The Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker

Have you ever been stuck in a gloomy hotel room, longing for your morning cup of espresso? Have you ever crawled out of a tent in the woods on a frosty morning, shivering and pining for that prized jolt of caffeine? The Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker is the perfect solution to these dilemmas. An ingeniously designed appliance, sleek and lightweight, the Handpresso Wild lets you make espresso anywhere, with no electricity. All you need is hot water, an ESE pod and the Handpresso Wild.

Relieve your cravings for fresh, hot espresso no matter where you are, with the Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker.Accessories for the Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker include a rigid black carrying case with an adjustable strap, big enough to store your supply of ESE pods and the Handpresso. Another great accessory are the unbreakable, 1.5 ounce-capacity espresso cups made from transparent polycarbonate. The cups, which are sold in sets of two, are dishwasher safe, but should not be put in the microwave.See the http://www.moderncoffeedesigns.com/Handpresso-Wild-Portable-Espresso-Machine-Set-p/hpwildset.htm Handpresso WildUsing the Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker is easy. Simply pump up the machine till the pressure gauge reads 16 bars. Fill the reservoir with hot water and screw the lid on tightly. Insert an Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pod, readily available from well-known makers like Gaggia and Lavazza, into the portafilter. Then turn the Handpresso Wild over, hold it above the espresso cup, and press the dispenser button. The compressed air will force the hot water through the ESE and you�ll have a perfect cup of steaming espresso, complete with a rich crema topping, ready to be sipped and savored. The ESE pod are readily available in almost all major food chains and retailers.The Handpresso Wild is environmentally friendly. It has won several design and green awards. It is sturdy�one Handpresso Wild should make at least 10,000 cups of espresso over its lifetime�and requires no maintenance. It�s small enough to stash in a desk drawer or glove compartment. You need never be without espresso again. Now you can have portable espresso in just a few easy steps.

Relieve your cravings for fresh, hot espresso no matter where you are, with the Handpresso Wild Portable Espresso Maker.

Pay less for your energy ...

SAVE money on your energy bills in the summer months with these top tips and you'll have a bit more cash to spend on holiday...

Don't leave appliances on standby.If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble-dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme. By washing your laundry at 40 degrees rather than 60 degrees in an A-rated machine, you could save around pounds 12 per year.Only boil the amount of water you need for a cup of tea.Turn off the lights when you leave a room.Fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off. A dripping tap will waste enough water to fill half a bath in a week.Take a shower not a bath.Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60C/140F.Reclaim your washing line during the summer - no need for the tumble-dryer!

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Nose For Trouble

A portable germ scanner exposes tainted food.

Mass spectrometers can determine the chemical composition of just about anything by sorting molecules according to their mass and electrical charge. Trouble is, most commercial instruments are dishwasher-size. The Mini 11 is no bigger than a Kleenex box and weighs only eight pounds. It's equipped with a hose that spritzes samples with ionized water, dislodging molecules that are then sucked inside and analyzed in seconds.YOU'RE LUNCHING in a greasy spoon where a dude called Roach has grilled up your burger, extra bloody. Naturally, you're leery. So you whip out your personal food scanner to check for E. coli and other microbial nastiness. That, at least, is the vision of Purdue University's R. Graham Cooks and his colleague Zheng Ouyang, who have created a portable mass spectrometer, the Mini 11, that can detect everything from bacteria to drug residue.Michael Stroh

Michael Stroh

Which Are The Best Dishwashers?

There are plenty of dishwashers on the market. In fact so many that choosing one could be a bit overwhelming? So which are the best dishwashers?

Will that be portable, built in, or a counter top models. There is a dishwasher for every kitchen size. The countertop style works great in close quarters and a portable is a smart option if you are renting.8. Budget6. Stacking4. Washing Cycles1. CapacityThe best dishwashers on the market are the ones that do the job you need them to do. Shopping online can provide you with some great buys. So why not start now?3. Energy5. PerformanceStart by setting your budget. When it comes to dishwashers you can spend anywhere form a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand. At the end of the day they all wash your dishes clean. The difference is in how they accomplish this and what additional features they offer. So set your budget and stick to it.How well your dishwasher performs depends on the washing cycle structure, the type of detergent used, and the rinse. The overall performance will be determined by a host of factors including the wash cycle, the load on the dishwasher, and what's being washed.There are plenty of great manufacturers to choose from. If you have a favorite go with it. Not sure? Then do a little research and see who's reputation is the best and who's getting noticed for a superior product. Whirlpool is world known but it isn't the only great manufacturer so do your research.2. TypeThe answer to that question is simpler than you might have imagined. The best dishwasher is the one that has the features, size, and warranty that you are looking for. So whether you are in the market for one of the more pricey stainless dishwashers or whether you are looking for economy consider this:Dishwashers usually have several cycles and cycle combinations which may include Normal, Light, Pots & Pans, Econo, and Rinse Only. Some cycles work better for glassware while others work better for greasy dishes. Make sure the dishwasher you choose has the cycles you will want to use most often.7. MakerCheck the design structure inside the dishwasher. The rack layout makes a huge difference on how many dishes you can fit inside. Some will also have special features like a cutlery tray in the door. Some will have a special wine glass rack. This is the place you get to save space with the right layout.Do you want the standard 24" size or the compact 18" size? An 18" is a good choice for a household with 2 or 3 people in it. It will hold 8 place settings. A 24" which is standard dishwasher size will hold 14 place settings.

The best dishwashers on the market are the ones that do the job you need them to do. Shopping online can provide you with some great buys. So why not start now?

Freedom to Move-Portable Dishwashers

What if you cannot spare cabinet space to install a built-in dishwasher? That is not a problem with portable or convertible dishwashers. These dishwashers are freestanding with casters that allow you to store the dishwasher in one place and roll it to the sink when you need to use it. Most have a butcher-block laminate top so that you increase your workspace in the kitchen. Several companies offer portable dishwasher models if you need this flexibility.

Kenmore has only one portable dishwasher model. This model has a butcher-block laminate top to increase your workspace in the kitchen. It offers two wash levels in four cycles, including a pots and pans setting. It has a standard insulation package, so it will not be the quietest dishwasher. This Kenmore portable dishwasher comes in a sleek black design.Whirlpool also offers two portable dishwashers, both with EnergyStar ratings. The first model is a 24-inch white model that can hold a 12 place setting. With a PowerClean system, it has five wash levels and five wash cycles including settings for pots and pans, china, and sanitizing rinse. It can have custom panels. It also has a self-cleaning filter and a 2, 4, 6-hour delay setting. This portable dishwasher has the basic sound reduction package. The second portable Whirlpool dishwasher has 3 levels of wash and a sound blanket. It holds a 10 place setting and can wash pots and pans. It comes in black but can have a custom panel. This model is priced at $398 while the first retails for $498.Portable dishwashers allow more choices in kitchens that may need to maximize cabinet space. With the same power to clean as built-in dishwashers, portables can offer some flexibility in tight spaces. If you move and have room in your new house, some portable models can be converted to a built-in model.Maytag has two portable models that are both EnergyStar rated. These are Jet Clean II models that hold 14 place settings. They have more jet spray nozzles on 3 spray arms than any other dishwasher for better cleaning on four wash cycles. A fully electronic control pad complements the sound reduction package to make this portable dishwasher perfect for any kitchen. The upper rack is removable to allow for tall pots and pans. Both models retail for $48.Frigidaire has two portable dishwashers. The 24-inch portable dishwasher is a standard size. Holding 12 place settings, this portable dishwasher has a 5-level wash system including a high-temperature wash/rinse cycle and a pots and pans cycle. It includes up to a 6-hour delay option and an UltraQuiet III sound reduction package. The 18-inch portable model can save space in smaller kitchens. Because it is smaller, this model can only hold an 8 place setting. It does include a sanitizing rinse cycle and a pots and pan setting. With five wash cycles, it has a 2-level wash system. It does have a basic sound reduction package, but no delay setting. Both of these models retail around $447.

Portable dishwashers allow more choices in kitchens that may need to maximize cabinet space. With the same power to clean as built-in dishwashers, portables can offer some flexibility in tight spaces. If you move and have room in your new house, some portable models can be converted to a built-in model.

Old House Remodeling: Removing Old Tile and Glue

When you live in old house like I do, remodeling is always a challenge and a surprise. I am currently involved in a major kitchen remodel. Our kitchen like many kitchens, has seen better days. It was installed in the house was built back in 1945 and I'm sure it's has served its previous owners well. However, modern kitchens are large and open. This kitchen, like most kitchens of its era, a small enclosed off. We decided to open the kitchen out by removing part of the wall, removing old tile from the walls, and updating the entire kitchen with new cabinets and appliances.

I hope this tip and technique helps you if you ever encounter a similar situation. I know what I first started removing the glue from the wall, I would get discouraged thinking it would never end. However, by working slowly and steadily, I managed to get a little bit done each and every hour. I took frequent breaks, and went outside for a breather every couple of hours. It didn't help that I was doing this in the middle of summer when the temperature was in the 90s. However with perseverance, this task can be finished easily. And if you do it yourself, you'll save all the money that you would pay contractor to do the exact same thing.Surprise number two was the ceramic tile on the walls. The ceramic tile wound up not being ceramic tile at all! It was tin tile that was glued to a masonite backing board. The backing board was itself glued to the plaster walls and nailed every eight to 10 inches. So while the tiles came down very easily using just a screwdriver, getting they masonite backing board off the plaster was a nightmare. Not only were the plaster walls full of holes from the nails, big globs of glue was smeared all over the walls. At first I tried sanding. All that did was create a cloud of dust. After two hours of creating dust clouds I had only managed in clearing off a 2' x 2' square area. I talked to a number of contractors who only shook their heads and offered me luck in removing the glue from the walls. Someone suggested I use glue remover but I didn't want the fumes in the house. Someone else suggested a strong scraper but I wasn't strong enough to remove this glue. Finally, someone suggested a heat gun. I was skeptical. How would a little heat gun remove 60 years of hard and glue? Much to my surprise, it worked! Now it didn't work easily. It was still a lot of hard work, but by working slowly, and steadily, I was able to remove all remnants of glue in about four days.

I hope this tip and technique helps you if you ever encounter a similar situation. I know what I first started removing the glue from the wall, I would get discouraged thinking it would never end. However, by working slowly and steadily, I managed to get a little bit done each and every hour. I took frequent breaks, and went outside for a breather every couple of hours. It didn't help that I was doing this in the middle of summer when the temperature was in the 90s. However with perseverance, this task can be finished easily. And if you do it yourself, you'll save all the money that you would pay contractor to do the exact same thing.

Author: Dean Novosat

Space Saving Clothes Hangers

It would appear that women have too many clothes and not enough closet space to hang them in without crushing them together - so, it comes as no surprise that women only seem to use 35% of the clothes they have hanging in their closets. This lack of hanging space can be overcome with a pack of space saving clothes hangers of one design or another. One old favorite for hanging clothes over the back of the door is the space saver hanger bar. This comes with a pair of hooks and five space saver hangers per pack. This pack of space saving clothes hangers enables you to hang up to ten items from a door frame or a picture rail, or the back of the door - two clothes' items per hole. You might even decide to use it in your wardrobe or to hang clothes up when drying. It was an old favorite years' ago and appears to have been resurrected recently with some success.

Another of the designs for clothes hangers is the space saving closet organizer hanger hook which contains ten small hooks along its 49cm length. This space saving clothes hanger holds clothes securely in your wardrobe, ten garments for each hole. Meanwhile, the portable folding trouser rack holder makes transporting clothes much easier. When not in use it folds up and, at 222g is hardly likely to take you over your baggage allowance. Another neat innovation is the Kascade hangers. These are a set of 30 vertical wooden coat hangers that, due to a neat little hook where the metal hook joins the wooden hanger, allows clothes to be held in a cascade, thereby saving considerable space. These space saving clothes hangers measure 14inch H x 17inch W x 8inch D and are made of solid wood with a natural polished finish.The multi-hang coat hanger hooks offer a different design and measure 12cm long x 1.5cm wide. They are manufactured in black plastic and come in packs of 12. These space saving clothes hangers fit over any standard hanger, allowing room for an additional three garments to be hung from that same hanger. If you are looking for space saving clothes hangers to hang trousers neatly, one of the best designs is the 4-tier wooden trouser bar coat hanger. This wooden hanger, measuring 15 inch W x 13.5 inch H has a side hinge mechanism that enables each hanger to slide aside at an angle for ease of access, making it simple to hang or remove trousers.

For those men who still keep a selection of ties, the lightweight and compact Twirl-a-Tie hanger is perfect. This item comes in two parts which need to be clipped together before use. It is always a problem finding somewhere suitable to a hang man's selection of ties because they often slide off the normal space saving clothes hangers and end up on the floor of your closet. Part of the problem with hanging up ties is the overall weight of them. Although the Twirl-a-Tie is advertised as comfortably holding up to 20 neck ties the sheer weight of them precluded this according to some customers' reports. In a nutshell, this seems to be part of the problem with some of these innovations: they fail to take into account just how heavy some garments are. Overall, however, there are some very good spaces saving clothes hangers on the market, with far more innovative designs available.

Author: Tameka T. Norris