens

Forget slaving over a hot stove for hours just to get dinner on the table. Thanks to new ovens with automatic time and temperature controls dinner can practically make itself. Want a meal to be ready by the time you get home? Simply place your favorite dish in the oven and let the appliance do the rest.

The Intelligent Oven by TMIO refrigerates food until the user activates the cooking function. The oven’s Internet connectivity allows you to control this feature remotely with your cell phone or computer. Meals are not only delicious, but perfectly timed for your convenience. Additional advances have made the product safer and more energy-efficient, making it both user- and environmentally-friendly.

For real fast food, look for appliances such as the Sharp High Speed Convection/Microwave Oven. A 5-pound roasted chicken would take up to 140 minutes or more in a standard oven but, with the new high-speed ovens, the same meal can be ready within 28 minutes. By using a mix of super-heated circulating air and microwave energy, meals cook up to 80 percent faster.

In a step that brings to mind scenes from a work of science-fiction, General Electric is among the companies developing ovens which respond to voice commands and recognize over 200 regional accents. Rather than pushing a pre-set button, key phrases would activate the already programmed cooking times and temperatures. Such technology may not be a long way off, but its price tag may prove to be beyond the reach of many consumers.

High-tech Microwaves

Trying to find quick and easy recipes? Put down the cookbook. You can easily download hundreds of recipes directly from your microwave with the push of a button.

Using the LG Lifestyle MG-5682NL microwave oven, you can download recipes or other cooking information from the company’s web site. Sharp also sells a microwave that downloads cooking instructions for various meals, then automatically programs the time and power settings required to zap your meal to perfection.
In a slight variation on the theme, a new microwave by Samsung is programmed to read cooking directions by scanning product bar codes with a special sensor. The microwave then pulls the specific cooking instructions off the Internet and cooks the meal accordingly.
Many models now come with cooking pre-sets for popular food items, such as popcorn or frozen meals. Simply press one of the clearly-labeled option buttons on the microwave’s touchpad and the appliance will automatically adjust the time and power level.
Another feature that you won’t want your microwave to be without is a moisture sensor. Microwaves heat food by using radio waves to excite the molecules. To prevent overcooking your food, the moisture sensor will calculate how much time is still needed to cook based on how long it took for the food to begin steaming.

Since the kitchen is a natural hub of activity for any household, a few small changes can mean big savings in more ways than one. These kitchen innovations will not only free up more of your time, but can help you save money on the monthly energy bills. A little efficiency can go a long way!

About Coffeecow
This article was provided by Coffeecow.com which goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on one cup coffee makers, regular, decaf, and flavored coffee and tea, and a full line of coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, Coffeecow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more info.

Oranges, Tangerines And Grapefruit, Oh My!

Do you know an espresso drinker that you want to get a gift for? Perhaps you’d like to get yourself some gourmet espresso. Well, buying gourmet espresso coffee gifts is easier than ever. With more and more stores online selling gourmet espresso at fantastic prices with cheap shipping, everyone can afford it now. We recommend 3 of the best merchants online on our Coffee and Tea Gifts page you just need to scroll to the bottom and start shopping.

Here’s a little bit of information on what you can expect to find. There are quite a few choices when it comes to espresso. You can buy whole beans or ground coffee, but if you’re not sure if your friend has a coffee grinder, either pick one up at the same time (2 of the 3 merchants we recommend sell them) or go with ground coffee beans. Most people like the amount of caffeine in espresso (myself included) and not just the taste. But for those of us who can’t have too much caffeine for health reasons, you can also get decaffeinated espresso.

You can also purchase espresso pods. Before doing so though, carefully check if your machine will accept espresso pods. What is a pod you ask? It looks almost identical to a tea bag, perhaps slightly larger and acts in the same way as a teabag. It’s mess-free, unlike using a filter and loose coffee and ensures the same great taste for every cup. It’s much easier to use, but also slightly more expensive.

Whatever you choose, have fun with it. There are so many brands to choose from, you might want to try them all to find the perfect coffee for you. Happy shopping!

Resisting the Coffee Sensation can be Hazardous to Your Health!

Coffee consumption has rapidly increased in the U.S. in the past few years. Aside from its wonderful taste and the stimulating affect of caffeine, coffee’s rising popularity is now due in part to social factors as evidenced by coffeehouses springing up all over the country. Many Americans cannot get their day started without their first cup of coffee. The familiar morning routine that resonates in so many households across the country begins with the ringing of the alarm clock, and ends with that much anticipated cup of freshly brewed coffee. Coffee used to have a bad reputation, but recent research suggests that drinking moderate amounts of coffee provides a wide range of health benefits. Health Benefits of Coffee Ever thought that drinking your daily cup of coffee could actually improve your health? The tannins and antioxidants that appear naturally in coffee are well known to fight free radicals and other assaults on the body. From containing so many protective antioxidants to reducing the risk of asthma attacks, coffee may be the answer. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that protect the body’s cells from the damaging effects of oxidation. They help support the immune system, and consequently, may lower the risk of both cancer and heart disease. It is believed that the caffeine in coffee helps to improve the blood circulation within the heart and arteries. One study shows that in a comparison among various food groups, coffee had 64% of the total antioxidant intake. Coffee may also lower the risk of gallstones by 45% and cirrhosis of the liver by 80%. A recent study confirms the existence of an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and liver cirrhosis, although researchers have not determined which component in the coffee is responsible for producing the protective effect. Another benefit of coffee is a 25% reduction in the onset of attacks among asthma sufferers. This chronic disease causes the airways to close up due to inflammation, resulting in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. One of the compounds in coffee, called theophylline, acts as a bronchodilator, which lessens these dangerous symptoms. So asthma sufferers should make sure to always pack their coffee pods to be prepared in case of emergency. Often find yourself with a headache lasting throughout the day? It could be caused by stress at work, unruly children, or not enough sleep. The caffeine in coffee has been known to help in treating those headaches. Forget about your typical painkillers; use the convenience of the K-cup coffee system to brew a single cup of fresh coffee and have relief in minutes. Ideal Amount of Coffee On average, doctors recommend drinking 2-4 cups of coffee a day, which is considered to be a reasonable and moderate amount. Of course, people are all different, and some may choose to drink more and some may prefer to drink less, depending on their individual lifestyles, habits, and health issues. An 8oz cup of coffee contains approximately 75mg of caffeine. Since excessive amounts of caffeine in coffee can be detrimental to your health, it is important not to exceed the recommended 300mg of caffeine a day. Using a K-cup coffee maker to brew one cup of coffee at a time is one of the best ways to monitor your coffee consumption. Do Specialty or “Gourmet” Coffees Confer the Same Health Benefits as Regular Coffee? The answer is yes. Most of the specialty drinks people order at Starbucks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, etc., has espresso as their foundation. Espresso is thought to be even better for your health than regular coffee. The reason may be as simple as the method of brewing. Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is produced when water is forced under high pressure over finely ground coffee. The best of the coffee’s ingredients is “expressed” out in a quick method. Many scientists believe this keeps the positive elements intact longer (i.e. the powerful antioxidants) and with more integrity to maximize the health benefits. A professor at the University of Munster noted that in comparison to regular coffee, espresso has 2-3 times the amount of cancer-fighting agents. Espresso is notoriously difficult to brew, and many people never master the art of creating the perfect espresso shot. As a result, coffee pod machines, with their ability to deliver a high quality cup of coffee consistently, have expanded into the espresso market. Now coffee lovers can enjoy a great cup of espresso, with all its health benefits, with just a push of a button! Who Should Avoid Coffee Although coffee may be the way to go, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Some people with particular health conditions should avoid coffee. Women who are pregnant should be extremely careful with their intake of coffee and caffeine. High levels of caffeine can result in babies having a low birth weight or even miscarriage. Other common effects of pregnancy and coffee, caffeine to be specific, include delayed conception, prematurity, and sometimes even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The evidence regarding the affect of excessive consumption of coffee on the development of heart disease is inconclusive. But it still might be prudent for people who drink more than 3 cups of coffee a day to cut down, especially if they have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease. People with stomach ulcers should also try to avoid coffee. Coffee, tea, colas, and foods that contain caffeine seem to stimulate acid secretion in the stomach, aggravating the pain of an existing ulcer. So, anyone with a stomach ulcer should cut out coffee to help alleviate symptoms. As anything else, the coffee experience has its benefits and its drawbacks. The key word here seems to be moderation. As long as you don’t over do it, you can continue to indulge in your favorite brew everyday for the rest of your life and live healthily ever after!

A guide to gourmet coffee

Even a Coffee Bean or San Francisco Coffee outlet frequenter won’t be able to master the art of appreciating true gourmet coffee unless they know the history and info about gourmet coffee. Oh, of course, you don’t have to an EXPERT to enjoy and understand gourmet coffee, but knowing a little bit more than the grocery store owner who sells instant coffee would help you appreciate the taste, smell and absolute heaven that gourmet coffee fans know gourmet coffee is absolutely capable of. Gourmet coffee is nothing like wine. With wine, the longer you leave (some wine, anyway), the better the taste, the higher the quality and the pricier it is. But with gourmet coffee, freshness says a lot. If possible, get coffee beans that have been roasted no more than 1 week before. And if you’re going to learn how to appreciate gourmet coffee, only buy 100% Arabica coffee. It’s pretty hard to find freshly roasted coffee bean on the shelves of the local supermarket. Chances are, the coffee beans that you’re consuming today have been roasted at least 3 months back. One way to counter this problem is to buy the whole bean in batches and grind them with a home-coffee grinding machine as and when you need it. It’s really easy with the kind of machines they have today, so, if you want to learn how to appreciate gourmet coffee, grind it when you need it. Once you’ve purchased the gourmet coffee beans, don’t just leave out there in room temperature. What you should do with gourmet coffee beans is to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge if you’re planning to use it soon. However, if you’re going to keep it, store the gourmet coffee beans in an air-tight container and keep it in the FREEZER. You need the right grinder for the right brewer. Generally speaking, you can use about 2 tablespoons of gourmet coffee powder for 6 oz of water. Adjust the way you make your cup of gourmet coffee according to the way you like to drink your gourmet coffee. With wine, the country where the grapes are grown makes a difference. With gourmet coffee, not only is the country of origin for the gourmet coffee bean makes a difference, the company that sells the gourmet coffee beans matters too. Buy only from reputable companies for gourmet coffee. And one last thing about gourmet coffee is this – learn to enjoy it, appreciate the smell, love the taste, experiment with it and you’ll soon see the wonder of gourmet coffee. If you’re hurrying off for work in the morning, forget about gourmet coffee! During the morning rush, just stick to instant coffee.

Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans - Wholesale

For a coffee addict chocoholic, the thought of a double fix through Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans is almost too much. Being able to buy Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans Wholesale online and have them delivered to my door is like a dream come true. I am a frequent flyer when it come to buying online but what if you are not? You want to buy Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans wholesale. You know that the Internet is probably THE place to get the best deals and quality products. But what you aren’t sure of is how to go about buying Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans wholesale without risking your credit card numbers or your identity. Everybody’s heard of those horror tales about people getting their identities stolen and their bank accounts cleared out. It can and does happen if you don’t know how to shop online. Buying chocolate covered espresso beans wholesale online, or any product for that matter, is not as frightening or difficult as you might think. You just need to know the precautions when you start entering your credit card numbers online. First, always know what you’re buying. Although a Web site may say it has the best chocolate covered beans, make sure to study the seller’s item description carefully, including any photographs they may have. Watch out for fine print and any unusual adjectives that might suggest that what you’ll get in the mail won’t exactly be what they offered online. And remember the old saying, “If something sounds too good to be true….” If those high-grade espresso beans seem too cheap, chances are they might not be as high-grade as you first thought. The second step is to be careful how you buy. Before making a purchase at any Web site, find out what type of payments the site will accept and how they are going to ship their products. A red flag could be any Web site that asks for your Social Security numbers, your driver’s license numbers, or your bank account information. You shouldn’t have to give these things for some candy. Check to on the bottom of your tool bar, there should be a padlock to indicate security. Any reputable website offering chocolate covered espresso beans will probably have a secure online shop and they will tell you that. There are extra precautions that you can take though. Record every purchase you make online. That means printing hard copies of all transaction information, including the shipping information including when you are expected to receive your espress beans and any e-mails that the Web site sends you. Keep the name of the Web site, the official online description of the beans you bought (what weight of beans you have ordered, for instance), and the exact date, time, and price of your purchase. These will be very handy if a problem occurs and the Web site shortchanges you. If the worst comes to the worst, and you still don’t feel secure buying your delicious chocolate covered beans online, most Web sites will also offer an 800 number. That way, you can order your chocolatey beans the old-fashioned way over the phone. Or better yet, have them send you their wholesale catalog.

Coffee Collection with Braun 4 Cup Espresso Carafes

If you love your coffee you are in the right site. If you are keen on having the best coffee accessories then this is the place to find out all about the Braun 4 Cup Espresso Carafe. If your coffee is as important to you as my coffee is to me then read on. Braun 4 Cup Espresso Carafes pour one mean cup of coffee. Experts all rave about the added perks that the Braun 4 Cup Espresso Carafes have compared to your standard coffee pot drip and espresso machines. Most of these compliments are about coffee that blows their mind, or how they closed their eyes and could imagine themselves on a gondola in Venice, Italy. And that’s coming from the experts. Imagine what the espresso from the Braun carafe will do to your friends and to your social life. Firstly, the Braun 4 cup espresso carafes get your espresso to the perfect temperature which is essential. Believe it or not, most coffee makers, even the espresso makers, fail to get the proper water and coffee temperature. This leaves your coffee lifeless, since proper liquid temperatures are essential for the optimal extraction of coffee bean oils. Why should you not enjoy the full flavor of the bean? Expert tests on these Brauns, though, show that they get liquid temperatures more than 10 degree Fahrenheit higher than other machines. For those curious about exactly what level of heat we’re talking, the carafes should have upwards of 200 degrees by the end of brewing. Other lesser machines keep the temperatures down around 180 to 185 degrees.This is a big difference temp and consequently in the flavour of the coffee produced. The Braun 4 cup espresso carafes also do an excellent job of making sure all of your grounds are used. The more ground that are used up then the more coffee flavor will filter through for you to enjoy. You want to make sure your machine has a proper dispersion pattern in the filter basket with its steam output. That way, as much as possible will be “spent grounds”. The Braun didn’t leave too many spent grounds, according to experts, though it did leave some. This, however, is no reason to pass on this mean coffee machine. For such great tasting coffee some things are forgivable. Possibly the finest feature of the machine is its high-quality stainless steel carafe. A stylish addition to any kitchen decor. Many Braun 4 cup espresso carafes come with a “brew-through” design. This means that you don't need to place a lid on it after brewing, or clamp down a lid for that matter. Even after letting it sit around for a couple of hours, the carafe still should retain a lot of those high temperatures we talked about earlier. As for cleaning, the stainless steel should not be much more of a bother compared with glass pots. All you need now is to make the calls, gather the friends and sit an enjoy the scents and tastes of Italy from the comfort of your own kitchen all through the tantalizing aroma of coffee expertly brewed. Salute!