Washer and dryer bundles are ideal for those looking for matching washers and dryers but have no idea about the criteria that make the machines complimentary to each other. The machines in a washer and dryer bundle don’t just match each other in style but also in the capacity and functionality.

The washer and dryer as parts of a washer dryer bundle can be of different styles. They can either be both loaded from the same side (top or front) or can consist of machines with two different loading styles. A lot of brands offer washer and dryer bundles, and Maytag is one of them.

This is a review of one such famous Maytag washer dryer bundle that comprises of the Maytag MVWX655DW Washer and Maytag MEDX655W dryer. These machines can be bought individually as well as in a package at Best Buy.

The Maytag MVWX655DW Washer

The washer can tackle large loads of laundry with its 4.3 cubic feet wash drum. The clothes can be loaded into the machine from the top. The appliance has a stylish control panel on the top, and the model is available in white. The wash drum is made of stainless steel making this a great Maytag washer dryer bundle for those looking for machines with drums that do not have a chance at damaging clothes. Stainless steel drums are rust resistant and avoid damaging the clothes.

The washer can fit in a narrow washer space as it is 27.5 inches in width and 42 inches in height. It comes with a vibration reduction technology that offers less noisy laundry cycles. This Maytag washer dryer bundle has a power-efficient washer as the washer is High Efficiency qualified. It has a triple action agitator though it lacks the steam function that is usually found in some washers at this price range.

The 11 wash cycles offered by the washer caters to many washing needs. These wash cycles include regular, cold wash, rinse and spin, soaking period and a lot more. Since the fabric can vary and the same temperature setting does not work for all materials, the washer of this Maytag washer dryer bundle comes with five temperature settings. The rinse and a spin feature is excellent for ensuring that no stain gets passed on from one clothing item to another.

The Maytag MEDX655W Dryer

The Maytag MEDX655W of this Maytag washer dryer bundle is available in two variants – electric and gas. The dryer has a capacity of 7 cubic feet to tackle large and bulky loads of laundry. It offers eleven drying cycles to ensure efficient drying performance with every kind of load.

The dryer comes with the advanced moisture sensor that automatically sets the temperature and time for drying by detecting the moisture level in the clothes. This helps in avoiding the clothes from getting over-dried. Over-drying garments can cause damage in the long run. And running the drying cycle unnecessarily would also mean a waste of energy and power resources and a higher electricity bill. The dryer has a powder coated interior which is easy to clean and requires very less maintenance making this Maytag washer dryer bundle ideal for those looking for a washer dryer set that is low maintenance.

Maytag is known for its durable and brilliant performances its washers and dryers offer. Other than that, most of Maytag’s washers and dryers are very budget-friendly. A number of these models can be found at even under USD 500 at times.

Today, almost every second home in the United States of America has a microwave. However, this wasn’t the case about 50 years ago.

Although they were used for commercial purposes since the 1950’s, the year 1967 saw America’s first home-use microwaves being sold by Amana Corporation. This became possible due to the miniaturization of technology and cost cutting due to which these commercial microwaves were able to be manufactured in smaller sizes and at cheaper rates.

A little bit of history first
The first domestic microwave oven was christened, ‘radarange’, which was a name coined from the terms radar and range. But why ‘radar’? What is the connection between a radar and a microwave? This has a long, but rather interesting story to it.

Radar stands for, ‘radio detection and ranging’ and a magnetron is a device that produces it. This device was used in abundance during World War II. However, the American army was falling short of magnetrons. Therefore, Percy Spencer, an engineer who worked with Raytheon and was given the task of revving up the production of the magnetron.

So Spencer began work. During one of his stints where he was working with a live magnetron, Spencer noticed that a piece of candy in his pocket had melted. Suspecting it was the radar from the magnetron at play, he experimented again, only this time consciously and with a raw egg. He pointed a radar beam towards the egg and his suspicion was confirmed, as the egg exploded due to quick heating. And then a series of experiments continued one of which included corn kernels that turned into popcorn when they were subject to radar emission. And this was the advent of microwave ovens. Spencer then went on to patent his findings and this is how the first microwave came into existence.

Businesses began adopting the technology founded by Spencer and soon ‘radarange’ came to be known as the microwave. Owing to the short wavelength of the radio waves used in cooking, as compared to the longer wavelengths of radio waves used in telecommunication, this technology was rechristened from the ‘radarange’ to the microwave (another term for a shortwave).

A few things to know about microwave cooking

• In spite of their fast-growing popularity, microwave ovens have still not been able to completely replace convection ovens. This is because fast heating is not conducive to certain types of food. Take for example bread. A loaf of bread can never be cooked in a microwave oven unless it comes with a convection feature. The reason for this being, slow heat is one of the main factors that is needed for the yeast to make the dough of the bread rise.
• Similarly, when you place a ceramic plate full of food in a microwave, the food comes out hot, while the plate doesn’t. This is because the frequency of a microwave is only able to stir up water molecules that cause them to vibrate rapidly and heat up. And the food has water while the plate doesn’t, which explains why only your food gets heated up in a microwave.
• Neither does microwave cooking cause cancer nor does it completely destroy all the nutrients in your food. However, microwaving food in plastic is something you should steer clear from since heat can cause the chemical from plastics to leach into your food and this could, in turn, lead to numerous health concerns.

The microwave has come a long way and has undergone a number of transformations since 1967. But all said and done, microwave ovens have certainly done us a world of good in the kitchen due to their rapid heating technology, thus making the whole cooking process a whole lot easier. So here’s to fifty years of microwaving!

Research has shown that more than 96 percent of American households have a microwave in today’s day and age. In fact, this is one of the appliances without which your kitchen feels incomplete.

Today, with the busy and stressful lifestyles we lead, cooking nutritious meals can be a somewhat time-consuming task. Anything that helps save our time here is a savior. And this is why we all love microwaves. Microwave cooking ensures that the time taken to cook is reduced by almost half the time. This article sheds light on everything you need to know about microwave cooking.

During the process of cooking, microwave ovens use short energy waves. These waves that are absorbed by the food, further making the water molecules in the food vibrate at a speed of 2,450 million times per second. This intense vibration creates thermal energy, also known as, ‘friction heat.’ It is this friction heat that causes food to heat up and thus cook faster rapidly.

In spite of the high safety standards microwaves adopt, many people still have their doubts about how safe microwave cooking is. A lot of people also believe that microwave cooking kills the nutrients in the food. So does a microwave do that? Let’s find out.

Vitamin C is a nutrient that breaks down extremely fast, especially when subject to time and temperature. Therefore, whether it is a microwave oven or a conventional one, nutrients like vitamin c are bound to break down anyway. However, owing to its shorter cooking time, microwave ovens very often do a better job at preserving the vitamin C content in your food as compared to other time-consuming cooking methods. This is the same case with some other vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, etc.

One of the methods that ensure most nutrients stay intact in your food is the method of quick cooking. And that is exactly what a microwave does – takes the shortest possible time to cook. Also, using as little liquid as possible while cooking ensures that the nutrients in your food stay intact. While cooking vegetables in a microwave oven, using a small amount of water ensures that your vegetables get steamed from inside out. This retains the vitamin and mineral content in them. While this is one of the benefits of microwave cooking, let us look at a few other benefits too.

Time Saving

Due to its rapid heating, cooking in a microwave oven is much faster than most other conventional methods like an electric range or gas, thus saving you a reasonable amount of time. This also means a lesser amount of energy is consumed in the process.

Less Smoke

Unlike gas cooking, microwave ovens do not emit any smoke or steam while cooking. This ensures that your kitchen remains smoke-free and cool.

Safer

Since microwaves do not make use of fire to cook, it tends to be a lot more reliable than gas cooking.

Hygienic

Maintaining the hygiene levels of a microwave are pretty easy. All you need to do is to wipe any stains caused by food that has splattered during cooking, with a damp cloth. Also, microwaves that come with stainless steel interiors do not allow the smell of food to linger in them.

Other special features

Apart from cooking, microwave ovens serve many different purposes like defrosting food, heating up a plate of food, etc. Selecting a microwave with a convection feature also allows you to bake in it.

Therefore, unlike most myths, microwave cooking isn’t unsafe at all, unless of course, you use plastic to cook your food in it.

Online shopping has become a trend, where people buy almost everything online, even furniture and home appliances. Shopping online might not be easy as you don’t get a first-hand experience of the product you may want to buy, but it sure has the best deals which you won’t get in showrooms. But with that said, there are a lot of factors you need to consider before buying home appliances.

Buying appliances online is not an easy task, but it is not a difficult task either if you go with some planning. When shopping for online appliances attention needs to be paid to every single detail. To make your task easier, prepare a list of brands, features, budget, and every other thing that comes to your mind. Then all you got to do is read reviews of the products you are planning to buy.

Here is a list of things you should remember when buying online appliances. This list will only make it convenient for you to remember the things that need attention before you buy

•  Determine your needs

When buying online appliances, the first thing you have to do is take a closer look at your needs. Not just your needs but your family’s needs as well. This means that your online appliances should be able to meet the basic needs of you and your family.

• Take measurements

Taking the measurement of the space you are going to keep your appliance will be very beneficial for you; otherwise, if the appliance won’t fit then you will end up having to figure out where to keep it. If possible measure the old device you had, before selecting the new one. This will give you an idea of the dimensions needed for the new appliance.

• Research

Before selecting any product, do some research on the brand you are going to buy. This will give you an idea of the brand’s policies and about the products or services they offer. Also, read as many reviews as you can, this will give you an in-depth knowledge of the product you are going to buy. While reading reviews, also read reviews of the online store you are purchasing from to find out about the delivery speed, packaging, and return policies.

• Track your online appliances purchase

When you are done ordering your appliance, keep a regular check on the day your order is expected to arrive. You might get updates of your order in the form SMS or emails, so keep in touch with the retailer. Online appliances usually take two to four weeks to ship, but it might also depend on the retailers. It is always better to get rid of the old machines before the new one arrives otherwise, both the appliances will unnecessarily occupy extra space.

• Inspect the online appliances thoroughly upon arrival

When your online appliances are delivered to you, the first thing you should do is carefully check the appliances for damages or dents. Don’t sign the papers unless you are satisfied with the product.Before signing the documents, ask the delivery man what you are supposed to do if you find any damages in the product. He will usually be able to advise you on the same. You may also call on your retailer’s customer service helpline to find out more. Also, always check for the easy return or exchange policy with the retailers.

These are a few important things that you should pay attention to when you are buying online appliances. Always plan the list of things you need to focus on, that will only make your shopping easy.

Whether it’s defrosting, heating, baking, or even cooking, a microwave is an essential kitchen appliance that most of us are unable to do without. According to a census conducted by Energy Information Administration (EIA), a whopping 96 percent of American homes have microwaves. Now that’s huge number, isn’t it?

However, one thing that’s important for you to know is that not every American home has the same kind of microwave. While countertop microwaves were yesteryears trend, today technology has brought about a gamut of innovation in the microwave arena.Due to technological advancements, today, apart from counter top microwaves there is a range of other microwaves that exist in the market. A few of these are-Over range microwaves, Built-in microwaves and Drawer style microwaves.To make the best of it, selecting a microwave that specifically suits your needs and fits your budget would be a good idea.

Here are few key features of the different microwaves available today that you must know about:

• Countertop Microwaves

The lowest in the price bracket, these microwaves can range anywhere from USD 70 to USD 650, depending on the size. However, the only con to this model is that it ends up taking too much of your kitchen counter space.

• Over range microwaves

Very often referred to as OTRs, over range microwaves are generally installed above your cooktop. And owing to its hood ventilation, it hits two birds with one stone, i.e., it acts as a microwave as well as vents out smoke, steam, and odor from your kitchen. The over range microwaves are great space savers, which is a blessing for the compact kitchens. The price of over range microwaves may vary anywhere from USD 170 to USD 1,300.

• Built-in microwaves

A built-in microwave fits into your kitchen cabinets and comes with a drop-down door, like a conventional oven. This is another great option in case space is a constraint in your kitchen. The price of these microwaves start from about USD 350 and go up to USD 1,500.

• Drawer style microwaves

These microwaves are installed below a countertop or a wall oven and slide out like a drawer, which is why the name. They also come with a child lock feature, that’ll make sure the kids can’t mess around with this one. Drawer style microwaves range anywhere from USD 700 to USD 2,000.

To make your microwave experience even more user-friendly, a few features to look for while investing in one are:

• Turntables

Be it over range microwaves, countertop microwaves, or drawer style ones; a turntable is an essential feature you need to look for. Therefore, make sure the microwave you’re buying has an apt enough turntable size to ensure that your food is heated evenly.

• Racks

A microwave with a rack ensures that you have access to more than one layer, thus enabling you to cook multiple things at the same time and saving you some more time than it already does.

• Convection, cooking, and grilling

While most microwaves generally come endowed with a heating feature, do make sure the microwave you invest in has a convection, cooking as well as grilling feature, so that you can do a lot more with this appliance.

• Child lock keys

Any parent would vouch for the importance of this. A child lock feature ensures that your child won’t be able to do much with the microwave once the lock is active.

• Common task keys

This feature makes life a whole lot easier. With keys ranging from time extension to defrosting to auto-cooking, all you need to do is just press a few smart keys, and you’re good to go. Most microwaves also come with shortcut keys that make cooking foods like popcorn, steamed vegetables, bakes, etc. easier.

So, what is your favorite microwave among the above listed?

Buying a washing machine never used to require so much of deliberation back in the days, as they all looked similar and had the same standard features and functions. These then evolved to become one of the finest looking machines in the house with a plethora of advanced features to choose from.

When you go shopping for a washing machine now, you have the choice of front loading and top loading washing machines. There is an array of features offered as well – High Efficiency (HE), noise-free, steam washing, wrinkle-free washing and drying, and so on.

If you are shopping for a new top loading washing machine, then here are some washing machine reviews of the best top loading models of 2017.

 LG Mega Capacity WT7700HVA

This top loading machine is quite a winner when it comes to handling large loads of laundry. One of the features that are mentioned in most of the washing machine reviews is the versatility of wash cycles it offers. The washing machine’s cycle options are one of the highest in its category.

The wash drum has a massive capacity of 5.7 cubic feet. It does not have an agitator and allows for bulky items to fit in easily. The washing machine is an HE model that uses less power and water to run. The model can be paired with the LG DLEX7710VE, an efficient dryer to get the best results according to most of the washing machine reviews by users.

Samsung WA9000 

The Samsung WA9000 gets all the points for being one of the best energy efficient models available. The washing machine is Energy Star certified, that means that you do not have to worry about a high electricity bill. Energy efficiency also means contributing to keeping the environment safe. A lot of washing machine reviews do not miss in pointing out that this machine’s amazing wash drum capacity is 5.6 cubic feet.

Apart from the several wash cycle options it offers, the washing machine also allows you to set a favorite cycle for frequently washed fabrics. You can get a great deal on the washing machine during the washing machine sales during the clearance season. The washing machine pairs well with the Samsung DV56H9000EW which is a matching dryer with the Eco Dry system. The Eco Dry system helps in using less energy during the drying cycles, making the dryer energy efficient too!

 Kenmore Elite 31633

This washing machine is ideal for those who are looking for a fast performing washer. The Kenmore Elite 31633 is yet another washing machine that has won a lot of positive washing machine reviews for its 6.2 cubic feet wash drum that can get a lot done at a time, reducing the time you spend doing laundry significantly. Equipped with the Quad Action Impeller that cleans clothes thoroughly using power spray jets with impeller motion, the machine is a winner when it comes to cleaning performance as well.

Apart from the wash cycle options to tackle different kinds of laundry, the washing machine also has a sanitize cycle. This cycle involves oxi gel and steam for an extra clean washing cycle. The washing machine works great with its matching dryer Kenmore 61633 that uses the SmartDry Ultra technology to keep the clothes from over-drying and getting damaged.

Before you opt for any of the washing machines, make sure you read washing machine reviews from different sources before buying it. The reviews can help you get a good idea of the washing machine from customers who have had firsthand experience using the washing machine.

Technology is taking over the world. Old things are going out of style or are being modified and new things are trending. People no longer like to stay with things that are gone old. There are new products flooding the market every day. The world is becoming tech-savvy and everything is turning smart.

The prefix  “smart” is not applicable only to phones, you can also find such smart home appliances at Sears stores. Check out their website for the nearest Sears appliance store’s location and start shopping.

The products in Sears are the upgraded versions of those indispensable home appliances without which one cannot lead an easy life. Even home appliances like television and air conditioners have become “smart.”

Here is a list of smart home appliances that you would like to buy in 2017.

Smart Thermostat
Thermostats just got a little update. Yes! Good thermostats will save you money and power but smart thermostats will keep your home comfortable and can even learn your habits and preferences and can save money and power at the same time. These thermostats are high-tech and customizable, they will learn your preferences and will also know if you are at home or away. These are extremely easy to install and will automatically adjust the temperature. You can also buy thermostats at the Sears appliances sale.

Here is a list of five smart thermostats.

• The Nest Learning Thermostat

• The Ecobee3 smart Wi-Fi thermostat

• Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

• Sensi Wi-Fi smart programmable thermostat

• Honeywell Z-wave enabled programmable thermostat

You might also get some high-tech thermostats on the Sears appliances sale.

Smart light bulbs
Smart bulbs are not like, basic bulbs, which sit under the socket or the average LED bulbs. Smart bulbs directly connect with your phone and other devices. These bulbs can dim without even installing dimmer switches and they can be controlled from anywhere. They can also change colors and some smart bulbs can even play music. There are a lot of options available for light bulbs at the Sears appliances sale.

Some of the good smart bulbs are:

• Belkin WeMo LED

• GE Link Bulbs

• Flux Smart LED Light Bulb

• Philips Hue

Smart Lock
When it comes to home security, no one wants to take chances. Smart locks can help you prevent a robbery in your house. These locks let you lock and unlock your home with the touch of a button. You can connect these locks with your phone and use it from anywhere. These locks are quite convenient when it comes to unlocking your home when you have too many bags in your hand.

Given below are some Smart locks.

• August Smart Lock HomeKit Enabled

• Schlage Sense

• Poly-Control Danalock V2

• Kwikset Kevo Touch-to-Open Smart Lock (2nd Gen)

• Schlage Century Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock (BE469NX CEN619)

Smart Smoke Detector
Adding smart devices to your home never goes waste. The all-new smart smoke detectors will keep you away from fire worries. There are so many basic smoke detectors that will ring a false alarm and will always keep making the sound of a low battery chirping. Smart smoke detectors will also keep you away from all these annoying things. These devices are connected to your phone, which sends you an alert in case a fire breaks out at your home while you are away.

Here are some best smart smoke detectors

• Nest Protect

• Halo Smart Labs

• Netatmo

 Smart Security Camera
Security of your home is one of the most important things you should consider. A smart security camera monitors your home from an app in your phone. Some cameras also have a modular security system with separate motion sensor and sirens.

Here is a list of the best smart security cameras.

• Netgear Arlo Q

• Y-Cam Evo

• Logitech circle

These are some of the smart home appliances that prove extremely beneficial for your home.