Home Appliances

You have a shining, gleaming stainless steel and a kitchen that fairly sparkles. Then, it happens. Somehow there is an ugly scratch on the stainless steel refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher, and you can see it from across the room. It's just about as obvious as a blemish on prom night. But you can restore your stainless steel appliances to their former beauty.

Instructions

1 Assess the damage. Determine if this is a deep scratch or a surface scratch, by running your finger across it. If you can actually feel the indentation, you have a deep scratch, gouge or ding. With clamps, carefully hold a small piece of dry ice over the gouged area. Hopefully,it will pop out, and not be as noticeable. Then you can treat it in the same way other scratched areas are treated in the steps below.
2 Determine if the scratched appliance is "real" stainless steel or if it has a synthetic coating or finish. Damage to coated appliances is permanent.
These are all coated: Whirlpool - "Satina;" GE - "Clean Steel;" Amana - "Ultra Finish Steel;" Kitchenaid - Architect Series II, "Monochromatic Stainless;" Kenmore - "Ultra Satin;" Frigidaire - "Titanium;" Electrolux (all brands except "Classic," "Icon" and "Electrolux"); Maytag - "Silver Ultra Finish," "Satina Stainless Look," "Monochromatic Stainless steel," "Monochromatic Satina."
Also,coated stainless steel doesn't smudge easily, and is magnetic. You will only further damage the surface if you use a rubbing compound, or a product like Scratch-B-Gone, on a synthetic or clear-coated finish. If your appliance is coated, you cannot fix the damage.
3 Identify the existing grain of the stainless steel. See which direction the tiny original brush lines go in the damaged area.
4 Use an abrasive pad from the Scratch-B-Gone kit to repair scuffs, light scratches and even deep scratches. The kit has 4 different abrasive pads and instructions to tell you which one to use depending on the severity of the scratches and scuffs. Otherwise, go to an automotive shop and buy different fine grades of sandpaper.
5 Apply a small amount of Ultra Shine from the Scratch-B-Gone kit onto the appropriate abrasive pad. Or use an automotive rubbing compound on the sandpaper.
6 Begin rubbing the damaged area of the stainless steel in the direction of the grain covering over about a 5-inch area at a time. Slide the pad backward and forward increasing pressure as needed until you see the scratch is disappearing.
7 Repeat this process until the scratch is removed and the surface is restored. For a deeper scratch, dry rub the area with the coarse pad, and wipe area off with a microfiber cloth to make sure the scratch is gone.
8 Blend the metal surfaces by using the finest grade sandpaper or abrasive pad with the rubbing compound or Ultra Shine and gradually increase the area around the original damage to about three times the original scratched area. Be sure to go with the existing grain of the stainless steel so you don't create crosshatching.

Harnessing the wind to generate electricity is often cheap and easy. You can build a simple wind turbine to power small appliances or to complement your home's power. Some experience or expertise with electronics is helpful, but anyone can learn the basics of what it takes to build your own windmill.

Instructions

1 Cut the PVC pipe into four pieces.These will be your blades. Your generator needs only three blades; the fourth blade will be a spare. For shorter or longer blade lengths, your pipe should be one-fifth as thick as it is long. For example, if the PVC pipe is 50 cm long, it should be 10 cm in diameter. Shape the blade into a rectangular base to attach it to the generator, and cut it at an angle lengthwise to make it look like an airplane wing. You may also use a sander to smooth out the shape and make it rounder.
2 Create a wind vane by attaching the heavy sheet aluminum upright to the back of your two by four piece of wood. This will help the turbine to face the wind and will serve as the tail of the wind turbine.
3 Connect the blades to a round hub at an equal distance from each other. You need a hub with a hole that can easily fit into the motor shaft of the wind generator motor. You can find one at your local hardware or home supply store. It should have enough space to bolt the three PVC pipe blades. Use at least two bolts on each blade, making sure they are evenly spaced and lined up toward the center of the hub.
4 Bolt the wind generator motor to the opposite end of the wind turbine's tail and cover it with PVC pipe to protect it from the weather.
5 Mount the tail and wind generator motor to the 10 feet of steel conduit. This will be the pole of your windmill.
6 Bolt the hub and the blades to the wind generator motor shaft and wind tail.
7 Connect the wind generator motor to an external controller for wind power systems which can easily be found on eBay. This will allow you to connect a battery and an inverter to plug-in appliances. Run the cable from the motor through the conduit pipe hole down to the ground and to the external controller.

If you're about to buy a house, most lenders want to know what amperage the wiring is. 60-amp service is not adequate anymore. Even insurance companies consider the smaller amperage a liability. Today's homes, with the heavy variety of electrical appliances and gadgets, require a larger service, like 100 amp.

Identification

You can identify 100-amp service house wiring by looking at the main circuit breaker. It identifies the service by its amperage. The main circuit breaker is in the box above the other breakers. It controls the flow of electricity from the outside power lines. You use this breaker to shut off all the electricity in the house at one time.

Size

Don't let the number on smaller breakers in the box fool you. They may total more than 100. Electricians put in the breakers for specific areas. If a breaker says 15 amps, usually the load is only about 80 percent of that amount. The logic for so many breakers is that you'll probably not use everything at once, and they don't load all the breakers to full capacity.

Function

Determine how much of a load you place on one of the circuits by calculating the amount of amps they use. For instance, an iron has a wattage rating of 1200. A portable heater has a rating of 1500. You divide the wattage rating by 120 volts to convert it to amperes. The iron is 10 and the electric heater is 12.5. If they both were on the same 15 amp circuit and turned on at the same time, they overload the circuit and the circuit breaker clicks to the off position.

Warning

Circuit breakers have a purpose in a 100-amp house wiring service. They prevent overload of electrical flow and potentially a fire. Before you reset the breaker, find out what caused the overload in the first place. It might be a short in a wire or a bad ground requiring repair, or just too heavy a load on the circuit.

Grounding

Check the grounding of the 100-amp service in your home. There's a main ground wire from the box that usually connects to a metal water pipe and a metal grounding wire buried outside in the ground, which gives the excess current a direct path to travel into the ground. Each outlet, ceiling box and switch in the house also has a grounding system. Grounding prevents you from getting a shock if there's an abnormal flow from a short circuit. It also prevents fires. In damp areas, make sure that your 100-amp service has GFCI breakers for additional safety.

Considerations

If you're installing 100-amp service, why not upgrade for future use? Often the 200-amp panels are cheaper because there's more of them sold. This accommodates for expansion and changes in code that may occur in the future. Check the prices before you begin your project.

Although technology has progressed greatly in the 12-volt appliance market, many mobile individuals still find themselves with the need to utilize 110-volt AC-powered equipment such as blenders, mixers, televisions, and other devices that may only be plugged into a wall outlet found in a building. The car's electrical outlets are generally cigarette lighter-styled receptacles, and the DC power of these outlets must be converted into alternating current (AC) to run the desired appliances. Modern technology has progressed in making this car-outlet conversion possible.

Instructions

1 Determine a location along the bottom of your dash where you desire to mount your power inverter, making sure the mount location isn't too far away to prevent plugging the device into the nearest cigarette lighter outlet.
2 Screw in the self-tapping screws that came with your power inverter. Drive the screws through the mount's screw holes and into the lower dash trim.
3 Insert the inverter's cigarette lighter adapter plug into the 12-volt cigarette lighter receptacle and turn the inverter switch to the on position. Observe the power indicator light to ensure the unit is receiving power. Depending on your vehicle, you may have to turn the ignition switch on to power the lighter receptacle.
4 Plug in your appliance into one of the three-pronged outlets on the inverter and use the appliance as you normally would at home.

Incorporating a hodgepodge of appliances into your kitchen and bathroom can be a decorating nightmare. Hiding your kitchen and bath appliances gives your home a less-cluttered, more natural look and frees up valuable counter space for food prep in the kitchen and washing in the bathroom. Whatever your budget, it's possible to hide your appliances to create the decorative look and uncluttered space you crave.

Instructions

1 Disguise large kitchen appliances behind closed doors. Attaching cabinetry panels to your appliances can help them disappear into your decorating scheme.
2 Hide countertop microwaves, mixers, toasters and other small kitchen appliances inside kitchen cabinets. Make sure the microwave can be pulled onto the counter before using, to provide adequate ventilation.
3 When cabinet space is unavailable, hide small kitchen appliances in a rolling kitchen island. Lock the wheels for an island in the center of your kitchen. Roll the island to a counter near outlets when you are ready to use the appliances.
4 Use a microwave cabinet or cart where space is available and use the storage space for small kitchen appliances. If the microwave area is an open space and you'd like to disguise it, throw a pretty cloth over it when it's not in use, or prop a picture or a sign in front that can easily be removed when you use the microwave.
5 Hide large bathroom appliances, such as water heaters or washer-dryer units, behind a folding screen that is easily removed for access.
6 Disguise smaller bathroom appliances like blow-dryers, curling irons, and electric razors in a cabinet. Place the cabinet as close to an outlet as possible for ease of appliance use.
7 Use creative appliance storage in larger bathrooms. Add a dresser or chest just for blow-dryers, curling irons and other items. Use an armoire for even more storage.

When an appliance breaks down beyond repair, you may not simply throw the item in the trash can or set it on the curb and wait for garbage pickup. Because household appliances often carry toxic waste, such as Freon and mercury, they pose a danger to the environment if placed in a landfill. Recycle your broken appliances. By recycling you will cut down on landfill use, reduce pollution and lower energy consumption.

Instructions

1 Contact your utility company to determine if they have a rebate program for recycling household appliances. Some utility companies offer a rebate for large appliances.
2 Contact your local waste removal municipality to see if they offer curbside appliance recycling. Some local municipalities offer a day of the week for large recycling pick up.
3 Locate a local appliance recycling facility if your area does not offer curbside pick up. Use the directory on Earth911.com to find a center in your area.
4 Prep the appliance for recycling. Clean the appliance. Remove any food items, lint or other disposables.
5 Remove the doors. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the door in place on large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and dryers. Removing the door will prevent small children or animals from trapping themselves inside of the appliance.
6 Ensure all of the parts are included. Check to make sure the drawers, shelves, lint traps or any other removable part is inside of the appliance.
7 Place the appliance on the curb outside of your home on the designated day if you are using curbside recycling removal.
8 Take the appliance to a recycling center. Use a truck or small trailer to transport the appliance. Get assistance from another person to lift the appliance onto the truck or trailer. Ensure the appliance is secure and no fluids are leaking before transporting it to the center.

Electrical appliances are not just bulky additions to a landfill. These items are hazardous to the environment when disposed of incorrectly. Taking the time to recycle appliances that no longer work properly will prevent refrigerants and mercury from leaking into the atmosphere and keep your appliance from becoming a cumbersome addition to already overcrowded dumps.

Instructions

1 Determine whether the appliance is in good working condition or needs only minor repairs. If this is the case, list the item on websites such as Craigslist or Freecycle where others in your community may look for just such an appliance. You may also donate working appliances to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
2 Contact the dealer of the appliance. Whether the appliance is still working or not, the original dealer may have detailed information on how to recycle the appliance properly. In some cases, they may pick up the item for you. The retailer that you purchased the appliance from may be able to offer this service as well.
3 Contact your electric utility and inquire about bounty programs for electrical appliances. Most programs have restrictions on the size and type of appliances that can be accepted if this type of program exists.
4 Locate a recycling center in your area that accepts electrical appliances. Information provided by the Steel Recycling Institute or United States Environmental Protection Agency may be able to help you find a nearby site that can accept your appliance.

Purchasing new appliances can be exciting and frustrating. Focus attention on your top picks by using a rating system that will identify your needs, the necessary features of various models, the appliance efficiency and reliability, and, of course, the price range. Use online searches, consumer reports and blog sites; customer comments; and even the help line of the various manufacturers before making your final decision. Appliances are long-term investments, and a little homework in advance can save huge headaches later.

Instructions

1 Over-sized appliances waste energy and money. The appliance you buy should suit your needs.
Size should be the first factor when considering purchasing new appliances. Determine the space available for the new equipment before making a selection.
Measure the height and width of the space with a metal tape measure. Draw a sketch of the area, and write all of the measurements on the sketch.
2 Features and use will be the next step in eliminating some models.
Refrigerators with ice/water dispensers, side-by-side doors, freezer drawers or trim kits for a built-in look are features to consider.
Electric or gas ranges and cook tops should be purchased depending on the amount of use the appliance will have. Added features include spill-proof tops, warming drawers, and thermal or convection ovens.
Microwaves can be built-in or countertop models and may combine convection oven cooking and built-in exhaust fans.
Dishwashers and laundry appliances should be purchased to meet the needs of the household. Added features can include sound insulation, digital delay starters, timers and light load capabilities.
3 Energy efficiency can be determined with most new electric appliances by checking for the Energy Star label and reviewing the Energy Guide Rating Sheet attached to the appliance. The rating is an estimate of the cost to operate that particular appliance. Ratings are based on the average use of an electric appliance.
Gas appliances are generally more efficient and cost less to run than comparably sized electric appliances. The most efficient dishwashers and clothes washers use less water and will have an energy-saving setting.
4 Price seems to be the easiest method to rate appliances until you realize that this is a long-term investment and all of the associated costs need to be considered. With an estimated life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, the least expensive appliance may cost more to run and to maintain.
The most expensive appliances may not be the most efficient or the most practical. Commercial ovens look great and cook well but are seldom well insulated and can have very expensive repair costs. Side-by-side refrigerators are efficient and easy to use but consume 10 to 15 percent more energy than a freezer on top model.
Check the Energy Star Rebate Locater online to see if your new appliance will qualify for a rebate or tax credit.
5 Make your top three selections for each appliance and visit their websites. Websites list estimated prices, and many have charts for additional features available with each model. Brand name appliances have consumer comments and will list repair concerns for most of the products.
Check independent consumer reports on each of the appliances to determine what to expect from customer service calls.

Three-phase appliances can be difficult or impossible to integrate into a home-electrical system. Energy providers do not typically hook up three-phase power for normal residential customers. Nevertheless, you may purchase a three-phase power converter to run a three phase appliance off of your single phase electrical service. These converters are expensive and the expense may not be justified. These considerations should be made before purchasing any three-phase appliance for use in a single-phase electrical system.

Instructions

1 Determine the exact power requirements of your three-phase grill. Based on these requirements, you will have to choose a three-phase converter that will allow your grill to start safely and operate smoothly and at full power. Consult a service technician familiar with your appliance for advice.
2 Install or isolate a dedicated circuit for the appliance and inverter. All large home appliances with large power requirements should have a separate protected circuit, and this type is no exception. If you are unfamiliar with your home-electrical system, consult an electrician to help you determine whether you need to install an additional dedicated circuit for your three phase grill. Do not attempt to run a three-phase appliance on a branch circuit shared with other appliances, receptacles or devices.
3 Once you have a circuit available that will meet the power needs of your converter and grill, the converter must be installed. Hooking up your converter can be a complicated and difficult procedure. Depending on the type of converter you will be using, there will be different power-supply requirements, and the converter will be hard-wired, instead of simply being plugged in. Hiring a qualified electrician or service technician may be your best option to ensure that your installation is done safely and correctly.

Home appliances saw exciting changes during the 1950s. Manufacturers turned their attention to the home after the war and offered technological improvements and innovations in appliances to encourage new purchases for the home. But arguably, the biggest change and buying stimulus in 1950s home appliances involved the introduction of color.

Colors

In 1954, General Electric introduced colored home appliances, in addition to the standard white and chrome. The colors ranged from vibrant red, blue, yellow, turquoise and flamingo pink, to their lighter or pastel counterparts, such as pink and light blue. Colors could be matched or intermixed, and were available for both small and large appliances. Advertising of the time followed suit, selling these new colored appliances through vibrant full-color ads, in contrast to earlier black and white ads.

Small Appliances

The kitchen was the center of domestic activity in the 1950s, and small appliances of the time made preparation for family meals and general entertaining easier. Hand and stand mixers were essential to the 1950s kitchen, as was the blender. In fact, blenders were so necessary due to the popularity of the 1950s cocktail party that some were built into counters in newer kitchens. Toasters, kettles and coffee percolators were also staples in most 1950s kitchens.

Large Appliances

Stoves of the 1950s often featured a double oven and broiler; some were side-by-side with a range on top, while others were built-in with a separate counter range. Refrigerators of the time often featured the freezer on the bottom, but a top freezer was also popular. Still, many 1950s kitchens had smaller refrigerators and a separate "ice box," or freezer. Washers and dryers were increasingly available in the 1950s, but they were not staples of the time due to their high price tags.

Modern Retro Application

"Retro" style is growing in popularity, and 1950s home appliances are in high demand. Vintage 1950s appliances can be found at estate and garage sales, as well as through online auction websites. Modern appliances with the "retro" look, however, are widely available from major appliance manufacturers.

Appliances aid in daily tasks and help you complete home chores more efficiently and with better quality. All homes do not have the same types of appliances because there are so many, but across the board most homes do have appliances that are found in every residence for convenience.

Large Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is a primary location for appliances both large and small. Larger kitchen appliances include refrigerators and freezers to store food for days or weeks at a time. Kitchens also include cooking appliances such as ovens and stoves to heat and prepare food, from simple dishes to exquisite dinners. Appliances such as dishwashers and garbage disposals aid in cleanup and make life easier.

Small Kitchen Appliances

Small kitchen appliances are mainly luxuries and vary greatly from one home to another. They are portable and can be transported easily and stored away when not in use. These include hand mixers, coffee pots, toasters, crock pots, food processors and blenders. They are lower cost and are frequently offered in colors that suit any kitchen decor and style.

Living Room

The living room is primarily a location for electronics and furniture as opposed to appliances but the primary appliance you will generally find in a living room is a vacuum cleaner. These come in both bagged and bagless varieties and the price spectrum ranges from less than $100 up to $1,000 for higher-end models. Individuals with carpet, instead of hardwood, might also get use out of a steam cleaner to lift dirt and grime, especially in the event of spills.

Other

Some homes have washers and dryers for clothes, which can range in size from portable apartment size to full-sized units built for large families. Dryers are available in both gas and electric varieties, depending on the home's structure. Some homes also employ the use of humidifiers or dehumidifiers to increase the quality of the air. Homes with wood stoves, for example, benefit from humidifiers, and homes near bodies of water may need to remove some of the humidity in the air with a dehumidifier.