Home Appliances

Depending on where you live, having a backup generator can make the difference between shivering through a winter power outage or staying warm and toasty while you wait for electricity crews to do their work. Several considerations come into play when thinking about the size, or wattage, of generator that the typical person needs to have at home.

Starting Power vs. Running Power

Some appliances require more power to start running than is needed to keep running. According to Honda Power Equipment, a refrigerator requires 1,200 watts to start and 132 to 192 watts to keep running. Honda notes that these numbers are only for the Energy Star-rated version---non-rated refrigerators require more power than that. Numbers for 19 different household appliances are listed in a wattage guide, including subsections under appliances such as computers, televisions and microwave ovens.

Portable or Stationary?

The choice between portable or stationary comes down to what you need the generator for. If it is merely to run essential appliances---refrigerator, furnace, stove and lights---for a short amount of time, then a portable generator may be the best bet. These generators have outputs ranging from 1,000 watts (the Yamaha EF1000ISC) up to 17,500 watts (the Generac Guardian Ultra Source).
Stationary generators are usually hooked into natural gas or oil lines and wired directly into the electrical system of your home. These behemoths output well into several thousand kilowatts of power for almost infinite amounts of time. The Carrier brand 35-45kW Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator, for example, outputs a running wattage of 26kW to power a 5,000-square-foot home. Generators this size are best used for either long periods of time or for large power needs.

What Are You Powering?

Honda Power Equipment makes much of a concept it calls "Power Management," which relies on three considerations---importance, running time and number---to effectively use small generators.
In Honda Power Equipment's example, a refrigerator (1,600 starting watts/200 running watts), plus a furnace with a horsepower fan (1,600 starting watts/600 running watts), plus a television (300 watts flat), a microwave (1,500 watts flat) and five lights (60-watt bulbs = 300 watts) equals to 5,300 watts.
It applies "Power Management" to show that if you start up the refrigerator and furnace at different times, you save one start-up cost of 1,600 watts; and running the microwave only intermittently saves you an occasional 1,500 watts. Thus, your constant power usage is a mere 1,400 watts (television, lights, refrigerator and furnace) and your occasional use is 1,600 watts (intermittent microwave use switched with starting costs of refrigerator and furnace). This means that a 3,000-watt generator would fulfill your power needs, also presenting you with a significant cost savings.
What you're interested in, then, is not the highest total wattage, but rather the wattage that you plan to use on a continuous basis. That number, and whether you want to worry about turning appliances off and on, will determine what size of generator you choose.

Installing 200amp service throughout a house allows for more power usage. However, upgrading to 220V electrical wiring may not be necessary to handle your house's electrical needs unless you are installing electric heat or central air conditioning. Adding new circuit breakers may be all that you need. In most cases, this will allow you to connect additional appliances and electronic equipment that may require 220V. Installing new circuits often corrects the problem of appliances or other electrical devices too large to operate off a single circuit. But if you decide to go ahead and wire your house for 220V, although it may seem like a fairly easy job at first, it does need to be done right. You must think safety, safety and more safety whenever working on any project involving electricity.

Instructions

1 Contact your local building authorities to find out if you need a permit to complete the work. Local building code regulations may vary according to your area of residence. There are also state codes and standards you may be required to follow, most of which are now based on a national model. While 12-gauge wire should be appropriate for most rewiring jobs, check first with your electric power company for any specific requirements or restrictions. For 220V appliances, 10-gauge wire is required.
2 Turn off the power at the main electrical panel box. Use a circuit tester to make sure that the power is off before beginning work. It is crucial that wires not have any power in them. Make sure that no one else can turn on the power while you are working. You might want to hang a warning sign on the panel box so that other household members know that you are working with the wiring. Better yet, lock the box if you can.
3 Determine the number of circuits that you will need. Do this after deciding how many outlets, switches and lighting fixtures will be placed on each circuit. All electrical wires will run from the circuit breaker box. Even if you plan to do the job yourself, you might want to consult first with a qualified electrician for some advice. Use breaker circuits that you are certain can handle 220V wiring.
4 Go up into the attic or crawl space when you are ready to begin, because you will be running wires inside the walls of the house. You will need someone to remain below to assist you from that location. Pull new wire through the walls by tracing the old wire coming from the circuit breaker box. Place the new outlets, switches and lighting fixtures located in each room on a separate circuit to prevent overloading. This may even be required by local building codes.
5 Rewire one room at a time. Use electrical cable with either two or three wires. The type of cable will depend on the types of power plugs different appliances may require.
6 Pull some cable from the receptacle box, allowing about 12 inches to use for wiring in the new receptacle. Strip back the insulation covering on the electric cable wire about 5 inches. You will see copper wiring that you will use for grounding.
7 Strip back the white and black wires about an inch so that you can hook the wires to a new receptacle outlet. Attach the white wire to the steel screw on the outlet; black wire to the copper screw; and copper ground wire to the ground screw positioned at the top of the outlet. If working with cable wire needed for 220V, strip back the red wire and attach directly into the appliance or a special appliance receptacle as per the manufacturer's instructions. These should be color-coded for correct placement.
8 Likewise, attach the black and white wires to the appropriate screws when installing new light switches. You will be working with a black and white wire for a single-pole light switch. When installing a three-way light switch, connect the black wire to the switch. Next, hook up the white wires together, taping them with black electrical tape, and then cap with a wire nut. Twist the copper wires together, leaving the end of one wire a bit longer. Attach that wire to the ground screw at the top of the switch.
9 Call an electrician when it is time to tie the wiring into the service panel box. Even when the main breaker is turned off, there is still power coming into the box to the main breaker. Whether or not you think that you have the ability, unless you are an expert, it is recommended that you not try to do this job yourself. Keep safety on your side and hire someone who works with electricity all the time. You might also want to have your work inspected before turning the electricity back on.

Home appliances make up a significant portion of your annual energy usage and costs. If you are trying to make your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, consider replacing outdated, inefficient appliances with newer, more efficient models. Although your upfront costs may be a bit higher than with less efficient products, the long-term savings will usually compensate for the initial investment.

Types

Energy-efficient products are available for virtually every area of your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, office and laundry room. Green home appliances range from complex heating and cooling systems to simple small appliances. According to the Arizona Public Service Company (APS), heating and cooling equipment and water heaters are the most energy-consuming home appliances, followed by large appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers and kitchen ranges. As noted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, however, other appliances that are often overlooked, such as small appliances and light fixtures, also use a significant percent of total energy.

Benefits

Energy-efficient appliances offer a variety of benefits for consumers. One of the primary benefits of green appliances is decreased energy costs. According to Energy Savers, Americans spend about 20 percent of their energy costs on appliance operation. The Energy Star label provides an estimated annual energy cost for certified appliances for consumer guidance. In addition to lowered energy costs, green appliances are beneficial for the environment, since they decrease harmful carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, either directly or indirectly.

Shopping Tips

Although it is not the only legitimate certification program, the Energy Star label is usually a dependable way to measure product efficiency. The Energy Star program is jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Energy Star--certified appliances are guaranteed to exceed the minimum federal standards for efficiency. The program certifies most types of appliances, with the exception of stove ranges and ovens. Some appliances may also be eligible for tax credits or rebates.

Considerations

In addition to purchasing energy-efficient home appliances, proper usage is also a key component to decreased energy use. Use energy saver options on any appliances you have, such as dishwashers. Keep refrigerators away from heat sources, such as ovens and stove tops. Wash clothes in an appropriately sized load to avoid wasting water and electricity. Finally, have complicated appliances, such as heating and cooling equipment or plumbing appliances, installed by a professional. Improper installation can decrease efficiency and reduce any potential energy savings.

Starting your own appliance repair service is a potentially lucrative and enjoyable venture. It can be operated from home and it can be started for around $10,000 to $50,000. While basic education (and potentially certification, especially at the manufacturer level of expertise) is necessary, and independent contractor savvy aids the startup process, an appliance repair business can be an immediate goal.

Instructions

1 Contact appliance repair associations such as the National Appliance Service Association to find local certification courses.
2 Consider specialized continuing education, such as training in commercial food service and restaurant equipment repair. The videos offered at A1service.com are helpful.
3 Advertise in community ads and telephone book listings, such as Yellow Book Ads, to reach local prospective clientele. You can reach both consumers and commercial prospects by purchasing ad space in multiple listing categories.
4 Determine your hourly rates. You'll need to separate the idea of a yearly income from a yearly salary (as a business owner you'll need to pay for the expenses a regular employer would carry) and determine the personal and business cost of appliance repair.
Use a tool such as Salary.com's salary wizard to figure the average cost of running your business by searching the employer reports. Budget out personal and business costs alongside your total billable time using a rates calculator to determine optimal hourly rates.

Many appliances get rusty spots at some time or another. Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers and other household appliances are all prone to rusting. Although appliances have a protective coating that prevents rust, if this coating wears away or there is damage to an appliance, rust may form. The best line of defense is to treat the rust stains when you first notice them and to dry out areas that are prone to rust.

Instructions

1 Scrub off the rust. Take a kitchen scrubbing pad or steel wool and scrub the rust stains. Clean off the area with a sponge or cloth. For surface rust or small stains this may be all that is needed.
2 Apply mineral oil. Using a scrubbing pad apply a small amount of mineral oil to the rust stains. Allow the mineral oil to settle into the rust. Ten or fifteen minutes later, scrub at the rust with steel wool or scrubbing pad. Use soap and water to wash off the rust and the oil residue. Dry the area.
3 Make a rust removing paste. Mix one part lemon juice with two parts borax to make a paste, then apply it to the rust stain on the appliance. Use a scrubbing pad or paper towel to do this. Let the mixture remain on the rust stains for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the rust, then scrub the stains with a scrubbing pad. Wipe the area clean to remove the rust and the paste. Wipe dry. Use this paste for stubborn rust stains.

A small kitchen can make preparing a simple meal a big headache. Rearrange, de-clutter and maximize your workspace to squeeze more functionality out of a tight kitchen. Small changes that cost little, like changing the direction your refrigerator door opens, can make big a big impact on how well a tiny kitchen functions.

Instructions

1 Clear the clutter on the counter with under cabinet mounted appliances. Small kitchen appliances hog valuable counter space and can be a real eyesore. An under cabinet coffee maker, for instance, can clear up as much as 2 feet of counter space. Look for mounted can openers and microwaves as well.
2 Put small appliances away when youre done with them. Toasters and can openers take up valuable kitchen real estate and need a lot of cleaning to look presentable. Keep your small appliances stored in your kitchen cabinets when not in use.
3 Remove your cabinet doors and hang curtains or arrange open-front displays. Opening and closing your kitchen cabinets requires space -- and sometimes in a small kitchen there's not room for you and the open cabinet door. To reclaim that kitchen space, use cabinet curtains instead. Curtains slide open, requiring no additional space, unlike the swinging action of a kitchen cabinet door. Showcase attractive service pieces on open cabinet shelves.
4 Roll in more counter space. In small kitchens, tiny counter spaces can make cooking projects a nightmare. Consider a rolling kitchen island that can add workspace as well as additional storage. Look for an island with leaves that raise up to make more counter space. When the work is done, fold down the leaves and roll away for storage.

The Great Depression of the 1930s and the war years that followed was a time of sacrifice in America. For more than 15 years, the populace either could not afford new appliances, or the war effort had made the raw materials needed to manufacture such luxuries nonexistent. After the armistice was signed in 1945, weapons factories quickly retooled to meet the growing demand for modern refrigerators and stoves to fill the kitchens of newly built homes.

Color

Advertisers of the era began publishing full-page color ads to entice war-weary citizens to buy the latest in brightly colored kitchen-based time-savers for the modern housewife. Most women were stay-at-home moms who relinquished work outside the home to support returning veterans. Their reward was a bright and cheerful environment in which to work. This meant refrigerators and stoves in bright yellow, robin's-egg blue or mint green with chrome detailing.

Postwar Advances

Arborite and chrome appeared on kitchen tables and countertops to give the kitchen surfaces of the '50s a shiny, easy-to-clean alternative to wood. Cabinets were custom-built to provide a seamless transition from refrigerator to sink and stove. New homes were built with the electricity required to power appliances both large and small. The baby boom was in full swing, and young families appreciated the time savings realized through the use of modern gadgets.

Small Appliances

As well as the colorful new refrigerators and stoves that appeared on the scene, the kitchen of the '50s boasted smaller labor-saving appliances as well. The chrome-plated, pop-up electric toaster made toast timing and surveillance a dying art. Portable electric food mixers and Mixmasters, complete with removable beaters and bowls, replaced their hand-cranked predecessors. Early toaster ovens made preparing TV dinners a breeze. The electric steam iron was much lighter and easier to use than the old cast-iron models.

Prices

Mass production made the appliances of the 1950s affordable to more people than ever before. A gas range could be purchased in New York in 1950 for $144.95. A portable electric food mixer, bought in Wisconsin in 1957, cost $18.95. A 1959 steam iron, purchased in California, cost $9.99. "Cash only" was not the only method of purchase, as it had been in the lean years. Appliances could be purchased immediately and paid for in monthly installments.

Keeping appliances on the counter makes them convenient for use, though visually the effect may not look right, especially when the appliances are mismatched. Counter appliances also become coated in a greasy film of dust due to the cooking oils in kitchen air, so they become a chore to keep clean. You can hide the appliances and make cleaning simpler with appliance covers. Washable covers keep the appliances hidden, ready to use, and dust-free.

Instructions

1 Buy appliance covers in colors coordinated with the kitchen. Alternatively, make appliances covers from pillow cases, laundry bags, tea towels, or small tablecloths.
2 For a decorator touch, drape vintage tea towels over small appliances such as coffee makers, espresso makers, and toasters. Place the plain end of the towel on top of the appliance, and tuck it behind to keep it in place. This way the decorative end of the tea towel hangs in front of the appliance.
3 Slip a pillow case or laundry bag over a large standing mixer. In addition to hiding this larger appliance, the cover helps keep it clean and ready for use by blocking dust, hair, food particles, and other contaminants.
4 Cover the blender with a standard or baby pillow case, depending on the size of the blender. Fold the excess material underneath.
5 Cover a countertop microwave oven with a small tablecloth or dresser scarf. Washable hand-woven fabric also works well for this. Fold the fabric in half if it's too large, and drape it so it hangs over the front and sides of the oven.
6 Slip off the cover to use the appliance, then slip it back on when you're done. Remove the cover completely from the appliance before using, to keep the cover from blocking the appliance's vents.
7 Remove the appliance covers on cleaning days, and shake off the dust outdoors. Toss the covers in the laundry at least twice a month to keep them clean.

Dust off and pack up those unused wedding gifts and impulsively purchased gadgets. The key to organizing a small kitchen is removing unnecessary items and creatively housing essentials. Utilize every possible inch of a small kitchen by organizing storage spaces and clearing counter tops. Use floors, ceilings and walls to support additional storage solutions.

Instructions

Declutter

1 Sort through food items in cabinets and closets. Dispose of expired food, place food that will not be eaten in a donation bin, and temporarily place all other nonperishable food in a box or on the floor.
2 Remove appliances, utensils and dishes from cabinets, closets and drawers. Dispose of, donate or sell any items of which you have duplicates or no longer use. Line other items on the floor or in boxes, ordering them based on frequency of use.
3 Gather cookware and bake ware from current locations. Remove lids and stack pieces that came in sets. Divide your cookware and bake ware into two groups: pieces you frequently use and pieces reserved for special occasions or meals.
4 Remove and relocate misplaced items found on counter tops. Place items that should be stored elsewhere in the kitchen on the floor or in boxes near other items they go with if applicable.
5 Clear unnecessary items from shelves, cabinet tops, tops and sides of refrigerators, and any other spaces where items are stored. Place items belonging elsewhere in the kitchen on the floor or in boxes, near similar items if possible.

Cabinets, Closets and Drawers

6 Install space-saving products in cabinets, closets and drawers. Roll out baskets attached to closet shelves allow for more efficient use of space and less clutter, according to Elaine Bloom in an article titled "How to Organize a Small Space" on Apartments.com. Bloom also recommends securing a rack onto the back of closet or cabinet doors in which to store cookware lids or spices. Dividers allow for more organization when you must utilize every bit of drawer space.
7 Place food items you would like stored in closets, cabinets and drawers into their respective locations. Position infrequently used foods toward the back of storage compartments, and utilize the space-saving products to compactly group items. If food is packaged in unnecessarily large containers, transfer it to smaller canisters or bags.
8 Replace all the utensils, dishes, appliances, bake ware and cookware that will fit comfortably in remaining cabinet, closet and drawer space. Stack items when possible and place your most frequently used items in accessible locations, with infrequently used items placed toward the back of storage areas or on high shelves.

Counters

9 Replace bulky appliances with smaller versions or products that can be mounted underneath cabinets or on walls. This frees up counter space.
10 Purchase a crock to hold your favorite cooking utensils and keep it on the counter near the stove. This conserves drawer space and keeps your tools nearby while you cook.
11 Place other frequently used items on the counter. Position them logically. For example, place a knife block near your cutting board and a drying rack near the sink.

Floors, Walls and Other Surfaces

12 Purchase shelves on which to place items that cannot fit in other locations. Shelves may be mounted on walls or in cabinets. You may purchase shelving units and push them against walls or the side of your refrigerator.
13 Hang pots and pans from a rack positioned on the ceiling near your oven. Place your most frequently used pieces on the rack.
14 Store extra dishes, cookware and bake ware in a china cabinet positioned on your floor or mounted on a wall. Re-purpose an armoire to store kitchen supplies when cabinet space is limited. Large and awkwardly shaped kitchen items, such as cookie sheets and pizza stones, fit well in armoires once the clothing rods are removed, according to Bloom.
15 Place similar items, such as baking tools or an extra set of silverware, in baskets or bins. Store them on top of your refrigerator, on top of cabinets or shelving units, or underneath the lowest closet shelves.
16 Place magnetized hooks on your refrigerator to hold pot holders, paperwork, recipes and aprons.

There are a few questions you will need to answer before you purchase solar panels for a small house. Now that they have become an affordable option for many homeowners, there are many reputable dealers and manufacturers of solar panels. Many states offer financing incentives to residents who choose to purchase and install solar panels, and when you consider that a robust solar electric system can cost $20,000, those rebates can be a real help.

Instructions

1 Decide which system in your home you would like to replace with a solar-powered system. Which kind of power would you like to generate? Solar electric systems turn the sun's heat into electricity, but there are also systems available for heating water or generating heat for the home.
2 Make sure you have the right kind of roof to install solar panels. You will need at least 120 square feet, and a flat, south-facing roof is best. A sunny west- or east-facing roof can also produce a lot of power. If your roof is not an option for installation, you might choose a ground-mount, trellis or pergola-style application.
3 Make sure you get enough sun on your home during daylight hours to generate the power you need. Take a minute to view a solar insolation map to determine how many average hours of sun your area gets. Shade will prevent your panels from absorbing the light they need to generate power.
4 Choose a system with or without battery backup power. Systems without a battery backup will not generate electricity at night or in a power outage, and cloudy days will produce very little electricity. If you choose a system without a battery, your utility provider will supply you with electricity in those off-hours. A battery backup system stores energy and can provide the energy you need at night or during an outage or on a cloudy day.
5 Decide whether you want an aggressive, off-grid power system or only a partial----and less expensive----grid-tie system. If you have a small cabin in a secluded area, an off-grid system might be just what you need. Consult a solar power expert to design the right off-grid system for your power needs. Generally, houses without battery backups need to be tied to the power grid so they get the power they need when their system is down or cannot absorb light.

Household appliances make life simpler, more convenient and a lot easier for the majority of Americans. Refrigerators have changed the way people buy and store their food. Ovens have changed the way people cook their food. Dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers have changed the way people clean. These common household appliances exist in many homes across the U.S.

Refrigerator

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that, as of 2009, 99.9 percent of all U.S. households included a refrigerator. A refrigerator keeps perishable foods cool, thereby allowing foods in a household to last longer. Refrigerators vary by size from compact to large. Most refrigerators have a larger portion for basic cooling and a smaller portion for freezing. The freezer can sit on the top, bottom or side by side. With proper maintenance, a refrigerator can last an average of 20 years, according to the University of Illinois.

Oven

Many households have a combined oven and range unit. The oven has a large interior area for baking and the ability to heat foods to high degrees. Many ovens also have the option to broil foods, which provides an intense heat. The range has four smaller burners used for cooking with pans and griddles. Ovens and ranges can use either electricity or gas as a power source. The University of Illinois reports that an oven and range can last for up to 18 years with proper maintenance.

Dishwasher

A dishwasher replaces the need to hand wash and dry dishes. Dishwashers work by filling the cavity of the appliance with water, releasing the dishwashing detergent and running the dishes through several high-powered rinse cycles. Most dishwashers have the ability to run the water inside on either a cool or hot setting. Dishwashers also have the option of using heat to dry the dishes, or allowing them to air dry inside the appliance. Dishwashers last an average of 12 years with proper care, according to the University of Illinois.

Clothes Washer and Dryer

A clothes washer replaces hand washing. The clothes washer holds dirty clothing in a bin, and spins the clothing with a mixture of water and detergent. Most clothes washers have several settings that allow the user to increase or decrease the intensity of the cleaning cycles for different types of fabrics. Clothes washers also have different temperature settings. The dryer replaces the need to hang clothes on the line. The dryer uses electricity or gas to simultaneously heat and spin clothing until dry. Most dryers have multiple spin and heat settings. According to the University of Illinois, a clothes washer can last an average of 13 years, while a dryer can last an average of 18 years with proper maintenance.

Appliances serve many purposes within the modern home, and help homeowners complete a wide range of tiresome tasks. Some appliances, however, can become hazards if they are improperly installed or maintained. The most common appliance dangers are fire, electric shock and gas emissions. Learning about how appliances work and what dangers they may pose can help keep you safe while still enjoying their benefits.

Fire

Fire is a real danger in any household. If not caught quickly, it can destroy a house and even endanger nearby houses. Improperly wired appliances can cause shorts and sparks that lead to fire. Although these problems usually cause a fuse to blow or breaker to trip, in some situations this will not prevent a fire. Space heaters present another fire threat. Electric or gas space heaters can ignite any flammable items left too close to them. Keep space heaters at least three 3 feet away from boxes, clothing, drapes, paper, or anything else that could burn, and never leave space heaters running in an unoccupied room.

Electric Shock

Any appliance that uses electricity can deliver a dangerous or even fatal shock. This is most likely with appliances that feature exposed heating coils such as space heaters and toasters. Any electric appliance with a worn or broken cord also can deliver a shock. Check cords periodically for damage, and never let pets or children chew on or play with them. Never stick a knife or implement into a toaster without unplugging it first. Particularly if there are children in the household, unplug appliances that are not used for long periods, and put caps onto unused outlets.

Carbon Monoxide

Appliances that emit gas can release dangerous carbon monoxide if they are not properly vented. Appliances that may present this danger include furnaces, gas space heaters, clothes dryers, gas fireplaces and generators. Vent any of these appliances properly, and periodically inspect their vents to ensure they are unobstructed and working properly. Without effective venting, carbon monoxide can build up inside a home and potentially kill those inside. Your home should also be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm that will alert you to dangerous levels of this potentially lethal gas.

When it comes time to dispose of your old appliances, there are a few things you need to consider. Many states have rules and regulations regarding appliance disposal, especially items like refrigerators, which have coolants and other chemicals that could seep into ground water if not properly taken care of. Learn what to do with your used appliances here.

Instructions

1 Donate the ones that are in good working order. If you're getting rid of an appliance simply because you want a different color or a newer model, your best bet is to give your old refrigerator or stove to someone who could really use it. Contact the local Salvation Army or Goodwill to find out where to drop off your appliances. You may also be eligible for a tax break by donating.
2 Put an ad on Craigslist (see Resources) or try the Sunday paper. There are plenty of people out there willing to take an old appliance off your hands in order to repair it or use it for parts. Many will haul it away free of charge.
3 Arrange to have the old one picked up when you buy a new appliance. Many appliance dealers have programs available under which they haul and dispose of your old appliance at no additional cost. Ask about this when picking out your new appliance.
4 Recycle. If you can't find someone to take an old appliance off your hands, you can usually dispose of it at your local recycling plant or landfill. Find out the rules in your area regarding chemicals and refrigerants to make sure you're doing things properly.

As more people are convinced that healthy eating is the way to go, they need to find alternatives to the stove and microwave. Convenient, small kitchen appliances like the home deep fryer don't promote a healthy lifestyle, but there are a number of cooking appliances that will make tasty, healthy food right on your kitchen countertop.

Tabletop Grill

Made famous by an outspoken former boxer, the tabletop grill has become a staple in many homes. This appliance works by heating two ridged metal plates. You set your food on one plate, then lower the lid onto the food. The hot plates cook the food, and the ridges allow melted fat to drip away from your meal. The result is a crispy, grilled meal with lower fat and calories than traditional frying, with a barbecue-grill taste you can have all year round.

Sandwich Maker

The electric sandwich maker comes and goes in popularity, often a favorite with families that have children or teenagers in the house. Place some bread on a metal surface, add the filling and another piece of bread, and close the lid. The sandwich maker toasts your sandwich while sealing the edges, creating a pocket sandwich much like those expensive frozen snacks, but much healthier because you're controlling the ingredients.

Slow Cooker

A boon to busy cooks everywhere, the slow cooker is extremely healthy as well as convenient. The concept behind slow cooking is that foods will cook until they are tender and flavors will meld, if you keep the food at a constant slow temperature for many hours. The result is tasty soups, stews and casseroles without a lot of added fat. Famous weight-loss companies even produce cookbooks for these cookers, since they are so easily adapted to a healthy lifestyle.

Steamer

Based on an age-old Chinese cooking method, the modern electric steamer takes advantage of the same concept. Put your food in the racks and fill the bottom of the steamer with a liquid, such as wine or water with herbs. The bottom of the appliance heats up and creates steam inside the chamber above. The hot steam cooks your food, keeping it moist and juicy and using absolutely no fat or oil to complete it. Many steamers have multiple layers of racks, making it possible to cook several courses of a meal at the same time.