AHAM's Blog

It's AHAM's 45th Anniversary!

2012 marks AHAM’s 45^th anniversary— and a lot has changed since 1967!  In 45 years, the appliance industry has grown to a $30 billion industry, shipping more than 200 million home appliances per year!   Watch Leading the Way a retrospective on our proud history and how AHAM will lead into the future.

 

 

1967 was also the year that the Amana Radarange, the first major introduction of a microwave oven, went on sale for sale for $495, or about $2,000 in today’s dollars. The House Beautiful and Retro Renovation have slideshows of typical American kitchens from the 1960s.  Talk about Memory Lane!

Here are some other 1967 stats thanks to these two web sites (here and here)! 

How much things cost in 1967
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 2.78%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 905
Average Cost of new house $14,250.00
Average Income per year $7,300.00
Average Monthly Rent $125.00
Gas per Gallon 33 cents
Average Cost of a new car $2,750.00
Movie Ticket $1.25
The Federal Minimum Wage is increased to $1.40 an hour

Headlines from 1967

• Jimmy Hoffa begins an 8 year prison term for defrauding the union and jury tampering
• The 25th Amendment to the constitution is ratified which deals with succession to the Presidency
• Thurgood Marshall becomes the first black justice on the Supreme Court.
• Muhammad Ali is stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing induction into US army
• President Johnson asks for a 6 percent increase on taxes to support the Vietnam War
• Ten of thousands of Vietnam War protesters march in Washington, D.C.
• World’s First Heart Transplant operation in South Africa by Dr. Christiaan N Barnard
• The Concorde is seen for the first time in public.
• The first ATM ( Automatic Teller Machine ) is put into service in Barclays Bank in London

The Home of the Future…from 1957

What images are conjured up when you envision the “Home of the Future?”   Nowadays, you might think of a kitchen equipped with modern-looking smart appliances that can be controlled from your smart phone.  If so, you would be correct because those technologies are currently being developed and will not only save you time and effort in the kitchen, but help to lower your utility bills with increased energy efficiency.

However, six decades ago, the “Home of the Future” was envisioned very differently.  At Disneyland in Anaheim California, the Monsanto Home of the Future became a major attraction in 1957 that showcased what a typical American home would be like in 1986. Some things, such as microwaves and dishwashers, would become ubiquitous. However, some parts of this futuristic kitchen never came to pass and now seem kitschy by today’s standards, such as all-plastic dinnerware, using the dishwasher to store the dishes, and replacing the refrigerator/freezer with hidden “cold zones” for “irradiated food.”

This website features more information about the Monsanto Home of the Future and includes a fun 8-minute film from the late 1950s of a housewife daydreaming about living there. You can see more pictures of the Home of the Future here.  

Or watch here:

 

What do you think of this Monsanto Home of the Future?    What do you hope the Home of the Future will look like?    Tell us!

Appliances Need Routine Maintenance, Too

Appliances, even small ones, are an investment and need to be properly maintained just like an automobile. Failure to do so can shorten the lifespan of the appliance and it can become a serious safety issue.

According to a recent article on FoxNews.com, coffee machines should be cleaned regularly. “’It’s just like a car. Just because you have a $100,000 Mercedes doesn’t mean you don’t have to change the oil and check the brakes and tires,’ says Scott Kopin, president of the National Appliance Service Association. For espresso machines, Kopin recommends for daily use, clean out all removable parts every day and run a plain-water rinse cycle (e.g., without coffee) to push hot water through all the valves to flush out residue.”

Additionally, it is important to remember to properly maintain your clothes dryer to maintain performance and enhance safety.  AHAM recommends the following:

• Be sure you can feel air flowing out of the vent to the outdoors when the air is on
• Inspect the venting system behind the dryer and replace any pieces that are damaged or crushed
• Clean the lint filter after each load
• Periodically clean the back of the dyer where lint can be trapped

These tips and others can be found in AHAM’s clothes dryer safety brochure, which you may order by clicking here. There is no charge for orders of less than 250 copies, and a nominal shipping charge for larger orders.

AHAM Marks Fire Prevention Week by Distributing 250,000 Safety Brochures

National Fire Prevention Week is October 7-12, 2011 and AHAM is again supporting this Week by providing several safety brochures (just pay shipping). Last year, AHAM distributed over 250,000 brochures to local fire departments, schools and non-profit agencies.

The following brochures are available:

• “Protect Against Range Tipping”
• “Recipe for Safer Cooking Procedures”
• “Clothes Dryer Safety”
• “Portable Heater Safety Brochure” (English)
• “Portable Heater Safety Brochure” (Spanish)

There is no shipping charge if your total order is less than 250 brochures. However, there will be a nominal shipping charge for larger orders. You may order brochures online or click here for an order form. Email AHAM if you have any questions.

All About Induction Cooking

AHAM has told you about the Five appliance that can help you save money, but did you know there is a type of cooking technology that can save you time, money and piece of mind?  Induction cooking is relatively new and unknown, but induction cooktops are gaining popularity among kitchen designers. 

Induction cooking works by transferring heat directly to your pot or pan through an electric current.  The cooktop will only heat your pan when it is in direct contact with the surface.  For a complete explanation of how this cooktop works, read this helpful article in Kitchen and Bath Business: Understanding Induction. 

So how can an induction cooktop save you time, money and piece of mind?

• Induction allows you to cook your meal faster.  You will have more control over the heat, with the ability to adjust the temperature with more accuracy and bring water to a rapid boil in less than two minutes.  Clean up could not be easier with the flat, ceramic glass cooktop.  You can wipe it clean in seconds, and since it does not get hot, even spills and splatters are easy to clean.
• The direct-to-vessel heating used in induction cooktops does not waste heat.  This makes this technology more sustainable than others, and you will save on your utility bills.
• Finally, since the cooking heat stays contained to the pan, the surface of the cooktop will always remain cool.  Watch the video below from HGTV to see that you can lay your hand on the cooktop next to your pan with no worries!  Your kitchen will stay cooler and you will not need to be concerned about burns from touching the surface directly.

 

Space Saving Appliances: Small, Tidy and Mighty!

Pick up the June issue of Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine, or visit KitchenBathideas.com to read their “Small But Mighty” article (pg. 27) on space saving appliances that make meal prep and cleanup easier!    Many of your kitchen appliances are available in smaller sizes or space saving configurations.   If you are redesigning your kitchen, the sky is the limit with configurations, sizes and styles to choose from.   Consider multiple dishwasher drawers in lieu of a tall tub configuration and as I stated in the magazine, try it before you buy it!  Bring your most-frequently used tray or serving dish with you and “bring measurements with you when you shop to ensure you buy the right-sized appliance- especially if it’s one that will be installed, such as a warming drawer.”  The article includes a buying and planning guide—so check it out before making your next purchase.

 

Thanksgiving Tips for Cooks of All Levels to Keep your Holidays Joyous and Safe

Thanksgiving dinner is the most anticipated meal of the year for Americans and an ideal opportunity for cooks to show off their culinary expertise. However, Thanksgiving is also considered the peak day for preventable cooking fires, where they are three times more likely to occur than any other day of the year.

Safety Tips for the Multi-Tasking Master Chef
Trying to do too many things at once while cooking can potentially lead to accidental cooking fires and related injuries.  Protect your family by remembering to:

•    Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. 
•    Do not try to hold your child in one arm while cooking with the other.
•    Keep your range top free of clutter.

Safety Tips for the First-Time Cook
First-time cooks may not be aware of the safety precautions they should take while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. On Thanksgiving Day, first-time cooks should:

•    Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.
•    Keep smoke alarms connected while cooking.

Safety Tips for the Ambitious Cook
Ambitious cooks may find themselves trying new dishes or tweaking old recipes. Whether it’s a traditional dish or an innovative culinary work of art, ambitious cooks should aim for high marks on taste and safety by:

•    Never put a glass casserole or lid on the stove or over a burner.
•    Be extremely cautious if using a turkey fryer.

Safety-Proof Your Cooking Style This Thanksgiving

Millions of families are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, but remember to be extra cautious in the kitchen as you prepare your Thanksgiving dinner.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the top cause of home fires and are three times as likely to occur on Thanksgiving Day compared to any other day of the year.

"A cooking fire can turn a holiday feast into a family tragedy," says Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "By taking simple safety steps cooks can avoid cooking fires and keep the Thanksgiving celebration joyful."

AHAM and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) have teamed up to offer you expert advice and how to prevent cooking fires, and what to do if an accident does occur while cooking.  Click here to read safety tips for everyone from first-time cooks to the experienced Thanksgiving chefs who can do it all!

You can also watch a video that shows how quickly a fire can spread on a gas range. Skip ahead to the 2:00 minute mark to see how to properly contain the fire and to the 2:45 mark for safety tips from John Drengenberg of UL where he explains what to do if one of your pans catch on fire.  

Frozen Food Safety

NBC 4 in Washington, D.C. recently broadcast a segment on frozen food safety where consumer reporter Liz Crenshaw tested a variety of frozen food products.  She reminds consumers that it is essential to follow the manufacturers' instructions when cooking a frozen meal in the microwave or conventional oven.  Some foods may need to sit after cooking to ensure the proper internal temperature is reached.  Know your microwave wattage, use a thermometer and follow the instructions exactly.   Watch the video below to see the full segment:

AHAM has more information about microwave ovens under the consumer information section of our web site.

Cooking at home, and other recent trends

Many Americans are cooking at home more often as a response to recent economic challenges.  According to a recent survey by BIGresearch, many consumers consider dining out as an expendable expense, while other modern luxuries like Internet and cable TV are non-negotiable.  Another reason for a rise in home cooking are celebrity chefs, reality cooking shows and the Food Network, which have all helped make cooking popular again.

The housewares industry is also taking notice and making products more affordable and practical, which was evident and this year's International Home and Housewares Show.  Manufacturers are showcasing new programmable slow cookers with digital technology, and colorful, flashy containers to store and preserve leftover ingredients in  your refrigerator.  Designers hope that if the containers are shaped like the foods stored inside, users will remember to use them before they spoil.

You can read more about The Return of Home Economics in this article from MarketWatch.  Other notable points include the recent surge in freezer shipments for people stocking up on frozen food, and new home haircutting tools from Wahl for those now cutting their own hair.  You can also watch video demonstrations on popular haircuts on Wahl's Web site.  Congratulations to Wahl, an AHAM member that is celebrating their 90th year in business.